Ultimate Stash 7/8 Tight
Athleta's bestselling tights use Econyl® recycled nylon — a sustainability improvement over virgin nylon, but still 100% synthetic plastic. Athleta deserves credit for using recycled materials and holding B Corp certification, but the fabric remains entirely petroleum-derived with no natural fiber content.
CRITICAL: Athleta's tights are worn skin-tight against the entire lower body during exercise. Their primary fabric is Econyl® recycled nylon — which, while better for the environment than virgin nylon, is still 100% synthetic plastic that sheds microplastics and sits against your skin during your most absorptive state (sweating, exercising).
Why We Rated It This Way
Athleta scores slightly higher than Lululemon and Vuori due to their B Corp certification and use of recycled materials, but the core fabric is still 100% plastic. Their 'sustainable' positioning does not address the microplastic shedding or skin absorption issue.
Chemical & Health Analysis
Recycled nylon (Econyl®) microfibers
Recycled nylon has the same microplastic shedding profile as virgin nylon — recycling does not eliminate the microplastic problem, it only reduces the carbon footprint of production. Econyl® nylon still releases ~700,000 microfibers per wash and sits against skin during exercise.
Chemical contaminants in recycled nylon
Econyl® is made from recovered fishing nets and industrial waste. While Aquafil (the manufacturer) processes the material, trace contaminants from the original waste stream — including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants — may remain in the finished fiber.
All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research. PFR cites primary sources from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Synthetic Plastic Content
synthetic plastic fiber content by weight
