Shoppers Agree These Summer Leggings Are the Best Ones to Wear in Hot Weather

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It's time to start prepping your June, July, and August wardrobe with new summer clothing staples that'll keep you stylish, cool, and comfortable during the hot and humid months ahead. To make sure you have what you need, first consider your favorite summer activities. If you love to spend time in the garden, you'll want to ensure you have the best gardening clothes for every task. Meanwhile, if you spend a lot of time at the gym (or prefer to run daily errands in cute athleisure attire), stocking up on the best summer leggings is a must.

While leggings are often thought of as year-round garments, anyone who has ever slipped into a thick pair of tights in 80-degree weather knows that's not the case. To save yourself from feeling stifled by the heat, you'll want to fill your drawers with the best breathable, lightweight, and sweat-wicking leggings, which is where this list comes in handy. Our recommended picks for summer leggings come in many sizes, lengths, and colors, not to mention styles for every type of wear. We included brand favorites, like Lululemon and Athleta, to budget-friendly picks on Amazon and so much more.

Whether you're shopping for leggings to layer under your favorite summer dresses or to wear on their own for a Yoga, HIIT, or Crossfit workout, ahead you'll find the top 10 most stretchy, comfy, and supportive leggings for summer, according to real shopping reviews.

Align High-Rise Pant

The Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant is one of the most popular pairs of leggings on the internet. The buttery-soft leggings are renowned for their ultra-lightweight, barely-there feel and an impressive color selection that's always being added to. This season, the brand released lavender, hot coral, and colorful printed options alongside the typical neutrals — so there's something for everyone. Another highlight? These leggings are sold in four lengths, so you can tailor them to your height or your crop preference. No wonder nearly 10,000 shoppers have awarded them a five-star review.

"These are a staple," one shopper says. "I buy these every season and just never get tired of them. They are my go-to when I pull a pair of leggings!"

Sizes: 0-20 | Lengths: 23", 25", 28", 31" | Material: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane | Colors: 15 | Activity: Low-intensity workouts and everyday wear

Ultra High Rise Elation 7/8 Tight

Nearly 6,000 shoppers have awarded the Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation 7/8 Tights a glowing five-star review. Designed for yoga and studio practices like Pilates, these leggings are lightweight and breathable while also being designed to stay in place. While the legs themselves are quite airy, the band is a bit thicker and more compressive to ensure extra security during Downward Dog. In addition to the high-quality staying power, this material touts UPF 40 protection, so the leggings are great for folks who want to enjoy the summer sun without putting their skin at risk. And speaking of summer, these leggings are sold in such fun colors. In addition to the pretty green color above, the Elation Tights are available in hot pink and tomato orange, in addition to a variety of seasonal neutrals.

"These are perfect for summer in weight," one shopper says. "They have the right amount of waist compression so they're comfortable standing or sitting and are buttery soft."

Sizes: XXS-3X | Lengths: Regular, Petite, Tall | Material: Nylon/LYCRA | Colors: 15 | Activity: Yoga and other low-intensity workouts

High Waisted Lounge Legging

You don't have to spend $100+ on a pair of leggings if you don't want to. Thanks to CRZ YOGA, you can enjoy some of the best summer leggings for less than $35. The brand's Butterluxe High Waisted Lounge Leggings—which are incredibly lightweight and breathable, not to mention sold in dozens of colors—have become a cult favorite across Instagram and TikTok, with over 7,000 Amazon shoppers awarding them a five-star review.

"I'm a gym rat—I have tried many leggings ([on] Amazon, I don't buy any expensive brands) and these are the best," one shopper marvels. "I want every color!! I have three. The feel is super soft, stretchy enough, comfortable, not [too] thick/more on the thin side, but for me [it's] perfect because this allows me to train without feeling [suffocated], even in this hot summer. I just love them, I want to be [in] these every day, the whole day, because of how comfortable they are."

Sizes: XXS-XL | Lengths: 25" | Material: 81% Polyamide, 19% Lycra | Colors: 37 | Activity: Low-intensity activities and everyday wear

Daily Legging

Vuori has made a name for itself for being both chic and functional. The brand's Daily Legging, in particular, has earned high praise for its breathable, lightweight material and stay-put design. As you'll see, the silhouette is unique in that it's one of the few pairs of leggings on the market to feature a waist tie. This seemingly simple feature is part of what makes these leggings so popular — it ensures the leggings stay up during all activities ranging from low- to high-intensity workouts.

"I am 5'11" and use these leggings to work out in," one shopper shares. "I bend over, jump, etc. in them and I love them. They stay put and are not see-through. Very comfy and the perfect high waist. I would recommend."

Sizes: XXS-XXL | Lengths: Short, Regular, Long | Material: 72% Polyester, 28% Elastane | Colors: 9 | Activity: Low- and high-intensity workouts alike

Cotton Rib Leggings

Looking for a cozy pair of leggings to lounge around in or run errands in this summer? The Skims Cotton Rib Leggings are incredibly soft, lightweight, and breathable, making them one of the most beloved pairs of cotton summer leggings on the market. The brand recently released its seasonal colors, too — shoppers can choose from neon yellow, bright orange, light pink, and an array of neutrals.

"Addicted! These are so soft and comfortable," one shopper exclaims. "After ordering one, I ordered two more and am always in them when I'm home lounging or sleeping."

One thing to keep in mind about these leggings is that they feature that iconic long-john crotch seam. So, if you're not into that fit, these may not be the best for you.

Sizes: XXS-4X | Lengths: 1 | Material: 95% Cotton / 5% Spandex | Colors: 9 | Activity: Lounge and everyday wear

High Waisted Leggings

These are the perfect lightweight leggings to wear under dresses. They're sold in capri and full-length options, not to mention dozens of colors. No matter which color you choose, though, shoppers say you can expect them to be quite transparent. While this makes them less ideal for working out in, many shoppers note that it makes them perfect for thigh protection and lightweight leg coverage during summer.

"If you're planning on wearing under a dress for spring or summer, they are perfect," one shopper says. "Because they're thin, they are very breathable and will work great for warmer days where you want to cover your legs but wear a skirt or dress."

Sizes: S-5X; One Size and One Size Plus | Lengths: Capri and Full Length | Material: 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex | Colors: 40 | Activity: Lounge and everyday wear

Wunder Train High-Rise Tight

Perfect for folks who like to train hard, the Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tights are designed with high-intensity workouts in mind (though, those simply looking for cute summer leggings to wear with casual tops will love these, as well). They're lightweight yet compressive and are designed to wick away moisture and feel cool on the skin. Best of all, they not only absorb sweat but hide it from view, too. So even if you opt for a light color, you don't have to worry about obvious crotch/bum sweat lines. Oh and did we mention? They have pockets!

"These are my all-time favorite leggings," one shopper says. "I bought them for travel, but I wear them for strength workouts, yoga, running, and daily life, as well! The waistband stays put and the fabric is thick enough without being too warm. I just bought a fourth color."

Sizes: 0-20 | Lengths: 23", 25", 28" | Material: 77% Nylon, 23% Lycra® elastane | Colors: 7 | Activity: High-intensity workouts or everyday wear

Transcend Stash Leggings

The Athleta Transcent Stash Leggings are an absolute dream to slip into. They're incredibly stretchy, moisture-wicking, and stay put during long walks and hikes as well as intense cycle and lifting workouts. Speaking of hiking and biking, if you prefer to work out outside, you'll be glad to know that these breathable leggings for summer also feature UPF 50+ protection.

"These leggings are so comfortable," one shopper exclaims. "I love the lightweight fabric and pockets. They are perfect to wear for summer."

One thing a handful of customers have pointed out, though, is that thanks to how lightweight these leggings are, some of the lighter colors don't pass the bend-over test. As someone who owns a few pairs of these unbelievably comfortable leggings in black, I can attest that I've had no issues with a see-through bum. I have, however, noticed that the thighs pill more easily over time than some of my other leggings brands, but they're so comfortable that I don't mind. I just use a de-fuzzer on the thighs every now and again.

Sizes: XXS-3X | Lengths: Regular, Petite, Tall | Material: 75% Nylon/25% Lycra | Colors: 10 | Activity: Low-intensity workouts

Women's Naked Feeling Yoga Leggings

CRZ YOGA has made such a name for itself in the realm of Amazon fashion, we'd be remiss not to mention another of the brand's cult-favorite styles. The Women's Naked Feeling Workout 7/8 Yoga Leggings have amassed nearly 20,000 five-star reviews thanks to their breathable medium-compression design and impressive color selection. When wearing these leggings, shoppers say that you'll feel like you can move any which way, without restriction—or fear of them falling down.

"These are practically perfect in every way," one shopper says. "They fit very well — not a tight fit, but [they] definitely stay in place. [They] are very similar to Lululemon Align and are a lighter summer weight. [They're] squat proof, not see-through, [and have a] flattering fit."

Sizes: XXS-XXL | Lengths: 25" | Material: 71% Polyamide, 29% Spandex | Colors: 40 | Activity: Low and high-intensity workouts alike

Racer FLOAT Ultralight Legging

The Girlfriend Collective Racer FLOAT Ultralight Legging might only be sold in four colors but the incredible design will make you want to buy every single pair. Some of the best breathable leggings for summer, these tights are lightweight yet offer full, squat-proof coverage; they're sweat-wicking and buttery soft. What's more, they're sustainably made with recycled plastic, making them an even better choice for the eco-conscious among us.

"These are so comfortable," one shopper exclaims. "So light and such good quality. They are extremely soft and stretchy and basically feel like I’m not wearing anything! [They're] not tight like compressive [leggings] but I can still do a CrossFit workout in them and they stay on... So comfy! 30 hours by plane in them and was so comfy the whole time! Love the FLOAT collection."

Sizes: XXS-6XL | Lengths: 23.75" and 28.5" | Material: 90% recycled plastic bottles (RPET), 10% spandex | Colors: 4 | Activity: Any and all

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