What to Look For in Women’s Leggings

Leggings are a ubiquitous part of the athleisure-wear landscape. But with so many options, finding a pair that hold up to rigorous workouts and look good without feeling like they’ve been worn down is tough. We spoke with Katrina Olivares, a yoga instructor at Modo Yoga and former dancer who wears leggings seven days a week, to get her tips on what to look for in a durable, hard-working pair.

Olivares recommends looking for a fabric blend that is soft inside and out, as well as one with an opaque crotch panel to minimize tearing. She also advises to check the length. She says longer styles may have more sagging in the leg, and shorter styles can ride up while exercising. Leggings with a high waist are a good choice for this reason.

Another thing to consider is if the leggings have a back zipper pocket, which is a nice touch for storing keys and a credit card while you’re on the go. She advises checking the brand’s website for specific details about wash and care instructions, as these vary.

A note on terminology: Leggings are skin-tight garments that cover the legs and sometimes the waist. They can be footless or have feet, and they can be transparent or opaque. Tights, on the other hand, are similar to leggings but generally sheathe from the waist to the toe tips and can be sheer or have feet. Leggings and tights can be styled to look like pants or shorts and are comfortable enough to wear as undergarments.women’s bamboo leggings