Not to toot our own horn, but we know a thing or two about the best exercise leggings here at SELF—in fact, we recognize a select few of them every year during our Activewear Awards. While it may sound dramatic, we think a high-quality pair of leggings can make all the difference in how your day goes. (If you’ve ever tried lifting weights or enjoying a vinyasa flow while wearing leggings that slip down, pinch, or pull in all the wrong places, you know this to be true.)
With that in mind, we curated a list of great exercise leggings for all sorts of activities, selected from tons of pairs we’ve tested and had recommended to us by experts over the years.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
- Best Budget: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings
- Best for Yoga: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant
- Best for Running: Tracksmith NDO Tights
- Best for Gym Workouts: Reebok Lux High-Rise Leggings
- Best for Everyday Wear: Spanx Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings
In this article
What to look for when shopping for exercise leggings
If you’re ready to update your leggings collection, here are a few tips we recommend keeping in mind as you shop.
High-impact activities, like running, and gentler movements, like stretching, call for different types of leggings. For the former, you may want a pair that’s thicker, more compressive, and sweatproof. Meanwhile, you’ll probably prefer softer, lighter-weight leggings for yoga, Pilates, and other lower-intensity workouts.
Leggings come in a range of lengths, from full-length (meaning they go all the way to the bottom of your ankle) to 7/8 (which hit around or just above the ankle) to capri (which usually stop at the middle of your calf). When in doubt, measure your inseam length—the distance from your crotch to the spot on your leg or ankle where you want the leggings to hit—and have your number handy while you browse.
Any leggings should have a good amount of spandex, Lycra, elastane, or other stretchy material to ensure they fit close to your body without restricting your movement. Beyond that, look for pairs made with moisture-wicking, breathable, squat-proof, extra soft, or cold-weather-ready materials. As mentioned above, your go-to workouts can also help you determine which fabrics will work best.
This is more a personal preference than anything else, but it’s still important to check how high the waistband goes on a new pair of leggings, especially if coverage and support are key for you. You can find low-, medium-, and high-rise options, but high-rise is the most common.
Don’t forget nice-to-have elements like a drawstring, well-placed pockets, and breathable mesh panels. Depending on what you like, these add-ons can turn a solid pair of leggings into an exceptional one.
FAQs about shopping for exercise leggings
Should I size up or down in leggings?
If you’re between sizes, you should usually size down in leggings. Since they’re typically made of stretchy fabrics, they should expand to fit you, and they tend to get looser over time, so starting with a tighter pair is usually better. (After all, leggings are meant to be snug—and you don’t want them to be falling down as you work out.) That being said, if you’re considering a super compressive pair of leggings, you might want to size up, since the fabric will fit tighter and may feel too restrictive in a smaller size.
Why do my leggings roll down at the waist?
Leggings that are too big, have lost their elasticity, or are lower-rise may be more likely to roll down. So if this is a common issue for you, look for styles that are high-waisted, with a thick, compressive waistband and a drawstring.
On the other hand, sometimes super-high-waisted styles can roll down to meet the indent of your natural waist. Ideally, the top of your leggings’ waistband will hit you right at your natural waist or only slightly above. When you try them on, jump around, bend, and stretch in your leggings to make sure they’ll stay put.
Shop the best exercise leggings
Whether you’re a runner, a yoga enthusiast, a hiker, a die-hard lounger, or all of the above, an excellent new pair of leggings awaits you below.
Best Overall: Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
- Extremely comfortable and versatile
- Breathable fabric
- Durable
- Next to none—practically perfect
Wherever your day takes you, you’ll be prepared in Athleta’s best-selling Salutation Stash High Rise Legging. It’s one of the brand’s most popular leggings for its wonderfully deep pockets (that somehow don’t add a ton of bulk); wide, comfy waistband; and thick fabric.
Incredible durability was another reason we named the Salutation Stash the Best Leggings for Pretty Much Anything in our 2024 Activewear Awards—one of our judges was confident that these can last for years of wear. “These are my everything leggings,” they wrote. “I have been buying the Stash from Athleta for years, and they hold up. I teach barre, lift weights, hike trails, and browse the aisles of Trader Joe’s in them constantly.”
Sizes: XXS to 3XL | Lengths: Petite, regular, and tall | Materials: Nylon, Lycra, recycled polyester, elastane, polyester (depending on the color)
Best Budget: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings
- Great value
- Ideal for high-sweat activities
- Won’t show sweat
- Some reviewers note the fabric could be thicker
These Old Navy leggings were our readers’ pick for this year’s Activewear Awards—and wow, did they have a lot to say: “I literally have 25 pairs, and they’re the only bottoms I’ll do races in. The side pockets are so great, I don’t even need to wear running belts during my training runs to keep my phone, gum, and keys handy,” one explained.
Another reader shouted out their price point, durability, compression level, and, perhaps most importantly, sweat resistance: “I wear them for my long runs on the treadmill, and they don’t show sweat stains.”
Sizes: XS to 4X | Lengths: Petite, regular, and tall | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Best for Yoga: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant
- Extremely soft and stretchy
- Wide range of color options
Arguably the most-loved Lulu bottoms across the board, the Aligns belong in the dictionary under “yoga leggings.” Extra soft and non-constricting, they’re designed to feel like a second skin that moves with you as you stretch, bend, and flow.
“It truly doesn’t feel like you’re wearing pants, and they never cause chafing,” wrote one 2024 Activewear Awards judge. While they’re basically ideal for yoga, our judges and one SoulCycle instructor also recommended the Align leggings for indoor cycling and simply wearing around the house.
Sizes: 0 to 20 | Lengths: 23, 25, 28, and 31 inches | Materials: Nylon, Lycra elastane
Best for Running: Tracksmith NDO Tights
- Lots of pockets
- Adjustable fit
- Reflective details
- Moisture-wicking
- Not super compressive
- Pricey
Every distance runner knows that pockets are everything, and this pair packs plenty. With two large, envelope-style pockets and a third, zippered one in the back of the waistband, you won’t have to wear a running belt on longer loops.
These high-waisted leggings are made from a double-sided fabric that’ll keep you warm on chilly mornings or evenings—plus, they have a drawstring, so you can adjust the fit (meaning they’ll still feel good after the post-gel bloat). Zippers at the ankles also make them easy to get off when you’re sweaty.
Sizes: XS to L | Lengths: Regular | Materials: Lycra, polyester, nylon, polyamide, elastane Lycra, polyurethane
Best for Gym Workouts: Reebok Lux High-Rise Leggings
- Relatively affordable for the quality
- Compressive, supportive fit and feel
- Extra high-rise waistband
- Some may find the compression too strong
If you’re looking for workhorse leggings that’ll keep up with you through HIIT classes, lifting sessions, and cardio workouts, you need a pair of supportive, ultra-high-waisted Reebok Luxes, which won a 2023 Activewear Award for their reliability and versatility.
“Sometimes full-length leggings look ‘bunchy’ at the ankles, but these were perfect,” one SELF tester wrote. “The high waistband is extremely comfortable and flattering. They’re absolutely squat-proof as well. I felt very confident, and I was able to complete all workouts without having to pull them up or adjust them at all (even during a sweaty vinyasa yoga class).”
Sizes: XXS to XL | Lengths: Short, regular | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Best for Everyday Wear: Spanx Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings
- Thick and a little compressive
- Sweat-resistant
- Comfy, flattering fit
- May run small, according to reviewers
A two-time Activewear Award winner in 2021 and 2022, Spanx’s Booty Boost Active leggings are about as reliable as leggings get (and win bonus points for their highly flattering fit). “These are perfection,” wrote one tester, who wears a size 2X. “They did not move. The leggings are high-waist and cover my entire tummy as a plus-size woman. Where have these leggings been all my life?”
Another SELF tester raved about their versatility: “I could wear these leggings to the office and no one would know that they are for workouts.” They fit like a glove and look great even after hours of wear, making the Booty Boost Active our top pick for all-day wear (no contest!).
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Lengths: 25 inches | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Best Compression Leggings: SuperFit Hero SuperHold Pocket 7/8 Leggings
- Extremely supportive
- Thick, opaque fabric
- Wide size range
- Tend to attract lint and pet hair, according to reviewers
At this point, it’s an odd year when SuperFit Hero’s highly compressive, squat-test-passing SuperHold pocket leggings don’t win an Activewear Award (their earliest appearance was in 2019). Throughout the years, they’ve wowed our testers with their extremely secure fit, inclusive size range, and overall great look (an influencer who tested a pair in 2022 said the SuperHolds were their go-to leggings for on-camera work).
“The leggings definitely did everything they were supposed to do,” one 2023 tester wrote. “They were supportive, comfortable, cute, and helped me stay dry when I was really sweaty. I especially appreciated how the waistband stayed in place, and overall I didn’t have to adjust anything during my workouts.”
Sizes: L to 7X | Lengths: 29 inches | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Best for Lounging: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging
- Very soft
- Tons of color options
- No outside seam
- Fabric has four-way stretch that moves with you
- Inseam may be too short on some people
When you have a long day of nothing planned, a supremely comfy pair of leggings makes for a great uniform. The ones that come to mind for us are easily Beyond Yoga’s super-soft, smooth Spacedye tights.
“These leggings definitely lived up to my expectations,” wrote one 2023 Activewear Awards tester. “I found myself reaching for them again and again, since they were so comfortable, cute, and I didn’t have to fiddle with them while teaching or practicing yoga.” In 2024, we also gave a nod to the Out of Pocket version of these leggings, which are just as cuddly but feature two drop-in side pockets too.
Sizes: XXS to 4X | Lengths: 24 inches | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Best for Cold Weather: Baleaf Fleece-Lined Winter Leggings
- Lined for warmth, yet breathable
- Budget-friendly
- Lots of colors to choose from
- May bunch at the ankles, according to reviewers
If you brave icy temps in the name of your workout (or commute), you need a pair of Baleaf’s refreshingly affordable fleece-lined leggings. “The wind doesn’t pierce through them like a lot of other leggings. They are also sweat-wicking, so they are great for working out,” Lindsey Quebedeaux, a track and cross-country coach, runner, and walker from New Braunfels, Texas, previously told SELF.
They’re available in several styles: The one-pocket version has a mid-rise waist; the three-pocket is high-rise; and the water-resistant version has an extra-high waist that should come in handy when it’s cold and wet outside.
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Lengths: 27-28 inches (depending on the size) | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Best for Hiking: Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage Leggings
- Very durable
- Stretchy
- UPF 30 helps protect your skin from the sun’s rays
- Too lightweight for hiking in cold weather
- Limited color options
Hikers ask a lot of their leggings: They should be easy to move in, but they can’t rip or snag when the trail gets rough. Few pairs strike a balance between stretchy and tough quite like the Ad-Vantage from Outdoor Research.
Made with rock climbing in mind, they’re abrasion-resistant through the knees and hips and provide full range of motion. As our 2023 Activewear Awards tester put it, “I am able to move at any angle in these and they stay in place. I also feel like they’re perfect for travel because they are durable, lightweight, and have some compression.”
Sizes: XS to XXL | Lengths: 25 inches | Materials: Nylon, Lycra
Best Color and Pattern Options: Sweaty Betty Power Workout Leggings
- Large selection of styles and sizes
- Has two pockets
- Sweat-wicking fabric
- Adjustable drawstring inside the waistband
These are an all-around excellent pair of leggings, and you can’t beat the options when it comes to colors and patterns—there are 28(!) to choose from. These stretchy tights are great for pretty much any workout, with a large side pocket, a back zippered pocket, and an adjustable internal drawstring. Sweaty Betty is beloved for their vibrant patterns, so if you’re looking for a truly unique set, this brand is the one to shop.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Lengths: ⅞, full-length | Materials: Polyamide, elastane
Best Size Range: Girlfriend Collective Luxe Legging
- Soft and compressive
- Has three pockets
- Moisture-wicking
- Wide range of sizes
- Heavy fabric isn’t the best for hot workouts
These high-waisted leggings are thick and compressive—perfect for anyone who likes their tights to feel like a strong hug. With a subtle sheen, these would work equally well for a gym day or a cute errands outfit. They have three small pockets (two at the front waistband and one at the back) and are made with cozy, peach-fuzz-like fabric.
Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Lengths: 23.75 inches, 28.5 inches | Materials: Recycled plastic bottles (RPET), spandex
Best for HIIT: Vuori Daily Legging
- Stay-put waistband
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Adjustable drawstring outside the waistband
- Four-way stretch moves with you
- No pockets
- Not super compressive
- 7/8 length may be too short for tall people
If you feel like your tights never stay in place, you need to try Vuori’s Daily Legging. One SELF writer swears by it for running, HIIT workouts, or really any exercise that’ll have you bouncing around.
“The super high, wide, segmented waistband and drawstring combo really helps them stay put and not roll down, no matter what I’m doing. I never have to pull these up and adjust them during workouts, which makes me reach for them over and over,” she says. They’re cut to a 7/8 length, so they’re perfect for anyone on the shorter side who hates when their full-length leggings bunch up. The thick fabric makes them ideal for sweaty workouts, and, per our writer, they’re incredibly soft and flattering.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Lengths: short, regular, long | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Best with Pockets: Nike Go Firm-Support High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings
- Supportive, hold-you-in feel
- Six pockets
- Extra-wide waistband
- 7/8 length may not work for tall folks
If you’ve got stuff to hold, these leggings have the storage space you need. Nike’s Go tights have two angled side pockets along the thighs, three drop-in pockets along the back waistband, and a zip pocket on the thigh, so you can easily pack your phone, gels, headphone case, lip balm, keys, and cards. Compressive and supportive, with an extra-wide waistband, these will keep up with you as you run, squat, and hike.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Lengths: Regular | Materials: Nylon, spandex
Most Stretchy: Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Leggings
- Comfortable
- Seamless around the waist
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Not compressive
- No pockets
Gymshark’s Vital Seamless 2.0 leggings will move with you all day long, with a wide, ribbed, seamless waistband and stretchy, secure fabric that’s shaded to contour your body. Moisture-wicking nylon makes them a solid pick for sweaty conditioning sessions too.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Lengths: Regular | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Best Splurge: LNDR Limitless Pocket ⅞ Legging
- Super lightweight
- Sweat-wicking fabric
- Has two waistband pockets
- Light compression
- Some reviewers say they’re not thick or opaque enough
- Limited size range
This pair from LNDR is perfect for anyone who doesn’t like bulky side pockets, but wants more storage space than a zippered back pocket. The drop-in pockets on these are uniquely placed high on the waistband, so you can easily cover them with a shirt or tank.
These leggings are also very smoothing and lightweight, so they’ll feel particularly good in hot settings. “These are my favorite leggings of all time,” wrote one LNDR customer. “They’re tight in all the right places and super comfortable.”
Sizes: XS to XL | Lengths: 8/8 (full-length), 7/8, 6/8 (capri) | Materials: Polyamide, elastane
How SELF tests and selects exercise leggings
For SELF’s Activewear Awards, we tap staffers, everyday exercisers, and experts of all stripes (including hikers, marathon runners, weight lifting trainers, and fitness coaches) to test dozens of leggings. They put their gear through the wringer, sweating, moving, and living in their apparel for weeks throughout the testing period, then use our official Activewear Buying Guide to determine which items were truly the best. You can rest assured that the leggings that made the cut were road-tested to the fullest.
When we look for recommendations outside of our yearly awards, we ask trusted fitness experts in the field for their absolute favorites. While a flashy new pair that they’re excited about is always of interest, we want to know which leggings they come back to time after time—those are the ones we feature.
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