Flip over the label on any pair of leggings or sports bra and you'll see a mix of names: nylon, polyester, polyamide, spandex, elastane, Lycra. What do they actually mean, and does it matter? It does. The fabric decides how your activewear feels, how it moves and how long it lasts. Here's a plain-English guide to nylon vs polyester activewear, and how to read a label like a pro.
First, the names
- Nylon and polyamide are the same family of fiber. "Polyamide" is simply the term more common on European labels.
- Spandex, elastane and Lycra are also the same thing: the stretch fiber. Lycra is a brand name, elastane is the European term and spandex is the American one.
- Polyester is a separate synthetic fiber with its own strengths.
Nylon: soft, smooth and strong
Nylon is known for its smooth, silky hand-feel. It's the fiber behind the "buttery soft" leggings everyone talks about. It also has:
- Excellent strength and abrasion resistance, so it holds up well to friction from mats and equipment
- Great stretch and recovery when blended with spandex
- A slightly cool, soft touch against the skin
Most of our leggings, bras and tanks are nylon-rich blends. For example, the Lycra High Waisted Yoga Leggings are 80% nylon and 20% spandex, and the Ruched Halter Yoga Tank Top is 75% nylon and 25% elastane.
Polyester: colorfast, light and easy-care
Polyester is a little crisper to the touch, and it has its own advantages:
- Very colorfast, which makes it ideal for bold colors and color blocking
- Lightweight and quick to dry
- Holds its shape well and resists wrinkles
You'll find polyester blends in some of our color-block pieces, such as the Color Block High Waisted Yoga Shorts, and in lightweight layers like the Quarter-Zip Yoga Pullover.
Nylon vs polyester at a glance
| Nylon / polyamide | Polyester | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Silky, smooth, "buttery" | Slightly crisper, light |
| Stretch (with spandex) | Excellent | Very good |
| Strength | Very high abrasion resistance | High |
| Color | Rich, deep tones | Very colorfast, great for prints |
| Best for | Leggings, sports bras, second-skin pieces | Color block, light layers, shorts |
What spandex (elastane) does
Spandex is the stretch in stretchwear. The percentage tells you a lot:
- 5–10%: comfortable give, less hold (common in tees and layers)
- 13–20%: supportive stretch, the classic leggings and bra range
- 20–25%+: a sculpting, second-skin hug with strong recovery
What GSM tells you
GSM (grams per square meter) measures fabric weight. Around 200–250 GSM is the sweet spot for leggings and bras: substantial enough to feel supportive and stay opaque, light enough to stay breathable. Many of our pieces sit at 210–240 GSM. Denser fabrics, like the 300 GSM Spaghetti Strap Yoga Sports Bra, feel more structured.
So which is better?
Neither is better in every case. For leggings and sports bras, many people prefer nylon blends for their softness and smooth, sculpting feel. For bold color blocking, prints and light layers, polyester blends shine. What matters most is a good amount of spandex, a medium fabric weight and the right fit. Our guide to choosing yoga leggings puts it all together.
Frequently asked questions
Is polyamide the same as nylon?
Yes. Polyamide is the fiber family that nylon belongs to, and the two names are used interchangeably on labels.
Is elastane the same as spandex?
Yes. Elastane, spandex and Lycra all refer to the same stretch fiber.
Which fabric is softest for leggings?
Nylon-rich blends with around 20% spandex are generally considered the softest and smoothest.
How do I make synthetic activewear last?
Wash it cool, skip fabric softener and air dry. See our activewear care guide.
Feel the difference
Explore our nylon-rich leggings and sports bras, or our polyester-blend color-block tanks, all made to order.
