REASONS TO BUY
Nice styling and accentuation for your rear
Durable material
REASONS TO AVOID
Not breathable
Soybu Killer Caboose Pant Review
Great pant for casual wear but not great for yoga
Soybu Killer Caboose Pant
Credit: Soybu
RELATED: Best Yoga Pants of 2024
Our Verdict
The Soybu Killer Caboose Pant is made of a compression nylon/spandex fabric (not soy!) that helped shape and define our “caboose.” Did it make it look "killer"? Indeed! Was it the best pant to do yoga in? Not really. These pants were not at all breathable and received our lowest score in that category (not to mention leaving us rather embarrassed by the end of class), and while the compressible fabric helped suck everything in, it wasn't the best for stretching in. Look to our Editors' Choice winner, the Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush, or our Best Buy winner, the 90 Degree by Reflex Powerflex for options that work great for practicing yoga in.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Soybu Killer Caboose Pant is made of 87% Nylon and 13% Spandex. It has an internal key pocket, gusseted crotch, and straight leg design. The current color options are Black, Heather (gray), and White, and the pants come in size XS-XXL and 1-3X.
Performance Comparison
These boot cut pants are compressive, but not very breathable. They offer nice shaping, but work better for casual wear than for yoga.
Credit: Martina Zandonella
Breathability
These pants had the worst breathability of any pair in this review. We wore them to the same style class in the same temperature room like every other pair and walked out of there looking like we had peed ourselves. While the gray color that we tested it in didn't help the situation, we tested other grays and heathers, and while they all changed color when wet, we didn't get nearly as sweaty in those models as we did in this one. For a more breathable pair, check out the Onzie Capri.
If you are bored with the standard black yoga pants, there is a reason why so many pairs come in that “color.” Actual colors might change hues when wet and show exactly how much and where you've been sweating. Consider how much you sweat in a yoga class before buying a gray or light-colored pair of pants.
Unfortunately, the Soybu pants offered little in the way of breathability, or sweat concealment.
Credit: Cam McKenzie Ring
Ease of Movement
This pant did not score too well for ease of movement either. The double waistband means that there is extra fabric in your waist area that can impede forward bends. The material is on the compressive side, which we liked for keeping everything uplifted, but that also impeded our movement somewhat. Finally, the boot cut fit means there is always an extra flap of material hanging around your lower leg, which can be annoying when doing inversions or even just stepping through into Warrior I.
While some might prefer boot cut pants for wearing around town or when hiking, the extra material around your ankles can be annoying when practicing yoga.
Credit: Martina Zandonella
Comfort & Fit
These pants do fit well, and we did find that they helped to define and accentuate our derriere. The shaping seams in the back don't dig into you or leave marks or ridges on your skin, and they have a flattering fit overall. We didn't like the key pocket though, as it seems poorly constructed. Instead of sewing it into the already doubled waistband, they added a separate insert, so that there are four layers bunching up in that one spot. Not so great. The Lululemon Wunder Under Crop III does a much better job with their key pocket design.
Does our “caboose” look “killer” in these pants?
Credit: Martina Zandonella
Manufacturers like to add bells and whistles to garments for marketing purposes without there always being a need. If you truly need a key pocket because your studio or gym has keyed lockers, then you'll want a pair of yoga pants with one, but a key in the waistband is uncomfortable and impeding when forward bending. Your best bet is to buy a combination lock and/or leave your key next to your mat instead of in your pants.
We do appreciate that Soybu makes these pants in Plus sizes, which larger Yogis greatly appreciate. Not everyone that practices yoga is a skinny mini, and it can be intimidating for a newcomer if they can't even find a pair of yoga pants in their size. It's nice to see a company produce clothing for a variety of shapes and sizes.
Durability
We were very impressed with the durability of these pants. They showed no signs of pilling during our testing period, unlike the Alo Goddess Ribbed Legging. Due to the thicker material, these pants will also work well for going hiking around spiky plants.
Style
We liked the look and style of these pants. They go well with a pair of running shoes, and you could easily wear them when running errands without turning heads in a negative way.
These pants don't come in crazy prints or patterns, but they do look flattering on.
Credit: Martina Zandonella
Best Applications
We liked wearing these pants around the house or when running errands, but they weren't the best to use for yoga due to their lack of breathability. They are compressive, which is nice, but not the most comfortable for lounging in. If you want a pair that you can feel cozy in for hours, our Top Pick for All-Day Comfort, the Beyond Yoga Spacedye legging, is the one to wear.
While you can wear these pants for gentle yoga classes or for times when you don't sweat much, we preferred them for days spent writing about yoga as opposed to actually practicing it.
Credit: Martina Zandonella
Value
These pants cost $78, which is slightly less than some pairs but still quite a bit. If you like the looks of these pants but want to save a few more dollars, the legging and capri versions (see Other Versions below) cost less.
Conclusion
Not all “yoga pants” are meant to do yoga in, and we'll readily admit that we wear yoga pants for all sorts of activities besides yoga. If you're looking for a pair for hiking or the gym, or for wearing around town, then the Soybu Killer Caboose Pant will work. When it comes to intense Vinyasa classes though, these pants didn't handle the sweat that we produced, and we couldn't bring ourselves to wear them into the studio again.
Other Versions
There are many other options in the Killer Caboose line, including a legging ($72), a high-rise legging ($72), a capri ($65) and a high-rise capri ($65).
—Cam McKenzie Ring
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