Textile Experts Confirm Lululemon Leggings are Worth the Splurge (2024)

We revised this guide with current information and updated picks in May 2023.

Lululemon is one of the most popular fitness brands for workout pants. The brand's signature Align leggings are especially popular, but Lululemon has a ton of different styles and materials to choose from, including soft, lightweight styles for yoga and sleek, compressive tights to wear during high-impact exercise.

Whether you are heading to a fitness class, working out at the gym or running (or even just running errands), Lululemon offers excellent leggings for every fitness routine. GH fiber scientists explain the difference between every option, so you can pick out your best pair of leggings.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests leggings of all kinds from plain black leggings to workout leggings with pockets, plus-size leggings, fleece-lined leggings and much more. We evaluate them using Lab equipment and seek real consumer testers' feedback to get a comprehensive view of each pair's performance. In our recent leggings testing, we tested over 36 different styles of leggings, leading to over 1,080 data points to analyze. You can read more about how we test leggings at the end of this article.

In recent testing, GH fiber scientists and fitness pros wore the following leggings during all types of workouts. We took Pilates classes, went on runs, lifted weights and more while wearing these picks before making our selections, logging over 30 hours of workouts.

First of all, are Lululemon leggings worth it?

Yes! The Lululemon brand has performed exceptionally well in our evaluations and is a personal favorite of the Textiles and Wellness experts on our staff. Because Lululemon leggings are pricey, invest in a pair that's suitable for your fitness routine instead of just purchasing a popular style. Each style has its own features that make it stand out from the rest, but overall, the leggings are comfortable, flattering and durable. Here are the best Lululemon leggings to buy based on your fitness routine and personal preferences:

Ideal for high-intensity exercise — whether it's weightlifting, spinning, HIIT class or CrossFit — thanks to its technical features, the Wunder Train leggings from Lululemon had the highest overall score in our most recent leggings test. Testers loved the smooth and soft exterior that offers comfortable compression for gym workouts. The fabric completely opaque and "squat proof," but some testers preferred a less compressive fit. It's quick-drying, so you don't have to worry about excess sweat; stretchy, so you can easily move around and smooth to avoid friction. It's made with Everlux fabric, which is one of the most unique fabrications offered by Lululemon because the inside is sleek and smooth against your skin, but the outside has a soft, brushed feel.

In Lab tests, this pair proved to be durable with minimal shrinkage after laundering and no pilling in Lab evaluations. The fabric immediately wicked away moisture, so it's up to the challenge of your sweatiest workouts. The fabric also maintained its shape well after being stretched. We appreciate that this pair features a hidden drawcord in the waistband to keep the leggings in place. You can choose between 25-, 28- and 31-inch inseams and 10 different color options. Although this pick doesn't have pockets, there is a version with pockets that's more expensive.

• Feels like: Smooth and sleek on the inside, buttery soft on the outside
• Best for: Intense exercises like weightlifting, spinning, CrossFit and HIIT workouts

This unbelievably comfortable Nulu fabric is buttery soft and has a lightweight, barely-there feel. The stretchy material moves with you so you don't have to worry about it riding up or rolling down, and it has moisture-wicking properties so you won't miss out on the performance features. The Align leggings feature the Nulu fabric with a more minimal design, meaning there are no unnecessary seams or panels throughout the leg. The wide, flattering waistband lies flat without any digging in, according to our testers. Testers love wearing this pair as loungewear, travel gear, everyday clothing or yoga pants. It's also the perfect maternity legging because the fit stretches with a growing bump during pregnancy.

The lightweight feel is ideal for lower-impact exercise like yoga with a waistband that moves with you and doesn't roll over. The super soft fabric tends to pill with extensive use, so pros recommend washing them inside out on the delicate cycle and air drying them to help prevent pills from forming. Note that this pick doesn't have pockets, but the brand does offer a version with pockets.

• Feels like: Buttery soft and stretchy
• Best for: Yoga, everyday wear, lounging and travel

When heading on a run, you don't want uncomfortable leggings to slow you down. You need a pair that can keep up with you by staying perfectly in place without any irritation. This pair checks every box. The Swift Speed leggings use Luxtreme fabric that offers a compressive fit with a sleek feel. This pair put the seams on the outside so there is no seam along your inner leg to cause chafing or irritation. We love that there's a hidden zippered back storage pocket to hold essentials on a run and side pockets for a cell phone. There's also an adjustable waistband to keep this pair secure and reflective details for extra visibility on early morning or night runs.

Testers also found this pair to be great for gym workouts too because of its sleek look and compressive fit that stays put. Raving that this pair is "definitely a keeper," testers especially loved that they never felt too hot or sweaty thanks to the moisture-wicking material.

• Feels like: Smooth, cool and compressive
• Best for: Running or cross-training

While many Lululemon leggings cost over $120, this pair is more affordable at $88. Designed for running, the Base Pace High Rise Crop doesn't sacrifice performance for a lower price tag: the Nulux fabric is extremely lightweight while offering sleek compression. This pair features an adjustable drawcord, a drop-in back waistband pocket and no inner leg seam to minimize chafing.

This pair is available in a variety of colors, including red, blue and purple. It's available in two inseam lengths that are especially great for petite frames: 17- and 23-inch, but there is no full-length options. Note that this pick doesn't have side pockets.

• Feels like: Lightweight and slightly cool to the touch
• Best for: Running, those who like a crop fit or petite users

Embrace the trend of flare yoga pants with a pair that's comfy and still offers excellent performance in the gym. We love that this style features a split hem detail for a stylish touch that testers loved. One tester said, "It sets the pair apart from flared pants and looks sleek." Especially beloved for the "buttery soft" feel, testers reported that they wore this pair as an everyday pant and when lounging. One tester even said, "I’ve never thought I could pull off yoga pants, but I feel so confident in these!"

Using the same Nulu fabric as the brand's popular Align leggings, this pair has a super soft and smooth feel that makes it suitable for light exercise. It's available in 28- and 32-inch inseam options, and some testers were surprised at just how long the 32-inch inseam is. Be sure to measure your inseam length before purchasing.

• Feels like: Buttery soft fabric (same as Align!) with a looser fit
• Best for: Lounging and light yoga

Fleece-lined leggings are the ultimate winter workout staple. The brushed interior helps trap heat to keep you cozy and warm when running in chilly conditions. This pair of fleece-lined Fast and Free leggings have a water-repellent exterior (perfect for snowy runs!) and a brushed interior. It's currently only available in two colors, but this pair has a ton of pockets: two side pockets on each side and five drop-in waistband pockets.

We haven't yet tested this fleece-lined style, but online reviewers rave that this pair feels "super warm" and is "ideal for winter workouts."

• Feels like: Water-repellent exterior with fleece-lined interior
• Best for: Winter weather outdoor workouts

Ribbed leggings continue to rise in grow for adding a stylish touch to classic leggings. This pair uses the brand's signature Align fabric with a ribbed texture, making it ideal for lower-impact exercises like yoga or pilates. Testers found this pair comfortable to wear when bending and moving around and were pleased that the wasteband didn't roll or slide. One tester did note that there was a seam within the waistband that was bulky and showed through, which she felt looked a bit unflattering. Available in a variety of colors, including bright pink, this pick is great to wear when lounging and traveling thanks to its super soft and plush feel.

• Feels like: Ribbed, textured surface and super soft touch
• Best for: Low-impact exercise and lounging

While most leggings maybe have one waistband pocket or a side pocket, this pair features two roomy side pockets and five drop-in waistband pockets to hold all your essentials when working out or running errands. The Fast and Free leggings are designed for running with lightweight Nulux fabric that's sleek and moisture-wicking. The fitted waistband and hidden drawcord help keep this pair secure, even during high-intensity exercise. Testers reported that this pair "didn't budge mile after mile" and were "impressed with the number of pockets."

• Feels like: Lightweight and slightly cool to the touch
• Best for: Running and everyday wear, especially for those who want lots of pockets

Full-length leggings can feel confining and sweaty in hot weather, so bike shorts are the perfect addition to your workout wardrobe. Made with the brand's classic Nulu fabric, this pair of shorts is great for hot yoga classes and summer workouts. With 4-, 6- and 8-inch inseam options, you can choose how much coverage you want. Online reviewers rave that this pair uses the "absolute softest material ever and [is] super flattering." We love that these shorts are available in over 10 colors with many reviewers saying they purchased more than one. Note that this style is only available 0-14, while most other featured leggings are available up to a size 20.

• Feels like: Buttery soft feel with comfy compression
• Best for: Hot yoga and summer workouts

If you're a fan of low-rise leggings, look no further than this style. Using the brand's most popular Nulu fabric, this pair offers less coverage than traditional high-waist leggings for a trendy, minimalist look. Currently only available in two colors and one inseam length, online reviewers are begging the brand to offer more low-rise options, loving the flattering and comfy fit without all the squish. The low-rise fit is especially great for your yoga practice as the waistband won't roll or bunch when bending in a downward dog.

• Feels like: Buttery soft and smooth feel
• Best for: Yoga and those who prefer a lower-rise fit and minimal coverage

More tips for shopping at Lululemon

Once you pick your preferred fabric and legging style, Lululemon gives you more options to consider like the height of the waistband, the length of the legs and whether you prefer basic colors or fun prints. Here are the additional specifications to keep in mind:

✔️Fabric variations: You may notice some of the styles use "Light" or "Full-on" in the product name, like "Full-on Luxtreme." "Light" means it's more lightweight, while "Full-on" has a tighter knit, providing more coverage and compression.

✔️Sizing: Lululemon legging sizes range from 0 to 20. If you're in between sizes, it's better to size up: If the pants fit too snugly, they can restrict your movements. And if you're not sure what size you wear, you can schedule a free virtual consultation.

✔️Waistband: Most Lululemon leggings are high-waisted because it's a flattering rise that stays in place when you move, and it often adds tummy control. For an even higher band, you can find a super high rise in yoga-specific styles like the Align Pant or Wunder Train Tight.

✔️Inseam: Full-length leggings have a 28" inseam, but many options are available in 31" for those who need the extra length. If you have shorter legs or prefer an ankle-length legging, opt for the 25" inseam. Most styles are also available as crop leggings, which range from 17" to 23" in length.

✔️Other features: Consider whether you'll need roomy pockets, reflective details or a drawcord that lets you tighten the fit at the waist. You can also choose between a wide range of solid colors and prints, with more options available among the most popular styles.

How we test Lululemon leggings

We thoroughly evaluate workout pants — including those from Lululemon — in our Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. In the Lab, we inspect the construction for features like gussets and flat seams, assess the opacity using standardized lighting (to make sure the leggings are not see-through) and measure the sweat management capabilities using a moisture-wicking test. We also use lab equipment to test durability aspects like pilling resistance, washability and more. On top of that, we have dozens of consumer testers wear the leggings during real workouts to give feedback on factors like fit, breathability, comfort and appearance. We worked out for over 30 hours in Lululemon leggings before making these selections.

The images below show a GH analyst measuring the waistband on a pair of leggings to determine if they shrunk after laundering and a machine that rubs swatches the same fabric together to see if pills form.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development fields. Lexie joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and has extensively tested fitness apparel of all kinds — including workout leggings, sports bras, walking shoes and more — using specialized lab equipment and with hundreds of consumer testers.

Emma Seymour is the senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she has been testing fitness products for over four years. She updated this story with data from her recent workout leggings test where she tested over 36 different leggings in Lab as well as coordinating samples to testers. She also tested many styles featured here in Pilates classes and on long walks. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University with extensive product quality assessment particularly focused on athletic wear.