The Best Lululemon Leggings, According to Well+Good Editors

There’s no shortage of workout leggings on the market, but Lululemon leggings have proven time (and time again) to be an old reliable. Well+Good editors practically live in these buttery soft, sculpting leggings, and many own multiple pairs for running, doing yoga, hanging on the couch, and so much more. Suffice it to say, we’re well acquainted with its inventory of luscious leggings and how overwhelming its selection can be. With over 100 options and newly released launches (see the Lululemon x Disney collaboration), searching for the best Lululemon leggings can make you break a sweat.

To help you narrow down your choices, Well+Good curated a list of options that are worth adding to your cart. Whether you’re interested in purchasing Lululemon leggings, or you’re looking for a style you aren’t familiar with yet, find my and other editors’ favorite pairs below.

The best Lululemon leggings, according to editors

Best versatile: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant — $118.00

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: 27 | Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane | Lengths: 23-,25-, 28-, 31-inch inseam length

I don’t like to play favorites, but the Aligns just might win gold in my heart. It’s difficult to find leggings that perform well in both athletic and non-athletic activities but this pair is versatile, which is exactly what I love about them. They offer just the right amount of stretch for low-impact activities like yoga or Pilates, but it isn’t too squeezy, which makes it suited for long days of inactivity. The waistband doesn’t dig into my waist, and I don’t find myself tugging or pulling at the material when I move. All to say: I don’t think about the leggings when I wear them—and that is a compliment.

Pros:

• Comfortable for workouts and everyday wear
• Wide variety of colors

Cons:

• Not as supportive for high-impact activities

Best with a second-skin feel: Lululemon Wunder Under Nulu High-Rise Tight 25” — $98.00

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: 6 | Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane | Lengths: 25-inch inseam length

“I feel like I can conquer any workout in these buttery-soft leggings, and the espresso brown is so on trend while breaking me out of my black legging shell,” — Rebecca Ambrose, Commerce Business Analyst

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Fiction-free coverage

Pros:

• Limited inseam lengths

Most supportive: Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight — $98.00

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: 16 | Materials: 77% nylon, 23% Lycra elastane | Lengths: 23-, 25-, 28-, 31-inch inseam lengths

The Wunder Trains meet my criteria for the perfect workout leggings. It’s stretchy and just snug enough to stay in place without limiting my range of motion. I’ve worn these leggings for strength workouts and can attest that they’re also squat-proof. Just as importantly, they don’t show off sweat streaks (and I sweat buckets). The pair is designed to offer “medium support,” but I’d argue that it’s as comfortable to wear for non-sweaty activities, which, for me, involves long stretches on the couch.

Pros:

• Offers low-to-medium support
• Variety of color options

Cons:

• It isn’t as comfortable as other options for everyday wear

Best for everyday: Lululemon Align High-Rise Mini-Flare Pant — $118.00

Normally $118 – on sale for Cyber Monday 

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: 7 | Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane | Lengths: 30-, 32-, 34-inch inseam lengths

“As a millennial, I’m thrilled about the revival of my beloved yoga pants (aka flared leggings). The Lululemon Align Flare Pant is so comfortable, stretchy, and flattering, I pretty much wear them every single day—except for laundry day. They’re stretchy and tight down to the calf and the flare is subtle enough that they work perfectly for yoga and Pilates too, since they don’t slide or bunch up. All in all, I’m a huge fan and need them in more colors,” — Katie Maguire, Senior Director of Commerce

Pros:

• Comfortable for everyday wear
• Variety of color options

Cons:

• Not as supportive for high-impact activities

Best lightweight: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight — $128.00

Normally $128 – on sale for Cyber Monday

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: 4 | Materials: 84% nylon, 16% Lycra elastane | Lengths: 23-, 25-, 28-inch inseam lengths

True to its name, I do feel fast and free in these leggings, which are very stretchy without skimping on support. I’ve worn this pair on a 13-mile trail run in the Philippines, where humidity averages over 80 percent, and it didn’t weigh me down; it neither clung to my legs when I sweat nor did it require much adjustments. This was more than five years ago, and these leggings are no worse for wear. After many washings, they haven’t pilled, ripped, or lost their shape—and I plan on wearing them until they’re unwearable.

Pros:

• Supremely moisture-wicking
• Lightweight yet supportive

Cons:

• Limited color options

Best for winter: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Thermal Tight with Pockets — $148.00

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: 3 | Materials: 87% recycled polyester, 13% Lycra elastane | Lengths: 25- and 28-inch inseam lengths

These thermal leggings are similar to most of the above picks. They’re buttery-soft and offer stretchy support. Unlike the other options, they’re made from polyester to keep moisture out and warm air in. While most other leggings are too lightweight for the fall or winter, these are ideal for those moderately frigid days when I want to forgo pants; they’re warm without being stuffy, and I’ve also worn them underneath jeans for extra warmth. They were snug but not tight-fitting and had proven more comfortable than my regular base layer made from cotton.

Pros:

• Warm yet lightweight
• Two side pockets

Cons:

• Limited color options

What to look for when shopping for Lululemon leggings

Material

Most Lululemon leggings are made from nylon and elastane to wick away sweat and move with you, but the fabric composition varies based on the style selected. If you want leggings that fit more snugly, opt for a version with more elastane in the nylon fabric blend. And if you want a pair that’s more stretchy than structured, look for pairs with less elastane.

The leggings found on this list have 13 to 23 percent elastane, and Well+Good found that the majority can be worn for a variety of settings—like workouts, lounging, and running around town.

Inseam length

Lululemon also offers leggings in multiple inseam lengths, which refers to the distance between the crotch of the leggings down to the hem. The options listed range from 23 to 31 inches. To determine how long a given pair of leggings will be on you, use a tape measure to find out before you start shopping.

Additional features

• Pockets: As you shop, you also have the choice between Lululemon leggings with or without pockets. Leggings with pockets can add to a pair’s functionality, and some Lulus have one (or multiple!) pockets to put your phone, wallet, keys, or other small items.
• Drawstring closure: Some leggings also feature a drawstring closure at the waist to make it easy to achieve your perfect fit.