Published November 18, 2025 07:37AM
There’s a ritual of sorts that many of us engage in prior to practicing yoga. It’s a dance, usually one-legged and unbalanced, that happens as we hurriedly yank on various yoga leggings and then annoyedly fling them across the room or toss them on a heap. The causes of frustration can be many, although for some of us, it’s the fact that we need to choose between compressive or lightweight yoga pants—because most brands deliver one or the other traits, but not both.
You wouldn’t know that from the seductive language about “cool-wicking materials” and “lightweight feel” found on tags and online descriptions. Sadly, what many deliver is anything but that. What you’ll find is a lot of thick, co-dependently clingy, miserably heat-trapping fabrics that make you think lightweight, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
But the best lightweight yoga pants don’t make you sacrifice compression for comfort. They also don’t roll, ride, slip, cinch, or otherwise cut off your circulation. You can spare yourself the expense and frustration of that ritual dance before class by reading on for the yoga leggings that don’t disappoint.
Best Lightweight Leggings for Yoga: At a Glance
The Reviews: The Most Lightweight Yoga Pants
Best Lightweight Yoga Leggings Overall
Lululemon Wunder Under
Material: Nylon, Lycra Elastene
Pros and Cons
+ Array of designs, colors + lengths
+ Pocket in some designs
+ Available at secondhand stores at a steal
– Synthetic materials
Walk into any Lululemon store and request the most lightweight leggings and you will, almost unfailingly, be led to the best-selling Align design. Respectfully, there’s an alternate option that will keep you just as cool. It’s the cheekily named Wunder Unders and I’ve been wearing iterations of this line for almost two decades. To me, they are the Platonic ideal of lightweight that doesn’t sacrifice comfortable compression Many online reviews by yoga goers refer to them as the “go-to fave” and cite the “barely there” vibe and “comfy” and “flattering” fit of these lightweight yoga pants.
Although described as high-rise, the Wunder Unders are not exceptionally so. If, like this Gen Xer, you prefer evenmore low-waisted leggings (less fabric, after all, equates to less heat), you’ll find previous years’ non-high-rise designs available at online resale platforms such as Poshmark.
My only gripe about this legging is the same as the many online commenters who question whether an earlier iteration of Wunder Unders, allegedly made from a different blend of fabric, was longer lasting. And no, the fabric isn’t so lightweight as to be see-through.
Best Barely There Feel
Girlfriend Collective Float Ultralight Legging
Material: Recycled water bottles (RPET) and Spandex
Pros and Cons
+ Inclusive sizing (XXS-6XL)
+ Comfy AF
+ or – BOLD colors
– Not compressive
It’s a pretty bold declaration to use “float” and “ultralight” in the name of yoga leggings. Yet the Float Ultralight has amassed more than 5000 online reviews, almost all raves, explaining how the leggings are exactly that. Many, many commenters describe the modestly compressive leggings as being “barely there” while still “feeling supportive.” As one reviewer noted, “Weightless feel with just enough hug.” That was also an apt summary of my experience.
Feedback is mixed, however, as to whether the waistband rides or not. It felt fine to me throughout all the most common transitions on the mat as well as more dynamic ones, like shifting from Three-Legged Dog to Fallen Triangle or Wild Thing to High Lunge.
And if sustainability is important to you, GC is an industry-leading example of how to run a company based on sustainable, fair-trade practices as well as inclusivity in sizing. And when you’ve loved your lightweight leggings to the point of no longer wanting them, you can resell or recycle them through GC.
Best Value
Sinophant High-Waisted Yoga Leggings
Material
Polyester and Spandex
Pros and Cons
+ $6?!
+ Compressive + lightweight
+ Did we mention the price?
– Some colors are sorta see-through
I confess, I was more than a little skeptical when I learned the best-selling yoga pants on Amazon were only $6. (Well, $9.99 regular price. But they’re frequently discounted to $6.39.) Still, when another editor and I tried them, we felt these could easily pass for leggings that cost exponentially more and definitely in the $40 and up range. They’re ultra-lightweight, modestly compressive, stretchy, and mostly stay put.
If you’re shorter in stature, note that the brand isn’t kidding when they describe these as “high-waisted.” You’re probably going to experience some extra fabric, which is not an uncommon occurrence for those of us who are 5’5″ or under. Also, although the array of hues are temping, some of the lighter colors and patterns did seem sorta see-through in bright light.
Most Popular
Athleta Transcend Stash
Material: Nylon + Lycra
Pros and Cons
+ Pretty compressive
+ Super lightweight
+ Array of lengths, styles, sizes + colors
– Sorta baggy in the crotch
The second-most lightweight fabric I’ve ever experienced, the Athleta Transcend low- to mid-rise legging draws largely positive reviews online with talk about the “buttery soft” feel of the fabric. That said, the reviews about its compression are a little less unanimous, creating a Goldilocks situation in terms of some customers complaining it’s too little, others expressing the too-tight seams cut into their body, and still others saying it’s just the right amount. Personally, I found it to be more than adequately compressive and much more so than most lightweight leggings.
That said, as many online reviews note, the waistband can tend to roll and slide and otherwise fail to stay put. I also found the crotch to feel excessively spacious with a lot of bagginess in the fabric. Still, a lot of people are committed to these. Note: The also popular Salutation Stash from Athleta is similar in cut but even more compressive than the Transcend Stash.
Best Moderate Priced
All in Motion Everyday Soft Ultra High-Rise Leggings
Material: Nylon + Spandex
Pros and Cons
+ Inclusive sizing (XS-4XL)
+ Almost identical to Athleta Transcend
+ Crazy soft fabric
– Subject to fabric pilling
These lightweight yoga pants are not so subtly reminiscent of the Athleta Transcend at literally a fraction of the cost. More lightweight than compressive, the All in Motion are still more than adequately snug and supportive. They also boast inclusive sizing.
Although these are exceptionally functional, I prefer other brands since the fabric is prone to collecting fuzz balls and pet fur. I’ve absentmindedly tossed them in the wash with everything else and each time they were a magnet for lint. Hand wash in the sink and you’ll have no regrets.
Most Compressive Yet Lightweight
dk active Next Level Tight
Material: Recycled nylon + Spandex
Pros and Cons
+ Compressive yet cooling
+ Sustainable practices
+ High-waist with compression panel
– Shipping costs
It stands to reason that an Australian brand would know about lightweight designs. Founded by women and for women, dk active’s Next Level Tight navigates the yoga leggings space with style as well as sensibility. The recycled fabric literally feels cool to the touch. The side pocket and seams make for a form-flattering and contouring silhouette. And the front compression panel on the relatively high-waisted leggings is superbly functional yet not in a “can’t take a breath” sort of way.
It’d be nice if the compression panel could extend a touch longer to encompass the lower abs and the logo is rather prominently displayed on the lower leg. But the gorg mauve-ish Blush hue is lovely enough to distract me from these very slightly drawbacks as I consider replacing my prior pair of go-to lightweight leggings with these.
Best Cross-Training
Giordana Activewear 7/8 Tight
Material: PA Polyamide + EA Elastane
Pros and Cons
+ Inclusive sizing (2XS-3XL)
+ Minimal seams
+ Impervious to pet fur
– Minimal compression
Fortunately for those of us who prefer our leggings lightweight and long-lasting, the Italian cycling brand Giordana decided to remind the world that reliably compressive and decidedly lightweight leggings are as equally well-suited to yoga as they are cycling.
These multi-tasking tights are just the right amount of high-rise with a waistband that doesn’t ride and a reach that doesn’t extend all the way to your boobs. The fabric boasts modest to strong compression which doesn’t constrain your breath or your movement. The minimalist design includes no side seams although the tights do feature reinforced stitching at the bottom cuff to prevent it from stretching after sliding your foot through the opening hundreds of times. It also has a gusseted crotch, which means the thread along the inseam should remain strong rather than begin to fray or tug at the fabric countless High Lunges and Wild Things.
Several online commenters mentioned how surprised and appreciative they were that fur from four-pawed housemates wipes off with the brush of the hand. They’re not wrong. Although the fabric is not, despite claims to the contrary, snag-proof, so watch those claws.
Most Fashionable
Yoganastix Bell Bottoms
Material: Recycled water bottles
Pros and Cons
⊕ Barely there feel
⊕ Sustainable
⊕ Flattering fit hugs curves
⊗ Minimal compression
Why Yoganastix hasn’t landed on more people’s radars, I’ll never understand. But the desert-based business certainly knows something about barely there, feels-like-you’re-not-wearing-anything lightweight yoga pants. True, that means minimal compression, although if that’s of slightly less concern to you in your algorithm of desired needs, these bell bottoms are what you want.
These form-flattering pants seriously hug your curves in the loveliest of ways. I’ve seen many different shapes of humans try these on, and each walked out of the fitting room looking like the pants were custom tailored to their bodies. As for the patterns, these are some seriously hippy, woo-woo designs that let you bring your personality to the mat and enable you to flaunt your fashion sense to and from class.
The company previously made leggings from the same recycled water-bottle fabric as these bell bottoms. Those were my default yoga fit for years and I literally cried when they were discontinued. Yet if yoga teaches us anything, it’s to focus on the present. These bell bottoms are hardly a consolation prize.
Best Materials for Lightweight Yoga Pants
There isn’t a single fabric or material that equates to lightweightness. Much of it relies on a particular blend of materials. Often lightweight, breathable, sweat-wicking fiber are made from synthetics—typically nylon and polyester. Yet recent years have seen a surge in brands thinking sustainably in terms of relying on recycled fabrics. And some of our fave lightweight yoga pants are made from recycled water bottles.
How We Tested Lightweight Leggings
I’ve been exploring various lightweight leggings for the better part of the last 20 years. The first decade was spent in crowded Manhattan studios, sometimes with barely an inch of space between mats, with lots of sweating students adding body heat to the already warmed studio. My second decade has been in the urban desert where summer temps typically hover above 110 degrees F, making for a withering commute to and from teaching or taking classes.
So you could say I have some strong opinions on what the term “lightweight” actually means. And it’s not what a lot of brands deliver.
Although I’ve accumulated some go-tos—and some no-gos—over the years, I’ve also spent the last year asking everyone I know for recommendations and searching online reviews for well-established as well as lesser-known brands. Then I made a list of what seemed likely candidates and I practiced yoga in them. A lot of yoga. All kinds of yoga. Vinyasa. Yin. Restorative. Hatha. I also wore them while sitting at the laptop for hours on end as well as running errands in the sweltering midsummer heat.
Suffice it to say, not a lot of leggings feel lightweight.
