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11 best yoga leggings and pants, tried and tested by a panel of yogis
Savasana in style with our expert-approved picks
Tested by Kim HawleyHealth and Fitness Tester
The benefits of yoga are well documented, so it's no wonder the popularity of classes and demand for the best yoga leggings has surged.
“From boosting your mood and improving your quality of sleep to easing stress and relieving anxiety, it does wonders for your holistic health,” explains Liz Joy Oakley, head of wellness at MoreYoga. “It’s also great for building mental and physical resilience, supporting the cardiovascular system, building strength and much more.”
“Yoga isn’t about the shapes you can make or how flexible you are, it’s about reconnecting with yourself, doing something good for your body and giving yourself a break from a busy pace of life,” she adds.
But with so many styles to choose from, how do you know which are actually worth splashing out on? To give you a helping hand, our Good Housekeeping Institute experts rolled out their mats and got to work trialling a range of leggings from top brands, including Sweaty Betty, Lululemon and Adanola.
Read on for detailed reviews, but here are the best yoga leggings for 2025 at a glance:
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Read more: Pair your new leggings with the best yoga mats and best yoga blocks
How to choose yoga leggings
According to Oakley, there are a few things to consider when it comes to choosing the perfect yoga leggings.
Comfort: First up, choosing a pair of leggings that fits you well and feels comfortable is key, so you can give the class your full attention. “I like my leggings to feel like a second skin, rather than cutting into me and making me feel self-conscious or uncomfortable,” says Oakley.
Fit: Yoga leggings are generally less compressive than standard gym leggings. While some people prefer compressive fabric to help them feel supported and cinched in, it’s a good idea to opt for yoga leggings that are flexible and won’t restrict your movement too much.
Quality: Oakley says it’s also important to prioritise quality – after all, you want to invest in a pair that will be with you for the long run. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have put every pair of leggings below through rigorous testing in the lab and sent them out for real-world testing, so you can be sure they won’t fall apart or change colour after a few wears.
Sweat wicking: If you plan on wearing your leggings for hot yoga or energetic vinyasa flows, then it’s worth choosing a breathable, sweat-wicking pair. They will stop you from feeling damp, sticky and uncomfortable as you pick up the pace.
How we test
We recruited a panel of testers, all of whom know their downward dog from their child’s pose, to try out a range of leggings.
Each pair was tested by up to eight people, who wore them for at least three low-impact workouts, including yoga, barre and Pilates. After the trial period, our yogis reported back on a range of factors, including design, fit, comfort and, most importantly, performance.
Back at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts also carried out wash tests to check for any shrinkage or colour fade. Here are the leggings that came out on top...
Score: 94/100
BAM is renowned for its practical yet comfy yoga wear and after trialling the brand’s signature palazzo pants, we understand the hype. Our testers were huge fans of the stylish wide-leg design, saying they’d received plenty of compliments from fellow yogis. “I’ve already ordered more pairs in different colours!” one satisfied panellist told us, while another said: “I’ve recommended them to my friends and family.”
Good looks aside, they were a dream for restorative yoga classes, stretch sessions and meditation. Testers felt free and unrestricted as they flowed between poses, and found the fabric extremely cool and comfy, even when it was hot outside. The wide stretchy waistband and roomy pockets were the icing on the cake.
Due to the wide-leg style and length, testers felt these pants wouldn’t be suitable for dynamic yoga or more vigorous workouts. You can happily wear them when running errands or lounging around at home, though.
Key specifications
| Sizes | 8-16 |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 68% Bamboo Viscose, 28% Organic Cotton, 4% Elastane |
| Style | High waisted, wide-leg |
Score: 93/100
These luxe leggings aren't cheap, but when it comes to quality, they’re tough to beat. Our testers found them supremely comfortable and couldn't get enough of the flattering high-waisted fit and blissfully soft material. One particularly enthusiastic panellist declared that she could “live in them all day and all year.”
But trendy SoCal brand Vuori doesn’t sacrifice practicality for comfort. They stayed in place during even the most energetic flows and allowed our testers to move freely. They did a stellar job of wicking away moisture as well, making them suitable for hot yoga sessions.
They’re also a dream if you like to live in activewear – our editors will be pairing them with oversized jumpers and trainers for the foreseeable future.
| Sizes | XXS – XXL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Recycled polyester, elastane |
| Style | High waisted |
Score: 92/100
We had high hopes when Lululemon’s legendary Align pants arrived in our test lab, and they didn’t disappoint. They really are as buttery soft as everyone says, with our panel raving about their “premium” feel. One tester even told us: “These are the best leggings I’ve ever worn!”
Yoga may look easy, but after a few fiery vinyasa flows, things can get hot and sweaty. That’s not something you’ll need to worry about with these Lulus – they wicked away moisture in an instant. Post-yoga, you can get on with your day, without feeling damp or uncomfortable in these high-quality leggings. Granted, they are an investment, but if you have the money to spend, we think they’re worth it.
They washed well and dried quickly, with no shrinkage noted. As a bonus, they come in a range of gorgeous shades, to keep you looking and feeling fresh.
Key specifications
| Sizes | 4 – 24 |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Nylon, Lycra elastane |
| Style | High waisted |
Score: 89/100
As the name suggests, this Vuori pair boasts pockets: two roomy ones on each side as well as a hidden pocket in the waistband – ideal if you need somewhere to stash your bits and bobs at the gym.
Practicality aside, our yogis thought they were extremely flattering and said they would happily wear them for everything from dog walks to brunch. They provided a figure-hugging fit, yet still allowed total freedom of movement during yoga flows, and the soft, four-way stretch material meant they scored highly for comfort, too. “I’m honestly obsessed with these leggings,” one tester told us. Same.
Key specifications
| Sizes | XXS - XXL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyester, elastane |
| Style | High rise 7/8s |
Score: 87/100
If you’re new to yoga and don’t fancy spending over the odds on your kit, let us introduce you to Decathlon’s great value yoga range. Despite the budget price tag, these lightweight leggings put in an impressive performance on test – they were breathable, sweat wicking and stayed firmly in place throughout our sessions, without sagging, bunching up or sliding down.
The seamless design meant there was no annoying chafing either – plus, they look the part thanks to the high-waist design and floral pattern. For under £20, they’re a total steal.
Key specifications
| Sizes | 2- 22 |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyamide, elastane |
| Colours | High-waisted 7/8s |
Score: 86/100
Although they’re not specifically designed for yoga, Gymshark’s popular Vital Seamless leggings are the dream for hot, sweaty flows. They’re made from high-tech, moisture-wicking fabric, with breathable mesh dots designed to keep sweat at bay. Sure enough, our testers confirmed they didn’t feel sticky or uncomfortable in these leggings, even during their most challenging workouts. “I never sweated through them, and they made feel confident,” said one panellist.
Although they’re on the compressive side, we found they didn’t dig in or restrict movement. Plus, they didn’t need pulling up every five minutes (hurrah!). They come in 16 different colourways, with a matching top if you’re a fan of co-ords.
We’d recommend sizing up to ensure comfort.
Key specifications
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Nylon, elastane |
| Style | High waisted |
Sweaty Betty Power UltraSculpt High Waisted Gym 7/8 Leggings
Score: 86/100
Sweaty Betty’s leggings were praised for their flattering design – even testers who had previously avoided wearing yoga leggings said they felt happy wearing them to the shops or running errands.
They’re comfortable enough to wear all day and offer just the right amount of stretch for sun salutations, although the fabric is fairly thick, making them better suited to slower, more restorative classes.
The waistband also became tight after extended wear for some, while others said they fell down slightly. Despite these niggles, these leggings scored highly with both petite and plus size testers for low-impact exercise.
Key specifications
| Sizes | XXS - XXL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyamide, elastane |
| Style | High-waisted 7/8s |
Score: 85/100
While performance is key, we’re also after a pair of leggings that look the business. Fortunately, Adanola understood the assignment. Our panel praised the wrap waist design, which was flattering on all body shapes, and everyone appreciated the seam-free panel at the front to prevent the dreaded ‘camel toe’ effect.
Although they’re not designed to wick away sweat, they did an impressive job of keeping everyone cool and comfy in dynamic yoga classes. The waistband wasn’t restrictive, and they were wonderfully soft and comfy to wear, both during yoga and for relaxing on the sofa. We found they came up a touch small, so size up for a comfortable fit.
Key specifications
| Sizes | XXS - XXXL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Recycled polyamide, elastane |
| Style | High rise, wrap-over waist |
Score: 79/100
One for lovers of bright colours and bold patterns, CRZ certainly knows how to combine style and performance. These leggings are brimming with impressive features, including “luxurious” velvety soft fabric, excellent moisture wicking capabilities and a hidden pocket in the waistband. Additionally, they strike the perfect balance between comfortable and compressive.
The shorter testers among our panel found them too long, but they’re an ideal length for those with long limbs. Coming in at £25, they’re yet more proof that you don’t have to spend over the odds for an effective pair of yoga leggings.
Key specifications
| Size | 6-16 |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Polyamide, Spandex |
| Style | High waisted |
Score: 78/100
Our testers felt these leggings had a real luxury feel thanks to the extra-soft fabric. They scored highly for comfort and one tester even likened them to their pricier Lululemon leggings. You’ll be glad to know that they still come at high-street prices though, punching well above their modest price tag.
Key specifications
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 81% polyamide and 18% elastane |
| Style | High-waisted |
Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Legging
Score: 76/100
Even if you can’t touch your toes, or your downward dog is a little wonky, if you’re wearing Alo Yoga leggings, you can fake it till you make it. Rosie Huntington-Whitley, Halle Berry and Kendall and Kylie Jenner have all been photographed in its stylish sets, so rest assured they’ll look just as good on the street as they do in the studio. “I totally get the hype around them,” said one tester.
Many panel members commented on how versatile they were, thanks to their squat-proof and sweatproof capabilities. They all also praised the comfort and compression, which one told us wasn’t too tight but still made them feel supported, and “snatched”.
Key specifications
| Sizes | XXS-XL |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 82% polyester and 18% elastane |
| Style | High waisted |
The verdict on yoga leggings
If you're after a pair of comfortable yoga pants for gentle, restorative sessions and daily wear, our winner, the BAM Horizon Yoga Palazzo Pants is an excellent choice.
For more vigorous sessions, and if you're more of a legging fan, our Vuori Clean Elevation Legging should be on your radar, and if you're on a budget, we love these CRZ yoga leggings for under £25.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market – from the best LED face masks to the best under desk elliptical bikes. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.
Kim Hawley is the health and wellness tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for a range of health and wellness products, including yoga leggings. She has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, with a level 4 personal training qualification, a nutrition qualification and over 20 years of experience working in leading health clubs across the UK.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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