12 Best Leggings We Tested That Don’t Roll Down or Pill 2025

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As a longtime health and fitness journalist, I’m not exaggerating when I say finding the best leggings for women has led to me testing at least 50 pairs over the past decade, from black leggings designed for running to budget-friendly Amazon pairs that rival even the most expensive options on the market. During my tireless quest to find the just-right pairs—ones with the perfect level of compression and comfy fabric that won’t slip, sag, or pill—I’ve locked in a few personal favorites. I also polled Glamour editors and fellow fitness pros to share their own reviews, taking factors like whether the leggings rolled down at any point, how sweat-wicking they were, and how well they stood up to at least five washes into account. Ahead, shop the best leggings for the gym, yoga, cardio, and lounging.

The best leggings for women, at a glanceBest Overall: Lululemon High Rise Align Pants, $98Best on Amazon: Colorfulkoala High-Waist Yoga Pants, $22Best for Pilates: FP Movement Good Karma Leggings, $78Best for Low-Intensity: Alo High-Waist Airbrush Leggings, $118Best for Everyday Wear: Vuori Daily Leggings, $89Best Overall Leggings: Lululemon High Rise Align PantsOriginal image by Glamour commerce writer Jenny McCoy

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Lululemon Align High-Rise Pants

Best for: Everyday wear, walks, low-intensity workouts, tummy control

“I wear this pair of leggings more than any other pants in my closet because they’re that amazing. Even after running them through the washer and dryer 50-plus times, the supersoft fabric still feels heavenly against my skin, and the thick waistband strikes that elusive balance of comfortable yet supportive,” says certified personal trainer and Glamour fitness writer Jenny McCoy. “They’re also impressively durable: I donned them throughout my pregnancy and am still wearing them nine months postpartum. Although my belly has changed a lot during that time, these full-length leggings somehow still fit like a glove—the fabric was generously stretchy when I needed it to be but retained its elasticity. I love these so much I ordered a second pair so I have a backup on laundry day. They’re my trusted companions for work-from-home life, running errands, and gentle workouts like yoga, stretching, walking, and hiking.”

The rest of our editors almost universally agree that these are the most versatile on the list, with truly unparalleled functionality, but one note is that it pays to wear a solid pair of sweat-wicking underwear for working out, because these tend to take a while to dry after a run.

Pros: Supersoft and lightweight fabric; high-quality and durableCons: Pricey; while sweat-wicking, they don’t dry quicklySizes: 0–20Fabrics: Nylon, Lycra elastaneSlip test: PassedPilling: Minimal after more than a year of avid wearBest Amazon Leggings: Colorfulkoala Buttery-Soft High-Waist Yoga PantsOriginal image by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz

Original image by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz

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Colorfulkoala Buttery-Soft High-Waist Yoga Pants

Best for: Lounging, low-intensity workouts

This top-rated pair of leggings (they have more than 11,000 five-star reviews referring to them as great Lululemon dupes) lives up to their “buttery-soft” name, according to Glamour’s commerce director Brie Schwartz. “They feel dreamy on (so much so that they’re the first thing I reach for when I get home from work), sit comfortably at the mid-waist without digging, and they’re almost slick to the touch. However, they do slip—you might want to size down—so I don’t recommend these for running (unless you like tugging every few feet). If you’re just looking to wear them for athleisure activities, lounging, or a day at the gym when you’re focused on upper body, though, I give them a 10 out of 10. They’re also perfect for layering under jeans or sweats in winter if you’re looking to stay warm.”

Pros: Reasonable price; soft; no pillingCons: Slight saggingSizes: XS–XLFabrics: Nylon, spandexSlip test: Slick material can sagPilling: NoneBest Leggings for Pilates: FP Movement Good Karma LeggingsOriginal image by Glamour tester Kristine Thomason

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FP Movement Good Karma Leggings

Best for: Yoga, Pilates

Wondering what to wear to Pilates? “Every time I throw on these leggings, I feel confident, strong, and ready to take on any challenge. Why? They have a unique, wide-ribbed waistline that gives them a custom-feeling fit and reliably stays put, even during inversions and advanced yoga or Pilates postures,” says Glamour contributor Kristine Thomason. “The material is thick but breathable, with perforated detailing on the back of the leg for a little extra airflow. I’m also impressed by their longevity—I’ve owned my pair of Good Karma Leggings for nearly five years, and they still look brand-new (no pilling in sight). Plus, this style of yoga pants comes in the most gorgeous earthy colors, winning them major style points.”

Pros: Breathable; high waistCons: Limited sizesSizes: XS–XLFabrics: Spandex, nylonSlip test: PassedPilling: NoneBest Leggings for Low-Intensity Workouts: Alo High-Waist Airbrush LeggingsOriginal image by Glamour tester Kristine Thomason

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Alo High-Waist Airbrush 7/8 Leggings

Best for: Working out at the gym, yoga, casual wear

“The Alo High-Waist Airbrush leggings have garnered a bit of a cult following, and I have to admit, I’m proudly part of that group. The high waistband feels like a comforting hug around your middle, with just enough compression to feel supported but not stifled. The fabrication is also lovely, with a cotton-soft feel,” Thomason says. “They’re best-suited for low-intensity exercise, as the waistband does sometimes roll slightly during more high-intensity workouts. Nevertheless, I love having these Alo leggings in my rotation. I automatically feel effortlessly chic when I throw them on, and I feel just as comfortable wearing them to a Pilates class as I do pairing them with a sweatshirt for the plane.”

Pros: Compression; smoothing; sculptingCons: Limited sizesSizes: XXS–XLFabric: Nylon, elastaneSlip test: Passed, but not during high-intensity workoutsPilling: Minimal over timeBest Leggings for Working Out: Athleta Elation Ultra-High-Rise Double Up LeggingsOriginal image by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle

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Athleta Elation Ultra-High-Rise Double Up Leggings

Best for: Pilates, hot workouts, treadmill running, stair exercises, and strength training

These workout leggings are a favorite of Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle, who wears them multiple times a week. “This set is constantly getting washed because I use it so much during the week. I wear it to the gym for strength training, to my Pilates reformer classes, and on days when I don’t want to wear real clothes. I took an NYC Fuze hot workout class and the leggings surprisingly didn’t slip, so I recommend them for hot yoga or hot Pilates classes. I’m five foot two and wear a size medium. The length is petite-friendly because it doesn’t bunch up at the bottom.”

Pros: Doesn’t dig into skin; no slipping down; silky softCons: Not super thick so might be prone to rips in the futureSizes: XXS–XLFabrics: Nylon, LycraSlip test: PassedPilling: PassedBest Leggings for Everyday Wear: Vuori Daily Leggings

Courtesy of brand

Best for: Yoga, hikes, pilates, running errands, everyday wear

For a pair of leggings that fit seamlessly with your day—whether you have a sweaty yoga class planned or are running errands—consider Vuori’s best-selling leggings. These are a favorite of Glamour contributor Jessie Quinn, who wears them at least once a week. “I’ve had these Vuori leggings on regular rotation for over a year, and they are one of my most reached-for pairs,” she says. “I love that the fabric feels soft and flexible against my skin, but still provides medium compression for more challenging workouts and hikes. The leggings also have a cute drawstring detail that separates them from all of my other plain black leggings.” It’s worth noting that the leggings run a bit small (Quinn usually wears XS but prefers these in small) and don’t have the most extensive size range compared to others on this list.

Pros: Comfortable, breathable material; medium compressionCons: Runs a little small; not the best size rangeSizes: XXS–XXLFabrics: Polyester, elastaneSlip test: PassedPilling: NoneBest Leggings for Yoga: Beyond Yoga Spacedye High-Waisted Leggings

Courtesy of brand

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Beyond Yoga Spacedye High-Waist Leggings

Best for: Yoga, cycling, hiking, leg day

For leggings you can wear to the yoga studio, gym, or the great outdoors, consider this pick from Beyond Yoga. These high-rise leggings are different from the buttery-soft, sheen-heavy fabrics on this list; instead, they boast a more matte texture, so they’re a nice alternative if you’d prefer something unique. “I love these Beyond Yoga leggings because they are comfortable for long wear, have enough compression to support me through different types of workouts, and look so cute as a set with a matching sports bra,” Quinn says. “While they are a little too thick to wear in warm weather, especially in late summer and early fall in Los Angeles, they’re a pair I reach for the most during the winter when I want something warm that isn’t fleece-lined.”

Pros: Comfortable fit; matte texture; nice size rangeCons: Too thick for warm weatherSizes: XXS–4XLFabrics: Polyester, elastaneSlip test: PassedPilling: NoneBest Leggings with Pockets: Old Navy High-Waist Side-Pocket 7/8 LeggingsOriginal image by Glamour tester Kristine Thomason

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Old Navy High-Waist Side-Pocket 7/8 Leggings

Best for: Casual wear, strength training

Like a lot of workout clothes, quality leggings aren’t exactly kind to your credit card. However, this pair of pocket leggings from Old Navy costs just shy of $20 and features a style comparable to other products on this list. “I like them because they are reasonably priced for the quality,” says Glamour tester Rachel D’Amato. “They are lighter weight than a lot of leggings out there, but not sheer. The pocket is deep enough to fit a phone, and they fit like shapewear to keep you snatched.” Plus, these bestsellers have a nearly perfect five-star rating (among 2,000-plus reviews on the brand’s site). “While these are technically labeled as high-rise, they fit more mid than most leggings on the market, which I prefer,” says Glamour’s Schwartz. “I’ve had my pair for at least five years, and while the waistband has gotten looser over time and they’ve begun to sag in the tush, they’ve withstood countless washes without pilling. The one demerit is they take a while to dry after workouts and aren’t as sweat-wicking as, say, the Lululemons on this list.”

Pros: Affordable price; useful pockets; snug fitCons: Sizing inconsistencySizes: XS–4XLFabrics: Cotton, spandexSlip test: Looser waistband may slip during higher-intensity workoutsPilling: Moderate, over time