A lot of the tops and tees in your activewear closet are most likely changeable– you purchase something brand-new, use it for a number of years, and ultimately it end up in your contribution stack. It was great and it got the job done, however it’s not likely that you ‘d purchase it once again.
Now leggings– oh, young boy, leggings: These are the pieces we form deep, lasting accessories to. Perhaps you have numerous of the very same design (you use and like them that much) or you decline to let go of one set from years back, actually holding on by a thread, that your preferred brand name no longer makes. You use leggings to exercise, you use leggings to run errands, you use leggings to enjoy a film or clean up around your house. (Let’s simply state it: You use them for … whatever.) And while you have your couple of go-tos, it’s tough to discover something brand-new that’s simply as great, another Perfect Pair.
We get it– which’s why we’re returning to essentials for the 2024 SELF Activewear Awards: With a more selective procedure and smaller sized winner list than ever previously, we’re granting simply 17 products this year to assist you discover the best of the best. Listed below, have a look at the 9 sets of leggings we’re formally considering today’s biggest.
How We Picked the very best Leggings
For this year’s Activewear Awards, we asked SELF editors and a group of handpicked professional judges (find out more about them listed below!) to choose their preferred leggings of perpetuity. The only guideline? The piece should still be readily available for purchase.
Concurrently, we reviewed the splashiest brand-new releases from the previous year. We combed through these, together with the editor and specialist judge submissions, watching out for pieces that were chosen more than when. We likewise did some extra research study: Is the item well-reviewed online? Is it offered in a vast array of sizes? Does it match several physique? Is it a sensible cost?
We set out to discover our first-ever Reader’s Choice Award winners. We sent out a study to SELF readers and fans, asking to choose their choices, and we dug through countless actions. The most-nominated leggings are the Reader’s Choice Award winner you’ll see listed below.
There are a couple of technical aspects that make a set of leggings fantastic. We asked our editors, judges, and readers to think about the following when choosing their choices:
Waistband Fit and Comfort
- Low-rise leggings tend to be unwise throughout an exercise (they may move or move down)– do these leggings have a higher-waisted fit? Do they sit at an area on your waist that’s comfy and non-restrictive?
- Does the waistband roll down? (It should not!)
Material Quality and Moisture Management
- Do they pass the squat test? Here’s how to discover: Put on the leggings, flex into a deep squat, and note whether the product around your glutes stays nontransparent.
- Does the product (or colorway) reveal sweat? Do they feel heavy and damp when you sweat in them, or do they dry rapidly and stay unobstructive to your exercise?
Length
- Leggings been available in a range of lengths (e.g. cropped, 7/8, ankle/full-length), and the length you choose will likely boil down to your height and what feels finest for your go-to kinds of activity.
Included Features
- For some individuals, pockets on a set of leggings is nonnegotiable– they may alleviate the requirement for a waistpack or arm belt on a run.
- Other included functions may consist of reflective information, an integrated drawstring at the waist, or a material that assists you feel more comfy doing a particular activity (like additional elastic leggings for yoga, or heat-tech leggings for winter season sports).
How You Feel
- Above all, a fantastic set of leggings need to make you feel great and all set to move. They must be no-fuss and comfy enough that you do not need to consider them throughout the day or throughout your exercise, however lovely and trendy enough that you enjoy what they give your attire.
The Very Best Leggings for Pretty Much Anything: Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
Why we enjoy them: Thick and relaxing enough for winter season strolls however still soft, streamlined, and versatile for sweaty fitness center exercises, the Athleta Salutation Stash Tight is an enduring go-to for a lot of our judges. The large waistband never ever rolls down, the pockets are enthusiastically deep (however practically undetected– they include no bulk to the feel of the legging), and they’ll last years in your closet, even in heavy rotation.
One judge stated: “These are my whatever leggings! I have actually been purchasing the Stash from Athleta for many years, and they hold up. I teach barre, lift weights, trek routes, and search the aisles of Trader Joe’s in them continuously.”
Offered in sizes XXS– 3X.
The Very Best Leggings for Gym Workouts: Superfit Hero Pocket Ankle Leggings
Why we enjoy them: These leggings won SELF Activewear Awards in 2022 2023and now 2024. Could we send out a more powerful message? The Pocket Ankle leggings are thick and ultra-compressive with a no-budge high waistband, and judges state they’re terrific to use for whatever from weight lifting to yoga.
One judge stated: “I like Superfit Hero since of their objective to be size inclusive. There’s an absence of that in exercise wear, and it makes it tough for folks in all bodies to appear when they do not have what they require. These leggings are durable, not transparent, have a pocket, and can be found in a range of size alternatives.”
Readily available in sizes L– 7X.
The Softest Leggings: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging
Why we like them: Do not be tricked by their pajama-level convenience: Beyond Yoga’s trademark Spacedye leggings are appropriate for a variety of activities, though comfortable adequate to continue long after you’re done. Significantly, they do not compromise shape and kind for stretch. A couple of judges mentioned that, unlike other supersoft leggings, these still offer a smooth want to your lower half.
One judge stated: “I grab these all the time due to the fact that they’re SO comfortable to use, and they work for a lot of activities I do. I value the size variety– not just do they increase to 4X, however they’re real large sizes and do not run little. They’re constantly bring out brand-new colors in seasonal collections, and no matter just how much I clean and dry these, they hold up well!”
Respectable reference: Our judges likewise enjoy the maternity variation of these leggings– they’re not offered in the exact same size variety, however they’re an excellent buy for folks who are anticipating.
Readily available in sizes XXS– 4X.
The Very Best Leggings for Running: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight
Why we like them: Light and breezy, Lululemon’s Fast and Free tight seems like a 2nd skin. Reflective information down the leg provide a stylish appearance (and are really valuable– security is very important!) and a nylon-meets-Lycra sweat-wicking material will keep you feeling dry for miles … and miles … and miles.
One judge stated: “I like these for runs– specifically long ones. The pocket circumstance is fantastic on these– 2 big drop-in side pockets and 5 (!) on the waistband. The product is likewise remarkable— it feels so smooth and cooling.”
Readily available in sizes 0– 20.
The Very Best Luxe Leggings: Vuori Evolve Legging
Why we enjoy them: Yes, the Vuori Evolve leggings clock in at an overall of $118 per set, however we believe they’re worth it. For one, they feel costly: The material quality is unequaled (breathable, comfy to sweat in, soft, elastic, and smooth) and the fit is, well, best. The waistband is compressive however still simply as thin and versatile as the remainder of the pant; these leggings sit tight, move nevertheless your body wishes to move, and make you appear like a million dollars.
One judge stated: “These are most likely the most compressive leggings I own. They have the best high-raise waist for me (my stubborn belly button is covered however there’s still some area in between the waistband and bottom of my sports bra). Beyond that, the most exceptional function about them is really their absence of functions– they are so structured, smooth, and helpful. They genuinely stick out for their simpleness.”
Offered in sizes XXS– XXL.
The Very Best Leggings for Yoga: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant
Why we like them: Lululemon began as a yoga brand name, and while it’s given that broadened to consist of numerous type of activities, the long-lasting effect of the Align leggings show those roots stay strong. That stated, we ‘d be remiss not to point out that each judge who chose these explained their flexibility– so while they’re the ideal yoga trousers, they’re excellent for practically whatever else too. They are available in 4 various lengths (23, 25, 28, and 31 inches) and a lot of timeless colors.
Our judges stated: “I like these for almost whatever, whether I’m tossing them on with a sweatshirt or sweatshirt to go to the park with my kids, going on a long walk with my newborn, doing a yoga class in your home, or just laying on the sofa seeing a motion picture. They are my holy grail, have-in-every-color kind of item. Plus they’re incredibly elastic, so I had the ability to use them up till midway through my 3rd trimester and instantly after delivering.”
“I have actually constantly HATED tight clothes– consisting of leggings– which is why I use sweats the majority of the time. The Lululemon Aligns are the exception. I just recently began training for the 2025 NYC Marathon, and these are my go-to over any other joggers or running leggings I’ve acquired. It genuinely does not seem like you’re using trousers, and they never ever trigger chafing. I’ve run 5Ks in these, I’ve done hot yoga in these, and I’ve used these out to lunch with a charming sweatshirt– they are very flexible.”
Readily available in sizes 0– 20.
The Very Best Leggings for Low-Impact Workouts: Universal Standard Next-to-Naked Cropped Legging
Why we enjoy them: The Next-to-Naked leggings won a SELF Activewear Award in 2015 too. Perfect for Pilates, barre, strolling, and yoga, they’re light-weight, elastic, and can be found in a variation with pockets, if that’s your thing.
One judge stated: “They fit actually well on my 3X body. It seems like Universal Standard fit tests on real large size individuals, instead of simply scaling up the pattern. The material and building feel high quality and hold up well through years of cleaning and drying.”
Offered in sizes 4XS– 4XL.
Reader’s Choice Award: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings
Why readers enjoy them: You can’t beat the rate on these– sure. You likewise can’t beat the quality … Specifically at this cost. The PowerSoft leggings are gently compressive and ideal for any exercise– even long, difficult runs.
SELF readers stated: “POCKETS. THEY HAVE POCKETS! They’re comfy AF, slendering, and they in fact keep up throughout runs! And they’re a portion of the cost of other brand names too. I actually have 25 sets, and they’re the only bottoms I’ll do races in. The side pockets are so terrific, I do not even require to use running belts throughout my training goes to keep my phone, gum, and secrets helpful.”
“These are especially excellent if you sweat. I use them for my long terms on the treadmill and they do not reveal sweat spots, they have comfy compression, hold up through great deals of washes, been available in a range of colors, and they’re incredibly cost effective.”
Readily available in sizes XS– 4X.
Reader’s Choice Award: Fabletics Define PowerHold High-Waisted 7/8 Legging
Why readers enjoy them: The PowerHold leggings are developed to be smoothing, body-hugging, and protect– and the agreement appears to be that they truly, really are. They’re incredibly compressive and exceptional for HIIT or strength exercises where you’ll be doing fast and sharp motions.
SELF readers stated: “These are the very best leggings I’ve ever attempted– I have more than 25 sets. I use them all over. They are extremely cost effective and very lovely.”
“These are the only leggings I use. I use them to exercise, unwind, run errands– whatever. They’re lovely mostly due to the fact that the compression is unequaled– you feel secured, with whatever staying in location, however not to the point of pain. I’ve attempted leggings that make comparable claims however they have actually never ever come close when it concerns how they in fact feel. I have actually been using these for many years and have them in all various colors and patterns.”
Offered in sizes XXS– 4X.
Credits
Photography: Ryan Segedi
Closet styling: Kat Thomas
Hair: Chika Nishiyama
Makeup: Monica Alvarez
Editorial director: Rachel Wilkerson Miller
Partner Director, Special Projects: Hannah Pasternak
Innovative Director: Amber Venerable
Manufacturer: Melissa Kramer