20 best yoga leggings for post-run recovery — our tried and tested edit

As a former lululemon virgin, we thought the hype must be just that – hype. But now we get it. These are the most comfortable leggings we’ve ever worn, and we are not exaggerating when we say we're never taking them off.

These leggings are super-flattering, very soft, non-restrictive (you feel almost naked – in a good way) but still supportive, holding you in in all the right places. All this with no bunching around the knees or at the waist, which can be a common problem.

If you’re travelling light to the studio they also offer a version with pockets, and they come in a few different lengths – I’m 5’4” and the 25” leggings hit right on the ankle, but they also offer a 28” length and a 31” length for taller women. Trust us, they’re worth the investment.

No, Gymshark isn't just about weights rooms and functional training. The brand also makes a great yoga line, Elevate, and the leggings are something special.

Made from a super soft recycled nylon blend, these leggings are smooth, stretchy, and wick sweat well, with a second-skin feel. After rigorous testing we found they didn't bunch in common hotspots (knees and hip points), and there's no front seam around the crotch (hallelujah).

Some of the lighter colours aren't totally squat-proof, but for light yoga flows and a comfortable weekend pair of leggings, they're ideal.

Our tester found the super high waistband on these Adidas yoga leggings felt really supportive and said they never slipped during her practice (the high waist also means you can wear these with just a sports bra without feeling exposed). They’re incredibly comfortable, with no restrictions to movement at all and the moisture-wicking fabric feels premium and a dream to wear.

However, our yogi tester is a cat owner, and did mention that the material is prone to attracting hair and fluff, so pet parents take heed!

These leggings score eco points too as they’re made with 64% recycled polyester – Adidas are pushing for carbon neutrality, and by 2025, the brand aims to ensure nine out of 10 items are sustainable.

We were really, really surprised by how much we loved these. And even more surprised when we clocked the price tag. If you’re lusting after lululemon but your budget can’t stretch that far, these are a brilliant alternative. And it's not just us who thinks so – M&S's Goodmove activewear collection has been a roaring success, selling 1.6 million items every year. Affordable, practical and stylish, every piece comes with that reassuring level of quality you can expect from the brand, but these yoga leggings are by far our favourite.

Features we love include a reinforced ankle hem, so no slackening over time, the comfortable and flattering wrap waist and the 'blackout' technology which keeps them completely opaque throughout your practice, but without feeling bulky. They're even finished with a protective antibacterial to keep your flow fresh.

Finding a pair of leggings built to last for under £30 is no mean feat, but after several washes these are still going strong, plus the inclusive sizing (from UK 6 to 24) is the icing on the cake.

Also available in midnight navy print, a cropped length and even a maternity pair.

BAM’s newest offering to the yoga leggings gods might just be their best yet. Softer, finer and lighter weight than the brand’s best-selling Enduro leggings, they’re made from 90% modal bamboo and 10% elastane for a stretchy but supportive fit.

Our tester absolutely loved them, from the gorgeous colour (she tried nimbus, a rich turquoise) to the super soft material, citing that despite the velvety texture she felt held in place and that the leggings fit beautifully. She even wore them jogging and found they held up well. And they come with a handy side pocket, in two lengths. What’s not to love?

These yoga leggings from Californian brand Vuori are the softest we've ever felt, yet manage to hug and sculpt your figure too — all with no restriction.

The high waistband is gloriously wide and has a sneaky pocket integrated on one hip — handy for carrying your phone or keys. Plus the leggings don't fall down, bunch or ride up in uncomfortable areas.

The matching bra is a gorgeous low-impact option if you want a pretty set for gentle flows.

Budget brand Decathlon have done it again with these seamless yoga leggings. Our tester was a big fan of the large supportive waistband and found them really comfortable – to the extent that she was shocked when we divulged the price point.

They offer impressive freedom of movement and the subtle pattern makes them look a lot more expensive than they are. We’d recommend reserving them for low-impact exercise only, as they can slip a little when running.

Available in both full length and 7/8 length.

We didn't know putting on a pair of leggings could feel luxurious – that is until we tried these high-rise numbers from Californian activewear brand Varley. They're incredibly soft, smooth and flexible – you can stretch and bend to your heart's content with no limitations.

These leggings almost feel like a second skin, but despite their weightlessness, you still get great coverage (read: they're totally squat-proof). They're also super flattering to boot, and we loved the supportive high waist and concealed pocket.

They come in 25-inch length as standard, and on our 5'4" frame were essentially full length, with good coverage over the ankle.

We adore the Recycled nylon, elastane, Merino wool, polyester and polyamide, but they're also available in alabaster lynx, beige floral, or if you prefer a plain colour, choose from solid black or taupe.

Celeb faves Alo Yoga couldn't not be on this list. They’re loved by A-listers from Bella Hadid and Gisele Bündchen to Meghan Markle and Martha Stewart, and now us too. Silky soft, super-flattering and with subtle branding to the back of the calf, they’re as at home on the mat as they are on the go.

Technically they hit the spot too, with moisture-wicking, four-way stretch material allowing you to flow through poses unrestricted, and they even include a panel to make wearing them commando more comfortable – no more VPL! No, they’re not cheap, but you can honestly wear them anywhere and everywhere (and trust us, you’ll want to).

They come in a ton of fun colours, plus their core collection of anthracite (dark grey), espresso and black. Choose from 7/8 length and full length.

They ship from LA which can take a while, so if you want them quicker, get them at Net-a-Porter in selected colourways (blue or beige).

Hands down, these are the softest pair of leggings we’ve ever felt. "Buttery soft" gets thrown around a lot when it comes to yoga leggings, but here it is entirely spot on. These are reassuringly thick without restricting movement, and while they are a little more busy with seams than other leggings on this list, we found the placement felt supportive and sculpting rather than counteractive – plus there’s a handy side pocket.

We mostly used them for slower, deep stretch flows, preferring to wear a thinner legging for a dynamic practice, but they’re sweat-wicking so would be fine for something more intense. They come in two lengths, full length and a 7/8 length, which was perfect for us at 5’4”.

Available in several colours including black, leopard print and a decent pair of leggings – but don’t be tempted to reach for your trusty blue galaxy pattern. We tried the storm blue colour which is even more beautiful IRL (and are currently on sale!).

Sportswear giants Nike have a reputation to uphold, and it’s one it more than surpassed with these high-waisted yoga leggings, according to our tester. She found the thick waistband made for a perfect fit, slimming around the stomach without being tight, and enabling movement well.

The minimal design (there’s subtle branding on the back) also won brownie points, as did the way the leggings didn’t slip and their general lack of bulkiness/pockets, for a more seamless flow.

These leggings are made with Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, designed to boost airflow and wick away moisture through even the sweatiest of hot yoga sessions.

Best yoga pants, Vuori is nailing it when it comes to simple styles done well. Silky, really stretchy and oh-so comfortable, we put these to the test in a deep restorative session and they allowed us to get deep into long, lingering stretches with no restriction at all.

The high waistband is made up of four panels rather than the standard two, which gives a sculpted look and makes them a fantastic companion to breath work, as you feel you can really expand in all directions. They don't bunch around the knees and there's no having to hoick them up if (like us) you power walk to the studio, and we loved the lack of hem at the bottom, giving the leggings a seamless look and ensuring they don't dig in.

They feel premium, with quality stitching, a hint of sheen and subtle branding to the calf. The brand say these are 7/8 length but we think that would only be true on someone rather tall - they were full length on us at 5'4". These leggings are quite warm, so we wouldn't recommend them for hot yoga.

Want the full ensemble? There's a matching Best Sweaty Betty yoga leggings.

It should come as no surprise that BAM also makes a great pair of yoga pants. Ideal if you're not into form-fitting activewear, these are the perfect blend of loose enough to feel comfortable and move freely, but not so baggy they get in your way.

They're roomy in the thigh but gathered at the ankle, so there's no chance of tripping as you step from three legged dog to low lunge. They're also deliciously soft and honestly a great pair of lounge pants (they may or may not have been used more for this purpose).

You can fold the waistband down if they're a touch too long, and they're lightweight and breathable, so you're unlikely to overheat even with the extra fabric.

Is it possible to love a piece of clothing? After trying these, we think so. These flare-style yoga pants aren't just bang on-trend and the perfect errand-running/WFH bottoms, they also perform well on mat.

Lightly compressive, they hug your thighs in all the right places, are super flattering and don't ride up as you flow. Flatlock seams keep things chafe-free and you can safely wear them commando thanks to a clever extra panel.

The material feels thicker than some leggings so we wouldn't recommend them for anything dynamic, but for restorative yoga and gentle stretches they're the ideal fashion-forward option.

Also available in 7/8 length — opt for these if you're under 5'5".

We don’t need to tell you the value of a key piece of kit that also comes with pockets – life made, right? These feature two deep pockets, one on each thigh, with space to carry phone, keys, cards and other essentials as you make your way to and from the studio (or shops).

Our tester particularly liked the snug fit of the high waist (these are mildly compressive) and the flattering seam detailing, but did note that they didn’t wick sweat away as well as some other leggings, so felt they’d be better for gentler exercise.

Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable brand and these are made from 25 recycled water bottles for bonus sustainability points.

They come in a range of colours, from black and deep navy to moss green and garnet.

You might know London-based activewear brand Adanola for their cult tote bags and achingly cool aesthetic, but they also make a great pair of yoga leggings for under £40.

Available in a rainbow of muted-chic colours these leggings are made from a smooth, thin fabric but are fully squat-proof, so ideal for intense sessions on the mat.

Our tester loved the large, high waistband but suggested going a size up for a more comfortable fit.

We’ve long been fans of H&M’s fuss-free sportswear, and they’re onto another winner with these seamless leggings. For the price you’d expect a thinner material, but these are luxuriously thick and super comfortable to boot.

We love the ribbed design and the stretchy, seam-free construction means you can focus on your flow. Size down if you like a more compressive fit, but the wide waistband will feel supportive either way – the material is made from a finer concertina, so it’s super flexible.

Plus they’re made in part by recycled materials, so you can breathe easy.

Available in black, lilac, plum and mint green.

You might know Kin for their dreamy yoga mats, but the brand has recently branched out into yoga leggings with this 'second skin' offering. And we have to say they're true to their word; no frills, functional and free from embellishments, save for the embroidered slogan on the back of the waistband which we rather liked.

They're very stretchy and feel a bit more sporty than some super soft leggings - because of this we found we were able to get a bit more more foot purchase in tree pose (a welcome bonus).

The thick, reinforced waistband does not budge and is nice and high, helping you feel supported. They will sit above the ankle on taller women as they hit right on the ankle for us at 5'4". A great, unfussy pair of yoga leggings that perform well.

Sometimes a restorative flow is just what you need when cramps strike – but you’ll be glad to know these period leggings are comfy enough to wear lounging on the sofa, too. Honestly, there’s little not to love about these leggings. Recycled materials? Tick. Sweat-wicking fabric? Tick. Models in a wide range of sizes? Also tick. Not to mention they’re far more friendly to the planet than pads and tampons.

These make heading to the gym on your period while stressing about bulky pads/period pants a thing of the past, and as they can hold a moderate to heavy flow, you’re covered well beyond a standard 60-minute yoga class. Modibodi has managed to nail a super absorbent and leak-proof gusset without the nappy feeling that plagues some reusable menstrual wear – though you might find yourself wearing these leggings at any and every time during your cycle.

We also love the brand's collab with Puma, Another ribbed offering, this time from carbon neutral brand black and aubergine.

Another ribbed offering, this time from carbon neutral brand Gym + Coffee. Don’t let the cutesy name fool you, these leggings can put in a serious shift.

They’re totally squat-proof, don’t slip and are super stretchy. Our tester tried and adored the lilac leggings, and after an intense hip-opening session found them so comfy she ended up spending the rest of the evening in them.