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To not toot our personal horn, however we all know a factor or two about the perfect train leggings right here at SELF—in reality, we acknowledge a choose few of them yearly throughout our Activewear Awards. Whereas it might sound dramatic, we expect a high-quality pair of leggings could make all of the distinction in how your day goes. (When you’ve ever tried lifting weights or having fun with a vinyasa move whereas sporting leggings that slip down, pinch, or pull in all of the fallacious locations, you realize this to be true.)
With that in thoughts, we curated an inventory of nice train leggings for all kinds of actions, chosen from tons of pairs we’ve examined and had advisable to us by specialists over time.
Our high picks
- Greatest Total: Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
- Greatest Funds: Outdated Navy Excessive-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings
- Greatest for Yoga: Lululemon Align Excessive-Rise Pant
- Greatest for Operating: Tracksmith NDO Tights
- Greatest for Health club Exercises: Reebok Lux Excessive-Rise Leggings
- Greatest for On a regular basis Put on: Spanx Booty Increase Lively 7/8 Leggings
On this article
What to search for when purchasing for train leggings
When you’re able to replace your leggings assortment, listed below are a couple of ideas we advocate preserving in thoughts as you store.
Excessive-impact actions, like working, and gentler actions, like stretching, name for several types of leggings. For the previous, it’s your decision a pair that’s thicker, extra compressive, and sweatproof. In the meantime, you’ll in all probability favor softer, lighter-weight leggings for yoga, Pilates, and different lower-intensity exercises.
Leggings are available in a spread of lengths, from full-length (that means they go all the best way to the underside of your ankle) to 7/8 (which hit round or simply above the ankle) to capri (which normally cease on the center of your calf). When unsure, measure your inseam size—the space out of your crotch to the spot in your leg or ankle the place you need the leggings to hit—and have your quantity useful when you browse.
Any leggings ought to have quantity of spandex, Lycra, elastane, or different stretchy materials to make sure they match near your physique with out limiting your motion. Past that, search for pairs made with moisture-wicking, breathable, squat-proof, further delicate, or chilly weather-ready supplies. As talked about above, your go-to exercises can even show you how to decide which materials will work greatest.
That is extra a private desire than anything, however it’s nonetheless essential to verify how excessive the waistband goes on a brand new pair of leggings, particularly if protection and help are key for you. You could find low-, medium-, and high-rise choices, however high-rise is the commonest.
Don’t overlook nice-to-have parts like a drawstring, well-placed pockets, and breathable mesh panels. Relying on what you want, these add-ons can flip a strong pair of leggings into an distinctive one.
FAQs about purchasing for train leggings
Ought to I measurement up or down in leggings?
When you’re between sizes, you must normally measurement down in leggings. Since they’re usually manufactured from stretchy materials, they need to increase to suit you, they usually are likely to get looser over time, so beginning with a tighter pair is normally higher. (In any case, leggings are supposed to be comfortable—and also you don’t need them to be falling down as you’re employed out.) That being stated, if you happen to’re contemplating a brilliant compressive pair of leggings, you would possibly wish to measurement up, because the cloth will match tighter and will really feel too restrictive in a smaller measurement.
Why do my leggings roll down on the waist?
Leggings which are too huge, have misplaced their elasticity, or are lower-rise could also be extra more likely to roll down. So, if this can be a frequent challenge for you, search for types which are high-waisted, with a thick, compressive waistband and a drawstring.
However, generally tremendous high-waisted types can roll down to satisfy the indent of your pure waist. Ideally, the highest of your leggings’ waistband will hit you proper at your pure waist or solely barely above. Whenever you strive them on, bounce round, bend, and stretch in your leggings to ensure they’ll keep put.
Store the perfect train leggings
Whether or not you’re a runner, a yoga fanatic, a hiker, a die onerous lounger, or the entire above, a wonderful new pair of leggings awaits you beneath.
Greatest Total: Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
- Extraordinarily comfy and versatile
- Breathable cloth
- Sturdy
- Subsequent to none—virtually excellent
Wherever your day takes you, you’ll be ready in Athleta’s best-selling Salutation Stash Excessive Rise Legging. It’s one of many model’s hottest leggings for its splendidly deep pockets (that one way or the other don’t add a ton of bulk); huge, comfortable waistband; and thick cloth.
Unbelievable sturdiness was one more reason we named the Salutation Stash the Greatest Leggings for Fairly A lot Something in our 2024 Activewear Awards—one in every of our judges was assured that these can final for years of wear and tear. “These are my all the things leggings,” they wrote. “I’ve been shopping for the Stash from Athleta for years, they usually maintain up. I train barre, elevate weights, hike trails, and browse the aisles of Dealer Joe’s in them continuously.”
Sizes: XXS to 3XL | Lengths: Petite, common, and tall | Supplies: Nylon, Lycra, recycled polyester, elastane, polyester (relying on the colour)
Greatest Funds: Outdated Navy Excessive-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings
- Nice worth
- Ultimate for high-sweat actions
- Received’t present sweat
- Some reviewers word the material might be thicker
These Outdated Navy leggings had been our readers’ choose for this yr’s Activewear Awards—and, wow, did they’ve loads to say: “I actually have 25 pairs, they usually’re the one bottoms I’ll do races in. The aspect pockets are so nice, I don’t even must put on working belts throughout my coaching runs to maintain my telephone, gum, and keys useful,” one defined.
One other reader shouted out their value level, sturdiness, compression degree, and, maybe most significantly, sweat resistance: “I put on them for my lengthy runs on the treadmill, they usually don’t present sweat stains.”
Sizes: XS to 4X | Lengths: Petite, common, and tall | Supplies: Polyester, spandex
Greatest for Yoga: Lululemon Align Excessive-Rise Pant
- Extraordinarily delicate and stretchy
- Wide selection of coloration choices
Arguably the most-loved Lulu bottoms throughout the board, the Aligns belong within the dictionary below “yoga leggings.” Additional delicate and non-constricting, they’re designed to really feel like a second pores and skin that strikes with you as you stretch, bend, and move.
“It actually doesn’t really feel such as you’re sporting pants, they usually by no means trigger chafing,” wrote one 2024 Activewear Awards decide. Whereas they’re principally splendid for yoga, our judges and one SoulCycle teacher additionally advisable the Align leggings for indoor biking and easily sporting round the home.
Sizes: 0 to twenty | Lengths: 23, 25, 28, and 31 inches | Supplies: Nylon, Lycra elastane
Greatest for Operating: Tracksmith NDO Tights
- A number of pockets
- Adjustable match
- Reflective particulars
- Moisture-wicking
- Not tremendous compressive
- Dear
Each distance runner is aware of that pockets are all the things, and this pair packs loads. With two massive, envelope-style pockets and a 3rd, zippered one behind the waistband, you received’t should put on a working belt on longer loops.
These high-waisted leggings are constructed from a double-sided cloth that’ll preserve you heat on chilly mornings or evenings—plus, they’ve a drawstring, so you possibly can regulate the match (that means they’ll nonetheless really feel good after the post-gel bloat). Zippers on the ankles additionally make them straightforward to get off whenever you’re sweaty.
Sizes: XS to L | Lengths: Common | Supplies: Lycra, polyester, nylon, polyamide, elastane Lycra, polyurethane
Greatest for Health club Exercises: Reebok Lux Excessive-Rise Leggings
- Comparatively inexpensive for the standard
- Compressive, supportive match and really feel
- Additional high-rise waistband
- Some could discover the compression too sturdy
When you’re searching for workhorse leggings that’ll sustain with you thru HIIT lessons, lifting classes, and cardio exercises, you want a pair of supportive, ultra-high-waisted Reebok Luxes, which received a 2023 Activewear Award for his or her reliability and flexibility.
“Generally full-length leggings look ‘bunchy’ on the ankles, however these had been excellent,” one SELF tester wrote. “The excessive waistband is extraordinarily comfy and flattering. They’re completely squat-proof as properly. I felt very assured, and I used to be in a position to full all exercises with out having to drag them up or regulate them in any respect (even throughout a sweaty vinyasa yoga class).”
Sizes: XXS to XL | Lengths: Brief, common | Supplies: Nylon, elastane
Greatest for On a regular basis Put on: Spanx Booty Increase Lively 7/8 Leggings
- Thick and just a little compressive
- Sweat-resistant
- Cozy, flattering match
- Could run small, in keeping with reviewers
A two-time Activewear Award winner in 2021 and 2022, Spanx’s Booty Increase Lively leggings are about as dependable as leggings get (and win bonus factors for his or her extremely flattering match). “These are perfection,” wrote one tester, who wears a measurement 2X. “They didn’t transfer. The leggings are high-waist and canopy my total tummy as a plus-size girl. The place have these leggings been all my life?”
One other SELF tester raved about their versatility: “I may put on these leggings to the workplace and nobody would know that they’re for exercises.” They match like a glove and look nice even after hours of wear and tear, making the Booty Increase Lively our high choose for all-day put on (no contest!).
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Lengths: 25 inches | Supplies: Nylon, elastane
Greatest Compression Leggings: SuperFit Hero SuperHold Pocket 7/8 Leggings
- Extraordinarily supportive
- Thick, opaque cloth
- Huge measurement vary
- Have a tendency to draw lint and pet hair, in keeping with reviewers
At this level, it’s an odd yr when SuperFit Hero’s extremely compressive, squat-test-passing SuperHold pocket leggings don’t win an Activewear Award (their earliest look was in 2019). All through the years, they’ve wowed our testers with their extraordinarily safe match, inclusive measurement vary, and general nice look (an influencer who examined a pair in 2022 stated the SuperHolds had been their go-to leggings for on-camera work).
“The leggings positively did all the things they had been alleged to do,” one 2023 tester wrote. “They had been supportive, comfy, cute, and helped me keep dry once I was actually sweaty. I particularly appreciated how the waistband stayed in place, and general I didn’t have to regulate something throughout my exercises.”
Sizes: L to 7X | Lengths: 29 inches | Supplies: Polyester, spandex
Greatest for Lounging: Past Yoga Spacedye Caught In The Midi Excessive Waisted Legging
- Very delicate
- Tons of coloration choices
- No exterior seam
- Cloth has four-way stretch that strikes with you
- Inseam could also be too brief on some folks
When you might have an extended day of nothing deliberate, a supremely comfortable pair of leggings makes for a terrific uniform. Those that come to thoughts for us are simply Past Yoga’s tremendous delicate, easy Spacedye tights.
“These leggings positively lived as much as my expectations,” wrote one 2023 Activewear Awards tester. “I discovered myself reaching for them many times, since they had been so comfy, cute, and I didn’t should fiddle with them whereas educating or working towards yoga.” In 2024, we additionally gave a nod to the Out of Pocket model of those leggings, that are simply as cuddly however characteristic two drop-in aspect pockets too.
Sizes: XXS to 4X | Lengths: 24 inches | Supplies: Polyester, elastane
Greatest for Chilly Climate: Baleaf Fleece-Lined Winter Leggings
- Lined for heat, but breathable
- Funds-friendly
- A number of colours to select from
- Could bunch on the ankles, in keeping with reviewers
When you courageous icy temps within the title of your exercise (or commute), you want a pair of Baleaf’s refreshingly inexpensive fleece-lined leggings. “The wind doesn’t pierce by them like plenty of different leggings. They’re additionally sweat-wicking, so they’re nice for understanding,” Lindsey Quebedeaux, a observe and cross-country coach, runner, and walker from New Braunfels, Texas, beforehand advised SELF.
They’re out there in a number of types: The one-pocket model has a mid-rise waist; the three-pocket is high-rise; and the water resistant model has an extra-high waist that ought to turn out to be useful when it’s chilly and moist exterior.
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Lengths: 27-28 inches (relying on the dimensions) | Supplies: Polyester, spandex
Greatest for Climbing: Out of doors Analysis Advert-Vantage Leggings
- Very sturdy
- Stretchy
- UPF 30 helps defend your pores and skin from the solar’s rays
- Too light-weight for climbing in chilly climate
- Restricted coloration choices
Hikers ask plenty of their leggings: They need to be straightforward to maneuver in, however they will’t rip or snag when the path will get tough. Few pairs strike a steadiness between stretchy and hard fairly just like the Advert-Vantage from Out of doors Analysis.
Made with mountain climbing in thoughts, they’re abrasion-resistant by the knees and hips and supply full vary of movement. As our 2023 Activewear Awards tester put it, “I’m able to transfer at any angle in these they usually keep in place. I additionally really feel like they’re excellent for journey as a result of they’re sturdy, light-weight, and have some compression.”
Sizes: XS to XXL | Lengths: 25 inches | Supplies: Nylon, Lycra
Greatest Shade and Sample Choices: Sweaty Betty Energy Exercise Leggings
- Massive collection of sizes and styles
- Has two pockets
- Sweat-wicking cloth
- Adjustable drawstring contained in the waistband
These are an all-around wonderful pair of leggings, and you may’t beat the choices with regards to colours and patterns—there are 28(!) to select from. These stretchy tights are nice for just about any exercise, with a big aspect pocket, a again zippered pocket, and an adjustable inside drawstring. Sweaty Betty is beloved for his or her vibrant patterns, so if you happen to’re searching for a really distinctive set, this model is the one to buy.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Lengths: ⅞, full-length | Supplies: Polyamide, elastane
Greatest Measurement Vary: Girlfriend Collective Luxe Legging
- Tender and compressive
- Has three pockets
- Moisture-wicking
- Wide selection of sizes
- Heavy cloth isn’t the perfect for decent exercises
These high-waisted leggings are thick and compressive—excellent for anybody who likes their tights to really feel like a powerful hug. With a delicate sheen, these would work equally properly for a health club day or a cute errands outfit. They’ve three small pockets (two on the entrance waistband and one on the again) and are made with cozy, peach-fuzz-like cloth.
Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Lengths: 23.75 inches, 28.5 inches | Supplies: Recycled plastic bottles (RPET), spandex
Greatest for HIIT: Vuori Day by day Legging
- Keep-put waistband
- Exceptionally comfy
- Adjustable drawstring exterior the waistband
- 4-way stretch strikes with you
- No pockets
- Not tremendous compressive
- ⅞ size could also be too brief for tall folks
When you really feel like your tights by no means keep in place, you might want to strive Vuori’s Day by day Legging. One SELF author swears by it for working, HIIT exercises, or actually any train that’ll have you ever bouncing round.
“The tremendous excessive, huge, segmented waistband and drawstring combo actually helps them keep put and never roll down, it doesn’t matter what I’m doing. I by no means have to drag these up and regulate them throughout exercises, which makes me attain for them again and again,” she says. They’re minimize to a ⅞ size, so that they’re excellent for anybody on the shorter aspect who hates when their full-length leggings bunch up. The thick cloth makes them splendid for sweaty exercises, and, per our author, they’re extremely delicate and flattering.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Lengths: brief, common, lengthy | Supplies: Polyester, elastane
Greatest with Pockets: Nike Go Agency-Assist Excessive-Waisted ⅞ Leggings
- Supportive, hold-you-in really feel
- Six pockets
- Additional-wide waistband
- ⅞ size could not work for tall of us
When you’ve bought stuff to carry, these leggings have the space for storing you want. Nike’s Go tights have two angled aspect pockets alongside the thighs, three drop-in pockets alongside the again waistband, and a zipper pocket on the thigh, so you possibly can simply pack your telephone, gels, headphone case, lip balm, keys, and playing cards. Compressive and supportive, with an extra-wide waistband, these will sustain with you as you run, squat, and hike.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Lengths: Common | Supplies: Nylon, spandex
Most Stretchy: Gymshark Very important Seamless 2.0 Leggings
- Snug
- Seamless across the waist
- Moisture-wicking cloth
- A number of colours to select from
- Not compressive
- No pockets
Gymshark’s Very important Seamless 2.0 leggings will transfer with you all day lengthy, with a large, ribbed, seamless waistband and stretchy, safe cloth that’s shaded to contour your physique. Moisture-wicking nylon makes them a strong choose for sweaty conditioning classes too.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Lengths: Common | Supplies: Nylon, elastane
Greatest Splurge: LNDR Limitless Pocket ⅞ Legging
- Tremendous light-weight
- Sweat-wicking cloth
- Has two waistband pockets
- Gentle compression
- Some reviewers say they’re not thick or opaque sufficient
- Restricted measurement vary
This pair from LNDR is ideal for anybody who doesn’t like cumbersome aspect pockets, however desires extra space for storing than a zippered again pocket. The drop-in pockets on these are uniquely positioned excessive on the waistband, so you possibly can simply cowl them with a shirt or tank.
These leggings are additionally very smoothing and light-weight, so that they’ll really feel notably good in scorching settings. “These are my favourite leggings of all time,” wrote one LNDR buyer. “They’re tight in all the appropriate locations and tremendous comfy.”
Sizes: XS to XL | Lengths: 8/8 (full-length), ⅞, 6/8 (capri) | Supplies: Polyamide, elastane
How SELF exams and selects train leggings
For SELF’s Activewear Awards, we faucet staffers, on a regular basis exercisers, and specialists of all stripes (together with hikers, marathon runners, weight lifting trainers, and health coaches) to check dozens of leggings. They put their gear by the wringer, sweating, transferring, and residing of their attire for weeks all through the testing interval, then use our official Activewear Shopping for Information to find out which objects had been actually the perfect. You’ll be able to relaxation assured that the leggings that made the minimize had been road-tested to the fullest.
After we search for suggestions exterior of our yearly awards, we ask trusted health specialists within the area for his or her absolute favorites. Whereas a flashy new pair that they’re enthusiastic about is at all times of curiosity, we wish to know which leggings they arrive again to time after time—these are those we characteristic.
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