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We pushed the 16 popular leggings through real-world, side-by-side testing, including Patagonia, Lululemon, Vuori, Beyond Yoga, and more, to determine the best
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Kate Pitts ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated October 12, 2026
Comfy, but not sloppy. Tight, but not too tight. The right pair of leggings can keep you comfortable, supported, and moving freely whether you're hiking, hitting the gym, traveling, or simply tackling everyday life.
If you can only buy one pair of leggings, go for the Patagonia Maipo Stash 7/8 Tights. They have a great fit that sits comfortably on many different body types, and are stretchy enough to offer excellent freedom of movement for everything from deep stretching to high-stepping up boulders on your next hike. We could wear these every day of the week.
The CRZ Yoga Butterlift Origin are budget leggings that don't act like budget leggings. They are incredibly comfy, have a very flattering fit, and come in lots of fun colors (as well as the obligatory black). They're not as durable as more outdoor-focused leggings we tested, but they hold up well for gym and casual wear.
Our recommendations are selected after months of side-by-side, real-world testing. We wear each pair while hiking, training, doing yoga, traveling, and going about our daily lives. We move beyond first impressions to identify how each legging truly performs over time and across a wide range of activities.
The Patagonia Maipo Stash 7/8 Tights are the do-it-all leggings that we've been searching for. For women who dabble in a bit of everything, the Maipo are breathable enough to handle sweaty gym workouts, durable enough to handle overnight backpacking trips, and stretchy enough to wear to a restorative yoga class. They look sleek and understated enough to wear on a normal day, and our lead tester comments, “I love how the clean, understated style looks just as natural paired with hiking shoes as it does with a sweater and sneakers for running errands, making them easy to wear beyond the gym.” We also love that they have pockets large enough to hold a phone or small wallet while hiking or navigating an airport terminal.
The Maipo tights perform well across a wide range of activities, but ultimately lean toward everyday comfort over suck-you-in, sculpting compression. Some people might prefer more support to hold their muscles steady during HIIT workouts or fast-paced track workouts. We also noticed an annoying bounce when we tried to store our phone in the pockets during a run. The Sweaty Betty Power 7/8 solves both problems with its high-compression fabric and snug-fitting pockets. However, they weren't as comfortable, and if you're only going to buy one pair of leggings, the Maipo tights are our top recommendation for most people.
The Maipo Stash is a standout legging that does it all, balancing soft comfort, flexible movement, and just-right support for yoga, workouts, hikes, and everyday wear. Credit: Kate Pitts
The CRZ Yoga Butterlift Origin are hands down the best affordable leggings we have worn, and have held that title for years. For many people, they offer the trifecta of perfect leggings: comfort, style, and value. The smooth, stretchy fabric forms easily to many different body types, and the high-rise fit is flattering on the waist yet still comfortable in deep forward fold stretches. “I kept reaching for these because the fabric feels incredibly smooth against the skin and offers a premium fit for the price that looks good in the gym or with a sweater for dinner,” one of our gear testers noted.
The CRZ Butterlift offer ultimate mobility and a refreshingly lightweight feel, but we can't describe them as “supportive”. They're not our ideal pair for heavy gym work, hiking, or running. “They feel amazing when lounging on the couch or stretching it out during a slow-paced yoga class, but I wouldn't choose them for lifting weights or hard cardio workouts,” noted our lead tester. If you like to pick up the pace during your hikes or runs, the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 tights offer a budget-friendly price with a more technical and breathable fabric. For women looking to maximize their budget, the Butterlift leggings are easy to style for the gym or with casual everyday outfits, and are affordable enough that you'll want to get them in multiple colors.
Through miles of hiking, yoga flows, and everyday wear, the CRZ Butterlift are one of our favorites to wear across different activities. Credit: Kate Pitts
Best Compression for Weight Training and HIIT Workouts
If you wear leggings to push yourself faster and harder, rather than to slow down and get comfy, the Sweaty Betty Power 7/8 Workout Leggings are for you. The high-compression fabric is designed to sculpt and support your lower body through quick-paced runs and HIIT workouts with lots of jumping, squatting, and lunging. During testing, we never had to hike them up or stop to adjust anything; they kept pace with our movements and provided the support we needed. And anyone who appreciates a good pocket will love the Power leggings. They have two stretch pockets on either side, but as one tester noted, “the small back zipped waistband pocket is the feature I didn't know how much I would appreciate. It's the perfect size for a house key, energy chews, or a little cash.”
The Power leggings can feel a bit too compressive at times, and they also run warm, so we preferred not to wear them for outdoor track workouts in mid-summer heat, or for a movie night at home. The leggings have seams that curve out and around the bum, creating a flattering fit that looks great in the gym, but the Sweaty Betty Power leggings definitely fall closer to the sporty side of the spectrum rather than casual/athleisure. The Lululemon Wunder leggings offer a similar level of support, but have a seamless construction sans pockets. The Sweaty Bettys edged them out for the top spot because we love the functionality of the pockets, but those who want a more street-ready look may prefer the Wunders. If, like us, you love a good pocket, the Sweaty Betty leggings are the way to go.
One roomy side pocket, one secure back zip pocket, and zero see-through surprises. The Sweaty Betty Power leggings aced our squat test, delivering reliable full coverage and making them one of our best recommendations for high-intensity days. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Vuori AllTheForm are the kind of leggings that disappear into the background — exactly what we want during yoga, or when we're being present with ourselves or the people and places we care about. They have buttery-soft material and a barely there feel that we look for when practicing long yoga flows, mobility sessions, strength workouts. One tester shared, “I can slide into the splits focusing on my breath instead of feeling the fabric pull and pinch.” They are incredibly stretchy and comfy, yet have a clean, minimalist design that works well even on days when we weren't going to the gym or yoga studio. They're the kind of leggings you can throw on with a sweater and pearls (or crystal of choice) and still look put together.
The AllTheForm leggings don't provide a held-in feeling that we like for more explosive workouts like HIIT training or sprints. They work for weight training, but one of our testers still noticed, “Halfway through a heavy squat session, I realized I was missing that 'armor' feeling that comes with a little more compression.” The lightweight fabric is also less durable; it's best worn in the studio or in casual daily settings. We wore them backpacking, and they snagged easily when we sat down on rough rock or tree stumps. The Patagonia Maipo Stash Tights are a more durable alternative that are almost as comfortable. But if your happy place is on your yoga mat, the AllTheForm tights gladly will follow you there, and probably become a staple piece in your wardrobe along the way.
The AllTheForm shines is our favorite for yoga or mobility activities with its unrestricted stretch, a secure fit, and a waistband that stays comfortably in place through deep twists, folds, inversions, and stretches where you need to breathe deep. Credit: Kate Pitts
Like other training tights in our lineup, the Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight offers full leg compression and a waistband that hugs your core, reminding you to keep it engaged during heavy lifts or explosive movements. The supportive Everlux fabric does this without restricting movement, and we were still able to breathe deeply during runs and intense spin classes. We wore them while practicing handstands, and during all our upside-down shenanigans, the Wunder tights stayed put; no bunching or slipping to distract us from our balance. The seamless design creates a long line down the leg and lends itself to casual wear better than other gym leggings. We wore these when we had plans to meet friends for coffee right after our workout.
The high-support fit of the Wunder Train can feel a bit squeezy if you're not used to it. We wore them on a long road trip and started to feel it in the hips after sitting in the car all day. And while we love the minimalist look, the tradeoff is zilch pockets. If carrying gear (or just your phone) is a priority, the Arc'teryx Essent Utility is another highly compressive option with the best pocket layout we tested for running and training. The Wunder Tights are best for women who want streamlined training leggings that stay put no matter how hard you push, from leg day at the gym to sprints at the local track.
The streamlined waistband and secure compression of the Wunder Train keep a supportive hold on our muscles and joints, making it one of our favorite leggings for high-intensity training, from handstand practice to strength sessions. Credit: Kate Pitts
Most Comfortable for Low Intensity and Lounging
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging
The Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging sets the standard for comfort in both casual leggings and dedicated yoga pants. The Spacedye fabric has a cloudlike feel that stretches and conforms to the shape of your legs so well that you might forget you are wearing them. The marled fabric is not as sleek-looking as other options, but the supreme comfort is addictive, and we wear these leggings as often as we can get away with it. One of our testers has owned a pair of the Spacedye leggings for years, and says, “These are my favorite for getting cozy and settling into restorative yoga classes or cuddling up on a cold night with a cup of tea and my journal.” Despite their gentle fit, the well-placed seams give a surprisingly sculpted look that accentuates natural curves.
The plush fabric of the Spacedye leans fully into comfort at the sacrifice of durability. These require some extra care to keep them nice - we don't recommend wearing them into the backcountry for hikes or trail runs. And as we mentioned above, these are less polished-looking and won't double as streetwear as easily as other options. They were our favorite “day-off legging” and are supremely comfortable for long travel days, but we opted for something else if our plans involved anything more social. If you want the comfort, but like to wear leggings on a daily basis, Vuori AllTheForm is a better fit. The Spacedye is for anyone who craves comfort and freedom of movement, whether that's for yoga, road trips, or curling up on the couch with a furry friend.
One of the softest and most comfortable yoga leggings, the Spacedye is our favorite to test and then lounge, stretch, and “treat yo' self” all day long. Credit: Kate Pitts
Product Comparison Table
Putting yoga leggings through months of movement, from studio sessions to everyday wear. Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Tested
Since leggings often play a diverse role in many women's active and casual wardrobes, we test every legging in our lineup through a wide range of exercise activities. Our testers honor the wide and beautiful spectrum of women caught in the very human struggle of balancing different roles as well as the herculean task of juggling rest and activity in a fast-paced society. We aim to pinpoint which leggings are more of a “do-it-all” for the Jane-of-all-trades and which options offer specialized features for those who need precision to support deeper fitness goals like New Year's race-day resolutions or even heartfelt full-moon health intentions scribbled in a journal.
We logged thousands of hours over the past 6 months, performing squat tests, checking for VPLs (visible panty lines), and having our friends try on these leggings to assess comfort on different body types. We sweated in each pair during intense HIIT workouts and hot yoga classes, clocking how long it took them to dry afterward. We went all out with durability testing, sitting on prickly tree stumps, climbing on abrasive sandstone walls, and then putting each pair through multiple machine wash cycles to see which ones kept their elasticity and resisted pilling.
Most importantly, we spent months wearing all 16 pairs day in and day out for gym sessions, yoga classes, road trips, backpacking trips, and quiet days at home. We noted which leggings were best for fast-paced workouts and coffee dates, and which ones we pulled out of the drawer when the day called for a Harry Potter movie marathon.
We assess leggings across five core metrics:
Comfort & Fit (35% of overall score weighting)
Compression & Support (20% weighting)
Breathability (15% weighting)
Durability & Recovery (15% weighting)
Versatility (15% weighting)
Our team of active women evaluates how each pair of yoga leggings performs through stretching, sweating, and repeated use.
Why Trust GearLab
Lead tester Kate Pitts is a yoga instructor with a decade of teaching under her belt, as well as a professional wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains and southwest desert. She previously worked as a Park Ranger and Search and Rescue team member for the National Park Service at Bryce Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Haleakalā National Parks. Also our lead tester for yoga pants, Kate has years of experience testing and comparing apparel that lets her move through all her roles with flexibility. from long days on trail, to high-output training, to slow recovery days in between.
We take a close look at how leggings perform during movement, recovery, and everyday adventures.
Analysis and Test Results
Starting this project led many of our testers to ask the following questions: “How many pairs of leggings are in my drawer right now? When I imagine myself in a flow state or simply relaxing into the reality of my day-to-day, what do I really enjoy pulling them on for? Which pairs are the best fit for what I just imagined myself doing?” Answering these questions may be useful as you consider buying another pair.
Our reviews are backed by months of real-world testing to inform our insights on the best use of each pair we test. You can then consider our rating metrics for any good pair of leggings (Comfort & Fit, Compression & Support, Breathability, Durability & Recovery, and Versatility) and focus on the metrics we flesh out below that matter to you.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
It seems impossible to find a decent pair of leggings for under a Ben Franklin these days, and even rarer to find a pair under $50, but great leggings don't need to cost you an arm and a leg (forgive the Dad joke). The Butterlift Origin blew us away with how well they move, how great they look, and how little they cost. The fit is elegant, and the quality is on par with the durability of many premium leggings we tested, at a quarter of the cost. Even some high-end pairs we tested wear out too quickly to be considered good value, and of course, we poo-poo leggings that fall apart quickly, but the Butterlift leggings feel good and have lasted through many wash cycles.
With a smooth, sculpting fit and soft hand feel that punches above its price point, this pair is a standout for yoga, low-intensity workouts, and everyday wear at a third of the price of brand-name competitors.
Rather than falling into a cycle of one-and-done fashion, we also find value in leggings that offer a solid lifetime of wear. As they say, “buy once and buy better.”
If you want to stretch your dollar and are willing to wait another paycheck to buy, our hands-down favorite is the Maipo. Not only are they very durable, but their incredible versatility will ensure that you get tons of use out of them, lowering the cost per wear to just a few bucks. Plus, Patagonia has a Worn Wear program, so if you love your leggings to death and they get frays and holes, you can send them in to Patagonia to be patched up pretty with repairs that extend their “wear time,” or be credited toward a new pair. Of course, one of the biggest values is that your old leggings will be recycled or resold if you send them in, touching a deeper value of clothing's impact on the planet once they've served a full lifetime on your legs.
Patagonia's commitment to longevity adds even more value through its Worn Wear program, which encourages repairing and reusing gear to extend its lifespan instead of replacing it. Credit: Kate Pitts
Comfort & Fit
Your legs will want to shimmy out of any leggings that don't feel good, so Comfort & Fit is our “deal breaker” metric. If a pair of leggings isn't comfortable, it will quickly clutter your closet or end up on a Goodwill hanger in a month, so we only recommend leggings that feel good on. No woman wants a legging that bags, sags, scratches, chafes, and let's not jinx your next pair by even imagining camel toe. Leggings are usually skin-tight, so it can be harder to nail the fit compared to other clothing, say a t-shirt or sweatpants. Touch is also so important to our comfort on busy days, so we look for products that feel soft, or simply disappear on our legs, and we give a hard veto to anything that is itchy, squeezy, or irritating. Scores reflect the comfort vs. support tradeoff. A stretchier legging is ofteon more comfortable, but it comes at the cost of firm support through the lower body.
The Patagonia Maipo, Vuori AllTheForm, Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket, and Vuori Daily are easily the most comfortable leggings for every thing from straddles to squats to pigeon pose. All of them are super-soft, highly mobile, and balance “stretch and hold” beautifully. The AllTheForm stands out as the comfiest among the comfy because they check all the boxes for the leggings we enjoy stretching in: ultra-soft material, a seamless and stay put high waistband, and a snappy, skin-hugging fit that stretches in any direction we can pretzel our legs.
The AllTheForm moves effortlessly through every pose, passing our mobility tests with ease, like in Lotus (Padmasana) and deep-twisting postures. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Vuori Daily is the brand's more lifestyle-focused legging and has a more town fit with a stylish, if not so very practical, waistband tie. It moves in full comfort if you go out dancing for the night or flip a headstand in the park. We appreciate that the Daily has flatlock seams which lay smoothly as the material moves back and forth against our bare skin, especially in the hip creases and crotch.
Why Flatlock Seams Matter: Not all seams are created equal. Flatlock seams join fabric panels edge-to-edge instead of overlapping them. This creates a smoother, low-profile finish that causes less friction and fewer pressure points. This may not seem like a big deal for casual wear, but this seam style is noticeably more comfortable during repetitive movement and greatly reduces the risk of chafing.
If you're looking for leggings you'll happily wear for hours on end, flatlock seams, like the stitching on the Vuori Daily, are one of those premium construction details that's well worth seeking out. Credit: Kate Pitts
We could easily give the Spacedye the award for most comfortable material. Beyond Yoga has earned awards in our yoga lineup for years, and the Spacedye fabric is the softest legging material that our testers have experienced. After testing dozens, we've observed that no one else in the market comes close to matching Beyond Yoga mastery of leggings that both feel t-shirt soft and look great on the bum.
The Spacedye's four-way stretch and excellent recovery help maintain a smooth, sculpted fit, while the high-rise cut works with the material to accentuate natural curves without relying on firm compression. Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Maipo has a fold-over waistband, which is the most comfortable style if you do a lot of forward folds or crunches. It also has one of the best gusset designs (H-shaped). This gusset style places an extra panel of fabric at the crotch rather than a simple seam, a feature we consistently find is one of the easiest ways to spot a comfy, mobile legging. The length of the “H” also makes a difference. On the Maipo, it extends down the inner leg to the knee, which gave us free-feeling mobility when doing a butterfly stretch or sliding into the splits.
The Maipo has a long H-shape gusset that tapers to the knee line, which enhances a body-conforming fit and is one of the most effective designs for mobility. Credit: Abriah Wofford
The CRZ Butterlift nails the design features of premium leggings and has a resilient stretch that provides one of the best fits for any legs. We like the seamless outlet design, a well-designed H-shaped gusset, and a waistband that hits just above the belly button. Part of why Butterlift leggings fit so well is that they have a roll-over waistband. The roll-over design places the seam lower down on the waist, leaving a single seam-free panel to wrap evenly around the waist. They move best with the body, compared to other designs with bulky seams that pinch or restrict breath, or those with inner liners that create a tourniquet effect (muffin-top danger zone) on your waistline.
Deep lunges and squats revealed which leggings moved naturally with the body and which created pressure or required adjustment. The CRZ Butterlift has premium design features like a tapered H-shape gusset, snappy and silky material, and a fold-over waistband designed for mobility. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Although the most comfortable leggings tend to have less compression, some brands do an excellent job of striking a good balance between comfort and the high compression in hard-core workout leggings. The Nike Universa does this well with a roll-over waistband and seams that give a thoughtful fit. The *Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket* also has a comfy waistband and is among the most size-inclusive leggings we tested. We love how soft they are while still holding up to hikes and gym days. Our lead tester chuckled when they read on the company's website that the material is uniquely described as “double-sided mossing,” but we recognize how much we appreciate double-sided softness in a more compressive legging. For a more outdoorsy option, the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 feels as comfy as a yoga pant and has a light feel on the legs when we boot up.
Made for heavy training, we also enjoyed wearing the Nike Universa around town. Credit: Kate Pitts
Compression & Support
The counter to comfort and stretch, compression offers sweet, muscle-hugging support that helps your legs feel more stable during quick, high-impact movements like running and jumping. You don't want it to be too tight though; you still want to be able to take full, deep breaths and have full movement at the knees and hips. No amount of compression is worth a waistband that feels like a days-of-yore corset. Strong compression also shouldn't make the leggings feel like tin-man pants, so we look for a full-leg snug that holds our legs evenly in place, reducing bounce during runs, HIIT workouts, or spin classes. The top-scoring leggings in this metric will be better for women who value support and may be less useful for women who prefer freer-feeling leggings.
The Nike Universa are the most compressive and supportive leggings we wore during testing, giving an even and secure fit from the hips to the calves. We learned through dozens of squat tests and lunge drills that the more compression a legging has, the more critical it is for the fabric to be smooth, as it is going to be pressing in and rubbing against your skin. We love how Universa's satiny elastic material enhances the supportive tension without chafing throughout our high-intensity repetitions.
The Nike Universa is not only a solid PASS in the squat test, but we also appreciate its comfortable and even support down the length of the leg, making it one of the leading options for high intensity. Credit: Kate Pitts
Squatting before you buy can help you find leggings that distribute compressive support where you want to feel it on your body. The other benefit of “squat test” is it allows us to give a hard pass or fail by observing if the material is thick enough to prevent panty peek-through. The Sweaty Betty Power has a comfortable give in the waistband and is our favorite for the gym because it provides even support down the legs while still maintaining the flexibility you need during deep flexion.
When we say we put these through the squat test, we mean the squat test. Down we go and no accidental peekaboo moments. It is a hard pass/fail for our squat test. Credit: Kate Pitts
While the Sweaty Betty Power offered a bit more breathing room in the waistband, some of our testers felt it to be too loose and ended up having to cinch the drawstring to keep the leggings from falling down. The waistband on the Lululemon Wunder Train may be a better fit for those who carry their weight in their legs or hips. Of all the high-compression leggings, the Wunder Train offers the most crossover between low- and high-intensity because the material's even pressure is still very elastic. Imagine everybody's favorite - chair pose! (we're kidding) But in all seriousness, leggings like the Sweaty Betty Power and Lululemon Wunder Train balance a lot of things well in deep and challenging movements like chair pose. The waistband allows for full breaths even as the material gives resistance and support against the skin. At the same time, the thicker, compressive material balances muscle hold with elasticity, allowing the hips and knees to glide without you feeling a pinch in your deepest squats.
We compared waistband stability during deep squats and overhead reaches to identify shifting, rolling, and pressure points and the Wunder Train has an incredibly supportive waistband, although some testers ended up cutting out the internal draw cord. Credit: Kate Pitts
The ALO Airlift is sleek like the Wunder Train but has slightly more compression and a little more sculpting because of the flattering cut around the waistband as well as the fabric, which gives more firm pressure and is less elastic. With higher compression, these are a great option for serious athletic training.
The Airlift's supportive material resists stretching under load, providing compression that offers muscle support during lunges, squats, and leg-powered ascents to the next climbing hold. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket is on the higher end of compression, and the material itself is thicker and warmer than most leggings we tested, making them a superb option for cooler weather training. While many performance fabrics are “slick, sleek, shiny,” the Compressive Pocket is more matte and has denser fabric. We do feel the compression when standing still and resistance in lunges. They are a good fit for women who love compression and want a more tactile sensation of security.
The Compressive Pocket strikes an effective balance between support and comfort, excellent for hiking. Credit: Kate Pitts
Lastly, we love the balance of mobility and even compression that the Essent Utility provides. The mid-high compression limits bounce on trail runs and is elastic enough for mantling big climbing moves or hitching our leg over fallen logs when out on a hike. This is our favorite supportive legging for outdoor use.
Choosing the Right Compression: There's no “right” or “wrong” amount of compression. It's about matching support to the activity. Light-compression leggings offer the highest comfort and freedom of movement, making them ideal for yoga, travel, recovery days, and all-day wear. Medium compression hits a sweet spot for most people, balancing muscle support while being comfortable enough to wear all day. High-compression leggings create a muscle-suck fit that minimizes movement during running, HIIT, CrossFit, and heavy strength training. They provide excellent stability, but you'll want to wiggle out of them as soon as your workout is done. With that in mind, you can think of our ratings as more of an indication of support rather than a “best to worst” scale. If you only own one pair of leggings, medium-compression will be the most versatile across activities.
Breathability
You want to feel the burn, and then enjoy the oh-so-sweet cool-down after the hard work is done. That moment isn't quite as sweet if your thighs and calves are still basting in sweat. You may have heard the phrase, “they fit like a second skin”, but a body-hugging fit in the wrong fabric can trap heat, sweat, and workout funk in your undies, hips, and calves. So, your leggings shouldn't just feel like a second skin; they should behave like an extension of human skin by wicking sweat and allowing fresh air to cool off your sweat fest.
We wish we could give you a general material recommendation for the most breathability, but we find that many factors have to come together to create a breathable legging. This includes the material content, weight of the fabric, design features (like ventilation panels), and fabric texture (brushed vs smooth). Our top scorers combine breathable airflow that helps you stay cool while working hard, and moisture-wicking fabric that distributes sweat for faster evaporation rather than letting it pool in one area. During testing, we evaluated both by measuring fabric air permeability and wearing each pair through high-output workouts to see how quickly heat escaped, how damp the fabric felt, and how long it took to dry.
The Janji Trail Tights and REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 are the most breathable and adept at moisture management in our lineup. The Janji Tights were designed with trail running in mind, and have a lighter material than many compressive leggings and a relatively high air permeability. What really raises them in our ranking is that they wick sweat incredibly well, which is exactly what you want in a running and hiking legging. It is very important for the material to evaporate sweat quickly so that you aren't stranded with soggy bottoms when you are running in wild places like the mountains. Staying dry is part of staying safe in the wilds! One feature that helps is the pocket design. Janji used a thin mesh that doesn't add layers of thick fabric, yet still gives you practical storage.
The Janji wick sweat when you pour your strength into your workout. Credit: Kate Pitts
We tested the Swiftland 7/8 on hot desert hikes and in high-cardio uphill snowshoeing, and were blown away by the lightweight coolness of these leggings on trail and how they wicked sweat on sunny uphills. During high-cardio snowshoe climbs, we were grateful that the high-polyester material allowed sweat to evaporate so efficiently that our legs didn't stay sweaty. Having dry legs kept us warmer when we cooled down during a break at a windy and snowy alpine lake. Polyester in general retains very little moisture in its fibers, so it can be a good component to look for if moisture management is important to you.
The Swiftland's lightweight material maximizes airflow without feeling flimsy, allowing the fabric to dry quickly, which matters when you need leggings to dry efficiently in the mountains. Credit: Kate Pitts
If you want to avoid sweating in the first place, looser woven fabrics will be more air-permeable than dense, tightly knit materials (the kind found in compressive leggings). We used a peak flow meter to measure airflow through different materials, and our data shows that leggings with lighter compression typically allow more air to pass through the fabric than high-compression leggings. The Maipo Stash has one of the highest air permeability scores in our test and is a mid-low compression tight. Plus, they are made from 81% nylon, a fiber that doesn't absorb much water and dries quickly, which we appreciated during leg raises in the rec center to hot hikes in the Utah desert.
Measuring airflow through each fabric allowed us to quantify how easily heat escapes during activities. The Maipo Stash provides ventilation to cool your legs while working out or hiking. Credit: Kate Pitts
We notice that smooth and silky material tends to breathe better than “brushed” or soft materials. Don't get us wrong, we love the cozy, soft hug of “brushed” yoga leggings, but save the cozier materials for cooler days. Brushed material creates that ultra-soft pajama luxury because it has raised fibers that trap air and hold heat around the legs. Silkier materials simply vent better. Smooth and lightweight yoga leggings like Vuori's AllTheForm and Daily breathe incredibly well, making them our top recommendations for hot yoga.
Vuori's thin, breathable material keeps us cool during workouts. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Some high compression leggings balance breathability with smart design features. Thank goodness, because the last thing we want is to feel impending heat stroke on a run or start cramping during a Valkyrie lift session and screaming for pickle juice! Out of the high-compression leggings, the Arc'teryx Essent zipped past the competition. Our testers love that the sleek fabric is lightweight and supportive, and still breathes well on mountain climbs and bike rides. The weave is dense for solid compression, yet surprisingly lightweight and wicks moisture like a trail boss.
The Essent wicks moisture effectively when you sweat. Credit: Kate Pitts
For high-impact days, we want the high-compression leggings that score well in breathability to excel in moisture management. After all, you buy high compression to squeeze you in, and staying dry will help you avoid having to lather on tubes of butte-paste for chafing. The Sweaty Betty Power, Nike Universa, and Lululemon Wunder Train are the most breathable and compressive combos for a hard “leg day.”
Fast moisture transfer and quick drying help the Power stay comfortable through intervals, strength sessions, and runs. Credit: Kate Pitts
For a good budget option, the CRZ Yoga Butterlift are lightweight, breathe well, and scored middle of the pack for air permeability. They have the comfortable fit of a brushed yoga legging, but the sleeker, more breathable material make them a solid choice for the gym (especially if it has AC). Still, they have more of an everyday “cozy” feel than other gym tights.
The Butterlift's fabric wicks sweat reasonably well and stays comfortable during yoga, walking, and strength training. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Durability & Recovery
Most leggings cost over a hundred dollars these days, so we want to make sure the ones we love to wear also last more than a few wash cycles before taking a “holey” pilgrimage to retirement. We look for materials that are durable and resistant to pilling, fuzzing, or snagging. We also put every single pair through a PASS/FAIL squat test because no woman deserves to buy a pair with fabric so thin you moon your panties first pass.
Stretch recovery is the first component of a legging that ages well, and this recovery has a sound effect: the nice snap when you pull the fabric, and it claps against your skin. It is the poppy, snappy magic of the material that stretches and bounces back exactly where it came from. If your leggings have good stretch retention, you'll never think about it. If they have poor stretch recovery, you won't be able to stop thinking about it. This can look like a yoga class where the waistband gets bigger and bigger until it sits like a fish mouth gaping at your hips by the end of class. It can also look like leggings that are tight in the hips and calves but bubble out at the knees like some knobby-knee stork because the fabric doesn't retain its shape after being folded and stretched throughout an hour of flow. We assess leggings throughout the day and over months of testing to pick out the ones that remain a snappy, good fit over time.
Abrasion resistance is the second factor that determines the lifespan of your leggings. We observe how the material holds up in high-friction zones, such as the knees, between the thighs, and the seat of your pants. This is where pilling, fuzzing, thinning, and eventually holes form. In general, we notice dense materials, often with high compression and smooth fabrics, are more durable. The Alo Airlift is one of the most resilient leggings in our test, and they looked brand new even after we beat them up on multiple trad climbs in rough sandstone crack climbs. Their material is skin-tight and has excellent shape retention. It has one of the most compressive and sleekest materials, so it has zilch fuzzies after months of use.
The sleek and shiny Airlift survived many a rough, rocky workout. They handle friction like a crusher! Credit: Kate Pitts
The Wunder Train is made from Lululemon's Everlux material, which is smooth, and we love how it retains its shape as our sleekest fit for a workout legging after months of testing. These leggings have a strong reputation for durability. We talked to friends who have used them for years, not only without significant wear and tear but also with their vibrant color intact after hundreds of wash cycles.
The Wunder Train looks like it could be sold as new after months of testing. They pass the squat test with ease and resist showing VPLs. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Nike Universa has a dense and hyper-smooth finish that holds up. It has a high nylon content in the material, a fiber which is time-tested in athletic wear for its tensile strength and ability to take a hit from abrasion. The stitching on these is tight and doesn't look like it will fray anytime soon.
Close inspection after repeated wash cycles revealed minimal pilling and excellent shape retention in the highest-performing fabrics, such as the Universa's knit, which looks brand new and holds its athletic compression after months of testing. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Arc'teryx Essent are truly rugged mountain tights. How do we know? Our lead tester abused them for a full season of guiding peaks and backpacks in the Rocky Mountains, and the slick material still looks new, even after washing pine sap off the bum. They have the most impressive reinforced seams, which give them durability for scrambling and off-trail bushwhacking.
Reinforced seams and a dense performance knit resist stretching and abrasion, helping the Essent Utility maintain its shape through repeated hikes and rocky terrain.
Several other leggings stood out for versatility. The Janji Trail Tights still look new despite being lighter weight than the Essent. Even their mesh pockets don't snag easily when bushwhacking through desert scrub. Though admitedly not the most durable, the CRZ Butterlift surprised us by falling in the middle of the pack here. We were impressed that they cost less than forty bucks and show little signs of wear even when we abused them in the dryer instead of line-drying them. The Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket leggings show little visible wear after months of hiking, but we found the fit loosens over time.
A substantial knit and well-executed seam construction provide excellent resistance to stretching, helping the Compressive Pocket leggings hold their shape through long day hikes. Credit: Kate Pitts
Lighter-weight leggings with softer, comfier materials tend to be less durable and need some extra care to keep them in good shape, but still deserve kudos for good shape retention. The Vuori AllTheForm and Daily leggings have snappy retention that keeps them skin-tight for a sweaty Vinyasa or plank-to-pike moves. They will last through years of yoga and Pilates classes in the studio, but may snag if you go hiking and sit on a log.
Stretch-and-recovery testing highlighted fabrics like the satisfyingly poppy AllTheForm that immediately bounced back instead of developing permanent bagging at the knees. Credit: Kate Pitts
Versatility
The Versatility metric circles back to a single question that sounds like it could be on a minimalist podcast: “How many leggings are in the drawer, and what do you enjoy putting them on for?” While specialty tights with fancy features can be great for specific use cases, we love a pair that can adapt to whatever our day has in store. More versatile leggings get more wear in the long run and are friendlier for the environment and your wallet.
Leggings Best Use
Daily Wear/Lounging
Running/HIIT Workouts
Yoga/Pilates
Outdoor (hiking, climbing, skiing)
Patagonia Maipo Stash
Sweaty Betty Power Workout
Lululemon Wunder Train
REI Co-op Swiftland
CRZ Yoga Butterlift Origin
Vuori AllTheForm
✖
Vuori Daily
✖
Girlfriend Collective
✖
Janji Trail Tights
✖
Arc'teryx Essent Utility
✖
Nike Universa
✖
ALO Airlift
✖
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket
✖
✖
Adidas Optime
✖
✖
Iuga FlexTight
✖
✖
✖
Gymshark Vital
✖
✖
✖
We consider the best use of each legging and whether they have any crossover capabilities aside from that. Leggings are a closet staple for many women, and being able to wear the same pair of pants to the gym or to the movies is a huge plus. So, in addition to athletic wear, we consider how well each pair can transition into daily wear.
The Maipo Stash is a generalist in the best of ways; many of our testers would be happy if this was their only pair of leggings. They're that good. The compression is mid-range and feels supportive enough for the gym but gentle enough for an upbeat yoga class. The breathability and moisture-wicking make them a solid choice for summer hikes, and they are durable enough to hold up to log sits and short scrambles. They have simple yet practical pockets, without looking like utility pants, and perhaps most importantly, they remain comfortable through all these activities.
We never felt the need to change after a workout, making the Maipo Stash the pair we reached for most often throughout testing. Plus, we love pockets that keep our phone secure in runs and headstands. Credit: Abriah Wofford
The AllTheForm is first and foremost a yoga legging, but it just looks classy, so its versatility lies in its ability to pair with a cute sports bra for a morning Pilates class, then with a relaxed top to meet friends for a thrift session or coffee date afterward. We wore it hiking too, but stayed on tamer trails as the material doesn't hold up as well to grabby brush. The more lifestyle option, the Daily, just looks good when we take it out on the streets. It has a drawcord at the waist that looks more put together with a crop top or jacket.
The AllTheForm is one of the most streamlined and easy-to-style leggings in the lineup while also being one of the most comfortable to wear all day. Credit: Kate Pitts
The CRZ Butterlift is the budget-friendly generalist. It isn't quite as stylable as the Maipo Stash, but it feels good in activities from low to high at a price you just can't beat. Plus, it comes in so many amazing colors.
The Butterlift's versatile balance of comfort and performance makes it one of the better values for users seeking a single pair of leggings for both active and casual use. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Arc'teryx Essent leggings have the most versatile and feature-rich pocket setup that we have ever seen. Not only do they have solid hip pockets, but the entire waistband is also full of hidey holes for everything you may need. We could seriously be a survivalist and squirrel away the ten essentials for our hike in that waistband.
We have never seen a pair of leggings with such well-designed, useful storage options. The Arc'teryx Essent Utility leggings are a favorite for backpacking, running, biking, and well-stocked days. Credit: Kate Pitts
The Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket can also handle a range of activities, while the matte finish and down-to-earth vibe are great for casual outfits. Plus, it is the most size-inclusive option that we tested.
Across the board, the highest-scoring leggings shared one characteristic: they eliminate the need to own separate pairs for every activity, because superpower leggings make almost everything you do a little more comfortable. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Leggings are our modern-day Superwomen tights. We can celebrate whatever part of us is showing up for the day. What the day and our bodies will ask of us is unknown every morning we wake up, yet we can meet it. We pull on leggings when we need to rest, jump into service when duty calls, go for the goal when our athletic parts crave a flow state, and smile and play when our inner child is free to move with joy. We hope to guide you to choose a pair that helps you own your power and brings your imagination into grounding movement.
If you are specifically interested in leggings for yoga, take a look at our extensive deep dive into the best yoga pants; if you lean on the outdoorsy end, our review of the best women's hiking pants features a more focused look at trail tights.
