18 Best Black Leggings for Anything or Nothing
The 18 Best Black Leggings for Anything or Nothing
It's official: We're never taking these off.
Chances are that after a year of prioritizing pared-down, comfortable clothing, you too have learned that the best black leggings have, without question, earned their spot as a must wardrobe essential. We might go as far as to say buttery soft leggings are the unsung hero of everyday life, and we wouldn’t be alone in this: The infinitely versatile loungewear staple remains a favorite among everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Gigi Hadid.
Blame the Outdoor Voices phenomenon, but the athleisure essential has become a no-brainer for doing pretty much anything (or nothing). And its popularity shows no sign of stopping: With retailers from Lululemon to Everlane offering high-quality designs for all body types, there are plenty of options to choose from online. From super-soft yoga leggings to moisture-wicking, full-length leggings for a long run, these black leggings are in various styles.
Ahead, the best black leggings to level up your daily routine.
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1/18
Best for Everyday Wear: Athleta Ultra-High-Rise Elation Tights
These babies define second skin. They have just the right amount of support to make me feel secure during a yoga class or running errands on the weekend but are also soft enough to make me never want to take them off. Frankly, it’s a problem. Given how much I wear these, I was worried how they’d hold up in the wash, but after a few months, there’s still no sign of pilling, fading, or sagging. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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2/18
Best Flared Leggings: Zella Barely Flare Live In High-Waist Pants
The “flared leggings” Gen Z-ers were posting on TikTok last year? Yeah, those are yoga pants, but maybe they’re too young to remember. I’m honestly not mad about this resurgence, considering their wider bottoms make combat boots look less like clown shoes than actual leggings do—I’m mostly just upset I’m officially old enough to be like, “That was before your time.” —Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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3/18
Most Budget-Friendly: LuLu High-Waist NKD Leggings
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4/18Best Eco-Conscious: Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Leggings
I hate the feel of most athletic leggings, but these are as soft as my favorite T-shirt. I would even go as far as to call them cozy. That being said, they’re still nice and compressive, and I never have to worry about flashing anyone. The super-high waist covers me up enough to just wear a bra on top. And of course, I love the philosophy behind them: Each pair is made from 25 recycled water bottles. —Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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5/18
Best for Yoga and Pilates: Beyond Yoga Heather High-Waist Rib Leggings
When I shop leggings, I prioritize two things: stretch and simplicity (that means no nagging zippers or superfluous pockets). These ribbed leggings nail those specs and take it a step further: With 16% Lycra spandex, they slide on easily and give me all the stretch and none of the restriction. These motion-friendly leggings are also free of pockets and zippers, so nothing’s ever going to stab my spine during a roll down. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
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6/18
Best Ultra-High Rise: Alo Extreme High-Waist Airlift Leggings
I have one must when it comes to leggings: a super-high waist. Alo answered my prayers when it came out with this pair of leggings—they’re by far the highest waist I own, and the band doesn’t fold over when I twist or bend. The compression is decent too, so I feel secure without feeling like I’m about to have heartburn. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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7/18
Best Sweat-Wicking: Zella Live In High-Waist Leggings
I consider myself a very discerning black-leggings aficionado. I’ve been doing research on the topic for, well, ever—but especially since I started working from home full-time about three years ago. Name a brand, a style, a cut, and I’ve tried them on for size. What I’m looking for most often is something that I can comfortably wear at my desk (or on my couch, because let’s be real, I do a lot of work from there) that also looks socially acceptable for running errands or a casual dinner when I throw a sweater over them. Zella’s high-waist style checks all of these boxes, and if I want wear them to Pilates, they totally work for that too. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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8/18
Best for Running: Lululemon Align Pant 25
Nothing can ruin a run faster than a saggy, suffocating pair of leggings, which is why filling your top shelf with workout gear that’s functional is so important. Lululemon has hundreds of leggings to choose from, and I’ve sweated my way through a handful to tell you that this high-rise pair is one of the best ones for running. It comes in three lengths (25", 28", and 31"), has a side pocket, and features a waistband thick enough that you feel supported but not smothered while you move. Honestly, these leggings are so comfy, you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
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9/18
Best for High-Intensity Workouts: TechSweat 7/8 Flex Leggings
The last thing I want after a hot yoga session is to leave the studio with soggy leggings that take way too long to dry, which is why I consider these breathable options one of the best workout leggings available. No matter how sweaty my workout was, this innovative design is lightweight enough for a comfortable post-gym smoothie run. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Best for Weight-Lifting: Seasum Women’s High-Waist Yoga Pants
Coming in hot with over 75,000 reviews and a rating of 4.5, these textured “butt-sculpting tights” might as well be the best leggings on Amazon. If you’re searching for something that’s both butt sculpting and squat-proof. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
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11/18
Best With Pockets: Zella Restore Soft Pocket Leggings
If you haven’t already noticed, people love Zella leggings. These high-waist leggings definitely belong in your rotation if you’re looking for soft fabric leggings with pockets. These are my go-to on long walks because I can stuff my keys, phone, headphones, and a snack (yeah, I said a snack) in them. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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12/18
Best Plus-Size: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft 7/8-Length Side-Pocket Leggings
For something as basic as black leggings, you’d think finding great options in plus sizes would be easy. And yet so many are either too tight, too sheer, or too flimsy. These hit the sweet spot of being both extremely comfortable—they’ve become a staple in my WFH wardrobe—and sturdy enough to stay put when I run in them. They also hit right at the ankle, which is great if you're under 5' 4" like me and every other legging bunches at the bottom. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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13/18
Best for Tall People: Everlane Perform Leggings
My first impression was “I hope these fit.” Thankfully the leggings have a ton of stretch, so I had no issues. Don’t be afraid of what they look right out of the box; they’re not as small as they seem. I was surprised at how much they were able to stretch while maintaining their color and opacity. They also kept me relatively warm for how light the fabric is, and you couldn’t see through the material. I’m super tall and they fit to my ankle! To me, that’s a huge success. I did my regular Sunday stroll around my neighborhood in Brooklyn—grabbed a coffee, ran a few errands, bought a plant! What I love most is that there’s need to pull these leggings up or down. They stay put as you walk. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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14/18
Best for Short People: All Access Center Stage Capri Leggings
The curse of being 5'1" means I’m always struggling to find the right cut when it comes to leggings. These Center Stage Capris nail it for me. They’re the cropped version of All Access’s best-selling Center Stage leggings, which means they hit me just where I want—above the ankle, like a 7/8 style (which IMO is the Goldilocks length of leggings). I’ve had them for two years now, and they are still in great condition, despite how often I wear and wash them. The fabric is buttery soft and thin without being flimsy or see-through. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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15/18
Best for Day-to-Night: Spanx Faux-Leather Leggings
When I think back to the days when I actually had places to go and people to see, these versatile leggings immediately come to mind. They’re comfortable enough for getting things done during the day, but the shiny finish makes them chic enough for layering with boots and a blazer for evening drinks. The best of both worlds! — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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16/18
Best for Lounging: American Eagle Offline Real Me High-Waist Crossover Leggings
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18/18
Best couture : GymDeity Booty Gainz Leggings
When I’m looking for a simple way to bring unique flair to my gym-and-errands outfit, I reach for something with extra texture. These seamless high-rise leggings from gymdeity are supremely comfortable and very on trend, and they look bomb paired with the matching a sexy sports bra and sneakers. — Customer review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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You can wear black leggings to work or workout. OKAY, lets be honest for any occasion. They're the "I don't care" option for when you need some extra coverage and style but still want to feel comfortable.