A good pair of leggings can get you through a big workout or a long weekend in the mountains. But with so many options out there, it鈥檚 hard to know which pair to choose.听
So I did the hard work for you鈥攖esting 23 pairs of leggings from brands like , , , , , , and . I climbed, ran, lifted weights, hiked, dog walked, and slept in these leggings over the course of three months. These are my six favorites.
Best Do-It-All Leggings
Lululemon听Speed Up Tight听($108)
A clear front-runner from the start, I found myself reaching for 听for nearly every activity. The Lycra-blend fabric is thicker than others I tested and I found them to be really supportive听during heavy exercise like running and lifting weights. The material doesn鈥檛 slide or bunch when you鈥檙e climbing or running, and the side pockets are deep enough to hold my wallet or iPhone 7鈥攁 plus when I stop at the grocery store on the way home from the gym. The reflective accents below the pockets give me听extra peace of mind for late-night dog walks but aren鈥檛 too obvious听during the day. Personally, I don鈥檛 use the zippered back pockets much except for occasional key storage during a run, but it鈥檚 a nice feature to have. All in all, these leggings were always a great choice no matter the activity, and if you鈥檙e looking to invest in one pair of high-quality leggings, these should be high on your list.
Best Durable Leggings
Fjallraven Abisko听Trekking Tights ($175)
Bushwhacking, rock climbing, multi-day backpacking trips: when the situation calls for heavy-duty protection, I break out . The rear and knees are reinforced with a high-density听material that resists rocks and water wonderfully. I appreciate听that the side pocket zips closed to keep valuables where I put them, and it鈥檚 also perfect for containing micro-trash I find on the trail. The only negative thing I have to say about these tights is that the reinforced sections can听be scratchy against the skin, but it鈥檚 a decent trade for the additional burliness.听
Best Budget Leggings听
REI Co-Op听Tilt Tights ($60)
I鈥檓 continually delighted by these budget-friendly leggings. Sure, they don鈥檛 have many bells and whistles, but they get the job done without compromising听important features. The cut听allows for a full range of motion and the stretchy polyester听material provides all the support you would want on a run or any听other high-intensity activity. There are a couple of waistband pockets for Gu or keys and a drawcord for a perfect fit around the waist. They even have some reflective details on the back of the waistband. My only gripe is that the mesh material on the backs of the knees can chafe.
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Best-Looking Leggings
Outdoor Voices听Two-Tone Legging ($85)
By far the prettiest of the bunch, 听are sure to catch a few eyes. When I know I鈥檓 meeting friends for drinks or dinner right after the gym, these leggings are my first pick. The material is exceptionally compressing and the seams on the front thighs make these leggings feel unique and a little fancier.听The color blocking is classic听听and looks great with most workout tops I own. Unfortunately, I learned early on that these leggings aren鈥檛 meant for outdoor climbing鈥攐r really anything else requiring听you to get a little dirty. They have big brown stains on the front that haven鈥檛 budged despite听a couple of washings.听
Most Comfortable Leggings
Lululemon听Fast and Free 7/8 Tight II ($128)
Lululemon听specifically designed 听to feel like you鈥檙e听wearing nothing. And trust me, they nailed it. I鈥檝e worn these at least several times a week听for three months and washed them upwards of five times without any change in the fit. With their comfort and second-skin听feel, they鈥檙e听so superior to other pants that they鈥檝e become my go-to sleeping and lounging bottoms鈥攔eplacing my classic slouchy cotton sweatpants. The pockets are essential for holding my phone while traveling to and from the gym, and well-designed reflective accents dot the bottom of each leg. If I could own only one pair of leggings for the rest of my life, this pair would be in my top two choices, alongside the Lululemon Speed Ups.
Best Leggings for Work
Oiselle Flyout Tights ($98)
Admittedly听,听but my office is cold so I wear these thick bottoms year-round. They鈥檙e great underneath dresses and with longer shirts, as the material is soft and doesn鈥檛 catch. The听legs end with听an attractive tulip cut that makes the Oiselles a little fancier for office wear. I love the 7/8听length, which feels very modern and looks great with a pair of slip-on shoes. The seams are a little weak so I would advise taking extra care when pulling them on to avoid ripping.听