The 13 Best Yoga Pants of 2022

Stretchy, soft, and durable, yoga pants are one of the most frequently worn athleisure items in our wardrobe (even when we aren’t actually planning to take a yoga class). Often mistaken for leggings, yoga pants can have a similar look and feel to a cotton blend legging, but they don’t just come in form-fitting silhouettes. You can find this beloved workout clothing item in a variety of pants styles, including flare, bootcut, wide leg, and even capri and jogger styles, too.

Whether you prefer your yoga pants hiked up in a high rise, fancy a mid-rise waistband, or like the option to adjust the style and go for a more low-rise look, there are plenty of yoga pants to choose from that meet nearly every style preference, too. While this isn’t necessarily the worst thing, it does make finding the best yoga pants a challenge—that’s where we come in. We researched some of the most popular yoga and athleisure brands and sifted through dozens of styles to find 13 yoga pant styles that will move, stretch, and support you in your vinyasa flow while also looking super-stylish and—even more importantly—feeling amazing on the body.

From a versatile best overall pick to the most comfortable and functional option for hot yoga, here are the best yoga pants.

Best Overall

Abercrombie & Fitch Contour Full-Length Leggings

Abercrombie & Fitch

The Contour Full-Length Leggings from Abercrombie & Fitch reign as the best yoga pants overall for their supreme comfort, buttery soft fabric, and versatility. While they aren’t the right material for a hot yoga flow, they’re the perfect pair of pants for at-home or in-studio yoga — plus they are so comfy that you’ll likely want to wear them as regular clothing, paired with an oversized sweater and sneakers or knee-high boots. The polyester combined with elastane makes them ultra-stretchy, breathable, and durable, and the waistband stays put without slipping and sliding around.

Upon first discovering these yoga pants, we promptly ordered a few more pairs and then proceeded to finally let go of all our old, lived-in (okay, stretched out) black leggings we had been holding onto for dear life — that’s how good these are.

Price at time of publish: $59

Material: Polyester, elastane | Size range: XXS-XL | Colors: Black

Best Budget

No Nonsense Women’s Yoga Flared Legging

Amazon

You don’t need to splurge on pricey $100 yoga pants to get a quality pair. The No Nonsense Women’s Yoga Flared Leggings have a traditional yoga pant style with their mid-rise waist and flared hem and are made from a durable cotton and polyester material that is super stretchy with five percent spandex. At $15, these yoga pants on Amazon are a total steal with 4.3 stars from over 8,000 customers. The lightweight yoga pants are beloved for their fit, how well they hold their shape, and their value.

Price at time of publish: $14.99

Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Size range: S-XXL | Colors: Black

Best Splurge

Héros The 80s Legging

Bandier

For a splurge-worthy pair of yoga pants, we can’t stop oohing and ahhing over this style from Héros. Dubbed The ’80s Leggings for their fitness tape-inspired style, these fun and funky leggings are made from buttery smooth recycled polyester with stretchy spandex. We are obsessed with the black pair for the subtle nod to ’80s athleisure, but also think the pink, blue, and green options are a super fun way to spice up your yoga wardrobe. With a mid-rise waist and medium compression, the designer yoga pants are a fantastic pair for attending your favorite sweaty vinyasa flow class and then hitting the town for brunch with girlfriends after.

Price at time of publish: $145

Material: Recycled polyester, spandex | Size range: XS-XL | Colors: Black, pink, blue, green

Best for Short Legs

Spanx Booty Boost Yoga Pant

Spanx

Spanx makes some of the best shapewear, but the brand’s yoga pants are also a total game-changer — especially if you have short (or long!) legs and need a more customizable size. The Booty Boost Yoga Pant comes in regular, petite, and tall lengths in sizes XS to 3XL and is designed with a high-rise, contoured waistband to help accentuate the body (and leave you feeling extra supported). The pants are also made from a sweat-wicking and super-breathable material, so they’re compatible with hot yoga and other steamy workouts.

Price at time of publish: $110

Material: Nylon, elastane | Size range: XS-3XL (regular, petite, and tall) | Colors: Black, navy, green

Best with Pockets

Halara High Waisted Side Zip Pocket Casual Cargo Joggers

Halara

Ditch tight-fitting yoga pants for these Cargo Joggers from Halara. The lightweight and breathable athleisure pants are our top pick because we love the zippered pockets on the side, which keep belongings safe and secure while commuting to yoga class. But, pocket style isn’t the only reason these pants deserve a spot on our list. The joggers are made from lightweight nylon with four-way stretch, plus even more stretch around the waist and ankles, making it easier to move around from post to pose. While they aren’t ideal for hot yoga (the loose fit might cause the fabric to stick to your legs in an uncomfortable manner), they are an excellent pair of yoga pants for gentle and vinyasa flow-style classes.

Price at time of publish: $49.95

Material: Nylon, elastane | Size range: XS-XL | Colors: Green, black

Best with Tummy Control

THE GYM PEOPLE Thick High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets

Amazon

If you’re shopping for a pair of yoga pants with tummy control, a high-waist style is a must. But, beyond that, you also want to make sure it has enough compression to offer support. The Thick High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets from The Gym People on Amazon are a must-try for these requirements as it features a thicker waistband that stretches over the belly button and stays in place. And, while the leggings are on the thicker side (making them a good choice for winter), they are still ultra-stretchy and breathable. Compared to similar styles, these pants are also more budget-friendly and come in tons of colors and patterns, plus a capri style.

Price at time of publish: $24.99

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size range: XS-3XL | Colors: Black, black leopard, marble, blue, charcoal gray, fleece lined black, black and white jacquard, black and grey camo, bright pink, bright purple, and more

Best with Adjustable Waist

Zenana Premium Cotton FOLD Over Yoga Flare Pants

Amazon

When looking for a pair of yoga pants with an adjustable waist, you can’t go wrong with a classic style. These flared fold-over pants from Zenana on Amazon are made from mostly cotton with slight spandex stretch. Although they have more of a high-rise fit, the folded waistband can be pulled down to make them more mid or low-rise. Despite the adjustability, these yoga pants stay in place and don’t slip and slide around the hips.

Price at time of publish: $17.99

Material: Cotton, spandex | Size range: S-XL | Colors: Black, burgundy, charcoal, dark olive, dark rust, light olive, mocha, navy, ash mustard, coffee, sapphire, teal, white, ash gray, desert mustard, and more

Best for Curvy Figures

Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Leggings

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective is the place to go if you’re wanting to reduce your carbon footprint. The brand’s athleisure offering includes yoga pants, tops, and sports bras. But, in addition to its more sustainable lens, the brand also has some of the best sizes in its category. Our favorite yoga pants in particular is the Compressive Pocket Legging, which comes in sizes up to 6XL and available in two inseam options (28.5 and 23.75 inches). The yoga pants have good compression which makes you feel supported when you slip into them, plus they are ultra-breathable, sweat-wicking, and have a high-rise waist that stays in place while you flow from a plank to downward dog to warrior II.

Price at time of publish: $88

Material: Recycled plastic water bottles, spandex | Size range: XXS-6XL | Colors: Black, plum, midnight, moss, earth, lollipop

Best Flare

Alo Airbrush 7/8 High Waist Flutter Leggings

Alo

In a studio full of ankle-fitting yoga pants, add some flare with the Alo Airbrush 7/8 High Waist Flutter Leggings. Constructed from the brand’s coveted Airbrush fabric — which consists of a polyester and spandex blend — these yoga pants are functional yet fashionable with their stretchy material and ankle slits. Although they have a high waist, these yoga pants are unique in that they opt for a skinny waistband, which keeps the pants in place without feeling too restrictive on the belly. They’re also a shorter length, which can make it easier to move around and flow into different poses since you aren’t tripping on the flared hems.

Price at time of publish: $118

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size range: XXS-L | Colors: Black, ivory, espresso, sand, raisin, taupe

Best Crossover Waist

Thrive Société Ruffle Wrap 7/8 Legging

Thrive SociÃ©tÃ©

If you love the look of a crossover waist (which, in our opinion, is the perfect mix of high-rise and mid-rise), the Thrive Société Ruffle Wrap 7/8 Legging is one of our favorite yoga pants in our wardrobe. These leggings are designed with a four-way stretch polyester and spandex material and medium compression to keep you feeling supported without restriction. The pants have a wrapped waistline with ruffled detail, adding texture and style to the otherwise simple leggings style. In addition to their good looks, these leggings are buttery soft and move with your body in a second-skin-like manner, making them the ideal choice for a pair of yoga pants.

Price at time of publish: $69

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size range: XS-XL | Colors: Black

Best Ribbed

Year of Ours Ribbed Football Legging

Year of Ours

The Year of Ours Ribbed Football Leggings have been on regular rotation in our closet for years and are a consistent go-to for both traditional vinyasa flow and hot yoga classes. We were first drawn to the pants for their unique style — the lace-up waistband is adorable — but quickly found that, apart from their looks, they’re a highly functional pair of yoga pants with tons of stretch, a lightweight and ultra-stretchy feel, and fantastic moisture management. The ribbed material also form-fits the body in the most incredible way, and they’re a good pick for those who want a pair of yoga pants they could easily wear to brunch after class.

Price at time of publish: $125

Material: Nylon, spandex | Size range: XS-2XL | Colors: Black, navy, dune, white, desert rose, honeycomb, dark oak, bone, deep teal, terra-cotta, heather gray, hot pink

Best Ankle

Lorna Jane Support No Ride Eco Ankle Biter Leggings

Lorna Jane

Bare your ankles in these Barbiecore pink leggings from Lorna Jane. The Support No Ride Eco Ankle Biter Leggings are constructed from recycled polyester and elastane for stretch and feature corset-inspired binding on the thick waistband, offering a touch of detail and a ton of core support. While the pants are designed for an array of activities, we love them for yoga because they are lightweight, don’t ride up (which is so nice when you’re moving from position to position), and are moisture-wicking enough to wear to hot yoga. The pants are also great for those who commute to yoga class on foot, as they have a large phone pocket for belongings and a built-in carabiner loop for your keys.

Price at time of publish: $110

Material: Recycled polyester, elastane | Size range: XXS-XXL | Colors: Bright pink

Best for Hot Yoga

Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Legging

Alo Yoga

Hot yoga gets sticky and sweaty real fast, so you need a pair of pants that will actually move with you and keep moisture at bay. The 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Leggings from Alo were designed with hot yoga classes in mind and are constructed from a durable, high-quality double-knit Airlift fabric (which is a blend of polyester and spandex) that is moisture-wicking with supreme four-way stretch. We love them because they form to the body like a glove, are made from an ultra smooth and soft fabric, and don’t make us feel suffocated while in a heated yoga studio. If you’re like us and prefer to wear bike shorts to steamy hot yoga, you’ll love these pants.

Price at time of publish: $128

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size range: XXS-L | Colors: Anthracite, black, gravel, true navy, espresso, hot cocoa, raisin, blue splash, magenta crush, red hot summer, violet skies, and more

How to Pick the Right Yoga Pants

Coverage

In yoga, you spend a lot of time moving and positioning your body into different poses—some of which can be very exposing. With this in mind, Dr. Kristin Williams, MS, PT, DPT, OCS, a senior LYT Yoga Instructor and LYT Movement Expert, says to consider the amount of coverage a pair of yoga pants have. “Before purchasing [or removing tags from an online order] any pair of yoga pants, bend over in front of a mirror and make sure the fabric is not see-through and that the waistband stays put,” she explains. “As a long-time yoga teacher, I cannot tell you the number of butts and thongs I’ve seen through pants that are too sheer or ride too low.”

This is especially important for more budget-friendly styles as Dr. Williams says cheaper brands don’t always use fabrics with as tight of a weave compared to their expensive counterparts, which could lead to unwanted exposure.

Waistband Fit

Fit is also important, as you want your pants to stay in place while you move and stretch on your mat. One of the most important things to consider when looking at fit is the waistband. “A higher, wider waistband is needed to prevent slipping during practice when completing different poses,” says Holly Katz, a celebrity stylist.

When shopping for yoga pants and looking at the fit — whether that’s overall or how the waistband feels — Dr. Williams says it’s important to try them on, as sizing and fit vary not only between brands but also between styles within the same brand.

Fabric

The fabric is another key thing to consider when shopping for yoga pants as you want your pants to be lightweight and breathable. “A good option is usually a blend of fabrics, such as a polyester and spandex blend,” says Naina Singla a fashion stylist, style expert, and on-air, digital and print fashion content contributor. Fabric thickness is also important to look at, especially if you have a style preference. “I like a thicker fabric that I could maybe style with a sweater after class if I have errands afterward,” explains Katz. Whether you prefer a thicker or thinner material, it’s always beneficial to keep an eye on this detail when looking at yoga pants.

Another thing to consider when looking at the fabric and construction is sustainability. “Sustainability in fashion should always be considered, and sustainable shopping is an easy way to find a brand you love in an already over-saturated market,” says Allie Koehler, a New York City-based stylist. When shopping for sustainable yoga pants, look at styles constructed from recycled material, such as Girlfriend’s Compressive Pocket Legging, which is made from recycled plastic water bottles, or Lorna Jane Support No Ride Eco Ankle Biter Leggings, which is made from recycled polyester.

Frequently Asked Questions

What yoga pants are best?

“The best yoga pants are ones that are non-restrictive, [have] breathable fabric, and are moisture-wicking,” Singla says. “Yoga is meant to be a meditative and mindful practice where you are connecting the body and mind, so the last thing you need is distractions with your clothing.” Our pick for the best yoga pants, the Abercrombie & Fitch Contour Full-Length Leggings, meet these requirements as they have the most divine fit, unmatched stretch, the softest feel, and they stay in place. We love them because they have that cotton legging look but are secretly lightweight, breathable, and comfortable to sweat in. On top of that, they are under $60, giving them tons of value, too. If you want something a little more budget-friendly, the No Nonsense Women’s Yoga Flared Legging on Amazon comes top-rated by over 8,000 customers for the way they fit, how well they hold their shape, and their budget-friendly price.

What’s the difference between yoga pants and leggings?

According to Dr. Williams, yoga pants and leggings are terms that are often used interchangeably. With that said, she explains that yoga pants are typically thinner and more breathable compared to more traditional cotton leggings—they also come in a variety of waist and leg styles, lengths, and some even have different fabrics for different types of yoga workouts (like hot yoga).

“When talking about yoga leggings, one is usually referring to any style that is form-fitting, soft, and stretchy, allowing you to bend, move, and twist comfortably,” Dr. Williams notes. As mentioned, yoga pants can also take the form of other styles (including joggers, like the Halara High Waisted Side Zip Pocket Casual Cargo Joggers), so they aren’t always a form-fitting pair of leggings.

Are expensive yoga pants worth it?

While you can find a fantastic, quality pair of yoga pants that are budget-friendly, Dr. Williams says expensive yoga pants are still worth it. “Fabrics used in more expensive brands are more durable and hold their shape better,” she explains. “In addition, not having to worry about indecent exposure while bending over in a downward-facing dog is paramount as higher-end suppliers tend to use a tighter weave of synthetic fabric blends to keep your private bits covered,” she adds.

If you’re looking to invest in a pair of yoga pants, many styles above $50 are a good choice, and those closer to the $100 range or higher can be an indication of quality. However, don’t let the price guide you all the way. When shopping for expensive yoga pants, it’s always best to do your research, read reviews, and don’t be afraid to try them on and return the ones you don’t love for more affordable ones you do love.

Take Our Word For It

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Journalism from Academy of Art University. When researching the best yoga pants, Jessie—who has practiced yoga regularly for over 10 years herself—looked at a variety of styles, carefully considering the waistbands, overall fit, fabric, breathability, and if they will hold up during a sweaty vinyasa flow. She also tapped style experts Naina Singla, Holly Katz, and Allie Koehler, as well as yoga expert Dr. Kristin Williams for their insights on what makes a pair of yoga pants truly stand out.

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