For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.
During my seven years as a shopping writer, I’ve reviewed many pairs of leggings for my job and for personal interest. And after wearing them for New York Pilates, CorePower Yoga, Solidcore, Rumble, “hot-girl walks,” running, trampoline classes, at-home workouts, dance classes, and many other workout options, I feel well equipped to say this: Leggings can make or break a workout.
A pair that fits well can support you and help you get hyped to exercise. On the flip side, an undesired wedgie or a waistline that doesn’t stay put can discourage you. And as much as I would love a “one-legging-fits-all” approach, I struggle to say that exists.
That’s why I’ve filled my drawers with the best leggings for different types of workouts: high-waisted ones, ones with pockets, and even some that are fleece-lined. I’ve listed mine below. And yes, I tested them alongside the best sport bras. Plus I tapped into the Cut Shop team for their tried and true favorites, too.
So, you’re looking for the best workout leggings?
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true options
➼ Our experts
.
Our top picks:
The Best Leggings to “Do It All”
Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: Available in 8 | Materials: 7 percent nylon, 23 percent Lycra® elastane
These offer super-high coverage and go all the way up past your belly button, making them perfect for pairing with crop tops or your favorite sports bra without worrying about exposing a ton of skin. As one reviewer notes, it accentuates your waist for a “snatched” look. The Everlux fabric is smooth to the touch and meant for lower-impact activities like yoga.
The Best Leggings for Pilates
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: Available in 16 | Materials: Polyester and spandex
Don’t take it from me, but Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner also turn to their Alo Yoga leggings for a Pilates class. And while the Rhode founder likes to wear the high-waisted Alosoft Highlight leggings, I gravitate towards the 7/8 high-waisted Airlift because the double-knit Airlift fabric definitely works wonders. The moisture-wicking technology just soaks up the sweat, so I don’t feel sticky at all.
Another Option for Pilates
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: Available in 4 | Materials: Nylon, elastane
These seamless leggings are like a second skin, and Cut fashion and beauty writer Asia Milia Ware loves this for Pilates. Not only are they comfortable, she says, they’re also lightweight.
The Best Leggings for Running
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: Available in 9 | Materials: 79 percent polyamide, 21 percent elastane
When it comes to running you do really need a good pair that doesn’t sag down every three steps. I love to wear my Free People Movement one to run on the treadmill, and they hold up, literally. Whenever I do SLT Tread, they really maintain their shape in both the reformer and the treadmill side. Plus they are incredibly soft.
The Best for High Intensity
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: Available in 3
Ware loves the zipper detail of this legging from Riot because she can go from the gym to running errands. And no — the zipper never zips down on its own. “I love Riot Swim’s swimwear because of the buttery-soft material, and these leggings have that same material. It’s like a second skin,” she adds.
The Best for Hot Yoga
Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: Available in 11 | Materials: Lycra Adaptiv fibers
“From the second I slipped these leggings on, I was obsessed. They stretch with you for an ultracomfortable wear. I love wearing them when I go to CorePower Yoga because I don’t have to feel like I’m being restricted,” Ware shares.
.
More tried-and-true options:
The Best Leggings for the Gym
Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: Available in 19 | Materials: 75 percent polyester, 25 percent spandex
These leggings are made with a blend of polyester and spandex to stretch and move with you during a workout. There are two pockets, which are just large enough to fit a phone. Smaller pockets are actually a good thing in a pair of leggings, because it holds your phone in place by your hip rather than sending it all the way down your thigh.
The Best Leggings for Low-Impact Workouts
Sizes: XS–3X | Colors: Available in 31 | Materials: 77 percent polyester, 23 percent spandex
If you’d prefer a lower rise in the world of ubiquitous high-waisted pants, these gems from Amazon are your answer. They have a functional pocket, are “squat-proof” (meaning they won’t suddenly become sheer or split when you squat down), and are just as comfortable for lounging as they are for working out.
The Best Leggings for Intense Training
Sizes: XS–2XL | Colors: Available in 4 | Materials: Made with at least 50 percent recycled polyester fibers
There was a time pre-pandemic when I trained with Nike trainers. Since the workouts varied each time, these were my favorite leggings to wear because, despite the constant moving and sweating, these held up well and sprang back into shape wash after wash.
The Best Leggings for Dance Class
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: Black | Materials: 74 percent nylon, 26 percent spandex
Whenever I want to add one of Obé’s on-demand dance-cardio classes into my workout routine, I like to wear my Zella leggings. Something about the blue hue makes me feel like I’m a professional dancer. Plus, they hold up well during the 45-minute sessions of cardio and whenever I just freestyle and make a complete fool of myself.
The Best Leggings for Daily Walks
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: Available in 19 | Materials: 80 percent nylon, 20 percent elastane
Aritzia fans know that their leggings are the best for running errands. They are buttery soft, hug your curves just right, and can withstand carrying your groceries up your walk-up and a full day of doing your laundry.
The Best Leggings for Stretching
Sizes: XXS–3X | Colors: Available in 5 | Materials: 75 percent nylon, 25 percent lycra
Recently, I took a somatic movement class where you lay on the floor and focus on your pelvis by doing subtle movements. These leggings felt so comfy that I forgot I had them on.
The Best Warm Workout Leggings
Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: Available in 2| Materials: 87 percent polyester, 13 percent elastane
We wrote about these fleece-lined pants in our fleece-lined winter leggings round up, and we are still obsessed with them for wintertime workouts. They’re lightweight and wicking enough for you to workout in them without becoming a living puddle of sweat, but warm enough to brave ever-dipping temps outside.
The Best Leggings for Cycling
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: Available in 15 | Materials: 85 percent nylon, 15 percent spandex active rib
These Instagram-friendly leggings can hold up to a wide gamut of activities, but I prefer them for cycling. Despite the fabric being ribbed they are incredibly comfortable no matter how intense your biking session is.
The Best Sustainable Leggings
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: Available in 10 | Materials: 79 percent recycled plastic bottles (RPET), 21 percent spandex
Girlfriend Collective’s leggings are made with recycled water bottles. They’re also super-cozy and have a soft, almost shiny texture to them. Since the fabric is tightly woven synthetic material, they tend to hold heat well. They’re great for brisker activities, less so for super-sweaty ones. These have a super-high rise, too, making them ideal for when you want to wear a crop top but not show a ton of skin.
The Best Leggings for an Adventure
Sizes: XS–3XL | Colors: Available in 7 | Materials: 79% percent recycled polyester, 21 percent elastane interlock with FlashDry-XD™
The North Face is always the best brand for adventures. These leggings are quick-drying with a high-rise waist and zipped and drop-down pockets. Perfect for a weekend trip lounging and hiking in L.A.
The Best Leggings for Yoga
Sizes: 0–14 | Colors: Available in 11 | Materials: 81 percent nylon, 19 percent lycra® elastane
If you’re looking for buttery-soft leggings, these are the gold standard. The Nulu fabric with added Lycra is stretchy and supportive, moving with you even through extra-sweaty flows. The small pocket in the front of the waistband can fit an ID or credit card and lies flat with a high rise. The 25-inch length has the widest size range, but there are 28- and 31-inch options as well. That’s all to say, yes, they are worth the hype.
The Best Leggings for Lifting
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: Available in 12 | Materials: 93 percent nylon, 7 percent elastane
Its leggings are lightweight and breathable for your most intense training sessions, and Ware loves that they offer plenty of support for weight training. The material is super-stretchy, so if you think you may be between sizes, you can size down for a more compressive fit.
The Best Leggings for Indoor Bouldering
Sizes: XXS–XL | Colors: Available in 10 | Materials: 87 polyester, 13 percent elastane
I may not know much about indoor bouldering, but I do know that these leggings were the ideal pair for this beginner to the sport. They stretched accordingly with my body and made me feel as though I knew what I was doing.
Another Option for Reformer Class
Sizes: XXS–2XL | Colors: Available in 7 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
Super-stretchy and opaque, these high-performance leggings feel like a second skin and stay put through even the toughest reformer moves They’re also moisture-wicking and quick-drying, so you don’t have to worry about working up a sweat. They’ve even withstood a hot-yoga class at CorePower Yoga.
Another Option for Lifting
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: Available in 18 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
If you need another pair of squatproof leggings and a lot of color options, look no further. Ware recommends these for lifting, squatting, and overall comfort. The high-waisted leggings don’t roll, twist, or move during your workout, and they stay dry.
The Best Leggings for Compression
Sizes: XXS–L | Colors: Available in 5 | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Ware loves these high-compression leggings, which are stretchy but still sculpting when you need a little more. These can handle your high intensity workout and your chill days.
An Option for Everday Wear
Sizes: XXS–2X | Colors: Available in 2 | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Worry less about finding a matching and well-fitting sports bra with Ware’s favorite one-piece. The super-stretchy and moisture-wicking piece is easy enough to slip into for leisurely days or quick gym workouts. Ware loves to pair hers with a sweater.
.
Our experts
- Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor at the Cut, former shopping editor at Teen Vogue, and workout-class enthusiast
- Asia Milia Ware, fashion and beauty writer at the Cut and gym and weight-lifting enthusiast
