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Whether you are walking the dog or sweating profusely in the gym
Leggings are a true wardrobe staple, whether you are running around chasing children, working from home or going to the gym. But with so many pairs of shoes to choose from, how do you know that you are worth the money? Which one will really suck your sweat?
The Good Housekeeping Institute decided to find out and tested 30 pairs of leggings to find the best on the market. Here are our 2021 winners:
The right leggings for your fitness equipment depends largely on the activity you are doing.
If you are a runner or are doing high-intensity workouts in the gym, please pay attention to sweat-wicking fabrics. When your heart rate rises, it prevents you from feeling wet.
However, for the ultimate comfort-whether it is worn at home or for low-intensity activities-try yoga leggings. They are softer than those designed for high-intensity activities, have less compression, and allow more freedom of movement.
The high-waist style will provide more support for your waist and can help the tights stay in place no matter how you throw them. Also consider length; 7/8 leggings are located just above the ankles, which are perfect for petite people, while full-length leggings are more suitable for taller frames.
Finally, consider the pocket. They are often located on the sides of the thighs or behind the waistband. If you tend to run or walk outdoors, they will come in handy to store your keys.
We tested 30 different leggings to find the best leggings for high-intensity and low-intensity workouts. We asked a group of 121 people to wear at least one pair of three different exercises and share their judgments on design, fit, comfort, and overall performance.
At least four people tested each pair of leggings. They tailored their exercise style to the style of leggings. They wore sweat-absorbent leggings for high-intensity exercise, while leggings designed for yoga were used for gentler activities.
Back to GHI, we conducted a washing test to see if they shrank after passing through the washing machine, and evaluated their sweat absorption performance by observing the drying time and moisture absorption in the laboratory.
Lululemon specializes in making sportswear for mats, and these leggings did not disappoint. Our testers liked their seamless design, and some said it was the most comfortable leggings they had ever worn! Everyone likes their soft, high-quality feel.
There are a variety of colors to choose from, and testers said that lighter shades show more sweat, but overall, they are a pair of high-quality products that allow you to see a lot of sun salute.
Main specifications suitable for: low-intensity exercise Size: 0 to 20 (US size) Fabric: 40% nylon, 39% polyester, 21% Lycra® elastic fiber Pocket: belt style: high waist
These leggings are from the relatively new sportswear brand Pocket Sport, which meets all our high-intensity exercise requirements; they install our tester in all the correct positions and will not gather, open or slip during exercise .
Most people like the full length and find that the high waist provides excellent support and compression. In the laboratory, they passed our perspiration test, and the testers also found that they breathed during exercise.
The main specifications are suitable for: high-intensity exercise Size: XXS to XXL Fabric: 73% polyester, 27% spandex Pocket: Yes Style: high waist
From sitting on the sofa at night to walking the dog, these leggings are comfortable companions. The testers stated that their size fits the body, and the soft fabric is not gathered, gathered or splayed.
During exercise, they allow for a full range of exercises and are thick enough to squat and bend easily. A pocket will be very popular, they are not the most comfortable when our skin starts to sweat, but they give a thumbs up for fashion.
Main specifications: low-intensity activity size: 2XS to 2XL Fabric: 64% recycled polyester fiber and 36% elastane interlocking pockets: no style: high waist and 7/8 length
Not only is the pattern on these leggings green, but the fabric is also 77% recycled polyester fiber. In the gym, testers found them flexible, quick-drying and anti-squatting. The waistband is also comfortable and supportive, and it stays in place even during poppy sports.
The petite testers found that they were a bit too long, although with some adjustments, they were able to make them work and there were no pockets. However, in general, high-waist designs have proven to be popular, and some people find them to go well with tailored tops. A versatile toolkit.
Main specifications: High-intensity workout size: S to L Fabric: 77% recycled polyester fiber and 23% spandex Pocket: None Style: high waist belt drawstring and 7/8 length
To get the highest quality within your budget, try these low-impact leggings. They are specifically designed for yoga, but our testers said that their comfortable fit makes them ideal for a wider range of activities from Pula to weightlifting.
They also found that they are breathable and safe during exercise, without the need for mid-course adjustments. The waistband also provides good compression, but there is a little bunching on the front.
Main specifications: low-intensity activity size: XS to XL Fabric: 74% polyester fiber, 22% polyamide and 4% elastane Pocket: no style: high waist and 7/8 length
The stylish design of these reasonably priced leggings won the praise of our testers. The soft fabric and safe belt mean that you can wear them comfortably all day, and they can also effectively absorb sweat in our laboratory tests.
They are gathered at the back of the ankles and knees and are suitable for petite testers because they are full length, but everyone has reported a good range of motion, even lunges, so you can easily wear them on a yoga mat Or while running.
Main specifications suitable for: high-intensity exercise Size: 4 to 28 Fabric: 80% polyester and 20% elastane Pocket: no style: high waist and full length
Sweaty Betty's leggings are praised for their flattering design-even testers who previously avoided yoga leggings said that they were happy to wear them to a store or run errands.
They are comfortable enough to wear all day, and provide just the right amount of elasticity, suitable for sun exposure, but the fabric is quite thick and more suitable for winter workouts.
Some people also tightened the belt after wearing it for a long time, while others said it dropped slightly. Despite these minor issues, it scored high among petite and large-size testers in low-impact sports.
Main specifications: low-intensity activity size: XXS to XXL Fabric: 74% polyester and 26% elastane Pocket: side pocket style: high waist, 7/8 and full length to choose
The sustainable and ethical sportswear brand Girlfriend Collective uses up to 25 recycled water bottles in each pair of leggings, making it a top ecological choice. Our testers said that they fit well, there are no gaps or wrinkles, and the two discreet pockets are also convenient.
Although the fabric is not super stretchy, it allows a full range of exercises, including squats, but the belt is not as safe as the others on this list. We found that the size is too small, so if you are not sure, please increase the size.
Main specifications: Wearing: low-intensity activity size: XXS to XXXL Fabric: 79% RPET and 21% spandex Pocket: two side pockets Style: high waist
These leggings are seamless and soft. They look chic on a yoga mat. They are highly praised by our expert group. They say they are flexible and breathable, and they can remain opaque and in place even in the Down Dog pose.
Shorter testers said that the high-waisted design appeared too high on their frame, and the pockets would have been a useful addition. Made with more sustainable bamboo fibers—they contain 84% bamboo viscose and 12% recycled polyamide—the brand claims to save 276.1 liters of water per pair of shoes and avoid driving emissions equivalent to 3.1 kilometers.
Main specifications: suitable for low-intensity activities. Size: S to L. Fabric: 84% bamboo viscose and 12% recycled polyamide. Pocket: no style: high waist
These leggings have reliable pockets on the sides and waistband, which are perfect for storing your phone and keys when you are out hiking or running. Testers also found that they fit the size and are comfortable to wear.
The soft and flexible material can cope well with a series of exercises from CrossFit to cycling, but the design is not as compressed as other features, and the gray color scheme can easily show sweat spots.
Main specifications suitable for: high-intensity exercise Size: 8 to 16 Fabric: nylon with Polygiene permanent odor control pockets: belt and side pockets Style: high waist
Yogis may want to squander these low-impact leggings. Our testers felt that their elastic material and high waistband supported them well, and they liked how the smooth seamless design looked when they were worn.
The size is really small, but this independent brand focuses on creating durable, high-quality products. These leggings are made of 100% recycled polyamide fabric, giving them some nice green certificates.
Main specifications: low impact active size: XS-S to L-XL Fabric: 100% recycled polyamide Pocket: no style: high waist and 7/8 length
Use these high-waist leggings to provide maximum support for your waist, and our testers found that they provide good coverage and elasticity.
In fact, they proved to be very reliable all-rounders. Testers said they slip in easily, fit but not tightly, and are well ventilated. They did not scratch or become transparent when they squatted down, and the mesh pockets provided space for valuables-although most testers said their phones were not suitable.
Main specifications suitable for: high-intensity exercise size: XXS to XXL Fabric: main components: 78% polyester and 22% elastane mesh: 85% nylon and 15% elastane Pocket: belt style: high waist
CRZ Yoga's products are designed to be affordable and at the same time comparable to those of other leading yoga brands. Testers described these leggings as velvety soft and luxurious, and some even say that they stay cool throughout the hot yoga practice.
The compression style and flexibility of the butter material also allows a series of exercises. Shorter exercisers may struggle with length and the belt will move a bit. Great choice for yoga or Pilates classes.
Main specifications: Low-intensity activity size: 6 to 18 Fabric: 71% polyamide and 29% elastane Pocket: belt style: high waist
These supportive leggings are made of thick material, can ride comfortably for miles outdoors, and are flexible enough to allow testers to get on and off the bike easily. The safety belt provides great compression, and the leggings allow for a full range of exercises, no matter what kind of exercise you are doing.
They are very long, so if you are short, you may want to give up these. For some people, there are folds around the knees and loose ankles. They are not the most luxurious pair we have tested, but they have a convenient side pocket. The sweat absorption results of our laboratory tests are impressive, making them the top pair you can wear while running.
Main specifications: suitable for high-intensity exercise size: XS to XL Fabric: 77% polyester and 23% elastane Pocket: side style: high waist and full length
Sportswear is nothing more fashionable than PE Nation, so if you want to indulge in high-end things, these are more than just delivery. Note that the size is small, but for the testers who found a fit, they were comfortable to wear and the fabric could seamlessly adapt to their workouts-in fact, they were not distracted at all.
The stretch fabrics are also very thick, which means they are not at risk of becoming transparent in squats, and they keep the testers dry with no visible sweat spots. They also performed well in our moisture wicking laboratory tests.
Main specifications suitable for: high-intensity exercise Size: XXS to XL Fabric: 70% recycled polyester fiber, 30% elastic fiber Pocket: No Style: High waist