2023 SELF Activewear Awards: The Best Leggings

By Malia Griggs

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best leggings are supportive, stylish, and easy to wear no matter where the day takes you. Finding the holy-grail pair that isn't too tight, saggy, or thin, however, is never as easy as it seems.

As you may well know, not all leggings are created equal—especially when there are so many types to choose from: compression leggings that hold you in; thermal leggings that keep you toasty in cold weather; soft, stretchy leggings ideal for yoga flows; leggings that soothe and support pregnant and postpartum bodies; and leggings that are comfy enough for everyday wear—even to sleep. It's a lot to consider!

That's where our 2023 Activewear Awards come in. We’ve spent the last several months testing dozens of pairs of leggings to find the best new styles out there. Below, find the expert-informed criteria we used to pick our winners and shop our top choices by category: You’ll find size-inclusive, high-quality picks from brands like Athleta, Columbia, Spanx, Zella, Beyond Yoga, Universal Standard, and more. Also look out for the All-Time Bests—a new winning category where we're awarding the leggings our testers love year after year.

Whether you want a pair for HIIT workouts, yoga flows, or lounging, consider these factors to find the leggings that suit you best:

Lastly—and most importantly—you should feel great in your leggings. "When you’re low on motivation to work out, having clothes you feel good about might just give you that extra boost to get it done," Alison Staples, RRCA-certified run coach and physical therapist assistant, previously told SELF.

The leggings considered for the 2023 SELF Activewear Awards had to meet our submission guidelines, which you can read more about here. After brands submitted almost 500 items, a group of 45 testers (consisting of SELF staffers, fitness professionals, and exercise enthusiasts) got to work testing. Testers had two months to wear an item several times and in a number of ways, judging its performance against the standards set in SELF's Activewear Buying Guide (a summary of which you can read above!). The leggings that came out on top are listed below.

During our selection process, we were met once again with the disheartening reality that plus-size activewear options are not nearly as numerous as they should be, nor are they offered in the same quality as many straight sized lines. For that reason, we decided to include items that went up to a size 2X on the winners list, while instituting a new extended sizing badge system so you can easily tell at a glance which products are made for you (or not, as the case may be). For items that do only go up to 2X, we’ve mentioned comparable options from brands we trust that weren't part of the testing process but are available in additional sizes. We hope that these awards, the badge system, and SELF as a whole will continue to push the industry forward when it comes to size inclusivity and fat acceptance.

You can read more about our behind-the-scenes process here. And don't forget to check out the rest of the 2023 SELF Activewear Award winners here !

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"In athletics, the idea behind compression wear is to improve blood flow or oxygen delivery to muscles," James Borchers, MD, director of the division of sports medicine at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, previously told SELF. Though studies about the benefits of compression clothing are minimal, experts say that compression wear appears to have some recovery benefits—and regardless, the tighter fit can just feel really nice. Our testers praised these sweat-wicking Prana Transform compression leggings in particular for their "beautiful fit," hidden key pocket, and UPF 50+ fabric. "I love the level of compression these leggings offer," said one judge. "They feel snug and secure without being overly tight or restrictive (and don't make me sweat)."

Available in sizes XS to 3X.

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"These leggings made me feel cute and stylish," one tester wrote. "The fit was perfect; they stayed up the entire time and didn't roll down. Plus, the thicker waistband made me feel secure and comfortable." These two-toned bottoms come in a range of fun colors, have a hidden interior pocket for keys, and a subtle V-shaped seaming in the back that highlights your butt.

Available in sizes XXS to XXL. Additional sizes up to 3X available in a similar style here.

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If you’re someone who practically lives in leggings, this high-waisted pair from Zella is the perfect "durable, soft, everyday" option, as one tester put it. "These leggings fit my short, curvy frame. They are uber soft and comfy—I loved the feeling of the material, which wasn't super thin but not so thick that I felt hot or stuffy in them. They’re very easy to get on and off and offer just the right amount of stretch. I loved putting these on, and they genuinely just made me feel comfortable and excited to go about my day," she said. Bonus: The leggings come with side pockets that are big enough to fit your phone.

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

By Malia Griggs

Available in sizes XS to XXL.

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For leggings you’ll reach for day after day, we recommend the Reebok Lux tights, which are extra high-waisted for support and shaping. "I am obsessed with these leggings," one tester wrote. "Sometimes full-length leggings look ‘bunchy’ at the ankles, but these were perfect. The high waistband is extremely comfortable and flattering. They’re absolutely squat-proof as well. I felt very confident and comfortable, and I was able to complete all workouts without having to pull these up or adjust them at all (even during sweaty vinyasa yoga class)."

Available in sizes 2XS to 4X.

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Our judges raved about the soft, airbrushed material of these cropped Vuori leggings, which they say are just the right amount of high-waisted and a great go-to bottom if you’re looking for a sleek silhouette. "I feel confident and comfortable in them, thanks to their streamlined design, buttery soft fabric, and proportional fit," one judge wrote. "The material moves with you, and I was able to do everything from squat to lunge to just plain walk in them. I didn't have to mess with the drawstring at all."

Available in sizes XXS to XXL.

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"When I first pulled these pants out of the package I couldn't stop touching the fabric. It's so silky soft on and off of your body," one of our judges said. "They fit amazingly and I honestly kept them on all day after walking because they were so comfortable." What sets these Spanx leggings apart is their lightweight, slippery-soft material that hugs the leg. "While wearing them on my hikes, the leggings were so light, comfortable, and compressive that I didn't really notice them on my body," another judge said. "I didn't have to readjust the fit, and my temperature felt cool and regulated. Even though they’re skin-tight, I didn't feel self-conscious."

Available in sizes XS to 3X.

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For a classic pair of leggings that wick sweat and come in a large range of sizes, turn to these tights from Athleta. One tester (who wore them to cardio and strength-train) appreciated their snug, cropped fit and soft, but not-too-thick material. "They didn't roll down or sag throughout my workout and were easy to peel off," she wrote. "They’re a great standard legging in the sense that I could imagine myself wanting multiple pairs."

Available in sizes XXS to 3X.

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For a pair of leggings that you might just forget are even on your body, turn to the second-skin Next to Naked Leggings. "These leggings are super soft and make you feel like you’re barely wearing pants," one judge said. "They would work for a wide range of people—from those looking for comfortable, flattering athleisure to those looking for comfy leggings for light to fairly serious workouts." Universal Standard gets extra points for its inclusive sizing as well.

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

By Malia Griggs

Available in sizes 4XS to 4XL.

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These high-rise compression leggings (which we’ve honored in previous years) continue to be crowd pleasers thanks to their sturdy, supportive waistband, no-sag fit, large pockets, and inclusive size range. "The leggings definitely did everything they were supposed to do. They were supportive, comfortable, cute, and helped me stay dry when I was really sweaty. I especially appreciated how the waistband stayed in place, and overall I didn't have to adjust anything during my workouts," one judge wrote.

Available in sizes L to 7XL.

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Known for its bras, ThirdLove has proven it's a competitor in the activewear space too, with a second consecutive SELF Activewear Award for their Kinetic Performance legging. What sets these apart is their elastic-free waist, which feels seamless and slips on and off easily. One tester, who wore the leggings during two-hour-long runs and a workout class, gave them top marks for their sizable pockets and compression at the band: "They’re the perfect amount of stretchy, and I had no problem squatting in them. I could wear these leggings year-round. The material is airy enough for summer but they’re full-length enough to keep me warm in winter."

Available in sizes XS to 3X.

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Constructed without a front seam, these leggings help you avoid camel toe while still offering plenty of waistband support, four-way stretch, and a special seam that gives a little glute boost. One tester continually reached for these ahead of ballet classes, as they made her feel "graceful."

Available in sizes XXS to XXXXL.

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Beyond Yoga leggings are the blueprint for "buttery soft." They’re thick, tight, and extremely stretchy, so you can tackle all of your folds, inversions, and restorative poses without feeling restricted. "These leggings definitely lived up to my expectations," wrote one tester. "I found myself reaching for them again and again since they were so comfortable, cute, and I didn't have to fiddle with them while teaching or practicing yoga."

Available in sizes XXS to 4X.

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When you have a barbell strapped across your back, the last thing you want to be thinking about is a leggings snafu. You can trust this pair from Nobull, a brand that also makes some of the best strength-training shoes around. "These leggings held up through deadlifts, squats, split squats, and lunges," said one tester. "I didn't have to fuss with the waistband at all, and I didn't feel like I needed to adjust it a lot either. I felt like the function was really good here—it moved with me and never impeded my workout."

Available in sizes XS to XXL. Additional sizes available in a similar style here.

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"My stomach is still settling back to its new normal postpartum, and the high-waisted, thick compression band at the top of these leggings is super comfortable," one tester said. She appreciated the simplicity and support of these lightweight, medium-support Aerie leggings around her belly while she ran, took a squat class, and did Pilates: "I feel super confident in these leggings. They’re the perfect fit and provide just the right support around my stomach."

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

By Malia Griggs

Available in sizes XXS to XXL, including long and short. Additional sizes up to 4X available in a similar style here.

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If you’re someone who likes to exercise outdoors when temperatures drop, thermal and fleece-lined leggings come in handy. Our judges’ favorite for 2023 was this pair from Columbia, which reflect and trap heat while wicking sweat so that you stay both warm and dry. One of our testers was impressed by their comfort, durability, and—most importantly—their lasting heat: "I wore only these as bottoms while hiking in 32-degree weather (with no other base layers). The leggings were not only warm but were flexible and responsive with my movement. I’ll be wearing these on more hikes and camping trips to come."

Available in sizes XS to 3X.

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If your movement of choice is a long trek through rugged terrain, you need a pair of leggings that will protect you from snags and falls. The Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage leggings are ideal, with a high-waisted fit, spacious pockets, and a design created in collaboration with a professional competitive climber who pinpointed areas that need extra strength against abrasion. "These leggings are meant to be reinforced for hiking outdoors. I am able to move at any angle in these and they stay in place," said one tester. "I also feel like they’re perfect for travel because they are durable, lightweight, and have some compression."

Available in sizes XS to XXL. Additional sizes up to 26 available in a similar style here.

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Haven't you heard? Yoga pants as regular pants are back, thanks to the larger Y2K revival. Our testers appreciated the smooth, silky fabric of these flare-bottom leggings, as well as the contoured waistband that feels snug and doesn't budge with movement. The flared leg makes them look purposeful and styled—more so than a classic pair of leggings, which sometimes look more like a base layer.

Available in sizes XS to 3X.