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If you're anything like me, you have a pair of emotional support yoga pants that have been through it with you. And while it still gets the job done, this pair may or may not be seven years old with pilling and ripped seams. Our yoga pants have seen better days and could use a replacement. Goodbyes are hard, but there's nothing like a new, stretchy pair of yoga pants or leggings to perk up your workout routine.
Good news! There are oh-so-many adorable options for doing real-deal yoga poses (or having a mobility sesh and lounging between WFH meetings). Whether you prefer a pair of leggings with pockets or compression leggings, this is the *perfect* opportunity to pick out a new selection (or three!) for the season.
Curious about what makes a noteworthy pair of yoga pants? When deciding which types are the best, we went straight to the most trustworthy source: real women. This list includes the best yoga pants our editors and testers can't shut up about that pass our rigorous sweat and wear tests.
Every option on this list includes spandex (otherwise known as elastane) for some solid stretch, because who wants stiff material during yoga? But where things differ is whether or not it's also made with nylon or polyester. Nylon is typically soft and known for its strength and durability. When nylon is combined with spandex, it makes for a super flexible, smooth pair of yoga pants that last a long time. It's also a super absorbent fabric, so if you're looking for something that sucks up sweat fast, this is the one!
Polyester is slightly rougher, meaning it's less slippery than nylon. It also doesn't pill as much and holds onto color longer. Compared to nylon it's much less absorbent, so sweat stains don't appear as fast as they might on nylon clothing. Where nylon is soft and strong, polyester is less likely to pill and wicks away moisture faster.
All the options on this list are high-rise. Why? During yoga you need something that stays up, holds your stomach in, and covers your midriff, especially because you're constantly switching positions. No matter what size you choose, the bands of your leggings should hit right at your belly button.
For the past three years, Women's Health editors, including contributor Jennifer Nied, contributor Kristine Thomason, executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, and associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner, reviewed the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated yoga pants. Our team personally tried many of the products and then sought out a team of anonymous testers to try out our final winners to narrow down the best yoga pants for a wide range of body types, workouts, and budgets.
Ready to move and groove? Allow us to introduce you to your next favorite pair of yoga pants.
After testing over a dozen pairs of yoga pants, we found Phisockat High-Waisted Yoga Pants stay in place and aren't see-through, so you can feel free to tackle all your toughest poses or HIIT workouts. The higher waistband also stood out, as it offers unmatched support and compression for the stomach area during every yoga pose. It's airy for super hot yoga classes and the material lifts sweat away from the skin.
We particularly love the pockets. While you may not need it during yoga class, it comes in handy when running errands before or after your sesh. The pockets are deep enough to hold keys, a phone, and a wallet. The fabric is ultra soft for coziness throughout your entire flow, and you really can't beat the price for two pairs of leggings!
Read More: Best Leggings With Pockets
If you're looking for a cropped option to add to your collection, look no further. This pair is super affordable without slacking on quality. It's high-waisted, squat-proof, thick, seamless, and smooth like butter -- everything you would ever need in yoga pants!
Our testers love wearing it to help keep cool during hot and stuffy conditions (gyms with subpar AC and hot yoga studios). However, the material is thicker, so it's also suitable for chilly temperatures. We found it's true to size and fits like a glove. A few testers also noticed it blurred any unwanted bumps and lumps on the legs -- score!
One con we found is it tends to roll down a bit during yoga poses, which we didn't find with other leggings on this list. While it doesn't slip down, it is a bit of an annoyance.
This pair of yoga pants is stretchy, supportive, and designed to minimize chafing since it has "interlocked seams" along the inseam. The waistband stays snug around the tummy area throughout the entire workout to keep you looking snatched.
Our testers also enjoy wearing the lightweight and breathable material for running. Cheers to no sweat stains! The side and inner pockets make it great for long runs, too, without using a fanny pack.
It's important to note the waistband is slightly tighter than other options on this list. For less constriction around the waist and a similar style, the Phisockat High-Waisted Yoga Pants belong in your cart.
If you haven't seen someone wearing the Alo Yoga Airbrush High-Waist Flutter Legging, NGL, you must be living under a rock. It's a favorite among multiple WH editors, and obsessed is an understatement! This particular style gets multiple wears a week, and not only includes workouts. It coordinates well with a t-shirt and blazer for work, or little kitten heels when painting the town red.
Our tester told us that it ticks the box for wearing to yoga and outside the studio. Not impressed yet? It's made with matte and breathable fabric, while there are slits at the hem to elevate the style. The only con our tester noted was that these pants can run a bit long, so the length may not work if you're on the petite side.
Everyone should have a good pair of joggers. Whether you're hitting a vinyasa flow or working from home, this looser type of yoga pant is super comfortable. This particular pair from Dragon Fit boasts breathability, stretchiness, and smoothness. Better yet, several testers noted lint and hair don't stick.
One of our testers wore it on a super long flight and noted it never felt constricting or uncomfortable despite it having a high waist. Plus, it comes in many fun colors (we'll take one of each!). We did notice the material is a bit slick rather than soft. When sitting on a slippery chair it will definitely cause you to slide.
Read More: The Best Joggers For Women
I won't lie to you -- the lululemon Align High-Rise Crop Legging is one of my all-time favorites because of its durability. I own six pairs! Besides yoga, it's great for hanging out at home, running, and lifting. It's often being washed, and I have never noticed any pilling, deterioration, or color loss throughout the years.
The fabric is so soft that it may be the most comfortable option on this list! The sweat-wicking material is also perfect for the hottest sweat sessions to keep you cool.
The only con I've noticed is the fabric slightly stretches out, but this is after years of wear. This isn't a deal breaker for me as I prefer my yoga pants to be a bit looser, but it's something to note if you like a super snug fit. It's on the pricier end, so if you're seeking an affordable similar style, the HeyNuts Yoga Capri Leggings are better for you.
A taller girl like myself is dedicated to buying a 7/8 length since it always hits just above my ankles (the perfect fit!). Our other taller testers agree and wear this style for working out or chilling at home. The contouring fabric is comfortable when clinging to your body, while the four-inch high-waist tucks everything in.
One of our testers is a big cycler and loves to wear a pair for biking workouts. She tells us that it's easy to move in and doesn't show sweat during even the most intense workouts (!!). The pants also come with two pockets large enough to hold a smartphone.
Looking to switch up your legging game while still maximizing comfort and functionality? Go for the lululemon Align Mini-Flared Pant. Aside from the adorable style (hello, subtle flare), the four-way stretch material will keep you moving at peak performance while wicking away sweat. Oh, and there's a back drop-in pocket to hold necessities securely.
We love the slightly flared silhouette to switch things up from our closet of skinny leggings. The fabric moves with you and the high waistband stays put without digging in, which is an absolute must for us super-active editors.
Some testers noted that this was not the most flattering style tried on because they don't love the flared look. If that's the case, the OG Align leggings on this list will have you obsessed.
We found a pair of plus-sized yoga pants that hug curves in all the right places. The comfy material is thick and machine-washable, which is a pro, testers say.
The biggest pros are a waistband that doesn't ride down, no tags to avoid irritation, and flatlock seams to prevent chafing, which means it won't accentuate the areas you want to smooth.
Our tester who is on the curvier side says the fit isn't too tight in the waist or the legs, nor is it too baggy in the leg V-area. Plus, she loves that it's super soft but still thick to avoid any underwear shadows. She liked it so much, that she bought a second pair! P.S. her husband said it made her butt look good (wink, wink).