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The Best Yoga Pants You’ll Want to Keep on All Day Long

These pairs are approved for workouts or weekend lounging. (We won’t tell.)

best yoga pants from left to right: Lululemone; Outdoor Voices; Crane & Lion
Kayla Ramsey

Truth: We'd live in yoga pants if we could — and on the weekends we actually do. Over the years, we've worn our fair share of yoga pants. We've tested them out in yoga classes, worn them to hot yoga sessions, ran errands in them, and spent weeks of quarantine in the snug, stretchy pants. And what have we learned throughout it all? Not all yoga pants are created equal.

A good pair can truly make or break your workout (and your #OOTD selfie), so we did not take the challenge of finding the best pairs of yoga pants lightly.

We've tested out more than 30 different styles of yoga pants from more than 20 different brands, logging a collective 200-plus hours of yoga, pilates, grocery runs, couch lounging, and more.

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Testing Criteria
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During our testing, we evaluated each pair of yoga pants based on the following criteria:

Style: Are they fashionable or purely for working out?

Material: Is it breathable? Does it irritate your skin?

Fit: Are they flattering and true to size?

Function: Are the yoga pants made for a certain type of yoga? Can they handle hot yoga?

Movement: How did the pants feel during your workout? Did they stay in place during your various movements?

After collecting feedback from editors who participated in the test, we determined the best yoga pants worth spending your money on. Learn more about our top picks now.

Learn more about how we test products, from the questions we ask our testing team, to the types of products we feel are actually worth testing, to the overall time we put in to our testing process.

Best Overall
Lululemon Align Pant 25-Inch
Lululemon

When it comes to style, sweat-wicking, support, stretch, and overall comfort — these pants can’t be beat. Our editor Danielle St. Pierre said, “I get what all the hype around Lululemon is about! These might be my new favorite workout leggings.” 

Executive director Christine Anderson also raved about these pants, sharing: “I spent my entire weekend in these. I wore them to two hot yoga classes, washed them, and lounged in them the rest of the weekend. I walked the pups, ran errands, and watched movies. They’re just that comfortable.” Our editors especially love the subtle camo print, which they noted is super versatile.

Fit tip: These seem to run true to size. If you’re a medium, a size 8 will likely be your perfect fit.

More: The Best Yoga Socks for Those Who Want to Avoid Germs

Best Street Style
Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waisted Women's Moto Legging
Alo Yoga

Alo Yoga's moto leggings have this unspoken cool factor, so much so that you have to do a double-take to be sure you’re looking at leggings and not bad ass leather pants. 

ALO is a favorite brand among celebrities, and it’s because it’s passed many a paparazzi test. But beyond looks, these high-waisted pants fit snugly in all the right places, and never ride down during your workout. They run a bit thicker than your typical leggings, though, so we’d skip these for hot yoga — but highly recommend them for going from gym to grocery run.

Fit tip: They run true to size.

Most Trendy Yoga Set
Outdoor Voices 7/8 Springs Leggings
Outdoor Voices

You’ve likely seen these pants all over your Insta feed, and it’s because if we were to hand out an award to this pair of pants, they’d definitely win most popular. 

The Outdoor Voices aesthetic is instantly recognizable, says our art production manager Bridget Clegg. But beyond the design, she loved how she felt when she put them on. “The flattering downward-pointing triangle blocks of color felt lengthening and the material held me in without pinching anywhere. I love that they are a non-shiny material, too.”

They even passed our editors’ roll tests — the waistband didn’t move after a combined 3 hours of yoga, barre, and a run. Also for an extra $10 you can pick a matching top or bra so you look just like one of those influencers blowing up your feed.

Fit tip: Our editor recommends sizing up, as these pants fit especially snug in the cinched waistband.

Best for Basics
90 Degree by Reflex Power Flex Capri Pant
90 Degree by Reflex

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being basic. This affordable pair of black leggings fits the bill for everything you could want in a yoga pant. 

Our senior director of commerce partnerships, Emily Silverman, wore these to a spin class and she noted “I thought they fit really well. They were tight like leggings should be, but not so tight that you feel overly exposed or stuffed in. I loved how high-waisted they were, and the waistband never rolled down during class which can happen with some other pants.” 

Another editor, Melanie Yates, wore these to her yoga class and loved how sleek and straightforward they are. Neither tester found them particularly breathable, though, so these are not recommended for a hot day (or hot Bikram yoga class).

Fit tip: These run true to size per our editors.

Best Compression Yoga Pant
Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging
Girlfriend Collective

Fifty-two hours of testing later, and our executive director Christine Anderson called these pants “a dream.” She wore these to yoga class and as athleisure wear, and says they are “hands down my favorite pants for hot vinyasa yoga, running, and skiing. You just can’t beat the comfort level, the slimming look, the chic color palette, and the sustainable company practices.”

These pants are thick and fast-drying. And due to the compressive nature of these, there is zero bulge. You might have to pull a little to get them on and off, but better that than having them slip down during yoga class.

Fit tip: Our editors say these run true to size.

Softest Yoga Pants Ever
Lole Half Moon High-Waist Legging
Lole

Of all the 26 styles of yoga pants our team tested, these hands down were the softest. News and trends editor Caitlyn Fitzpatrick made us all want a pair after she said, “If I had to choose one pair of workout leggings to wear for the rest of my life, these would be it. I’ve never worn such soft, comfortable leggings before and I love them … It legit feels like you’re not wearing anything.”

“These are velvety soft to the touch and feel great against your body,” said tester Bridget Clegg. “The high-waist fit and long inseam is flattering and held up well when put to the test in a yoga class. The very top of the waist has a thin elastic band that is a bit tight but definitely prevents the pants from rolling down.”

Fit tip: These run true to size. 

Best High-Rise
Zella Live In High Waist Leggings
ZELLA

There comes a time in every woman's life where you make the switch from low-rise to high-rise. We love the 11-inch rise in these yoga pants — it helps us feel secure whether we're running errands or getting into wheel pose. Plus, the material is super soft and moisture-wicking, so they're perfect for a hot yoga class.

Art production manager Bridget Clegg says, "These leggings truly live up to their name. The soft fabric make them easy to lounge in all day long and the high waist keeps them in place during a workout. They’ve quickly become the first pair I grab after laundry day when I have all my options in place."

Best of all, these leggings can be put in the dryer! 

Fit tip: Fit true to size and also come in longer lengths.

Most Affordable
Aerie Chill High Waisted Legging
Aerie

These yoga leggings are a fraction of the price of other brands, yet the material is just as comfortable. Beauty editor Jen Hussein has been living in these for the last few weeks. "They’re so comfy and breathable, and they’re not sheer so I don’t feel like my butt is out for the world to see all day," she says.

The high-rise design and wide waistband are also super flattering, so you'll feel comfortable wearing these in a yoga class or just out and about.

Fit tip: These leggings fit true to size.

Best Yoga Shorts
Outdoor Voices STV.OV Hi-Rise Shorts
Outdoor Voices

Even with the most breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, there are some people who just can't handle pants in hot yoga. Director of SEO and content Erica Murphy is one of those people. 

"Even though pants make it easier to do some poses," she says, "I just get too hot and need my legs to breathe. These yoga shorts from Outdoor Voices are the perfect alternative — they have a longer inseam that keeps me feeling comfortable, a good high-rise for tummy control, and a super smooth fabric."

Fit tip: These run true to size.

How We Tested
yoga pants best 2019 
BestProducts.com

Hours researched: 35

Hours worn and tested: 200+

Products tested in-house: 26 pants from 19 different brands

Editors who helped with this review: 15

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