The Best Leggings for Gym Rats, Runners, and Professional Couch Potatoes
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Leggings might as well be my actual skin. They’re my uniform for everything, from working out to working from home to working up an appetite. The best leggings rise to the challenge. But finding those can feel like an Olympic sport. I’ve tested countless pairs searching for the perfect ones, and not all are great. Some compress you like a sausage casing, others sag into shapeless blobs after one wash, and the worst? The ones that look amazing until the light hits just right, and suddenly they’re see-through.
This guide features the pairs of leggings WIRED staffers and I keep on heavy rotation. They’ve been through the wringer—squats, sprints, and endless hours on the couch—and they’ve come out unscathed. Our top picks are more than just multifunctional; they’re stylish enough to wear outside the gym, built to handle repeat wash cycles, and comfortable enough to wear all day. We also prioritized thoughtful details like zippered pouches for your keys, deep side pockets for your phones, and wide waistbands that don’t roll or dig into your skin.
For more apparel recommendations, check out our Best Running Shoes, Best Hoodies, and Best Merino Wool Clothes guides.
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- Photograph: Vuori
Best Overall
Vuori Daily Pocket LeggingI’ve put the Vuori Daily Pocket Legging through just about everything, from hot Pilates and indoor cycling classes to grocery runs and Bravo TV marathons, and they’ve kept up every step of the way. I love the drawstring that lets me tweak the fit as my body fluctuates throughout the day. The ⅞-length cut, cuffed ankles, and high-rise waistband give these a refined silhouette. An updated model of the popular Daily Legging, these come with side pockets—because the best leggings must have pockets. My one gripe is that they’re a magnet for pet hair and lint, but for their versatility and comfort, I’ll keep a lint roller on standby.
72 percent polyester, 28 percent elastane. Available in sizes XXS through XXL.
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Best for Running
Nike Firm-Support High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings with PocketsI run almost every day, and these are the best leggings I’ve ever had. I get sad when these are in the wash. While the fabric composition is a fairly standard mix of nylon and spandex, the Nike Infinalock treatment is unique. It feels almost like wearing an extremely thin wetsuit, and yes, this is a good thing. I feel totally locked in. Nothing sags, nothing jiggles, and the seams are flat so you don’t have anything pilling or rubbing in between your legs (ew, sorry). There are plenty of pockets, even though I don’t really use those while running, and a drawcord for keeping the leggings cinched up. I hate yanking my leggings up! There’s no reason for this! We have the technology! —Adrienne So
68 percent nylon, 32 percent spandex. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
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Best Compression
Fanka Body Sculpt Training LeggingsPutting these leggings on was a workout in itself, but once on, they’re not budging. Designed for weightlifting, the wide waistband supports your core like a second skin, and the seamless front means no gusset checks (a win is a win). Whether it’s squats, hinges, or lunges, these leggings keep me stable and supported. The high-rise cut does create a bit of an awkward bulge of skin at the top, but the compression doesn’t feel restrictive. Plus, the 3D sculpting design gives a space-age powerlifter vibe—exactly the kind of energy I want to bring to leg day.
70 percent recycled polyamide, 30 percent elastane. Available in sizes S-XL.
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Gender-Neutral Performance Tights
On Active TightsI recently started strength training to support my running and climbing, and because I don’t want my bones to crumble into a pile of dust as I get older. These leggings are my favorite pick for lifting at the gym. They’re composed of 68 percent recycled polyamide and 32 percent elastane, and they feel incredibly silky on, are lightweight and breathable, but also, somehow supportive. I don’t feel self-conscious when doing squats or taking a rest break. They also have a pocket that fits my iphoness 16, so I have somewhere to put my phones when I’m moving from machine to machine. —Adrienne So
68 percent recycled polyamide, 32 percent elastane. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
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Best for Lounging
Vuori AllTheFeels LeggingI have to actively resist the urge to wear the Vuori AllTheFeels Legging every day. The fabric is like butter, and if I could I’d live in them. I’ve worn them to heated workouts, and they did a solid job at wicking away sweat, but I’d recommend saving them for more casual outings. The compression is low, and polyamide doesn’t dry as quickly as some other materials, so they’re better off being saved for lounging rather than tossed in the wash after every wear.
75 percent recycled polyamide, 25 percent elastane. Available in sizes XXS-XXL.
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Our Cheapest Pick
Gymshark Legacy LeggingsThese are my deadlift darlings. Soft, stretchy, and squat-proof. The sculpted waistband and internal bum scrunch add just enough flattering lift without feeling like an uncomfortable wedgie. At $54, they're a steal compared to many competitors, so I don't sweat the price tag while I'm sweating in them.
78 percent nylon, 22 percent elastane. Available in sizes XXS-XXL.
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For Your Hot Girl Walk
Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 28"The Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant with Pockets checks most of our boxes: four-way stretch, sweat-wicking, and full coverage. They’re technically yoga pants, but I prefer wearing them when I’m working from home or running errands. I also love wearing these for a flight. The light compression is more of a snug hug than active support. That said, the fabric tends to pill and collect lint over time. Also, if pockets aren't a must-have for you, the standard Align High-Rise Pant may be a smarter purchase. The pocketed model runs $20 to $30 more than the original, depending on the color (kind of insane).
81 percent nylon, 19 percent Lycra elastane. Available in sizes 0-20 (XXXS-2X).
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Best Merino Wool Legging
Wool& Summit LeggingI like merino wool for next-to-the-skin clothes because it retains its ability to keep you warm even when wet and doesn’t trap body odor the way synthetics do. I like Wool&’s leggings because I find 100 percent wool leggings to be really itchy, and Wool&’s particular blend of merino wool and nylon is strikingly soft, if not compressive or supportive. I also like that you can choose your length and pick whether you want them in a light, midweight, or heavier Ponte fabric, for layering or wearing on their own. —Adrienne So
Lightweight knit: 75 percent merino wool, 22 percent nylon, three percent spandex. 200 gsm.
Midweight knit: 68 percent merino wool, 22 percent nylon, 10 percent spandex. 300 gsm.
Ponte: 71 percent merino wool, 24 percent nylon, five percent spandex. 340 gsm.
Available in sizes XXS-3X.
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Honorable Mentions
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SPANXshape Booty Boost 7/8 Leggings for $98: Let's start with what I like. The center-seam-free design is fabulous (no gusset checks). I've sported them to heated workouts, and they dried faster than expected. But when it comes to the “booty boost” promise, I just didn't see it. I've gotten more of a noticeable lift from my Gymshark and Fanka leggings. The contoured waistband does offer decent core support, but the lining creates an unflattering design. And while compression is a hallmark of Spanx, in this case it feels uncomfortably tight and unflattering. So tight that sizing up is strongly recommended.
Gymshark Mesh Waistband Leggings for $50: I like the Gymshark Mesh Waistband Leggings for weight-lifting, though I prefer the Legacy leggings overall. The mesh waistband holds everything in place, but it also digs into the skin—it's not painful, just odd. The bum scrunch is a little more pronounced than the Legacy and not as comfortable for all-day wear.
prAna Heavana 7/8 Leggings for $89: These are a good alternative to the On gym leggings above for under $100. The description makes them sound like they’re ultrasoft and for lounging, but they’re actually very thin and breathable, and the big waistband means they don’t roll down while you’re moving. I would feel a little self-conscious lolling on the sofa in these, but they’re great for working out. —Adrienne So
