Free People Leggings Review 2025—Five Editors Try FP Movement

The first time I wore Free People leggings, I remember thinking, Well, time to donate my other tights. They easily became my favorite pair of leggings for lounging, exercising, and traveling—and they weren’t even from an old-school activewear brand. At the time, Free People had just launched FP Movement with its own site, making it easier to shop the brand’s on-trend athleisure; it has since expanded to hundreds of pieces that fit perfectly into the studio-to-coffee shop routine that so many of us love.

You might be familiar with the popular Good Karma leggings and onesie, which have been spotted on celebs like Hilary Duff, Brie Larson, and Addison Rae. But to get the best feel for FP Movement’s style and performance, I asked the Glamour team to test the brand’s most popular tights: the Never Better 7/8 leggings, which have a 4.4-star average rating. Our editors tested them for various activities, including gym workouts and yoga, for about a month each. (One editor even wore them on an eight-hour flight.) Read our honest thoughts on the FP Movement leggings, below.

Jenifer Calle

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Original video by Jenifer Calle

“Word on the street is that leggings are over, and while there might be a shift to more wide-leg pants, whenever I look around at the gym, leggings are all I see people wearing. So if you’re going to invest in a quality pair, take it from someone who tests activewear for a living: These FP Movement leggings are worth adding to your closet,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.

“Ever since I first came across FP Movement leggings, they’ve been my go-tos for just about everything. Most leggings squeeze me so tightly that I can’t wear them for long periods of time. These, however, are stretchy enough that I don’t feel sucked in and can wear them all day. I actually wore mine to the airport for an eight-hour flight to France. I was comfortable the entire time and didn’t even think about them once.

“They’re petite-friendly leggings—I’m five two, and they hit right on my ankles and an inch above my belly button—although I do wish the brand offered inseam options. During my testing I ran a 5K, hopped on a Citi Bike, took a hot Pilates class, and casually strolled around Jersey City. I like that they don’t give me a camel toe or a pancake butt, though they will show underwear lines, so I recommend no undies or thongs. The best part is that they come in so many pretty colors, so I can have fun with my weekend outfits. Plus, they’re versatile enough for workout classes or lounging at home.”

Malia Griggs

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Original video by Malia Griggs

“I’ve owned Free People leggings for years, and they’re some of my favorites. These feel instantly familiar—they’re made from the same ultra-soft, stretchy material that makes me almost forget I’m wearing pants at all. That second-skin feeling took a bit of getting used to at first, but now I love it because it’s so seamless,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.

“I wore the 7/8 pair to three yoga classes, and they moved easily through every pose—no rolling waistband, no adjusting necessary. They’re easy to pull on and off, even when I’m a little sweaty, and comfortable enough that I napped in them. The evergreen color, a deep peacock green, is unique and a great alternative to my black leggings. I like the slightly cropped length for my five-foot-four frame. The fabric is definitely on the thinner side—you can see underwear through it—so I’d stick to lower-impact workouts or at-home wear. I do wish they had a pocket for my phone, though I suspect the extra weight might pull them down. Overall: Love! Would buy (and have before).”

Falak Khoja

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Original video by Falak Khoja

“I’ve never tried Free People leggings before, but knowing how many people love them, I was excited to try them out. October in New York City brings chilly weather, and these leggings were perfect for a stroll or running errands. They’re on the thinner side, but when layered with cozy tops, they offer great breathability and comfort,” says Glamour designer Falak Khoja.

“What I loved most was how soft, form-fitting, and comfortable they felt, which was ideal for moving around throughout the day. Even with my longer legs—I’m five four—I actually liked the 7/8 cut because I didn’t have to keep adjusting the fabric. As a bonus, they’re not just comfy but also really flattering. Paired with a hoodie or a nice coat, they give off a casual yet stylish vibe, and they’re versatile enough to play around with different outfits. Since I tested them outdoors, I’d say they might feel a bit thin for colder winter days—but for fall and spring weather, they’re perfect. Overall, I loved these leggings and can’t wait to purchase more.”

Loneeja Talukdar

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Original video by Loneeja Talukdar

“I tested the Free People 7/8 Movement Leggings for grocery runs, errands, and gym workouts. Right off the bat, I noticed how comfortable they are. They don’t have that tight tummy compression that sometimes creates unflattering bulges or feels restrictive. Instead, they fit smoothly and feel easy to move in,” says Glamour senior analyst Loneeja Talukdar.

“True to Free People’s philosophy, they’re meant to hug your natural shape rather than enhance it, which I actually appreciate; it keeps things real and comfortable so you can focus on your workout. (If you prefer a cinched waist or firm compression, this style might not be the best choice; it’s designed more for comfort than sculpting.)

“During workouts like squats, RDLs, and lunges, I also noticed that the leggings stayed completely opaque, even when I wore darker underwear underneath. For something this lightweight and breathable, that’s a huge win for me because see-through leggings are an absolute dealbreaker. I did experience a slight bit of waistband rolling near the tummy, but it was minimal and not uncomfortable. Overall, I’d say these leggings are perfect for anyone who hates tight compression and just wants to feel free and comfortable—whether working out or running errands. For heavy workouts like HIIT or jumping jacks, though, I might prefer something a bit more supportive to stay in place.”

Lauren Brown

Courtesy of brand

Original video by Lauren Brown

“These leggings from Free People were new to me, and I can’t say I’d recommend them for any kind of public work activity if you’re a curvier girl, as I often had to hoist the waistband back up,” says Glamour associate visuals director Lauren Brown. “They’re very thin, which works if you’re going for that superlight feel. I personally missed having side pockets and more coverage. Since I’m tall, the 7/8 cut was very high up my legs, so it wasn’t the most comfortable. They’re nice for a home workout in the summer months, though.”

The final verdictOverall, the FP Movement Never Better 7/8 leggings kept up with our editors’ daily lives. We felt supported and comfortable in our movements, and they were easy to style, especially with other Free People pieces. We recommend them for low-impact workouts like yoga, Pilates, and strength training because of the minimal compression. We felt confident wearing them, which gave us a boost to get things done. But we would have loved bonus features like side pockets, multiple inseam options, or a drawstring for a more secure fit.

How we test leggingsLeggings are key in an activewear capsule. From an exercise standpoint, they allow for the widest range of movement with the least risk of exposure and discomfort. And paired with the right top, they’re versatile enough to act as an actual pair of pants. For Glamour’s testing, our editors tested for about a month and considered the following criteria:

Waistband fit and comfort: We check to see if they’re secure on our waists when performing our particular activity, noting if they slip or dig into the skin.Fabric quality: We evaluate whether the fabric is moisture-wicking enough when sweating, and if wet, check to see if it dries quickly. We also do a squat test by putting on the leggings, bending into a deep squat near a mirror, and checking whether the material around our glutes remains opaque. After each wear, we check if they held up well after washing. Is the fabric still soft to the touch? Was there any pilling?Length and inseam: Our testers are all different heights and sizes. We noted if the length and inseam were comfortable for our specific frames.Putting on and taking off: We noted if we heard any ripping seams when pulling them on or off, especially after a particular sweaty workout.Fit: We noted if we found ourselves constantly pulling up or adjusting leggings during a workout. Did they stay in place during our workout? Did they make us feel motivated to work out, or were they distracting?