Best Yoga Pants for Women
If you’re like me, you probably have at least one pair of leggings or yoga pants sitting in your closet. I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority of women have owned a pair of these at one stage of their lives. Because they’re so versatile, you can wear them for a countless number of different occasions. Pair them with a sports bra when you’re ready for a workout, a basic tank or sweats for those lazy days at home.
There are a ton of different styles out there including compression leggings, capris, high mid and low-rise, bootcut or flared – and my personal favorite, the scrunch butt style – you’re bound to find a pair that fits your body like a glove.
When I think of the term “yoga pants”, the flared style is the first thing that comes to mind. But for this article, I’ll be taking you through the best yoga pants for women that are currently on Amazon, which will include a range of the styles listed above. And if you don’t already know, I’ll be explaining what exactly a “scrunch butt” style legging entails. There’s bound to be at least one pair in the product recommendations below that will become a new staple in your wardrobe!
Our Top 5 Best Recommended Yoga Pants for Women
Model
Rating
Material
Sizes
Colors
Length
Waist
Pricing
Reviews
Editor’s Choice – Colorfulkoala Women’s ⅞ High Waisted Yoga Pants
75% Polyester, 25% Spandex
Xs-xl
35 To Choose From
⅞
High Waisted
Best Budget – GAYHAY High Waisted Capri Leggings for Women
92% Polyester, 8% Spandex
Small/medium, Large/xl, 2xl
27 To Choose From
Capri
High Waisted
Best Luxury Pick – Alo Yoga High Waist Airbrush Leggings
87% Nylon, 13% Spandex
Xs-l
Black, Black Glossy
⅞ (yet Listed As Capri)
High Waisted
Best Flared – TOPYOGAS High Waisted Flare Yoga Pants
75% Nylon, 25% Spandex
2xs-2xl
Black, Dark Grey, Grey Pink, Khaki, Navy Blue
Full Length
High Waisted
Best Scrunch Butt – YEOREO Scrunch Butt Lift Leggings for Women
Not Specified
Xs-2xl
44 To Choose From
Full Length (or ⅞ Depending On Your Height)
High Waisted
What to Look For When Choosing Women’s Yoga Pants
Material/Comfort
It’s important to consider the weather conditions where you live – will you be wearing your yoga pants outdoors during the freezing months of the year? If so, you may want thicker, fleece-lined ones to keep you warm, particularly if you’re commuting on foot to your yoga class or running errands. If you plan to wear your yoga pants when the weather is warmer, you’ll probably look for thinner, more breathable options to keep you cool and comfortable. Materials used to make yoga pants include polyester, nylon and cotton, and they’re often made of 20-25% spandex.
Breathability/Moisture-Wicking Properties
For what activity will you be wearing your yoga pants? Yoga, hot yoga, basic cardio, just for running errands or lounging around the house? I’d steer clear of wearing them for any high-intensity workout, and that includes hot yoga. You really don’t want pants of any description for practicing hot yoga, the less clothes the better in my opinion. Don’t make the mistake I made of wearing thick leggings that trap heat, because when you’re sweating up a storm on your mat, you’ll want activewear that’s breathable. Moisture-wicking fabrics (such as polyester or nylon) are highly recommended for hot yoga or any high-intensity exercise where you know you’ll be sweating profusely. This will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible in your yoga pants. The great thing about yoga pants that are bootcut or flared is that you have breathing room at the bottom, and if they’re also made of moisture-wicking materials, that’s a win-win.
Cut: Low vs Mid vs High Rise
I personally don’t own any pants, skirts or shorts that are anything but high rise. Other than maybe one pair of pajama shorts that never sees the light of day, the low or mid-rise cut isn’t a style that suits me. When I discovered that high-rise or high-waisted bottoms were a thing, I knew that I’d found my match. If you have a smaller waist that you want to accentuate, but maybe some belly fat that you’d prefer to not have on display, this cut will also be for you.
Mid or high-rise yoga pants are also ideal if you have hip dips (this is when there’s an indentation in the hips where the midriff ends and thighs begin) and want to achieve a smoother, hourglass-shaped silhouette. The thicker fabric around the hips can flatten the stomach and waist to give you the shape you’re looking for.
If you opt for low-rise pants or leggings like our Spalding recommendation above, these usually cut below the midriff and can emphasize any belly fat you may have. However, if you’re comfortable with your yoga pants being low-rise, there are many options available.
Length: ⅞ / Capri vs Full
How tall are you? Do you find that leggings or pants in general are too long and need to be cuffed or hemmed? If you’re like me and are under around 5’5, you’ve probably discovered the amazing invention that is seven-eighth leggings. Given that I’m about 5’3, I’ve never owned a pair of leggings that didn’t bunch up at the ankles (see me in the Alo pink leggings above), that I had to roll up several times and looked unflattering in general. It was only recently that I discovered a few brands that offer duplicates of their products in different lengths. Same size, same price, just catered to women of varied heights. As much as I wish I had legs that go for miles like most Victoria’s Secret models, this isn’t the reality for many of us. That’s why it’s so appreciated that the ⅞ option has become more widespread among retailers.
It’s pretty self explanatory, but these leggings essentially take up seven-eights of the length of your leg, from about the waist down. If you order a pair that’s true to size, you should find that they sit just above the ankle. I hopped on the Alo Yoga bandwagon recently and was delighted to see so many ⅞ options, so I picked up a few and will never go back to full length yoga pants! The ⅞ length can also be great for taller women if they prefer leggings to fit more like long capris, extending to about the mid-calf. There’s nothing better than finding clothing that fits your height, general shape and size perfectly – just like they were made for you.
Leggings vs Bootcut vs Flared
When I mention yoga pants, I’m including every kind you can think of: leggings, straight leg, bootcut and flared yoga pants. There are so many options out there (as you can tell from how many different rises and lengths there are), and now I’m going to take you through the difference between leggings, bootcut and flared pants.
Leggings
These are likely what come to mind when you think of bottoms to wear for practicing yoga. Leggings are perfect for yoga as they’re form-fitting on your body from the waist down, so when you’re doing all kinds of poses, nothing is riding up. Bike shorts and leggings are pretty much all I wear for yoga, and I probably have over 20 pairs in different colors, materials and styles (I like variety, okay?). If you’re not a fan of yoga and are looking for yoga pants for the gym in general, running errands or lounging around, leggings are a comfortable staple to have in your wardrobe. They’re also ideal to add into your work from home outfit rotation, when you don’t feel like wearing sweatpants for the 100th day in a row.
Bootcut
Bootcut leggings are pretty easy to identify from the name – just think of pants that you could comfortably wear long boots underneath. They’re slightly flared from the knee down, but not enough to call them flared pants or bell bottoms. These are the perfect middle-ground between leggings and flared pants, and a great option to ease into if you’re unsure whether flared yoga pants will suit you. I’d choose bootcut leggings over flared any day of the week – they’re more subdued, and have also come back in fashion in recent years. Many athleisure retailers like Lululemon and Alo now stock a ton of bootcut options. They’re easier to dress up than standard yoga leggings, and you can pair them with casual sneakers or even heels and a cute top for going out on the town (again, always high-waisted for me!).
Flared
Finally, flared yoga pants are probably what you imagine when you hear the term “yoga pants”. Similar to the boot-cut style, they flare out from the knee down but usually have a slightly wider leg than the boot-cut. These pants have also become popular again in recent years, and you can find them in many retailers that stock athletic or yoga wear. I’ve always steered clear of wide leg pants as I knew they’d always need to be hemmed (since I’m not the tallest person out there), or they’d require you to wear a heel so the hem wouldn’t drag on the floor. But with the ⅞ style coming to the rescue for the shorter girls out there, both boot-cut and flared yoga pants might just win us over.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to add traditional bootcut, flared yoga pants or yoga leggings to your wardrobe, there’s so much variety that you can choose one tailored to your body shape. It’s important to consider your height, which cut is the most comfortable and flattering on your body (low, mid or high rise), whether you want lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics or something thicker for warmth, as well as your budget. You can always invest in a few different styles, particularly if you exercise regularly during the week and want to mix and match for your workouts. The opportunities are endless in the world of yoga pants, and I hope this roundup has helped you to choose the best pair for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Editor’s Choice – Colorfulkoala Women’s ⅞ High Waisted Yoga Pants
You might think that finding a pair of Lululemon Align dupes (duplicates) is a difficult task, but Amazon has delivered with these ⅞ leggings from Colorfulkoala – and at a fraction of the price. Lots of reviewers have compared these to Lulu Aligns, saying they’re even better than their expensive counterparts. The ⅞ length is a popular choice among many consumers – also my personal favorite – as they avoid excess material bunching up at the ankles if you’re shorter than average.
These yoga pants are my top choice as they basically do it all. There are a ton of colors to choose from, a wide range of sizes to suit every shape, they’re stretchy, buttery soft, breathable and hug you in all the right places. I’m all about finding high-quality duplicates of more expensive brands that can become staples in my closet, and Colorfulkoala has you covered with these yoga pants.
Pros
Cons
2. Best Budget – GAYHAY High Waisted Capri Leggings for Women
One of the most affordable and versatile yoga pants you’ll find on Amazon are the GAYHAY High Waisted Capri Leggings, which are available in 27 different styles. Whether you prefer bold patterns like the popular leopard print, camo or the more subtle zebra striped pair, the cheapest one will only cost you $12.99 before shipping. There are a few options that come with two pockets on each hip, which are ideal for running on the treadmill or hiking when you don’t feel like carrying a purse.
It’s also important to mention that the sizes are given as a general range, S-M, L-XL and XXL. If you typically fall between sizes – I can actually wear a small or medium in most bottoms – the approximate range might suit you perfectly. It’s also handy that GAYHAY has provided a size chart to help you decide which one to go for, so you can measure your waist, hips and inseam to choose your fit accordingly.
Pros
Cons
3. Best Luxury Pick – Alo Yoga High Waist Airbrush Leggings
This wouldn’t be a roundup about the best yoga pants if it didn’t include one of the most newly popular athleisure brands: Alo Yoga. This retailer has given Lululemon a run for their money in recent years, and the quality of their athleisure wear is unmatched. One of my favorite pastimes is watching Alo try-on hauls on YouTube. You can compare what other buyers think of their products, and they’re always honest, first-hand reviews. It’s also helpful to see other women wearing the clothes who have similar body shapes to you, so you can better gauge how the clothing will fit you.
These High Waist Airbrush Leggings are some of my all-time favorite leggings – I actually own the full-length version of these in Neon Pink (pictured above). Although these are labeled as capris, the length will really depend on your height. On the model pictured, they look like slightly long capris, but these would definitely be ⅞ length on me. The Airbrush material is thicker than many other leggings – 87% nylon and 13% spandex – so I love wearing them when I want to be warm and cozy, or in the colder months when I’m commuting to a yoga class.
The high waist holds you in and gives you a smooth shape, which is ideal for me as someone with both love handles and hip dips who struggles to find flattering bottoms. While these Alo leggings stand out compared to the others because of their steep price tag, purchasing them on Amazon is actually far cheaper than going directly to the manufacturer, or retailers like Nordstrom. If you’re willing to spend a little more for high-quality, luxuriously thick leggings to last you many years, it might be worth investing in the Alo High Waist Airbrush Leggings.
Pros
Cons
4. Best Flared – TOPYOGAS High Waisted Flare Yoga Pants
The TOPYOGAS High Waisted Flare Yoga Pants have a unique and flattering crossover V waist that accentuates the hips. Although it mentions “bootleg” in the Amazon product name (A.K.A bootcut), I’d consider these flared as they look a little wider than your standard bootcut pants.
Whether you consider these flared or bootcut, TOPYOGAS makes this pair in a few classic staple colors including Black, Dark Grey, Grey Pink, Khaki and Navy Blue. If you want to steer away from typical black yoga pants, other neutral tones like Grey Pink (pictured) and Khaki are great alternatives that will pair well with many complementary colors.
I have a few pairs of flared yoga pants and live in them most days of the week – they’re ideal for lounging around the house, running errands or to stay cozy and comfy while working from home.
Pros
Cons
5. Best Scrunch Butt – YEOREO Scrunch Butt Lift Leggings for Women
If you haven’t yet figured out what “scrunch butt” leggings are from the name, essentially they’re leggings that are seamless, but have ruching to sculpt and accentuate the legs and glutes. These are another style of yoga pants that have recently become popular – I own a few pairs (and the same style in bike shorts), and they definitely flatter my glutes more than traditional leggings.
The YEOREO Scrunch Butt Lift Leggings come in a huge range of colors (44 to be exact), and a few different designs to go with any workout outfit. Due to the scrunch design in the glute area, it’s recommended to either wear seamless underwear or a thong with these leggings, so that annoying underwear lines aren’t seen through the fabric.
Some customer reviews have noted that they’re on the thinner side, which means they may not be squat-proof (being able to withstand performing squats, particularly without the seam tearing). Keep this in mind before you make your purchase, but the standard 30-day Amazon return policy has you covered if you’re not completely satisfied.
