Yoga pants have quickly become the most popular women’s bottom clothing for their ability to stretch well and perfectly fit the shape of the body, especially the butt. Today, yoga pants are considered fashionable, the best workout clothes, and are no longer confined to the gym.
** I may earn a commission when you purchase through a link on this page. **
Lululemon has established itself as a leader in this category, while Gymshark is a new brand that is quickly growing its following.
Listed below are just a few of our top selections.
Best Overall – Lululemon Athletica Align Full Length Yoga Pants
“Super soft and stretchy high-waisted pants are designed to keep you cool and comfortable”
Best Budget – Fullsoft High-Waisted Yoga Pants
“Extremely comfortable and extremely well made, softest leggings I’ve ever owned”
Best Style Design – Lululemon Align II Stretchy Yoga Pants
“So comfy and lightweight. Thin but not see-through or so thin”
What is the difference between yoga pants and leggings?
Yoga pants for women are traditionally a thicker, looser fit than other yoga bottoms and can function as workout pants for a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities.
When they first became popular, one of the most popular styles was the flare yoga pants which could be worn for working out, but also for the casual day in, and leisurewear in general.
Yoga pants are a more style-forward, and trendy version of sweatpants. They are commonly used as loungewear and workout apparel.
Yoga leggings are tighter and thinner than other types of workout pants and bottoms. They are most often worn under longer shirts or dresses, like sports bras.
The beauty of yoga leggings is that they are thick enough to wear without a long-length yoga top, but breathable enough to wick away sweat and keep you cool while you practice yoga, pilates, or any other fitness activity.
What is the best material for yoga pants?
Synthetic performance fibers like nylon and polyester are better than cotton for workout pants because they’re often moisture-wicking, more durable, and have better stretch. Pick a smooth, shiny fabric to reduce chafing in high-impact activities like running.
Best Yoga Pants in 2024
Best Overall – Lululemon Athletica Align Full-Length
Lululemon Athletica Align Full-Length Yoga Pants utilize soft and stretching fabric to keep you comfortable while working out. These pants are designed to provide a full range of motion while hitting the gym or running errands around town.
Shop Lululemon: Lululemon Athletica Align Full-Length
Lululemon’s Athletica Align Full-Length Yoga Pants are made with their proprietary Nulu fabric, to ensure a lightweight performance while filling like a second skin. These yoga pants keep you dry, cool, and comfortable by wicking away sweat and excess moisture, even during your most strenuous yoga poses and high-intensity workouts.
Best Budget – Fullsoft High-Waisted Yoga Pants
Fullsoft High-Waisted Yoga Pants feature a high-waisted design to provide superior tummy control. These yoga pants are constructed using a super soft fabric that is perfect for contouring and gentle compression.
Shop Fullsoft: Fullsoft High Waisted Yoga Pants
Fullsoft’s High-Waisted Yoga Pants utilize premium non-see-through fabric that is excellent for moisture-wicking and offer 4 way stretching that will move with your body. These pants are developed for everyday wear and to give you years of durable performance.
Best Style Design – Lululemon Align II Stretchy Yoga Pants
Lululemon Align II Stretchy Yoga Pants are specifically designed for yoga and are made with silky, smooth fabric to provide top-level comfort. These yoga pants are super lightweight and have a buttery feel you are sure to enjoy.
Shop Lululemon: Lululemon Align II Stretchy Yoga Pants
Lululemon’s Align II Stretchy Yoga Pants offer a longer length to ensure a snug, body-hugging fit. These yoga pants feature a hidden waistband pocket for secure storage of your keys or a card.
Best Compression – Dragon Fit High Waist Yoga Leggings
Dragon Fit High Waist Yoga Leggings provide a wide elastic waistband to cover navel area and increased tummy control. These yoga leggings are made using skin-friendly fabric, that is moisture-wicking and very stretchy.
Shop Dragon Fit: Dragon Fit High Waist Yoga Leggings
Dragon Fit’s High Waist Yoga Leggings allow for no see-through confidence, due to interlocking material that is lightweight and comfortable. These yoga leggings are ideal for high intensity workouts as well as great leisurewear.
Best Boot Cut – Safort Bootcut Yoga Pants
The Safort Bootcut Yoga Pants feature full length bootleg pants, specifically designed to be cut to the length of your choice. These yoga pants are made with dense material for a no-see-through appearance, ideal for workouts or wearing outside the gym
Shop Safort: Safort Bootcut Yoga Pants
Safort’s Bootcut Yoga Pants feature 4 large pockets for convenient storeage of phone and other personal items. These yoga pants are incredibly comfortable and come in a variety of colors to choose from.
Best Crops – CRZ YOGA High Waist Crop Leggings
CRZ YOGA High Waist Crop Leggings are specifically designed for unrestricted range of movement, and are perfect for yoga or forms of training. These crop leggings feature ultra-smooth construction, and offer you squat-proof assurance.
Shop CRZ: CRZ YOGA High Waist Crop Leggings
CRZ’s YOGA High Waist Crop Leggings are craft with a 19” inseam, which is intended to sit at the mid-calf area. These crop leggings boosts a hidden waistband pocket for discrete storage and double-stitched crotch for a uniform fit.
Best Maternity – Foucome Maternity Leggings
Foucome Maternity Leggings are designed with support and comfort in mind, for a growing baby bump. These maternity leggings feature buttery-soft, seamlessly fabric to allow a full range of movement, while moisture-wicking fabrics keep you feeling cool throughout the day.
Shop Foucome: Foucome Maternity Leggings
Foucome’s Maternity Leggings utilize a maternity belly band that helps combat ligament pain and back pain by supporting the lower back and improving posture. These maternity leggings are suitable for yoga and other exercise activities, and for year-round wear.
Best Flare – Yogipace Cropped Kick Flare Yoga Pants
Yogipace Cropped Kick Flare Yoga Pants are designed for women who prefer the capri pants that are not too tight at the leg opening. These yoga pants offer a slight flare and also have side pockets, convenient for every day use.
Shop Yogipace: Yogipace Cropped Kick Flare Yoga Pants
Yogipace’s Cropped Kick Flare Yoga Pants are made with slightly thinner material, but still provide no see-through, moisture-wicking protection. These yoga pants utilize a wide and non-pinching waistband for superior comfort and a drawstring waistband for an adjustmable fit.
Best Capris – IUGA High Waisted Yoga Pants
IUGA High Waisted Yoga Pants offer second-skin feel with buttery-soft material, perfect for giving your body a contoured, streamlined look. These yoga pants provide superior comfort by using flat seams on the legs and waistband areas to eliminate bunching or digging into your skin.
Shop IUGA: IUGA High Waisted Yoga Pants
IUGA’s High Waisted Yoga Pants use a 4-Way Stretch fabric for freedom of movements, retains its shape over time. These yoga pants are available in a variey of colors, and are a perfect for those looking for excellent style while working out or for causal wear.
Best Push Up – AIMILIA Butt Lifting Yoga Pants
AIMILIA Butt Lifting Yoga Pants use a 4 way stretch & non see-through construction that slims and contours as you move. These yoga pants give your butt a streamlined appearance, and provide a natural looking, butt lifting effect.
Shop AIMILIA: AIMILIA Butt Lifting Yoga Pants
AIMILIA’s Butt Lifting Yoga Pants are designed to remove moisture from your body, for maximum comfort. These yoga pants are extremely comfotable, offer a tight fit and superior support and perfect for all body types.
Best Anti-Cellulite – DREAMOON High Waisted Scrunch Booty Yoga Pants
DREAMOON High Waisted Scrunch Booty Yoga Pants are made using high quality textured, soft fabrics that covers all flaws, and contours and highights your body shape. These yoga pants are designed to wick moisture from your body, while providing maximum comfort.
Shop DREAMOON: DREAMOON High Waisted Scrunch Booty Yoga Pants
DREAMOON’s High Waisted Scrunch Booty Yoga Pants use scrunched booty lifting, and non-cellulite material, to flatter all body shapes and sizes. These yoga pants are quite eye-catching and are a great choice for workouts or training, or for daily leisure activities.
Best Plus Size – MOREFEEL Plus Size Yoga Pants
MOREFEEL Plus Size Yoga Pants are made with super stretchy, yet supportive fabric for all-day andshape retention. These yoga pants provide for just the right amount of compression for optimal butt and tummy control.
Shop MOREFEEL: MOREFEEL Plus Size Yoga Pants
MOREFEEL’s Plus Size Yoga Pants feature a high waist, with 4.7 inches wide compression waistband to keep in place during any activity. These yoga pants are ideal when paired with a sports bra or t-shirt for a variety of shapes.
Best Tummy Control – SEASUM Slimming Yoga Pants
SEASUM Slimming Yoga Pants are textured workout pants designed for lifting butt, and to provide superior tummy control. These yoga pants are super stretchy and very comfortable, for the perfect fit and flattering appearance.
Shop SEASUM: SEASUM Slimming Yoga Pants
SEASUM’s Slimming Yoga Pants feature lightweight comfort along with moisture wicking properities, designed to improve your yoga or fitness experience. These yoga pants are so comfortable, you may even forget you have them on!
How to choose yoga pants
They are an excellent option of clothing for taking a yoga class, exercising outside, or simply relaxing around the home. It might be difficult to choose the proper styles, cuts, and patterns when there are so many to choose from! Fortunately, there are a few techniques to narrow down your search and choose the best pair for your needs.
Capris or Full Length
Capri pants end at the calf muscle, whereas full-length pants end at the ankle. Capri pants may be best if you tend to get heated easily; if you use your yoga pants during the cooler months, go for full length instead.
Your height may also influence the length you pick. Full-length pants may puddle around your ankles if you’re tiny. If you’re very tall, Capri pants may extend too high up your leg.
Fitted or Relaxed Style
If you like leggings, go for fitted, and if you prefer pants, go for loose. Fitted trousers, which are skin-tight, are definitely ideal for you if you plan to undertake a lot of exercise in your yoga clothing.
If you want to wear your these pants out and about, opt for more casual styles.
As fads come and go, you may find it more difficult to get a certain sort of style. Relaxed pants were fashionable a few years ago, but the fitted form is currently more popular.
High-waisted or Mid-rise
Choose high-waisted pants if you want pants with structure. If you’re searching for extra comfort, go for a mid-rise instead.
Mid-rise pants have a propensity to tumble down, making them unsuitable for vigorous activity. Featuing a drawstring waist may also be available. However, these aren’t ideal for yoga since the knot might bulk up and cause pain.
Cotton or Synthetic Fabric
If breathability is your primary priority, use synthetic textiles. Cotton pants are a better option if you don’t want to deal with pilling (the little fibrous pills that form after washing).
Keep in mind, though, that cotton styles are often warmer, so they may not be suitable for hot yoga.
All textiles will wear with friction over time. Pills (tiny knots of loose threads) arise in both cotton and synthetic textiles. However, pilling is more noticeable in synthetic textiles because minuscule plastic strands may attach pills more effectively than cotton fibers.
Bamboo is a new type of cloth that is being introduced by several businesses. These yoga trousers are soft and pleasant, but they pill more quickly than cotton or synthetic pants.
Thick or Thin
If you intend to perform a lot of exercise in your yoga clothes, choose thin ones. Thinner materials breathe better and assist to wick moisture away. If you want to wear them outside, choose a thicker material for added coverage.
Select The Stretch You Need
For maximum comfort, opt for flexible yoga pants. Choose less flexible styles if you like them to keep form fitting and provide some structure. Cotton varieties are often more stretchy, whereas synthetic blends may be a touch tighter.
Solid Color or Print
Lighter hues tend to reveal more perspiration than darker colors. If you’re concerned about sweat marks, choose a pair that are dark blue or black color. Alternatively, use a colorful fabric or pattern to hide any perspiration that may appear.
Because it is so easy to pair with shirts and shoes, black is the classic color. However, you may always spice things up by wearing a bright color or a complex design.
Look for squat-proof yoga pants
The secret to creating squat-proof styles—that is, a pant that does not become too thin and see-through when we bend down and reveal your workout underwear if you wear them —is to start with the correct fabric. Too much cotton causes the leggings to sag, whereas 100% nylon stretches well but can be so thin that it reveals the impression of even no-show panties.
Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.