“What workout leggings do you recommend?” is a frequently asked question so we decided to turn it into a blog post —> and try on a bajillion pairs of leggings to find the very best. Linley and I set off on an adventure a few weeks ago to find the best workout leggings on the market in all different price ranges. We hit up some of the most popular, top of the line athleisure stores (such as Lululeon and Athleta) as well as budget-friendly stores (such as Target and Old Navy) to hunt down a variety of amazing leggings perfect for all types of shoppers. We tried on almost every legging in every store and each chose 1 to talk about in this post.
Before I begin I wanted to note that we were not paid to write any of these reviews, so that all of this feedback is the 100% honest truth.
Before we just right in. I wanted to give you the low down of how we chose our favorites and least favorites. All of the leggings have been rated on a scale of 1-10, 1 being no beuno and 10 being bueno. Things we took into consideration include:
- fabric
- quality of craft
- fit
- price
- versatility
- stretch
Oh, and we put them to the test and actually worked out in them! We thought we’d get the best results if Linley and I both tried on a pair from each store because we have very different body types. Linley is petite (5’2″) and has a shorter torso and I have an athletic build (5’8″ on a good day) with an extremely long torso. Yes, torsos matter 😛
Notes from Linley
If there’s one thing I need when I’m working out, it is to feel comfortable. Overheating stinks and wearing a bra or pants that squeeze you in the wrong places can make for a miserable workout. I am 5′ 2″, with a large bust, and hips that are pretty wide for my size, so finding pants that fit my legs + hips tends to be an ordeal. On the hunt for the Best Workout Leggings, my goal was to find leggings that weren’t too long, hugged my hips just right, and were breathable! Also, I have short legs and a short torso (which I love and I am very grateful for) but I have found that crop pants make me look even SHORTER! So, heads up. I tend to stick with long pants.
Gap Fit – Gfast Performance Cotton Colorblock Legging ($49.95)
This was my first very first pair of Gap Fit Pants and I just love their pattern. I don’t own very many pant length leggings because usually they are too tight on my calf or bunch at the bottom because my legs are short; these hit perfectly at my ankle. The one thing I don’t love about these pants is the fabric. They’re very much so cotton so I do find they stretch a little bit after wearing them for a while. What I love about them is how trendy they look with the current fashion.
I give these leggings a 6/10 because fabric is important to me and they are my #5 pick.
Gap Fit – Blackout Gfast Mesh Panel Legging ($64.95)
This was also my first pair of Gap Workout pants and I absolutely love them. This mid-range workout pant is so incredibly soft, hits my ankle right where I like it, and I was surprised, but they are a mid-rise pant. I have to say, one of my favorite things about this pant is the design. It adds a subtle design without being too much. They are SO breathable and I feel like i can do anything in these pants – yoga, circuit training, coffee shop sitting, and everything in between. They also look great with tennis shoes OR boots.
I give these pants a 10/10 for being super comfortable for any occasion. They are my #2 pick.
Lululemon – High Times 7/8 Pant ($98.00)
For those that have followed me for a while, know that I am Lulu obsessed. They are the brand that introduced me to high-rise leggings and for that I am forever changed. I have the High Times 7/8 Plant in green, maroon, and black because this is my go-to pant for athleisure. Throw a pair of boots on and I’m out the door. While these are priced at a higher price point, they are worth every penny. The quality is insane and even after washing my maroon pair 50 times they are still like brand new! The high-rise fit is on point and they don’t give even after a few wears!
I give these pants a 10/10 for quality and fit and the #2 spot in my lineup!
Lululemon – Wunder Under High-Rise Pant ($98.00)
Not only do LuluLemon’s High-Rise Wunder Under Pants come in ridiculously adorable patterns, but they go high enough on my hips where I am comfortable no matter if I’m doing crunches or sitting in half pigeon. They are breathable and hit my ankle at the perfect place. Seriously, I have a couple pairs of these and I wear them to workout and throughout the day with boots. I recognize that these are the highest price point pant, but they are worth every penny. Also, keep your eyes peeled for sales at Lululemon, sometimes you score big and find a pair of Wunder Under’s on sale!
I give these pants a 10/10 because they fit my body type, are great athletic AND athleisure leggings. They are my #1 pick.
Athleta – High Rise Chaturanga Tight ($59.99)
I have recently fallen in major love with Athleta. Ever since I realized that instructors get 30% off full price retail I knew I had to explore my options further. Turns out, Athleta is BOMB…especially in the athleisure department. Their High Rise Chaturanga Tights are my all time favorite, especially for yoga. I love the fit in the waist and that they are long enough to go over my heels (how I like to wear them). They’re also great with a pair of boots on. They do stretch a tad in the waist, but other than that they hold pretty well throughout the bum and legs.
I rate these pants a 10/10 and gave them my #3 pick…VERY close behind my #2.
Athleta – Metro High Waisted Legging ($79.99)
Talk about the perfect athleisure workout pant, right here people. I love Athleta’s Metro High Waisted Legging for day-to-day living. They are my go-to pant when I know I’m spending the day at Fit Foodie HQ and when I am going for an athletic look throughout the day. As you can tell, I am a HUGE fan of high rise pants and the fit of these pants are perfect. Not to mention they don’t bunch AT ALL at my ankle. Though I love these pants, I usually don’t wear them when I workout because they tend not to breath as much as I ‘d like.
I give these pants a 7/10 because they are great athleisure pants, fit great, but aren’t the most breathable pant for working out. They are my #4 pick.
Victoria Sport – Knockout High-Rise Capri ($66.50)
After taking recommendations from Instagram about where to shop for leggings, I knew we needed to go into Victoria’s Secret. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found AND even found my new favorite pair of leggings! The Knockout High-Rise Capri is the shit and it comes in 3 different lengths. As you know, I’m a sucker for a good high-rise fit that keeps everything in snug. I gravitate towards thicker fabrics and really well made pieces of clothing. If you don’t want to spend $100 on a pair of leggings, get these! I can’t speak to how long they last because I’ve only had them for a month, but so far so good after a few workouts and washes.
I give these pants a 10/10 because I just love how they mold to my body, don’t stretch, and their thickness. They are my #1 pick.
Victoria Sport – Knockout Sport Tight ($66.50)
Yes, these pants are absolutely adorable. Victoria Secret has a great selection of workout pants with sassy designs, to boot. I like how these pants look on me, but had a harder time with sizing at Victoria Secret. My body couldn’t decide between x-small, small, or medium. They all fit a certain part of my body in the right place, but never the whole body.
I give these pants a 4/10 because it was hard for me (as a shorter + curvy person) to find pants that fit me just right! They were my #6 pick.
Old Navy – Mid-Rise Melange Compression Crop ($29.94)
Who woulda thunk Old Navy had adorable workout clothes? This place is a hidden gem for affordable workout gear and I’m so glad Instagram told us to go there! I am a sucker for a good deal and if you hit up Old Navy when the entire store is 50% off you can walk out of there with a brand new workout outfit for under $30! I loved these Mid-Rise Melange Compression Crops. They are a bit thinner in fabric, but super breathable. I feel like I can do the splits in them they are so soft and malleable.
#4 pick
Old Navy – High Rise Compression Legging ($29.94)
How FUN is the design on this pant? You won’t miss me running down the street in these babies. They are a great, breathable pants and at this price point..you can’t beat them! I have worn them to yoga and for circuit training. I found they were perfect for circuit training, but the lack of stretch in these pants made down-dog a bit harder for me (and I need all the help I can get in down dog lol).
I give these pants a 7/10 for their breathability and design. They were my #5 pick.
Target – Freedom Asymmetrical Capri ($24.99)
Can I just say that Target has picked up their workout gear game like WOAH. I wish I would have had all of these options when I was in college and poor! Out of all the pairs I tried on at Target, the Freedom Asymmetrical Capri was my favorite. They are priced very low at under $25 and you can definitely tell compared to all of the other leggings I tried on. What I liked about these pants was the mid-rise fit and capri length, however I feel like even after purchasing a small, they weren’t tight enough. I’m weird about tightness and there’s nothing worse than saggy workout leggings.
I give these leggings a 4/10 and fabric and fit and ranked them last, #7, out of the bunch.
Target – Cold Weather Run Tights ($20.98)
I hadn’t bought workout pants at Target for years. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried on these Cold Weather Run Tights. They are soft, the high-rise waist fits me perfectly, and I love the design. I have worn these for yoga, circuit training, winter running, and out and about. They were great for every occasion. It is winter in MN and these are cold weather pants, but at the same time they kept me warm, I didn’t overheat in them.
I give these a 8/10 for being so versatile at such a low price point. They were my #3 pick.
So there you have it my friends! I hope we helped you hunt down some new amazing workout leggings without the hassle of having to try them on all. Let us know in the comments below which pair are your favorites…even if we didn’t cover them in this post!