Onzie Capri Review

The Onzie Capri uses an 82% Polyester and 18% Spandex fabric. They have a low-rise waist and are available in four sizes: X/S, S/M, M/L and L/L.

Performance Comparison

Breathability

The Onzie received our highest score for breathability. The fabric is almost tissue thin (but not see-through!), which lets any moisture you are generating saturate through immediately and then evaporate. For this reason, this pair was by far our favorite option for the hot room. No more feeling like you are practicing in sodden sweatpants. The material does not change color when wet, which we appreciated when sweating out a quart or more. As we discovered in our testing process, some fabrics and color options change color more noticeably than others when wet. This led to some embarrassing classes in the Soybu Killer Caboose Pant, where it looked like we'd peed ourselves by the end of a non-heated class. So when it comes to hot yoga, we want something that is breathable and masks the sweat that is sure to pour off us.

One of the best things about these tights is that they are so light that you barely notice that you are wearing them. Many hot yoga practitioners prefer to wear small shorts when practicing, as long pants or capris feel confining in the heat, but others prefer to be slightly more covered and then have to suffer (even more!) as a result. These capris solve that problem — they cover you all the way to mid-calf but feel like the lightest of layers on your skin. They also feel almost completely dry by the end of Final Savasana. No more carrying a five-pound pair of soaked pants home in your yoga bag. These pants have a unique silky feel to them, so if you prefer the feel of “regular” yoga pants and/or want something in more muted designs, then the 90 Degree by Reflex High Waist Powerflex are almost as breathable as this pair and a good second choice.

Ease of Movement

The silky material of these pants moved with us every which way and never limited our movements, earning it an 8 out of 10 in Ease of Movement.

The waistband is wide but the material itself is thin, so it doesn't bunch up or get in the way of our forward bends. We did actually take a few points off this pant's ease of movement score for one reason: the material is slippery when dry. This makes it more difficult to hold some arm balances like Bakasana (Crow Pose), where the friction between the material covering your knees and your armpits helps you hold the pose. Once the material is wet, the friction improves, but it's still on the slick side. Purists might argue that any aid from your yoga pants in these difficult poses is cheating, but we prefer our pants to help us out rather than hinder us. If you prefer a little friction for more challenging poses, then the Lululemon Wunder Under Crop III is better in this department.

Comfort and Fit

The Onzie Capri scored near the top of the pack for this category as well. The smooth material feels light and airy against your skin, and the pants fit well without being constricting. The material doesn't give much uplift though; they are tighter than the Yogalicious High-Waist Ultrasoft but not as constricting as the Lululemon Wunder Under Crop III or The North Face Perfect Core High-Rise. That means if you're looking for some shaping or tummy control from your yoga pants, you're not likely to get it from this pair. We did appreciate the elastic strip in the waistband — the similar Teeki Hot Pant doesn't have that elastic and as a result, tends to slide down during class. The silky material on the Onzie feels nice against the skin but is not as cozy as the soft material on the Beyond Yoga Spacedye High Waist, our Top Pick for All-Day Comfort, though those pants don't actually work well for vigorous yoga classes due to their lack of breathability.

The Onzie Capri is only available in four sizes: X/S, S/M, M/L, and L/X. While the material is stretchy and these options encompass a range of sizes, there isn't an option for very small or larger ladies. One of our petite testers even found the X/S size on the baggy side. If you need more sizing options than these, the Prana Pillar Capri comes in plus sizes.

Durability

We were concerned when we first tried these pants that they would not hold up well in the long term. The thin material looks like it could easily wear through, and we wondered if the print would fade away leaving you with the dreaded see-through behind. Thankfully, this was not the case, and these pants withstood the rigors of repeated use and washing.

One of our tester's personal pair has been in her weekly rotation for over a year now, and she hasn't noticed any issues with fading or tearing. The smooth-faced material is not prone to pilling, the bane of many a yogini. We do worry that the thin material won't hold up to other activities, like hiking or rock climbing, so if you are looking for a pair to use for multiple applications, then the Soybu Killer Caboose Pant or Under Armour Mirror Boot Cut are better choices.

Style

There is no question; you will turn some heads in these pants. The bright patterns are colorful and attractive, but also not for everyone. These are only available in Black as a solid color, so if you prefer to keep it plain, your options are limited in these pants. The style of these pants also limits their versatility — you might feel awkward stopping at the grocery store on the way home from class. For this reason, we've given these pants a lower score for style.

Best Applications

These were hands down our favorite pair to wear in a heated yoga room. If you're tired of overheating in a heavier pair of pants or wearing shorts as your only other option, give these capris a try, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. They also work well for unheated yoga, though the material is slippery when not wet, which makes arm balances more challenging.

Value

These pants retail for $58, which is a nice break from the $85 and up models we see in the industry these days. Frankly, we probably wouldn't want to pay more than $58 for these pants, as there doesn't seem to be much regarding construction or materials used that warrants a much higher price. Considering that you'll need a least a few of these in your closet if you are a regular yoga practitioner, it's nice to give your wallet a break with this pair. They are more expensive than the 90 Degree by Reflex Powerflex pant ($30), so check those out if you want to save some money.

Conclusion