A proper pair of leggings hug your body with appropriate snugness where you want them to stay put and allow ease of movement and full range of motion where you need them to allow a little give. They shouldnt bunch up, ride down, rub, chafe, or give you even a hint of camel toe (which is more than unsightlyits uncomfortable!). If your sport requires that you carry stuff, they should have the appropriate number of pockets in easy to access places. If you need extra protectionthink sitting on a bike seatthey should provide that, too. They should also look as good as they feel, so you feel comfortable and confident rocking them out in public.
To help you find the right leggings for every activity, we asked women of various shapes and sizes to name their go-to tights, capris, and pants for every activity they do. Here are the pairs that have a leg up (ha!) on the competitionso you will too.
Best Overall Workout Leggings
When youre hammering out your last set of intervals at Flywheel, you need form-fitting, perfectly padded leggings that support your hard-cranking quads, while wicking away your sweat to help keep you cool. These knickers from Pearl Izumi check all those boxes. They feature a wide, flat waistband that wont dig in when youre tucked over your handlebars. They also transition seamlessly into those first brisk outdoor rides in spring.
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Best for Studio Cycling: Pearl Izumi Escape Sugar Cycling 3/4 Tight, $75.00, competitivecyclist.com
Best Value Workout Leggings
Satina High Waisted Leggings, $15.99, Amazon
Most Popular Workout Leggings On Amazon
A number one best-seller on Amazon, these leggings have over 6,000 5-star reviews from people who say these leggings are comfortable, squat-proof, and fitting for exercise like weight-lifting, not just yoga. They're designed to booty-lifting fabric that contours and flatters, and a waistband inner pocket, in case you have nowhere to stash your car keys.
High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets, $26.95, Amazon
Best Workout Leggings For Yoga
No activity places the extreme fit demands on a pair of pants like yoga . One minute youre arching backward like a willow in the wind and the next youre folded forward like a sapling thats snapped in half. Unless you want to spend half the class pulling up your pants, you need a pair that sits and stays to keep you covered while giving freedom to your every move. These high-rise, second skin leggings hit the bulls-eye. Voters loved silky feeling fabric, flat no-chafe seams, and the 7/8 length that sits right above the ankle for a less restrictive feel.
Athleta Marble Salutation 7/8 Tight, $89.00, Athleta
Best Workout Leggings for Lifting
If you're looking for a secure fit that can handle your deadlifts, without feeling too constricting, then these Body Glove leggings are it. They're made with double-layered inserts and a super stretch fabric to help you avoid friction no matter how many reps you're tackling. Worth nothing: these babies also comes with side pockets for each storage of small valuables.
Switch up your squat with these 20 variations that will help you tone your butt:
Saturn Pintuck Performance-Fit Leggings, $79.00, Body Glove
Best Workout Leggings For Long Distance Running
Our testers praised these tights for their comfort, flattering fit, and durability, in that they maintained their shape and performance wear after wear. Four-stretch fabric moves with your every stride; the wide, flat yoga-inspired waistband supports your midsection without slipping or digging, and the pinhole mesh side panels provide extra breathability to keep you cool and dry when youre working up a sweat. Like to run to tunes? A secure side storage pocket with a media port is a perfect fit for most smartphones.
Related: These Are The 4 Best Leg Exercises For People Who Want To See Serious Results
Under Armour Run True Legging, $80.00, roadrunnersports.com
Best Leggings For Low-Impact Workouts
These are the tights youll buy because theyre super cute and never want to take off because theyre also super soft and comfortable. The fitted, high-rise waist ensures complete coverage while you bend and stretch. Sweat wicking fabric and breathable Cool-Max crotch keep you cool and dry even when youre dripping sweat. The cutout diamonds at the calves are a perfectly stylish finishing touch.
Athleta Cobra Tight, $98.00, Athleta
Best Workout Leggings For High-Impact Exercise
If you're looking for durable leggings that keep snug no matter how many times you put them through the wringer (aka get familiar with the floor during your burpee sets), then these Sweaty Betty leggings have got you covered. They're made with stretchy, quick-drying fabric that gets you through the sweatiest workout while looking good, thanks to its butt-lifting properties.
Related: 'I Worked Out In My Living Room For A MonthHere's What Happened'
Power 7/8 Workout Leggings, $100.00, Sweaty Betty
Best Workout Leggings For Running
The number one seller from Girlfriend Collective, these leggings keep compression, comfort and ease of movement in mind, so that each stride isn't hijacked by thoughts that your leggings are sagging or moving out of place. Hat tip to these for keeping sustainability in mind. These eco-friendly high-rise leggings are actually made from 25 recycled water bottles.
Black Compressive High-Rise Legging, $69.00, Girlfriend Collective
Best Opaque Workout Leggings
The TechSweat fabric on these high-waisted leggings is super light, but that doesn't mean they sacrifice coverage. Breathable, sweat-wicking, and made with a hi-rise waistband that stays in place, these leggings can take on high intensity exercise with ease, but they're perfect for lounging around and running errands, too. The opacity of these leggings from Outdoor Voices lets you bend over to pick up your groceries without worrying that your butt is on full display.
TechSweat 3/4 Leggings,$85, Outdoor Voices