The Best Leggings, As Chosen By Our Editors
(Photo: Everlane)
Our collective pursuit to find the most comfortable loungewear continues, from sweatpants to leggings. Whether you’re looking for options to keep you cozy at home, brave the brisk weather to stretch your legs or do your customary grocery runs, our editors and friends share their favourite leggings for your consideration.
Everlane
The Perform Legging, $85, everlane.com
“I’ve been wearing nothing but leggings on my bottom half for the better part of a year, so I’ve accumulated quite a collection. There’s the patterned Zella leggings I like to wear when I work out (the vibrant colours help keep me motivated and the stretchy fabric keeps everything in place), the Lululemon Align leggings I work and lounge in every day (they are so soft) and then there’s the chic Everlane leggings that I throw on to run errands. The high-rise waist is comfortable and just the right amount of smoothing, and worn with an oversized sweater, they’re the perfect mix of pulled together and casual.” –Andréanne Dion, associate lifestyle editor
Uniqlo
Heattech Leggings, $20, uniqlo.com
“I start wearing leggings under my clothes the minute the temperature dips below zero. I generally can’t stand when my legs are cold, so pre-COVID times saw me with a roster of usually black leggings that I rotated through to keep me warm during my long commutes. Uniqlo’s Heattech line became beloved to me, and the leggings are super warm. I will say that they’re good for my purposes—keeping me warm while also being hidden under clothes—and might not be the most aesthetic option if you wear leggings to be seen.” –Radiyah Chowdhury, assistant editor
Nike
Yoga Luxe, $110, nike.com
“I never thought my athleisure wardrobe would be comprehensive enough to be broken out into categories like "leggings for HIIT workouts," "leggings for pilates," "old leggings to clean in," and "leggings nice enough to wear to a patio," but 2020, amiright? These high-waisted tights have a gentle compression that makes them perfect for a yoga or stretching flow, but they're so buttery soft that I end up wearing them often on those more ~casual~ work from home days.” –Jennifer Berry, managing editor, Flare
Alo
High Waist Fitness Legging, $140, aloyoga.com
“These are the ideal full-length legging for tall women who enjoy both winter running and winter lounging. They're just the right amount of snug at the waist, and suitably thick for extended outdoor wear. (In fact, I find them too toasty for indoor exercise.) I've had my pair for five years, through many, many washes with minimal wear and tear.” –Maureen Halushak, editor-in-chief
Lululemon
Align Pant II 25", $98, lululemon.com
“These are the most comfortable leggings I have ever tried on. They are buttery soft and opaque. If I could, I would wear these 24/7! I admit, they are pricey, but they are the best leggings I have purchased. They come in different lengths, which I appreciate, and the 25" is the perfect length for my 5'3" frame. I'm already thinking of purchasing them in other colours and patterns. –Stephanie Han Kim, art director
Heat Holders
Footless Tights, $15, heatholders.ca
“These fleece-lined tights are extremely cozy and they live up to their name, holding your body heat next to your body, where it belongs. Apparently they're intended to be long johns, to be worn under clothes, but I wear them under dresses or long sweaters and stay pretty toasty.” –Denise Balkissoon, executive editor
Tna
TnaCHILL Atmosphere Hi-Rise 3/4 Legging, $25, aritzia.com
"These tights are super-soft, super-comfortable and surprisingly affordable, considering they're from Aritzia. They're 95% cotton, so they're breathable and perfect for sensitive skin (wearing actual, synthetic workout leggings all day would be bad news for me.) I purchased a couple pairs early on in the pandemic and so far, the dreaded crotch-rip hasn't appeared so I'm going to say they're durable, too.” –Prajakta Dhopade, associate editor, Maclean’s
Lululemon
Speed Up Tight 28" Brushed Full-On Luxtreme, $118, lululemon.com
“My personal leggings platform: I am of the school that sweats are for lounging, and leggings are for exercise. Also, I am firmly against any leggings without pockets, because otherwise I absentmindedly stick my phone in the waistband, and it ends up halfway down my butt. Finally, I am extremely unimaginative about exercise gear in general (basically, I wear Lululemon, because I know what size I am, and their stuff is well-designed). For running, and general working out (aka, hiding from my children) in the basement, I like these leggings because they offer the right amount of compression/support, my phone doesn't fall out of the pocket, there's another pocket for my travel-sized hand sanitizer, plus one above the butt for my key.” –Gillian Grace, deputy editor
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