Leggings aren’t just for working out anymore. Because of the WFH era and the fact that they are generally comfortable, they are now used as workout clothes, work clothes, casual clothes, and, of course, loungewear. Leggings have become a wardrobe staple, and they can be worn for many different tasks. Leggings get a lot of use, from pilates classes to hot girl walks around the neighborhood. Maybe that’s why we can never have enough of them.
Perhaps you’ve wondered, “Which leggings brands are best for me”? So, whether you’re headed to a workout session or an expensive bottomless bowl brunch. We’ve compiled a list of the top less expensive leggings brands to help you pick your next favorite pair for a workout or casual use.
Best Leggings Brands
#1. Athleta
Leggings from Athleta are made for people who are always on the go. They have pants for everyone, whether you want to run errands, go to sports practice, or just hang out at home. Also, these pants are known for lasting a long time, which means they cost very little per wear. They come in many different styles and sizes, from XXS to 3X, including high-waisted, printed, 7/8-length, and more. Not only do these leggings feel like nothing when you put them on, but they also last a long time. Of all other brands, Athleta is known for making the best-selling leggings for a workout or studio practice and they are not all expensive.
Size Range: XXS-3X | Price Range: $89-$129 | Lengths: Petite, Regular, and Tall
#2. Alo Yoga
Yoga practitioners all over the world need leggings that are strong and breathable so they can move and twist in any pose. For them, Alo’s pants are just that. They are light and cool, which makes them perfect for doing yoga or pilates. Since celebrities like them (Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner, and Alessandra Ambrosio wear them all the time), you can bet they’re doing something right. It’s important to know that these are long, so if you’re shorter than average, we suggest getting a shorter length. Each season, the Airlift come out with less expensive but more colorful leggings than most brands, and they are one of the most famous leggings seen in workout or yoga studios.
Size Range: XXS-L | Price Range: $98-$128 | Lengths: N/A
#3. Aerie
Leggings with a high waist are made to be comfortable and to move with you as you move. Also, they keep holding you in all the right places. At Aerie, they keep all of this in mind when they make high-waisted pants. Andrea Jagaric, Chief Design Officer at Aerie, OFFL/NE by Aerie, and Unsubscribed, says, “We’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with what we can do with these tall waistbands. We’re always pushing ourselves to try new things, like our viral Crossover “V” shape in Real Me, which has super flattering lines and is now available in foldover.”
You should also check out the OG Offline High-Waisted Leggings and the new Double Crossover Leggings. What’s the best? Prices start at about $50, but they are often on sale, so you can get a good deal.
Size Range: XXS-XXL | Price Range: $50-$65 | Lengths: N/A
#4. LULULEMON
Leggings from Lululemon are perfect if you’ve finally chosen to start running again and need some workout clothes. Their Fast and Free pants are slim and light, which makes them perfect for running. They even have pockets so you can bring something to eat with you. Stephanie Valponi, a stylist at Stitch Fix, says that if you want to use it for a bike ride or a run, you should look for a pair with pockets that will keep your things close and out of your hands.
People like to wear Lululemon’s Align pants the most out of all the top workout legging brands because they are not too expensive. The waistband pockets are the real hero. When I go for runs, I can just put my keys in one and my phone on the side or flat against my low back. Also, as someone who is only 5 feet 2 inches tall, it’s hard to find leggings that are actually capris or hit just above my ankle bone.
Size Range: 0-20 | Price Range: $88-$128 | Lengths: 17 in.- 31 in.
#5. Fabletics
Do you want your leggings delivered right to your doorstep? Then Fabletics is the place to go. Take their quiz to find out what kind of pants you need to get started with Fabletics. You can shop by exercise or compression, legging length, waistband type, and more. I choose Fabletics over multiple brands of leggings because they are not too expensive and if you join, you can get a two-piece workout set every month for only $50. This is a good deal if you want to add to your sportswear wardrobe. There is something for everyone, and the leggings are durable and comfortable. I always get the high-waisted versions for running.
Size Range: XXS-4X | Price Range: $50-$85 | Lengths: N/A
#6. Outdoor Voices
The 7/8 leggings from Outdoor Voices give you enough coverage to keep you cool and relaxed. They are made to hit most people just above the ankle, so a bit of skin still shows. Amongst the top workout legging brands, Outdoor Voices stands out by making 7/8 leggings in a variety of colors, fabrics, and waistbands yearly. They’re really everyday leggings because they’re made to be worn for a wide range of activities, from running and hiking to just lounging around the house.
Size Range: XS-XL | Price Range: $78-$118 | Lengths: N/A
Workout Leggings Brands
#1. Enduro Bamboo (Deep Waistband Leggings $27)
It’s not always easy to find super-soft clothes to wear while working out, but BAM’s activewear made from – you got it – bamboo promises a silky feel while you’re working out. The material is also squat-proof, so you don’t have to worry about embarrassing see-through moments while working on your legs and glutes at the gym.
- Sizes: 8 – 16
- Fabric: 64% Bamboo Viscose, 24% Organic Cotton, 12% Elastane
- Style: High waisted
#2. PE Nation (Leggings for Division One $95)
“You know how you have some activewear laying around that you kind of hate wearing and should probably take to the textile recycling bin, but keep around for when your favorite leggings are dirty? PE Nation is the complete opposite of that. In fact, I’d say it’s one of my all-time favorite activewear brands, and trust me, I’ve tried pretty much all of them by now.
PE Nation’s designs are well-made and made to last, so they won’t look funny after a few washes. They’re also eye-catching without making you feel like you stand out like a sore thumb in the gym. People choose PE Nation leggings to workout over other brands because they are both stylish, comfortable, and less expensive.
- Sizes: XXS – XXXL
- Fabric: 65% Recycled Nylon, 35% Elastane
- Style: High rise
#3. Lululemon Wunder (TrAT LULULEMON)
“These leggings made me look forward to going to the gym, which isn’t easy to do. They look small at first, but the extra stretch in the Lycra fiber makes them a perfect fit, so I’d suggest staying true to your size.
“I usually spend more time pulling my pants up than working out, so the fact that these have a high waistband that keeps them from falling halfway down my booty was the clincher. What more could you want if you didn’t have any sweat marks and got the best tummy tuck you could ask for?” Lululemon is better for exercise or yoga than most expensive legging workout brands.
- Sizes: 0 – 20 US sizing
- Fabric: 77% Nylon, 23% Lycra Elastane
- Style: High waist
#4. Compressive 7/8 (High-Rise Stretch-Jersey Leggings $66)
“My roommate told me about Girlfriend Collective because of their size-inclusive beliefs and their eco-friendly practices, which are both great. But I thought the quality of the material and the beautiful colors were just as amazing.
“During lockdown, I wore my first pair to work and to the gym. The elastic parts held up great and were great for both very active and more relaxed workouts.”
- Sizes: XXS – XXL
- 79% recyclable polyester and 21% elastane make up the fabric.
- High rise is a style
#5. Varley (Let’s Go Night Running Legging 25 $92)
Check out Varley’s line if you’re willing to spend a lot of money on a really stylish piece of gym gear.
You might mistake these lightweight gym leggings for lounge pants on the couch because they are made from recycled materials and are made to fit any shape. However, they are just as good for the run as they are for lounging around.
- Sizes: XXS – XXL
- Fabric: 75% nylon, 25% spandex
- High rise is a style
Expensive Leggings Brands
#1. Yummie Rachel (Cotton Stretch Shaping leggings, $54).
If you’re like me, leggings are good for both working out and just hanging out at home. For the latter, I like a good pair of cotton tights, like the ones from Yummie.
I was glad to see that there was a cotton choice since most companies go straight for Spandex or nylon and skip this comfortable fabric. I got the Rachel Cotton Stretch Shaping pants. At first, I was a little worried because they said they would shape my body, but I wanted more Netflix-and-chill leggings. But I was thrilled to find out how comfortable they were and how great they made me look. The cotton felt nice and thick, and they passed the squat test, even in the lighter gray color I got.
Unlike most expensive leggings brands, Yummie has a wide range of sizes, with some colors going all the way up to a 3X. I was wearing the Steel Grey color in a size large, and the site currently has sized up to an XL. They also come in many different colors and patterns, so even though these are my new favorite pair for lounging around the house, I might get another pair in a different design for when I want to go out.
#2. Lululemon (Align Pant II 25″, $98)
The Queen Bee of leggings, which are the best basic black leggings, is on the list, of course. I’d always wanted to buy a pair of Lululemon pants, but something always kept me from doing so. I can never go back to them now that I’ve tried them.
I got a great black pair of Align Pant pants. The 25-inch length was great for me, and it didn’t bunch up at the ankles or fold over at the top. I didn’t have to pull or pull at them to get them up over my hips. I could just slip them on. Even chubby girls like me can move easily in the silky-smooth fabric. I ordered a size 12, and they fit like a glove with just a little bit of room to grow (or eat), so I could have gone down to a size 10 and been fine. The waistband is very flexible, but it also keeps you in, which is another good thing for a pair of leggings you can wear every day.
I didn’t care too much about the squat test for these because I was just going to wear them to relax all day. But when I did a few squats, I could see my underwear trying to peek out. It wasn’t too obvious, though; it was just a score that wasn’t great enough to pass.
#3. Spanx (Booty Boost Active 7/8 legging, $98)
“Compression” scared me when I was curvier. I imagined I would have to wear tight corsets and Spandex. Spanx helped me overcome that phobia since the few pairs I wore made me feel protected but not like I was about to faint from lack of circulation.
Because I’m shorter, I tried the Booty Boost Active pants in a 7/8 length. The first thing I liked was how long they were, so girls who are 5’5″ or shorter should get this pair right away. There was no bunching at the ankle, so there won’t be any annoying lumps when you wear this outside.
I looked behind me next and that was because “booty boost” was in the name. I spotted a mesh pocket in the waistline while checking out. Since my running pants don’t have pockets, it’s perfect for keys or a little credit card.
Since this is the compression category, I turned away from my rear end and put myself in the feared profile position, facing the mirror. I was happy to see that the waistband lifted my buttocks and pulled in my stomach exactly, so there was almost no bulge in the front. When I did a little happy dance and turned around to face the front, my stomach was almost gone, again because of the seam and the compression fabric.
#4. Onzie (High-Rise pants, $47)
Aside from the cute and bold leopard print, the first thing I noticed about this pair was how soft and smooth they were. When leggings are so soft, they can feel cheap, and it turns out that they are made of a lot of weird synthetic materials. Only two fabrics are used to make these leggings: 76% polyester and 24% Spandex. Also, the spelling guide for my new favorite brand was written out phonetically.
I tried the tights on for size by dancing. They immediately won my heart. For a lady of my height and torso length, “high-waisted” can mean more than one thing. Usually, I can bring them up to my chin. These pants are the perfect length; they sit around my waist without exposing my sports bra. They stretch so even my friends with longer torsos can wear them.
The cloth does stretch with your bottom, but the squat test showed that they were perfect. If you care about panty lines, I would suggest wearing a thong or a no-show panty, but you can wear any color underneath. After kneeling, I took them upstairs and rode my stationary bike for a few minutes. The pants held up much better than I did, and the only thing that wanted to roll down was me, not my waistband.
Why Are Leggings Brands So Expensive?
Most people think that workout leggings are expensive because they are made with new fabrics that keep you cool and dry. The truth is that most gym clothes cost a lot because they are trendy.
What Makes Leggings Attractive?
Because they are so tight, they hug a woman’s body and show off her hips, buttocks, and legs. When a pretty woman wears tight yoga pants, it tells men (and other women) that she is fit, healthy, and likely to get pregnant.
How Tight Should Leggings Be?
Leggings should be as tight as your second skin. This means there won’t be any bags or lines. If the pants hang loosely away from your body, they aren’t tight enough and you probably went too big. They don’t want to be hugged.
Do Leggings Shape Your Body?
Like anything else, if you wear the right style of gym leggings for your body type and they are made of a good quality material, they can help show off your curves and hold in any flabby parts, making your stomach flatter and your bottom and thighs firmer.
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