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What is Yoga | Pilates vs. Yoga | Yoga Poses and Stretches for a Tight IT Band | Best Yoga Pants | Best Yoga Mats | Best Yoga Blocks | Best Yoga Bolster | Best Yoga Wheel | Best Yoga Blankets | Best Lululemon Yoga Mat
Women are in constant search of the best yoga pants they can take to their next class and support their yoga practice. And the choice might not always be yoga leggings. Although they offer the most support and no restriction of movement, some women like their bottoms looser and not glued to their legs.
The yoga pants versus leggings debate has nothing to do with actual science, and neither option will necessarily improve your yoga practice—it's all about preference and feeling since no size fits all. That's why we chose 10 different yoga pants for women of all sizes, body shapes, styles, and preferences, and we hope you find the best fit for you.
The Best Yoga Pants - Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Yoga Pants: Lululemon Align High Rise 28"
- Best Flare Yoga Pants: Alo Airbrush High Waist
- Best Plus Size Yoga Pants: Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II Capri
- Best Yoga Pants with Pockets: High-Rise Wide Leg Crop 23"
- Best Yoga Pants for Hot Yoga: Alo Yoga High Waist
- Best Cropped Yoga Pants: Lululemon High-Rise Crop 23"
- Best Budget Yoga Pants: High Waisted PowerPress Crop
- Best High-Waisted Yoga Pants: Beyond Yoga High Waisted Legging
- Best Yoga Sweatpants: Vuori Performance Jogger Pants
- Best Yoga Pants for Any Workout: Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Leggings
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Best Overall - Lululemon Align High Rise 28"
SPECS
- Material: Nulu™ fabric (81% Nylon, 19% Lycra elastane)
- Length: 28" (but comes in 25" and 31" as well)
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: 0-20
If you ask any woman who's ever tried Lululemon Align yoga leggings, you'll know why they've been an absolute winner for years. Their trademarked Nulu fabric is the softest you'll encounter and the variety of colors, sizes, and lengths make it easy to find your favorite pair.
Lululemon calls the Align series specially designed for yoga, and once you try them out, you'll know why. These yoga leggings are lightweight, soft, supportive, and really stretchy so you'll never feel like your movements are restricted. They also feature an invisible pocket you can use to hold a card or a key, but with soft seams and a barely noticeable opening, you won't even know it's there.
What We Like
- Soft, buttery feel
- Great stretch
- Lightweight
- Hidden pocket
- A variety of colors, sizes, and lengths
What We Don't Like
- The price
BUY: Lululemon Align High Rise 28"
Best Flare Yoga Pants - Alo Airbrush High Waist Flutter Leggings
SPECS
- Material: Alo Yoga's signature Airbrush fabric
- Length: 32.25" - 32.75"
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: 00-14
The flare design has become extremely popular this year and many women have been loving it so far. Alo Yoga is known for its high-quality activewear and yoga pants, so it comes as no surprise that their flared style is a best-seller.
Made from their signature Airbrush fabric, these yoga pants are airy and breathable, opaque and not see-through, moisture-wicking, smooth, and leave you feeling supported. Many satisfied customers report they're very flattering as they sculpt and smooth your skin. The waistband is skinny and comfortable so you won't feel any cut-ins, no matter your body shape.
They come in three core and four limited-edition colors and fit sizes 00-14.
What We Like
- High-quality breathable fabric
- Tested in-house and not see-through
- Sculpting and smoothing results
- Skinny waistband
What We Don't Like
- The price
- Might be too long for shorter women
- The largest size is 14
BUY: Alo Airbrush High Waist Flutter Leggings
Best Plus-Size Yoga Pants - Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II Capri
SPECS
- Material: Powervita™ fabric (Nylon + Lycra)
- Length: 18.5", 21", 23"
- Rise: High-rise
- Size option: XXS-3X
Athleta's mission is all about female confidence and celebrating every body size and body shape. Everyone is created to move and should move with utmost self-confidence in the best yoga pants to fit their body. That's why they're the absolute favorite choice for plus-sized women.
Athleta's signature Powervita fabric is not only buttery soft and offers a four-way stretch, it's also moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and works on all sizes, from XXS to 3X. It's the ultimate legging for every woman.
These capris come in eight beautiful colors and even have built-in side pockets for your most valuable belongings. They are also one of Athleta's best-sellers that often go out of stock, so make sure to snatch them as soon as you click on the product's site. They offer free shipping and returns for all of their members, so if you're not sure whether or not they'll be a right fit, it's recommended to join their member club.
What We Like
- Buttery soft fabric with UPF 50+
- The large range of sizes
- Quick-drying
- Side-stash pocket
What We Don't Like
- The price (expensive for capri pants)
- Often out of stock in many sizes
BUY: Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II Capri
Best Yoga Pants with Pockets - Lululemon Align High-Rise Wide Leg Crop 23"
SPECS
- Material: Nulu™ Fabric
- Length: 23"
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: 0-20
If you're looking for comfortable and loose yoga pants that will sit away from your body, hip to hem, you are going to love these high-rise wide-leg crops from Lululemon. They are made out of the same Align Nulu™ Fabric as their other yoga pants, so you can expect the same buttery softness, stretch, breathability, and lightweight feel.
They also come with very comfortable pockets so you can easily take them from the studio to the street, and they feature an interior card sleeve so you don't have to worry about having your card fall out. These wide-leg crops come in all sizes and five beautiful colors you can easily mix and match with any top of your choice.
What We Like
- Soft, signature Nulu™ Fabric
- Great pockets
- Ultra lightweight
What We Don't Like
- The price
- Only available online
BUY: Lululemon Align High-Rise Wide Leg Crop 23"
Best Yoga Pants for Hot Yoga - Alo Yoga High Waist Airlift Legging
SPECS
- Material: Double-knit signature Airlift fabric
- Length: 28" and 28.5"
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: 00-18
Hot yoga brings out the sweat and there's nothing worse than feeling wet fabric move around your legs. These high-waist yoga leggings from Alo Yoga are made with their signature Airlift fabric that's specially designed to retain moisture and keep your legs as dry as possible.
The fabric is stretchy, breathable, and quick-drying, as well as sculpting and very flattering. Customers report a very soft and comfortable feel with a great waistband that doesn't roll down during practice. These yoga leggings come in four core and 11 limited-edition colors as well as a large range of sizes so you can find the ones that fit you best.
What We Like
- Breathable and moisture-wicking fabric
- 4-way stretch for non-restrictive movement
- Front-smoothing panel for more comfortable fit
What We Don't Like
- The price
- Limited length options
BUY: Alo Yoga High Waist Airlift Legging
Best Cropped Yoga Pants - Lululemon InStill High-Rise Crop 23"
SPECS
- Material: SmoothCover™ fabric
- Length: 23" (also comes in 21")
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: 0-20
Cropped leggings are not everyone's favorite, but if you're someone who prefers this style, you'll love Lululemon's InStill crops. They're made with their SmoothCover™ fabric that's supportive, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and features tight-knit seams that leave your skin feeling smoother and more sculpted.
They come in several colors and all sizes so you can find the best fit for you. The high-waist waistband is light and soft so it doesn't dig into your abdomen and it features an invisible back pocket for your credit cards or keys.
What We Like
- Soft to the touch
- Uplifting support and smoothing coverage
- Invisible back pocket
What We Don't Like
- The price
- The 21" option doesn't have as many colors
BUY: Lululemon InStill High-Rise Crop 23"
Best Budget Yoga Pants - Old Navy High Waisted PowerPress Crop
SPECS
- Material: 85% polyester, 15% spandex
- Length: 19", 20", 22"
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: XS-4X
Targeted to women of all shapes and sizes, these Old Navy yoga leggings are amazing for their price point. They redesigned their styles to fit a wide range of sizes which don't lose quality no matter how much they're stretched.
They're made from a mix of polyester and spandex and come in several different colors that you can pair with a matching bra or top. The waistband is elasticized to keep you supported throughout your yoga practice, and the moisture-wicking technology keeps you dry and comfortable no matter how sweaty you get.
What We Like
- The price
- A wide range of sizes
- Elasticized waistband
What We Don't Like
- Some customers report fabric feeling very stiff
- Some customers report inconsistent sizing
BUY: Old Navy High Waisted PowerPress Crop
Best High-Waisted Yoga Pants - Beyond Yoga High Waisted Legging
SPECS
- Material: Signature Spacedye fabric (87% Polyester, 13% Elastane)
- Length: 25"
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: XXS-4X
Bestselling high-waisted leggings for a reason, these yoga pants from Beyond Yoga are soft, stretchy, moisture-wicking, and come with UV protection for all of those summer outdoor classes. They are made with their signature Spacedry fabric which is known for its softness and comfort. It's also Bluesign certified which means all the materials are responsibly sourced.
The 5-inch waistband is comfortable and sits right where you want it without any roll-ups. It's supportive and soft, making you forget you're even wearing yoga pants. These leggings come in a large variety of colors and sizes so every woman can find her fit.
What We Like
- Soft Spacedye fabric
- 5" waistband that sits naturally at your waist
- Responsibly-sourced materials
- Wide range of colors and sizes
What We Don't Like
- The price
- Only 1 length option
BUY: Beyond Yoga High Waisted Legging
Best Yoga Sweat Pants - Vuori Performance Jogger Pants
SPECS
- Material: 89% polyester/11% elastane
- Length: 25"
- Rise: Low
- Size option: XS-XXL
For women who put comfort at the top of their priority list when it comes to yoga pants, these performance joggers from Vuori are the best choice. They're super soft and comfortable, with a drawstring waist you can adjust to your preference.
The moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabric makes them a great option for even the sweatiest classes, and with a wide range of colors and sizes, you'll easily find the ones that check all of your boxes.
What We Like
- Super soft, moisture-wicking fabric
- Comfortable drawstring waistband
- Stretchy and quick-drying
What We Don't Like
- The price
- Some customers report pilling
BUY: Vuori Performance Jogger Pants
Best Yoga Pants for Every Workout - Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Leggings
SPECS
- Material: Signature Airlift fabric
- Length: 24.25" and 24.75"
- Rise: High rise
- Size option: 00-18
The length, the softness, the comfort, the fit, and quick-drying and moisture-wicking Airlift fabric make these yoga pants the best in class for every type of workout. They keep you supported and give you a second-skin feel.
These leggings are super stretchy and have a front panel for added comfort. You can choose from several bold colors to find your favorite and their wide range of sizes fit most body shapes.
What We Like
- Soft, moisture-wicking, quick-drying Airlift fabric
- Front-smoothing panel to prevent discomfort
- Lifts, sculpts, and smooths the skin
What We Don't Like
- The price
BUY: Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Leggings
What to Look for When Buying Yoga Pants
Material
The choice of material is probably the most important aspect of yoga pants. If you're someone who sweats easily or regularly takes hot yoga classes, you'll need something with extra breathability and sweat-wicking characteristics.
If you like when your yoga leggings don't move during your workout, you'll look for something with neoprene or similar materials which stick to your body. If you are all about the softness and feel, you'll probably choose brands with specialized fabrics like Nulu™ from Lululemon that make them lightweight and give a buttery-soft feel.
Length
Most brands offer full-length and cropped versions of yoga pants, but some take it to another level and offer three of four different lengths so they can cater to a variety of heights. But don't limit yourself to just one option, as you might find you like different lengths for different types of yoga workouts.
Rise
Ever since the high-rise trend came along, it's rare to find a woman who hasn't purchased at least one pair of yoga pants that helps support your waist and holds everything in place. Still, not every waistband will be the most comfortable, so you might opt for a mid-rise or even a low-rise version. On the other hand, some brands offer ultra high-waisted styles, as well, so it's always best to try them out yourself and see what fits your body shape and torso size.
Size Options
Most brands nowadays are working hard to expand their size range from the typical XS-XL and ensure they can satisfy every body size. That being said, some materials don't work well when they're stretched out, so you might experience a difference in fit and feel if you're in between sizes while you're trying them out.
FAQs About Yoga Pants for Women
What's the difference between yoga pants and leggings?
All leggings can be yoga pants, but not all yoga pants are leggings. Yoga pants can also be joggers, flared pants, and any other comfortable and stretchy bottom made with a breathable fabric that won't restrict your movement.
Should yoga pants be tight or loose?
Whether you choose tight or loose yoga pants is completely up to you and your preference. Some women like to feel supported by their leggings while others prefer a looser fit that won't cling to their legs. The type of yoga you're practicing might also play a role in what style of pants will work best for you.
What should I wear under yoga pants?
Once again, it all depends on your preference. However, in order to prevent potential yeast infections, you should probably stick to moisture-wicking and performance underwear that won't get soaked with sweat during your yoga practice.
What is Yoga | Pilates vs. Yoga | Yoga Poses and Stretches for a Tight IT Band | Best Yoga Pants | Best Yoga Mats | Best Yoga Blocks | Best Yoga Bolster | Best Yoga Wheel | Best Yoga Blankets | Best Lululemon Yoga Mat
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