12 Best Workout Leggings That Don't Roll Down, According to Testing

These compressive Lululemon leggings helps support you during strenuous, high-impact exercise like running or CrossFit. The hidden drawcord in the waistband holds this pair perfectly in place. One tester shared, "When I bent my body and moved around, the leggings stayed put."

They come in a wide variety of options including 23-, 25-, 28- and 31-inch inseams and colors like blues, greens and browns. We recommend the version of these leggings with pockets if you love having your phone and essentials easily accessible, but note they are more expensive.

If I am heading to the gym, this is my go-to pair of leggings. Whether I'm lifting weights, jogging on the treadmill or doing a core workout, the waistband stays put without digging in. The snug fit is flattering and looks great in and out of the gym. They have a smooth feel, but are still soft to the touch, wicking away sweat easily even during high-impact workouts.

"These are my new favorite leggings," said one tester, and several others echoed the sentiment. Testers loved the soft, smooth fabric that offers comfortable compression. It was fully opaque in our tests, making this pair totally "squat proof," but some testers preferred a less compressive fit.

Up to the challenge of your sweatiest high-impact workouts, this pair proved to be durable. It showed minimal shrinkage after laundering and no pilling in our Lab evaluations. The fabric immediately wicked away moisture, so it will help to keep you dry.

Available sizes: 0–20| Material: 77% nylon, 23% Lycra elastane | Length: 23", 25", 28" and 31"

RELATED: 10 Best Lululemon Leggings, Tested and Reviewed

These affordable Colorfulkoala leggings outperformed other styles that sell for quadruple the price. The soft polyester/spandex fabric provides comfy compression, making this a great pick for low-impact workouts. The fabric maintained its shape after being stretched in the Lab and stayed in pristine condition workout after workout, although it had lower moisture management scores and wasn't fully opaque.

When I saw that these leggings were just $25, I was shocked because I prefer wearing these leggings over many $100 pairs. The wide waistband fit my waist perfectly without rolling down or slipping. The fabric wasn't fully opaque during deep squats but was perfect for lower impact exercise. The 25-inch inseam was a bit short on my tall frame. The side pockets were super convenient when wearing this pair on a neighborhood stroll or errand run.

These leggings received the highest consumer score out of all the pairs we tested. One tester even said, "I like them better than my other high-end, expensive workout leggings." When they learned the price, all testers reported that they planned to buy more pairs. One tester said she wore this pair for all types of exercise "from HIIT and lifting to yoga and Pilates." With over 49,000 Amazon reviews, this pick comes in 27 color options to show off your personality while at the gym.

Available sizes: XS–XL | Material: 75% polyester, 25% spandex | Length: 7/8 (25")

These stretchy leggings are best sellers on Amazon with more than 59,000 reviews and an average 4.6-star rating — and they cost around just $25 per pair. I wore them during workouts to see how they stacked up: for the price, this versatile pair of leggings is definitely worth trying out.

The pair was fully opaque, even when bending into yoga poses, which isn't common with many affordable leggings. They aren't as high-waisted as other leggings I've tested, so more of my stomach was exposed than I would prefer. Because the inseam on Amazon is listed as 19.7 inches for a size M, I thought they would be short on my tall frame, but they weren't. I measured them in Lab and the inseam was actually 27 inches long.

Online reviewers especially liked the inclusion of two spacious side pockets as well as the comfy, not-too-compressive fit that's ideal for exercising and lounging too. One thing that users noted is that there isn't as much tummy control as they were expecting. Still, they described this pair as soft and comfortable and confirmed that they aren't see-through. They're available in 18 colors.

Available sizes: XS–3X | Material: 77% polyester, 23% spandex | Length: Full length

These leggings are made of a super-smooth fabric that wicks moisture and reduces friction for exercise that involves a lot of sweat and movement. They're also more compressive than many other pairs, which can help with muscle fatigue. Plus, they have pockets that lie flat in case you need to carry anything with you.

Under Armour leggings are always favorites in our tests, especially for their comfort, breathability and durability. I especially liked wearing this pair of sleek leggings on runs because the compressive fit helped support my legs. Since I only run shorter distances, I partnered with testers who regularly run 5+ miles. One tester said, "They fit very well and stayed put during high-intensity exercise."

Because of the compressive fit, testers said this pair wasn't as comfy to wear outside the gym. If you're going to be running in cold weather, we recommend the brand's ColdGear Leggings which are fleece-lined yet still breathable for your run.

Available sizes: XS–XXL with tall and short inseams | Material: 100% polyester | Length: Full length

You may never want to take off these yoga pants. And the good news is they perform well during workouts and they're comfortable enough to wear as loungewear. The fabric is incredibly lightweight and smooth, and they have a versatile fit for a variety of body types that won't dig in or roll at the waist.

The wide waistband is extremely flattering. I felt immediately confident as soon as I put this pair on because the waistband laid flat with no digging in. Plus, the material is buttery soft, so they felt great for all-day wear.

"These leggings are insanely soft," said one tester. "They have a lightweight feel that is cozy like a second skin. They didn't feel compressive or too snug yet they looked very flattering. I didn't want to take them off!" They are known to pill a bit more than other workout leggings, so we suggest washing them inside out on the delicate cycle and letting them air dry to prevent that. Since they're more lightweight, they're best suited for low-impact exercise.

Available sizes: 0–20 | Material: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane | Length: 25", 28" and 31"

Studio loyalists will appreciate the compressive, high-waist fit of this Athleta pair. Optimal for yoga, Pilates and barre classes, the brand's signature Powervita nylon/Lycra fabric is the perfect combination of soft and smooth. I regularly wear this pair to yoga classes because of the soft material that doesn't get too sweaty even in hot yoga studios. I appreciated the two spacious side pockets to hold my phone and wallet when on the go.

All testers agreed that this pair is "extremely flattering" and "supportive while still being comfortable," offering great coverage for group fitness classes. After our wash test, we noticed no changes in appearance and they still looked as good as new with only slight shrinkage. The fabric proved to be pill-resistant and moisture-wicking too, but it stretched out a bit during stretch recovery tests.

Available sizes: XXS–3X with tall and petite sizing | Material: Nylon/Lycra | Length: Regular/Plus: 27"; Petite: 25"; Tall: 30"

RELATED: Best Yoga Pants, Tested and Reviewed

Designed specifically for lifting, Gymshark's Adapt collection features these seamless leggings with a high-waisted, ribbed waistband that'll stay up. Without a front crotch seam like most leggings, this pair helps prevent cameltoe or any uncomfortable digging in while squatting low or doing RDLs. Note that this pair is only available in one length (30.5 inches) which some testers found "a tad long."

One tester who is an avid weightlifter said this pair is one of her favorites to wear while lifting, thanks to its compressive fit. She said, "I also loved how they looked on my shape. They were very flattering giving you an hourglass shape because the waist has a design that hugs your curves. They are compressive without being constrictive or tight." These were a tester favorite for their thicker feel that's totally squat-proof. They're available in eight colors.

Available sizes: XXS–XXL | Material: 79% nylon, 15% polyester, 6% elastane | Length: Full length

A bit of sheen makes this pair of Alo Yoga leggings a trendy option for workouts and casual wear alike. The sleek material is lightweight to easily move with you through exercises though it doesn't feel as substantial as other pairs. One tester reported that they were "very comfortable for everyday loungewear and almost any workout." I always reach for this pair of leggings when I'm heading to brunch straight from a Pilates class. The shiny material made my legs look long and lean.

The material aced stretch recovery testing and showed no pilling whatsoever during Lab evaluations, but it did shrink a bit after extensive laundering. While the leggings received high scores overall for comfort and breathability, some testers found them a bit see-through during squats, and we agreed in our Lab testing. This pair is currently available in 16 colors; we love the bright color options as most leggings are only sold in darker, neutral shades.

Available sizes: XXS–XL | Material: 77% polyester, 23% spandex | Length: 7/8 (XXS, XS & S: 24.25”, M. L & XL: 24.75”)

These Girlfriend leggings were a tester favorite, and the fabric is made using about 25 plastic bottles per pair to lessen their environmental impact. The thicker material offers snug compression ideal for high-impact activities, and one tester said they're "more comfortable than my other leggings." The fabric showed some pilling in the Lab but maintained its shape during stretch recovery evaluations and after extensive laundering. But note this pair is hang-dry only.

The brand offers a variety of options in this style, including a lot of colors, three inseam lengths and sizes ranging from XXS through 6XL. "I appreciate that the brand is very size-inclusive," said one tester. "I like being able to support an ethical fashion line whose ideals align with mine."

Testers especially liked that the waistband stayed put with one tester who noted, "I even reach for these over running shorts because I know the waistband will stay in place no matter how fast I sprint."

Available sizes: XXS–6XL | Material: 79% recycled plastic bottles (RPET), 21% spandex | Length: 19.5", 23.75" and 28.5"

Compression leggings can help increase blood flow, reduce muscle fatigue and prevent strain before, during and after workouts. These capris are especially popular with online reviewers who have knee issues.

Because of the very snug fit, they're a bit harder to get on than regular leggings. You'll need to make sure they're properly aligned since the support panels are designed to offer different levels of compression throughout your legs; the support panels are designed to go above and below your knees to help with stability. Ensuring proper panel placement should also make it easier for you to find the right fit.

An interior adjustable drawstring also helps achieve a perfect fit. They're made with a wicking material to prevent overheating.

Available sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 80% polyester, 20% spandex | Length: Capri

RELATED: Best Compression Leggings, According to Textile Experts

We're all guilty of wearing leggings as pants, so pick a pair that actually feel good. Styles designed for high-intensity workouts that are too compressive or restrictive will simply be uncomfortable when you're relaxing. Testers said this pair of Aerie leggings is extremely comfy when lounging with a "super soft" feel and "comfy fit." Highlighting the crossover waistband, one tester said, "The overall fit of them is very flattering, as it accentuates the waist."

I always wear the yoga pants version of these leggings when traveling because they're super lightweight to prevent overheating while on the move. In our Lab evaluations, we found this pair to be less suited for exercise, as it stretched out after stretch recovery tests and was a bit see-through.

Available sizes: XXS–XXL with short and tall options | Material: 88% nylon, 12% elastane | Length: 7/8 (Short: 23", Regular, 25", Long: 27")

In the winter months, continue enjoying outdoor workouts with a pair of cozy, fleece-lined leggings. This popular style from L.L. Bean has a soft brushed interior that helps trap heat to keep you warmer in cold temps. This pair is fully opaque to wear on its own on hikes, but it also makes a great base layer to wear under ski pants when hitting the slopes.

There's a hidden drawcord to keep this pair made of Primaloft in place and a zippered back pocket for essentials. It's available in a range of sizes with regular, petite and plus sizes with two inseams. Like all fleece-lined leggings, this pair is prone to pilling.

Available sizes: XS–3X | Material: 48% polyester, 43% nylon, 9% spandex | Length: Regular: 28", Petite: 26", Medium Tall: 30", Plus: 28"

RELATED: Best Fleece-Lined Leggings to Stay Cozy All Winter