We put Everlane's first pair of leggings to the test — these are our honest thoughts
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If you’re a fan of sustainable fashion, you’ll know that activewear is something that can be a little bit more difficult to buy — especially at an affordable price. But Everlane’s latest release, The Perform Legging, might change all that.
When we heard that the ethical, transparent brand was releasing their first pair of leggings, we knew we had to put them to the test.
The leggings, made of 58 per cent recycled nylon and dyed at a Bluesign-certified facility, already have rave reviews from early customers — but don’t take their word for it.
We’ve been testing the leggings, which launched today at $77 CAD price in four colours and two lengths, out for a couple of weeks now. Here’s what our team thought.
Alyssa Tria, Shopping Editor
I love these leggings! Putting all my other leggings to shame, this new pair offers the perfect compression while also feeling incredibly lightweight. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from them. I had requested an XXS (I typically fall between XXS and XS) but when they first arrived at my desk, I was almost convinced I had requested two sizes too small — they looked super thin and tiny. But to my surprise, during a trial run at the gym, they surpassed all my expectations. I practically live in them now.
Perfect for HIIT workouts, these leggings move with you to give you support and a tight fit only where you want it. I never have to worry about pulling them up or adjusting the waistband, as it never slips or bunches. I also really appreciate how breathable the material is.
The only thing I would change about these leggings is the length. They are way too long for someone who is petite. (Editor’s note: We think Aly received the regular length pair for trial. At 5’1”, the ankle length would definitely have been better suited for her tiny frame!)
Paulina Sawarna, Lifestyle Editor
I love these leggings! Probably my new favourite pair. I don’t actually work out much, but for walking around town or lounging at home, I find these extremely comfy and light. They don’t squeeze me too much like other pairs do, are breathable, and have a perfect waistband that doesn’t bunch up. The only thing I’d warn others of is that the fit becomes a little relaxed after they’ve been washed. When I first got them they were way tight, but now that they’ve gone through a laundry cycle, I love them... Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
Elizabeth Di Filippo, Lifestyle Editor
I’m on the fence with The Perform Leggings. When they first arrived, I was convinced they were going to be too small. They look very small when you receive them, but they have great stretch once you put them on, but are made of very thin material that I couldn’t get used to. The reviews that say these leggings feel like you’re wearing work-out clothes is an understatement; I felt like I wasn’t even wearing pants.
It felt so strange to put them on and go about my day without feeling as though I was missing something. They feel like pantyhose, especially with the support at the waistline. In fact, the midriff support was one of the only things I did like about these leggings, because my waistband never slipped throughout the day.
I personally like thicker compression leggings, like my pair from Girlfriend Collective, but I can see these being great for traveling on long flights or wearing during a summer workout.
Hilary Hagerman, Lifestyle Managing Editor
These leggings have literally been the talk of our team since we received them. As someone who has probably five pairs of black leggings, I wanted something a little different, so I got the brandy rose colour. These pants have been divisive among our team — some of our editors absolutely love them, while others aren’t so sure. It goes without saying that I love that these are ethically made from recycled materials. And design wise, I love the colour, the compression and the smoothness of these leggings.
Personally, when I tried them on the first time, I thought they were a bit too lightweight for my personal needs. As someone who rarely works out and whose exercise is limited to walking my dog (a lot), I tend to gravitate towards heavier leggings that I don’t worry about pulling or tearing. However, the second time I put these on, I started to see why some of my other teammates love these leggings. They’re so comfortable and lightweight — and they honestly hold up quite well, and are warmer than expected. I wore them on a recent snowy hike with my dog and they kept me warm and dry.
I still wish they were a bit thicker, just for my fear of dog claws pulling through the lightweight material, but I’ll pick my battles.
Kate Mendonca, Shopping Editor
When it comes to Everlane’s first leggings, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that they’re lightweight and super soft, and despite the thin material, they’re pretty squat-proof. I also love the fact that they’re made from recycled plastic and are dyed at a Bluesign®-certified facility without the use of harsh chemicals.
As for the bad news, I prefer my activewear to be on the heavier side, so it was quite an adjustment getting used to the feel of the Perform Legging. The high waistband along with the stretch nylon material also caused some issues for me, because I found it started rolling down in the middle of my yoga practice. Finally, at only 5’3”, these leggings may just be too long for me, because I noticed a lot of fabric bunching at the ankles (Editor’s note: We think Kate also received the regular length instead of ankle!)
I might be able to solve the rolling and bunching issues by ordering a size down (I got them in my usual size small), but I’m not sure I would want to deal with even more compression on my legs than there already is. For the sizing issues and fabric that isn’t my favourite, these leggings may be the holy grail for some of my colleagues, but I think I’ll have to give them a pass.
If you think Everlane’s new Perform Leggings are for you, you can shop them below.
The Perform Legging In Black
SHOP IT: Everlane, $77
The Perform Legging In Ink Grey
SHOP IT: Everlane, $77
The Perform Legging in Lichen
SHOP IT: Everlane, $77
The Perform Legging in Brandy Rose
SHOP IT: Everlane, $77
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