Remote work, neighborhood walks and at-home workouts have only made athleisure a more popular style of fashion, with comfort at the forefront. And as a main staple of athleisure, yoga pants can be found both inside the studio and out on the street or trail.
These pairs hit high marks among both retail staff and customer reviewers for comfort and performance in a variety of activities. While each pair offers movement and quick-drying features for more active pursuits such as yoga and hiking, they're also 100% lounge ready. Our picks cover products for leggings lovers who do everything in their yoga pants!
Staff Picks
Find our quick recommendations here or read on for our favorite leggings and yoga pants.
Softest Yoga Pants: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket High-Waisted Midi
Best Yoga Pants for Multiple Activities: REI Co-op Take Your Time 7/8 Leggings
Best Yoga Short: Beyond Yoga Spacedye High-Waisted Biker Short
Best Leggings
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket High-Waisted Midi Leggings - Women's
Versions Plus size
Fabric 87% polyester/13% spandex
A too-tight or too-loose pair of bottoms during a yoga session can really dampen your vibe. Thankfully, the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket high-waisted midi leggings are not only super soft but hug you as you move through twists and difficult poses. The waistband is about 5 inches and sits at the natural waist, and the midi length of the bottom hem hits just between your ankle and calf.
An added bonus? Pockets. The leggings have two hip pockets that are actually usable and big enough to securely hold a cell phone. Plus, the leggings are comfortable enough for daily wear. One staffer wears them to work out, and also to lounge around or dress up with a cute sweater. "If anyone asks me what leggings they should buy, this is my number one answer," she says. recommends sizing down. Buy here.
Best Yoga Pants for Multiple Activities
REI Co-op Take Your Time 7/8 Leggings - Women's
Materials 75% nylon; 25% spandex
Fit Ankle-length; mid-waisted
Why limit yourself to only practicing yoga in these pants from the REI Co-op brand when their breathable fabric, drop-in thigh pockets and thick waistband make them perfect for activities like hiking, traveling and running errands, too?
Emily Pickelhaupt, an SEO program manager for REI who also teaches yoga, wore the Take Your Time 7/8 leggings on a 34-hour trip to Vietnam, her pockets stuffed with her passport, phone and snacks. "They never sagged like other yoga pants have a tendency to," she said. "The elastic around my waist never stretched out and stayed snug even when I wore them a few more days than I should have."
The fabric, a very soft nylon-spandex blend, offers "the perfect balance of stretch and compression," says Haley Perry, REI materials developer, who wears these leggings for practicing yoga, walking around town, lounging and hiking. The Take Your Time 7/8 leggings is also available in 2X-3X. Buy here and here.
Best Yoga Short
Beyond Yoga Spacedye High-Waisted Biker Shorts - Women's
Materials 87% polyester, 13% spandex
Fit 7 in. inseam; high-waisted
For those looking for yoga wear with less coverage, these biker shorts may be a good option—head out for yoga in the park or on a sunny beach. They are made with Beyond Yoga's signature polyester-spandex blend with a waistband that sits high at the natural waist. Fans of these shorts commend them for not rolling down during activity, and our REI sales lead in Fairfax says the material's matte finish makes underwear lines invisible.
One customer reviewer calls these their chosen pair for intense yoga sessions. "I have tried a variety of different shorts for my yoga practice, and these have become my favorite. ... They do not ride up from the bottom when I do vinyasa moves leading to downdog nor do they ride up from tree pose to toe stand."
The only complaint? Some reviewers wish these shorts included pockets. Buy here and here.
Buying Advice
Yoga pants should be breathable, flexible and comfortable. With variations in fabric, cut, length and fit, you can find the right pair for your needs by considering the following factors:
Comfort
You don't want pants that pinch or squeeze, but comfort may mean different things to different people. Some prefer high waists, like those on the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket High-Waisted Midi. Do you want full coverage at the waist or legs? Try on several pairs, if possible, to see whether they feel comfortable. Also pay close attention to waistbands that are too tight, crotches that sag or seams that itch. Look for covered seams, like those on the Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II, for a less scratchy construction and a cleaner finish.
Breathability
Depending on the type of yoga you practice or the activities you do while wearing yoga pants, you may sweat a lot or a little. For that reason, it's important to consider fabrics that "breathe," or move sweat away from your skin and allow moisture to evaporate. Aim for a blend of synthetic fabrics and avoid cotton when possible.
Fit
Your yoga pants should fit around your natural waist and should align with your curves fairly closely. Length is a personal choice, though leggings with a 7/8 length like the REI Co-op Take Your Time leggings will fit like full-length yoga pants for shoppers who are shorter. If you're practicing power vinyasa or expect to bend and stretch often, high-waisted leggings or pants are good bets because they provide coverage while you're twisting, folding or in inverted poses. Loose-fitting pants make a nice option for lounging, errands and slower yoga classes, such as restorative yoga.
Our Process
We ask our retail and editorial staff to tell us about their favorite yoga pants and leggings available at the co-op, and we also incorporated feedback from customer reviewers. These are the top picks for pants, leggings and shorts for a range of yoga and other pursuits.
