Shape Testers Spent 260 Hours Trying Out Yoga Pants — These 9 Wick Sweat, Stay in Place, and Sculpt

In a crowded market, the Alo Yoga Airbrush High-Waist 7/8 Bootcut Leggings stand out for their versatility, comfort, and cuteness. Whether you’re flowing through a vinyasa yoga class or are in the middle of a restorative yin yoga practice, you’ll feel comfortable thanks to their compressive, sweat-wicking Alo performance fabric. We also love that these pants are bootcut and stylish, so you could easily sport them to and from brunch or dress them up with a blazer for work. While you’ll love these for practicing your asanas, they could also easily be slipped on for other types of workouts, such as hiking, strength training, or walking. TL;DR: You’ll find yourself reaching for these again and again (and again).

It’s worth noting that they feel heavier than others on the market, so they might not be the best option for hot yoga or warm days. “These leggings fit true to size and are fairly thick compared to other pairs on this list,” wrote one tester. “They provide continuous support and feel great from pose to pose. They fit fairly snug around the thighs at first, but then contour to your body. Super flattering, comfortable, and durable.”

Sizes: XS (00-0) – L (12-14)| Materials: 87% Nylon, 13% Elastane | Colors: 4

Buttery, soft, and available in 27 colors, these affordable yoga pants feature the perfect sassy flare paired with a criss-cross waist. I myself tested these out and loved the feel of these leggings so much that they were the first pair I reached for on laundry day. While they aren’t particularly high quality (a seam on my pair started to fray three washes in), I found that they performed well throughout my sun salutations and warrior poses. The fabric also didn’t slip down my waist or overheat, which is rare for such a well-priced pair.

These are outrageously comfortable. Seriously, I never wanted to take them off. The waistband is cozy, soft, and flattering. They feel nice and cool, but also not overly compressive or athletic. Just plain comfortable.

Sizes: XS-XXL, 28″ inseam – 34″ inseam | Materials: 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex | Colors: 27

These high-waisted leggings come in 2XS to 2XL, making them one of the size-inclusive pairs we tried. At under $50, they’re also one of the most affordable leggings on this list and are designed with Adidas signature Adisoft material, which feels just as good as the name suggests. We love these pants for all types of yoga classes and workouts, but take note: The material is pretty thin, so we suggest avoiding squatting in this comfy, versatile pair.

“Because they’re so thin, these feel breezy and airy — even in the hottest of workouts,” says one tester. “They definitely let you move in your full range of motion.”

Sizes: XS – XXL | Materials: 79% Polyester, 21% Elastane | Colors: 10

Taking up hot yoga may render the entirety of your athleticwear wardrobe useless. Those steamy temps require cooling, sweat-wicking fabrics, and fortunately, the Alo Yoga Airlight High-Waisted Elongated Legging fits the bill. The brand’s “airlift” construction offers lightweight compression and support to guide you from your first pose through Savasana. Like any great pair of yoga pants or leggings, you’ll literally forget you’re wearing these as class wears on. Bonus points: The shiny fabric is giving mermaid in the very best way.

“These leggings would be great for high-performance yoga classes that require a little more support and compression, such as power yoga or hot yoga,” says one tester. “They definitely keep you dry, wick sweat, and don’t end up with any awkward crotch sweat stains. They do offer a full range of motion, though they don’t feel quite as flexible as some other pairs on this list.”

Sizes: XXS (00-0) – L (12-14) | Materials: 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane | Colors: 2

So you want leggings with pockets to replace your purse on the way to the studio? We get it. After trying a few pairs with pockets, we chose the PrAna pair for its lightweight yet opaque fabric. These pants are soft enough that you’ll want to wear them all day long (even if yoga class isn’t ‘til 6). The pockets themselves are deep enough to stash your phone, wallet, headphones, and anything else you may need on your way to class. You can also throw these on for walks, HIIT workouts, or whatever else is on your workout docket for the week.

“This pair is more athletic than many of the other pairs I’ve tried, almost like something you’d wear to the gym instead of a yoga class. I can see that as a benefit, however.”

Sizes: XS – XL | Materials: 76% Recycled Nylon, 24% Elastane | Colors: 9

Sometimes, you just want a great pair of yoga pants in all the colors (43, to be exact) your heart desires. That’s where CRZ Yoga comes in. This Amazon find offers a buttery, soft, sweat-wicking feel at a pretty unbeatable price. These leggings are also stretchy and compressive at once, making them comfortable enough to wear around-the-clock athleisure-style or to your favorite workout classes. They also have a small pocket on the waist for your keys and phone, so you don’t need to worry about grabbing a purse on your way out the door.

“Whether you’re catching a HIIT class or a yoga class, these leggings should be your go-to,” says one Shape tester. “They’re quick drying and don’t limit your range of motion.”

Sizes: XXS – XL | Materials: 71% Polyamide, 29% Spandex | Colors: 43

Lululemon has become world-renowned for its next-level fabrics, and the SmoothCover™ fabric is our absolute favorite for yoga. This silky yet supportive material feels like a sweat-wicking second skin and has a slight sheen that gives the legging a more put-together look. Throughout my time trying the Wunder Unders, I found that there was very little they couldn’t do. They performed well regardless of whether I was doing yoga, heading to climbing gym, or running errands around town. And while they’re on the pricier side, their quality is immediately apparent; you won’t have to replace these babies anytime soon.

These are incredibly seamless, soft, and comfortable, and can almost pass as real pants if you want to wear them to the office or out to brunch. You could definitely wear them in other classes, too. They stay nice and cool throughout any workout, including hot yoga, and have a very high waistband.

Sizes: 0-20 | Materials: 74% Nylon, 26% Lycra elastane | Colors: 4

Look, short girls know that ⅞ leggings are the way to go, but we especially loved the tailored fit of this Splits59 pair. Compressive yet soft, this pair has a 26-inch inseam that lands just at the ankle for those of us on the petite side. Plus, this pair has a unique inner lining around the waist that will step up your athleisure look if you’re not heading right home after class.

The fabric on these is nice and cozy, but still compressive — a great balance for a pair of yoga pants. It’s also worth noting that the waist feels quite tight, especially after you’ve eaten a big meal. T

Sizes: XS – XL | Materials: 81% Nylon/ 19% Spandex | Colors: 4

If you have legs for days, we recommend Beyond Yoga’s much-beloved Spacedye Leggings. The jersey fabric has a bit of stretchiness that makes it flattering for those of all heights. Where other leggings may bunch or sag on different bodies, the Spacedye hugs you in the very best way. This pair also comes in so many glorious colors and features a flattering and cozy criss-cross waist that will make you feel secure in forward folks, backward bends, and everything in between.

“The fabric feels thick, soft, and very high quality,” says one tester. “They have a cute criss-cross waist, but no pockets. I wouldn’t say they’re particularly compressioned, which adds to their comfort. They didn’t pill or sag after a wash.”

Sizes: XXS – XL| Materials: 87% Polyester, 13% Elastane | Colors: 8