Finding the best plus-size leggings can feel like a full-on workout in itself — especially when you’re trying to avoid roll-down waistbands, see-through fabric, or “compression” that just digs in. As a plus-size leggings wearer, I know firsthand that the right pair should balance support and comfort while actually keeping up with how you move, whether that’s squats, yoga flows, or all-day wear.
When shopping, I look for key details like a high-rise waistband that stays put, squat-proof opacity, breathable fabric, and just enough stretch to feel held without feeling restricted. After years of trial and error (and plenty of failed pairs), I put top-rated styles to the test to find leggings that truly perform and feel good doing it.
Credit: Beyond Yoga
Sizes: XXS-4X | Material: 87% Polyester, 13% Elastane | Colors: 17
There’s a reason why this Beyond Yoga legging is a customer favorite. With over 3 million pairs sold and thousands of reviews, the leggings earn the Best Overall title because of their buttery soft feel with medium compression and a fit that molds perfectly with your body shape. When looking for a universally flattering fit, Taliaferro suggests we “look for leggings with good stretch that move with you, not against you.” These Beyond Yoga Spacedye leggings certainly fit the bill.
We get pretty swampy summers where I live (shoutout to Washington, DC), and I am no stranger to getting sweaty just existing, not to mention while working out outside. I noticed that these leggings wicked away sweat and moisture pretty quickly. They’re comfortable and not restrictive for either workouts or lounging. In fact, I lived in these while I was recovering from the flu. They really impressed me with their ability to maintain their shape during all my tossing and turning.
Credit: Torrid
Why We Like It
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Cozy, thicker fabric makes transparency a non-issue
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Stretchy but keeps its shape
Sizes: 10-30 | Material: 83% nylon, 17% spandex | Colors: 3
If comfort and coziness are what you seek from your plus-size leggings, you should try out this pair from Torrid. From running weekend errands, walking my dog, or settling into my couch for a Selling Sunset binge-fest, these were my favorites to toss on while lounging around during the testing process. It’s a great “pants but better” option. These leggings feature a stretchy high waistband with low to medium compression, so you won’t have to worry about them feeling too tight after a meal.
Credit: Under Armour
Sizes: 1X-3X | Material: 82% Polyester/18% Elastane | Colors: 3
Looking for something easy and breezy? Out of all the leggings tested, I felt the most cool in these Under Armour UA Motion Ankle Leggings. They’re not seamless, but the seams felt smooth and flat and did not cause any chafing for me. This pair of leggings is excellent at wicking away moisture and sweat and kept me cool during my workouts and hours spent outside in humid summer weather. Another detail I really enjoyed — especially during cardio — was their lightweight feel.
Credit: Superfit Hero
Why We Like It
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Most size-inclusive leggings I tested, going up to a size US 44
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High waist is great for those with larger midsections
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Features 2 full-size pockets
Sizes: 12-44 | Material: 88% Polyester/12% Spandex | Colors: 7
If you want to ensure you have your essentials with you at all times, then having a great pair of plus-size leggings with pockets is a must. That’s why I love Superfithero’s Superhold Pocket ankle leggings. These leggings have the roomiest pockets of all the leggings I tested. You can fit a water bottle in there if you want ( which I did one morning while rushing to take my dog for a walk).
Aside from roomy pockets, I recommend these SuperFitHero leggings to people looking for quality leggings made for people on the higher end of plus size or who have difficulty finding leggings that fit larger and thicker legs.
Sizes: XS-XXXXL | Material: Body: 70% Nylon, 30% LYCRA®, Lining: 86% Cotton, 10% Spandex, 4% Carbon | Colors: 9
Out of every legging I tried during my 4-week test, I felt the most held in and supported in Knix’s HiTouch High Rise Legging. These leggings had the highest amount of compression and are double-lined, adding comfort and moisture-wicking ability. The 3-D fabric designs complimented the contours of my body really beautifully and gave my lil booty a good boost! It was honestly giving Insta-Baddie vibes with how sculpted and smoothing these leggings fit, and I’m definitely not mad about it! If you aren’t the biggest fan of compression or want a little more room for your stomach, I recommend sizing up if possible.
Credit: Athleta
Sizes: XXS-3X | Material: 75% Nylon/25% Lycra Elastane | Colors: 14
During the wear test, I continuously returned to these Athleta Salutation Stash High Rise leggings when I practiced my morning yoga. The waistband didn’t pinch while doing stretches, and I didn’t notice any chafing at all with extended wear. These leggings also did a great job of wicking away booty sweat. Not to mention, they don’t feel restrictive and they have a nice roomy side pocket that holds my phone and other essentials without feeling bulky.
I may be a yoga novice, but these leggings are especially useful to me because I want to get more into yoga and take classes. Knowing I look good and feel comfortable gives me an instant confidence boost.
Credit: Girlfriend Collective
Sizes: XXS-6XL | Material: 79% recycled water bottles (RPET) and 21% spandex | Colors: 18
These leggings are made of sustainable material (79% water bottles) and spandex (21%), but they feel super soft. I felt secure and held in place during both high and low-impact movements. I didn’t feel overheated while working out and being outside in 90+ degree heat and humidity, which is a major plus. While they aren’t seamless, the seams are smooth and didn’t chafe or irritate me. When it comes to opacity, I felt comfortable wearing these with a crop top bralette, t-shirt, and with or without undies. The leggings provided me with complete opacity and smoothing capabilities and had no transparency issues.
They have a hidden pocket on the back of the pants big enough for keys or cards, but I found it to be rather compact. I had a great range of motion with these, and I was really impressed with how the waistband stayed in place, even when working out. They also don’t retain heat — a big plus for me because I tend to overheat quickly.
What to Know About Leggings
- Type: There are a variety of plus-size legging styles to choose from. Full-length leggings (also called ankle length),⅞ leggings (designed to hit right above the ankle), or capri length (hits mid-calf). Depending on the season and the activity you plan on doing while wearing the leggings, each has its pros and cons. For example, if you were looking for a pair of leggings to wear to hot yoga, Taliaferro recommends something lightweight, moisture-wicking, and fast-drying. “Look for thinner leggings, shorts, or capris that allow breathability without being too compressive or restrictive,” she says.
- Material: The modern version of what we call leggings today was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers, who also blessed the world by inventing spandex/lycra, cool right? History lesson aside, there have been vast improvements in design and clothing tech since its invention. Plus-size influencer and Aerialist Kimmy Garris says she prefers “fabrics like bamboo, cotton, tencel because they’re smooth and breathe really well and are softer. However, most of my leggings are some kind of polyester mix which makes sense for the wicking aspect.” Polyester blends tend to have the best moisture-wicking abilities which is why you’ll see that most legging materials are a blend of synthetic fabrics.
- Brand: Our plus size leggings experts weighed in on their favorite brands, and Garris’s go-to’s are Fabletics, Superfit Hero, Torrid. Reprise, PopFit, and Universal Standard. Taliaferro says when it comes to plus-size leggings, she’s always been a fan of Old Navy “I’ve been wearing their activewear since the start of my yoga journey, and they’re great for hot yoga because their inclusive sizes are now available in most stores. I also love Girlfriend Collective, a sustainable brand that’s expanded from leggings and bras to offering gear for all body types and gender expressions. Both brands support my eclectic athleisure style.”
- Sizing: You want to feel comfortable in your leggings and that may be different depending on personal preference, sensory needs, and body shape. For Garris, that typically means getting a size up, because she dislikes compression. Taliaferro’s advice when choosing leggings is to ask yourself when you’ll use them. “ For high-activity leggings, I recommend compression that supports but isn’t restrictive. This helps with movement and stability without feeling too tight or too loose. The key is to feel good and supported in all that you wear.”
- Opacity: The best way to ensure that you aren’t flashing anyone is to give it the good old squat test. Bend over, do a squat in front of a mirror, and check yourself out. Another test I recommend is setting your phone out in natural lighting outside and trying it out there, as well. Different lighting can reveal different things — and some things (like our undies or lack thereof) we want to remain a mystery. “Usually I need to size up,” Garris says in regards to finding full-coverage leggings. “If they’re double lined instead of a single layer I find it to have better coverage.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the top plus-size leggings brands?
Old Navy, Torrid, Athleta, Superfit Hero, and Girlfriend Collective are among the top plus-size leggings brands.
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What are the most flattering plus-size leggings?
Flattering can mean different things to different people. This is definitely not a one-size-fits-all question, but for plus-size aerialist Garris, her favorites for a flattering fit are Fabletics for style and Reprise for comfort. I personally loved the way the Beyond Yoga and Knix leggings accentuate my curves!
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How often should I wash my leggings?
This depends on how sweaty you get in them. To be safe, toss them in the wash after each wear, but if you were just lounging around or only wore them for a short time, you can get away with two wears before washing. “I barely break a sweat in Pilates so I usually wear them twice, then [put them] in the wash”, says Garris. Taliaferro typically throws her leggings in the wash after one wear, especially after sweaty or high-intensity activity.
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What sizes are plus-size?
In the US sizes 14 and up are considered plus size.
Why Trust Shape
Mayra Mejia is a fashion and culture writer, body liberation advocate, and founder. Passionate about fostering inclusive spaces, she founded PLUSH DMV, a Washington, DC-based fat-positive community, in 2019. She has written and contributed to respected media outlets such as NBC News, Refinery29, Byrdie, and Washington City Paper. She has also been featured in publications such as District Fray Magazine, USA Today, and Yahoo for her body liberation and inclusion work as the founder of PLUSH DMV.
For this article, she tested and analyzed these plus-size leggings by wearing them during exercise and while resting.
Felicia “Fela” Taliaferro, M.S, C-IYAT, RYT-500, is a plus-size yoga therapist with nearly a decade of experience
Kimmy Garris is a plus-size influencer and Aerialist.
