10 best yoga pants and leggings to support you as you stretch

If you’re in the market for the silkiest, softest leggings with plenty of support and enough flexibility to bend and twist like a pretzel, you’ve found a friend for life in Vuori’s all the form leggings.

They are my favourites for yoga, Pilates and the gym. They feel lighter than air and hold everything in place while allowing a full range of motion. I wear them everywhere and feel supported without feeling restricted.

They’re also available in two lengths, which means they’re a great fit for petite leg lengths and regular or tall.

The only negative is the expense. Yes, these leggings will last you a long time, but understandably, not everyone wants to drop more than £100 on a single garment.

These leggings definitely win the award for the best affordable pair. Soft, comfortable and easy to wear, they feel just like a more expensive pair.

The thick waistband and kick flare offer a flattering fit, and they also come in a short length for petite legs. There are six neutral colours to choose from, which look great with the brand’s matching support tops and bras.

They’re slightly less breathable than others on this list, so they might not be the best for hot yoga, but they are still an excellent pick for any other style of movement.

The enduro sculpting leggings offer a very different feel to other tight nylon leggings, so if you’re sensitive to sensations or simply want something more natural and breathable, these could be the leggings for you.

Made from bamboo and organic cotton with a little stretch, they offer a looser fit with plenty of room to move about. You won’t feel restricted at all, but the high, thick waistband holds you in so you feel supported.

The length is a 7/8, so if you’re petite, they’ll be a great fit for full length, and if you’re tall, they’ll hug your lower leg with some space above the ankle.

Perfect for any yoga style, these leggings will take you where you need to go and will help your skin breathe in hot studios, too.

The comfiest, stretchiest joggers you’re likely to find, the air essentials range from Spanx is a great option for days when you don’t want to feel tightly packed into a pair of leggings.

The wide-leg jogging bottoms have been my go-to for yin yoga and morning sun salutations at home. They’re super soft with an elasticated waistband and allow for plenty of movement for long, slow movements.

If you want something comfy to wear for your mobility practice, even just for ten minutes a day, they’re a great option. Though they cost more than your average pair of joggers, they wash incredibly well and stay as soft as the day you bought them.

They also offer plenty of breathability, so they are a winner even on warm days.

If you love compression or you’re after effective recovery alongside the benefits of a good stretch on the mat, a pair of high-tech lymphatic leggings might be for you.

These leggings help to support your health by enhancing lymphatic flow, reducing fluid retention and promoting recovery. They’re tight, with a unique pattern that presses into the skin, so they take a little bit of wiggling to get on.

Once you’re in, the pattern works together with the leggings’ composition – celliant infrared yarn, which reflects the heat from your body back into the skin as infrared energy to boost circulation and oxygenation.

I usually wear these leggings after a long day on my feet or after a run, but I’ve also found them ideal for slow, purposeful yoga sessions. They really shone during yoga nidra sessions at home after a long day. They offer slightly less flexibility than other leggings, so they’re not great for fast-paced or dynamic classes, but they’re a revelation if you’re planning to take things slowly.

For yoga and Pilates, you can’t beat Lululemon. These leggings are a brilliant all-rounder that do a great job of wicking sweat away, so they’re suitable for any type of class and can go the distance in a hot studio.

The Lululemon omega logo is a bit of a status symbol, but it’s subtle on these leggings, so it doesn’t feel too flashy. They also come in a choice of 15 shades and four lengths, so you’re guaranteed to find a combination to suits you.

The align leggings live up to their name – they’re high-waisted, so they hold in your core, making you a little more aware of your stomach than the Vuori all the form leggings. However, they don’t dig in or feel restrictive.

While they cost almost £90, the durable fabric washes well, so they’ll feel great for years to come. If you look at them as a long-term investment, they’re well worth the money.

Tala has earned a cult following for its flattering fits, ideal for anyone who loves a studio selfie. The brand’s leggings are a solid option for those who enjoy a little more compression. They’re a snug fit and made from high-quality squat-proof fabric.

I’ve always found the sizing comes up a little small, but on the whole, the leggings are great for more active styles of yoga and Pilates where you’re moving from pose to pose. The cross-over waistband means there’s no pressure or chafing, and your hips are hugged in a way that feels supportive but allows for movement.

Tala’s leggings also have great eco credentials, which gives some added value when the price point is a little higher. They also wash well and feel super soft and silky, as long as you follow the care instructions.

The flared style looks great on everyone and makes this pair a winner for chilled days, coffee runs and trips to the gym, too.

If you’re a fan of a flared silhouette, these airism leggings from Uniqlo are another affordable option. They lend a little extra texture with a ribbed finish and feel incredibly soft and lightweight against the skin.

They also offer more support than you might expect and are great for pretty much any style of yoga. The fabric wicks sweat away, so these are a solid option for classes that raise your core temperature.

Available in two blue shades or sleek black, they’re a good option for anyone seeking a reliable pair of flared yoga pants for a decent price on the high street. Though slightly cheaper than my pick for the best affordable leggings, these are noticeably of a lower quality.

If you don’t want to have to worry about tops riding up or waistbands slipping down, an all-in-one with built-in flared leggings might be the way to go. This one-piece from MyProtein blends form and function and is a very comfy pick for yoga.

With flared legs and a cross back, the sleeveless suit is made from lightweight silky fabric that moves with you as you stretch.

There’s plenty of flexibility, but the only drawback is the lack of built-in support, so if this is something you’re worried about, you might want to pair it with your favourite sports bra.

Minimal branding on the chest also means you won’t look like a walking logo, and there are a couple of cool neutral colours to choose from.