The 17 Best Workout Leggings for Every Body Type and Fitness Need, According to Our Editors

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried the “best” workout leggings, only to find that they slip down during spin class, show my underwear during downward dog or pill after just one wash. In my search to find the real best activewear leggings for everyone (since we all have different body types and fitness goals), I asked PureWow editors to share their honest opinions on their go-to pants, crops and more.

Yup, every single one of the leggings on this list were personally tested and selected by PureWow editors as they stretched, ran, lifted, biked or worked their cores on a Pilates reformer. Personally, I consider myself something of a leggings connoisseur, having collected hundreds of pairs over the years (yes, I said hundreds). I’ve tried a million different workouts in an effort to stave off boredom and easily get the ick from things like flimsy waistbands or too many seams. The end result: a list of 17 editor-approved workout leggings that are guaranteed to become your new go-to favorites, whether you’re a yogi or an ultramarathon runner.

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Emi Gutgold is a PMA nationally certified Pilates teacher, NASM certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and clean health nutritionist (levels I and II). Aside from her in-person group fitness and private training classes, she offers online Pilates classes and personal training memberships.

The "best" workout pants depend on the wearer's preferences, body type and fitness goals, meaning there's no one best pair. For example, my lululemon Base Pace leggings ($98; $39) are my absolute favorites, but my sister tried them on and immediately didn't like the material. Gutgold tells me, "As a trainer, I would recommend that people actually feel comfortable in [their leggings]! If your leggings rub, squeeze or just don’t do it for you, I wouldn’t wear them solely based on the principle they are going to irk you and distract you from your workout." Here are a few factors to consider in searching for the best pair for you:

• Try the squat test. Put the leggings on and video yourself from behind doing a deep squat. Can you see your undies or your butt? If so, take note of that material and steer clear of it in the future.
• Check how the material feels. If you put the leggings on and they feel even slightly uncomfortable, move on to the next pair. Otherwise, they'll become the leggings that sit in your drawer that you can't bear to throw away because they're new. "After teaching Pilates for years, I can easily tell by someone’s body language when their clothes are bothering them. And I’ve been there myself. Nothing makes me feel off in my workout quite like constantly feeling squished by the wrong waistband," Gutgold says.
• Consider your wishlist. Need pockets? Make sure you are looking specifically for a pair that has them. Hate a butt seam? Look for a brand that sells seamless leggings.
• Do your diligence. Shopping based on factors like opacity, sweat-wicking fabric and a comfortable waistline certainly helps. But it's also useful to do your due diligence on the pair you're eyeing by reading reviews, especially if you haven't tried the brand.

Myself and the rest of the PureWow editorial team sought out leggings made from materials with moisture-wicking and breathability, but also that feel soft to the touch, to keep our bodies cool and comfortable no matter how tough the workout. We paid attention to the levels of compression and stretch and how each comes into play for a variety of different workout types. Speaking of which, PureWow editor workouts included yoga, barre, Pilates, strength training, running, HIIT workouts, weight lifting and more—plus a few comfy lounge sessions to round out testing. I also made note of how folks with different body types reviewed each pair of leggings, as well as the thickness of the waistband, how well the leggings stayed up during workouts, seam construction, pilling tendencies after many wears and, of course, the overall aesthetic of the leggings. And trust me, PW editors are picky (as am I), so after our meticulous testing, our scores reflect our honest opinion.