The right legging depends on what you do in it. A legging made for hot yoga feels wonderful and slides around on a run. A running legging holds you in on a run and feels like too much on the sofa. Here's how to choose by workout, fabric, compression, length and waistband, using the leggings we carry from Splits59, Year of Ours, Beyond Yoga, Varley and others.
The short version
- Match the fabric to the workout: soft, second-skin fabrics for studio classes; denser, more compressive fabrics for running and HIIT.
- Compression is a spectrum. Light compression is comfortable all day. High compression holds you in through impact.
- A 7/8 length, about 25 inches, is the most versatile. Go full length, 27 to 28 inches, if you're tall or it's cold out.
- Choose a waistband you'll forget you're wearing: crossover, lace-up, rolled or seamless.
- Wash cold, skip fabric softener and air dry.
Start with the workout
| Workout | Look for | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Hot yoga, barre, Pilates | Soft, lightweight, second-skin fabric; light to medium compression | Splits59 Airweight, Year of Ours Studio, Beyond Yoga Spacedye |
| Running, HIIT, spin, gym | Denser fabric, firmer compression, sweat-wicking, a waistband that stays put | Splits59 Rigor, Varley Assure, Year of Ours Recycled Poly and Sport Interlock |
| Everyday, errands, travel | Soft, light compression, comfortable sitting down | Varley FreeSoft, Beyond Yoga Spacedye, Year of Ours Cotton Everyday |
| Cold-weather workouts | Thermal or brushed fabric, full length | Year of Ours Thermal Veronica |
| Off duty | A flare, or a sleek legging that reads as a pant | Varley Always Flare, Halfdays Julie Flare, Splits59 Raquel Flare, Ronny Kobo Sandy |
The fabrics, brand by brand
Splits59
- Airweight: very soft with a second-skin feel. Splits59 recommends it for hot yoga, barre and Pilates. Try the Airweight High Waist Legging (26-inch inseam), the 16-inch capri or the striped Ella 7/8. The Dual High Waist version adds a second waistband for more compression; Splits59 suggests sizing up one for a looser fit.
- Rigor: Splits59's high-performance fabric, built for endurance and rated for running, CrossFit, spin and the gym as well as studio classes. Try the Clare, with a single stripe from hip to ankle, or the Miles 7/8.
- Supplex: a four-way stretch fabric Splits59 describes as supportive and opaque. It's used for the Raquel High Waist Flare, Splits59's bestselling flare, made in Los Angeles.
Year of Ours
- Stretch Active Jersey: the fabric of the Stretch Veronica, Year of Ours' perennial bestseller with a crossover V waist, and the Stretch No Line, which has a smooth, seamless front.
- Active Rib (85% nylon, 15% spandex): ribbed, smoothing and moisture-wicking, rated medium impact. Used in the Ribbed Two Tone Veronica, the lace-up Ribbed Football Legging and the Ribbed Pocket Legging, which has side and back pockets.
- Studio Jersey: ultra-lightweight, buttery and smoothing. Used in the Studio Veronica and the Studio Capri.
- Recycled Poly and Sport Interlock: recycled polyester with spandex, sleek and sweat-wicking. These are the gym fabrics. Try The Field Legging or the Sport Sprint Legging, which has a working drawstring.
- Cotton (91% cotton, 9% spandex): the Cotton Everyday Legging is breathable, with enough compression to work out in.
- Thermal: a waffle knit. The Thermal Veronica is the one for cold-weather workouts and Montana winter walks.
Beyond Yoga
- Spacedye: Beyond Yoga's signature buttery fabric, with four-way stretch and gentle compression. The Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging has no outside seam, a 5-inch waistband at the natural waist and a 28-inch inseam. The At Your Leisure version has an overlapping waistband.
- POWERBEYOND™: firmer and more supportive, made to contour and sculpt. Try the Strive Midi Legging.
- glowzone™: a seamless front, curved outer seams and a waistband lined with power mesh for a smoothing hold.
Note that Beyond Yoga's “midi” means a 28-inch inseam, which is full length on most people.
Varley
Varley makes its leggings in three fabrics:
- FreeSoft™: buttery, with light compression, minimal seams and a rolled waistband. Made for everyday wear and low-intensity workouts. Try the FreeSoft High-Rise Legging or the FreeSoft Piped 7/8.
- Always: second-skin, matte and lightweight. Try the Always Contrast High Rise Legging, with a double rolled waistband, or the Always Flare.
- Assure: thicker than FreeSoft, with the highest compression of the three and a subtle sheen. Made to sculpt and hold. Try the Assure High-Rise Legging.
Also worth a look
- Halfdays Julie Flare: a soft rib flare with four-way stretch, light compression and moisture-wicking, for studio days and trails alike.
- Beach Riot Von 7/8: a quick-dry legging with side pockets and contrast piping.
- Ronny Kobo Sandy: not activewear. A sleek, body-contouring legging to wear with an oversized knit and boots.
Compression, explained
Compression is how firmly a legging holds you. More isn't better; it depends on what you're doing.
- Light: comfortable for hours and moves with you, but can shift when you jump or run. Varley FreeSoft, Beyond Yoga Spacedye, Halfdays Julie Flare.
- Medium: holds and smooths, and is still comfortable all day. Year of Ours Active Rib and Recycled Poly.
- High: a firm hold for impact. It can feel snug sitting down. Varley Assure, and Splits59's Dual High Waist for a firmer waist.
Length and rise
| Length | Inseam | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Capri | About 16 inches | Hot yoga and warm weather |
| 7/8 | About 25 to 26 inches | Most workouts. Lands at or just above the ankle on most people. |
| Full length | About 27 to 28 inches | Taller frames, cold weather, wearing with boots |
| Flare | About 32 inches | Off duty, travel, studio to street |
Rise matters as much as length. A high rise, around 9¾ to 10½ inches at the front on the Year of Ours and Varley styles we carry, stays put through forward folds and covers you in a cropped top. On the reformer, a 7/8 or capri keeps fabric from bunching at the ankle.
Waistbands
- Crossover (V) waist: flattering and stays flat. Year of Ours Veronica; Beyond Yoga At Your Leisure has an overlapping version.
- Lace-up: an adjustable lace at the front. Year of Ours Football Legging.
- Rolled: soft, with no hard edge. Varley FreeSoft and Always Contrast.
- Dual: two layers for a firmer hold. Splits59 Dual High Waist.
- Seamless front: a smooth line with nothing to dig in. Year of Ours Stretch No Line, Beyond Yoga glowzone.
- Drawstring: for running, when you need to cinch. Year of Ours Sport Sprint.
Fit and sizing
- A legging should be snug without digging in, and the waistband shouldn't roll down when you bend.
- Check opacity before you commit. With the tags still on, do a deep squat in front of a mirror in good light.
- Between sizes? Year of Ours recommends the larger size; see the Year of Ours size guide. For Varley, see the Varley bottoms size guide.
Online orders can be returned for an exchange or store credit within 30 days, unworn and unwashed with the tags attached. Sale items are final sale. If you're unsure, ask us before you order.
Care
- Wash cold and inside out, with similar fabrics. Towels shed lint that sticks to leggings.
- Skip fabric softener. It coats the fibers and reduces sweat-wicking.
- Air dry, or tumble on low. High heat breaks down spandex, which is how leggings lose their stretch and shape.
Complete the set
Most of these leggings have a matching bra: Splits59's Airweight and Rigor bras, Year of Ours' Stretch Halter Bra, Beyond Yoga's Spacedye tanks and Varley's FreeSoft Cori Bra. Matching fabrics wash and wear the same way. Shop sports bras.
Leggings FAQ
Which leggings are best for Pilates?
Soft, second-skin fabrics with light to medium compression: Splits59 Airweight, Year of Ours Studio Jersey or Beyond Yoga Spacedye. A 7/8 or capri length keeps the hem out of the way on the reformer.
Which leggings are best for running?
Denser, more compressive fabrics that stay put: Splits59 Rigor or Varley Assure. Pockets help; the Year of Ours Ribbed Pocket Legging and Beach Riot Von 7/8 both have them.
What's the difference between 7/8 and full length?
About two to three inches of inseam. A 7/8 lands at or just above the ankle; full length reaches the ankle or below. If you're tall, a 7/8 can look like a capri, so go full length.
How do I keep leggings from being see-through?
Choose denser fabrics such as Splits59 Supplex and Rigor or Varley Assure, size correctly rather than down, and do the squat test before you remove the tags.
Shop all leggings, or shop by brand: Splits59, Year of Ours, Beyond Yoga and Varley.