Great workout leggings are a sartorial Swiss Army knife: a technical powerhouse while in motion and a comfortable go-to when regular pants don’t appeal.
Performance wear is expected to do double duty, providing both support and comfort, on the go and at rest. We worked out (and worked from home) in numerous pairs, scrutinizing fabric, fit, performance, and style to find the best workout leggings for however you choose to move.
Our top picks include a flattering and versatile all-purpose legging; a splurge-worthy, extra-comfy pair; a budget-friendly choice with pockets; a lighter-weight layering piece that is also terrific for everyday wear; a high-performance basic with a high-end feel; and a supportive, plus-size-only legging.
Versatile, cut to flatter: Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging. Photo: Girlfriend Collective
Versatile, cut to flatter: Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging
Girlfriend Collective
How they fit: The flattering lines and structured fit of the Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging pleased nearly all of our testers. Our panel consisted of four testers: a 5-foot-2-inch petite tester who typically wears a size 4; a 5-foot-2-inch plus-size tester who typically wears a size 16–18; a 5-foot-9-inch tester who wears a size 2; and a 5-foot-10-inch tester who wears a size 6–8.
These leggings are available in sizes XXS to 6XL and three lengths: 19½ inches, 23¾ inches, and 28½ inches. They have more seaming than other, simpler pairs we tried, but that contributed to their nice shape. Their fabric feels thick, smooth, and “cool” to the touch, and they are pleasantly compressive.
Why they’re great: If you want to buy one pair that does it all, these leggings were among the most versatile we found. They’re perfect for all sorts of sporty (or non-sporty) activities and available in a wide range of sizes and colors. These leggings are made of a smooth, medium-weight fabric that’s stretchy and comfortable yet compressive enough that you feel secure and held in. We found them to be true to size and just snug enough—they stop short of resembling a superhero uniform.
The Compressive High-Rises also have a nicely structured fit. The seams wrap around the body, so this pair provides a more flattering silhouette than many competing pairs that rely solely on stretch. We especially liked the V-shaped panel across the lower back because it made the bum look perkier than in other leggings. These leggings come in more sizes than nearly every other pair we tested, and we like that they’re available in three lengths.
The wrap-around seaming and V-shaped rear are flattering on all sizes. Photo: Girlfriend Collective
Our testers loved these leggings. One petite woman, who wears a size XS and tried a 23¾-inch inseam, considered them to be “spot-on” for her size. Another tester, who wears an XXL, observed that although the Compressive High-Rises fit her well in the waist, the crotch and thigh areas required some tugging and adjustments. I wore a size M, with a 28½-inch inseam, and they felt great during a 30-minute indoor-cycling class (afterward, they dried in roughly 30 minutes). The 11-inch rise stayed put throughout. I would confidently pop them on for running, strength training, and other workouts, as well as for less-rigorous pursuits like yoga and lounging. They have one small internal back pocket, which has enough room for only a key or a credit card.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Though the Compressive High-Rise leggings breathe well, they may feel warm in some scenarios due to the substantial fabric. One tester noted that the waistband itself had less give than waistbands on other pairs, so pulling this pair on was a bit more difficult.
The single internal back pocket isn’t large enough to fit a phone or small wallet, which is a nuisance; if a roomier pocket is a priority, Girlfriend Collective does make a Compressive Pocket Legging. However, one Wirecutter staffer has tried them, and she reports that when she jogs, her phone tends to slide up and down in the pocket, driving her crazy.
Sizes: XXS to 6XL (size chart on the brand’s website uses waist and hip measurements to determine size)
Inseam: 19½ inches, 23¾ inches, or 28½ inches
Materials: 79% recycled polyester, 21% spandex
Colors: 12 colors, including black, brown, ivory, navy, green, purple, and limited-edition colors
Ultra-comfortable and splurge-worthy: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging
Beyond Yoga
How they fit: The Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging is stretchy instead of structured, with light compression. These leggings were so comfortable that most of our testers forgot they were wearing them. Our panel consisted of four testers: a 5-foot-2-inch petite tester who typically wears a size 4; a 5-foot-2-inch plus-size tester who typically wears a size 16–18; a 5-foot-9-inch tester who wears a size 2; and a 5-foot-10-inch tester who wears a size 6–8. The Beyond Yoga leggings are available in XXS (0–2) to 4X (30–32) and in one length, Midi (24-inch inseam). And the super-soft fabric has a luxurious, almost sueded texture.
Why they’re great: These leggings are the next best thing to being naked. Our testers unanimously agreed that they were the softest, most comfortable, super-luxe leggings they tried. Put them on in the morning, and you likely won’t think about them again all day. The fabric is softer than that of any other pair we tried—it feels almost like suede. They’re thin and stretchy versus structured, and they provide light compression. This pair has a simple, body-conscious silhouette that’s seamless down the outside of the legs (with no pockets) and a subtler aesthetic that lends itself to daily wear.
I stretched and put these leggings through a 30-minute high-intensity kettlebell workout, and they felt cool, comfortable, and not wholly unsupportive. In fact, I didn’t think about them at all—a good sign. Another tester wore them for a full day of running errands and forgot about them.
The Spacedye leggings have a subtle heathered look, thanks to space dying (a technique that provides a blurred or textured appearance); one tester said they appreciated this look in a sea of inky blacks. These leggings come in a wide variety of colors (some are seasonal hues that can vary) and in sizes up to a 4XL, but only a Midi length. (Beyond Yoga does offer Long and Capri lengths in other styles, but we didn’t try them.) At nearly $100, these leggings are among the pricier pairs we tried, but they were also one of the few pairs in this price range that we thought justified the price.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Spacedye leggings have a very body-conscious fit, even for leggings. With less seaming and structure than others we tried, they show every curve (lighter colors in particular might spotlight lumps and bumps). One tester, who wore a size XS, thought these were too tight, likening them to a “sausage casing” and “feeling overly compressed in all the wrong places.” But two other testers (one a size XXL and one a size S) said these Spacedye leggings fit “perfectly.”
The Midi length may not be right for everyone, especially tall people. And if you can’t live without a pocket, then these leggings probably aren’t for you.
Size range: XXS (0–2) to XXL (18–20), 1X (18–20) to 4X (30–32). According to Beyond Yoga’s size chart, there is some overlap if you wear a size 18–20.
Inseam: Midi length (between capri and full length)
Materials: 87% polyester, 13% spandex
Colors: 17 colors including dark gray, light gray, black, navy, and seasonal colors
Inexpensive and surprisingly soft, with pockets: IUGA High-Waist Yoga Pants
Luga
How they fit: With gentle but supportive compression and a flattering (if not quite perfect) cut, the IUGA High-Waist Yoga Pants are soft to the touch and medium-thick. Available in sizes XS to 3X, they fit our panel fine, though some found that the 1-inch elastic band dug in at the waist or they were a tad loose at the ankle. Our panel consisted of four testers: a 5-foot-2-inch petite tester who typically wears a size 4; a 5-foot-2-inch plus-size tester who typically wears a size 16–18; a 5-foot-9-inch tester who wears a size 2; and a 5-foot-10-inch tester who wears a size 6–8.
Why they’re great: Given their reasonable price, it’s easy to understand why these leggings are a number-one best-seller on Amazon (they’ve received over 50,000 reviews, with an average 4.6 out of 5 rating). They’re made with a soft yet substantial fabric, and they offer gentle but supportive compression and a flattering—albeit not flawless—cut. They also have convenient side-drop pockets, which feel proportionally (and comfortably) placed and can fit an iPhone.
One XS tester raved about the fit, noting the High Waists didn’t sag or bunch. And she found the fabric to be as soft and comfortable as that of more expensive pairs. Seams down the sides and across the rear give them a gently sporty look and a nice shape. In fact, we thought they were surprisingly flattering, especially given their price. They are a little loose at the ankle, which isn’t an enormous deal, but it’s noticeable compared with other pairs we wore. The seams are nice and flat, and this pair is comfortable to wear all day.
The inseam is around 28 inches, but varies slightly by size. (IUGA makes these leggings in an even shorter, capri version as well, but we didn’t test them.)
Dubbed “yoga pants,” they performed well during a variety of yoga poses and stretching, and they did fine during high-intensity efforts, too. The waistband didn’t slip much during jumping jacks with a phone in one of the pockets. The High Waists also dried quickly after unexpected rain interrupted a long walk.
One Wirecutter staffer wears these leggings for weightlifting, and reports that even after several sessions in which she repeatedly scraped the bar up her legs, the leggings haven’t pilled or ripped.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: One XXL tester found the fit to be finicky; the size was right, and the leggings didn’t require much tugging, but the 1-inch elastic strip at the waistband dug in and made the tester feel “claustrophobic.” Another tester, who tried a size XS, noted that the size chart was confusing, with the hip measurement in particular feeling off (as in, too small) by a few inches.
Some testers also noticed that the fabric lost its shape a bit, thought after more than 10 washings, our leggings have retained their elasticity decently, and we’ve seen no pilling. A Wirecutter staffer ordered a pair of the High Waists and unexpectedly received some made with a ribbed fabric instead, which is not what we originally tested. She was underwhelmed by their lack of support.
Size range: XS to 3X
Inseam: about 28 inches (varies by size)
Materials: 77% polyester, 23% spandex
Colors: over 20, including black, gray, dark teal, maroon
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