- The right pair of yoga pants can make all the difference when it comes to a good workout.
- The 90 Degree By Reflex High Waist Power Flex Leggings are our favorites because they are affordable, feature a supportive four-way stretch, and use moisture-wicking technology for ultimate comfort.
One of the biggest struggles people have with working out (besides finding the motivation to hit the gym) is finding comfortable and functional activewear. This rings especially true when it comes to finding the right pair of yoga pants.
With thousands of options, it can be hard to determine which pair is right for you. We asked Aditi Shah, a Peloton Yoga Instructor with 10 years of experience practicing yoga in NYC and India, what to look for when you’re shopping for a good pair.
“There are several things I look for in yoga pants,” Shah told Business Insider, “but the most important quality by far is that they should be made of really flexible fabric. Extremely compressive pants can make it more difficult to flow into simple poses, like Warrior 2, if they don’t stretch to accommodate your movement. I also lean towards high-waisted pants, where the waistband doesn’t move too much when you flex at the hip. As a bonus, they tend to be universally flattering too.”
You’ll also want to skip anything that feels slick. “Particularly for yoga, I would avoid pants that are too slippery. In various poses, like Crow and Tree, you don’t want to slide down your pants because of the fabric.”
And, lastly, you can look for sustainable brands. “There are a myriad of options that support our planet, from certified B corporation produced pants to pants made of recycled water bottles.”
Below, you'll find a few of the best pairs of yoga pants available online - from high-waisted pairs to cropped and eco-friendly options.
Here are the best yoga pants:
- 90 Degree By Reflex High Waist Power Flex Leggings
- ODODOS Power Flex Yoga Capris
- Oalka Power Flex Yoga Pants
- Baleaf Yoga Bootleg Pants
- CompressionZ Compression Leggings
The best yoga pants overall
If you're looking for comfortable and affordable yoga pants that are true to size, flexible, and move with you, the 90 Degree By Reflex High Waist Power Flex Leggings are your best bet.
The 90 Degree By Reflex High Waist Power Flex Leggings are a versatile pair of leggings that feature a supportive four-way stretch fabric and moisture-wicking technology that will help you prevent chafing and keep you feeling fresh during your workouts.
The sleek, functional leggings also have a hidden pocket in the waistband that allows you to store your belongings and keep your hands free while you pound the pavement or head to a coffee shop. The High Waist Power Flex Leggings also offer gentle compression to your midsection, which works to smooth your silhouette and provide additional support.
They've got a 28-inch inseam, come in as many as 34 colors, and can be bought in packs with multiple pairs. The material is an 87% nylon and 13% spandex blend and should withstand plenty of wear and machine washings. Sizing runs from XS to XXL. And if you don't love them, you can return them for a full refund.
It's a potential con that the pair only comes in one inseam, but the company also sells a highly rated capri style you can check out as well.
Pros: Affordable, moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, hidden pocket, durable
Cons: Only one inseam length
The best cropped yoga pants
The Ododos Power Flex Yoga Capris are a flattering pair of yoga pants that contour to your body for a perfect fit, with a capri style that prevents overheating.
Made with a four-way stretch and opaque fabric, the Ododos Power Flex Yoga Capris are perfect for every type of workout. The stretchy leggings help lift and shape your body, while the thick waistband helps prevent them from falling down while you move.
The capris are designed to be cropped just a few inches below the knee, which should help with breathability if you're someone who overheats easily in a yoga class. They are also made with moisture-wicking and antimicrobial technologies, so you won't feel sweaty and gross after your yoga session.
They're soft, comfortable, and smooth the waist. You can choose from a number of different colors and patterns. Sizes run from small to XX-large. The leggings are made from 87% polyester and 13% spandex or 87% nylon and 13% spandex.
Pros: Affordable, variety of colors and patterns, moisture-wicking, stretchy, comfortable
Cons: Panty lines visible under some of the lighter colored options
The best high-end yoga pants
Sweaty Betty's Yoga Pants come in many fun patterns and stretch fabrics that bend with you, including the Power leggings with both a back and side pocket.
Sweaty Betty's workout gear is all about performance and style. The Power Leggings are also a great pick for anyone looking to leave the house with as few accessories as possible. As well as being made from a stretchy, sweat-wicking, quick-drying material, the Power pair has both back (zippered) and side pockets for all your essentials.
They're high-waisted so they won't fall down on you, have a bit of compression and "bum-sculpting" and they're opaque enough to weather squats. Plus, the sculptural seams are pretty flattering. You can get them in six different colors and patterns, which range from subtle to fun.
Sweaty Betty also makes our favorite running tights for the gym and our favorite workout gear for women.
The leggings come in sizes XXS to XL, and the 7/8 length should mean they're a safer bet for a range of heights.
Pros: Quick-drying material, snug fit, great for any type of workout
Cons: Expensive
The best sustainable yoga pants
Girlfriend Collective's Compressive High-Rise Leggings are flexible, flattering, eco-friendly, and slightly compressive.
Girlfriend Collective is the Seattle-based startup responsible for turning fishing nets and plastic water bottles into trendy, multi-colored activewear. They're also the most flattering pair of leggings I own.
The Compressive High-Rise Leggings divert 25 water bottles from landfills and save 3 gallons of water. They're available in a range of 12 colors, sizes XXS-6XL, and three inseam lengths.
The extra-high rise stays put while you work out, and the slightly compressive material feels secure and reliably opaque during squats and lunges. But, if you overheat easily or want to prioritize total flexibility over a bit of compression, they may not be for you.
The company also offers shorts, as well as skorts, bras, tees, and windbreakers. But, since they keep production levels relatively low, the company can be prone to low inventory. - Mara Leighton, senior reporter
Pros: Flattering, eco-friendly, multiple inseams, wide size range
Cons: May be too thick or compressive, can have low inventory
The best high-waisted yoga pants
If you want a full-length pair of yoga pants that offer tummy control, you've found it in Oalka Power Flex Yoga Pants with their interlocking seams and wide waistband.
The Oalka Power Flex Yoga Pants are a high-waisted yoga pant that is made with interlocking seams and lay-flat edges that help reduce irritation and eliminate chafing. The wide waistband not only offers tummy control shapewear but also features a hidden inner pocket to store keys and other belongings.
Made to contour perfectly to your body, the leggings are also designed to stay in place throughout stretching, squatting, running, and other high-impact workouts. The high-quality stretchy fabric also helps wick away moisture.
They're comfortable, soft, and stretchy, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes ranging from X-small to X-large. They're made of 86% nylon and 14% spandex or 87% polyester and 13% spandex.
But, it's worth noting that the Oalka Power Flex Yoga Pants have been known to run large on occasion, so it may be worth sizing down for a back-up size to try on at home.
Pros: Affordable, tummy control, hidden pocket, soft, flexible, durable
Cons: Run large
The best bootcut yoga pants
The Baleaf Bootleg Yoga Pants are a comfortable, affordable, and functional pair of yoga pants that are slim on the hips and loose on the calves.
If skin-tight leggings leave you feeling exposed, try a pair of these Baleaf Bootleg Yoga Pants instead. The flattering cut offers greater freedom of movement, while the stretchy fabric helps wick sweat away.
They're slimming, look great on pretty much everyone, have a hidden waistband pocket, and come in a sweat-wicking material that keeps you from overheating in your yoga class. But, shorter buyers (particularly under 5-foot-2) may find that the legs run long despite having three different inseam options - 30-inches, 32-inches, and 34-inches.
You can choose from five different colors, and sizes range from small to XX-large. The solid color pants are made of 92% cotton and 8% spandex, while the charcoal ones are made of 55% Cotton, 39% Polyester, and 6% Spandex.
Pros: More coverage, loose on calves, sweat-wicking, comfortable, soft, flattering
Cons: Run long so might not fit shorter customers
The best compression yoga pants
The CompressionZ Compression Leggings are a great pair of yoga pants that help reduce muscle pain during and after exercise.
The CompressionZ Compression Leggings help improve blood circulation during workouts, which allows you to exercise longer with a decreased recovery time. Compression tights work great for every type of workout including yoga, running, cycling, and circuit training. They are also great to wear on long flights.
These leggings are made of a four-way stretchable fabric that is easy to clean and will retain its shape even after multiple washes. The fabric also features moisture-wicking technology that helps discourage the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
The only potential downside with compression pants is that the sizing can feel particularly tight, and CompressionZ leggings have had complaints of running small - so you may want to order a size up as a back-up size if you're unsure.
Sizes range from X-small to X-large, and the leggings come in classic black as well as several fun prints.
Pros: Improves blood circulation, super stretchy, keeps shape, comes in fun prints
Cons: Can run small
Check out our other great yoga gear guides
The best yoga mats
The first piece of gear you need to begin your yoga practice is a great yoga mat. Not all yoga mats are created equally. Each style and material caters to a different set of needs and goals, and subtle design changes can either help or hurt your unique movement patterns and your usual aches and pains in any pose. These are the best yoga mats you can buy.
The best yoga blocks
Yoga blocks are an important tool for yogis at any level. Whether you're looking to deepen your flexibility, venturing into new pose territory, or just trying to go easy on your joints and muscles, yoga blocks are key. These are our top picks for the best yoga blocks.
The best yoga socks
Connect to your practice more deeply while protecting your feet with a comfortable and stylish pair of yoga socks. Built for form and function, yoga socks provide extra stability in your yoga poses, so you won't slip if you misplace your foot when transitioning. These are the best yoga socks.
The best workout clothes
With moisture-wicking fabric, cleverly-placed mesh panels, and thoughtful cut-outs, much of today's athletic clothing is truly meant for athletic pursuits. It's a far cry from our days of grabbing the oldest shirt in our closet, cutting off the sleeves, and calling it a top. These are the best workout clothes you can buy.