The Best Leggings For Women, Worn And Loved By Our Team

From gym sessions to long trips to work-from-home days, leggings are the unsung heroes of our modern day wardrobes; and as a fully remote team, Forbes Vetted staffers reach for their favorite pairs regularly. To gather recommendations for the best leggings for women, I tapped seven active team members to share their most-loved styles for different activities. Our winner is the Lululemon Align High Rise Pants With Pockets, a versatile, ultra-soft pair that maintains its shape over time. In terms of value, it's hard to beat the Colorfulkoala High Waisted Workout Leggings, which offer ample support and compression for around $25.
The type of activity you plan on doing will determine the type of legging that's right for you. For instance, for those who want a pair for high-impact workouts and training sessions, I recommend compressive leggings with excellent stretch recovery. On the other hand, those who want leggings for travel or errands should prioritize a lightweight, soft feel. Below, find the best women's leggings for any scenario, all of which have been reviewed and approved by our activewear expert, gear editor Cam Vigliotta.
Sizes: 0 to 20 | Inseam lengths: 23 inches to 31 inches | Colors: 9 total, including Lava Cake and Army Green | Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra | Pockets: 3
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The Lululemon Align has earned a passionate fanbase over the years, and multiple members of the Forbes Vetted team vouch for just how comfortable they truly are. Made from the brand's signature fabric—a buttery soft blend of nylon and Lycra—these leggings offer unparalleled softness and impressive longevity. 'I've had the same pair of Align leggings for five years, and they have withstood the test of time,' says managing editor Emmy Favilla. 'They're still as soft as ever, there are no holes or tears, and they're just as supportive at the waistband as they were when I got them.'
Editorial director Brinda Ayer, who also owns these leggings, adds, 'I also like that they have a wide waistband so they don't bunch up or sit weirdly when you're wearing them with tighter t-shirts or tanks, and the pocket makes them functional for stashing my phone and keys during dog walks.' With four inseam length options available, the Lululemon Align leggings are suitable for most heights.
Sizes: XS to XL | Inseam lengths: 25 inches | Colors: 23 total, including Steel Blue and Dusty Red | Materials: 75% polyester, 25% spandex | Pockets: 2
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If you'd rather not splurge on a more expensive pair of leggings, the Colorfulkoala High Waisted Workout Leggings are a great option. 'I would say they're definitely the best value you can get for a legging,' says Favilla, who owns the capri version of these pants. 'The pockets are big enough for a phone or set of keys, which makes traveling light easy while wearing them to run errands.' She also notes that they're compressive enough for the gym, making them one of the more versatile options on this list. They come in a wide range of colors, including neutrals as well as brighter, trendier shades.
Sizes: XXS to 3XL | Inseam lengths: 23 inches to 28 inches | Colors: 27 total, including Coastal Teal and Truffle | Materials: 75% nylon, 25% Lycra | Pockets: 1
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For yoga, pilates and other low-impact workouts, you need a soft pair of leggings with good coverage—which is exactly what the Athleta Elation Ultra High Rise Legging offers. 'They smooth everything out so that I often feel confident wearing them with just a sports bra or cropped tank,' says senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone, who owns five pairs of these leggings. 'The material isn't the most breathable, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for running, but they're great for low-impact workouts or everyday loungewear.' They're available in over two dozen colors, making it easy to infuse your workout class wardrobe with a bit of personality.
Sizes: 0 to 20 | Inseam lengths: 15 inches to 31 inches | Colors: 11 total, including Raceway Green and Goodnight Plum | Materials: 77% nylon, 23% Lycra | Pockets: 1
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While the Lululemon Align leggings are great for low-impact workouts, the Wunder Train High-Rise Tight excels in situations where you need more compression and support. 'These are some of the only leggings that actually stay up and don't require constant adjustments while working out,' says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. This is thanks to an internal drawcord at the waist, which provides a secure fit. The lack of side pockets contributes to the streamlined silhouette, although this pair does have a concealed waistband pocket for stashing keys. Since these leggings are made of Lululemon's moisture-wicking Everlux fabric, you don't have to worry about gathering sweat marks while training.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Inseam lengths: 23 inches to 27 inches | Colors: 10 total, including Deep Earth and Royal Navy | Materials: 88% nylon, 12% elastane | Pockets: None
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The crossover waist on these leggings from Aerie is designed to hug and enhance your curves, creating a flattering silhouette and a secure fit that stays in place. 'I wear them constantly, whether I'm working out or just lounging,' says home and mattress writer Monica Petrucci. 'They're stretchy, breathable, and never feel too tight or restrictive—they're honestly as comfy as wearing sweats.' The brand describes these leggings as lightly supportive, so they're better suited for low-impact workouts rather than HIIT sessions. Due to the unique waistband design, these leggings are pocketless.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Inseam lengths: 22.5 inches to 27.5 inches | Colors: 4 total, including Mercury and Black | Materials: 72% polyester, 28% elastane | Pockets: 2
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The Vuori Daily Pocket Legging is our top pick for travel, thanks to its deep side pockets, adjustable drawstring waist and ultra-smooth, sweat-wicking fabric. 'They wash well, come in a length perfect for petite people and the waistband falls at just the right spot to be comfy for all-day (or travel) wear,' says baby and kids editor Esther Carlstone. (Chapman also owns these leggings and recommends them for travel.) The only downside is that the color selection is pretty limited, particularly for the Short and Tall options. However, if functionality is your main priority, this is easy to overlook.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Inseam lengths: Not listed | Colors: 2 total, including Grizzly and Jet Black | Materials: 90% cotton, 10% spandex | Pockets: 2
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For lounging, you don't have to prioritize sweat-wicking materials or great stretch recovery—you can focus on comfort. These leggings from Duluth Trading Co., made from a blend of cotton and spandex, are perfect for laid-back days working from home or trips to the grocery store. 'The pockets are actually sizable so that my phone doesn't feel like it'll slide out, unlike a few of my other pocketed leggings,' says updates writer Francesca Sales. She also notes that this pair runs a bit large, but once she found her correct size they 'fit like a glove.' Since they're on the thicker side, you can even dress them up with a nice sweater or blouse for a business casual look.
Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Inseam lengths: 23.8 inches to 31 inches | Colors: 17 total, including Terrace and Moon | Materials: 79% recycled water bottles, 21% spandex | Pockets: 1
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Girlfriend Collective is known for its sustainable practices: The brand creates innovative fabrics using recycled water bottles, and 1% of each purchase is donated to a charity of your choosing. The Compressive High-Rise Legging is an excellent pick for high-impact workouts, as it offers a good deal of support throughout the seat and leg. 'I wear these during my volunteer shifts walking dogs at the shelter, and they keep me comfortable and cool, even after four hours of constant walking on warm New York City days,' says Favilla. Due to their smooth, lustrous texture, Favilla notes they're easy to spot clean when necessary. Girlfriend Collective also earns points for its thoughtful, sophisticated color options.
At Forbes Vetted, we're dedicated to making the best possible activewear recommendations. Our collection of gear roundups includes researched and tested apparel and accessories to outfit all your adventures.
When assembling this list, we considered a wide range of factors such as fabric quality, fit, durability and additional features.
While picking out a pair of leggings, there are a few things to keep in mind. Below, Ueda breaks down what to look for.
Leggings designed for working out are typically made of polyester or nylon blended with elastane (such as spandex or Lycra) for stretchiness. 'These materials are moisture-wicking and quick-drying, perfect for the gym or other activities [where] you'll work up a sweat,' says Ueda. Note that the higher the percentage of elastane, the more compressive the leggings will be. 'Some might want higher compression to feel 'held in' while others find compression feels too restrictive."
If you're looking for lounge leggings, Ueda suggests opting for a cotton blend, since it's soft and breathable. However, she doesn't recommend cotton leggings for working out, since the material 'absorbs moisture and takes longer to dry.'
While leggings are typically worn for practical purposes—such as working out and running errands—they should also blend seamlessly into your wardrobe. Some brands, like Lululemon and Athleta, are known for their array of appealing, on-trend color options. Lighter or bright shades are great for lounging or yoga, and can help infuse your activewear closet with a dash of personality. Meanwhile, neutral, dark shades like black, charcoal and navy are best for high-intensity workouts, since they do a good job at hiding sweat marks.
Pockets on leggings offer extra convenience—many side pockets are deep enough to hold your phone, while smaller waistband pockets are perfect for stashing a key or ID. If you're going to be running errands in your leggings, pockets can eliminate the need for a separate bag. For outdoor runners, Ueda recommends looking for a pair with zippered pockets to keep your stuff safely with you on your route. Keep in mind, though, that side pockets do add bulk, especially when full; those who are seeking a sleek, streamlined legging silhouette should opt for a pocketless pair.
What Is The Best Brand Of Leggings For Women?
Based on our team's feedback, the best brand of leggings for women overall is Lululemon. Its Align leggings are beloved by multiple Forbes Vetted editors for their softness and longevity. Lululemon also offers more compressive styles for training, including the Wunder Train Tights featured on this list.
What Brand Of Leggings Is Comparable To Lululemon?
While it's impossible to find a brand that exactly replicates Lululemon's popular leggings, you can find comparable styles at Athleta. Both offer a wide range of styles in an impressive array of hues, but Athleta's leggings tend to be a bit less expensive, on average.
What Are Good Affordable Leggings?
If price is your top deciding factor, we recommend the Colorfulkoala High Waisted Workout Leggings. At around $25 per pair, these leggings punch well above their weight in terms of durability, performance and comfort.

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