Leggings Fabric Guide: Nylon vs Polyester vs Seamless
Fabric is 50-60% of your leggings' cost and most of its feel. After 20 years making activewear, here's the guide we give every brand we work with — what each fabric does, what it costs, and where it fails.
Nylon-Spandex
- Feel: soft, buttery, high stretch recovery
- Best for: yoga, pilates, premium leggings
- Weight: 180-320 GSM
- Watch out: higher cost; needs careful washing
Polyester-Spandex
- Feel: quick-dry, durable, colorfast
- Best for: running, gym, compression
- Weight: 150-280 GSM
- Watch out: can feel less premium than nylon
Seamless
- Feel: second-skin, no side seams
- Best for: sports bras, seamless leggings, compression
- Machine: circular knit (Santoni-class)
- Watch out: premium price, fewer style options
Fabric Weight Quick Reference
| Weight | Use |
|---|---|
| 150-180 GSM | Summer, light training |
| 200-230 GSM | All-season leggings |
| 260-320 GSM | Scrunch butt, sculpting, winter |
What We Recommend
- Startup testing: 200 GSM nylon-spandex, in-stock from 1 pc
- Scaling brand: custom fabric from 300 pcs
- Compression line: seamless polyester-spandex with graduated compression
Ready to pick a fabric? Get a quote with fabric samples.