The Complete Guide to Buying Leggings Online: Reviews of the Top Brands and Retailers
Leggings have become a wardrobe staple over the past decade thanks to their versatility, comfort and style. Since they come in a variety of fabrics, rises, lengths and prints, browsing selection online makes finding your perfect pair for any activity easy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll review popular leggings from major athletic brands, fast fashion retailers, and boutique labels. Learn the key differences between product offerings to determine where to shop based on factors like budget, intended use, and preferred fit.
Choosing the Right Fitness Leggings for Your Workouts
When shopping for leggings to wear for working out and training, you’ll find a variety of styles tailored for specific activities. Certain features make particular leggings better suited for the demands of certain sports and gym routines.
Here is a breakdown of the most common fitness legging types and their key attributes:
Yoga Leggings
Yoga leggings prioritize stretch and recovery with fabrics like spandex-Lycra blends to handle twisting and bending through different poses. Expect a tight, contoured fit and high-rise waist for ample coverage. Moisture-wicking qualities keep them dry during hot yoga sessions. Look for discreet pockets to hold your phone or studio pass. Popular brands include Lululemon, Alo Yoga and Athleta.
Running Leggings
Running leggings focus on lightweight breathability, moisture management and ease of movement. Look for mesh panel detailing for ventilation and flatlock seams to prevent chafing. Reflective elements improve visibility while secure waistband pockets carry your phone, fuel and hydration. Top labels include Brooks, Oiselle and Tracksmith.
Cycling Leggings
Indoor cycling leggings balance compression with stretch and sweat wicking. The compression improves blood flow while flatlock seams avoid irritation caused by the bike seat. Strategic ventilation zones add cooling. Thermal insulation like fleece-lining can keep muscles warm during sessions. See Rapha, Peloton and Ten Thousand.
HIIT Leggings
High-intensity interval training workouts require leggings that move with you through sprints, burpees and plyometrics. Look for lightweight yet compressive fabrics with abrasion resistance and four-way stretch. Targeted ventilation panels and quick-drying material prevent overheating. Brands like Varley, Gymshark and Ultracor excel at HIIT leggings.
Powerlifting Leggings
Powerlifting leggings need to accommodate deep squats and offer coverage during lifts. A high-waisted silhouette with a wide waistband provides belly coverage. The fabric should have minimal stretch but be thick enough to be squat-proof. Flat seams prevent blowouts. Check out DoYouEven, Rogue Fitness and Gymreapers.
CrossFit Leggings
For CrossFit style metabolic conditioning and gymnastics, opt for leggings with stretch woven fabrics offering flexible mobility but enough compression for secure coverage during movements like box jumps. Gusseted panel construction prevents rips from splits and lunges. Reebok, Hylete and NOBULL make great CrossFit leggings.
The bottom line is choosing leggings suited for your go-to activities based on the demands of the sport and muscle engagement. This ensures you stay comfortable, supported and confident during any gym session or training regime.
The Many Styles of Leggings Available Today
Beyond just solid black leggings, today you can find an incredible array of legging silhouettes, fabrics, colors and prints to suit any taste and outfit. Brands offer an expansive range of legging styles including:
Cropped Leggings: Cropped leggings hit at mid calf for a chic, sporty look. The shorter length is perfect to show off your cute sneakers. Cropped leggings look great with oversized sweatshirts and hoodies. Some cropped options feature fun details like mesh paneling, stripes or lattice work along the lower legs.
7/8 Leggings: Also called ankle length, 7/8 leggings land around the ankle bone for a modern, slimming look. The slightly cropped length prevents bunching and provides definition. 7/8 leggings look particularly chic when worn with boots, dress shoes or heels for work or a night out.
Capri Leggings: This popular length falls about mid calf, typically hitting at or just above the largest part of the calf muscle for the most flattering fit. Capri leggings look great with a skirt or dress layered overtop. Opt for capris with side pockets or ankle zippers for functional style.
Midi Leggings: Midi leggings have an extra long length, landing below the calf but above the ankle. This elongated silhouette slims the legs while still showing some skin. Midi leggings can be worn instead of pants with shorter dresses, tunics and oversized tops.
Full Length Leggings: Standard full length leggings extend all the way down for full coverage. Opting for petite, regular or tall sizes ensures a precise ankle length fit. Having leggings reach your shoe line gives a polished finish. Full length pairs suitably fill the role of pants for work or leisure.
Stirrup Leggings: Stirrup leggings wrap under and hook around your foot for a more secure hold. The stirrup stretches under the arch of the foot to keep the leggings taut. Stirrup leggings stay perfectly in place for activities like barre, yoga and pilates.
Faux Leather Leggings: Faux leather leggings mimic the sheen and sleekness of genuine leather with stretch and comfort. Opt for shiny, matte or coated finishes. Pair faux leather leggings with chunky knits, oversized tees or flowy blouses for an edgy downtown vibe.
Seamless Leggings: Seamless leggings use knitting techniques rather than sewn panels to create a finished legging product. The lack of seams delivers unparalleled comfort and a smooth, streamlined appearance under clothing.
High Waisted Leggings: Higher rises hitting above the navel offer coverage and styling versatility. Tuck tops into the wide waistband or allow it to peek out layered under blazers, shirts and sweaters. High-waisted leggings are especially flattering on shorter torsos.
Beyond solid black, today’s leggings represent an explosion of styles catering to different preferences. Mix and match different colors, prints, rises and lengths to find your perfect pair!
Caring for Your Leggings: Best Practices for Washing
Investing in quality leggings you love only goes so far if you don’t properly care for them in the washing machine. How you wash your leggings makes a big difference in maintaining their fit, fabric integrity, and longevity.
Follow these best practices for keeping your leggings looking and performing their best wash after wash:
Read the Care Instructions: The first step is checking the garment tag or brand website for any specific wash instructions. Some performance fabrics require gentle cycle washes in cold water while others might be bleach safe for sanitizing. Follow the recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
Wash in Cold Water: In general, washing leggings in cold water instead of hot avoids damage to elasticity and allows stains to remain dormant rather than setting in fabric. Hot water can degrade spandex and ruin any waterproof coatings over time. Save hot washes for sanitizing whites only.
Use a Gentle Cycle: Setting Vigorous agitation can be rough on leggings over many washes. A delicate or gentle cycle keeps them looking like new for longer since the laundry moves less abrasively through the basin. This prevents pilling and ripped seams.
Wash Like Colors Together: Grouping like-colored leggings together ensures the dyes don’t bleed onto lighter hues in the load. Wash black leggings separately from bright prints or pastels to prevent discoloration issues. And don’t overload the machine to allow garments to move freely.
Air Dry When Possible: Tossing leggings in the dryer risks shrinking elastic ribbing at the ankles and waistband. Laying flat or hanging dry eliminates heat damage, preserving the leggings’ fit and recovery. If dryer-drying, use low heat only. High heat ruins the spandex and shortens lifespan.
Use Powdered Detergent: Liquid detergents often contain ingredients harsh on performance fabrics. Powdered detergents provide an effective clean without added chemicals that degrade stretchy blends commonly used in leggings. Skip the fabric softener as well, which can inhibit moisture wicking.
Spot Treat Stubborn Stains: Rather than aggressively scrubbing stains that may damage fabric, use an oxygen-based stain remover or diluted dish soap. Lightly dab it onto marks before washing. Avoid bleach unless the care tag confirms it’s safe for the particular fabric blend.
Zip Zippers and Velcro: Securing zippers and Velcro closures before washing and drying avoids snags and ripped seams. Zip or snap any pockets shut too. This protects the leggings from pilling.
Wash with Garment Bag: A mesh wash bag adds an extra layer of protection by keeping leggings contained rather than twisting around other laundry items. The bag also traps lint and prevents stray strings or snaps from latching onto the leggings.
Invert Before Drying: Turn leggings inside out before placing in the dryer so the fabric rather than the fuzzier seam side contacts other garments. The inside-out position protects the exterior fabric appearance. Right side out drying can make seams deteriorate faster.
Check After Drying: Immediately remove leggings from the dryer if the load is still damp to prevent wrinkling. Use your hands to smooth out the fabric, then lay flat or hang to finish air drying. Avoid over-drying that can degrade elasticity over time.
Remove Pills Promptly: Use a de-pilling device or shaver gently on leggings as soon as fuzziness or pilling starts to develop. This keeps the fabric looking smooth. But be wary of shaving too aggressively as that can damage the material.
By following these best practices for laundry care, your leggings should maintain their color, fit, softness and performance for many wears. Always defer to the clothing label instructions, handle delicates gently, and take quick action against pills or stains so your leggings boast a long lifespan. With proper washing habits, your activewear and loungewear leggings will look as fabulous as the first time you put them on for years of comfortable wear.
How to Choose the Right Leggings for You
With so many leggings options available, keep these factors in mind when searching for your ideal pair online:
- Material – The fabric blend determines stretch, opacity, breathability and durability. Common blends include cotton, polyester, nylon and spandex or lycra.
- Rise – Choose high, mid or low rise leggings depending on personal preference and body type. Measure your natural waist to select a flattering height.
- Length – Standard legging inseams range from 28” to 32” but petite and tall lengths are also available. Make sure leggings are long enough for your legs.
- Intended Use – Leggings for working out should prioritize performance features while casual pairs can focus solely on comfort and style.
- Sizing and Fit – Size charts with exact garment measurements ensure you choose leggings that fit your unique proportions. Look for size-inclusive brands offering XS-4X.
- Price – Leggings range widely in cost from $10 fast fashion pairs to $100+ designer leggings. Determine your budget and cost per wear expectations.
Reviews of Workout Leggings from Athletic Brands
Lululemon
Known for its Luon fabric with proprietary Lycra fibers, Lululemon makes premium leggings that are durable, sweat-wicking and comfortable. The Align style offers a naked sensation and freedom of movement perfect for yoga while the Fast and Free line excels for running with zip pockets and reflective details. Expect to pay $98-$128 for the brand’s iconic workout leggings.
Athleta
Athleta designs high-quality leggings specifically for fitness in a wide variety of lengths, rises and patterns. The proprietary Powervita fabric provides stretch and sweat-wicking performance. Many styles incorporate useful details like ankle cuffs, side pockets and cross-back straps. Their leggings span from $69 for more basic designs to $129 for specialty fabrics.
Nike
Nike leggings utilize Dri-FIT technology to wick moisture during demanding training sessions. Expect a compression fit geared towards high performance activity rather than casual wear. Popular styles like the Epic Luxe, One Luxe, and Yoga Luxe balance compression with comfort thanks to a high spandex content. Standard pairs cost between $55-$150.
Adidas
For streetwear inspired workout leggings, Adidas offers fun colors, prints and textures crafted from sweat-wicking Climalite fabric. Many also have the anti-odor HEAT.RDY technology to neutralize sweat smells. Expect to pay $35-$65 for stylish leggings ideal for studio classes and everyday wear.
Under Armour
Under Armour specializes in breathable, quick-drying fabrics for intense training. Models like the Fly By and Rush boast mesh panels, anti-odor technology and adjustable waists. The Studio Lux line has a super soft fabric blend with 4-way stretch for yoga. Expect to invest $50-$100 for their workout leggings.
Reviews of Casual Leggings from Fast Fashion Retailers
American Eagle
This popular teen retailer offers a wide selection of printed cotton leggings starting at just $25. Their leggings come in high rise, mid rise and low rise options with elastic or adjustable drawstring waists. Lengths span from classic to cropped. Expect fun colors, prints, and details like side cut outs or back seam ruching.
Forever21
Known for its incredibly low prices, Forever21 is the place to buy basic leggings for less. Offering a rainbow of colors and prints, you can easily stock up on cozy cotton leggings for lounging and layering for under $10 each. Just don’t expect them to stand up to heavy activity.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo specializes in affordable basics with a focus on technology and performance. Their popular HeatTech fabric leggings and fleece-lined options offer warmth during winter along with moisture management when active. Clean silhouettes and modest colors make them wardrobe staples. Pairs typically cost $15-$30.
Fabletics
Actress Kate Hudson co-founded this brand focused on fun, bold activewear. Beyond leggings, Fabletics offers stylish tops and sports bras to help build an entire gym wardrobe. Their leggings span from basic solids to eye-catching prints starting at $49.95 for standard VIP Members.
Old Navy
This budget-friendly brand offers an abundance of leggings in extended sizing up to size 30 waist and 36 length. Their compression leggings with sculpting waists start at just $12 while cozy fleece lined and Sherpa soft styles excel for winter. Mix and match solids and prints galore in diverse models.
Reviews of Boutique Legging Brands and Startups
Outdoor Voices
Minimalist designs in muted neutrals define the Outdoor Voices legging aesthetic. Free of distracting logos and loud prints, their leggings excel for yoga, pilates and lounging. Signature fabrics include the lightweight Flex for versatility or the buttery-soft Textured Compression. Expect to pay $68-$95 per pair.
Girlfriend Collective
This size-inclusive brand produces eco-friendly leggings made from recycled water bottles and fishing nets. Offering Full-Length or 7/8 compressive styles, their fabric provides contouring stretch and sculpting compression without feeling restrictive. Pairs span $68-$88.
Beyond Yoga
Beyond Yoga leggings feature extra comfort details like wide ribs at the waistband and longer rises to prevent muffin tops. The spacedye fabric patterns help hide sweat stains during hot yoga and high intensity exercise. These luxury leggings range from $84-$110.
Yummie
Focused on shapewear, Yummie form-fitting leggings utilize revolutionary hCELL technology to emulsify fat cells and shrink the look of your silhouette. The digitally printed leggings also sculpt the butt and thighs. Invest $74-$88 for these slimming leggings.
Bandier
Bandier designer leggings strike the perfect balance between fashion and function. Choose from leather-look fabrics, mesh panel details, ankle cuffs and more unique touches. Bandier partners with exclusive brands to offer trendy leggings typically ranging from $75-$150.
The True Cost Per Wear of Leggings
While boutique designer leggings have higher price tags, their quality fabrics and construction allow them to withstand years of frequent wear. So the cost per actual use over time can make them a worthwhile investment compared to disposable fast fashion pairs.
Doing the math of cost divided by wears for your workout or go-to leggings helps determine their value. Spending a little more upfront for leggings you’ll wear weekly for years often works out cheaper in the long run over replacing poorly made pairs.
Find Your Perfect Pair
We hope this comprehensive guide to reviewing the leggings landscape helps you discover new brands and styles tailored to your needs, budget and tastes. Analyze sizing charts and fabric details closely before clicking purchase. Then enjoy stepping into your new favorite leggings that offer the ideal blend of comfort, performance and style.
