LEGGIC FABRIC
What Does 80% Nylon / 20% Elastane Mean?
An 80/20 label tells you the fiber proportions by mass, not whether the leggings are squat-proof, compressive or durable.
Reviewed 2026-09-15
An 80/20 label tells you the fiber proportions by mass, not whether the leggings are squat-proof, compressive or durable.
What matters
- 20% elastane suggests substantial elastic-fiber content.
- The hand feel depends on yarn and finishing.
- Opacity still depends on density, color, stretch and construction.
What the 80/20 label actually tells you
If a label says 80% nylon and 20% elastane, nylon is the main listed fiber and elastane makes up one fifth of the fiber content by mass. In European labeling you may see polyamide instead of nylon and elastane instead of spandex.
This composition has appeared frequently in shiny stretch leggings, including older LEGGIC catalog products. That history makes it a useful composition to understand, but it should not be turned into a universal quality rule.
What 80/20 cannot tell you
- Whether the leggings are matte, satin-like or highly shiny.
- Whether they are opaque when stretched in a squat.
- The fabric weight or GSM.
- How much compression the finished pattern creates.
- How quickly the knees or waistband recover after wear.
- Whether the surface will resist abrasion or pilling.
How to compare two 80/20 leggings
If two listings show the same 80/20 blend, look next at inseam and rise, fabric weight if disclosed, surface finish, seam construction, intended use and care instructions. Those facts are more useful than assuming the shared composition makes the garments equivalent.
Use this in practice
Compare the garment information you can verify — measurements, construction, care label and composition — with the way the pair actually behaves on your body. Avoid treating a single marketing term as a guarantee.