Women’s Best Leggings for Active Lifestyles
Leggings are a wardrobe staple for anyone who women’s best legging hits the gym, jogs around their neighborhood, or runs errands. To help you find the best pair for your active lifestyle, we asked 18 fitness pros and class instructors (who teach everything from sweaty HIIT to meditative yoga) to recommend their favorite styles. And from high-performance leggings for hardcore workouts to super-soft options for lounging, here are 25 of our favorites—from the coveted flip-flop-friendly patterned pair worn by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to the classic black elongated style perfect for workwear.
Unleash Your Inner Athlete: Must-Have Sports Wear for Women’s Fitness and Performance
We also consulted with our team of editors, who looked for the right fabric and fit, as well as the durability, stretch, and sweat-wicking capabilities that are essential to performance leggings. We tested a wide variety of options from different brands, including Lululemon and Beyond Yoga, as well as more affordable offerings from Amazon and other retailers. For durability, we looked for fabric that holds its shape and resists stretching. We found that the highest-rated leggings tended to be made of nylon, polyester, or a combination of these fabrics, which are more durable, breathable, and quick-drying than cotton. We also favored those that have a soft, comfortable, stretchy feel and offer a high-waisted silhouette for added coverage. To extend the life of your leggings, we suggest washing them in cold water and avoiding fabric softeners and bleach, which can speed up the breakdown of the fabric. We also recommend skipping the dryer entirely whenever possible, as this can stretch and misshape the material.