Well known for its comfortable and stylish activewear, lululemon has created a loyal community of fans for its functional, fashionable products—from sports bras to socks. But the brand is best known for its high-quality leggings that keep you comfortable and confident during workouts, lounging, and daily activities. The best lululemon leggings might come with a premium price tag, but they are one of their most loved products and truly set the brand apart with their quality and performance. Plus, you can always check out the brand’s “We Made Too Much” section to see if any favorites are available for less.
To find the best lululemon leggings, we spoke with certified fitness professionals to learn what key features to look for and avoid while shopping. Then, we tested 23 pairs of leggings through various workouts, like running and yoga, as well as for lounging, daily activities, and more. We evaluated each pair for its material, opacity, fit, hold, durability, and value.
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Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-20 | Rise: High | Length: 28 inches | Fabric: Nulu (nylon and Lycra elastane) | Colors: Black, graphite grey, true navy, sequoia, rainforest green, black plum | Pockets: Yes (one) | Compression Level: Low | Best For: Lounging, everyday wear, low-impact exercise | Breathability: High | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for those who want versatile leggings for everyday wear and low- to moderate-impact exercise like yoga.
Why We Love Them
Lululemon’s Align Super-High-Rise Leggings are so versatile we were able to wear them for everything from gym workouts and yard work to walks and leisure time. We were confident wearing these out in a variety of settings, thanks to their stretchiness and mobility to jump, run, and move without feeling restricted. And their fully opaque nature and breathability makes them easy to wear in any season.
We liked the high waistband that stayed put and didn’t need any adjustment or pulling up, even during high impact activities. The lightweight fabric and sweat-wicking ability kept us comfortable even on humid summer days. The dark color we tested didn’t fade at all and maintained it’s opacity throughout our testing period, even after multiple washes. These leggings are available in six colors, and have one hidden waistband pocket for a key or card.
Potential Flaws
- We like the super high waist of these leggings but would prefer a bit more tummy control and compression.
Most Valuable Insight
“The lightweight, breathable material makes these leggings comfortable and versatile, perfect for wearing year-round!” —Jessica C., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-14 | Rise: High | Length: 23-28 inches | Fabric: Ultralu (nylon and Lycra elastane) | Colors: Black, true navy, snake structure emboss black, snake structure grey multi, palm deco, indochine blue, sequoia, black plum, atmospheric purple | Pockets: No | Compression Level: High | Best For: High-intensity and high-impact exercise | Breathability: Moderate | Our Overall Rating: 4.96/5
Who They’re For
Best for intense exercisers who want a compressive, locked-in feel.
Why We Love Them
Lululemon’s Glow Up Super-High-Rise Crop Leggings provide the perfect amount of compression and support for higher impact activities. And we found them very supportive and flexible enough for barre, yoga, Pilates, and more. We like that they’re offered in three lengths to get the perfect fit, and feature a laser cut hem for a sleek look that won’t dig in. Lululemon’s website recommends sizing up if you typically wear their Align leggings.
These leggings are sweat-wicking and quick-drying for comfort but it’s worth noting they’re compression makes them a bit less breathable than some other leggings we’ve tried. We loved the smoothing support and held-in feel of the high waistband. And it didn’t need any adjustment or pulling up during workouts. We also appreciated how opaque these leggings were, allowing us to bend, flex, and stretch with no issues.
Potential Flaws
- During testing, we noted these leggings felt stiff at first and not comfortable to wear for a full day, but after a couple of wears and washes, they felt great.
Most Valuable Insight
“These stayed in place very well during workouts. The high rise waistband actually provided a lot of support with very little movement. I didn’t find myself constantly adjusting it.” —Carrie G., Verywell Fit product tester
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Narrow waistband
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Stylish hem design
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Day-to-night versatility
Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-14 | Rise: High | Length: 15 inches | Fabric: Nulu (nylon and Lycra elastane) | Colors: Black, club blue | Pockets: Yes (one) | Compression Level: Low | Best For: Lounging, casual wear, yoga | Breathability: High | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for wearers who want a versatile pair of leggings for warm weather workouts and casual settings.
Why We Love Them
Want leggings that go from a workout to a day trip to a casual dinner out? We recommend lululemon’s Groove High-Rise Notched-Hem Crop Leggings for their stylish design and comfortable breathability. Featuring a narrow waistband and a notched-hem design, we comfortably wore these leggings for running, walking, visiting parks and splash pads, yoga, barre, and more. We loved how versatile and easy it was to transition to different activities just by changing tops.
These leggings are completely opaque and durable, while still being buttery soft and smooth. The fabric is very breathable and we noted the short length felt great in the summer heat. We also liked how the waistband stayed in place, wasn’t restrictive, and never needed adjusting. The drop-in back pocket offers a convenient spot to stash a card or key.
Potential Flaws
- These leggings hit just below the knee which is shorter than most other leggings we’ve tried so it took some getting used to.
Most Valuable Insight
“I thought they were extremely comfortable. This made me want to wear them for a full day activities whether it was working at home, getting a quick workout in, doing any activity with my toddler, etc.” —Carrie G., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-20 | Rise: High | Length: 32.5 inches | Fabric: Nulu (nylon and Lycra elastane) | Colors: Black, graphite grey, true navy, army green | Pockets: Yes (one) | Compression Level: Low | Best For: Lounging, everyday wear, low-impact exercise, yoga | Breathability: High | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for wearers wanting casual leggings that transition well from light workouts to everyday wear, and don’t need a compressive fit.
Why We Love Them
Low-impact workouts and casual lounging days require comfort, and lululemon’s Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pants are incredibly comfortable thanks to their buttery soft, weightless feel. With a snug fit from the waist to knee and then flared from the knees to hem, these leggings have a flowy, relaxed fit perfect for yoga and leisurewear. We found these leggings transitioned well from light workouts to running errands, thanks to their sweat-wicking ability and breathable fabric.
We liked the natural fit that followed our body’s shape without feeling restrictive or compressive. And we found the leggings and waistband stayed in place, and allowed a full range of motion for any activity or exercise we did, including deep squats and lunges. They also maintained full coverage throughout our test period even after multiple wears and washes. The flared-leg design is best suited for wearers between 5’5″ and 5’8″ tall.
Potential Flaws
- The flared-leg design is stylish and comfortable but we found it isn’t suitable for workouts such as running or HIIT.
- During testing, we noted some snagging of the fabric and seams when it got caught on jewelry.
Most Valuable Insight
“These leggings performed very well during workouts. They fit great, stayed in place, and did not require frequent adjusting. The stretch allowed for a full range of motion without any restriction.” —Jessica C., Verywell Fit product tester
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Three pockets, including a zippered one
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Reflective detailing for safety
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Drawcord waistband
Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-14 | Rise: High | Length: 25 inches | Fabric: Luxtreme (nylon and Lycra elastane) | Colors: Sinatra blue, black, club blue, sequoia | Pockets: Yes (three) | Compression Level: High | Best For: Running, high-impact exercise | Breathability: Moderate | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for regular runners, hikers, and outdoor exercisers who want pockets for storage and a compressive fit.
Why We Love Them
If you’re a regular outdoor exerciser, workout clothing with lots of pockets is a must. Lululemon’s Swift Speed High-Rise Tights have a smooth, lightweight feel and feature three pockets—a zippered back pocket for security, and two deep drop-in side pockets that easily hold a phone or nutrition gels. These tights also feature a drawcord in the waistband to get a custom fit, and reflective detailing for easy visibility in low light conditions. And we like how the seams and stitching felt thick and durable, so these leggings will last.
We wore these tights for running, strength training, yoga, Pilates, and more and we loved how supportive they felt. They were very compressive and flexible without being restrictive. They also featured full coverage so we were confident and comfortable wearing them out and about. If you regularly walk, run, or hike outdoors, these tights are a great value.
Potential Flaws
- We found the fit of these leggings very comfortable, but it’s worth noting, some users find they run small.
Most Valuable Insight
“While highly compressive, I felt comfortable wearing them and didn’t feel restricted at all. They’re very breathable and moisture-wicking, which was great during my long-distance runs in 90+ degree weather.” —Gabrielle A., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-14 | Rise: High | Length: 25-28 inches | Fabric: Everlux (nylon, polyester, elastane) | Colors: Black, atmospheric purple, true navy, indochine blue | Pockets: Yes (one) | Compression Level: Moderate | Best For: Moderate-impact exercise, high-impact exercise | Breathability: Moderate | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for wearers who like a little more room through the hips and like moderate compression.
Why We Love Them
Lululemon’s Wunder Train Contour Fit High-Rise Leggings feature an adjusted hip-to-waist ratio, creating a narrower waistband that doesn’t gape and more room through the hips and thighs. Their Everlux fabric is fast-drying and feels cool on the inside of the leggings. We loved how comfortable these leggings felt for a variety of activities like walking, running, yoga, and even travel, including flying and long roadtrips.
These leggings feature a drawcord waistband and a hidden pocket that can hold a card or key. We appreciate how easily they stretched without getting thin or see-through. They were plenty thick enough to feel comfortable and confident bending and stretching. These leggings fit like a dream and offer the perfect middle ground of comfort and compression for all-day wear.
Potential Flaws
- We absolutely love the fit and feel of these leggings but found them a bit warm for summer outdoor workouts, so we recommend them for cooler weather runs.
Most Valuable Insight
“These are so incredibly comfy without feeling tight or restrictive. I could wear these all day (and I often do). They’re cozy enough to fall asleep in on long travel days.” —Anja V., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-20 | Rise: High | Length: 15-21 inches | Fabric: Everlux (nylon, polyester, elastane) | Colors: Black, true navy, opulent floral black multi, indochine blue | Pockets: Yes (one)| Compression Level: Moderate | Best For: Low-impact exercise, moderate-impact exercise, high-impact exercise | Breathability: High | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for moderate to intense exercisers needing a versatile crop design that offers support and a snug fit.
Why We Love Them
If you prefer cropped leggings and want plenty of support for all types of exercise, lululemon’s Wunder Train High-Rise Crop Leggings are a perfect choice. They are sweat-wicking and fast-drying, and the cropped length is adaptable for different temperatures. We wore them for outdoor runs and Crossfit workouts, and they stayed in place and offered plenty of flexibility for exercises like squats, Romanian deadlifts, snatches, and more.
The leggings feature a waistband drawcord to dial in the perfect fit, and a hidden pocket in the waistband offers a place to stash a card or key. We also appreciated the thickness and opaqueness of the fabric that didn’t show panty lines and provided modest coverage without us becoming overheated. The compression these leggings provided is just enough support and control without feeling too restrictive.
Potential Flaws
- We loved everything about these leggings but would prefer some brighter color options. Brighter colors offer more visibility for safety when exercising outside.
Most Valuable Insight
“I’ll keep using these, especially during the changing of the seasons when morning runs start off frigid and end scorching. These leggings are so adaptable for different temps that I think they’ll really shine in spring and fall.” —Anja V., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs:
Sizes: 0-20 | Rise: High | Length: 23-28 inches | Fabric: SmoothCover (nylon and Lycra elastane) | Colors: Graphite grey, sequoia, raspberry coulis, goodnight plum, rockwood, blue twill, true navy, lava cake, washed denim, pool party, thawed camo warm ash grey multi, fog green, espresso, army green, lavender lux | Pockets: Yes (one) | Compression Level: Moderate | Best For: Everyday wear, low-impact exercise, moderate-impact exercise | Breathability: Moderate | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for wearers who want solid, versatile support for strength training and other moderate intensity workouts.
Why We Love Them
The sleek, smooth finish and ten color options make lululemon’s Wunder Under SmoothCover High-Rise Tights a great choice for workouts like strength training, Pilates, and cardio. They offer a smoothing fabric design and plenty of support to feel confident during workouts, but without restricting our movements. The fabric stretched nicely and moved with us without pinching or digging in anywhere.
We appreciated the support of the wide waistband and it’s reliability to stay in place and not roll or slip. These leggings feature a sleek finish, thanks to the absence of an outer seam, that made them nice for casual wear beyond just workouts. We really like the blend of softness, comfort, support, and style, and find these leggings so easy to move in we’ll use them for all kinds of workouts.
Potential Flaws
- While these leggings have a waistband pocket, we would prefer side pockets for more storage and to carry a phone.
- One of our testers, who is 5’2″ found these leggings bunched a bit at the ankles, so they may not work for shorter wearers.
Most Valuable Insight
“The fabric feels incredibly soft against the skin and stretches just right, allowing for a full range of motion without feeling restrictive. I also really appreciate the high-rise waistband, which provides great support and stays in place during movement.” —Jinfeng C., Verywell Fit product tester
lululemon Leggings We Also Tested
We tested every lululemon legging style over a two-month period, but only eight made our final list of recommendations. The following legging styles have some features worth noting, but ultimately, they didn’t meet our requirements for inclusion in our list.
- We really liked the light, second-skin feel and great sweat-wicking ability of the Align High-Rise Crop Leggings. However, during testing, the waistband flips down and we noted some sheerness with dark undergarments.
- We loved the soft, breathable feel of the Groove Nulu Foldover-Waist Flared Pants, but the foldover waistband was a nuisance. We found ourselves constantly adjusting it and moving it back into place, and it became a distraction during workouts.
What We’ve Updated
- Since publishing our initial tested roundup of the best lululemon leggings, we hands-on tested every legging style lululemon offers over a two month period.
- Based on our new testing insights, we reworked all of our product picks and superlatives, including Best Overall, Best for Running, Best for Lifting, and more.
lululemon Fabrics, Explained
- Luon: lululemon’s original yoga fabric featuring four-way stretch and sweat-wicking breathability. It has a soft, lightly brushed feel and is best suited for low-impact activities like yoga, Pilates, barre, and casual wear or lounging.
- Luxtreme: A smooth, compressive fabric that feels cool to the touch and fits like a second skin. This sweat-wicking and lightweight fabric features four-way stretch with excellent shape retention. It’s resistant to pilling and is perfect for high-intensity workouts like CrossFit and strength training.
- Everlux: lululemon’s fastest-drying fabric wicks sweat and feels cool inside, while the outside is comfortable and soft. This fabric is very lightweight, stretchy, and squat-proof, making it best for various workouts, from running to yoga.
- Nulu: Known for its “naked sensation,” this weightless, buttery-soft fabric is breathable and fits like a glove. It’s stretchy and retains shape well, but it’s not compressive. It’s best for lower-impact workouts and casual wear.
- Nulux: Engineered for running, this stretchy, quick-drying fabric is smooth, weightless, and offers light compression. It combines the next-to-nothing feel of Nulu with more support for higher-intensity exercise.
- SmoothCover: A soft, matte fabric that offers support and effortlessly contours to your body. Its four-way stretch and sweat-wicking properties keep you dry and comfortable, even during the toughest workouts.
- SenseKnit: Meant for running, this fabric targets support right where you need it. It’s lightweight enough to keep you cool, and is sweat-wicking and quick-drying.
What to Look for When Shopping for lululemon Leggings
Verywell Fit
- Rise: Rise refers to how high the waistband comes up. lululemon leggings come in mid-rise, high-rise, and super-high-rise. Higher-rise leggings generally offer more support and coverage. Certified personal trainer Brandi Wynne, MS, CNS, LDN, CPT, considers a high waist essential for comfort and movement. However, you should choose the rise that reflects the style and level of support you prefer.
- Length: The inseam length refers to how long the leggings will be from the crotch to the bottom of the leg. lululemon offers a range of inseam lengths. Cropped styles range from 17- to 23-inch inseams. Ankle to full-length styles range from 25- to 31-inch inseams. Consider your height when choosing which inseam to select.
- Compression: Many of lululemon’s leggings offer compression—that snug-fitting, held-in feeling. Leggings with high compression are a good option for sports, like running, or for high-intensity workouts, like HIIT or CrossFit. You want to come into your workouts feeling good because exercise is tough enough, and wearing uncomfortable clothing will make it worse, says certified personal trainer Jonny Slick, NASM-CPT.
- Pockets: Plenty of lululemon leggings come with one or more pockets, so you can choose the pair that meets your needs for whatever you need to carry. Look for drop-in pockets that are deep and waistband pockets that are zippered to keep your items safe and secure.
- Colors and Patterns: Most lululemon leggings come in black and other neutral color choices like graphite grey or true navy. If you want something more bold, pick a style that comes in vibrant colors, such as lululemon’s Wunder Under SmoothCover High-Rise Tights in raspberry coulis. Select styles also offer patterns, such as the lululemon Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight in a snake-inspired option or the lululemon’s Wunder Train High-Rise Crop Legging in a floral pattern. Many color options also offer matching jackets, sports bras, or tanks if you prefer a coordinated look.
Verywell Fit
How We Tested the lululemon Leggings
To find the best lululemon leggings, we tested every lululemon legging style over a two-month period. We wore each pair of leggings in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home for various workouts, including yoga, Pilates, running, strength training, and HIIT. During testing, we evaluate each pair of leggings based on the following criteria:
- Performance: To evaluate performance, we wear the leggings for workouts such as running, yoga, strength training, and Crossfit, as well as casual, everyday wear working and running errands. Do the leggings stay in place? Do they stretch with our movements? Are they breathable and sweat-wicking?
- Quality: After we wear and wash the leggings multiple times, we note if the stitching, seams, and overall construction are still solid. We also note if the fabric pills, fades, or stretches with wear and washing.
- Opacity: Opacity is important for feeling comfortable in your leggings. To assess the opacity of each pair, we check for sheer spots after putting them on. Then, we perform squats and other exercises that require bending to see check for sheering at the knee or glutes. Finally, a month after consistent use, we check for sheering again to ensure the quality holds up over time.
- Fit: Leggings are supposed to feel snug in the right places—like the butt, thighs, and waist—without causing discomfort. We try on each pair and note whether they fit true to size. Do they bunch or gap anywhere? Do they squeeze or pinch anywhere?
- Value: Finally, to determine the value of each pair of lululemon leggings, we wait to check the price until after testing is complete. Then, taking into consideration the results of each of the testing categories, we determine if the leggings are worth the price. We only include leggings we would personally purchase or recommend to friends and family.
Verywell Fit
Our Experts
During our research, testing, and reporting for this story, we consulted experts to ensure the best recommendations. They helped us determine what features to look for and how to find a pair that’ll work for your unique needs. Although we choose the products independently, we use expert input to influence our choices.
- Jonny Slick, NASM-CPT, certified personal trainer and founder of Straight Shot Training.
- Brandi Wynne, MS, CNS, LDN, CPT, certified personal trainer and clinical nutritionist at Brandi Wynne Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What are lululemon’s most popular leggings?
The Align leggings are the most popular lululemon leggings, with Wunder Train leggings quickly becoming a popular second.
Are lululemon Align or Wunder Train leggings better?
Which style are better will depend on what you are using them for. Align leggings have low compression and are best for yoga, Pilates, or other low-impact activities, while Wunder Train leggings have enough compression for a locked-in feel and support for high intensity activities.
Do lululemon leggings run small?
During testing, we found that most lululemon leggings run true to size. In styles with less compression, you can try one size down from your usual for a more secure, locked-in fit.
Are lululemon leggings worth it?
Lululemon leggings are generally considered to be high-quality and made of performance fabrics that are durable and functional. For regular exercisers, they’re well worth the price for their performance and fit.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Jen Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, is a Verywell Fit writer with 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and knows how important it is to find quality products that add value to your fitness routine. She focuses on finding and recommending products for effective home workouts and wears leggings for workouts like strength training and running. For this article, Jen looked over the test results to help compile our top picks.
