What makes or breaks a seamless legging for me is the fabric," says Roup, who adds that a solid pair should have a strong yet not-too-thin high-compression material that makes you feel secure. She notes that this can be hard to find without trying the leggings on and feeling the fabric yourself. Fit – gym leggings are designed to mould to your silhouette and not interfere with your movement or stretching. Regular leggings tend to be a looser fit and can sometimes go baggy with lots of movement. As a comfortable, flattering, and versatile pant, seamless leggings can be worn for exercise, lounging, and everything in between. They are perfect for elevating your workouts, but also providing comfort on those much-needed rest days. Different from traditional leggings,—made from sewn-together fabrics—seamless leggings are made from a single piece of fabric that's knitted together, creating a smooth, breathable, and second-skin feel. When you’re wearing your leggings for hours on end or working out full throttle, inner seams can irritate you, says Conroy, who adds that this is especially prevalent for those with sensitive skin. "That’s why seamless leggings are a fabulous alternative."

Stretchy, supportive, and squat-proof, Gymshark’s Adapt Camo Seamless Leggings proved great for a range of workouts. But they bunched in the knees, and their crotch area thinned in the wash. Boasting a high-rise waistband, these leggings sit above the belly button for most wearers— offering a more flattering and supportive fit. And, while testing, we appreciated that the compressive waistband stays in place during all types of movements. We didn’t have to adjust them mid-workout during barre, Pilates, walks, and more.Because they’re seamless, these leggings don’t dig into your skin or cause any uncomfortable irritation usually caused by internal seams. They also feature a figure-contouring shading that adds style and flatter. While these opaque leggings are completely secure around the waistband, you should know that we did find they roll up at the ankles during more high-intensity workouts. ODODOS’s Cross-Waist Yoga Leggings were the budget-friendliest leggings that impressed us the most during testing. Made of a sturdy performance fabric, the leggings are stretchy, smooth, and comfortable to work out in. And their on-trend crossover waistband makes them great for everyday wear. To find the best workout leggings, we conducted six separate tests in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home, evaluating 98 pairs of workout leggings. We wore, worked out in, and washed the leggings, assessing them for quality, fit, feel, opacity, durability, and overall value. And we gave them a score between 1 (would not recommend) and 5 (highly recommend) in those key categories.

We wish they came in different inseam lengths. (The flare cut isn’t forgiving when it’s too short or long.) But that’s our only complaint. They’re comfortable, durable, versatile—and worth their price point. We had some trouble with the cut of the leggings: Their high-rise waistband didn’t sit very high, and their legs were so long that fabric bunched around our thighs. But they never dug in or slipped out of place—and we’d happily buy a second pair.

Your sweat speaks for itself, so now it’s time to embrace it. Sleek, soft and comfortable fabrics meet powerful and resilient designs in the new SWEAT collection. DYNMC™️ fabric (powered by Sensil Nylon 66) heightens breathability whilst still providing maximum durability, so you can stay cool during the sweatiest sessions, and rely on SWEAT to endure your workouts time and time again. In the collection that you’ll feel hyped to wear for your next workout, all that’s left to do is sweat.

In addition to opacity, we evaluated each pair of leggings for overall quality, performance, fit, and value. During our wear-tests, we noted whether or not the leggings held up to various activities and how comfortable they fit on different body types. We also paid attention to whether or not the leggings showed signs of wear and tear overtime. We found that the leggings fit true to size, offering moderate compression. But the thinner material did wear down in the thigh area after one month of wear and multiple washes. Still, we love this versatile pair that comes at a lower price compared to alternatives from many brand competitors.

What to look for in a pair of gym leggings

After testing 98 pairs of workout leggings, we found a bunch worth recommending. And there were some leggings we really loved that didn’t make our final list. Those leggings lost points in one or more key categories—or they didn’t fit a superlative as perfectly as another pair. But we’d be remiss not to mention some of our runner-ups: But marketing strategies can only get a brand so far. Gymshark, especially its leggings, are popular because the brand produces a high-quality product at a competitive price. Compared to other big-name brands in the activewear space, Gymshark’s prices are more affordable, and its products are well-made, durable, functional, and stylish. To find the best squat-proof leggings, we began by consulting with two certified fitness professionals to learn more about what shopports should look for: The leggings are also machine-washable, making them convenient to clean between runs. And since they’re available in a range of sizes, lengths, and colors, it’s easy to find a pair worth investing in.