It’s Official: These Are The Best Running Leggings *Ever* — Here’s Why

Sizes: 0–20 | Inseam: 23”, 25”, and 28” | Pockets: 5

As a fitness writer, I get sent a lot of running leggings, so I own more than any human needs. But earlier this year I still bought myself a new pair of the Fast and Free Tights because my old ones started losing their shape in the waist after multiple years of heavy use (and washer/dryer abuse). I always need a pair in my rotation — they’re just that good. Nineteen-time marathon runner Uma Staehler, who has 20 pairs of running leggings in her closet, says these are her all-time top pick, too. In fact, she currently owns five pairs of them.

“They have perfect pockets,” Staehler says. “They stay up, and they are not too thick.” Thanks to the lightly compressive fabric, impressive moisture-wicking capabilities, and a fantastic amount of secure storage for a phone and multiple gels, both of us agree that if we’re running a race in leggings, there’s no question that these are the ones we’ll slip on.  

Sizes: XS–XXL | Inseam: 27” | Pockets: 3

I’ve always thought of Brooks as more of a shoe company than a go-to brand for running clothes, but these tights quickly changed my mind. They check off all my biggest boxes for the best running leggings: They’re supportive but not overly squishy, the fabric is soft and breathable, and there’s plenty of pocket space for my stuff. The inner layer of the two pockets along the thighs are made of mesh so you don’t have a double layer of hot, bulky fabric, which I love. It’s a small detail, but a genius design.

My one disappointment was that the seams along the pockets began fraying a little after just one trip through the washer and dryer. The care instructions say you can tumble dry low, but I’ll be air-drying these from now on because I know I’ll want to keep running in them for years.   

Sizes: XS–XXL | Inseam: 27” | Pockets: 2

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind an entire wardrobe made out of the material in On Running’s performance tights. These whisper-soft, almost slippery leggings are perfect for speed runs on the track, treadmill, or road. They give you just a little compression to help your muscles feel supported but enough stretch that you can still open up your stride. I did notice extra room between my waist and the fabric, but the material always stayed perfectly in place, and never rolled down on me. Just know that the fabric is thick — and can get sticky as you get sweaty — so these leggings sometimes take a bit of maneuvering to get into and have them lie flat against your skin without bunching up anywhere.   

Sizes: XS–XXL | Inseam: 26” | Pockets: 4

These leggings have some of the coolest pockets I’ve ever seen on running tights because, well, you can barely see them. There’s two big thigh pockets that are large enough to fit an iPhone XL and multiple gels, but they lie completely flat against your legs if nothing’s inside, with seamless openings that blend right into the design.

The back of the waist includes both a small inner pocket to stash a card or key (with laser cut openings so nothing chafes), plus a pass-through pocket on the outside that has two openings so you can thread a light layer you’ve taken off. It’s clear these were designed by real runners who know the value of good storage space. The only drawback is that the purple color I ordered showed a ton of crotch sweat, so I’d suggest sticking with the “midnight” hue. 

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Inseam: 26” | Pockets: 0

These comfy Gymshark leggings feel almost like a second skin. The smooth, stretchy fabric follows my every move and doesn’t restrict my range of motion at all — even when I start my run with a yoga flow. For something so cozy, the design is surprisingly flattering. The wide, ribbed waistband helps my mid-section feel supported but not pinched, while the design in the back strategically emphasizes the peach. I just wish the fabric were a smidge thicker so it wouldn’t show panty lines or cellulite (and sometimes camel toe if I yank them up too high).   

Sizes: XXS–XXL (in regular and tall) | Inseam: 27” (regular) | Pockets: 6

Nike wasn’t kidding around when they named these compression leggings “firm support.” The compression is intense — and it feels fantastic when you’re running. I found that, especially on days when my legs were tired, my muscles felt supported by these tights, almost like there was less impact when I landed. The material is super high-quality and smooth to the touch, and the extra compression meant anything I placed in a pocket felt locked in. There’s also a small zippered pocket on one thigh, which I love sticking my AirPods in after runs to know they’re super secure.

The intense compression means these running leggings can be a bit of a workout to get into, and they bunch a bit behind the knees sometimes. But I find it’s worth it when I want to give my quads some extra reinforcement so they feel a little less heavy during my miles. 

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Inseam: 25” | Pockets: 2

When I had to order a size smaller than usual in these leggings because my go-to wasn’t available, I was afraid the fit might be too tight, or the waist would cut in or roll down on me. But this stretchy material ended up treating me just right, with the waist absolutely locked in place. I find myself reaching for them whenever the temperatures heat up, thanks to their lightweight, sweat-wicking material, and cute but subtle cutouts on the sides of the thighs. The thin fabric does mean these get a little transparent in the butt during my pre-run squats. But as long as I stay upright, they stay perfectly in place and cover everything they should. 

Sizes: XXS–3X (in petite, regular, and tall) | Length: 23”, 25″, and 28” | Pockets: 2

My legs love being inside these pants. The buttery soft fabric is super stretchy in every direction, accommodating all kinds of body shapes — yes, even thick thighs. I experienced no chafing, rolling, or bouncing in either of the side pockets. I especially love that I can easily take these tights from the track to the gym to the yoga studio, and they perform exceptionally well no matter how I’m moving. And even though they comfortably fit my upper legs, they don’t feel too big in the waist (an all-too-common tradeoff for runners with thick thighs); if anything, the wide waistband is a little too tight to sit in for hours at a time, though it doesn’t bother me as long as I’m standing or running. 

Sizes: XS–XXL | Inseam: 28” | Pockets: 3

Designed for the trails, these tights boast four roomy pockets meant to help you store what you need to run long. No matter how much I load them up, I never have to worry about my extra cargo dragging these down. A bright pink drawstring keeps the waist super secure in place. Or, I can loosen it up after my run to comfortably sit down for a post-run recovery meal. Bonus: Wind- and water-resistance panels on the front of the thighs and around the calves (plus flexible fabric in the hips and knees) make these ideal for days when the weather is, ya know, weathering. Yet they’re still surprisingly breathable. They may be made for stormy days, but they’re smartly designed to keep you comfy. 

Sizes: XS–4X | Inseam: 23”, 25”, and 28” | Pockets: 2

We love a healthy size selection, and these babies are offered in options up to 4X (Hooray for plus-size leggings!), with three different lengths to choose from. Still, I was skeptical: Could running leggings this accessible and budget-friendly really be high quality? The answer is a resounding yes. Despite showing sweat very easily in the light gray color I chose, these tights surpassed all my expectations. The elastic material fits just right, without any digging in or rolling down at the waist, and it offers enough stretch to pull off both strides and the splits (well, as much as my hamstrings allow me to split these days). They also offer good coverage, with a ribbed design that camouflages cellulite. Although the fabric doesn’t feel quite as luxe as higher-end brands, it stays super comfy through every mile of my run.   

Sizes: 0-14 | Length: 28” | Pockets: Yes

Sure, the Lululemon Fast and Free is my ride-or-die when it comes to the best running leggings. But there’s a strong argument to be made for pulling out the SenseKnit High Rise for long runs during full or half-marathon training. When you’re regularly logging double-digit miles, your leggings need to be easy-breezy in terms of comfort — but also supportive enough to hug your legs and hold any supplies that don’t fit in your running phone holder.

These running leggings are intentionally designed for distance running, thanks to their targeted support (read: the slightest bit of compression). Though I’ll be honest: If you’re a low-key runner who just loves an easy run every now and then, you’ll be fine with a more basic pair of leggings. Save your budget for beginner running shoes instead. 

Sizes: XS-XXL | Inseam: 30” | Pockets: No

Going outside to run feels exponentially more difficult when the weather app is reporting 30, 20, 10, or — dare we say — single-digit (!) temperatures. But lo and behold, cold weather running is good for you. The right pair of leggings can inspire that small spark of energy required to get out of bed on those chilly days, and that’s exactly what we found in Under Armour’s ColdGear Authentic Leggings. These tights are thick and cozy without being too thick. And look, that’s a big deal considering that fleece-lined leggings are often itchy, stiff, and/or saggy. This pair also passes the squat test—an important feature for those of us who are always dropping our gels and having to bend over to retrieve them. 

Sizes: 0-20 | Inseam: 23”, 25”, 28”, 31” | Pockets: 1

Those expecting should also expect a lot out of their leggings. The Lululemon Align leggings came highly recommended when I was pregnant, and they did not disappoint. The soft AF fabric rises high enough to gently support (but not squish) your bump, and it works just as well without one so you won’t need to buy expensive maternity leggings that have a limited shelf life in your closet. Yes, I still wear these regularly two years later. Even non-pregnant runners love them. “They’re very comfortable and have good coverage — they’re not too tight and they have some compression,” Kunz says, who adds that even though they don’t have big pockets to fit phones, they’re still so luxuriously soft that she loves running in them, particularly on cooler days. 

Sizes: 0-20 | Inseam: 23”, 25”, 28” | Pockets: Yes

If you’re committed to wearing full-length leggings for runs, regardless of the temps, you need a pair of easy-breezy, sweat-wicking leggings. Thanks to the proprietary Luxtreme fabric, these Lululemon leggings stay cool to the touch and remain breathable and sweat-wicking, no matter what the heat index says. The fabric isn’t as buttery soft as say, Align leggings, and it has slightly more compression too. Though these aren’t cons in our minds; just different styles for different preferences.

Sizes: XS-XL | Inseam: 27” | Pockets: Yes

Darkness comes quickly in the winter. So if the sun goes down and we still haven’t gotten out the door for our run, all of us need to rest easy knowing that our gear will do its part to keep us safe. That’s why Tracksmith’s high-rise NDO (No Days Off) Tights feature a double layer of wind protection with a reflective shell for visibility. The brand also includes envelope pockets that make it easy to grab gels, phone, keys, or wallet on the go. Quite simply: These tights will keep a runner warm, safe, and well-equipped — and that’s a game-changer when we’re logging super early or super late mileage.