Finding affordable leggings for my 5-foot-10 frame feels impossible sometimes. A publicist once told me that high-end athleisure brands design for “model height,” which, based on 2020 data from WhoWhatWear, is about 5 feet and 9 inches, while affordable brands reference an “average” height. (According to the CDC, this is currently about 5-foot-3 for women living in the US.)
Because I’m not on the design team at one of my favorite high-end brands like Lululemon or Alo, I can’t say for sure if this anecdote is true, but it certainly tracks with my firsthand experience when it comes to wearing leggings: expensive activewear brands seem to fit me perfectly, while anything at Target runs high-water.
But Amazon has one under-$25 find that I can’t gatekeep any longer: Colorfulkoala leggings. The brand’s buttery soft high-waisted yoga pants are eerily similar to my Lululemon Align leggings — especially in the length department. They have a 28-inch inseam — a miracle for a pair of leggings at their price point!
While you technically can find longer inseams at placing like Gap and Old Navy that offer tall, I’ve yet to find another option that’s affordably priced that fits just like Lululemon. These leggings have the same tailoring as the Aligns and are just as comfortable and non-compressive.
They don’t pinch at all and are super flattering. The high-rise fit is comfortable, they wash well and they’ve performed during every workout. They come in a ton of colors and sizes XS-XL. The brand suggests sizing up, but I actually sized down, as I do in my Lululemon Align leggings, and they still fit great. So maybe it’s worth checking the reviews before purchasing.
Colorfulkoala’s classic yoga pants aren’t the brand’s only great offering. They offer high-neck tank tops that pair perfectly with the leggings (I’m wearing both in the center photo above) without showing too much skin. I also have a Lululemon-ish pair of sweatpants that I love. Apart from this, Colorfulkoala sells leggings with pockets and without front seams, stylish flares, soft modal shorts, a lookalike of the Popflex skort made famous by Taylor Swift and so much more — all to complete an athleticwear wardrobe that’s suited for taller folks.
Reviewers agree that these leggings pass the test: They have more than 52,000 Amazon reviews and are rated 4.3 stars. Keep reading to see what a few other happy shoppers had to say, or scroll down to get a pair for yourself — or, at this price point, several.
“These leggings are hands-down the best I’ve ever owned! I have them in multiple colors and wear them constantly — they go with everything. The fabric is soft, super stretchy and holds up beautifully wash after wash.” — JustSharingMyToughts
“LOVE! I’m a tall woman and no ankles showing! When I first opened the package I will admit I had very high doubts, the leggings looked more like capris than pants but as soon as I tried them on…perfection” — Jacqueline Batts
“I bought my first pair in 2020. I still come back now in October 2022 to buy whenever I want new leggings. They are my favorite leggings ever and I have owned LuluLemon ones. I actually choose them over my lulus because they fit better. The fabric is unbelievably buttery. I dance in these every day in ballet and jazz classes. I have noticed in my oldest pair that after drying them multiple times they have started to stretch and pill. So be mindful of how much you dry them/what setting you use. But that goes for all leggings. And these ones are around $20 like COME ON. best ones ever. Also, I have noticed my lulus don’t stay up on my waist as well as these ones do. AND, if you have long legs (I am 5’9”), these are long enough for you which is sometimes hard to find for the tall folks. I want them to come back with the gray and black camo ones!!” — Kianna
“Love love love. I’m tall and these are perfect for me. First off I am so picky when it comes to leggings. Before buying these I only had one pair of leggings I would wear. A pair of champions I got in 2017 that had my university on them. 5 years old. They are the best material and length. When shopping nothing else compares unless it’s $70. I have been desperate to find something comparable, especially when it comes to length, for an affordable price and these are it!! I got 4 pairs. A Black in medium and large and then blue in those sizes as well. Both sizes fit perfectly and the length is wonderful. Not sure if they are squat proof just yet though but just based on what I’ve seen so far while trying on they are” — Alana