Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester dominate the yoga wear market, but plant-based fibers can offer a lot of the same benefits!
Plant-based yoga leggings
We are always seeking out better, sustainable fabrics with which to make our yoga leggings and Tencel™ is our new favourite. We love our vibrant printed leggings made with recycled nylon but to be honest, nothing beats the feeling of plant-based fibers against your skin!
Tencel™ is the brand of lyocell sold by the Austrian company Lenzing AG and this also where Tencel™ fibers used in our yoga leggings come from. It took us a while to find THE perfect lyocell fabric for yoga leggings. We wanted something which is opaque, strong and with enough elastane to avoid baggy knees – And we found it! We are proud to say that the Tencel Lyocell fabric used in our yoga leggings is manufactured in Germany. Check our plant-based yoga leggings here.
What is Tencel™ Lyocell?
Lyocell is made from wood pulp, and the benefits of using TENCEL® lyocell include the traceable and sustainable origin of the wood pulp, and the use of a closed loop solvent and water recycling process.
Tencel™ Lyocell:
– is grown in sustainably maintained forests
– no herbicides or pesticides used
– made of plants and trees which grow quickly
– has low water consumption during growth and processing
And why Tencel™ Lyocell is great for yoga leggings?
– If you have sensitive skin or allergies, Tencel™ lyocell is an excellent option for you.
– It’s soft and breathable
– It absorbs moisture
– It is less susceptible to odorous bacteria growth
And what’s wrong with organic cotton?
We at Arctic Flamingo think that cotton is the past, lyocell is the future. Cotton is a traditional fiber that’s been around since forever and it has a huge environmental impact. We agree that organic cotton is better than conventional cotton, but Tencel does what cotton does (and more!) and with much less environmental footprint.
Why (organic) cotton is still the most popular material in natural yoga wear?
The answer is very simple: Even the most superior quality of organic cotton is less expensive than Tencel™ lyocell and that is the reason why cotton it’s still so popular. For big brands, the shift from cotton to lyocell or some other more sustainable fibre is expensive, but we at Arctic Flamingo think that doing the right thing is more important than maximizing the profits!
You can shop our black yoga leggings and yoga shorts made using Tencel™ Lyocell here and here!
Posted by Inkeri, the founder of Arctic Flamingo