All right, I know many of you have been awaiting my workout leggings review, and it’s finally here!

I’ve been on the hunt for the best workout leggings and recently polled my Instagram following for recommendations. I ended up buying 12 popular pairs and have been testing them out.

I’m so excited to share the results with you!

How I Ranked Workout Leggings

Caveat: I only tried out leggings with pockets for this workout leggings review. Though some of you don’t like the bulk and extra seams of pockets, the majority of you said you like the functionality—and I definitely agree. (I’m always looking for a place to put my phone or keys when I go out for a walk around the neighborhood.)

If you’re someone who doesn’t love pockets on leggings, keep in mind that many of these come in styles without pockets. So there are still some great options here for you.

And always, remember that this is not an objective study—these are my opinions and experiences. If you already have a type of leggings you love, go ahead and stick with them!

However, I will say that it was interesting to weigh all of the legging options against each other. There were certain leggings I may have felt a little differently about if I had tried them on their own. Yet when I had a dozen leggings to compare, I was able to get a better idea of which leggings had the best feel, fit, and functionality.

So, without further ado, here are the results of my test!

12. Fabletics Powerhold—2 for $24 on the First Order, or $65

The Fabletics Powerhold leggings came highly recommended. But unfortunately, they were my least favorite. Since this was my first Fabletics purchase, I was able to get two pairs for $24—a great deal, but I don’t love that you have to buy into a subscription.

So what’s not to love about the Powerhold leggings? In comparison to the other options, I just don’t find the them to be very comfortable. I was constantly pulling them up, and I don’t like that the pocket doesn’t lay completely flat. These leggings are made from a thick fabric. And although it holds you in well, I felt like I was straining the fabric to move around during my workout.

11. Zella Stretch Perfect Pocket High Waist Leggings—$79

Next up are the Zella Stretch Perfect Pocket High Waist Leggings from Nordstrom. This was another pair that just didn’t win me over. They’re very thick and do a good job of holding you in, but they definitely didn’t pass the squat test. See-through leggings just aren’t going to cut it!

They could be comfortable as an everyday legging, but I can’t say that I recommend them for working out.

10. Senita High Waisted Vinyasa 7/8 Capris—$45

The Senita Skin High Waisted Vinyasa 7/8 Capris are comfortable, have a nice pocket, and have a great high rise. The reason they fall in 10th place in my workout leggings review is because they’re very warm—much too warm for my preference! The thick material could be ideal for wearing outside in the winter months. But I prefer more cool, breathable leggings for my indoor workouts.

9. Zyia Light n Tight Hi-Rise Capri 20″—$59

The Zyia Light n Tight Hi-Rise Capri 20″ leggings are a great choice if you’re looking for a true compression legging. They have a good, high waist and side pocket, and they certainly hold you in. Nothing is going anywhere when you’re wearing these leggings! They stay put and would be a good option for high impact workouts. But if you don’t love that sucked-in feeling? Then they probably aren’t the best leggings for you.

8. 90 Degree By Reflex Womens Power Flex Yoga Pants—$24.99

The 90 Degree by Reflex Womens Power Flex Yoga Pants have a lot going for them. You can easily order them on Amazon, they’re only $24.99, and they’re made from a really comfortable fabric. I love the pockets because the bottom seam is a straight line (rather than a curved line). This makes it easy to fit your phone snugly into the bottom of the pocket. They’re at a great price point and come in lots of colors. I really liked them and would recommend them to anyone!

7. CRZ Yoga Leggings—$28

You’ve probably heard the hype around the internet about the CRZ yoga leggings from Amazon. (Many people refer to them as the “Lululemon dupe” leggings.) I’ve been wearing these for several years and they’re still in great shape. They’re comfortable, they have a great pocket placement, and they last a long time.

My only complaint about these leggings is that there’s no seam at the bottom and they tend to ride up on my calves. The waistband has the same problem: If I’m working out hard, the waistband doesn’t always stay in place as well as other leggings on the list. They do have elastic in the waist that can be tightened, but I don’t really want to have to deal with the bulk of that when I’m working out.

Despite those cons, I still love the CRZ leggings and highly recommend them. They’re an excellent price and come in a wide range of colors options.

6. Aerie Offline Goals High Waisted Leggings—$54.95

I love Aerie swimsuits, but had never tried their leggings until recently. The Aerie Offline Goals High Waisted Leggings have a fun design with unique seams and a raw hem at the bottom. I love that they have a seamless waistband and slick, comfortable Spandex fabric that won’t pill. I’m happy to report that these rank pretty high up in my workout leggings review!

5. Lululemon Align High Rise Pant with Pockets 25″—$128-$138

It wouldn’t be a thorough workout leggings review if I didn’t include the Lululemon Align High Rise Pant with Pockets 25″! Coincidentally, Lululemon came out with a pocket version of their famous Align pants right as I was starting this review. So the timing worked out perfectly!

I have to admit that I was very skeptical of all things Lululemon before now, simply because of the high price point. In my mind, it’s pretty outrageous to pay $128-$138 for a pair of leggings. However, I will say that once I put them on, I understood the hype.

They’re truly the most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my body: buttery soft, not too tight, yet they stay put. (They don’t have the same compression feeling of some other leggings.) It almost feel like you’re wearing nothing—which is obviously very comfortable!

In summary, the Align pants are pretty great. But are they worth the price? Maybe not—because I still have several other leggings that top the list and come in at a lower price point. But if they are in your price range and you want great quality leggings that are extremely comfortable, these could be the winning pair for you.

4. Colorfulkoala High Waisted Yoga Pants 7/8 Length—$25

Do you love the idea of the Lululemon Align Pants? But don’t want to pay the high price point? Good news! I’ve ranked the Colorfulkoala leggings from Amazon higher on the list because they are so similar, yet $100 less than the Lululemon pants. Yes, $100 less!

The fabric is nearly identical to the Lululemon leggings. (I would say they’re 95% there.) They have the same design that includes the side pocket, fold-over waistband, and flexible fabric for working out.

Because of how good these are, I’m convinced that you’re basically paying $100 extra for the Lululemon logo. And maybe that’s worth it to you. But if you want to save $100, these are a really, really great dupe.

3. Aerie Offline The Hugger High Waisted Pocket Legging—$49.95

I’ve ranked the Aerie Offline The Hugger High Waisted Pocket Leggings above the Lululemon Align Pant and Lululemon dupe leggings for one major reason.

These pants have the same, buttery soft feeling of the Lululemon fabric, but also they also offer a bit more of the compression factor that I’m looking for with my high-impact workouts. I like feeling held in, but still want a comfortable, barely-there fabric. And these Aerie leggings are just that!

They also have a fold-over waistband (no seams) and pockets (although they are a little low). Overall, these leggings are an amazing option at a much more reasonable price than the Lululemon leggings. I just wish you could feel this amazing fabric!

2. Old Navy Powersoft Leggings—$35-$40

The Old Navy Powersoft Leggings have been my favorite pair since buying them over a year ago. They’re always the ones I’m reaching for after I do my laundry. While the the buttery-feeling leggings are great, I prefer the slick, Spandex-feeling fabric of these leggings for my workouts.

I love the placement of the pocket and seam lines. They’re also super supportive and stay put really well, even with high-intensity workouts. You can find them in tons of great color options and in full-length or capri-length. Just be aware: other Old Navy leggings come in different materials that are not quite the same. The Powersoft leggings are definitely the best option!

1. Athleta Salutation Stash Tight—$109

Are you ready for my top ranked legging?

The Athleta Salutation Stash Tights are hands-down my favorite leggings. The fabric is a perfect balance of being buttery soft while still holding you in. These leggings are equally great for casual wear or for an intense workout. You’ll never have to worry about them riding up, and the waistband is a comfortable, fold-over style that still has a bit of compression.

The pockets are very stretchy, yet you hardly notice them when they’re not in use. And if you’re looking for a similar pair without the pockets, the Elation leggings are a great everyday legging option.

It’s truly hard to describe how amazing these leggings are! They’re a little bit more expensive than some of the leggings on this list, but totally worth the investment.

So there you have it: my complete review of 12 popular workout leggings. I hope this has been helpful to you. Now let’s hear it for leggings—the most versatile, comfortable clothing item in our wardrobes!

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My Top 7 Rotation

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