16 Best Exercise Leggings

Best Exercise Leggings for Every Activity

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.)

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
2. Best Budget: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings
3. Best for Yoga: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant
4. Best for Running: Tracksmith NDO Tights
5. Best for Gym Workouts: Reebok Lux High-Rise Leggings
6. Best for Everyday Wear: Spanx Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings

What to Look for When Shopping for Exercise Leggings

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.

Best Splurge: LNDR Limitless Pocket ⅞ Legging

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.

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.

Conclusion

When it comes to exercise leggings, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a serious athlete, we hope this guide has helped you find the perfect pair for your needs. Remember to consider factors like fabric, compression, and length when making your selection, and don’t be afraid to splurge on a high-quality pair that will keep up with your active lifestyle.

FAQs

Q: What are the best exercise leggings for yoga?
A: The Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant is our top pick for yoga.

Q: What are the best exercise leggings for running?
A: The Tracksmith NDO Tights are our top pick for running.

Q: What are the best exercise leggings for everyday wear?
A: The Spanx Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings are our top pick for everyday wear.

Q: What are the best exercise leggings for gym workouts?
A: The Reebok Lux High-Rise Leggings are our top pick for gym workouts.

Q: What are the best exercise leggings for high-impact activities?
A: The Athleta Salutation Stash Tight is our top pick for high-impact activities.