We Tested Dozens of Workout Leggings — These 11 Were the Best

We chose the Vuori Daily Leggings as the best leggings for everyday workouts because of their comfortable fit and casual style. We think they’re the perfect option for all-day wear. These leggings are ankle length with a 25-inch inseam. They offer moderate compression and a high-rise waist. Our research found these leggings to be supportive at the waist and soft to the touch. 

“The material is superb,” says Brown. “The Daily Leggings have a wide waistband with a drawstring that is both flattering and functional. I can wear these for any activity, from my indoor cycling to Pilates classes.” 

Since these leggings are both washer and dryer friendly, they are easy to care for — and who doesn’t appreciate that? Whether you’re headed to the gym, meeting a friend for a walk, or running to the grocery store, their versatility makes them a good fit for an active lifestyle.

The Vuori Daily Leggings are moderately priced at under $100 and available in seven different colors. Sizes range from extra small to double extra large, but our research did find that these leggings run a little small. So, if you’re on the cusp between two sizes, we suggest sizing up.

The Gym People High-Waist Leggings are priced at just $25 and hold their own when compared to other brands. This made them the obvious choice for the best budget leggings. Our research found that their top qualities are their snug fit and high-rise waistband that doesn’t roll down during workouts. We also love the large side pockets that offer easy storage for your phone or keys, whether you’re running into the store or moving from machine to machine at the gym.

These leggings are made from a soft-to-the-touch polyamide-spandex blend that offers moderate compression. They are available in a wide variety of lengths and colors. Sizes range from extra small to quadruple extra large. Based on customer experience, we found that some colors aren’t as compressive as others, and that the sizing might vary slightly between colors as well. Since these leggings can be purchased on Amazon, returns are easy if you don’t find the right fit the first time.

During testing, I found these leggings to be the most comfortable of all the ones I tried. (I even slept in them at one point because I enjoy wearing them so much.) I appreciated the four-way stretch of these leggings the most during yoga, because I didn’t need to tug at or adjust the leggings when I moved from one pose to the next.

The fabric of these leggings is incredibly breathable, with moisture-wicking properties that I appreciated when I went for a long walk on a warmer day. I also love the flare version of these leggings — I was comfortable throwing on a sweatshirt after my workout and wearing them all day as I ran errands and did preschool pickup.

Lululemon Align leggings are available in 21- or 23-inch crops or 25- and 28-inch ankle-length versions. The flare option is available in regular or short lengths. They feature a back pocket and a wide waistband that stays put. One thing that’s worth noting about these leggings is that they’re not very compressive, which wasn’t a deal-breaker for me, but it’s worth considering if compression is a major factor for you.

We chose the Under Armour Women’s HeatGear Leggings as the best leggings for running because they are designed with performance in mind. These leggings are made with sweat-wicking, fast-drying polyester elastane. Our research found that they are good at controlling odor, even on long, sweaty runs.

“Aim for material that is breathable, often labeled as ‘dry-fit, air-wicking,’” says Brown. “They should definitely not fit loose, or the air-wicking material won’t work. It needs to be on the skin to pull the moisture out.” Additionally, a good fit, with decent stretch, will prevent leggings from rolling or needing to be adjusted during a run, according to Brown.

The Under Armour Women’s HeatGear Leggings are available in short, regular, and tall inseams, but we found that even the tallest inseam of 29 inches might be too short for taller runners. They come in sizes double extra small to triple extra large, and they feature a drop-in pocket for bringing along your phone and a small snack to fuel your run.

“Leggings that slide down are so annoying. It means that the cut or brand is not for you, or they’re too big,” says Brown. “They need to be snug enough around the waist, hips, and butt to prevent sliding down. I find that light, extra stretchy material will actually help them stay in place better than the thicker fabrics.”

These leggings are super budget-friendly at under $25 per pair. They are available in a 25- or 28-inch inseam, nine different colors, and sizes extra small to double extra large.

We chose the Carhartt Women’s Force Utility Leggings as the best leggings for hiking because they are durable enough to stand up to the wear and tear of outdoor exercise. More specifically, we love that these leggings feature reinforced knees and a thicker fabric that won’t rip or break down during more intense hikes. 

All-season, outdoor exercise requires full-coverage protection from tick bites and exposure to poison ivy, but wearing full-length clothing can also make it hard to keep cool. Carhartt designed these leggings for temperature regulation — they are made from a breathable fabric, featuring FastDry sweat-wicking technology — making them a good choice for hotter environments.

Carhartt’s Women’s Force Utility Leggings are available in sizes extra small to triple extra large, and in short, regular, and tall lengths. Our research found that the large pocket is deep enough to hold your phone, and the mid-rise waist on these leggings is snug enough to avoid rolling during exercise. We also found that these generally run true to size, though they are a bit snugger at the waist.

Skinnify Resistance Band Leggings have built-in resistance bands that add an extra challenge to your everyday workouts. During testing, I found that my usual favorite workouts (long walks and Pilates), felt more intense while I was wearing these leggings. And when I broke a sweat, I appreciated the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric, which helped to keep me dry.

The Skinnify Resistance Band Leggings are available in a wide range of sizes, from extra small to quadruple extra large. You also have the option to choose from four, six, or eight built-in resistance bands. My only complaint about these leggings is that the fit was a little awkward for me — the waist has extra tummy control, but it felt too tight, while the fabric between the resistance bands felt a bit too loose. This created a feeling of uneven compression throughout the leggings.

The Girlfriend Collective Compression Leggings offer an impressive range of sizes, spanning from extra small to sextuple extra large. These highly compressive leggings also have four-way stretch. During testing, I found the fit of these leggings to be just right, holding everything in place during higher intensity workouts, including HIIT and chasing my kids around the park. I felt like the contouring seams of these leggings were really flattering, and I appreciated that I didn’t have to deal with rolling and folding of the waistband during exercise.

They feature a high-rise waist and a 28-inch inseam. We love that the Girlfriend Collective’s products are made from recycled water bottles, and the brand encourages reselling or recycling after purchase. Personally, I have found these leggings to have a long lifespan. I bought my first pair of Girlfriend Collective leggings when the brand launched 2016, and they’re still in rotation almost 10 years later.

Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Leggings stand out for weight lifting thanks to their snug yet comfortable fit, which doesn’t roll or bunch during weight training. These leggings are made from Lululemon’s Everlux material, which features cool-to-the-touch fibers, promotes shaping through moderate compression, and wicks sweat away from the body.

Our research found that these leggings have a reputation for being “squat-proof” and won’t require adjustments between sets. They feature a hidden drawstring, which allows you to get the best fit, plus a small waistband pocket for storing your phone or keys. Lululemon Wunder Train High-Waist Leggings tend to run small, and many will need to size up for a good fit. These leggings are available in sizes 0 to 20, with a choice between 25-, 28-, and 31-inch inseams. They’re also available in 11 colors.

We chose the Baleaf Fleece-Lined Leggings as the best thermal leggings because they are specifically designed for outdoor exercise during colder winter months. During testing, I found these leggings to be warm enough for below-freezing temps, especially when I paired them with warm socks and a coat on top. I tried them out on walks, and because they’re water-resistant, I even wore them as I played in the snow with my kids. Because I am sensitive to the way some fabrics feel, I was worried that I wouldn’t like the fleece on my skin, but these leggings are super soft to the touch.

Baleaf’s Fleece-Lined Leggings are available in sizes extra small to triple extra large, though they only offer one inseam length. We’d love to see this brand extend its sizing to include a wider range of body types. They feature three different pockets, including a zipper pocket, and a wide waistband that offers a little extra compression at the waist.

During testing, I found that these leggings offered uniform and tight compression throughout my legs, but I never felt they were so compressive that they were uncomfortable to wear. I actually wore these when I travelled, to help with circulation, and I felt like they helped keep me comfortable on a long flight. They were among my favorite leggings that I tested, and I wear them on a regular basis to the gym and around the house.

Elastique Lisse Leggings are available in sizes extra small to extra large. You can choose between a 25- or 27-inch inseam. They also offer bike shorts and sports bras in the Lisse style. Elastique Lisse Leggings aren’t just worn for exercise — our research found that they are well-loved for use during air travel as well.