01Microfibers
It sheds.
Synthetic fabric releases tiny plastic fibers as it is worn and washed. One wash load can release hundreds of thousands of them, and they turn up in water, in air and on skin.
New
Shorts
Biker Short 5"
$68
Made in USA88% organic cottonFree returns
A 5 inch biker short in brushed organic cotton that smooths the waist and hip and stays where you put it.
- Body-contour fit that smooths and lifts
- Brushed organic cotton, soft from the first wear
- For the workout and the rest of the day
In stock. Ships in 1 to 2 days. Free returns for 30 days.
30-day fit guaranteeWear it, wash it. If the fit is off we swap it.
Made in USAKnit, cut and sewn here.
Details
- High rise with a wide, flat waistband
- 5 inch inseam that sits on the upper thigh
- V-seam at the back that follows the body
- Brushed on both sides, matte and opaque
- Small VIE logo at the centre back waist
- 88% organic cotton, 12% bio-based spandex
- Made in USA
Fit and size
True to size with a close, contouring fit. The waistband is wide and flat so it holds you in without digging in.
Between sizes, take the smaller one for more hold or the larger one for an easier fit.
Fabric and care
88% organic cotton, 12% bio-based spandex. No polyester and no nylon. Brushed on both sides.
Machine wash cold with like colors. Tumble dry low or lay flat. It relaxes a little as you wear it and tightens back up after a wash.
Shipping and returns
Orders ship in 1 to 2 business days. US shipping is free over $150.
You have 30 days from delivery to return or exchange. Wear it and wash it first if you like. If the fit is off, we swap the size or refund you.
Biker Short 5"Espresso / XS
Made in USA
No polyester. No nylon.
30-day fit guarantee
Free US shipping over $150
Free returns
Made in USA
No polyester. No nylon.
30-day fit guarantee
Free US shipping over $150
Free returns
Made in USA
No polyester. No nylon.
30-day fit guarantee
Free US shipping over $150
Free returns
Why VIE
what your body gets instead.
Every choice in this fabric does one of two things. It makes the piece feel better on you, or it takes out something that should not be against your skin.
A fit that contours without squeezing
A high rise and a V-seam at the back follow the body instead of flattening it. It holds you in at the waist, smooths over the hip and stays put when you move.
Brushed until it feels broken in
The cotton is brushed on both sides, so the first wear feels like the fiftieth. Soft on skin, matte to look at, and dense enough that you stop checking the mirror.
Cotton where it matters most
Leggings and shorts sit against some of the most absorbent skin on the body. Ours put organic cotton there instead of plastic.
Heat that leaves instead of building
Polyester holds warmth and moisture where you wear it longest. Cotton lets air through, so you stay comfortable after the session as well as during it.
Stretch that comes from plants
The 12% that lets it move is bio-based spandex, made in part from plants instead of oil. It stretches and recovers like the spandex you know.
Made in the USA
Knit, cut and sewn here, in small runs. Shorter trips, closer oversight, and people paid a US wage.
The problem
most activewear is plastic.
Polyester, nylon and standard spandex are made from oil. Leggings put them tight against some of the most absorbent skin on the body, for hours, through heat and sweat.
02Chemistry
It carries extras.
Independent testing has found BPA in polyester and spandex leggings, sports bras and shorts from major brands, at up to 40 times California's safe limit. Stain and water resistant finishes are a common source of PFAS.
03Heat
It holds heat.
Polyester does not breathe the way cotton does. It keeps warmth and moisture against you, which is where odor and irritation start.
BPA figures: Center for Environmental Health, 2023. Fiber shedding: Napper and Thompson, 2016. These describe synthetic activewear in general, not a specific brand.
The bigger picture
the part nobody puts on the label.
Skin is not a wall. Researchers are still working out how much of what touches it gets in, and early lab work suggests sweat makes it easier. Until they know more, less plastic against your body is a reasonable bet.
57%
of all fiber made in 2023 was polyester.
Textile Exchange, 2024
40x
California's safe limit for BPA, found in leggings and sports bras from major brands.
Center for Environmental Health, 2023
700k
plastic fibers can come off in a single wash load of synthetic fabric.
Napper and Thompson, 2016
Sources are listed on our science page. None of these studies tested VIE products, and none proves that a garment causes a health condition.
The comparison
what's in the leggings you're wearing now?
| Feature | VIEOrganic cotton | Typical activewearPolyester, nylon | Cotton basicsConventional cotton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber against your skin | Organic cotton | Polyester | Cotton |
| Grown without synthetic pesticides | Yes | n/a | No |
| No polyester or nylon | Yes | No | Yes |
| Plant-based stretch | Yes | No | No |
| Contours and keeps its shape | Yes | Yes | No |
| Breathes, no heat build-up | Yes | No | Yes |
| Made in USA | Yes | Rarely | Rarely |
| Fit guarantee | 30 days | Varies | Varies |
Comparisons describe what is typical for each category, not a specific brand.
The whole ingredient list
what it's made of
Two things, and one thing left out. That is the entire fabric.
88%
Organic cotton, brushed
12%
Bio-based spandex, made in part from plants
0%
Polyester or nylon
Questions
before you ask.
Is it really free of synthetics?
The fabric is 88% organic cotton and 12% bio-based spandex. There is no polyester and no nylon. Spandex is what lets a legging stretch and recover, and no natural fiber does that job yet, so we use a version made in part from plants and keep it to what the fit needs.
Can I work out in cotton?
Yes. It is made for pilates, yoga, lifting, walking and everything after. Cotton absorbs sweat instead of moving it to the surface, so in long, very sweaty sessions it will feel damp sooner than polyester does. For everything else most people find it more comfortable.
How does it fit?
True to size with a close, contouring fit. The rise is high and the waistband is wide and flat. Between sizes, take the smaller one for more hold.
Is it see-through?
No. The knit is dense and brushed, so it stays opaque when it stretches. Bone is the lightest color, so wear skin-tone underwear with it.
How do I wash it?
Cold wash with like colors, then tumble dry low or lay flat. It relaxes a little as you wear it and tightens back up after a wash.
Why does it cost more than other leggings?
Organic cotton and bio-based spandex cost more than polyester, and making it in the USA costs more than making it overseas. That is the whole difference.
What if it doesn't fit?
You have 30 days. Wear it, wash it, and if the fit is off we swap the size or refund you.