The Best Leggings for Every Type of Activity, from Celeb-Loved Styles for HIIT to Flight-Ready Pairs

Whether you're sweating through Peloton, Pilates or errands, we've rounded up the best leggings for every fitness and athleisure enthusiast alike.

By Danielle Directo-Meston

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Danielle Directo-Meston

E-Commerce Editor

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Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best workout leggings to help you stay strong through summer and beyond. Designed with both functionality and fashion in mind, these options are beloved by fitness enthusiasts and Hollywood stars alike, proving that a little style can go a long way in powering your pursuit of a healthier (and flexible) you.

BEST Overall

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

Sizes: 0-20
Inseam lengths: 23, 25, 28 and 31 inches
Material: 80% nylon, 20% lycra elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: N/A

$98-$118 at lululemon

Lululemon continues to lead the activewear scene with its innovative designs and versatile pieces. The Align high-rise leggings, loved by celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, are made from the brand’s signature buttery-soft Nulu fabric for all-day comfort. With four-way stretch and breathability, they’re ideal for yoga and perfect for running errands or lounging, providing support and flexibility for whatever your day has in store. Also available with pockets.

Most Versatile

Nike One Women’s High-Waisted Full-Length Leggings

Sizes: XXS-XXL / 00-22
Inseam lengths: 29 inches
Material: 80% polyester, 20% spandex
Support: Medium to high
UPF rating: N/A

$60 at nike

There are reasons why Nike is a favorite among athletes. The sportswear brand’s One leggings provide enough support during yoga, runs and strength training while offering enough stretch to keep you flexible and comfortable. They’re also made of Nike’s signature Dri-Fit material that keeps you dry as you’re sweating. Another thing to love: they’re available in different lengths and with pockets, and match seamlessly with the rest of Nike’s One apparel line.

Best Value

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

Sizes: XXS-XL / 00-20
Inseam lengths: 29 inches
Material: 88% polyester, 12% spandex
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: N/A

$59 at Nordstrom

For affordable activewear options, don’t overlook Nordstrom’s in-house brand, Zella. The label’s Live In High Waist Leggings is made from the company’s proprietary Zeltek fabric that stays cool while you sweat and stays put as you move. The comfortable elastic waistband is finished with a hidden pocket.

BEST FOR YOGA

Beyond Yoga Spacedye At Your Leisure High-Waisted Midi Legging

Sizes: XXS-XXL / 00 to 22
Inseam length: 24 inches
Material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: 50+

$99 at beyond yoga

Beyond Yoga’s buttery-soft Spacedye fabric is the reason behind its bestselling activewear — including these high-waisted crossover waistband leggings. We’ve long been fans of the sleek, seam-free design along the outside of the leg and the material’s four-way stretch, making each sun salutation and deep stretch feel (no pun intended) seamless. The fabric offers UV protection, adding an extra layer of reassurance in the sun. Also available with pockets.

Best Ribbed leggings

Carbon 38 High Rise Leggings

Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam lengths: 29 inches
Material: 77% polyester, 22% spandex
Support: Medium
UPF rating: N/A

$108 at Carbon38

Sleek, sculpting and oh-so-flattering, the Carbon38 High Rise Legging in Ribbed Melt are a game-changer for both workouts and everyday wear. Designed with a high-rise waistband that hugs in all the right places, these leggings offer the perfect blend of compression and stretch for a supportive yet comfortable fit. The ribbed texture adds a stylish touch, making them just as chic for a coffee run as they are for a sweat session.

BEST Compressive

Alo 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Legging

Sizes: XXS-XL (00-18)
Inseam lengths: 24.5 and 28 inches
Material: 82% polyester, 18% elastane
Support: Medium to high
UPF rating: N/A

$128 at alo

Bella Hadid and Megan Thee Stallion are among the stars who’ve been spotted in Alo’s high-waisted Airlift leggings, which are made of the brand’s sleek, high-compression and supportive material designed for high-intensity activities (such as HIIT). For those under 5 feet, 5 inches, the brand recommends the 7/8 leggings with a 24.5 inch inseam.

best for lounging

SPANXsmooth SoftStretch Full-Length Leggings

Sizes: XS-3X
Inseam lengths: 26.5, 28.5 and 31.5 inches
Material: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: N/A

$98 at spanx

Spanx leggings offer ultimate comfort with soft, stretchy fabric and a supportive high-rise waistband. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Meghan Markle have worn this silhouette that offers a blend of luxury and ease — fit for lounging or casual wear.

BEST SIZE-INCLUSIVE

Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Leggings

Sizes: XXS-6XL
Inseam lengths: 23.75, 28.5 and 31 inches
Material: 79% recycled water bottles (RPET), 21% spandex
Support: Medium to high
UPF rating: N/A

$88 at girlfriend collective

Girlfriend’s high-rise leggings have been our go-to since 2016, when we — along with thousands of others — gave the then-free product a shot with just $20 shipping. Nearly a decade later, the material (a blend of spandex with fabric made of plastic water bottles) still gives us that held-in, supportive feeling, thanks to the compressive, high-waisted design. There’s also a convenient hidden back pocket that’s big enough to hold your cards or keys. Available with pockets.

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY

All In Motion Women’s Everyday Soft Ultra High-Rise Pocketed Leggings

Sizes: XS-3X
Inseam lengths: 26.75 to 29.75 inches
Material: 79% nylon, 21% spandex
Support: Medium to high
UPF rating: 50+

$25 at target

At just $25, Target’s All in Motion leggings offer the best bang for your buck: the stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric has a UPF 50+ rating for sun protection and the silhouette features side pockets, making them great for runners, hikers and anyone else who wants to stay hands-free. They’re finished with a supportive power mesh waistband and are designed to hold up during HIIT and everyday errands alike.

Most Affordable with UPF

Halara Softlyzero Crossover Pocket Plain Leggings

Sizes: XS-3X
Inseam lengths: 21, 25 and 28 inches
Material: 85% nylon, 15% elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: 50+

$30 at halara

Halara is gaining popularity on TikTok for its curve-flattering designs and soft, stretchy and super-lightweight Softlyzero fabric. With UPF 50+ protection, four-way stretch and breathable, moisture-wicking material, these leggings are ideal for outdoor activities. We like the crossover waist style and the side pockets, too.

Best for Flights

Quince Ultra-Form Tie Waist High-Rise Legging

Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam lengths: 27.5 inches
Material: 52% recycled polyamide, 40% recycled polyester, 8% elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: 50+

$45 at Quince

Quince’s Ultra-Form Tie Waist High-Rise Legging is one of our favorites for long-haul flights. The moisture-wicking fabric manages to still feel cool (and buttery-soft) even when we’re rushing through terminals, and the material is comfortable enough to sleep in without feeling too compressive. We also like that the tie waist adds a not-too-casual finishing touch.

Best for travel

Vuori AllTheFeels Slim Flare Leggings

Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam lengths: 31 inches
Material: 75% recycled polyamide, 25% elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: 50+

$118 at Vuori

For something that feels more like your everyday lounge pants (especially while running around town or traveling), we love Vuori’s AllTheFeels slim flare leggings. This pair is made from the label’s signature BlissBlend performance fabric that has four-way stretch and wicks away moisture. We particularly love these for shorter flights as the high waistband and flared silhouette look instantly chic, eliminating the need to change out of your airport ‘fit.

Best Butt-Enhancing

Tala Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Legging

Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam lengths: 27.5 inches
Material: 52% recycled polyamide, 40% recycled polyester, 8% elastane
Support: Low to medium
UPF rating: 50+

$69 at Tala

For those who want a little derriere lift, try Tala’s Sculpt Seamless Scrunch leggings. The seamless sculpting silhouette offers medium support and a scrunch design at the back that “enhances your natural curves,” the brand notes.

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The Best Leggings for Every Type of Activity, from Celeb-Loved Styles for HIIT to Flight-Ready Pairs

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