Your New Emotional Support Yoga Pants Are Here (And Editor-Approved)

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If you’re anything like me, you have a pair of emotional support yoga pants that's been through it with you. And while they still get the job done, this pair may or may not be seven years old with some pilling and threadbare seams. These yoga pants have seen better days and could use a replacement. Goodbyes are hard, but there’s nothing like a new, stretchy pair of yoga pants or the best leggings for women to perk up your workout routine.

Good news! There are oh so many adorable options when it comes to yoga pants and leggings (for doing real-deal yoga poses, a little mobility sesh, or lounging between WFH meetings). Whether you love a pair of leggings with pockets, or compression leggings this is the *perfect* opp to pick out a new select (or three!) for the season.

Best Yoga Pants For Women

Curious what makes a noteworthy pair of yoga pants? When deciding which types are ~the best~, we went straight to the most trustworthy source: real women. This list includes pairs our testers can't stop raving about and favorites straight from the Women's Health team that pass their rigorous sweat and wear tests.

What to consider

Material

Every option on this list includes spandex, otherwise known as elastane, for some solid stretch, because who wants a non-stretchy legging during yoga? But where things differ is whether or not the legging also has nylon or polyester too. Nylon is typically the softest option out of the two, and it's known for its strength and durability. When combined with spandex, it makes for a super flexible, smooth pair of leggings that last a long time. It's also a super absorbent fabric, so if you're looking for something that absorbs sweat fast, this is your one.

Polyester, on the other hand, is a slightly rougher fabric, which means it's less slippery than super soft nylon and it also doesn't pill as much. It also holds onto color for longer. Polyester is much less absorbant than nylon, which means it wicks away sweat so it doesn't occur as fast as it might on nylon clothing. Where nylon is soft and strong, polyester is less likely to pill and wicks away moisture faster.

Rise

All the options on this list are high-rise because, during yoga, you may want something that stays up, holds your stomach in, and covers your midriff, especially because you're constantly switching positions and moving around. No matter what size you choose, the bands of these leggings should hit right at your belly button.

How we chose

For the past three years, Women’s Health editors, including our fitness editor Jennifer Nied, former fitness and wellness editor Kristine Thomason, and executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, reviewed the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated yoga pants. Our team consulted multiple certified personal trainers, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best 16 yoga pants and leggings for a wide range of body types, workouts, and budgets.

Ready to move and groove? Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to your next favorite pair of yoga pants.

Two-Pack High-Waisted Yoga Pants

These yoga pants stay in place and aren’t see-through, so you can feel free to tackle all the toughest poses or HIIT workouts. This is why they earned the top spot on this list. The higher waist band also stood out to us, as it offer unmatched support and compression for the stomach area during every yoga pose. But they're not too tight that you want to rip them off—they're still totes breathable and airy for those super hot classes.

We particularly love that these leggings have pockets. While you may not need them during your yoga class, they come in handy when running errands before or after your sesh. They're big and deep enough to hold our keys, phones, and wallets, so it's no biggie when we forget to bring our purse along. These high-waisted pants are also so soft, so you feel cozy through your entire flow and you never have to worry about them sliding down or feeling rough on your skin. Plus, you really can't beat the price for two leggings.

One downside we noted was that there are many seams in these leggings, so they're not as smooth and clean as some of the other options on this list.

Read More: Best Leggings With Pockets

Yoga Capri Leggings

These leggings are high-waisted, squat-proof, thick, seamless, and buttery soft—basically everything you would ever need in a legging. so, if you're looking for a cropped option to add to your collection, look no further. Also, they're super affordable without slacking on quality.

Our testers love wearing these leggings during the summer months because their cropped fit is nice on hot, stuffy days where you don't want the bottom half of your legs fully covered. However they are on the thicker side to avoid being see-through, so they are suitable for chillier days, too. We found that they're true-to-size and they fit like a glove. They're also super smoothing—a few testers noticed that they blurred any unwanted bumps and lumps on their legs.

One note we had was we found that these leggings tend to roll down a bit during yoga poses, which we didn't find with other leggings on this list. While they didn't slip down, it was a bit of an annoyance to fold them back up every so often.

Running Leggings

Whether you're running after a cab, or going for a run after yoga (we don't judge), these leggings are stretchy and supportive, designed to minimize chafing and rubbing. They're great for the person who loves yoga just as much as all their daily run. That's because the waistband stays snug around your tummy area through your entire workout and never moves. Plus, they're super breathable and stretchy so you can move how you like without worrying about feeling stuffy or overly compressed.

Our testers enjoy these pants when they want to move freely, but because they're so snug and lightweight, they find themselves wearing them during multiple different activities. If you're a runner, our testers approved these for faster movement, marking them as totally chafe-free. The addition of side pockets and inner pockets also make them great for long runs, so you can shove your stuff in them and run out the door without a fanny pack or an extra bag.

We did notice that the waistband is slightly tighter than other options on this list. So, while they def stay up, they feel a bit more compressive. Also, the brand notes that these leggings are hand wash only, which is inconvenient.

Joggers With Pockets

Everyone should have a good pair of joggers. Whether you're hitting a vinyasa flow or working from home, this looser type of yoga pant is super comfortable. And this particular pair from Dragon Fit boasts comfort, stretchiness, and smoothness. Better yet, they don't get lint or hair stuck on them, several testers noted.

We also love that these joggers aren't super tight—they're extremely comfortable and feel airy during a hotter yoga class. Plus, when it's that time of the month, these come in handy on days where you don't want to feel constricted in leggings.

One of our testers wore these on a super long flight, and noted that they never felt constricting or uncomfortable. She actually said they were just the right amount of looseness. If you want joggers that offer unrestricted movement on a budget, these are your new besties. Plus, they come in so many fun colors, you'll want to keep buying more pairs.

We did notice that these are a bit slick rather than soft, so when you're sitting on a slippery chair, these will def cause you to slip and slide.

Read More: The Best Joggers For Women

Align High-Rise Crop Leggings

These pants may be made for yoga, but they can be worn for just about any activity you want (I wear them on my long runs all the time!). They are ultra-soft—tbh, they might be one of the softest options on this list—and ultra-adorable. The sweat-wicking material is also perfect for even the hottest sweat sesh to keep you cool, calm, and comfortable.

I won't lie to you—these are one of my all-time favorite leggings because, above all else, they're so durable. I own about six pairs of these leggings, and I use them for just about everything—hanging at home, running, lifting, yoga, and the list goes on. This means that they're often being washed, and let me tell you—I have never noticed any pilling, deterioration, or color loss in the years I've owned the Lululemon Align leggings.

One thing I have noticed with these is that, after years of owning them, I do notice they can stretch out slightly. This isn't a deal breaker for me as I prefer my leggings to be a bit looser, but it's definitely something to note if you like your leggings to stay super snug.

Squat-Proof High-Waisted Leggings

If you're looking for a pair of leggings that moves with you, no matter the movement, opt for this pair from Yogacraft. Their secret is the nylon/spandex fabric, and these leggings are the perfect combo to stay ultra flexible, no matter how hard you plan on squatting. New mothers especially love this option because they're so stretchy.

We found that, while these leggings are super buttery and soft, they're totes squat-proof and they hold everything that you need in place. Coming from four months postpartum, one of our testers was a little skeptical of how these leggings were going to fit, but she notes that they are very comfortable and they hold everything in place where it needs to be.

One con we did notice was that the lighter colors show sweat very obviously. So, because this style doesn't come in darker shades, be aware of that if you're going into sweatier workouts or hot yoga.

Yoga Leggings With Pockets

These yoga leggings are a repeat buy for many of our testers, and there's no question as to why. Not only are the pockets roomy, but the material is super comfy and high-quality overall. Aaand they feel like they would last for literal years, one tester wrote.

Another user told us this is her fourth pair of these leggings, adding that she loves them for working out and for running errands. One note, however, is that they'll last longer if you keep them out of the drying machine so they hold up their compression.

Now, back to the pockets, which is a huge standout with this pair of leggings. Not only are they super deep, but they hold your belongings super tight, so you never have to worry about them falling out or moving around during the day.

Although these leggings are not seamless, we felt like they didn't over-accentuate any of our curves and they still felt super buttery soft.

Power Flex Yoga Pants

A taller girl such as myself is dedicated to buying 7/8-length yoga leggings as they always hit just above my ankles and fit perfectly. And our other testers seem to agree, saying they're the perfect length. They wear these pants for working out and chilling out at home because they're so comfortable, but they also have a nice, firm fit.

Our tester, whose a big cycler, wears these leggings for biking as well as every other workout. She tells us that they're comfortable, easy to move in, and do not show sweat during even the most intense workouts (!!). The pants come with two pockets that are large enough to hold a smart phone. They also have a flattering fit—form-fitting, but not painfully tight.

This tester did not that, at five feet tall, they are a couple inches too long, so there is a little bit of gathering at the ankle.

Capri Yoga Pants

These squat-proof AF yoga leggings are beloved by testers of many body types. With regular and plus sizes available, they're comfy, flexible, durable, and not see-through at all. I'd say that checks off every required box for me.

Our testers, who have tried all sorts of leggings, say these are one of the best pairs they've tried. For the great quality, the price is suuuper reasonable. Plus, they're not see-through, very comfortable, and they're super smoothing, so they cover up unwanted dimples (IYKYK).

These leggings also run true-to-size, which can be rare to find on Amazon. Our tester is a size 10 and purchased a medium, which she said fit like a glove because they don't slide around or cause chafing. She also loves that the pockets on each side hold her debit card, cash, and phone while she's at the gym.

Butter New Cheeky Hi-Rise Legging

I've tried upwards of 50 new pairs of leggings this year (I don't have any more space in my drawer!). But, these incredibly soft, high-rise leggings from Aritzia's new activewear line, Golden, have truly stood out. First of all, they're softer than any other leggings I own thanks to their buttery-soft nylon and elastane fabric. As an added bonus, they have a curved waistband that's specially designed to emphasize your booty, and that it *def* does.

Because they're so comfy, these pants are perfect for hanging or wearing on a flight. But their stretch comes in handy during yoga classes or Pilates, as they have so much give. However, the waistband still has a solid amount of compression, so you feel tucked-in in all the right places.

Along with these leggings, I also ordered the Butter Mini Bra Top and the Butter Essential T-Shirt, which are also a new can't-live-without staple for both the studio and lounge days.

I have the light grey shade, called Coal Grey, and it does show some sweat during heated workouts, which is the only con I noticed.

Align High-Rise Mini-Flared Pant

Looking to switch up your legging game while still maximizing comfort and functionality? Go for the Lululemon Align Mini-Flared Pant (not to be confused with the cropped Align leggings above!). Aside from the adorable style (hello, subtle flare), the four-way stretch material will keep you moving at peak performance. Oh, and there’s a back drop-in pocket to hold necessities securely.

We love the slightly flared silhouette to switch things up from our closet of skinny leggings. The fabric moves with you and the waistband stays put without digging in, which is an absolute must for us super active editors.

Some testers note that this was the least flattering style they tried on, as the small flares at the bottom can make the upper half of your legs look bigger. But, if that's not a concern for you, then these are super chic for both on and off the mat.

Plus-Size Stretch Leggings

These plus-size, high-waisted leggings are extremely comfortable and flattering thanks to thicker fabric, testers say. They're great for hanging out at home, and they're machine-washable, which is always a pro when it comes to activewear.

The biggest pros we noted with these leggings are that they're super suitable for curvier women. They have a flatlock to prevent chafing, a stay-in-place waistband that doesn't ride down, no tags to avoid irritation, and they're totes seamless, which means they won't accentuate the areas you want to smooth.

Our tester, whose on the curvier side, says these leggings are not too tight in the waist or the legs nor are they too baggy in the lev-V area. Plus, she loves that they're super soft but still thick to avoid any underwear shadows. She liked them so much, she bought a second pair so she could retire a different, less-flattering pair she owned. P.S., her husband said they made her butt look good (wink, wink).

Airbrush High-Waist Flutter Legging

If you haven't seen someone wearing these leggings in your yoga class or out and about, NGL, you must be living under a rock. These leggings are a favorite of multiple WH editors, and obsessed is an understatement. This particular style of yoga pants gets multiple wears a week—and that's not even only for workouts. They coordinate well with a t-shirt and blazer for work or crop top on a night out with little kitten heels.

Our tester told us that these really do tick the box for wearing to yoga and wearing outside the studio. Plus, the fabric holds you in while being really comfortable. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, they have a little slit at the bottom of the pant, which elevates them that much more.

The only con our tester noted was that these pants can run a bit long, so if you're on the more petite side, make note of this before purchasing.

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