In 2020, like many women, my legging collection expanded exponentially. I cleared out all the pairs I didn’t absolutely love and made room for testing a lot of new pairs by brands I hadn’t yet tried. It resulted in a collection of leggings I absolutely love wearing and can highly recommend and today I am updating my post with all my tried and true favorites of what I think are the best leggings for women.

My Favorite Leggings

For sizing reference, I am 5’5″ and typically a Medium or size 6. 

Lululemon Align Legging

One of my longest standing picks for best legging by far is the Lululemon Align 28″ legging. It is made of super soft fabric that feels weightless to wear. The fit is high waisted so everything feels tucked in and they don’t ever feel like they’re falling down (a qualm I find with a lot of cheaper leggings and a reason why I believe these are worth investing in).

These leggings are my favorite for yoga but I also love wearing them at home for cozy work from home days and they are often what I choose to travel in as well as take hikes or long walks in. I have been wearing these for over three years and my collection has grown to five pair because of how often I wear them. 

The Align leggings come in a variety of colors and styles and retail for $98. I wear them in a size 6.

In summer I wear the Align short and size up to an 8 in them. As with all Lululemon items, I recommend sizing up if you are in between sizes or prefer a roomier fit. 

Vuori Clean Elevation Legging

My favorites for winter. These are oh-so-crazy soft that you never want to take them off. Great for hikes, at home workouts and travel days, too.

Designed with a pure, soft suede feel and complete coverage, this ultra high-rise legging features performance knit made from recycled materials that’s moisture wicking and includes a hidden zipper pocket but sans side seams for superior movement. 

I wear them in a size M. They retail for $98 and come in several colors. They also come in Short, Regular and Long length. I wear the Regular at 5’5″.

Vuori AllTheFeels Legging

Another great soft and barely there legging, these high-rise leggings pair breathable, lightweight support with supremely soft and innovative Vuori BlissBlend fabric. The fabric is a performance stretch knit that moves with you and is moisture wicking.

I found them true to size and wear them in a size M.

Related: Read My Vuori Review

Vuori Daily Legging

If you’re looking for an athleisure legging, look no further than the Vuroi Daily Legging. These feature a high waist, drawstring tie, an upgraded no-slip fit, 7/8 length and cuffed ankles making them equal parts sporty and stylish. These leggings are ultra compressive and supportive so I recommend sizing up. They’re great for yoga, running, hiking, traveling or running errands.

I wear a size Large in this pair as I found they run a bit small. The Vuori Daily Legging retails for $89 and is available in sizes XS-XL. They also come in a Long length for the taller girls.

Athleta Elation 7/8 Tight

I love, love, love these leggings. These are a great lounge legging but equally great for HIIT workouts or yoga or pilates. They keep everything really tucked in and look really great on.

I wear the Athleta Elation legging in a size Small. They retail for $89. These tights are also extremely size inclusive running XXS-3X. I own three pair now and they are the ones I always reach for first after a laundry day and I have my pick of leggings. 

What’s the difference between the Lululemon Align and the Athleta Elation leggings?

If you like the Lululemon Align legging, you’ll love these. The fabrics are fairly similar with the Athleta ones having a bit more compression which I really appreciate on certain days and the PowerVita fabric is just slightly less soft than the Align legging. Both pair feature hidden key pockets.  I also love that the Athleta Elation tights have no side seems making them extra flattering.

Beyond Yoga Spacedye At Your Leisure High Waisted Midi Legging

Made from moisture wicking fabric, these leggings have a super flattering waistband that makes them perfect to pair with a sports bra or cropped workout top.

I also own shorts from the brand in the same fabric. M in both.

Vuori Rib Studio Legging

I love the ribbed detail atop the Vuori Rib Studio Leggings. They make them super chic to pair with just a sports bra. They never slip and are made from a fabric that really flatters your legs and make them look photo-ready. And they are on the thinner side which makes them great for sweatier, warm weather workouts in my opinion.

I wear a size Medium and they come in XXS-XXL. Available in five colors and seem to be being discontinued as they are on sale.

Related: Read My Vuori Joggers Review

Nike One Lux 7/8 Leggings

These are my thinest pair of leggings but I love them for just that. The fabric feels super luxe and the fabric excels for sweaty workouts. These look great on and are my go-to for workouts like hot yoga and Peloton rides.

I now have three pair in size M. They retail for $90.

Lululemon Wunder Under Super High Rise Tight

Another similar pair I love (and haven’t photographed) are the Lululemon Wunder Under Super High Rise Tight which are also a very sporty fabric but they majorly keep everything compressed in a way that leaves me feeling more fit than I am – ha!

I wear a size 6.

Alo Airbrush Leggings

These Airbrush leggings put this brand on the map. They design their collection to go from the studio to brunch and I think these leggings are really flattering on. They are cut from the label’s signature moisture-wicking stretch fabric and they really lift, sculpt and contour. The wide, high-rise waistband is engineered to stay in place and support you through your workout.

This brand’s leggings run small and I sized down to a size Small.

Sweaty Betty All Day Leggings

These are a legging I don’t work out in but rather love for their soft and cozy feel and the fact that they are just so comfortable to wear because they don’t have a lot of compression. 

I wear these in a size M. They retail for $98.

. . .

And as for some more fashion-y leggings – I thought I’d share my favorites to wear with oversized sweaters in more fashion fabrics.

Commando Perfect Control Faux Leather Leggings

Dress ’em up or dress ’em down. These Commando leggings do it all and have a super authentic leather look and feel. They look equally good with sneakers as they do boots and heels and have a good amount of compression for a flattering fit.

I wear a size Medium. The Commando Perfect Control Faux Leather Leggings retail for $98 and are available in sizes XS-XL.

By the way – another Commando product I love is their High Rise Control Briefs. They are amazing under dresses and skirts – they smooth everything out and keep you feeling tucked in so garments automatically fit and look better.

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

The Spanx Faux Leather Leggings have been in my wardrobe for nearly six years. I love styling them with oversized sweaters and boots or sneakers. They are so comfortable and really incredibly flattering on thanks to the compression and shaping they feature. They have thousands of great reviews and have been a wardrobe staple for years with good reason.

I wear a size Medium. The Spanx Faux Leather Leggings retail for $98 and come in expanded sizes – regular, petite and plus.

What’s the difference between the Spanx and Commando faux leather leggings?

The Commando faux leather leggings look a lot more like authentic leather whereas the Spanx faux leather leggings have a bit of a glossy sheen to them that make them a bit more casual. I think the Commando are better to dress up if you wanted a pair to wear with heels.

The Spanx have a lot more compression to them so if you’re looking to feel like everything is being held in – choose the Spanx. I also like the length of the Spanx ones as they tuck seamlessly into socks and then boots as I styled above. I find the Spanx to be a bit more comfortable given they have a lot of stretch but I think the Commando are a bit more luxury leaning. Both are pull on styles.

Spanx Velvet Leggings

If you’re looking for a fancier legging, look no further than the Spanx Velvet leggings. Just like their faux leather counterpart, they feature Spanx’s compression technology so they are comfortable and flattering. The velvet fabric is super soft and holds up well with wear.

I wear a size Medium. The Spanx Velvet Leggings retail for $98 and are available in sizes XS-XL.

. . .

Do you have a favorite pair of leggings? I’d love to hear what they are so I can try them out!

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