The new year is here, and so is our motivation to revamp our wardrobes. Whether we're in the gym or on the couch, you can probably find our editors rocking leggings this season — so having multiple pairs in our rotation is a must to make it to laundry day.
But finding a pair with the perfect combination of comfort and compression is no small feat. Luckily for you, our team of lifestyle editors has tried dozens of leggings over the years, both in personal practice and formal testing for our Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards. With our recommendations, your days of constantly stopping to adjust mid-workout or doing test squats in the mirror to triple-check that your leggings aren’t see-through are finally over.
From new launches that live up to the hype to affordable tried-and-true favorites, scroll on to shop all of the leggings we live in year-round.
Shop TODAY award-winning leggings
Balling on a budget? These Amazon customer-loved leggings with pockets won't hurt your wallet. Ringing up at under $20, our reviewers wore these through everything from HIIT classes to grocery store runs.
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy “never had to stop and adjust them while working out, which is the true sign of a great pair of leggings.”
Chances are, you’ve seen these viral leggings before on TikTok, and we’re here to confirm that the hype is real. Not only do these leggings feature a chic crossover waistband, but they have pockets (cue the applause!) to store all of your belongings during workouts.
“I loved the flattering crossover waist, the material was airy and breathable in addition to high quality and it washed well," former TODAY trending editor Nicoletta Richardson noted in her review. "All around a big win.”
With more than 50,000 reviews on Amazon, we had to put these customer-loved leggings to the test. Between wearing them to yoga classes, in weight training sessions and on long-distance runs, commerce editor Vivien Moon has nothing but praise for these bottoms.
“I was VERY surprised by this pair of leggings! I love the pocket aspect and the tummy control the high waist provides without feeling too tight,” Moon reports. She even grants them the ultimate seal of approval, saying “I truly love these and would probably spend double what they cost considering their quality.”
As part of our Ranked series, one writer put 11 pairs of black leggings head-to-head over the course of two weeks. Her winner? This under-$40 thermal pair.
"The Baleaf leggings are one of my favorites for their numerous features. They have two wide side pockets, and one of them features an extra hidden interior pocket," reports SEO writer Jannely Espinal. "My favorite part is the adjustable waistband, which stays in place without rolling down. Since they’re water resistant, the moisture-wicking properties worked well."
You’ve likely heard the gospel of Lululemon’s buttery-soft leggings. Made with the brand’s signature nylon and Lycra elastane fabric, these feel both weightless and form-fitting.
While they come at a higher price point than other leggings, in the opinion of former production coordinator Camryn Privette, it’s money well spent.
“My trusty black Align leggings have been in use for about four years now and they’re still going strong,” Privette reports. “However, it’s really important to always air dry these to prevent pilling.”
Reviewers don't have a single bad thing to say about these Split59 leggings. They're perfect for barre, walks and other low-impact workouts, per our testers.
Social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo says these leggings feel like "a second skin," vouches that they're squat-proof and has noticed no signs of pilling after several washes. Moon has had a pair for several years and adds that they still fit as well as the first time she put them on.
More editor-recommended leggings
"I live in these Aerie leggings and I honestly can’t believe how affordable they are," raves senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "The fabric is buttery soft, and the crossover waistband is super comfortable and flattering. I don’t feel that uncomfortable compression that some leggings have around the waistband, yet I still feel secure and confident."
These bestselling, squat-proof leggings rival pricier alternatives at a fraction of the price, according to editorial director Adrianna Brach.
“These Amazon leggings feel and look way more luxe and expensive than they actually are... a total dupe for expensive athleisure that I swear by,” Brach claims.
A newer release from the same brand, these are almost identical to Brach's favorite style — but they have a seamless crotch design that customers (and our editors!) have been loving.
"These have very quickly become one of my favorite pairs of leggings," says associate SEO editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson. "They have the sculpting and structure of athletic leggings, but have the softness I love. They're the ones I end up reaching for most when I'm running errands or traveling."
As her base layer for winter runs, Stewart-Jackson considers this pair from Under Armour a staple.
“These leggings are stretchy and comfortable, but still flattering in the tummy area," Stewart-Jackson says. "Plus, I love that they’re a true black and not see-through. They’ve easily become a part of my weekly wardrobe rotation.”
After trying out this pair of leggings from Quince, to say that Privette was impressed "is the understatement of the century."
"Coming in at under $40, you’d never be able to spot any quality differences from other, more expensive pairs," Privette reports. "They didn’t roll down or move during my weight-lifting class and dried quickly post-workout. BRB, buying them in every color!"
"I have these leggings in four colors and I live in them," gushes associate editor Shannon Garlin. "The fabric is really soft and stretchy, and I love the thick high-waist band. It hugs my hips perfectly, without feeling tight. Also, when I say I live in them, I do — I wear them to yoga, barre, and also around the house when I’m working remotely or running errands."
It's been so long, I [Ekman] can't even remember when Aritzia's leggings first came into my rotation. Though I've tried dozens of options from many brands since I initially bought these, they're still the first ones I reach for after laundry day without fail. The lush fabric is lightweight but snuggly, so they're perfect for days when I just want to be comfy (but still look good doing it).
“I’ve been a fan of this brand for years and have virtually stopped wearing other leggings because I want to reach for these every time. I love them so much and own them in four different colors so that I always have a pair to wear,” gushes Moon.
“They cinch me in perfectly to give me a very flattering shape and are on the higher end of the compression scale, which is why I have so many,” Moon adds, so it's not surprising that she also recommends the brand's SoftMotion High-Waisted Leggings and the flared version below,
"Again, the only activewear brand I wear religiously is Oner, and these pants have become my ultimate favorite for any leisurely activity," Moon raves. "They also make me feel great about myself because of how flattering they are — I truly can’t recommend them enough. They’re also lightweight and breathable, making them perfect for any activity in my opinion (no HIIT classes though, let’s be real)."
Ty Haney returned to Outdoor Voices last year, and the brand's latest drop feels markedly different from the sea of matching sets and highly compressive styles that hallmarked its athleisure over the last decade. In fact, these capris are the most stylish and flattering leggings I have ever tried from the brand, with medium compression that doesn't ride down yet supports in all the right places. In place of a pesky protruding tag inside the waistband, the logo's been embroidered onto the back in a chic script. This "Puddle" style is available in a full-length cut, too, which I may also need now that I'm hooked on this pair for workouts, coffee runs and casual weekend days alike.
I have had these Spanx leggings for about half a year now, and they've held up really well through regular wear, workouts and washes. I love the stretchy back pocket in the waistband, which has come in handy numerous times when I've been without a bag but needed to keep my phone and keys on me (like when I wore them under my costume while handling a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this past year!).
"FP Movement is one of my go-to workout and lounge brands, so I had to scoop up a pair of their leggings on my recent shopping trip," Privette says. "I love how high the waistband is on this pair and how it stayed put during my power flow class. They also offer a gentle compression, which felt great. Plus, the color selection of this style is A+."
As of 2026, deputy managing editor Jess Bender has been a fan of Girlfriend Collective’s signature piece, the high-rise compressive leggings, for over eight years, saying, “I still stand by the Girlfriend Collective leggings as being the only leggings that I can tolerate.”
“I’ve tried so many brands, and they’re the only ones that I’ve regularly worn that don’t roll down and mask my apron belly,” Bender adds. “Unlike other leggings that tend to be a bit sheer, the fabric is thick enough that it is never a problem.”
"Lululemon released a 'no line' version of their popular Align leggings last year (an update requested via shopper feedback), and I’ve been wearing them often ever since," swears Cocchi Zabloudil. "I find them very soft and flattering, great for casual wear as well as workouts.”
"For days when I don’t feel like carrying my purse to classes, these are my go-to since they have pockets!" Privette exclaims. "Large enough to fit my phone and wallet on each side, these are handy and super comfortable."
"Compression-wise, they offer a snug fit without being too tight," Privette continues. "And something super unique about this pair is that the fabric is UPF 50+, which is great for the warmer months."
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. For this story, we included our personal favorite leggings and yoga pants as well as award-winners from our Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards and Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better.
