25 High-Waisted Leggings to Make You Look and Feel Like

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Best Cult Favorite

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

Best Cult Favorite

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

Pros

• Moisture-wicking
• Multiple inseam options
• Added Lycra® fibre for shape retention

Cons

• Expensive

If you haven’t yet sung the praises of Lululemon’s cult-favorite Align leggings, your approach to workout gear is about to change. Expand your closet with this neon pink hue if you already own the classic black pair, but with 21 colors, you’re bound to find a style that suits you.

What people are saying: “I wear these constantly. I have tried numerous brands and these comes out on top, I finally get what all the talk is about…I will be buying more for sure!”

Key Specs

Best Purchase With Power

Spiritual Gangster Love Sculpt Seamless Legging

Best Purchase With Power

Spiritual Gangster Love Sculpt Seamless Legging

Pros

• Reinforced gusset
• New seasonal colors

Cons

• Limited size range

In partnership with Feeding America, this yogi-inspired brand will donate proceeds from each item sold to provide a meal to someone in need. So when you add a pair of these seamless performance leggings to your closet, you’re also giving back. Namaste.

What people are saying: “Super comfy ribbed leggings that feel sturdy and supportive! Obsessed with the color and feel!”

Key Specs

Best Head Turner

Adidas x Stella McCartney Shiny Training Leggings

Best Head Turner

Adidas x Stella McCartney Shiny Training Leggings

Now 50% Off

Pros

• Laser-cut holes along the leg for extra ventilation
• Part of a matching set

Cons

• Only 1 color option
• Runs large

Glam up your workout routine with these shiny, designer collab leggings that one reviewer called out for collecting “lots of compliments” from fellow gym-goers.

What people are saying: “Looks fantastic on…fits perfect and also bought the matching top!”

Key Specs

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Best Breathability

CRZ YOGA Naked Feeling Workout Leggings

Best Breathability

CRZ YOGA Naked Feeling Workout Leggings

Pros

• Hidden waistband pocket
• Expansive color selection

Cons

• Limited compression and hold

This Lululemon dupe has a 4.5-star rating and 29,000+ Amazon reviews, so at $26, it’s hard to pass up.

What people are saying: “I found these recommended by a TikToker. She was right! These are the holy grail of leggings! Lightweight, breathable, soft, yet still tight enough for support during activity.”

Key Specs

Best for Adventurers

Arc’teryx Essent High-Rise Legging

Best for Adventurers

Arc’teryx Essent High-Rise Legging

Composed of abrasion-resistant material, these leggings are specifically made to handle rock climbing, hiking, and the great outdoors.

What people are saying: “Tested these new leggings out on a few laps of the Sea to Summit trail and didn’t have to adjust the waist once. They stayed in place perfectly! So far they’ve crushed all my hikes and are nice and light—excited to bring them traveling as my go to!”

Key Specs

Best for Barre

Neiwai Ballet Extra High-Waist Leggings

Best for Barre

Neiwai Ballet Extra High-Waist Leggings

Now 40% Off

Pros

• Crop fit
• Stretchy-soft fabric

Cons

• Not for high impact activities

Online barre classes are always great for those who can’t make it to the gym, and we’re grateful for the leggings that made us feel like we were actually in a ballet studio and not just shuffling around the kitchen table. This dance-inspired collection by Neiwai is nothing short of en pointe.

What people are saying: “I just wore them to my gym and have already received compliments! The color and pattern is so gorgeous and the material is super comfortable.”

Key Specs

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Best Squat Proof

Roam Loud Kono Legging

Best Squat Proof

Roam Loud Kono Legging

Credit: Courtesy

Pros

• Side mesh panels for added style and breathability
• 4.5” waistband

Cons

• Limited sizing
• Only 1 color option

Show off all the hard work you put in with this ultra-flattering contrast stitch pair. You can’t not get the matching top, right?

What people are saying: “These pants looked great after washing, and the quality of the fabric feels so soft. I was nervous about the sheer part on the side of the pants, but even that part is made of really durable material. The color is very bright, a perfect color for outdoor biking!”

Key Specs

Best Plus Size

Nike Luxe Mid-Rise 7/8 Plus Size Leggings

Best Plus Size

Nike Luxe Mid-Rise 7/8 Plus Size Leggings

Now 31% Off

Pros

• Squat proof
• Dri-FIT Nike technology
• V-shaped back for support

Cons

• Limited color options

When it comes to intensive HIIT training, Nike leggings are up to the challenge. The brand’s staples are basically made for burpees. Nike is also great for looking like you just worked out, even if you just had to Google what a burpee is.

What people are saying: “Awesome plus size workout pants. I am 5’10” and the length of the pants lays correctly on the ankles. The fabric is smooth and you can’t see through them. These pants are even great to wear on the weekends.”

Key Specs

Best Petite

Tek Gear Ultrastretch High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings

Best Petite

Tek Gear Ultrastretch High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings

Now 43% Off

Pros

• Affordable
• Fun pattern choices

Cons

• May be too short for tall or standard inseam lengths
• Sells out quickly

If you’re under 5’6”, you probably know the pain of pulling on a pair of pants only to find they’re reaching well past your stature. Look to this pair of super stretch leggings that range from XS to 2XL in a petite inseam length.

What people are saying: “Love these pants! I am a short petite med, and the 7/8 style fit me perfectly. The length is a regular length on me.”

Key Specs

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Best Cut Out

Aerie Real Me Crossover Cut-Out Legging

Best Cut Out

Aerie Real Me Crossover Cut-Out Legging

Now 31% Off

Pros

• Ultra lightweight support
• Short and long inseam lengths
• Stylish, ribbed cutout waistband

Cons

• Some reviewers claim this runs large

We’ve raved about Aerie’s workout leggings before, and they still hold up to the hype (seriously—two years later and my personal pair is still one of my faves). They also don’t skimp on style, like this ribbed cutout pair of leggings that double as a cute brunch look.

What people are saying: “Flatters my waist and looks great with crop tops. Love the material and easy fit.”

Key Specs

Best Stirrup

Splits59 River High Waist Airweight Stirrup

Best Stirrup

Splits59 River High Waist Airweight Stirrup

Pros

• Second skin comfort
• Stirrup prevents material from bunching at your ankles

Cons

• Pricey
• Not as suitable for high-impact activity

Keep your leggings from gathering at your ankles and around your knees with this streamlined stirrup pair from Splits59.

What people are saying: “Absolutely loved these! Comfortable, slimming and stylish with the stirrup! I have some swelling in my ankles and the stirrup covers it up perfectly. So happy! Recommend!”

Key Specs

Best Flare

prAna Bohemia Hill Flare Crop

Best Flare

prAna Bohemia Hill Flare Crop

These aren’t your everyday crop flare leggings—they’re actually hemp-infused, so you’re getting an earthier fabric that’s anti-bacterial and boasts near-magical stretch recovery.

What people are saying: “I love this fabric and these patterns, and I’m so glad prAna brought them back!”

Key Specs

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Best Seamless

Gym Shark Vital Seamless 2.0 Leggings

Best Seamless

Gym Shark Vital Seamless 2.0 Leggings

Now 40% Off

Pros

• Figure-contouring shading
• Breathable marl mesh dots for keeping cool
• Made with a sustainable dyeing process

Cons

• Some reviewers complained these weren’t squat proof

Gym Shark’s leggings are made for more intense workouts, thanks to their seamless material that won’t rub your skin the wrong way. You’ll feel supported (yet weightless) with every side lunge and sumo squat.

What people are saying: “Favorite leggings…great compression, length, nice fabric, and love the seamless look.”

Key Specs

Best Compression

Beyond Yoga Spacedye At Your Leisure High-Waisted Midi Legging

Best Compression

Beyond Yoga Spacedye At Your Leisure High-Waisted Midi Legging

Credit: Courtesy

Pros

• 5” overlapping waistband
• No outer seams
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Some reviewers felt these were too tight

Beyond Yoga makes the absolute greatest leggings for those times you need support without restriction, like for a yoga class or light hike. It doesn’t hurt that their colorful matching sets will reel in the compliments as soon as you walk out the door.

What people are saying: “I’ve been searching for the perfect legging and these are it! I love the waistband, I feel so supported and tucked in without too much compression, and they are so so flattering. The material is high quality, soft and breathable. I’m obsessed!”

Key Specs

Best On TikTok

Seasum High Waist Booty Leggings

Best On TikTok

Seasum High Waist Booty Leggings

Credit: Courtesy

These leggings need no introduction, but if you’re living under a TikTok-less rock, know that these are the leggings for anyone looking to enhance their, ahem, assets.

What people are saying: “Y’all… TikTok made me buy these. You know how leggings just kinda go across your butt? They can look fine, form-fitting, cool, whatever….but THESE totally emphasize EACH INDIVIDUAL CHEEEEEK, making the bum look ON POINT. Just get them.”

Key Specs

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Most Comfortable

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

Most Comfortable

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

Pros

• No-slip waistband
• Hidden pocket for convenience
• Brushed, buttery soft fabric

Cons

• Less durable material than higher-end brands

Nordstrom shoppers are obsessed with Zella’s aptly named Live In leggings. With 4.5 stars from more than 7.3k reviews, rest assured that this perfect pair is one you’ll never want to take off.

What people are saying: “So soft and tight. They keep everything (mommy bulge) nice and smooth because of the high waist. The name says it all—you can totally live in them!”

Key Specs

Best Shaping

TLF Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Butt Leggings

Best Shaping

TLF Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Butt Leggings

Pros

• Anti-microbial technology
• Booty shaping ruching and contour stitching
• Anti-camel toe (no front seams)

Cons

• Not as opaque as some wearers had hoped

Another TikTok-worthy brand, users can’t stop buzzing about TLF. This particular style features contour lines that are created to lift and visually accentuate your derrière.

What people are saying: “These leggings are smooth, stretchy, and so soft! They are camel toe-free, and the butt scrunch is very flattering!! I love them!”

Key Specs

Best Stretch

Melt Fit Essential Solid Leggings

Best Stretch

Melt Fit Essential Solid Leggings

Credit: Courtesy

Pros

• Medium strength compression
• Comes in plus sizes

Cons

• 30” inseam may run long on petite figures

Two words: Oprah’s favorite. Melt Fit leggings were on Oprah’s coveted Favorite Things list in 2021, so you can trust that these neutral, mid-compression leggings will suit any lifestyle.

What people are saying: “I’ve always loved Oprah’s Favorite Things list and I needed some leggings, so of course I had to try these Melt Fit ones. OMG!!! So glad I did! They are so comfortable yet so pretty you can wear them for different occasions!”

Key Specs

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Best With Pockets

Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging

Best With Pockets

Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging

Pros

• Featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things list 2022
• Inclusive size range
• Recycled and recyclable through ReGirlfriend

Cons

• Some reviews suggest sizing up

Consider this brand the Glossier of fitness gear: clean, simple, and Instagram-friendly. They’re also sustainable and size-inclusive, with this pair of leggings ranging from XXS to 6X.

What people are saying: “Was excited to try the pocket leggings and was not disappointed! First of all, great quality. LOVE the plum color, it’s the perfect shade. And the thickness is just right—I almost prefer them to the regular compressive leggings!”

Key Specs

Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.   

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