Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush Review

The Alo High-Waist Airbrush is made with an 87% polyester and 13% spandex blend. These tights are available in XXS to XL sizes. The XXS size is an option that can be hard to find, helping petite yogis find something in the women's section rather than the girls. At the time of this review, these leggings are not currently available in Plus sizes. Some color options are “glossy,” with a sheen that might affect the feel of the fabric. We tested a non-glossy color, which still had an aesthetic shine.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Fit

We love the fit of the Airbrush; it is one of the most comfortable pairs we tried on. The waist has no elastic, yet it stays in place and hugs in all the right places. We appreciate that we didn't have to pull them up, and they offered more tummy tucking than other top performers.

Some of the models we tested have enhanced core technology to create that “perfect core” appearance; however, our testers found these often felt too tight and uncomfortable during our practice. Plus, no one wants a muffin top. The Airbrush is compressive and holds everything in without constricting. We weren't in a hurry to peel them off when we got home from practice.

The gusset on the Airbrush allows them to stick to the hips comfortably, and we especially appreciated this in movements with wide hip extension or expansion. One thing to consider is we felt that the material feels slightly stiff, like a new cotton t-shirt. We also noticed it was more prone to attracting pet hair than other models. Consider another option if you are looking for super-soft yoga pants.

Ease of Movement

The Airbrush received a high score here, offering more shaping support than most flexible pants on the market. We never felt restricted or uncomfortable in any pose, effortlessly flowing through our practice. With these pants, the main distraction for us in vigorous flows is the lack of venting in these pants, so they move best in unheated or yin classes.

Although our testers love high-waist support in yoga pants, the extra material or tight elastic band around the waist can feel restricting and uncomfortable. Too tight means we feel like we're being choked in the wrong places, which is incredibly disruptive if our breath is squeezed. The Airbrush pants don't have a tight elastic band and feature a wide, flat band of fabric. Their design is snug and stays in place while we're in challenging poses and during dynamic movements like jumps into arm balances.

The fabric of the Airbrush is not as buttery soft as other top performers, but it does provide a bit of texture that helps you stick arm balances like astavakrasana (eight-angle pose). We tested these in acro yoga and found that the slight friction in the material makes them perfect for partnering up for acrobatics in the air with a friend.

Breathability

Today's vigorous styles of yoga and temperatures ranging between 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (in a hot or Bikram class) mean sweat — and a lot of it. The Airbrush leggings earned an average score in this metric because they built heat on our legs in most flows, and we felt they would be a better fit for winter or cooling practices like yin or yoga nidra. The easiest way for yoga pants to be breathable is to be thin, but often at a sacrifice in compression, which doesn't lend itself to comfort or style. The Airbrush leggings provide good enough breathability, particularly when considering their compression and shaping abilities. One feature we loved in the Airbrush is that it has a double-layer gusset in the crotch that helps absorb moisture.

As mentioned, while some leggings are thinner and offer more breathability, they don't provide much compression or shaping. Unless you specifically practice in a hot room, a thicker weight material can provide support and help your pants transition to daywear or working out. We felt that the Airbrush would be an excellent choice for cooler weather or practicing in an unheated room. They would be the first in our bag for skiing. Consider them your go-to for a chilly airplane ride or a winter vacation.

Construction Quality

The Airbrush earned a high score for durability; the fabric only had minor pilling after several months of use and wash cycles, and we saw no unraveling seams. We tested these pants in high-friction activities like scrambling and hiking in lava rocks and found no snags in the material.

Our reviewers also took this pair out climbing and scrambling on seaside cliffs, and everyone was impressed with how the fabric held up. You can trust their coverage as one of the heaviest weights we tested. They crushed the squat test; they are not see-through and hardly show panty lines. You can keep these pants looking good with simple care in the wash cycle. Alo recommends washing them inside out with similar material or in a washing bag. Avoid the dryer to get the most use of these pants, and leave them out to hang dry.

Should You Buy the Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush?

The Airbrush is stretchy, comfortable, supportive, and durable. This pant is great for many different styles of yoga because of its above-average balance of shaping and ease of movement. They are comfortable and great for all-day wear, so if you like to wear yoga leggings around town or paired with a cozy sweater, these are a great option. The time we'd choose to wear something else would be for a heated class, but they can still do the trick if you're okay with extra sweat.

What Other Yoga Pants Should You Consider?