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Our team of yogis has tested the best yoga pants since 2015. We selected 19 top models for this update, and several yoga teachers and yogis stretched them to the limit as expert testers. We practiced a rigorous flow in each pair, including forward bends, deep backbends, arm balances, and sun salutations. Our testing period comprised more than 300 hours of field testing and over 150 yoga practices, including over 4,000 chaturangas. We tested award winners on rugged hikes, climbing, dancing, walking the pups, and as daywear. This hard work fed our intention to analyze how each pant performed in comfort and fit, ease of movement, breathability, and durability.
The beauty of yoga is that you don't need a lot of fancy gear to practice; set aside some time to spend on your yoga mat and explore what motivates your practice. If you are just starting your yoga practice or want to gain flexibility and stability, you might want to consider some yoga blocks for helpful props. If you want some variety in your home workouts, see the roundup of our favorite exercise equipment.
Editor's Note: We updated our yoga pants review on November 13, 2024, to ensure our lineup is available for purchase.
Clean profile and no outseam, mid-range compression that supports rather than restricts, comfortable rolled waistband, hidden internal key pocket, excellent fit
Nearly nude sensation, weightless, supportive compression, stays put in dynamic practice, moisture-wicking
Figure-hugging compression, sculpting fit, quick-dry breathability, gorgeous patterns, no external leg seam
Buttery soft, flattering waistband, moves with your body, breathable, flattering v-shape rear seams
Breathable ribbed material, UV protection, grip for arm balances, hip pockets, stylish fit, versatile for any type of yoga, excellent for outdoor adventures
Quick dry, convenient pockets, bargain price for two pairs
Flush-on-skin fit, high and pinch-less waistband, waistband back pocket can fit a phone
Soft fabric, stunning fit
Sweat-wicking, breathable, sculpting, tummy tucking waistband, pills less than other pants
Middle waist seam is not as flattering, potential for threading, thin for thick panties
Delicate care is required, high price
Drawstring in waistband, lack of elasticity for big stretches, zipper not ideal for all yoga poses
Moderate shaping, can be loose at ankles
Not the softest fabric, rough texture in some binds
Fuzzing, durability concerns, uncomfortable and pinching waistband
Early pilling, high waistband loose on some body types
See through, poky zipper on waistband
Waistband elastic pinches, large logo
Light compression is ideal for yoga and not intensity workouts, no side pockets, mediocre sweat-wicking
Durability of seams could be better
No option for pockets, runs short and small, durability of seams is questionable
Not enough compression for some yogis, longer drying time
Few sizes for petite frames, fabric bags and bunches, doesn't hold shape, slightly transparent
Chafing, constrictive waistband, poor fit in the crotch during movement, small pockets, slightly see through
Awkward and constricting elastic in waistband, fabric doesn't hold its shape, baggy fabric in crotch
Pinching elastic waistband, camel toe, fabric does not hold its shape, baggy, bunches during practice
Not breathable, stiff and slightly rough fabric, attracts pet hair
Bottom Line
Extremely comfortable and flattering budget pair that are incredibly breathable in sweaty practices, move into the most pretzel-shaped stretches with ease, and shed pet hair to boot
Striking an outstanding balance between compression and four-way stretch, these leggings feel like a second skin and set the gold standard for movement practice performance
This legging has a figure-hugging and flattering fit and great breathability, though the waistline is low and it isn't the most flexible for those more extreme poses
You don't need to spend a fortune to find buttery soft yoga pants that move with your body
Between fit, ease of movement, and breathability, we love this stylish yoga pant in our travel sack, ready for outdoor adventures
Cheap two-for-one price that gives a decent fit; however, we have concerns about durability and comfort in movement
Sleek, contoured, and breathable legging that we love to move in but pills earlier than we would like
A sleek fitting, super-soft pant that rarely needs to be adjusted, but order a dark color as they can be sheer
A rare balance between a sculpting fit and exceptional breathability
Velvety soft, this legging is a movement superstar that feels weightless - a favorite of thru-hikers and yogis alike to wear all day or for months on the trail
Move like a cloud in one of the softest yoga pants we have tested, plus you can stash your essentials in secure hip pockets
Every move is comfy in a pant that is soft as a hug on your hips with a chic fit to groove through all your daily activities
A cotton-soft yoga pant that hugs you gently through all your moves and offers a fashion-forward fit you can wear for work or play
Decent fit and breathability for the price if you want a legging with pockets, although we wish for better shape retention throughout the day
The fit is nice, but the seams left chafe marks on our testers and the fabric is rather thin
These leggings are soft, but the elastic in the waistband rolls and pinches
A thin and lightweight pair that struggles to hold its shape and is prone to camel toe
Elegant shaping in all the right places and a solid choice for cooler weather
Material: 87% polyester, 13% spandex | Available Sizes: 0-14
REASONS TO BUY
Pure freedom to move
Svelte silhouette
Comfortable
Thin elastic waistband stays in place without squeezing
Breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
Delicate fabric
Expensive
The Lululemon Align High Rise legging takes the top spot, offering a four-way stretch that moves with the body. Stretchy pants allow graceful flow, and our testers felt free to move in any direction. The thin fabric is surprisingly supportive, and we love how the compression gently tummy tucks when we bend into pretzels. The Align is versatile, the gold standard for technical movement practices, making it a quick grab for anything from running to a flattering fit for a casual day at work (or work from home). They also make dressing up for an evening out incredibly comfortable.
Our testers especially love the high waist, with a simple, v-shaped elastic band that made our backside look extra good. We never felt squeezed or impeded wearing these. Some yoga leggings feel like a tourniquet around the waist, but the Align offers terrific shaping, a perfect balance between support and freedom. Since yoga is breath-centered, we appreciate how the waistband did not interfere with our deep ujjayi (victorious breathing). We also found this option breathable enough in our tests for heated flows or sun-baked days outside. We love practically everything about these yoga pants, but they are pricey and require some babying when washing and drying to ensure they last. If you love a butter-soft feel and high-performance flexibility but need something even more suitable for the outdoors, then the Patagonia Maipo 7/8 Tights are a favorite of yogi-hikers. Critiques aside, if you're shopping for a new pair of high-waisted leggings, the Align will support your technical performance and take you through the rest of your day feeling delicious and looking svelte.
Material: 75% polyester, 35% spandex | Available Sizes: XS-XL
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent mobility
Very soft
Lightweight and breathable
Seamless waistband that stays put
REASONS TO AVOID
May fit loose at ankles
Thin for cooler weather
Moderate shaping
We loved the ColorfulKoala High Waisted Brushed for its next-to-nothing feel and lightweight softness that was one of the most breathable we tested. We trust these pants more than almost any pair to move into the full extension of any pose. They perform with the best and will make your wallet happy at a third of the price of designer pairs. The seamless waistband feels like a soft hug for the hips; it held us in, never rolled, stayed put, and was buttery soft to fold into any pose.
Our testers enjoy these pants when they want to try their most challenging moves because of the second-skin fit, but there are better-shaping pants for casual wear and compression. If you love colors and patterns but want more sculpting, then the Sweaty Betty Power 7/8 Workout Leggings give more compression. The High Waisted Brushed are lighter and not cozy for cooler weather, though they're great to have around for hot yoga, especially because — at this price — you can really stock up and wait to do laundry. If you want pants with a buttery fabric and unrestricted movement on a budget, these won't disappoint.
While price often means better quality, there are notable exceptions like the ColorfulKoala. It will allow you to get into all manner of poses at a fraction of the cost of designer brands.
Material: 71% Polyamide, 29% Spandex | Available Sizes: XXS-4X
REASONS TO BUY
Seamless and pinch-free waistband
Skin kissing fit
Quick dry, lightweight, and breathable
Flexible and comfortable in any pose
Seamless outer leg
REASONS TO AVOID
Double seam on the hip is a hate or love
Potential for threading
Many yoga practices build heat in the body and might make you sweat, and the Crz Yoga NakedFeel Leggings Double Waist Seam is first out of our laundry basket for a sweaty practice. Unlike other fabrics we tested that feel heavy or sticky when wet, these leggings are lightweight and highly breathable. They excel in wicking away sweat, and the leggings are flexible whether you are sweaty or dry. These leggings are perfect for dynamic practices such as Ashtanga or heated flows because the fabric feels soft on the skin even when drenched in sweat, and they never cause chafing. Plus, the fabric sheds hair quickly, making them pet mom-approved. We love the seamless outer leg design that provides a flattering fit and a slimming look, and the seamless high waistband never slips and moves with our grooves.
When it's time for heated practice, the opaque Crz NakedFeel is our top choice. However, the material is thinner, so we recommend wearing seamless underwear to prevent visible panty lines. The waistband features a double seam, which our testers found to be an aesthetic choice; some love it, while others prefer minimalist seams. If you prefer breathable leggings with more curve-hugging compression and well-designed pockets, take a look at the outrageous colors and patterns of the Sweaty Betty Power Leggings.
Rolled, seamless, and double-walled waistbands like the one on the Crz Naked Feel tend to be our testers' favorite style because they optimize comfort, stability, and freedom of movement. The advantage of rolled waistbands is that they have no stitching at the top that can pinch, snap, muffin-top, or pop the seams.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Best for Casual Comfort
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi
Material: 87% polyester, 13% spandex | Available Sizes: XXS-4X
REASONS TO BUY
Dreamy comfort
Flattering fit that dresses up or down
Secure and tasteful hip pockets
UV protection
Wider range of sizes
REASONS TO AVOID
Delicate for outdoor adventures
Seams are not super durable
The Beyond Yoga Spacedye Midi is so comfortable you'll want to wear them all day. One of the softest pants in this lineup, they are a go-to for travel, lounging, or challenging poses. This pant has clean lines that flatter the figure without squelching at the waist. We particularly love how the fabric hugs the curves. The high waist accentuates the natural shape of the hips, giving the ideal amount of tummy tuck. Other manufacturers incorporate an elastic band to prevent sagging, which can pinch the waist into an uncomfortable muffin top. The Spacedye Out of Pocket waistband didn't need to be constantly adjusted, allowing us to relax into our breathing and movement. They move with the body fluidly into any pose, and we found that the two hip pockets keep valuables secure even when we flip upside down, run, or climb.
The Spacedye Out of Pocket scored above average in our comfort, fit, and ease of movement tests, but we found the overall durability disappointing. The seams and fabric require delicate care. After a few wash cycles, we noticed threading, and the material snagged more than others when hiking. Although, we appreciate that these leggings provide UV protection. The incredible balance between comfort and style makes them a favorite for travel, a coffee date with friends, or yoga in the park; plan to treat them a bit more delicately. Other comfy options are the Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation 7/8 Tight, which has a higher seamless waistband, or the Patagonia Maipo, which thru-hikers have worn for months at a time because it is so comfortable to move in.
The Prana Becksa 7/8 is a solid choice for any activity. Along with the Lululemon Align High Rise, these yoga pants are one of the most versatile pairs tested. Made from recycled materials, we also appreciate that it is one of the most sustainable. The Becksa moves freely in yoga flows, fits fashionably for travel or daywear, and is resilient for outdoor adventures. Due to its comfortable and street-worthy fit, it's our first choice of the bunch for hiking, hitting the crag, or traveling in multiple environments. We are grateful for how the ribbed fabric breathes on a hot day, especially when pushing uphill on hikes in the tropical sun. The fabric is designed to be UPF 50+ and protects your skin during yoga sessions on the beach. In addition, this is one of our most pet-friendly pairs. When we exposed it to paws and claws while volunteering at the animal shelter, it held up to puppy love and did not collect pet hair as much as most others. These pants are dependably comfortable and one of the best for various activities indoors and out.
The ribbed fabric is rugged on the rocks but soft on the skin. And yet, in yoga flows, the textured material sometimes gives too much friction on the arms in deep twists and binds, though not enough to cause chafing. We found the ribbed fabric to be cozy and flexible but not super soft. If you love the ribbed look but want a soft-as-brushed-cotton fabric, we love the all-day comfort of the REI Co-op Active Pursuits 7/8. Another key difference between the Becksa and other options we tested is that the waistband is a little less contouring in deep folds, although it did hold its shape and didn't roll. While the Becksa isn't the softest for slipping into binds, its friction can give you a performance edge in arm balances, providing that extra grip to stick the pose.
We found the Becksa to be a supremely versatile legging. Rugged enough to go beyond the yoga studio, breathable enough for heat, and expertly tailored for all manner of movement.
Material: 87% polyester, 13% spandex | Available Sizes: XXS-XL
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent ease of movement
Comfortable
No elastic in the waist, but they still stay up
REASONS TO AVOID
Breathability is just okay
Run hot
The Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush leggings are stretchy and move well no matter what pose is up next. We particularly love the high waist on this pair; other manufacturers rely on an elastic band to stay up, but having that around your tummy is not always comfortable. The Airbrush stays up all by itself, and we never needed to re-adjust it mid-class. We also appreciate the contouring and support; these leggings are one of the most shaping pants we tested and give a flattering fit.
The Airbrush isn't the most breathable pair in the test group. We found that they felt too hot on the skin for rigorous flows in a heated room, and we would not want to wear them for a walk on a warm day. If you're looking for a new pair of high-waisted leggings with shape-hugging support, this is an excellent choice for cooler weather and slower-paced practices. If you want more flare for slow flows, the Beyond Yoga Spacedye High-Waisted Practice Pants are form-flattering and have a tapered bootcut that looks great on the mat and at the coffee shop.
We love the shaping support of the Alo High-Waist Airbrush.
Credit: Dororthy Lee
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A good pair of yoga pants can't make you stronger or more flexible, but they can give support so you can focus and breathe in your most challenging poses.
Credit: Dorothy Lee
How We Test Yoga Pants
With nearly a decade of testing yoga pants under our belts, we test and compare the best performers on the market and then share our findings to empower you to choose a pant that fits your practice. To create each review, our team does extensive market research, considering over 60 models of yoga pants before we select the top contenders. We chose the most promising styles to test side-by-side and devised unique test protocols to compare competitors. Dedicated yoga practitioners and teachers helped us assess comfort and fit and analyze ease of movement by running each pair through a crucible of challenging poses. Over months of testing, we monitored the breathability and durability of each pair.
In this update, we tested each pair for two months on yoga mats and in real-life applications. To assess comfort and fit, ease of movement, and breathability, we analyze pants performance through a rigorous, standardized flow in hot temperatures, including a set series of challenging poses. We also explore how top performers transition from yoga to activities like cuddling with the dog, climbing, hiking, dancing, and working from home. We assessed durability over two months of use in various activities and ensured each pair made it through at least five wash cycles.
We test yoga pants across four rating metrics:
Comfort and Fit (30% of overall score weighting)
Ease of Movement (30% weighting)
Breathability (25% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our yoga pants testers have decades of committed practice and have spent thousands of hours on the mat. Lead reviewer Kate Pitts has been a yogi for over sixteen years, a teacher for five, and is currently studying yoga therapy and guiding yoga classes in Yosemite country. Her outdoor career spans a decade with the National Park Service as an educator and backcountry ranger. She gave the first ranger-led yoga programs to Phantom Ranch backcountry travelers at the Grand Canyon. Kate fondly remembers going to help a patient seriously injured on the trail and realizing that her body had automatically slipped into a centering yogic breath. She feels that yoga helps her to meet change with robust tranquility in challenging conditions. The healing self-study helps her awaken daily to the vibrancy of life and her wealth of experience brings a special touch to this comprehensive review.
We've tried more poses in these pants than we can count.
The Lululemon Align High Rise is pleasantly unrestrictive.
From stretching to running to hiking, we've put all these yoga pants through their paces.
Great yoga pants won't hold you back. We were sure to test every pair in multiple positions, stretches, and situations to see which ones were up to the task.
Analysis and Test Results
Finding the right pair of yoga pants for your needs, the style you practice, and your body type can be a challenge. As testers, we have much to consider when choosing a good fit — we want to find what is comfortable, doesn't impede movement, wicks away our sweat, makes our booties look good, and is not see-through.
On top of that, a regular yoga practitioner probably needs several pairs in their closet, so we consider affordable and durable products. That's a tall order to fulfill. You might never find that perfect pair that's best for everything, as the ideal option for a heated yoga class differs from that for a gentle Yin. However, some considerations make selecting the right pair easier, from what activities you prioritize to the best fit for your body. Keep reading below to see how the different models we tested performed in our side-by-comparison tests. We aim to share practical pro tips and suggestions so you can have several options that suit your practice.
What's the Best Value?
Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between cheap and expensive pairs or if we're paying for the logo? The answer is yes, and also probably yes. What makes a yoga pant worth it is rarely a straight answer, but our investigations unearthed some trends for you to consider.
We love how the Crz NakedFeel earns gold stars for comfort, flexibility, and breathability while still being one of the least expensive pants in our lineup.
Credit: Kate Pitts
We tested cheap “no-name” brands, designer labels, and products that fall in between. We assess value by looking at the overall performance score in relationship to cost. You would hope that expensive, designer pairs would perform better than the inexpensive pairs off Amazon, but not always. For example, the ColorfulKoala Brushed finished neck and neck with the gold standard Lululemon Align High Rise, but costs a third of the price. Of course, we want to put budget buys with high scores on your radar, and the ColorfulKoala Brushed is a stellar performer for its low price tag. The Crz NakedFeel also scored high across the board and costs about the same as a drop-in yoga class. We also love the performance of the REI Active Pursuits Ribbed, a versatile option at a slightly more budget-minded price point.
The REI Active Pursuits are comfortable and high-quality, all for a very fair mid-range price.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Comfort and Fit
This metric accounts for 30% of the overall score for each contender because, let's face it, some of us practically live in our yoga pants. You want something that feels great on your body and moves effortlessly through the activities you love. Yoga pants get worn for much more than yoga: the gym, hiking, maybe with a long sweater to work, and running errands on the weekend. So we ask: can you leave them on all day and feel comfortable through the long haul? Although yoga helps you to be resilient, no one wants a suffer fest from yoga pants that pinch, poke, itch, or chafe. Our testers applaud pants that perform well on the mat, but we also looked for how they transition into daily life and adventures.
A soft fabric hand and the feel of quality material on your skin can make or break a yoga pant. We love how the buttery softness of the Lululemon Align High Rise, ColorfulKoala High Waisted Brushed, REI Active Pursuits, and Beyond Yoga Spacedye Practice Pants have a cotton softness, and we enjoy wearing them all day, thanks to how soft and cozy they feel.
One key feature to look at in regard to comfort is the design of the waistband. While the ideal waist has a compressive material that sucks everything in and offers some lift, we aim for pure freedom of movement over anything. Some designs can create a tourniquet on the waste by squeezing too much and creating an unattractive muffin top. Overcompression can also restrict breathing — a deal breaker since yoga is a breathing practice.
The Patagonia Maipo has an elegant waistband design; a seamless front offers freedom of movement, while a top seam in the back provides security and space for a pocket.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Patagonia Maipo 7/8 features one of our favorite waistbands for comfort and technical movement. The front of the waistband is seamless, which prevents pinching, and in our testers' opinions, one of the best designs we tested for moving with the body. The back of the waistband has a thin top seam, giving it structural support and keeping it secure on your hips.
Because yoga is a movement practice where it is helpful to have fabric that fits like a second skin, seams are more critical in yoga pants than in other types of clothing. The Prana Becksa 7/8 and Lululemon Align have clean and attractive lines because of flat lock seaming, which sews the raw edges of fabric together without overlap. Flatlock seams also reduce bulk and the potential for areas that can cut into the skin.
The comfortable waist and well-designed hip seams of the Alo High-Waist Airbrush don't hold us back no matter how much we stretch and twist.
Credit: Dororthy Lee
Another pant with excellent design features is the Alo High-Waist Airbrush. This pant has more shaping compression than most in our test. The design of the wide flat waistband, flattering cut, and well-designed hip seams gave it one of the best fits of our tested models. The Airbrush also has an excellent crotch gusset, a feature between the legs that prevents camel toe and allows the pants to shape to the inner groin during movement.
The REI Active Pursuits are a comfortable fit if you prefer a light to mid-range compression that feels supportive but unconfined. The material is deliciously cotton-soft. They have no logo and are one of the most flattering fits for your activities after class.
The Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket Midi features a wide waistband that fits the hips during movement and doesn't need adjustment after dynamic movement. We also love the pockets on these pants, which fit inconspicuously on the hips, keeping clean lines on the side, whereas other models can bulk up on the hips. These pockets kept our belongings secure; our phone didn't jiggle when out running, and it even stayed securely in place when we went upside down in a headstand.
The Spacedye Out Of Pocket stays in place well during movement and has convenient pockets that are secure and smooth.
The Sweaty Betty yoga pants have a flattering silhouette and convenient pockets. They also have a lower waist, so bear that in mind when considering this pair.
We love pockets, especially when they lay flat against the hips and don't bulk up.
The Sweaty Betty Power leggings offer the most sculpting and curve-loving fit and provide excellent compression if you cross train with your yoga leggings at the gym or for high-intensity workouts.
If you love how no seams on the outer leg looks and feels, the Crz NakedFeel has a body-hugging fit that holds its shape and a comfortable seamless waistband. The waistband of the Athleta Elation is one of the highest in our lineup and creates a flattering line above the naval, while the pants themselves keep a skin-kissing fit on the legs all day.
We love how the Athleta Elation fits like a second skin.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Ease of Movement
Along with comfort and fit, ease of movement is one of the top considerations for how enjoyable your yoga pants will be on the mat. A flexible and contouring pant is essential for yoga because, at some point, you will likely contort yourself into all manner of pretzel-like configurations. You never want to expand toward your full extension only to be limited by your clothing. We considered how well we could move and stretch in each pair for this category and whether specific design features impeded our movement. In many cases, an ill-fitting construction, an extra design feature, or a constrictive waistband hinders movement.
The Lululemon Align High Rise is one of our favorite pants to move in and stretch to the limits. We tested our award winners through various challenge poses, including deep hip openers, backbends, and hanumansana (the splits). Sometimes, the best pairs are the ones you don't notice. The Align High Rise also has a unique h-shaped gusset that allows the pants to mold to your body throughout any motion, feeling like a second skin with this pant's buttery feel. In contrast to some pants that chafed or bit into our hips, this model never had us cursing our pants mid-class.
Challenging position? No problem. The Lululemon Align High Rise has no problem keeping up.
Credit: Dorothy Lee
Due to its seamless front waistband and second-skin flexibility, moving in the Patagonia Maipo is a joy. They are our first choice of leggings for mobility training. We also appreciate how the ColorfulKoala High Waisted leggings moved with us in our tests. They earned top marks in ease of movement, and we enjoyed how the soft support of the wide waistband felt during our most challenging poses.
The Patagonia Maipo leggings are versatile and comfortable, performing well on and off the mat.
Credit: Kate Pitts
If you want the ideal balance between ease of movement and breathability, we especially appreciate how comfortable the Crz NakedFeel fabric feels on dry or sweaty skin. They are easy to move in, remain form-fitting when you are sweaty, and stretch with you without chafing. The Alo HighWaist Airbrush also moves with you and is an excellent option for getting a good stretch on breezy days or cooler weather. The extra compression may feel more supportive to some practitioners.
The Prana Becksa 7/8 is breathable enough for beachside practice and grips well for arm balances.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The ribbed fabric and wide waistband of the Prana Becksa 7/8 moved comfortably in our full range of motion and was breathable enough to opt outside for yoga on the beach. The REI Active Pursuits 7/8 Ribbed uses 4-way stretch fabric and flat lock seams, creating one of our favorite high-waisted waistbands. With a broad and seamless band, it never rolls, and it moves with your hips — not against them like in other designs with pinching elastics. We love that the waistband doesn't constrict our breath, making it easy to move with every inhale or exhale.
The Active Pursuits are flexible and form-fitting, moving fluidly with your body in and out of asanas (yoga poses).
Credit: Wayne Hartlerode
Some pants provided ease of movement for certain types of yoga classes. For example, when choosing a flare, it is good to know that the excess fabric can get caught in binds or trip you up in arm balances.
Flares are a great style for many types of yoga, but the excess fabric can get in the way when doing your most challenging movements. Tighter poses like padmasana (lotus) were easier to get into with a tight fit.
The thinner, bootcut flare of Beyond Yoga Spacedye Practice Pants is one of our favorites for any yoga style. Off the mat, we loved them for travel, working at the coffee shop, and climbing.
The Practice Pants stayed comfortable no matter where the day took us.
The flared cut of these yoga pants don't trip us up the way others might.
A flared fit can be a tripping hazard, but the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Practice Pants don't flare as wide as some, lowering the tendency to get in the way.
We appreciate how the seamless outer leg design of the Athleta Elation gave us a smooth feeling when our arms connected with our legs, and the excellent stretch of the material made this one of the most “naked” feeling options.
The Athleta Elation pants felt great in every range of motion because the fabric is silky and skin-tight, and the high waistband gently hugs your center in dynamic moves.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Breathability
Breathability determines how much heat a pant holds around your skin and its ability to manage sweat. We assessed breathability by the weight of the material, the fabric's ability to vent or wick moisture, and the drying time after exertion. Breathability is essential when you stoke the internal fire in a rigorous flow, hike on a warm day, or climb up a sun-baked crag. Our testers worked up a sweat with the inner-heating ujjayi breath, a relentless flow, and arm balances. We tested each pair multiple times through an hour-and-a-half sequence. We completed the field test for each pant in the same yoga studio, ensuring that the temperature in the room was consistently 90-98°F. We got a great sense of how the various pairs fared in this category by doing the same vigorous practice. We noted how hot our legs and core felt at the end of our yoga practice, how much sweat remained in the pants, and any areas of significant sweat pooling or color changes in the fabric.
One of our favorite pants for sweaty practices is the Crz NakedFeel, which is lightweight, breathable, comfy on the skin when wet, and dries more quickly than most leggings after class. The Lululemon High Rise Align also earned top marks in this category. Unsurprisingly, they were some of the lightest weight pairs in this review. They ventilated so well that we were barely wet by the end of class and hardly felt moisture accumulation because the fabric remained soft and mobile.
We drenched these cozy pants to see how long it took them to air dry.
Credit: Kate Pitts
We tested for moisture management by pouring water droplets on the leggings and observing how they dried in the sun. Generally, thinner weight pants prevented us from getting too hot in the first place and also allowed moisture to evaporate away. The ColorfulKoala is cut from lightweight material and the fabric vents and wicks moisture quickly. We were grateful for their ventilation and quick-dry material on a hot ridge hike in a tropical environment. However, some light fabrics still didn't excel — a fabric that does not have functional moisture-wicking properties traps wet sweat against your skin, even if thin.
The Sweaty Betty Power leggings evaporate quickly and the darker patterns can camouflage sweat stains.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Be wary when purchasing pants in any color but black. If you haven't worn them before, you may not know how the material's color changes until after you sweat. While some colors, patterns, and materials don't show much moisture, we learned the hard way that others do.
The Sweaty Betty Power leggings are true to their name and one of the quickest to dry. They have excellent sweat-wicking fabric, which also, partially due to the darker patterns, hid sweat stains during class. Many yoga pants that are highly compressive are also hot on the legs. We were impressed with how the Baleaf High Waisted felt ultralight and breathable and sucked everything in. These were some of our best quick dry pants, and water evaporated quickly from the material after class.
With one of the best sweat-wicking fabrics, the Baleaf High Waisted offers a hard-to-find balance between compression and coolness.
Credit: Kate Pitts
We did a second round of testing with our top performers on a five to ten-mile hike in temperatures over 70°F with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The ribbed fabric of the Prana Becksa 7/8 did exceptionally well venting heat off the legs and wicking moisture when hiking uphill in the sun. Plus, it is almost impossible to see sweat stains on the darkly colored fabric. The Vuori Clean Elevation is similarly impressive, ventilating well and remaining soft, never sticky.
Also of note are the Fengbay 2-Pack High Waist, which is one of the quickest to dry but feels heavier on the skin when wet, and the Patagonia Maipo, which is lightweight and comfortable when sweaty, but has a longer drying time than more technical sweat-wicking fabrics.
The Fengbay 2-pack (left) feels heavier on the skin but dries quickly, while the Patagonia Maipo (right) feels airy and light but has a mediocre dry time.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Construction Quality
You work hard, and your yoga pants do too. Hours of yoga, dance, hiking, or lounging with your pet put wear and tear on the fabric. Quality yoga pants can last you for several years, save you money, and reduce the environmental impact of replacement. Our durability metric assesses the quality of the material to be resilient to sustained use, various movements, and wash cycles. In our tests, we put each pair of pants through hard use in the field for two months while monitoring the condition of each pair for pilling, fraying or holes, or fading of color. We also observed how each pant held its shape over sustained use and laundering.
Pilling and threading are the main culprits in the visible wear on your clothes, as pills ruin the look of a garment and are most likely the first sign of wear, appearing before seam tears or worn material. Pilling is a common problem with yoga pants; the friction caused by our legs rubbing against themselves, the mat, or whatever other surfaces you may scrape causes the formation of tiny balls or pills. These pills hang on to synthetic fabrics more than natural ones, as the fibers of natural fabrics are more robust and less likely to break. Threading occurs when the seams unravel or break.
Some people purchase an inexpensive pill shaver to keep appearances in mint condition. Most manufacturers recommend a cold wash and line drying to extend the life of your leggings.
We noticed minimal pilling on the Lululemon Align and Prana Becksa. While the Beyond Yoga High Waisted Midi is one of our favorite pairs to practice in, the seams began to pill and thread along the sides more than other pants tested. We loved how the soft, ribbed material of the REI Active Pursuits camouflaged pilling, and they looked great after bushwacking in the mountains and over a week of heavy-wear traveling.
The material of the Sweaty Betty Power leggings keeps looking sleek and flattering after months of wearing them.
Credit: Kate Pitts
We noticed no pilling on the Patagonia Maipo and found them resilient while scrambling on mossy boulders. Our market research found reviews by thru-hikers who noticed seams unraveled only after wearing them every day while hiking for months on the trail. The resilience of the fabric also influences overall longevity. Some materials are more likely to get tiny holes in the knees or the butt, where you most frequently encounter rough surfaces. Tough pants are essential if you participate in friction-dependent activities like climbing, where your knees may scrape against rough rocks.
We also considered the opacity of each legging by running them through a squat test, where we wore bright red underwear and did a deep squat to determine if our undergarments would be a baboon butt embarrassment when going into our next goddess squat at the studio. We do this test because it indicates if the fabric is fragile and will wear out quickly.
Bright underwear? No problem. The Colorfuloala High Waisted Brushed may show panty lines, but you can't see through them.
Credit: Kate Pitts
However, just because a material is thin does not mean it is transparent. The Lululemon Align,Patagonia Maipo,Crz NakedFeel, and ColorfulKoala are some of the lightest pants we tested but are 100 percent opaque, trustworthy selections. The Gym People Thick High Waist, and Vuori Clean Elevation were more sheer than we had hoped. The Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket and Ododos High Waisted Leggings with Pockets are slightly see-through in our deepest squats. The sheerness was not too much of an issue in the darker colors, but it could be an issue if you ordered a lighter color.
For most yoga pants, letting them air dry will preserve the integrity of the material and seams.
The Sweaty Betty Power leggings look brand new at the end of our test period and have a fabric resistant to fuzzing and pilling, keeping those vibrant and funky patterns looking sleek.
Durable and comfortable, the Patagonia Maipo have an odor-resistant fabric and are pretty resilient for a stretch on the trail or cuddles with the pup.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Conclusion
The right yoga pants give us a lot of support. They are comfortable enough to wear day or night, flexible and supportive during movement practice, durable enough for our adventures, breathe so our legs don't feel stuck in a sauna, and hug our skin in all the right places. Choosing trustworthy pants can make all the difference, and we hope our review helps you make a mindful decision that supports your practice.
