--- source_url: "https://itskatiestone.substack.com/p/the-great-leggings-showdown" title: The Great Leggings Showdown - by Katie Stone - Plant Based mirrored_at: 2026-08-04T01:02:25.670Z host: itskatiestone.substack.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/itskatiestone.substack.com/p/the-great-leggings-showdown" --- > **Original source:** https://itskatiestone.substack.com/p/the-great-leggings-showdown Word on the street is that leggings are over. Lauren Sherman and Sarah Shapiro said so on a recent episode of Fashion People, and reports from outlets like [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/retail/the-reign-of-leggings-is-over-whats-next/) and [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/baggy-workout-pants-fp-movement-leggings-53814676?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAinxdMr0R2BxQJc0cjL1EryCVTCnjQ05Z0yYWlJBBsyLe_y1PJePaZLnf4-lPU%3D&gaa_ts=68c1bfda&gaa_sig=350X6zX9mM2Eec-WmSl7_o641D15zOQbgf4893k6clCZEKBrcfWuX1QYQjtZNXWey6lXexCPdawUFPJhwCS9hQ%3D%3D) corroborated. As someone who goes to a variety of gym and boutique fitness classes, I’d just like to say: I beg to differ. There are still plenty of Alo sets waltzing up and down the west side highway, and I’ve never seen someone in an oversized pant next to me on a Pilates reformer. The real nuance that’s missing from this conversation is the context in which this garment is being worn. I would anecdotally agree that leggings for the coffee run/dog walk/casual hang with friends are fewer and far between—but that’s indicative of [consumers’ departure](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/09/04/how-lululemon-fell-out-of-fashion) from “athleisure” as a whole. But in a purely exercise setting, the legging is alive and well. Speaking for myself, I’ve definitely gravitated away from tighter clothes in general (I’d like to think of myself as a founding member of the Big Pants Movement), although I’m fairly confident I will ever completely walk away from the black legging. I’d argue it’s a necessity; I’m not so interested in matching activewear sets or loud colors and patterns, but a simple black legging, like a reliable white t-shirt and a vintage pair of Levi’s, feels like a staple in an active woman’s wardrobe. Hence why I decided to take quite a few of them for a spin. Look, I certainly don’t have Big Leggings in my pockets (Big Leggings, feel free to call me) but like I just said, it’s high value item in an activewear capsule collection. Now that I write that out, I love the idea of an activewear capsule collection… watch this space. From an exercise standpoint, leggings allow for the widest range of movement with the least risk of discomfort or exposure. They’re versatile enough to act as an actual pair of pants (my official stance) when paired with a sweater or an oversized button-up if you are, in fact, on-the-go post-workout. For the sake of controlling our variables—and due to my personal taste—I’m only testing out black leggings. If you decide to get experimental with your activewear color palettes, that is your prerogative. [upgrade your subscription](https://itskatiestone.substack.com/subscribe) As with everything in life, my usual disclaimer stands: to each their own. My personal criteria for a great pair of leggings is three-pronged, as follows: - **Material:** I know that natural materials are much better for us, especially while sweating, and while I try to keep that in mind, it’s going on the list of things I’m Not Quite Ready to be Militant About Yet, right next to seed oils and bluetooth radiation near my brain. What I need from my leggings, materially speaking, is comfort and breathability. - **Fit:** I do not want to be thinking about a cam\*\*\*oe while I’m working out, or ever really. I also don’t want these leggings to fall down or, quite frankly, completely distort my body image with an unflattering fit. - **Performance:** The big one. These babies have to perform. I want to be able to run, cycle, downward dog, lunge on a reformer, and lift weights in these pants. These three prongs are on one axis, and on the other, we have price. I firmly believe in paying a premium for a high quality good, but if the good does not deliver, then we have a problem. With that, here are the goods in question. Realizing I forgot Gymshark so enjoy this picture of Vanessa Hudgens instead <3 The big names in activewear and their hero black leggings. Perhaps the most iconic black leggings of modern day, the **Lululemon [Aligns](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916010).** **Alo**, no longer a yoga-forward brand, makes the **[Airlift](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917573)** beloved by influencers near and far. SoCal’s own **Vuori** is certainly making a name for itself on the East Coast with their **[Daily Legging](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917277)**. **SET Active** is also a favorite of Pilates girlies (said lovingly), particularly their **[Airluxe](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25042776)**. I’m increasingly seeing British brand **Adanola** in these settings, so I’ll try their **[Ultimate](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25111374)**. I have my eyes on **Norba**, a small style-oriented activewear brand who has their **[Essential](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917610)** legging. A favorite of Pilates _instructors_, **Splits 59** makes a classic pair in their **[Airweight](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916041)** material. Not necessarily known for their leggings, but I felt like **Nike** needed to be included. I’m trying their best-selling **[Universa](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25043252)** pair. If you’re in a run club, odds are you own an item from **Bandit**, and the odds that its their **[Stamina™ Pop Stitch™](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917497)** leggings are also high. Last but not least, **Beyond Yoga** makes a pair in their famously buttery **[Spacedye](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917688)** fabric. Now for the testing… I lived through an era where a pair of Lululemon leggings was the most high-status clothing item a girl could own. That little ohm sign above the butt told you everything you needed to know about its wearer—she’s popular, she’s open to the idea of exercise, and she’s cooler than you. You could make a case that Lululemon really made leggings happen in a big way, and since then, we’ve seen other yoga-esque brands (not naming names) follow in their footsteps. Here’s the thing. [These leggings](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916010) were great then, and they’re still great now. Particularly [the Aligns](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916010), which are one level above “feels like nothing” weight. They have a little pocket inside the front—although I wish it was bigger—and they get the job done no matter what your fitness regimen entails. These continue to set the standard. **Price:** $98 **Material:** 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra Elastane nondescript 👍 If Lululemon brought the legging to center stage, Alo was right behind them with the matching bra set. As such, their designs tend to be a little more Instagrammable, featuring jewel tones and sleek silhouettes. I’d heard mixed reviews of their classic [Airlift legging](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917573), often partnered with the phrase “they really suck you in.” I can confirm, these do have a suction-like quality, but I actually kind of like it. The compression isn’t uncomfortable, to me at least, and I appreciate the structure that it offers. These feel like capital-P Pants. **Price:** $128 **Material:** 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane simultaneously testing some On shoes… I’ll admit I had a stick up my ass about Vuori for the past few years. I clocked them immediately as slightly dorky, like the next Allbird-esque apparel brand for SoCal and Silicon Valley bros. Over the past year, they’ve become inescapable; arguably the hardest working brand at my local stereotypical luxury gym. And in the past month, they’ve taken a deliberate turn for the cooler. They’re sponsoring tennis hotties at the US Open and partnering with friend-of-the-letter [Kirsty Godso](https://itskatiestone.substack.com/p/into-the-fridge-711) as an ambassador. So here I am with my own pair of [Vuori leggings](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917277), telling you that I stand corrected. I will say, the material lends itself to attracting lint, pet hair, and other gym mat particles, but I look past it because I like the drawstring situation and they’re decently flattering on me. I might not recommend them if your main activity is running since they’re a little fabric-y (someone tell me you know what I mean), but I’m a BIG low impact fan. **Price:** $89 **Material:** 72% Polyester, 28% Elastane mirror decals always remind me of Glossier I think of [SET Active](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25042776) as Alo’s more affordable sibling, strictly from a clientele perspective. Think: West Village girl (complimentary!) strolling with her besties after a \[fill in the blank\] sculpt class, iced latte in hand. The leggings themselves, though, are quite different. Alo’s Airlift leggings are thick and suction-like, whereas [SET’s Airluxe™ leggings](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25042776) are lighter and more dynamic. They’re _**very**_ soft, but not too soft, because after all, these are still meant for working out. SET has a pretty unbeatable price-point, and for the Airluxe™ material specifically, they’re a great deal. **Price:** $74 **Material:** 72% Nylon, 28% Spandex again, nondescript 👍 Adanola’s [Ultimate Leggings](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25111374) are a very standard (positive) pair of leggings. It makes sense why I’ve seen 3 pairs so far in the 12 hours I’ve been in London. They’re on the thicker, more structured end of things, though a little less compressive than [Alo](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917573)’s. There’s no front seam (win) and the material is 70% recycled polyamide (another win). My only qualm with these leggings is that Adanola is written just above the butt and I prefer more discreet branding, but I guess in the scheme of things it’s NBD. **Price:** $65 **Material:** 70% Recycled Polyamide, 30% Elastane Norba makes really great clothing and I want to own everything in their collection. I personally prefer my other pieces from the brand, namely the [Oversized Cotton Shirt](https://norba.clothing/collections/loungewear/products/oversized-cotton-shirt-in-brown?variant=47181742506328) and [Shell Shorts](https://norba.clothing/collections/outerwear/products/shell-shorts-in-cream?variant=53602434744664), to their leggings, but that’s not to say they aren’t solid. They’re probably the [lightest weight legging](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917610) on this list, made of an OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified blend of polyamide and elastane. I’d recommend these to taller folks in particular because I have a nice amount of room at the ankles (which I don’t actually mind) and for people who don’t want to feel like they’re wearing pants at all. **Price:** $95 **Material:** 74% Polyamide, 26% Elastane I know, I know amazing legging visibility A while ago I asked a bunch of Pilates instructors what they like to wear for their workouts, and Splits 59 was a common answer. The [Airweight fabric](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916041) got a lot of love; Chelsea DeLay, my favorite [Pilates teacher](https://itskatiestone.substack.com/p/what-pilates-instructors-actually), said that she wears it year-round, and the material helps her feel more connected to her body while working out. That endorsement sold me then and there, and I became a proud owner of Splits 59 [Airweight leggings](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916041). These leggings definitely have that “naked” effect—you really forget that you’re wearing pants with these. I personally like a tad more heft to my pant, but the breathability and flexibility of these make me see the case for a second skin-type pair. **Price:** $110 **Material:** 81% nylon, 19% spandex I don’t think anyone knows Nike for their leggings, but I felt like I needed to include a legacy athletic brand in the mix here. I went with the [Universa](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25043252) leggings because a) it’s a best-seller and b) it was available in the store. Here’s what I have to say. The good: I appreciate their lack of front seam for reasons previously stated and the material was a great not-too-thin, not-too-thick weight. The bad: these leggings looked so bizarre on me, so much so that I was sent into a mini-dysmorphia spiral and couldn’t bear to photograph myself in them. I’d like to blame the horrendous dressing room lighting in the Soho store, but regardless, these have to be erased from my memory. **Price:** $110 **Material:** 77% polyester, 23% spandex can you tell how creative I am with my exercise outfits these days Sorry but I love these [Stamina leggings from Bandit](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917497). Even though you can’t walk one block in my neighborhood without seeing their logo on a 20 to 35-year-old, it’s genuinely for a good reason. These could be my favorite pair of leggings I own for a few key reasons: The pocket quantity and capacity is unparalleled (VERY underrated), I like the way the side-stitching looks on my legs, and they feel great to wear. They sit right at the midpoint between flexible and firm and they truly wick sweat.\* These might just be my favorite pair of leggings in my drawer at the moment. **Price:** $118 **Material:** 83% M.Poly FD, 17% Spandex On their site, Beyond Yoga refers to [these](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917688) as “softest, comfiest legging you'll ever wear.” Bold statement. Also a true statement. I’m not sure there’s a better word to describe these leggings than buttery. Whatever they put in that Spacedye stuff (note: it’s polyester and elastane), it’s gold. Because [these leggings](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917688) are softer—and thicker—than most, I don’t exactly want to sweat in them. I think these are a great pair for outdoor activities in cooler climates, or if, don’t tell Gen Alpha, you wear leggings as loungewear. **Price:** $97 **Material:** 87% Polyester, 13% Elastane - For those who prefer a “second skin” type effect, **Splits 59**’s **[Airweight](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916041)** are just that. - If you’re looking for a reason to stick to the OG, you’re safe with **Lululemon**’s **[Align](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24916010)**s. - If you prefer a more supportive fit, go for **Alo**’s **[Airlift](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917573)** or **Adanola**’s **[Ultimate](https://go.shopmy.us/p-25111374)** for a less expensive alt. - For the runners, Brooklynites, and gorp enthusiasts, a pair of **Bandit’**s **[Stamina](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917497)™** leggings is necessary. - If you’re looking for a pair of loungewear leggings, without a doubt, go with **Beyond Yoga**’s **[Spacedye](https://go.shopmy.us/p-24917688)** collection. Now, by all means, go work out in your leggings. It doesn’t [make you a Boomer](https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/baggy-workout-pants-fp-movement-leggings-53814676?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAinxdMr0R2BxQJc0cjL1EryCVTCnjQ05Z0yYWlJBBsyLe_y1PJePaZLnf4-lPU%3D&gaa_ts=68c1bfda&gaa_sig=350X6zX9mM2Eec-WmSl7_o641D15zOQbgf4893k6clCZEKBrcfWuX1QYQjtZNXWey6lXexCPdawUFPJhwCS9hQ%3D%3D) to me. That’s all for now. Reply to this email or leave a comment if you want to reach me. :) \*I’ve never heard this concept utilized in a different tense.