Modibodi 7/8 recycled active legging
Buy now £55, Modibodi.co.uk
At first glance, the leggings appear to run small – looking at the straight out of the packet, I had doubts about whether or not they’d even get over my knees, but as soon as I pulled them on, I was pleasantly surprised.
The material – which feels not dissimilar to that of a swimming costume – is much stretchier than expected, meaning they actually slipped on easily. They’re crucially still very opaque – none of the see-through awkwardness you often get with cheaper gym leggings – and once you’re in them, the support from the double-lined waistband is firm and reassuring, but not too tight (exactly the right balance if you’re battling soreness and bloating).
In fact, I’d go as far as to say the fit was actually quite flattering – I was reminded of the secure smoothing quality of my beloved Girlfriend leggings (£65, Thesportsedit.com), although the size range isn’t quite as extensive. Modibodi’s period leggings run from a UK 8 or XS to a UK 18, which is marked as an XXL, so there’s definitely room to improve here.
I did, however, appreciate the attention to detail in the design itself – there’s a pocket on the left leg which is spacious enough to hold the average smartphone, and even a subtle drawstring in the waistband to allow you to adjust the fit as needed throughout your cycle.
Read more:
- 11 best eco-friendly period products to try
- 9 best yoga leggings and pants that are comfortable and squat-proof
- 10 best women’s running leggings that will help you go that extra mile
At £55, Modibodi’s leggings can’t be considered a budget buy, but they are less expensive than other similar period activewear offerings from brands like Thinx (although our reviewer liked these too). When calculating the price of a piece like this, it’s also important to consider how many pads or tampons you’ll no longer have to buy – it’s not an overnight saving, but one that could definitely play to your advantage long-term.
However, even if period-friendly activewear didn’t cost a penny, the main thing you’d want to know is whether it actually works – you need to feel comfortable and protected throughout your workout at the time when you feel like moving the least.
The all-important protection comes in the form of a lined merino wool gusset. This does feel a little odd if you’re used to wearing separate sanitary products (and indeed, underwear!), but even if you’re not already a convert to period pants or leggings, after a while you forget that you’re wearing anything outside of the norm. No one else will know either, as there’s no additional bulk or telltale outline.
On the yoga mat, they’re an undeniable success – these leggings have the ability to stay up and hold you in so reassuringly through any number of downward dogs.
And when I switched to cardio, lacing up my running shoes for a 30-minute lap around the block, the outcome was similarly positive. While of course they don’t have the magic ability to cure cramps or motivate you when you’re feeling sluggish, the leggings stayed in place and felt supportive throughout my run, and I’d go as far as to say they’re among the most comfortable workout leggings I’ve ever worn – period or no period.