Included: the softest leggings you'll ever lay your hands on.
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If you’re anything like me, you have a pair of emotional support yoga pants that have been through it with you. And while they still get the job done, this pair may or may not be seven years old with some pilling and threadbare seams. These yoga pants have seen better days and could use a replacement. Goodbyes are hard, but there’s nothing like a new, stretchy pair of yoga pants or new leggings to perk up your workout routine.
Good news! There are oh-so-many adorable options when it comes to yoga pants and leggings (for doing real-deal yoga poses, having a little mobility sesh, or lounging between WFH meetings). Whether you prefer a pair of leggings with pockets or compression leggings, this is the *perfect* opp to pick out a new select (or three!) for the season.
Curious what makes a noteworthy pair of yoga pants? When deciding which types are ~the best~, we went straight to the most trustworthy source: real women. This list includes leggings our testers can't stop raving about and favorites straight from the Women's Health team that pass our rigorous sweat and wear tests.
Every option on this list includes spandex, otherwise known as elastane, for some solid stretch, because who wants a non-stretchy legging during yoga? But where things differ is whether or not the legging also has nylon or polyester, too. Nylon is typically the softest option out of the two, and it's known for its strength and durability. When combined with spandex, it makes for a super flexible, smooth pair of leggings that last a long time. It's also a super absorbent fabric, so if you're looking for something that sucks up sweat fast, this is your one.
Polyester, on the other hand, is a slightly rougher fabric, which means it's less slippery than super soft nylon and it also doesn't pill as much. It also holds onto color for longer. Polyester is much less absorbent than nylon, which means it wicks away sweat so that sweat stains don't appear as fast as they might on nylon clothing. Where nylon is soft and strong, polyester is less likely to pill and wicks away moisture faster.
All the options on this list are high-rise because, during yoga, you may want something that stays up, holds your stomach in, and covers your midriff, especially because you're constantly switching positions and moving around. No matter what size you choose, the bands of your leggings should hit right at your belly button.
For the past three years, Women’s Health editors, including contributor Jennifer Nied, contributor Kristine Thomason, executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, and associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner, reviewed the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated yoga pants. Our team personally tried many of the products and then sought our team of anonymous testers to try out our final winners and narrow down the 13 best yoga pants and leggings for a wide range of body types, workouts, and budgets.
Ready to move and groove? Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to your next favorite pair of yoga pants.
These yoga pants stay in place and aren’t see-through, so you can feel free to tackle all your toughest poses or HIIT workouts. This is why they earned the top spot on this list. The higher waist band also stood out to us, as it offers unmatched support and compression for the stomach area during every yoga pose. But they're not too tight that you want to rip them off—they're still totes breathable and airy for those super hot classes.
We particularly love that these leggings have pockets. While you may not need them during your yoga class, they come in handy when running errands before or after your sesh. They're big and deep enough to hold keys, phones, and wallets. These high-waisted pants are also soft, so you feel cozy through your entire flow and you never have to worry about them sliding down or feeling rough on your skin. Plus, you really can't beat the price for two leggings.
One downside we noted was that there are many seams in these leggings, so they're not as smooth and clean as some of the other options on this list.
Read More: Best Leggings With Pockets
These leggings are high-waisted, squat-proof, thick, seamless, and buttery soft—basically everything you would ever need in a legging. So, if you're looking for a cropped option to add to your collection, look no further. Also, they're super affordable without slacking on quality.
Our testers love wearing these leggings during the summer months because their cropped fit is nice on hot, stuffy days where you don't want the bottom half of your legs fully covered. However, they are on the thicker side to avoid being see-through, so they're suitable for chillier days, too. We found that they're true-to-size and they fit like a glove. They're also super smoothing—a few testers noticed that they blurred any unwanted bumps and lumps on their legs.
One note we had was we found that these leggings tend to roll down a bit during yoga poses, which we didn't find with other leggings on this list. While they didn't slip down, it was a bit of an annoyance to fold them back up every so often.
Whether you're running after a cab, or going for a run after yoga, these leggings are stretchy and supportive, designed to minimize chafing and rubbing. They're great for the person who loves yoga just as much as their daily run. That's because the waistband stays snug around your tummy area through your entire workout and never moves. Plus, they're super breathable and stretchy so you can move how you like without worrying about feeling stuffy or overly compressed.
Our testers enjoy these pants when they want to move freely, but because they're so snug and lightweight, they find themselves wearing them during multiple different activities. If you're a runner, it's probably good to know that our testers say these are totally chafe-free. The addition of side pockets and inner pockets also make them great for long runs, so you can shove your stuff in them and run out the door without a fanny pack or an extra bag.
We did notice that the waistband is slightly tighter than other options on this list. So, while they def stay up, they feel a bit more compressive. Also, the brand notes that these leggings are hand-wash only, which can be inconvenient.
Everyone should have a good pair of joggers. Whether you're hitting a vinyasa flow or working from home, this looser type of yoga pant is super comfortable. And this particular pair from Dragon Fit boasts comfort, stretchiness, and smoothness. Better yet, they don't get lint or hair stuck on them, several testers noted.
We also love that these joggers aren't super tight—they're extremely comfortable and feel airy during a hotter yoga class. Plus, when it's that time of the month, these come in handy on days where you don't want to feel constricted in leggings.
One of our testers wore these on a super long flight, and noted that they never felt constricting or uncomfortable. She actually said they were just the right amount of loose. If you want joggers that offer unrestricted movement on a budget, these are your new besties. Plus, they come in so many fun colors, you'll want to keep buying more pairs.
We did notice that these are a bit slick rather than soft, so when you're sitting on a slippery chair, these will def cause you to slide.
Read More: The Best Joggers For Women
These pants may be made for yoga, but they can be worn for just about any activity you want (I wear them on my long runs all the time!). They are ultra-soft—tbh, they might be one of the softest options on this list—and ultra-adorable. The sweat-wicking material is also perfect for even the hottest sweat sesh to keep you cool, calm, and comfortable.
I won't lie to you—these are one of my all-time favorite leggings because, above all else, they're so durable. I own about six pairs of these leggings, and I use them for just about everything—hanging at home, running, lifting, yoga, and the list goes on. This means that they're often being washed, and let me tell you—I have never noticed any pilling, deterioration, or color loss in the years I've owned the Lululemon Align leggings.
One thing I have noticed with these is that, after years of owning them, they can stretch out slightly. This isn't a deal breaker for me as I prefer my leggings to be a bit looser, but it's definitely something to note if you like your leggings to stay super snug.
If you're looking for a pair of leggings that moves with you, no matter the movement, opt for this pair from Yogacraft. Their secret is the nylon/spandex fabric, and these leggings are the perfect combo to stay ultra flexible, no matter how hard you plan on squatting. New mothers especially love this option because they're so stretchy.
We found that, while these leggings are super buttery and soft, they're totes squat-proof and they hold everything that you need in place. Coming from four months postpartum, one of our testers was a little skeptical of how these leggings were going to fit, but she notes that they are very comfortable and they hold everything in place where it needs to be.
One con we did notice was that the lighter colors show sweat very obviously. So, because this style doesn't come in darker shades, be aware of that if you're going into sweatier workouts or hot yoga.
These yoga leggings are a repeat buy for many of our testers, and there's no question as to why. Not only are the pockets roomy, but the material is super comfy and high-quality overall. And they feel like they would last for literal years, one tester wrote.
Another user told us this is her fourth pair of these leggings, adding that she loves them for working out and for running errands. One note, however, is that they'll last longer and hold up their compression if you keep them out of the drying machine.
Now, back to the pockets, which is a huge standout with this pair of leggings. Not only are they deep, but they hold your belongings super tight, so you never have to worry about them falling out or moving around during the day.
Although these leggings are not seamless, we felt like they didn't over-accentuate any of our curves and they still felt super buttery soft.
A taller girl such as myself is dedicated to buying 7/8-length yoga leggings as they always hit just above my ankles and fit perfectly. And our other taller testers seem to agree, saying they're the perfect length. They wear these pants for working out and chilling out at home because they're so comfortable, but they also have a nice, firm fit.
One tester, whose a big cycler, wears these leggings for biking as well as every other workout. She tells us that they're comfortable, easy to move in, and do not show sweat during even the most intense workouts (!!). The pants also come with two pockets that are large enough to hold a smart phone. They have a flattering fit—form-fitting, but not painfully tight.
These squat-proof AF yoga leggings are beloved by testers of many body types. With regular and plus sizes available, they're comfy, flexible, durable, and not see-through at all. I'd say that checks off every required box for me.
Our testers, who have tried all sorts of leggings, say these are one of the best pairs they've tried. For the great quality, the price is suuuper reasonable. Plus, they're super smoothing, so they cover up unwanted dimples (IYKYK).
These leggings also run true-to-size, which can be rare to find on Amazon. Our tester is a size 10 and purchased a medium, which she said fit like a glove because they don't slide around or cause chafing. She also loves that the pockets on each side hold her debit card, cash, and phone while she's at the gym.
I've tried upwards of 50 new pairs of leggings this year (I don't have any more space in my drawer!). But, these incredibly soft, high-rise leggings from Aritzia's new activewear line, Golden, have truly stood out. First of all, they're softer than any other leggings I own thanks to their buttery-soft nylon and elastane fabric. As an added bonus, they have a curved waistband that's specially designed to emphasize your booty, and that it *def* does.
Because they're so comfy, these pants are perfect for hanging or wearing on a flight. But their stretch comes in handy during yoga classes or Pilates, as they have so much give. However, the waistband still has a solid amount of compression, so you feel tucked-in in all the right places. You can pair these leggings with the Butter Mini Bra Top and the Butter Essential T-Shirt, which are also a new can't-live-without staple for both my studio and lounge days.
I have the leggings in the light gray shade, called Coal Grey, and it does show some sweat during heated workouts, which is the only con I noticed.
Looking to switch up your legging game while still maximizing comfort and functionality? Go for the Lululemon Align Mini-Flared Pant (not to be confused with the cropped Align leggings above!). Aside from the adorable style (hello, subtle flare), the four-way stretch material will keep you moving at peak performance. Oh, and there’s a back drop-in pocket to hold necessities securely.
We love the slightly flared silhouette to switch things up from our closet of skinny leggings. The fabric moves with you and the waistband stays put without digging in, which is an absolute must for us super active editors.
Some testers note that this was the least flattering style they tried on, since they didn't particularly like the flared look. But, if that's not a concern for you, then these are super chic for both on and off the mat.
These plus-size, high-waisted leggings are extremely comfortable and flattering thanks to their thicker fabric, testers say. They're great for hanging out at home, and they're machine-washable, which is always a pro when it comes to activewear.
The biggest pros we noted with these leggings are that they're super suitable for curvier women. They have a flatlock to prevent chafing, a stay-in-place waistband that doesn't ride down, no tags to avoid irritation, and they're totes seamless, which means they won't accentuate the areas you want to smooth.
Our tester, whose on the curvier side, says these leggings are not too tight in the waist or the legs nor are they too baggy in the leg V-area. Plus, she loves that they're super soft but still thick to avoid any underwear shadows. She liked them so much, she bought a second pair so she could retire a different, less-flattering pair she owned. P.S., her husband said they made her butt look good (wink, wink).
If you haven't seen someone wearing these leggings in your yoga class or out and about, NGL, you must be living under a rock. These leggings are a favorite of multiple WH editors, and obsessed is an understatement. This particular style of yoga pants gets multiple wears a week—and that's not even only for workouts. They coordinate well with a t-shirt and blazer for work, or a crop top on a night out with little kitten heels.
Our tester told us that these really do tick the box for wearing to yoga and wearing outside the studio. Plus, the fabric holds you in while being really comfortable. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, they have a little slit at the bottom of the pant, which elevates their style that much more.
The only con our tester noted was that these pants can run a bit long, so if you're on the more petite side, make note of this before purchasing.
Best Compression Leggings | Best Maternity Leggings | Best Matching Workout Sets | Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear | Best Leggings For Women | Best Workout Shoes For Womenq
Lily Wohlner is the Associate E-Commerce Editor of Women’s Health. An expert in recommending the best products to add-to-cart, she knows what it takes for a product to receive a solid five stars (especially when it comes to beauty!). Starting her career as a freelance makeup artist, Lily has since moved to the editorial world, where she has generated content for brands including Oribe, NewBeauty, Dermstore, SkinStore, and LOOKFANTASTIC. When she’s not zenning out with a pore-clearing mask, the Lower East Side dweller is cheffing up a new recipe with her roommate or thrifting for the perfect pair of blue jeans. Follow her on Instagram.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.
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