Yoga enthusiasts know that mobility is critical to a successful stretching session— and that investing in proper yoga pants from a reputable activewear brand will, in turn, help improve your practice. The wrong pair of bottoms can make achieving a reverse warrior pose or a cat-cow position much harder.
"The best yoga pants [will] let you focus on your yoga instead of what you're wearing," says Lisa Jhung, a renowned outdoor sports journalist, runner, and dedicated yoga practitioner. Jhung should know, given her extensive experience with the sport. She emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to avoid any design elements that cause discomfort, like flimsy fabrics that don't provide enough compression or low-rise waistbands that slip below your hips.
"The yoga pants I consistently use are high-waisted and made from thicker materials," shares Dana Giordano, a former professional track athlete who wears her yoga pants for stretching and jogging. Erin Bailey, a runner and founder of the management agency Momentum Management, also agrees that high-waisted pants are more comfortable for yoga and won't slip or dig into your waist as long as they have the right amount of compression.
Marie Claire spoke with Jhung, Giordano, and Bailey, who have all spent countless hours stretching, running, and lounging in yoga pants. They share their favorite brands, valuable tips for choosing a silhouette, the best materials, and other details you might not have thought about.
The Best Yoga Pants
- Best Overall Yoga Pants: Nike Zenvy Women's Gentle-Support High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings
- Most Comfortable Yoga Pants: Lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pants
- Best Stretchy Yoga Pants: Bandier Center Stage Pocket Leggings
- Best Designer Yoga Pants: Tory Burch Weightless Chevron Leggings
- Best Yoga Pants Under $100: Alo Yoga High-Waist Airlift Leggings
"I love full-length leggings that hit right at the ankle [and] I prefer a tighter fit," says Bailey, who tells Marie Claire that Nike's Zenvy leggings are one of her top three favorite yoga pants of all time. And for good reasons—these pants are crafted with Nike's signature InfinaSoft fabric, which is lightweight, supple, and extremely flexible. You'll be able to stretch freely in any direction.
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Colors: Pink, green, navy blue, baltic blue, pastel blue, baroque brown, earth brown, mineral blue, deep jungle blue, black, oil green, diffused blue, daybreak purple
Materials: Recycled nylon
Lululemon's Align™ High-Rise Pant is a cult favorite among fitness enthusiasts, including Jhung. "I love the high-rise cut and soft, slightly compressive material of [these] Lululemon pants," says Jhung. The brand's buttery-soft Nulu™ fabric is designed to make you feel like you're wearing nothing. Jhung also notes that besides being cozy, these pants have two practical side drop-in pockets, which she uses to carry her small belongings.
Sizes: 0-20
Colors: Cascadia green, taupe, oasis blue, glaze pink, iron blue, washed mauve, nomad gray, espresso, navy, palm court green, olive, black, graphite gray, deep coal blue
Materials: Nylon, lycra, elastane
Customer Review: "Favorite leggings for yoga. Love the soft and firm hold."
When looking for a quality pair of yoga pants, you'll want to pay close attention to fabrication. Materials like nylon and spandex offer an extra stretchy feel that allows you to maneuver into yoga poses easily. Bandier's Center Stage leggings have both of these fabrics.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Navy blue
Materials: Nylon, spandex
Tory Burch's Weightless Chevron leggings seamlessly blend style and function. The flattering high-waisted silhouette and trendy striped designs check off the "fashionable" box, while the ergonomic cut lines, elastic waistband, and breathable construction provide the perfect fit.
Sizes: XS-L
Colors: Black/ white, navy/ white
Materials: TACTEL® nylon-LYCRA® blend
You don't have to spend a fortune on high-caliber yoga pants. Alo Yoga's High-Waist Airlift leggings are under $100, yet they still deliver key features like a double-layered waistband, moisture-wicking fabric, and compression.
Sizes: XXS-XL
Colors: Black, anthracite gray, espresso, lettuce green, navy blue, classic red, fluorescent pink, infinity blue, sugarplum pink, fog gray, midnight green, dark plum, teal agate, mars clay, limestone green, chalk blue, cherry cola
Materials: Polyester, elastane
More Yoga Pants We Love
If you're not a huge fan of tight yoga pants and prefer a roomier construction, look no further than Vitality's Cloud II™ pants. These pants are form-fitting at the top with a flare beneath the knee. The flared silhouette is subtle, so you can perform any yoga pose without getting tripped up in excess fabric.
Sizes: 2XS-4XL
Colors: Black, espresso, olive, cinnamon, evergreen, plum, blackberry, magenta, blueberry, clover
Materials: Cloud II fabric, nylon, elastane
"If you tend to run hot while exercising, consider a cropped-cut legging," says Jhung. The fitness expert shares that even though most yoga pants are breathable, exposing your ankles can help control temperature. "I like the cropped fit of the Patagonia Maipo 7/8 tights, and also love that most of the fabric comes from recycled fishing nets," she adds.
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Colors: Black, nouveau green, subtidal blue, endless blue, pitch blue, burl red, evening mauve, current blue
Materials: Recycled fishing nets, spandex
Free People's yoga pants are called "Never Better" for a reason. What's better than the feeling of wearing nothing at all? These lightweight bottoms are nice and airy and provide an ideal structure. Wear them to your next hot yoga session to experience the breezy feel for yourself.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Black, platinum, white, eucalyptus, sequoia, moonrock, nightshade, electric sunset, crystal sage, red, lime glow, electric cobalt, oxblood, hydro, lavender fog, super berry, emerald green
Materials: XS-XL
"My [yoga pants] need to do it all," says Giordano, who often relies on her go-to leggings for yoga, running, and lounging. "LSKD's [pants] are so comfortable, they don't move around, and they [offer] the perfect [amount] of thickness." While wearing these full-length leggings, you can transition from the yoga studio to a full day of back-to-back errands.
Sizes: 2XS-3XL
Colors: Pink, green, black
Materials: Polyester, elastane
Vuori's yoga pants are designed with a four-way stretch fabric, which means that they're built to allow ample elasticity. And although they're extra flexible, these high performance bottoms still exhibit a good deal of tension, which means you won't have to worry about overstretching them.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Black, mahogany
Materials: Polyester, elastane
Jhung, Giordano, and Bailey all agree that high-waisted silhouettes are key when it comes to the best yoga pants. Beyond Yoga's high-waisted leggings have an elasticized waist that won't budge when you lean forward in a triangle pose or stretch backwards in a reverse warrior position. The last thing you want is for your pants to fall down.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Pink, blue
Materials: Polyester, elastane
Giordano likes Aritzia's Butter leggings, which are made of a comfortable blend of nylon and elastane that wicks sweat away. Their thick material and higher waist makes them a go-to.
Sizes: 00-16
Colors: Cupid pink, ashen gray, total eclipse blue, rich mocha brown, black, cruise blue, matte pearl, almond beige, rosebud pink, modern taupe, tidal blue, vintage navy, fatigue green, coal gray, jazz blue
Materials: Polyester, elastane
If you always need your phone by your side, even while you stretch, wear a pair of yoga pants with handy pockets. Adidas' compressive leggings are designed with side stash pockets to store your phone, cards, and keys easily.
Sizes: S-XL
Colors: Black
Materials: Polyester, elastane
Zella's Studio Luxe leggings don't have that awkward waistband gap with their drawstring along the waist, which you can easily adjust to fit you.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Black, navy blue, gray thunder
Materials: Nylon, spandex
The best way to shake up your workout wardrobe is to experiment with vibrant hues or playful prints. Fabletics' Anywhere Motion365+ yoga pants are offered in several shades, but the pink camouflage colorway is by far the most intriguing.
Sizes: XS-1X
Colors: Multicolored camo, electric orchid neon, elemental blue, black, deep navy
Materials: Polyester, spandex
The best way to shake up your workout wardrobe is to experiment with vibrant hues or playful prints. The Fabletics Anywhere Motion365+ yoga pants come in several shades, including a trendy pink camouflage.
Sizes: XXS-6XL
Colors: Black, white, navy blue, dark green, plum, earth brown, citrine orange, glass blue, blood orange, prism blue chateau pink, macaron purple
Materials: Recycled plastic bottles (RPET), spandex
Although they specialize in shapewear, Spanx knows something about making quality yoga pants. These leggings are made from smooth, space-dyed fabric and are designed with a dig-free waistband to alleviate any pressure around your midsection.
Sizes: XS-3X
Colors: Gray, dark gray, navy, black
Materials: Space-dyed knit
These insulated leggings are great for plunging temperatures. "I love pulling on the Ibex Lizzi Tights when it's cold out," says Jhung. "The wool, nylon, and elastane is a soft, cozy fabric blend that's still breathable."
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colors: Plum, ocean blue, dried tobacco, and black
Materials: Merino wool, nylon, and elastane
ON's performance yoga pants represent the brand's commitment to sustainability. The Swiss activewear company utilizes recycled fabric to create the stretchy performance leggings fans know and love. They're a great investment piece to add to your workout wardrobe
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Gray, black
Materials: Recycled polyester, elastane, polyamide
Key Features of the Best Yoga Pants
- Comfort
Yoga pants, along with other sportswear pieces, are often crafted with fabrics that fit tightly around the skin to boost circulation and provide muscular support. "Extra compression can feel nice and also flattering," says Bailey. But remember there's a fine line between a snug fit and one that's overly tight. 'The right fit allows you to assess your form,' advises Jhung.
- Silhouette
A mid-high or high waistline is better than a lower waist style, especially in materials that contain stretchy fabrics like lycra, elastane, or spandex. This will help your pants stay in place and avoid any discomfort. There's nothing more distracting than having to adjust your pants constantly.
Fitted yoga pants are also better than loose or super-wide-leg styles. Too much material can interfere with your practice.
- Material
"Many companies that manufacture yoga apparel use in-house fabric blends. Most of these blends contain a percentage of lycra, spandex, and elastane to provide stretch and recovery properties," says Jhung. Nylon is also a good option for yoga pants because it's soft to the touch and breathable.
Bailey suggests avoiding cotton that won't wick, sweat, or dry quickly. Other sweat-wicking fabrics evaporate moisture more efficiently, keeping you comfortable for longer.
How to Style Yoga Pants
Heading to the grocery store after your yoga class? Slip a white T-shirt over your sports bra and complete the look by throwing a sweatshirt over your shoulders.
"I love the Princess Diana classic look of an oversized sweatshirt, sunnies, and high socks to round out a yoga pant outfit," says Giordano. Since temperatures are rising, consider wearing a white T-shirt instead of a sweatshirt. And if you get chilly, you can always wrap an extra layer around your shoulders. This look is perfect for those days when you have errands to run after a yoga session.
A matching activewear set has the power to pull together any look.
"I love a full-length high-waisted legging with a cute sneaker, like a pair of New Balance 550s styled with crew socks," says Bailey. Team your yoga pants with a matching sports bra to look extra put together.
In need of an easy, breezy outfit? An oversized T-shirt will do.
For an effortless look that will get you out the door quickly, Jhung recommends pairing your yoga pants with an oversized T-shirt. "I'll also wear simple sneakers with no-show socks or flip-flops, as I'm a California girl at heart," she adds.
Meet the Experts
As an outdoor sports journalist, Lisa thrives on bringing the sports she loves to life through her writing. She has also written two books: Running That Doesn't Suck: How To Love Running (Even If You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running,
Erin Bailey is a runner and the founder of Momentum Management, a management agency that empowers influencers, creators, and athletes to use their platform beyond traditional brand deals.
Dana Giordano is a former professional track athlete and a current MBA candidate at Columbia Business School pursuing a strategy and management consulting career.
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