The 9 Greatest Operating Leggings | 2025 Picks
These tights are designed with compressive panels that mimic the kinesiology taping strategies that bodily therapists typically use to assist injured runners. Though Dworecki admits that the additional stiffness doesn’t really feel cozy for simply lounging round, she says it might come in useful at any time when her physique’s feeling just a little additional beat up.
Sizes: XS to 2XL | Materials: Polyester, spandex, nylon, Lycra spandex | Inseam lengths: N/A
Greatest with Pockets: Brooks Spark Tights
Though these Brooks tights may not have probably the most pockets, they’re actually well-designed. Behind the waistband, there is a turn-and-lock slot that’s large and safe sufficient to stash your telephone with out it bouncing round or dragging the waist down. And on the surface of every thigh, deep pockets are large enough to carry a bunch of gels.
One other element I like: The material contained in the facet pockets is mesh, so it is extra breathable and retains me cooler when temps warmth up.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Recycled polyester, spandex | Inseam lengths: 27 inches
Most Breathable: Nike Professional Ladies’s Mid-Rise Crop Mesh-Panel Leggings
If high-waisted, full-length leggings really feel like an excessive amount of material for hotter runs, go for a cooler, cropped reduce as an alternative. This capri-length Nike pair additionally has cool mesh on the backs of the calves and a large elastic waistband that hits slightly below your stomach button. In the meantime, light-weight, moisture-wicking material retains you from getting waterlogged, even when the sweat begins dripping.
Sizes: XXS to 3X | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Inseam lengths: 27 inches
Greatest with Reflective Particulars: Adidas Ultimateadidas Reflective 7/8 Leggings
Operating at nightfall or daybreak? Search for leggings with reflective particulars, like this Adidas pair. “Even when you do not suppose you are going to be working within the evenings, you possibly can get misplaced or one thing may occur,” Dworecki says. “Even when the climate is simply actually grey and darkish, that reflective detailing isn’t going to harm.”
Most leggings solely have a small, reflective brand. Different occasions, it’s pasted onto clothes in large blocks that aren’t precisely flattering. However Ultimateadidas splits the distinction, with reflective strips alongside the back and front of the thighs and ankles. You possibly can simply be seen at nighttime from any angle—however nonetheless look cute while you’re heading out in daylight.
Sizes: 2XS to 2XL | Materials: Recycled polyester, elastane | Inseam lengths: 31 inches
Greatest Opaque: Spanxshape Booty Enhance 7/8 Leggings
“Booty Enhance” is actually an applicable title for these leggings: The compressive materials provides you a raise within the again and a few additional assist within the entrance. As somebody who’s self-conscious in regards to the cellulite on the again of my thighs, I nearly at all times keep away from light-colored tights. However Spanx makes gentle shades with its “No Reveal Opacity” tech—there is a darker lining inside, for higher protection.
Though this doesn’t fully block out all panty strains for me, it covers up most of them. Even higher? I see subsequent to no cellulite—which leaves me feeling much more assured on my runs.
Sizes: XS to 3X | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Inseam lengths: 25 inches
Greatest Plus-Measurement: Peloton Attire Cadent Excessive Rise Legging
As a plus-size runner, Younger says it’s getting more durable to search out good working leggings in her dimension. “I want there have been extra plus-size choices that really thought-about plus-size our bodies,” she says.
However this pair from Peloton’s attire line has grow to be her tried-and-true. “These are a number of the most enduring pairs of leggings I’ve come throughout,” she says. She finds the gentle materials to be tremendous comfy, however notes that it nonetheless does an excellent job of wicking away sweat. “And so they are available lots of enjoyable colours,” she provides. (She additionally recommends the model’s sports activities bras and tank tops, which make an ideal matching set.)
Sizes: XS to 3X | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Inseam lengths: 25 inches
Extra nice choices
Have not discovered the appropriate pair but? Do not sweat it—though these leggings did not make our prime picks, we nonetheless advocate them. (Many have related options, materials, and value factors to our favorites.)
Athleta Rainier Excessive Rise Legging
Residing in Indiana, Dworecki has a number of pairs of fleece-lined leggings—however the Rainier is her favourite. “The fleece inside is simply actually gentle,” she says. Whereas some pairs really feel too heavy to run in comfortably, she finds that Athleta nailed the right stability of cozy (however not stifling) with this pair. “They simply really feel comfy,” she says.
Nikkia Younger, president of the Richmond Street Runners Membership and working coach with Sport Changers, can be a fan. She says they’re tremendous sturdy (“they do very properly for a very long time, they usually wash properly,” she explains) and appreciates that they are out there in plus sizes.
Sizes: XXS to 3X (common), XXS to L (petite) | Materials: Polyester, Lycra | Inseam lengths: 25, 27, 30 inches
Past Yoga Spacedye The Go Pocket Midi Legging
If you need working leggings which can be additionally opaque sufficient for yoga class and energy coaching, plus cozy sufficient for day-to-day lounging, this Past Yoga pair has you coated. They’re made out of the model’s UV protecting Spacedye materials that’s sweat-wicking, has four-way stretch, and feels majorly gentle. It’s simply pretty much as good for curling up on the sofa as it’s for happening a run.
This pair specifically has facet pockets which can be large enough on your telephone,and a safe, high-rise waistband that will not slip down, due to an adjustable drawstring.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Inseam lengths: 24 inches
Sweaty Betty Energy 7/8 Exercise Leggings
These leggings are made with tremendous stretchy, however supportive—and sweat-wicking—polyamide elastane material that’s merely very best for working. Additionally they have a zippered again pocket to maintain your telephone protected, plus an additional facet pocket on your gels, keys, or anything you wish to carry.
One element we love? Strategic seams throughout the thighs and bottom make for an particularly flattering design. Bonus: They arrive in tons of colours and enjoyable patterns, for a significant dopamine increase.
Sizes: XXS to 4XL | Materials: Polyamide elastane | Inseam lengths: 24, 27 inches
Vuori Day by day Pocket Legging
Vuori has a well-earned fame for making buttery gentle clothes, and these leggings are not any exception. A drawstring helps you to loosen the waist while you’re simply hanging round, or tighten it as much as keep in place while you’re choosing up the tempo. (The one bummer is that it might get in the best way in case you’re carrying a tighter lengthy prime.)
Additionally useful: Though there’s no again pocket, two drop-in slots on the surface of the thighs are large enough to stash your telephone.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Inseam lengths: 22.5, 24.5, and 27.5 inches
What to search for in working leggings
Not all leggings are good for working. Right here’s what consultants counsel protecting in thoughts whilst you’re looking for a pair that may maintain up for miles.
Search for breathable, sweat-wicking materials made out of artificial supplies like nylon, elastane, Lycra, spandex, or polyester. “Keep away from cotton or something that is going to carry moisture in opposition to your pores and skin,” Dworecki says.
In the event you reside in a chilly local weather, leggings with a fleece lining or a thicker weave will maintain you heat. When it’s hotter, Dworecki suggests searching for a pair with mesh cutouts. “Simply maintain them within the decrease leg as a result of typically, that may trigger some chafing,” she warns.
One other approach to keep cooler in the summertime is to achieve for leggings with a shorter inseam that lets your ankles and calves breathe. Simply know that, whereas a 23-inch inseam might hit mid-calf on longer legs, they may match like full-length leggings in case you’re shorter.
Some manufacturers (and runners like Staehler) advocate that people who find themselves 5 toes, 4 inches tall or shorter purchase 7/8 size leggings to keep away from additional material bunching round their ankles.
Leggings will be high-rise, mid-rise, or low-rise. “A high-rise waistband provides extra protection and assist,” Dworecki factors out, including that it additionally sometimes provides additional house for pockets. Nonetheless, different runners favor a mid-rise waistband as a result of it covers much less of their core and would not really feel as restrictive.
To reduce chafing, Dworecki suggests reaching for leggings made with flatlock seams that lie clean in opposition to your pores and skin. “And search for one thing known as a gusseted crotch—it seems like a diamond—as a result of you may get chafing down in that space too,” she says.
Additionally, think about how a lot compression you need in your leggings. “In the event you get ones with correct compression, it might actually assist your physique in a few of these later mileages,” says Younger. She provides that some runners put on compressive leggings instead of compression socks or sleeves.
Different useful particulars embody pockets to stash necessities and reflective components that will help you be seen at nighttime.
How we examined working leggings
To search out the perfect working leggings, I requested different runners and coaches for his or her prime recs—and took inventory of my very own go-tos after making an attempt a great deal of pairs myself over time. I quizzed the consultants on each the necessities (sweat-wicking materials) and nice-to-haves (pockets) in good working leggings, then scoured each new releases and longtime fan favorites to search out pairs that match the invoice.
Often requested questions on working leggings
How do I cease my leggings from falling down whereas I run?
Select a pair with a drawstring you may tighten, Dworecki suggests. It might additionally assist to keep away from placing something in your leggings’ pockets. (Professional tip: Strap on a working belt as an alternative.)
Younger additionally recommends experimenting with sizing down: “That tends to carry you in with the additional compression, but additionally is a bit more proof against shifting round,” she says.
Why do some runners put on shorts over their leggings?
Since leggings are tremendous form-fitting, some runners favor to layer shorts on prime for added protection. “Some individuals are self-conscious about having it’s too tight on sure elements of their physique,” Dworecki explains. And typically, Younger provides, individuals add the additional layer within the winter to supply a smidge extra heat to their backsides.
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