Editor-Tested Amazon Leggings for Every Activity

Editor tested

A stretchy and opaque pair loved by senior commerce editor Madison Flager, the Quuenieke leggings are great for just about anything—plane rides, road trips, or lounging around. “I was skeptical about buying a random pair of leggings off of Amazon, but nearly five years later, they’re still one of my favorite pairs, and by far the least expensive,” says Flager.

Pros: Good for year-round wear, comfortable fit, holds shape after many washes
Cons: Not sweat-wicking

Editor tested

Hard Tail's stretchy cotton pants are more comfortable than compression-style leggings, making them an ideal pair for everyday wear. “I'm not usually the kind of person to wear leggings out and about—unless I'm headed straight to a workout class—but I make an exception for Hard Tail leggings when I'm staring down an overnight flight or long road trip,” says senior editor Megan Spurrell. They're high-waisted, breathable, and offer four-way stretch.

Pros: Comfortable enough for everyday wear and last for years

Cons: Limited color options available and no pockets

Editor tested

The era of yoga pants has long been forgotten, but the flared legging is like its trendier adversary. Commerce writer Paris Wilson tested these out during a six hour road trip, so comfort was key and these flared leggings did not disappoint. “The material was incredibly soft and durable—I spilled some water on myself and it didn’t immediately soak into the fabric. The design feature that intrigued me the most was the criss-cross waist. It felt comfortable even while I was sitting for hours on end and never dug into my stomach. The flared leggings accentuate your figure and give a distinct shape to your body which is an instant confidence boost," says Wilson. The pant length fell perfectly just below her ankles (she's 5'3").

Pros: Slightly water-resistant, seamless
Cons: No pockets

Highly rated

When it comes to an everyday pair of leggings, this criss-cross style is perfect—flattering on your waist, yet not overly compressive in the way a more athletic pair would be, keeping you comfortable for longer stretches of time. This lightweight pair has earned an average of 4.6 stars and impressive reviews, with customers praising its opaqueness, buttery-soft feel, and fit. We especially love that this pair from CRZ Yoga is available in dozens of fun colors, including teal, bright blue, deep red, sage, and rose.

Pros: Smoothing, sculpting, criss-cross waistband 
Cons: No pockets

Highly rated

This best-selling pair of under-$20 Amazon leggings have racked up almost 100,000 customer ratings with over 65,000 five-star reviews. Not only is the price tag nice, this high-waisted pair is available in capri- and full-length styles, an in more than a dozen colorways. They're designed with plenty of stretch and a thick waistband to keep them in place as you move. This is the go-to pair of leggings you'll be reaching for everyday to wear with your favorite white T-shirt or denim jacket.

Pros: Available in two different pant lengths
Cons: Only sizes available are “one size” and “one size plus”

Editor tested

Senior commerce editor Madison Flager has worn these leggings for years, and they're still in great shape. “Exercise leggings can be expensive—when I needed another pair in my rotation, I took a gamble on a $20 pair from Amazon,” says Flager. “It paid off: I had a pair of these for probably three or four years before I replaced them (I had gotten some holes in the knee on a hike), and my current pair has been going strong since 2021. They're opaque, don't show sweat, and are a good in-between length for when I want more coverage than a bike short but not as much as a full-length legging.”

Pros: Card/key pocket at the hip, opaque
Cons: A clear athletic style, so I only wear them when running

Editor tested

This unique high-waisted pair with a ribbed blue trim from Beyond Yoga comes highly recommended by research director Alex Sanidad. “I got them for running at the gym and for my boxing classes, but the fun waist and dark blue also makes them suitable for grabbing lunch when paired with a cute top.” And while this is the most expensive pair on our list, the high quality and versatility make them worth a spot among our favorites. “They're comfortable and don't have to be pulled up constantly,” says Sanidad. “I especially like Beyond Yoga for their selection of colors.”

Pros: Flattering criss-cross waist band, fun colorful trim 
Cons: Most expensive pair on our list at $110

Editor tested

This pair from Girlfriend Collective comes highly recommended by several Traveler editors. And while they're pricier than others on our list, the compressive material and versatility of these make them a worthwhile investment. Former editor Stephanie Wu raves that after years of wearing and washing, these never pill—calling them her “sturdiest, last-forever pair of leggings.” These seamless leggings are buttery smooth, perfectly high-waisted, and versatile enough to wear hiking and to yoga classes.

Pros: Inclusive sizing ranging from XXS to 6XL

Cons: Pricier than most other leggings on Amazon

Highly rated

Ewedoos leggings are one of Amazon's best-selling pairs, with an average rating of 4.6 stars and almost 40,000 customer ratings. The silky polyester and spandex material offers four-way stretch and isn't see-through, making them a solid pair for workout classes, hiking, or yoga. They feature side pockets for your phone or cards and a high waistband designed to keep your core controlled without digging into your skin. Choose from colors black, light grey, blue, white, green, and more.

Pros: Sweat-proof material, opaque
Cons: Too compressive for all-day wear

Highly rated

Another highly rated pair, The Gym People's high-waisted leggings have garnered over 51,000 customer ratings and an average of 4.4 stars. Best suited for running, yoga, and incline walks, these leggings have a large side pocket for your phone or AirPods and a thick waist band that prevents them from sliding down as you move. “They are so silky smooth, but still thick,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Many leggings from other brands that feel like this are thin like dress tights, but these fit me like a solid pair of leggings. I run in them and they don’t ride up or fall down.” At just $25, these are a great budget-friendly option.

Pros: Large phone pocket, available in over a dozen colors
Cons: Material differs slightly depending on the colorway

Editor tested

A pregnant belly can be a tough thing to dress. Add on the desire to dress comfortably, and things get even more challenging. Traveler's former global director of audience development Lara Kramer says these women's maternity leggings have become her very best friend. “I have practically lived in these leggings throughout my last month of pregnancy—not only is the material smooth and comfy, but the special U-shaped high waist design gives your belly ample room while still leaving you feeling supported,” she says. In addition to classic black, these come in colors like pink, green, and blue.

Pros: Ideal for every stage of pregnancy—even the last month
Cons: Only made for maternity-wear

Editor tested

Former editor Alex Erdekian praises these leggings from Ododos for being equal parts comfortable and flattering, thanks to the two pieces of ruched fabric that criss-cross over the waist. They hit just above the belly button, making them not too low-waisted (which can be unflattering) or too high-waisted (which can be suffocating), but just right. “The fabric is thin, stretchy, smooth, and extremely soft, but opaque and sturdy enough to give adequate coverage,” she says.

Pros: There's a hidden waist pocket to stash your keys
Cons: Hidden pocket would feel more secure with a zipper

Editor tested

Available in more than a dozen fun colors, the CRZ Yoga leggings are a great alternative to the classic black pair you probably already own. For under $30, the material is surprisingly softer and sturdier than expected. “I appreciate the side pockets, which are big enough to hold my iPhone 13 Pro Max, and keep it secure without any drooping. They hit at a nice spot above my belly button, and I haven’t had any issues with the waist sliding down,” says Flager. Her one qualm: They are slightly long (she's 5'6"), so there is some bunching at the bottom.

Pros: Super-soft fabric, side pockets, opaque
Cons: A little too long, no waist pockets

Editor tested

For a cold-weather pair that gives you a little bit of extra warmth for outdoor runs without causing you to overheat, look no further than these lightly fleece-lined leggings. These are a go-to for travel bookings editor Jamie Spain for runs, walks, and travel days when she wants something warm and soft. “While I probably wouldn't wear them in the dead of summer when it's very hot, they otherwise can be worn for any occasion or outside temperature,” says Spain. She appreciates that they never slide down and transition well between most seasons.

Pros: High-waisted, large phone pocket, don't slide down while wearing
Cons: Not thick enough for very cold temperatures

Editor tested

Destinations editor Shannon McMahon swears by these high-waisted fleece leggings. “They look like all my normal workout leggings, but are much warmer—perfect for a fall bike ride or a long hike. I would absolutely wear these on the cold plane, and I'll use them as a layer under jeans in the winter and for cool-weather outdoor adventures,” she says. Not only do they feature sweat-wicking fabric and a cozy interior, they're under $40 on Amazon right now.

Pro: Sweat-wicking fabric

Cons: Small waistband pocket

Editor tested

This pair of cold-weather leggings is a favorite of Traveler's senior visual editors Pallavi Mohan Kumar for running. “I've gone running in the freezing cold in these, powered through a sweaty Pilates class, a whole Saturday morning full of errands—and they were great in all of them,” she says. The thick, encased elastic waistband offers plenty of support without feeling constricting. If you're looking for a sweat-resistant pair that will keep you warm on your outdoor adventures when needed, look no further.

Pros: Ideal for running, sweat-resistant

Cons: Too warm for everyday wear

Editor tested

These are a go-to for Wilson on cooler days and when traveling. “They keep me warm on the plane and limit the number of layers I pack in my personal item to wear just in case the air conditioning is on full blast,” Wilson says. The thick fleece lining ensures the leggings aren't see-through and are comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Pros: No chafing, side pockets, easy to layer
Cons: Limited colors available, pocket placement is high on the hip