Photo illustration: The Cut Photography: Retailer
For more of The Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home fare, check out our weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.
In my seven years as a shopping writer, I’ve reviewed a ton of leggings for both my job and personal interest. And after wearing them for NYC Pilates, CorePower Yoga, SolidCore, Ramble, “Hot Girl Walks,” runs, trampoline classes, at-home workouts, dance classes, and a whole host of other workouts, I can say this: leggings can make or break a workout.
A well-fitting pair of pants can support you and motivate you to exercise, while an unwanted digging in or a slipping waistline can be demotivating. And while I’d love a “one legging fits all” approach, it’s hard to say that such a thing exists.
That’s why I keep a drawer full of leggings that are perfect for a variety of workouts. They’re high-waisted, they have pockets, and even they’re fleece-lined. I’ve listed my leggings below, and of course I tested them alongside the best sports bras. I also asked the Cut Shop team to test out their favorite leggings, too.
➼ Our Recommendations
➼ A more proven option
➼ Our Experts
size: 0-20 | color: Available in 8 varieties | material: 7% Nylon, 23% Lycra® Elastane
It’s super high-coverage and reaches all the way down to your belly button, making it perfect for pairing with a crop top or your favorite sports bra without worrying about exposing any skin. As one reviewer points out, it accentuates your waist for a “sculpted” look. The Everlux fabric is smooth to the touch, making it ideal for low-impact activities like yoga.
size: XXS-XXL | color: Available in 16 | material: Polyester and spandex
Don’t take my word for it. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner also wear Alo Yoga leggings to Pilates class. The Lorde founder favors the high-waisted Alo Soft Highlight leggings, but I gravitate toward the 7/8 high-waisted Air Lift because the double-knit Air Lift fabric is undeniably great. Moisture-wicking technology absorbs sweat so you never feel sticky.
size: XXS-XXL | color: Available in 4 varieties | material: Nylon, elastane
These seamless leggings feel like a second skin, and Asia Milia Ware, a fashion and beauty writer at The Cut, loves them for Pilates. She says they’re not only comfortable, but lightweight, too.
size: size color: Available on 9 | Material: 79% Polyamide, 21% Elastane
For running, you really need a good shoe that doesn’t sag every third step. I love running on the treadmill in my Free People Movement shoes and they’ve literally held up. Anytime I do an SLT tread, whether it’s the reformer side or the treadmill side, the shoe really holds its shape. Plus, they’re incredibly soft.
size: size color: Available in 3 types
Ware loves the zipper detail on these Riot leggings, which can be worn from the gym to running errands—and they won’t zip down on their own. “I love that Riot Swim’s swimsuits are made from the buttery soft fabric these leggings are made from, and they feel like a second skin,” she adds.
size: size color: Available on 11 | material: Lycra Adaptive Fiber
“From the moment I put these leggings on, I was hooked! They stretch and move with you, so they’re super comfortable. I love wearing them to core power yoga because I don’t feel restricted,” Ware says.
size: size color: Available on 19 | material: 75% polyester, 25% spandex
These leggings are made from a polyester/spandex blend that stretches and moves with you while you work out. They have two pockets just large enough to hold your phone. Small pockets are good for leggings because they keep your phone in place around your waist instead of falling down your thighs.
size: size color: Available on 31 | material: 77% polyester, 23% spandex
If you’re looking for a lower rise in a world of high-waisted pants everywhere, this gem from Amazon is the answer. With functional pockets and “squat-proof” (meaning no sudden sheerness or rips when you bend over), they’re just as comfortable for lounging as they are for working out.
size: size color: Available in 4 varieties | material: MaProducts made with at least 50% recycled polyester fibre
Before the pandemic, I used to work out in Nike trainers, and since every workout was different, these leggings were my favorite because they were durable and kept their shape after multiple washes, even though I was constantly moving and sweating.
size: XXS-XXL | color: black material: 74% nylon, 26% spandex
Whenever I want to add Obé’s on-demand dance cardio classes to my workout routine, I throw on these Zella leggings. The blue hue makes me feel like a professional dancer, and they hold up well during 45-minute cardio sessions and when I’m freestyling like crazy.
size: XXS-XXL | color: Available on 19 | material: 80% nylon, 20% elastane
Aritzia fans know that their leggings are perfect for running quick errands: They’re buttery soft, form-fitting, and can withstand carrying grocery bags to the sidewalk and doing a load of laundry all day.
size: XXS-3X | color: Available in 5 varieties | material: 75% nylon, 25% lycra
I recently took a physical exercise class where we lay on the floor and did subtle movements to focus on the pelvis, and these leggings were so comfortable I forgot I was wearing them.
size: size color: Available in two varieties | material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane
I wrote about these fleece-lined pants in my feature on fleece-lined winter leggings, and they remain a winter training staple. They’re lightweight and moisture-wicking, so you won’t get drenched in sweat during your workout, yet they’re still warm enough to withstand the temperature drop.
size: size color: Choose from 15 types | material: 85% nylon, 15% spandex active rib
These Instagram-worthy leggings are suitable for a variety of activities, but I prefer them for cycling, and despite the ribbed fabric, they’re surprisingly comfortable no matter how vigorous your cycling.
size: size color: Choose from 10 varieties | material: 79% recycled plastic bottles (RPET), 21% spandex
Girlfriend Collective leggings are made from recycled water bottles. They’re also super cozy, soft, and have an almost shiny texture. The fabric is a tightly woven synthetic material that retains heat well. They’re great for vigorous activities, but not activities that will make you sweat too much. Plus, these leggings have a super high rise, making them perfect for when you want to wear a crop top but don’t want to show too much skin.
size: size color: Available on 7 | material: 79% recycled polyester, 21% elastane interlock, FlashDry-XD™
The North Face is a great brand for adventure, and these leggings are quick drying, have a high rise waist and zip up. and Drop-down pockets. Perfect for weekend trips and hiking in LA.
size: 0-14 years color: Available on 11 | material: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® Elastane
If you’re looking for buttery soft leggings, these are the gold standard. The Lycra-infused Nuru fabric is stretchy, supportive, and moves with you, even when you work up a sweat. A small pocket on the front of the waistband holds your ID or credit card, and the high rise means they lie flat. The 25″ length is the widest range of sizes, but they also come in 28″ and 31″ options. That’s all there is to it, but it’s worth the hype.
size: size color: Available in 12 varieties | material: 93% nylon, 7% elastane
These leggings are lightweight and breathable, making them perfect 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 find yourself between sizes, you can size down for a more compressed fit.
size: XXS-XL | color: Choose from 10 varieties | material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane
I may not be an expert on indoor bouldering, but I can say for sure that these leggings are ideal for someone new to the sport – they stretched with me and made me feel like I knew what I was doing.
size: XXS-2XL | color: Available on 7 | material: Nylon, spandex
Ultra-stretchy and opaque, these performance leggings feel like a second skin and stay in place during the most rigorous reformer moves. They’re also moisture-wicking and quick-drying, so you don’t have to worry about sweating. They even survived CorePower Yoga’s hot yoga classes.
size: XXS-XXL | color: Available on 18 | material: Nylon, spandex
If you’re in need of another pair of squat-proof leggings that come in a variety of color options, look no further. Wear recommends these leggings for lifting, squatting, and overall comfort. The high-waisted leggings won’t roll up, twist, or move around while you work out, and they won’t get wet.
size: XXS-L | color: Available in 5 varieties | material: Polyester, elastane
Ware loves these high-compression leggings because they’re stretchy yet form-fitting when you want a little more definition — perfect for intense workouts or just chill days.
size: XXS-2X | color: Available in two varieties | material: Polyester, spandex
With Wear’s favorite one-piece, you won’t have to struggle to find a sports bra that fits perfectly. Highly stretchy and moisture-wicking, this one-piece is easy to wear for lazy days or a quick workout at the gym. Wear loves to pair this one-piece with a sweater.
- Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor at The Cut and former shopping editor at The Cut Teen VogueWorkout class enthusiasts
- Asia Milia Ware, fashion and beauty writer for The Cut, gym and weightlifting enthusiast
