Apparel · Cost Guide
How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture Activewear Leggings?
A complete breakdown of unit costs, tooling, materials, shipping, and lead times for manufacturing activewear leggings.
Unit Cost
$3.00–$10.00
per unit
Lead Time
40 days
avg. production
MOQ Range
300–1,000
units minimum
Tooling Cost
$0.00–$1.0k
one-time setup
Overview
Activewear leggings are a booming category where fabric performance (moisture-wicking, compression, opacity) drives brand loyalty. China leads in both fabric mills and garment production. Nylon/spandex blends offer superior hand-feel and performance vs polyester/spandex. Sublimation printing enables complex patterns without per-color cost increases.
Cost Breakdown
| Cost Component | Range | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Manufacturing Cost | $3.00–$10.00 | Per unit |
| Tooling / Mold Setup | $0.00–$1.0k | One-time |
| Shipping per Unit | $0.08–$0.20 | Per unit |
| Total Landed Cost (est.) | $3.08–$10.20 | Per unit |
* Tooling costs are amortized across your order quantity. Actual costs vary based on supplier, materials, and order volume.
Cost Breakdown Visual
Country Comparison
| Metric | China | Vietnam | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Cost | $5.52–$7.47 | $5.97–$8.07 | $5.08–$6.88 |
| Typical MOQ | 650 | 715 | 780 |
| Lead Time | 40 days | 46 days | 50 days |
| Tooling Cost | $425.00–$575.00 | $510.00–$690.00 | $553.00–$747.00 |
Green = lowest cost per row. Estimates include ±15% variance.
Margin Calculator
Gross Margin
66.7%
Excellent
Landed Cost (est.)
$6.64
per unit, mid-range
Break-even (est.)
76
units to cover $1k
What Drives the Cost?
Best Manufacturing Countries
China
World's largest manufacturing hub. Excellent for high-volume production with mature supply chains and competitive pricing across virtually all product categories.
Vietnam
Rapidly growing alternative to China with lower labor costs. Especially strong in textiles, footwear, furniture, and electronics assembly.
Bangladesh
Among the lowest labor costs globally. Dominant in basic apparel and textiles. Growing capability in more complex garments.
Common Materials
Margin Advice
Target 70-80% retail margin. Nylon/spandex blends (80/20) are the performance standard and command $40-80 retail. Squat-proof opacity testing is critical for brand reputation. High-waisted designs with hidden pockets are baseline expectations. Seamless knit construction adds $1-3 per unit but supports premium positioning.
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