Finding a pair of leggings with the perfect combination of comfort and compression is no small feat. The best type of leggings are those with ample stretch, sweat-wicking properties and that don’t infringe on our workout.
Whether we’re in the gym or on the couch, you can probably find our editors rocking leggings outside the office. Combined, our team has squatted, stretched and lounged in dozens of pairs to narrow down the best leggings and yoga pants for your lifestyle. 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.
Keep reading to discover all of the leggings we live in year-round.
Best for strength training$48.00$60.00
Which leggings are the best quality?
What to look for
If we are to confess: There isn’t exactly a‘best’ pair of leggings. “Leggings, like pants, come in a variety of materials and can either feel like you are wearing almost nothing or like a nice hug. It depends on your preference,” Angelica Melendez, the chief product officer at Felina, previously shared.
For instance, for low-impact workouts (Pilates, yoga), you typically want to look for leggings with maximum stretch. Cardio-focused workouts will require leggings with moisture-wicking benefits and practical features like pockets or a drawstring, compared to strength training, which needs more compression from hip to hem. “A higher level of compression is sometimes required for higher impact activities such as running, HIIT or any form of cardio,” Melendez said. A pair for everyday is reliant on how comfortable you’d like to be.
The best leggings for workouts and everyday, according to editors
Best budget:
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.”
Best Amazon leggings:
"These have very quickly become one of my favorite pairs of leggings," says 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."
Best for cold weather:
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.”
Best high-rise legging:
"Coming in at under $40, you’d never be able to spot any quality differences from other, more expensive pairs," former production coordinator Camryn 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!"
After trying out this pair of leggings from Quince, to say that Privette was impressed “is the understatement of the century.”
Best capri leggings:
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 capri pants 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.
Best for everyday:
"I have these leggings in four colors and I live in them," gushes 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."
Best for lounging:
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).
Best for strength training:
“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.
I [San Miguel] own a few pairs of the leggings, too. I frequently strength train a few times a week, and these are my favorite pair to wear for support that I can trust. They never roll down or feel ‘tight’ around the bikini area. I can focus on my workout without adjusting!
Plus, they’re ultra-flattering across all body types. “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. Other styles from the brand our team loves are the SoftMotion High-Waisted Leggings, which associate editor Annie Shigo is also a fan of, calling them a great pair for “those who prefer a tighter fit.”
Most viral:
CSB Serenity Leggings
If you’re not chronically online, here’s the 411: The Internet loves CSB (and so do we). The Serenity Leggings are the brand’s most loved pick, boasting over 7,000 positive reviews on their website. I’ve [San Miguel] had the chance to try the pair myself, and they’ve quickly become a part of my activewear rotation.
They have many benefits outside of promoting the iconic ‘CSB’ logo, from its booty-sculpting back, moderate compression, buttery finish to its flattering waistband. It’s one of the few products the Internet has gotten right — it’s definitely worth the hype.
Most smoothing:
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!).
Best for low-impact workouts:
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.
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.
Best for running:
According to Espinal, Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Caught In The Midi Leggings are the best pair for any type of workout, even for running. They have a five-inch waistband for gentle compression, 4-way stretch, moisture-wicking buttery fabric, UV protection, among other benefits active lifestyles would appreciate.
“The band is wide and hugs my figure without feeling constricting. These have a seam at the hips, which helps the band stay in place,” she wrote in her review. “They’re not see-through and though I wore panties with seams, the seams were not noticeable or marked over the fabric. They’re easy to remove and put on when going to the bathroom, thanks to the higher percentage of elastane, which provides a four-way stretch. Also, they kept me dry during my strength training class.”
Best for compression:
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.”
Best overall:
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.
"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.”
Most practical:
"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."
Frequently asked questions
As previously reported, the type of leggings you chose is reliant on the activity. The best material for leggings can make-or-break your workout, but a fabric that is equal parts breathable, non-see through and moisture-wicking is always a great option.
“Fabrics that provide a good balance of stretch and support to help the garment keep its shape,” activewear expert Melissa McGlynn previously told us. “Materials that include high-quality elastic fiber, like LYCRA fiber, are known for offering enhanced comfort in motion, performance and durability.”
For moisture-wicking benefits, look for fabrics like nylon. “Fabrics, such as nylon, are commonly used for moisture wicking because they have hydrophobic properties that repel water rather than absorb it,” Thompson says.
How we chose the best leggings
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.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Melissa McGlynn is the activewear expert at the LYCRA Company.
- Angelica Melendez is the chief product officer at Felina, a brand focused on women’s apparel, lingerie and sleepwear.
