Best womens leggings for walking, lifting weights and running | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

2022-04-02 07:14:31 By : Mr. Overseas Dept.

The cult activewear brand is loved by celebrities and frequently sells out during launch nights — and best of all, their leggings are just $79.95.

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It’s safe to say the events of the last two years means many of us are no longer just wearing leggings to exercise.

Thanks to multiple Covid lockdowns, my leggings have migrated from gym gear to everyday wear — and given how comfy and versatile they can be, I’m not mad about it.

But it also raises the bar as to what makes a pair of leggings worth investing in. They’ve got to be comfortable enough to sit through a day of Zoom meetings at your home desk (or Netflix marathon, no judgment) and also hold up for whatever exercise you’ve got planned.

Fortunately, myself and the rest of the news.com.au team have rounded up our favourite leggings for walking, weights and everything in between.

CRZ YOGA Women’s Naked Feeling High Waist Tummy Control Stretchy Sport Running Leggings with Out Pocket, Amazon Australia, $41

These are Amazon’s best-selling women’s leggings for a reason: They come in 31 different colours and have more than 8800 five-star reviews.

Made from a buttery soft fabric and with a high waistband, the leggings give you a gentle compression while not going see-through.

Priced at $41, shoppers say the Amazon leggings are a dupe for a well-known activewear brand (hint: their name features a citrus fruit).

One five star reviewer wrote: “I seriously wasn’t expecting much to be honest and was shocked when I tried them on!

“These leggings are truly THE BEST! Quality is impeccable and they fit beautifully! These are the only leggings I’ll be buying from now on!”

STAX. Premium Seamless V5 Full Length Tights in Gliese (Brown), STAX., $79.95

These seamless leggings sold-out in just seven minutes when they first launched in 2020 and are favoured by celebrities and influencers like Martha Kalifatidis, who has said on Instagram she is “obsessed” with the collection.

When I say these are my favourite leggings that is no understatement — I have four pairs of them, all in different colours, including this gorgeous burgundy shade.

Their super-flattering waistband cinches you in at the middle and its thick nylon-spandex blend material holds and lifts your butt, without being restrictive.

I wear these leggings for everything: For walks, weight training, pilates, working from home and love how sweat-wicking their material is.

Their thicker-than-normal material means I probably wouldn’t wear them for anything high sweat intensity like running or hot yoga.

But they’re a good all-rounder pair that comes in at a great price point, with a variety of colours, matching tops and sizes available.

Adidas Feelbrilliant Tight Black/White, Myer, $48 (RRP $60)

These high-waisted Adidas leggings come in at a great price point and are designed to keep you cool and dry when exercising, making them perfect for hot yoga and cardio.

They also feature an interior waist pocket to store any small valuables, meaning you won’t have to tote a bag with you if you’re nipping out to grab a coffee in them.

P.E. NATION Stadium Leggings, THE ICONIC, $99

These are one of THE ICONIC’s best-selling leggings and it’s not hard to see why.

Made from a lightweight polyester and elastane blend they feature a wide elasticated waist band perfect for pairing with a crop top or sports bra.

These leggings are stylish enough you’ll be happy to be seen in them on a coffee run, while the material is designed to perform during gym training.

Post-natal Recovery ⅞ Length Tights, Active Truth, $134.99

If you’ve just seen the word “post-natal” and haven’t recently had a baby, don’t scroll on – these amazing leggings still apply to you (as well as new mums, of course). Best Of Editor Edwina Carr Barraclough gave birth a year ago and is still obsessed with these great tights. Designed along with the expertise of a women’s health physiotherapist, these compression tights support your body but still allow for all movements – squats included.

“The extra high waistband was so comfortable while recovering from my C-section,” Edwina says. “I still wear these leggings now because they offer great support and always stay up and in place (I cannot stand leggings I’m constantly having to hitch up).”

Stomach Support Zip Phone Pocket Ankle Biter Leggings, Lorna Jane Active, $120

If you’re after leggings to wear with a sports bra, or just want a bit of extra support around your middle, then this pair from Lorna Jane Active is the ticket. The thicker waistband is designed to offer active core stability while the polyester-elastane blend material has four-way stretch.

Adidas ORIGINALS Adidas Tights, THE ICONIC, $40 (RRP $50)

These 97 per cent cotton leggings are perfect if you’re looking for a pair to work from home and lounge around the house.

The high-waisted style features the iconic Adidas trefoil logo and would look great styled with an oversized T-shirt or button-down shirt.

Running Bare Ab-Waisted Fight Club Tights, THE ICONIC, $119.99

“I love Running Bare Fight Club full length tights – I wear them constantly to pilates, coffee, breakfast, the park with kids,” says news.com.au Sections Editor Kerry Warren. “They are heaps stretchy, high-waisted and come in heaps of cool prints.”

Women’s Heattech Extra Warm pile lined tights, Uniqlo, $29.90

Okay, you might be scratching your head at the inclusion of a an actual pair of tights on the list, but these aren’t your typical ones to wear under a skirt.

Think of them more like trackpants that are “so comfortable for lounging”, one news.com.au staffer says.

Its waistband is designed not to slip down and the tights features a boa lining making them toasty warm.

BEST LEGGINGS FOR RUNNING AND GYM TRAINING

Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 28” Reflective, Lululemon, $139

Lululemon’s Fast and Free leggings have got to be my favourite item from the cult activewear brand.

While they’re priced on the expensive side, their sweat-wicking Nulux fabric is perfect for any cardio or weight training you might be doing.

I’m on my third pair of these leggings in seven years and love them for their super flattering style that supports you without feeling restrictive.

They hold up after multiple washes (I still wear a pair I bought in 2017) and feature both pockets and reflective markings, making them great for running or walking outdoors.

STAX. Best Black Tights Full Length, STAX., $79.95

STAX.’ s Best Black range is made from buttery soft Nandex fabric that feels great to work out in (JLo is also a fan).

Best Of Shopping Writer Marina Tatas gives these leggings the tick of approval for strength training as they’re “supportive and compressive but don’t feel too tight”.

“They don’t move around while I’m working out,” she said, “but still feel nice and comfortable enough to wear them while running errands, going to a cafe.”

2XU Fitness New Heights Compression Tights, THE ICONIC, $139

Created for athletes, all of 2XU’s products are designed and tested by sporting institutes and experts to ensure their activewear is cutting edge.

Their compression tights are perfect for high intensity exercise with features like flat lock stitching to prevent chafing and a wide elasticated waistband.

Women’s UA Meridian Ankle Leggings, Under Armour, $85

“I absolutely love the feel of these tights. The fabric is super soft and the design is on point,” says news.com.au Lifestyle Reporter Shireen Khalil.

“It has pockets on either side which is fab for when you don’t want to hold your phone while training. It’s also super stretchy so if you do HITT sessions, or even weights and things such as kickboxing, you’re not restricted.

“It’s also great at absorbing sweat, so you’re not left with sweat patches in awkward areas.”

The Upside Matte Tech Midi Pants, THE ICONIC, $119.99

A refreshing alternative to the sea of black leggings out there, these navy leggings from Australian brand The Upside will set you apart. Created with the brand’s Matte Tech performance fabric, these leggings with endure any position you stretch them into. The high rise waistband won’t budge and comes with a handy concealed pocket and the seamless sides give you a smooth, streamlined look.

Adapt Fleck Seamless Leggings, Gymshark, $95

This activewear brand is designed for gym junkies and their Adapt range is “very comfortable and supportive”, Best Of Shopping Writer Marina Tatas says.

The seamless material features a high-waisted fit that won’t roll down, making it ideal for any weightlifting in the gym.

BEST LEGGINGS FOR PILATES AND YOGA

TSLA Women’s (Pack of 1, 2) High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets, Tummy Control Yoga Leggings, Non See-Through Workout Running Tights, Amazon Australia, $25.98

These leggings from Amazon are designed to be worn for yoga and as casual wear.

Made from a polyester-spandex blend they feature a high waistband and don’t go see-through when stretched.

Five-star reviews say the leggings are “snug enough for comfortable compression, thick enough to not show lumps and bumps”, with one shopper writing: “Actually prefer these to my other big brand tights and will be buying more in other colours.”

Lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant 28”, Lululemon, $119

The leggings from Lululemon’s best-selling Align collection are specifically designed for yoga, but they’re so comfortable you will want to wear them everywhere. Made from the brand’s soft and stretchy Nulu fabric, these leggings feel like a second skin when you’re wearing them.

I find they manage to hold their shape while not feeling restrictive at all when you’re wearing them — I also like their Align High-Rise Shorts for hot yoga.

AIM’N Ribbed Seamless Tights, THE ICONIC, $99

These seamless leggings have a cult following for a reason.

Their wide waistband and cut accentuates your waist and booty, while their ribbed finish is super-flattering on the skin.

I wear my AIM’N leggings for pilates and find them really comfortable to work out in — and their waistband never falls down on me.

Nimble Activewear Extend Leggings, THE ICONIC, $99

News.com.au Lifestyle Editor Rebekah Scanlan loves her Nimble Activewear leggings.

“Nimble leggings always fit like a glove yet somehow have the freedom to let you squat without that uncomfy tight feeling and run without slipping down,” she says.

“The material is also made using bottles pulled from the ocean – and they have 7/8’s for shorties like me who find full length leggings are too long.”

Nimble’s Extend Leggings are designed for pilates and come in a dreamy palette of pastel neutrals like this mauve, as well as black.

WHAT’S THE BEST TYPE OF MATERIAL FOR LEGGINGS?

What material you opt for will depend on what you’re purchasing them for — if it’s for everyday wear and light exercise like walking, you will probably want to purchase a pair that is a cotton blend.

For more intense exercise you will want to make sure your leggings can stretch and move with you, so checking to see if they’re made from a spandex or elastine blend will be useful.

WHAT IS THE BEST LEGGINGS BRAND IN AUSTRALIA?

What brand is best for you will depend on your budget and what you’re looking to wear them for. If you’re able to spend $100-plus on leggings, then in my opinion Lululemon is definitely worth the investment as their material, make and design is top-notch.

Next I would choose STAX., as it’s a great mid-priced brand for leggings that are available in a wide-range of sizes and trendy colours, while their styles are super-flattering.

But if you’re on a budget and don’t care for labels then Amazon Australia would be my choice purely for the variety and value they offer. Plus their leggings have so many customer reviews that mean you can buy the right pair for you based on shopper feedback.

Still want more activewear options? Check out our round-up of the best leggings with pockets or find out why shoppers are selling out these Lorna Jane Active pants here.

To get the best price on every purchase, be sure to stop by news.com.au Coupons, where you’ll be able to score savings on top brands and Aussie favourites from Country Road to Bed Threads.

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