What to Buy Fitness Gear The 11 Best Running Leggings, According to Women Who Run Every Day We asked runners to share their favorite pair of leggings to run in. Hereâs what they recommend. By Chelsey Hamilton Chelsey Hamilton Chelsey is an editor and content strategist who specializes in e-commerce content. She is currently the editorial director of commerce for beauty at DotDash Meredith. Her work appears in publications like Shape, InStyle, People, Health, Real Simple, Travel & Leisure, and more. health's editorial guidelines and Braelyn Wood Updated on May 19, 2023 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Westend61/Getty Images Whether you're an avid marathoner or a casual jogger who likes to pound the pavement from time to time, the last thing any runner wants to deal with is uncomfortable or ill-fitting workout clothes that throw you off your paceâafter all, running is hard enough as it is. That's why it's so important to do your research ahead of time and choose the right running apparel that'll fit seamlessly on your body and never distract you from your workout. So to help you find the best running leggings for women, we tapped a few hard-core runners to hear their favorites. Editorâs Note About BPA in Activewear On May 18, 2023, a consumer watchdog group, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), announced that they had found high levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in workout clothing, including leggings from Athleta, Champion, Kohlâs, Nike, and Patagonia, sports bras from Sweaty Betty, and shorts from Adidas, Champion, and Nike. This information builds on research the group began in the fall of 2022.BPA is a common chemical that is known to be an endocrine disrupter, meaning it may interfere with normal hormone function. Itâs been implicated in a variety of health conditions, including certain types of cancer and impaired reproductive function. According to Proposition 65, a California law enacted in 1996, the safe skin exposure to BPA is 3 micrograms per day, but CEH claims that their testing revealed the clothing could expose wearers to up to 40 times that amount. While this is concerning, we still recommend some products from these brands in our articles, as these products have not been recalled and the science of BPA absorption through skin has not been settled. To be safe, consider limiting the time you spend in activewear by changing out of those clothes after your workout. The Best Running Leggings List Best for Cold Weather: Under Armour Women's ColdGear Authentic Leggings Best High-Waisted: Asics High-Waist Tights Most Comfortable: Nike Pro Women's Tights Best for Recovery: 2XU Women's Elite MCS Compression Tights Best Waistband: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 28â³ Best Sweat-Wicking: Nike Epic Lux Running Tight Best Sculpting: Sweaty Betty Power Workout Leggings Best With Pockets: Athleta Rainier Tight Best for Shorter Legs: New Balance Impact Running Tights Best Sustainable: Brooks Greenlight 7/8 Essential Tight Most Reviewed: The Gym People High-Waist Yoga Pants What To Look For When Buying When it comes to women's running leggings, there are a few key features to consider. Since running tends to include lots of sweating, you'll want to choose a pair made with moisture-wicking fabric that won't trap sweat and leave you feeling drenched (regardless of the season). Mesh panels are another addition you can look for that'll add even more breathability to the leggings. If you're an outdoor runner, you should also consider fabric thickness. Opt for winter-ready leggings that are thermal or fleece-lined, like Under Armour's ColdGear Authentic Women's Leggings, for added warmth during the colder months, and go with lightweight and thinner fabrics in the summer, like Nike's Pro Fit tights. Another important factor to look for is comfort. Choose options that have four-way stretch for optimal freedom of movement and a snug (but comfortable) fit that'll stay in place no matter whatâbecause there's nothing more frustrating than having to pause your run to pull up sagging pants. Aside from fit and material, many running leggings boast other crucial featuresâlike convenient inner pockets for storing your keys, credit card, or phone during a runâand reflective stripes for safety during nighttime or early morning runs when it's dark out. Leggings Recommended by Runners You'll find the recommendations from 13 runners, below, that cover a wide variety of optionsâso whether you're looking for a high-waisted fit that'll never fall down or the best compression leggings for injury recovery, you'll find something that works for you here. With any of these picks, you'll never have to worry about bothersome leggings distracting you from getting in a great run. Best for Cold Weather: Under Armour Women's ColdGear Authentic Leggings Amazon Buy It, $39 Runner Sarah Klein recommends Under Armour's ColdGear Leggings because they're warm (but not too warm) and perfect for cold weather. "I love how warm they are without making me overheat. I can wear these as my only layer for winter runs," she tells Health, "and they never budge. There's nothing worse than having to readjust your clothes when you run!" Price at time of publication: $55 Best High-Waisted: Asics High-Waist Tights Amazon Buy It, From $40 If you're looking for a pair of high-waisted leggings, go with this option by ASICS. Rozalynn S. Frazier, an avid marathon runner, loves this pair for its fit and breathability. "I am drawn to high-waisted pants for two reasonsâthey hold me in, and the band on the waist doesn't fall down (so I don't have to spend my entire run adjusting my pants)," Frazier tells Health. They're made with stretchy, form-fitting material for optimal flexibility, and along with the flattering high-rise cut, they have a wide elastic waistband for added comfort. The quick-drying fabric and mesh ventilation panel on the back of the waist also mean they'll never leave you drenched in sweat. "They're breathable, which is great because I often overheat when I am logging miles, so these keep me at a nice body temperature," Frazier adds. Price at time of publication: $25 Most Comfortable: Nike Pro Women's Tights Amazon Buy It, From $60 A super versatile option, the Nike Pro Fit tights are not only a top choice for running, but for other types of activity as well. Former NCAA Track & Field athlete Brittani Cotton recommends this pair, calling them her "tried and true, constant classic" leggings. While they're not compression tights, they still offer light control and, most importantly, are super comfortable. "You get the simultaneous feeling of control with the freedom of feeling like you're wearing nothing," says Cotton. Price at time of publication: $60 Best for Recovery: 2XU Women's Elite MCS Compression Tights Amazon Buy It, From $95 If you're recovering from an injury or just want to give your joints some extra TLC during runs, compression leggingsâlike these popular compression tights by 2XUâare your best choice. "The compression keeps the 'fast-twitch' muscle responsive, which encourages controlled mobility and calf flexion," Cotton tells Health, adding that "the structure of the tights are great for speed work and training." Aside from the targeted compression capabilities, these leggings are made with a lightweight, flexible, and moisture-wicking fabric that also boasts a UPF rating of 50âmeaning it'll protect your skin from UV rays. Price at time of publication: $95 Best Waistband: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 28" Lululemon Buy It, $128 Designed specifically for running, Lululemon's high-rise tights have a tighter waistband design and a drawcord to keep them securely in place. Tori Kengor, a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA)-certified running coach and co-founder of Relentless Runners, recommends the style based on its abundance of pocketsâ"for all the run snacks"âand perfect compression levels. Ultramarathoner and UESCA-certified running coach, Kelly Lutz, also called this style one of her favorites. The brushed fabric is lightweight yet squat-proof and warm enough for long outdoor runs. Price at time of publication: $128 Best Sweat-Wicking: Nike Epic Lux Running Tights Amazon Buy It, From $73 Nike's Epic Lux running leggings come recommended by Frazier, Klein, Lutz, and former NCAA cross country runner Megan O'Brien. Along with using Nike's signature Dri-Fit technology to wick away sweat and keep you at a comfortable temperature, they also feature mesh panels on the legs for added ventilation and chafe-free flatlock seams. Plus, this breathable, stretchy pair also has pockets on the sides and in the waistband. "The most important thing is that they have two side pockets that can actually fit your phone," O'Brien says. "If you're doing a long run and need energy gels or gus, you can just put them in the pockets as well."Frazier also calls this pair one of their favorites. "They're tight and fitted without being restrictive," she adds. Price at time of publication: $78 Best Sculpting: Sweaty Betty Power Workout Leggings Sweaty Betty Buy It, $100 Elizabeth Corkum, a running coach at Precision Run and Equinox+, says Sweaty Betty's Power leggings are her go-to pair for runs (and running errands). They're made with a polyamide and elastane blend that's sweat-wicking, squat-proof, and slightly sculpting. More importantly, they fit really well, according to Corkum, and "don't slide around or shimmy while running or lifting." Bonus: Corkum says they pair well with boots and a sweater when traveling. Price at time of publication: $100 Best With Pockets: Athleta Rainier Tight Athleta Buy It, $98 Safely run before dawn or after dusk in these high-waisted tights from Athleta. They have reflective details along the sides to keep you visible to oncoming traffic, as well as zip pockets on the back of the waistband and both legs to securely stash your essentials. RRCA-certified running coach Lauren Sheu calls this style is one of her favorites and raves that "the quality is great [and] they're ultra-comfortable." She typically uses the side pocket to store her phone and keys during runs. Price at time of publication: $109 Best for Shorter Legs: New Balance Impact Running Tights New Balance Buy It, $65 Jessica Donohue, a USA Track and Field Association-certified coach, says New Balance's Impact Running Tights are her favorite pair. Made from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex, the mid-rise leggings use the brand's signature DRY technology to keep you cool and dry mile after mile. The comfortable style stays in place during runs, and it also includes two features that are crucial for outdoor runners: reflective trim and both hip and waistband pockets. The cross country specialist prefers the cropped option because it's the "perfect length" for someone on the shorter side, she says. Price at time of publication: $80 Best Sustainable: Brooks Greenlight Essential Tight Amazon Buy It, From $30 These Brooks running tights are made with Bluesign-certified materials, which conserve resources and minimize environmental impact, according to the brand. This sustainable approach doesn't impact the technical features of the mid-rise leggings, though: They're still sweat-wicking, supportive, and soft, with "no-bounce" pockets that prevent items from flopping around mid-stride. It's easy to see why RRCA-certified running coach Christine Nichols deemed them her favorite running tights. (The style is no longer available at Brooks, but a limited selection is still available on Amazon.) Price at time of publication: $30 Most Reviewed: The Gym People High-Waist Yoga Pants Amazon Buy It, From $22 These affordable leggings reign supreme on Amazon as the number one best-selling running pants. The sweat-wicking design has earned more than 2,700 rave reviews, including shoutouts from a New York City Marathon finisher and a Spartan racer. Both runners agree the style stays put, doesn't uncomfortably rub, and is breathable enough to prevent overheating during long runs. Shop the style in sizes XS to 3XL and choose from ankle or full lengths. Price at time of publication: $25 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 3 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kavilanz P. High levels of toxic chemical found in sports bras, watchdog warns | CNN Business. CNN Konieczna A, Rutkowska A, RachoĊ D. Health risk of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(1):5-11. PMID: 25813067. Kavilanz P. A growing number of sports bras, shirts and leggings brands found with high levels of toxic chemical, watchdog warns | CNN Business. CNN.