Whereas Miranda Priestly could also be rolling her eyes, there’s no denying that black leggings have turn out to be accepted as a trend staple. As demonstrated by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, they will function the muse of an effortlessly stylish outfit, and also you greatest consider they’re at all times a part of our journey wardrobe. We’ve got additionally seen firsthand how investing in high quality leggings motivates us to exercise extra.
As a result of excessive demand, so many manufacturers are designing leggings at present, making it straightforward to get resolution paralysis. We’ve all heard the names lululemon and Alo, however it may be laborious to decipher if they’re simply pure hype or really definitely worth the cash? As editors who like to lounge and exercise in model, we examined greater than 20 of the preferred leggings throughout physique sorts and rated them on match, consolation, efficiency, and total worth. Listed below are one of the best black leggings that make us by no means wish to put on denims once more.
Measurement Vary: 0-20 | Inseam: 23, 25, 28, 31 inches | Supplies: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra elastane
Lululemon virtually made leggings the staple they’re at present, and whereas we perceive not everybody can or desires to spend $100 on a pair, we do suppose these are definitely worth the funding. Shannon Bauer, Byrdie’s affiliate editorial director, has owned a pair for 3 years, and so they look pretty much as good as new. She describes the Align’s brushed nylon cloth because the lightest leggings she’s tried, tremendous stretchy (she recommends sizing down), and physique hugging fairly than compressing.
Whereas some leggings are meant only for figuring out and others for stress-free, the Aligns serve each functions. They hold us cool throughout low-impact exercises—suppose yoga, pilates, walks, and light-weight runs—and comfortable whereas watching a film on our sofa. We want the scale vary was extra inclusive, however we recognize how this model is available in 4 completely different inseam lengths. If we might solely purchase and put on one pair of leggings, it will be these.
Shannon Bauer, affiliate editorial director: “I’ve purchased many cheaper ‘dupes’ and lululemon wins each time. The softness of the material, match, and longevity make the funding worthwhile.”
Measurement Vary: XXS-XL | Inseam: 26.5 inches | Supplies: 81% Polyamide, 19% Lycra
Amazon clients are satisfied these leggings are dupes for the lululemon Aligns. From our testing, we are saying they’re pretty corresponding to the Aritzia Butter Legging, although they don’t are available petite or tall sizing, which is our greatest grievance. On our 5’3” tester, the leggings bunch on the ankles and are barely too excessive within the waist—reaching her ribcage whereas sitting down. This isn’t a deal breaker, and we nonetheless fortunately throw them on for informal events after we don’t care in regards to the aesthetics.
We’re impressed with how properly the brushed nylon cloth retains us cool whereas strolling round in 70-degree climate. Identical to the Aritzia model, the design contains a butt-enhancing curved yoke within the again and a snug waistband. Although we want these had been provided in additional inseam lengths, we agree they’re an amazing worth for a $30 Amazon legging, rivaling these types which might be twice or thrice the worth.
Emily Cieslak, affiliate commerce editor: “These leggings have a really comparable brushed nylon really feel to the Aritzia Butter, although the fabric is barely thicker and never fairly as comfortable, which can imply they’re extra sturdy. I feel they’re nice for carrying when operating errands, touring, or chilling at house, and also you don’t wish to put your $100 leggings by way of the wear and tear and tear.”
Measurement Vary: XS-4X | Inseam: 23, 25, 28 inches | Supplies: 77% Polyester, 23% spandex
We’ve got at hand it to Outdated Navy for at all times remembering to cater to all sizes and heights. This model goes as much as measurement 4X and is obtainable in each tall and petite inseams along with the common size. At 5’3”, Byrdie’s copy editor, Cher Checchio, was thrilled to search out the petite size really hit her proper above the ankles fairly than bunching up. The mix of polyester and spandex feels easy and modern, and with slight compression, the leggings elongate the legs. They’re an amazing selection for the health club, because of the sweat-wicking, squat-proof cloth. But the facet pockets are our favourite characteristic since they’re really giant and powerful sufficient to hold a telephone, lip gloss, keys, and I.D.
Although these leggings come at half the worth of others on this listing, the standard continues to be spectacular and constructed to final. “I wore these leggings as my main ones for 2 years, and so they held up extraordinarily properly,” says Cieslak. “By the tip there was some piling round sure areas, however they served run, and I wouldn’t thoughts buying them once more for the worth.”
Cher Checchio, copy editor: “I feel these are an outstanding possibility for petite frames on the lookout for moisture-wicking, compression leggings for exercises. In addition they do a beautiful job at making your butt look good.”
Measurement Vary: 00-16 | Inseam: 24.5, 26, 27.5 inches | Supplies: 80% Nylon, 20% elastane
In case your perfect legging is constituted of brushed nylon, we suggest Aritzia Butter Leggings. Because the identify suggests, the material is extraordinarily comfortable and comfy, but it additionally affords a pleasant quantity of sculpting and retains us feeling and searching cool on our sizzling woman walks. As additionally hinted within the identify, the curved waistband helps to emphasise your bottom in a delicate manner. We ordered the quick size and had been happy with how properly they match our 5’3” body. They hit us on the good spot above our ankles and barely above our stomach button. Like most brushed nylon supplies, they entice lint and hair, however we haven’t seen any piling after carrying and washing, just some unfastened threads.
Emily Cieslak, affiliate commerce editor: “These leggings match a singular area of interest—they’re extra snug than true efficiency leggings but extra put collectively than true lounge leggings.”
Measurement Vary: XXS-XXL | Inseam: 30, 32, 34 inches | Supplies: 88% Nylon, 12% elastane
It’s protected to say these TikTok-viral leggings popularized the crossover waistband, so we needed to attempt these out. Once we first pulled them out of the bag, the fabric felt very skinny, however after placing them on, we realized that’s a part of the attract—they’re very breathable and provide a no-pant really feel. We additionally shortly understood the hype, because the crossover waistband and curved seams snatched our midsection whereas the flared leg performed up our hips and accentuated an hourglass form. We expect they’re particularly nice for individuals who battle with discovering pants that don’t hole on the waist, because the crossover waistband eliminates this drawback. Contemplating these are available each quick and lengthy inseams and continually go on sale, you would possibly as properly choose up a pair so as to add some aptitude to your leggings rotation.
Caitlyn Martyn, affiliate commerce editor: “I really like the high-waisted cross-over waistline that flatters my midsection. I’ve large hips however a small body, so I battle to search out pants that match my physique proper. This waistline model hugs me in all the proper locations and exhibits off my physique kind fairly than hides it.”
Measurement Vary: XXS-XXL | Inseam: 24.4 inches | Supplies: 88% Nylon, 12% elastane
These Gymshark leggings carry out precisely as we hope throughout exercises: they keep in place, do not experience up, do not weigh us down, hold us cool, and do not present sweat. The thick waistband compresses and smooths the abdomen but nonetheless is snug. The remainder of the legging is skinny and light-weight and affords a cooling sensation on the pores and skin. It’s sturdy too, with no piling or unfastened threads post-wash. When you don’t like entrance seams, Gymshark is thought for providing seamless leggings that don’t sag. This particular model solely is available in one size, and it suits our 5’10” tester proper on the ankle, so it could be barely too lengthy on those that are petite.
Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor: “I wore them all through my barre class and truly forgot I used to be carrying them in any respect. They handed all of the train assessments and did not weigh me down, experience up, or present sweat.”
Measurement Vary: XS-XL | Inseam: 23.75 inches | Supplies: 88% Microfiber nylon, 12% spandex
When you’re on the lookout for a legging to sculpt your curves and offer you that further increase of confidence, these are it. They strike the elusive steadiness of being compressive but nonetheless snug and pleasurable to put on. Alyssa Kaplan, affiliate commerce editor, says they could be a bit stiff proper out of the field, however when you break them in, they hug the physique so properly and don’t limit motion. Whereas they provide all-over shaping, the thick waistband particularly helps to easy the abdomen, and due to no entrance seam, you don’t have to fret about camel toe. The material is thick, opaque, and has held up properly for years. Although they arrive in a single inseam, they match our 5’1” tester completely.
Alyssa Kaplan, affiliate commerce editor: “I really like the thick, compressive materials as a result of it hugs the physique properly and is extraordinarily sturdy.”
Measurement Vary: XXS-3X | Inseam: 25, 27, 30 inches | Supplies: 75% Nylon, 25% Lycra
Discovering leggings that truly are snug sufficient to lounge or journey in is more durable than it appears—many are too compressive or just not as cozy as sweats. So while you discover a pair that you would be able to rot in for hours, you make investments, even when they’re on the pricier facet. These leggings have that brushed, matte feeling just like lululemon, but they’re thicker than the Aligns, which makes them higher suited to leisurely actions or colder climate. In addition they don’t choose up lint as simply because the Aligns, which is nice information for pet house owners. Since they aren’t as compressive within the waist, they will roll down with extreme motion, which is a tradeoff for consolation.
After proudly owning them for 3 years, Bauer says they’re her go-to for film marathons, walks, and flights, particularly since they’ve a roomy pocket to go hands-free. And in any case these years, they nonetheless look nice and stay squat-proof.
Shannon Bauer, affiliate editorial director: “I really like how snug these are. I attain for these on a regular basis for make money working from home or informal days the place I refuse to put on uncomfortable or inflexible pants. It is my go-to for rot days on the sofa, walks, and long-haul flights. The pockets are an amazing addition for journey the place you wish to hold your telephone helpful.”
Measurement Vary: XXS-4X | Inseam: 24 inches | Supplies: 87% Polyester, 13% elastane
Due to the large waistband, these leggings are an amazing possibility for individuals who need extra assist within the abdomen space. Ally Hirschlag, affiliate editorial director, describes these because the Goldilocks of leggings—they aren’t too compressive nor too light-weight, that means they are going to easy your midsection with out feeling like shapewear. The truth is, the Spacedye cloth could also be one of many softest materials we’ve felt in leggings. Regardless of its thick texture, it nonetheless retains us cool and dry in heat climate and heated exercises. The material contains a marbled design, which camouflages any cellulite behind your thighs. Past black, they arrive in a variety of vibrant colours and as much as measurement 4X.
Ally Hirschlag, affiliate editorial director: “The fabric is among the many softest leggings materials I’ve skilled. It is so easy, substantial, but light-weight. I am as snug carrying them in 80-degree climate as I’m within the useless of winter.”
Measurement Vary: XS-2X | Inseam: 26.5 inches | Supplies: 85% Nylon, 15% spandex
What makes these leggings stand out is the lace-up design that takes inspiration from soccer pants (discuss recreation day outfit). Apart from wanting cute, this characteristic helps you snatch your waist and forestall the leggings from rolling down. We additionally love the model’s thick, ribbed materials, which provides some visible curiosity, smooths us out, and hides any panty traces. Byrdie senior commerce editor Dominique Hobdy is shocked at how properly they match her 5’11” body (it’s possible you’ll wish to measurement down) and the way properly they hold her cool throughout exercises. When you’re bored of conventional black leggings and desire a model to modify it up, these are your greatest guess.
Dominique Hobdy, senior commerce editor: “I really like love love the fabric of those. They seem to be a mix of nylon and spandex in order that they’re tremendous stretchy and provides nice protection. The fabric can be a bit thick so there is no probability of underwear peeking by way of and no panty traces.”
Measurement Vary: XXS-L | Inseam: 24 inches | Supplies: 87% Polyester, 13% elastane
A favourite amongst celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Alo Yoga is thought for its minimalistic aesthetic and costly units. We remorse to tell your pockets that we do suppose the Alosoft leggings are definitely worth the hype. Providing medium-level compression, they are perfect for low-impact exercises the place you need one thing supportive however don’t want a really compressive pair. 4-way stretch permits you to do all of the downward canine whereas staying dry. They do run a bit lengthy—our 5’4” tester says the ⅞ size hit her like a full—so hold that in thoughts in case you are petite.
Ally Hirschlag, affiliate editorial director: “They take a second to type to your physique on first put on, however as soon as they do, they really feel like a second pores and skin. I really like that the waistband does not have a seam on the finish, so it feels prefer it simply melts away on the high.”
Measurement Vary: XS-XL | Inseam: 30, 32 inches | Supplies: 87% Nylon, 13% Lycra
Whereas some might argue that your entire level of leggings is to be form-fitting, there’s something about flare leggings that may’t be beat. You continue to get the booty-hugging match of your common legging, whereas the flared leg balances out your hips and creates an hourglass form. In terms of flare designs, Split59 does it greatest with its Raquel Cut up Him. The flare begins on the calf, so it’s not too large that it appears like a pair of bell bottoms. The fabric is sweet and thick, sculpting our curves and resisting any put on or tear. We first ordered the 32-inch inseam, and it was too lengthy, so we recommend ordering the 30 in case you are petite.
Emily Cieslak, affiliate commerce editor: “I really like pair of flare leggings, and these are positively excessive up there. I personally like how the fabric is thicker than the Aerie flare leggings. Due to the fabric and silhouette, I can put on these out and about and really feel put collectively fairly than like I’m carrying loungewear.”
What to Search for in Black Leggings
- Materials: Leggings sometimes fall into two teams—a brushed, barely fuzzy nylon materials (suppose lulu Aligns, Aritzia Butter) or a efficiency materials that’s extra slick and glossy. “I desire a brushed legging for my health club exercises, lounge, pilates/yoga model exercises, and so on. The brushed materials as of late are nice and might be comfortable together with sturdy,” says Kathryn Mueller, a trend content material creator recognized for her YouTube movies reviewing leggings. “I lean in direction of efficiency leggings for actions like mountain climbing, operating—something the place there could also be extra alternative to break the leggings, and I desire a cloth that may maintain as much as friction or potential snags.” Search for phrases like four-way stretch, sweat-wicking, and make sure to test the transparency of the fabric—by popping a squat—earlier than committing to a pair.
- Compression: Excessive compression leggings are usually geared in direction of excessive depth exercises to maintain every part in place and supported, whereas low compression is greatest for lounging. Stylist Catherine Bibeau recommends mild to medium compression for an on a regular basis model that’s smoothing however nonetheless snug.
- Seams: The seams on a legging might be simply ignored, but they will have a huge impact on how the model appears and feels. Most leggings now not characteristic an outer seam to scale back pores and skin irritation, however there are some manufacturers which have dropped the front-seam altogether. Mueller personally avoids the front-seam, although says it comes down to private desire. “No entrance seam leggings usually give much less of the dreaded ‘camel toe’ since there is no such thing as a seam to drag up within the center,” says Mueller.
- Size: “Full-length leggings are nice for cooler climate and out of doors actions, whereas ⅞ and cropped leggings are higher for hotter situations or high-intensity exercises,” says Bibeau. “Cropped leggings can spotlight footwear or pair properly with a flowy high, whereas full-length leggings can tuck fantastically right into a pair of boots.” Needless to say relying in your peak, the leggings might not fall precisely the place described, so Mueller recommends determining which inseam size works greatest for and sticking to that when purchasing.
- Bottom: Let’s be actual—a giant cause why we love leggings is that they make us look nice whereas additionally being extraordinarily snug. In her movies, Mueller charges each legging on the “booty scale” to find out how properly they flatter your bottom. “A legging that scores extremely on the booty scale goes to have seams that flatter and don’t minimize off the glutes (ideally at or barely above the hip bone), a cloth that isn’t too compressive so it doesn’t squish the glutes down, and so they rating even larger if there’s a scrunch or hidden elastic up the again rise to actually intensify the glutes,” says Mueller.
How We Examined Black Leggings
To check one of the best black leggings, we first recognized essentially the most promising pairs primarily based on buyer opinions, professional recommendation, and hype. Then, our group of editors, who span completely different heights and physique sorts, examined the leggings at house by commonly carrying and washing them. Whereas testing the leggings, we took word of the next:
- Match: After following the scale information, we famous how properly the leggings match our physique and peak. We made word if the legging bunched across the ankles, had been too excessive within the waist, or had been total too tight or unfastened.
- Consolation: After carrying the leggings for a number of hours, we famous how snug they felt and whether or not they moved round whereas lively. Did they dig into the waistband or commonly roll down?
- Material: We seemed for leggings that saved us cool and dry whereas figuring out. We additionally seemed for leggings that stretched to permit us to maneuver comfortably whereas nonetheless offering sufficient protection within the again. We additionally made word if the leggings picked up lint and hair.
- Sturdiness: We seemed for any indicators of damage and tear after washing, like piling, unfastened threads, tears, or lack of unique form.
Why Belief Byrdie
Emily Cieslak is an affiliate commerce editor, who commonly writes about trend. With expertise in trend shopping for and styling, she brings her essential eye and technical recommendation to each article she writes. She has tried lots of of leggings through the years and took part on this Byrdie check. For this text, she interviewed the next consultants:
- Kathryn Mueller is dentist and trend content material creator. She is thought for her sincere YouTube opinions of activewear manufacturers, particularly leggings.
- Catherine Bibeau is a famend trend stylist with over a decade of expertise within the trade.
- Sara Walker is trend trade professional and tastemaker famend for styling suggestions and trend content material. She has labored within the trend trade for greater than eight years in roles throughout advertising and marketing, shopping for, consulting, merchandising, and styling.
In accordance with our Range Pledge, 15% of merchandise in our newly-published market roundups will characteristic Black-owned and/or Black-founded manufacturers. On the time of publishing, we weren’t capable of finding sufficient black leggings from Black-owned and/or Black-founded companies to fulfill this proportion. If you realize of 1 we should always contemplate, please e-mail us at contact@byrdie.com, and we are going to consider the product ASAP.