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Even though I’m a stubborn year-round shorts runner, I appreciate good leggings when they have the right amount of pockets and a stretchy waistband that won’t upset my sensitive tummy. And when the temperature goes down to the teens on the East Coast, you can bet I’ll give in to full leg coverage. There are also the “leggings during every season” runners looking for extra protection against inner thigh chafing (ouch).
Because I’m super resistant to wearing leggings, I’m also super picky when it comes to choosing the right pair. Is the waistband adjustable? Is there a lower back pocket and thigh pocket for gel and phone storage? In this buying guide, I tackle what to look for before purchasing leggings, and list the best ones you can run in right now.
Best Workout Leggings
- Best Overall: lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight
- Best Value: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Rib Pocket Leggings
- Best Budget: Ododos High Waisted Cropped Yoga Leggings
- Best Fleece Legging: Janji Aurora Fleece Tight
- Best for Storage: Oiselle Pockito Tights
- What’s the difference between workout/activewear leggings vs. regular leggings: We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
Best Fleece Legging
Material
Look for leggings woven with materials, like elastane, which are stretchy and moisture-wicking, unlike cotton, which is not. Mesh panels and cutout perforations are details to consider for ventilation, especially if you wear leggings in warmer weather. In cooler conditions, leggings with a fleece interior provide insulation.
Length
Leggings come in various lengths, from below the knee to covering the ankle. Brands usually list these lengths as:
- Capri: where the cuff stops mid-calf or just below the knee
- 7/8: Gear of the Year
- Full length: Banded Exercises for Hip Strength
However, lengths can vary depending on the runner’s height or if the legging is petite, regular, or tall. Refer to the brand’s size chart to check for inseam lengths so the desired fit doesn’t run too short or too long.
Pockets
We love pockets. If you’re wearing leggings for other activities, like yoga, consider zipper-less drop-in pockets to prevent poking during poses. If you run with your phone, placement is another consideration. Deep thigh pockets keep your phone secure and easy to reach. Some runners—myself included—prefer their phone in the rear mid-back pocket because the weight of the phone on their thigh messes with their stride.
Fit: Waistband length and compression prevent your leggings from slippage. (Back when I started at RW, I tested a pair of leggings that required me to run holding the waistband up so I wouldn’t moon passing cars). Too much constriction, however, can cause gastrointestinal upset on sensitive stomachs. A drawcord and some troubleshooting with sizing—I’ve had to size up for a with some brands’ leggings—will help you find a pair that fits comfy and won’t distract from your workout.
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As a fickle leggings runner who’d rather wear shorts even when there’s frost on the ground, I can attest the bottoms in this guide are scrupulously chosen. Staff and online research also helped with product selection. We zoned in on the comfiest fit, smoothest fabric, and runner-must features, like pockets, inseam lengths, and types of drawcords. From stubbornly running through arctic winds to packing all the long run snacks, these leggings are for every type of runner.
Best Deal
Pros
- where the cuff stops mid-calf or just below the knee
- We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
- Soft, stretchy Nulux fabric
Cons
- The 6 Best Workout Leggings for Women Runners
- No zippered back pocket
It’s a no-brainer rewarding the brand known for yoga pants Best Overall. The Fast & Free is a lululemon classic because it pulls all the punches runners look for: storage, reflectivity, a flattering—and comfy—fit. And there are several lengths to choose from so you can find a pair for any season.
The Fast & Free is woven with lululemon’s Nulux fabric, which testers describe as “buttery soft.” The material, which is extra stretchy with lycra, is UPF 40+ so you get some extra sun protection on your run (because, guys—the sun doesn’t take vacation in the wintertime). Nulux feels sleek and lightweight; think of it as shapewear without gut-squeezing constriction. It’s an all-workout legging, ideal for running, yoga, lifting, and everything in between.
The tights have five pockets with two deep thigh ones for phone storage. The high waistband has an infinity drawcord so it won’t get lost in the wash. The Fast & Free also isn’t see-through, which is sometimes an issue with the brand’s Align legging.
Key Specs
| Inseam | 19, 23, 25, 28 inches |
| Pockets | 5 |
| Sizes | 0 to 18 |
Pros
- Inclusive lengths and sizes
- Soft ribbed fabric
Cons
- Amazing Runners World Show
- Low waist
These High-Waisted PowerSoft leggings are the kind you continuously brush your hands against—the ribbed PowerSoft fabric is über-smooth. The leggings have a lightly compressive fit that allows you to stride, skip, and stretch without feeling overly constrictive.
Most impressive about these leggings—besides the pinch-a-penny price—is the inclusive sizing offered. Old Navy has petite, regular, and tall along with maternity sizing for expectant and postpartum runners.
Storage is limited to two thigh drop-in pockets, but the girth is roomy and secure for your phone and other essentials.
Key Specs
| Inseam | 23, 25, 28 inches |
| Pockets | 2 |
| Sizes | S to XXL; available in maternity sizes |
Pros
- Stretchy high waist with drawcord
- Inseams as high as 30 inches
Cons
- Janji Aurora Fleece Tight
- Janji Aurora Fleece Tight
Your friend’s favorite Amazon legging is actually a sweet bottom for runners (yep, she knew what she was talking about). The Ododos legging (the brand’s name is a repetitive “do,” encouraging the power to act) offers an inclusive collection of lengths, with a 30-inch inseam for my taller run club buddies.
A small knock is the pants have only two pockets, one on each thigh. Fortunately, the pockets are deep and wide for phone storage and whatever else you may need to carry on your run. Sizing is also a little off so be prepared to use Amazon’s exchange policy to find the right fit. The troubleshooting is worth the effort.
“These leggings are my go-to pick for everyday runs,” said contributor Marissa Lemar. “When my focus is on mileage rather than speed, these leggings keep me feeling comfortable and strong as the miles add up. They’re incredibly stretchy yet manage to stay in place for short bursts of speed or any other dynamic movement. The moisture-wicking fabric also keeps me dry all workout long.”
Key Specs
| Inseam | 23, 25, 28, 30 inches |
| Pockets | 2 |
| Sizes | Soft, stretchy Nulux fabric |
Pros
- Plenty of storage with 5 pockets
- Reflective details
- Fleece interior
Cons
- We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article
- Low waist
When the temperature plummets, you’ll need a thicker tight so you won’t become a human popsicle. That’s where these tights come in. Janji’s Aurora tights have an interior fleece lining that’ll keep your legs warm without overheating.
The tights have an external drawcord for adjustability and two deep zippered pockets on each thigh for storage. The seams and drawstrings are reflective for enhanced visibility in hard-to-see conditions.
Minor drawbacks: some testers wanted a higher waist and the drawcord can get lost in the wash if you forget to tie it. But when the temp dropped in the teens, these leggings kept our legs toasty. Just knot that drawcord before tossing it into the machine, okay?
Key Specs
| Inseam | 28 inches |
| Pockets | 2 |
| Sizes | What leggings do you recommend for sensitive stomachs |
Pros
- Banded Exercises for Hip Strength
- Internal drawstring
Cons
- Sizing takes a couple try-ons (runs small or baggy)
Our editors loved the Pockito Short so much, we awarded it Gear of the Year—so it makes sense we’re big fans of Oiselle’s Pockito Tights. The leggings version features seven pockets of storage, including two thigh drop-in pockets, two lower thigh zippered pockets, two side mesh drop-in waist pockets, and a lower back zippered rear pocket. It’s basically utility pants where each pocket can have a specific designation. My mix: I use the mesh waistband pockets for gels, the zippered thigh pockets for sunglasses or more snacks, the drop-in thigh pockets for sunglasses and/or a packable jacket, and the back zippered pocket for my phone.
The high waist has an infinity drawcord with a toggle, making it super easy to adjust if you have gloved hands. My only gripe is the sizing. Going up a size provided the perfect fit with the right amount of constriction and stretch. The legs, however, were slightly baggy. This didn’t affect my running experience or deter me from using the Pockito as my go-to bottom on a recent trip to Switzerland. (Those pockets were perfect for storing wrapped cheese and milk chocolate truffles during hilly hikes.)
Key Specs
| Inseam | 27 inches |
| Pockets | 7 |
| Sizes | 0 to 14 |
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
Pros
- Janji Aurora Fleece Tight
Cons
- Waistband sits low
- No reflective detail for low-light visibility
Tracksmith’s Turnover Tights help you stay toasty without becoming furnace-hot thanks to the Inverno Blend, a polyamide and elastane fabric crafted in Italy. The quick-drying material feels soothing to the touch and keeps you thermoregulated.
The tights come in 7/8 and full-length (that extra material will cost you an extra $5). The waistband sits quite low compared to other leggings in this guide. For storage, you have two drop-in waist pockets for gels and a zippered pocket for cards, keys, or a phone. Consider these your no-nonsense tights when you signed up for that winter race and the start is scheduled in the frigid dawn.
Key Specs
| Inseam | 23.5, 29 inches |
| Pockets | 3 |
| Sizes | We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article |
Workout Leggings for Women Q&A
What’s the difference between workout/activewear leggings vs. regular leggings?
By shopping strictly for “workout leggings,” you’re wheedling out leggings that aren’t as stretchy or supportive for high-intensity workouts, like running. Material is also a major factor; you’ll want leggings that wick away sweat. Extra features, like pockets and adjustable drawcords, as well as reflective detail, are elements that non-workout leggings may omit.
What leggings do you recommend for sensitive stomachs?
This is where trying on leggings matters. Any apparel—leggings, sports bras—that’s too tight can negatively impact digestion and cause you to take shallow breaths. Wearing super constrictive leggings can limit oxygen intake and cause GI distress—not what you want to endure while trying to hit that PR. Leggings that are lightly compressive, like the Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft legging on this list, provide enough support without the tummy upset.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
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