Best Plus

No matter your size, finding the perfect-fitting workout leggings is no easy task. But when you’re plus size, there is even more to consider: For example, you want a pair that has enough compression to support your weight, but is not so restrictive that it feels hard to breathe. And because curvy thighs tend to rub together, you need to make sure the fabric is high quality and won't wear out quickly. In an ideal world, the best plus-size leggings would also be stylish enough to wear all day.

The best plus-size leggings are geared toward every workout as well as lounging.

When I started running over a decade ago, it was nearly impossible to find high-quality leggings for my plus-size frame. Thankfully, in the years since, new brands have emerged, and existing brands have extended their sizing to offer performance options for all shapes. To determine which ones are the very best, I consulted with experts, combed through thousands of reviews and vigorously tested a handful of top contenders.

After 6 weeks of testing, I determined the Knix HiTouch High Rise Legging to be the best plus-size leggings overall, thanks to their stay-put high waist and supportive compression. Target's All in Motion Women's Contour Curvy High-Rise Leggings with Power Waist 24-Inch hugged my curves in a supportive but not suffocating way at a more affordable price point, making them my pick for the best value pair. For yoga, which often requires lighter compression but more stretch, the Align High-Rise Pant with Pockets 25-Inch from Lululemon has a higher waist that doesn't roll down as you move, making it the best plus-size leggings for yoga.

The following is a list of all the winners from my testing process:

With more than 17 years of experience as a journalist, I have extensively covered fashion, beauty, wellness and culture. I am the former editor-in-chief of People StyleWatch and was the first plus-size woman to ever hold that role. I am also the former executive editor of Health magazine, where I regularly tried new workouts and tested athleticwear. In my spare time, I actively seek out new forms of exercise. I’ve run three half-marathons and a dozen shorter races, and I frequently take spin and dance-based cardio classes.

For this piece, I interviewed three experts, including CeCe Olisa, a plus-size influencer and cofounder of the CurvyCon, a body-positivity event in New York City; Jessie Diaz-Herrera, a New York City–based certified group fitness instructor and founder of Free the Jiggle body-positive dance classes; and Marcy Guevara-Prete, co-owner of the Plus Bus, a size-inclusive fashion store and shopping event in Los Angeles.

To narrow down the thousands of leggings on the market, I read hundreds of reviews and consulted the experts mentioned above about what features matter most in plus-size leggings. They all agreed that the best pairs have a high-rise waistband that stays put and seams that don't cause irritation or chafing. The fabric shouldn't become see-through when stretched over curves. It also shouldn't pill (especially in the area where your thighs rub together), and it must contain excellent compression as well as moisture-wicking capabilities.

The best plus-size leggings allow for easy movement while also providing support.

I whittled down the options to a handful of contenders, which I spent 6 weeks testing. I wore each pair to a 50-minute hot-yoga class, on a 5-mile run and to a 60-minute spin class to evaluate performance and breathability. I performed a variety of movements to ensure the waist stayed put, including touching my toes in a sitting and standing position. I also did 20 squats under bright lights in front of a mirror, to make sure the fabric stayed opaque—going as far as having my husband lend a second pair of eyes to ensure nothing became see-through. Finally, I washed each pair a total of 12 times over the testing period, following the care instructions on the tag—which meant washing the leggings in cold water—and letting them air-dry. After my in-depth testing, here are the pairs that came out on top.

Knix

Sizes: XS to XXXXL | Colors: Black, Tidepool, Galactica, Berry, Navy, Violet Dusk | Materials: 70% nylon, 30% Lycra

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The Knix HiTouch High Rise Legging topped my list since it provides the best balance of support and compression, with an extra-wide waistband that doesn't roll and flat-lay seams that prevent chafing. Many leggings strive to do all this, but based on my testing, I found few that actually succeed at it. The HiTouch leggings are also extremely versatile for pretty much any sport or activity—running, yoga, HIIT, lounging at home—and the sizes extend up to XXXXL.

Unlike other pairs I tested, the HiTouch leggings aren't overly restrictive, since the tightest compression panels are located in areas known to be extra jiggly—think glutes and thighs, as well as the calf area which can help support muscles there. I especially appreciated this feature on my long runs. In less-supportive leggings, I usually feel my thighs move and shake as my feet pound the pavement, but in this pair, I was nicely supported. I didn't experience any inner-thigh chafing either; the HiTouch leggings have bonded seams, which means the fabric is laser cut and then bonded with a textile glue, allowing for flatter seams and less rubbing against sensitive inner-thigh skin. After 45 hours, the fabric remained smooth and pill-free. In fact, it was so soft, I felt like I wasn't wearing anything.

The Knix HiTouch leggings have bonded seams, which means the fabric is laser cut and then bonded ... [+] with a textile glue, allowing for flatter seams and less rubbing against sensitive inner-thigh skin.

I had some concerns about the high-rise waistband, though, which is double-lined and extra wide, making it slightly stiffer than others I tested. I thought this feature would make the leggings difficult to pull over my thighs and bottom, but the built-in stretch allowed the leggings to slide over my curves with a gentle tug. (If you are between sizes, though, I would recommend sizing up.) The waistband hits just above the bellybutton, so when you bend or twist at the waist, the fabric doesn't roll down, and as I sweated my way through a 50-minute hot-yoga session, this pair was very breathable, too.

To test the transparency level, I wore brightly colored underwear underneath when doing squats, which my discerning judge (i.e., my husband) couldn't detect at all. Also great: Knix is known for its period underwear, and it offers a leakproof leggings, which can absorb up to 3 teaspoons of liquid. I didn't test that version, but it's a nice option.

Target

Sizes: 1X to 4X | Colors: Black | Materials: 79% recycled polyester, 21% Spandex

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Target's All in Motion line is proof that good athleticwear doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. "Athletic leggings are something you tend to have to spend a little bit more money on if you want a high quality," says Diaz-Herrera. The Contour Curvy leggings are the exception to that rule. They’re made of a heavier-weight fabric than most leggings, offer good compression (though not quite as much as the leggings from Knix) and feel far more luxe than their $25 price tag.

During my testing, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the contoured high-rise waistband moved with my body. The fabric contains a mesh-like blend of recycled polyester and spandex, so it retains its shape when stretched. The material is also warm and supportive enough for the brisk morning runs I wore them on. And of all the leggings I tested, I was most confident about these not being see-through during my squat test (spoiler alert: I was right).

The fabric on the All In Motion leggings contains a mesh-like blend of recycled polyester and ... [+] Spandex so it retains its shape when stretched, which helps this pair stay up and not slip down.

Despite the weighty fabric, the Contour Curvy leggings have solid moisture-wicking capabilities. Peeling them off after a hot-yoga class, I noticed only a little bit of sweat in my stomach area—the rest of my body felt completely dry, as did the leggings themselves. As a bonus, the material has a UPF 50+ rating, the highest a piece of clothing can have. This means that only 2% of the sun's ultraviolet radiation is able to penetrate the fabric—so you can feel good wearing this pair during outdoor workouts.

I also appreciated this pair's ultra-smooth seams. Often, when fabric is stitched together, it leaves a small edge on the inside of a garment where those two pieces of material meet, which can create friction against your skin. But the edges in this Contour Curvy pair have been stitched down so that there's nothing sticking up to cause chafing. Having been left with painful red marks between my thighs in the past from running in leggings without this feature, I’m especially attuned to this detail.

As a drawback, I found the Contour Curvy leggings run slightly big. I originally ordered a size up since I was between sizes according to the brand's size guide. But the waistband continuously slipped down; I reordered this pair in a smaller size, and it was no longer an issue. Lastly, there's a pocket built into the outer-thigh area for holding your phone, but when I dropped in my iPhone 13 Pro Max, it caused the waistband to ride down a bit. If you have a smaller, lighter phone, this might not be a problem though. Or you could always store your phone in a waist or arm belt instead.

Lululemon

Sizes: 0 to 20 | Colors: 17 total, including basic shades like Black and True Navy | Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra

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Good athleticwear should never hinder your performance, restrict your movements or not provide enough support for the workout you’ve chosen. If you practice yoga specifically, I found the Align High-Rise Pant to be the ideal pair. It has light compression and four-way stretch, so I didn't feel limited in my flow and was able to transition easily from sun salutations to balance postures to supine poses without any problem. In the past, I’ve worn leggings with too much compression near the waist and hips, which made it difficult to bend over or get off the floor while doing yoga. Equally annoying: when the waistband slips. So I was particularly impressed with how these leggings glided with me, with a high-rise waist that stayed firmly at my rib cage throughout every yoga session I did over the course of 6 weeks.

Guevara-Prete notes that many athletic brands have extended their size ranges in recent years, and Lululemon is one such brand. During the pandemic in 2020, it expanded up to a size 20 in most leggings. The Align High-Rise Pant was the only plus-size pair I tested that comes in three different inseam lengths—25, 28 and 31 inches. Herrera-Diaz points out how rare this can be. There's often an assumption that curvy women are bigger in all ways—including height, she says. When you’re short and plus size, it can be tough to find leggings that don't need to be hemmed or scrunched up at the knees.

I was particularly impressed with how the Lululemon Align Super-High-Rise leggings glided with me ... [+] and stayed firmly at my ribcage throughout every yoga session I did over 6 weeks of testing.

While I liked the Align High-Rise Pant for yoga, I found the pair less versatile for other sports. They have less compression than the Knix HiTouch, which means they didn't hold me in the tummy area during my spin class, when I like to feel supported as I bend over the bike. I also wouldn't recommend them for serious running, especially if it's chilly out. The fabric is extremely lightweight and, in my estimation, won't keep you warm in less than 40 degrees. I also noticed some slight pilling between the legs by the end of the testing period. It was minimal, but worth noting. In terms of transparency, the Align High-Rise Pant passed my squat test with flying colors, which gave me extra confidence as I was in my yoga class and happily contorting myself into all types of positions.

Athleta

Sizes: XXS to 3X | Colors: Black, Navy, Amaryllis Pink | Materials: Nylon, elastane

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High-waisted leggings are great if you want to feel extra supported, especially through squats and bending movements. The Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight really delivers on this aspect. Whereas the rise of the other leggings I tried measured 13 inches from the crotch, this pair measures nearly 14.5 inches, so it fits a fuller belly and made me feel secure during strength training and cardio sessions. In terms of construction, the waistband is cut from three layers of nylon and elastane, giving it extra thickness to stay put, and on my 5-foot-7 frame, it hit just under the bust, making the Elation Tight the highest-waist leggings of all that I tested.

Experts also love this pair: Both Diaz-Herrera and Olisa said the Elation Tight is one of their favorites, and I read through many of the more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Athleta's site before testing this pair. Many reviewers rave about how soft the fabric is—it almost feels like peach skin against your bare legs (although I’d say the Girlfriend Collective Luxe Legging felt a smidge softer), and it effectively wicked sweat away, leaving me fresh and dry after a particularly sweaty workout. Although the Elation Tight is intended for yoga, I found it equally great for other activities; it has built-in, all-over compression, so my weight felt nicely supported doing everything from spinning to a short run.

Like All in Motion's Contour Curvy pair, these also have a UPF 50+, meaning that they protect you from ultraviolet rays. I tested this pair in the fall, when the days were cloudy and temperatures hovered around 50 degrees. They’re relatively lightweight and kept me warm enough, but I wouldn't wear them outdoors in much colder weather (that's when I pull on the Luxe Legging from Girlfriend Collective).

Girlfriend Collective

Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Colors: Black, Navy, Lago, Bordeaux, Cabana, Emerald, Bubblegum | Materials: 77% recycled plastic bottles, 23% Spandex

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Plus-size leggings should be great for workouts, of course, but also for everyday wear. If you want comfy leggings that can handle your cardio but also look elevated enough to run errands in or pair with boots, I recommend the Girlfriend Collective Luxe Legging.

This Seattle-based brand is known for its size-inclusive range, which I can say is truly size inclusive. Some brands claim they are but go up to only a size 14 or 16—which really doesn't cut it, given that the average size of the American woman is now between a size 16 and 18, according to a study published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education. Guevara-Prete particularly appreciates this brand for carrying athletic leggings that go up to a 6X, providing the widest size range of any of the ones I tested.

The Luxe Legging was also the softest pair I tried—impressive considering that the fabric is made from recycled water bottles. Girlfriend Collective also makes its garments in a factory that has SA8000 certification, which means the employees are paid fair wages, the work environment is safe and workers have a right to unionize, among other requirements.

Girlfriend Collective's Luxe leggings have a heavy material that keeps you warm during chilly ... [+] outdoor workouts, but it's also moisture-wicking and breathable for sweaty indoor sessions.

While the Luxe Legging's heavy material will keep you warm during chilly outdoor workouts, it's also moisture-wicking for sweat sessions like spinning. On a particularly ambitious Saturday, I decided to run the 2 miles to my hot-yoga class. By the end, these leggings were barely damp, and what little moisture remained had dried by the time I got home. The fabric has a slight sheen, which gives them a dressier feel, and they’re extremely comfortable—enough to wear all day, beyond just workouts.

One detail I could have done without: The Luxe Legging has three separate waistband pockets, which can be used to stash keys, cash or cards. As a plus-size woman, I find waistband pockets to be impractical, so I didn't use the pockets. My stomach isn't flat, so sliding something into a pocket in that area is usually uncomfortable and distracting.

Finding the right athletic leggings is an individual pursuit, and what works for you may depend on your body and how you intend to wear them. Although these leggings didn't top my list, they could work very well for you.

When it comes to selecting a great pair of plus-size workout leggings for a curvy body, there are a number of things you should keep in mind as you shop. Curvy bodies tend to stretch fabric in different ways, so paying close attention to fit and fabric is extra important, says Diaz-Herrera, noting that low-quality material or poorly constructed seams will likely wear out faster because they’re stretched over wide legs or hips. When it comes to fit, Olisa also points out that no two plus-size bodies are identical, and women carry their weight in different places. Because of this, trying on multiple pairs from different brands may be necessary to find ones that work well with your specific body type. Here, exactly what you should be paying attention to as you search for your perfect pair.

The experts unanimously agreed that a high-rise waistband is ideal when it comes to plus-size workout leggings. Olisa points out that curvy women may not be able to fully rely on a label to determine if a legging will be high-rise on them. This is because plus-size women often have a belly. If the rise isn't high enough, the waistband won't adequately stretch over the area. Because of this, you may have to try on a few pairs to figure out what works on your dimensions. Diaz-Herrera says she prefers an extra-wide, reinforced waistband because it's less likely to roll or slip down during more intense movement. Compression is also crucial. You want something that feels supportive of your weight without restricting your movement.

Plus-size leggings vary greatly from brand to brand. On top of this, some brands use numerical sizing (think 16, 18, 20, etc.), while others use 1X, 2X and so on. All the brands I chose have easy-to-follow size guides. If you have your waist and hip measurements ready, you can use these guides to help you figure out what will fit you best. Also good to know: Your legging size may be different from your normal clothing size. Don't let this mess with your head. Remember, the most important thing is finding a legging that you will feel good in—no one but you knows what the tag says. Diaz-Herrera also suggests looking for leggings that come in different lengths. As someone who is on the shorter side, she prefers a 7/8 length, which she says doesn't bunch at the ankles.

All of the leggings on my list are made from a blend of synthetic fabrics—like nylon and spandex. The more nylon a pair of leggings has, the more compression you’ll find. If a pair has a higher percentage of spandex, it’ll be stretchier. You can also do a squat test before you land on a pair of leggings, to ensure they don't become see-through as you stretch the material out. Finally, you should look for pairs that wick moisture away from the body (this can prevent discomfort and odor).