We love supportive compression tights for tough workouts, but when we’re taking it easy, only the softest leggings will do. Luckily, here at SELF, we care as much about staying comfy as we do about breaking a sweat—and we’ve come across some seriously lounge-worthy leggings over the years.
From fan favorite brands like Beyond Yoga, Lululemon, and Vuori, these pairs give even the snuggliest sweatpants a run for their money. Check out our favorite soft leggings below (and prepare to get cozy).
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging, $99
- Best for Yoga: Lululemon Align Pant High-Rise Pant, $98
- Best Plus Sizing: Universal Standard Next-to-Naked Legging, $98
- Coziest: Vuori AllTheFeels Legging, $98
- Best for Thicker Thighs: Abercrombie & Fitch YPB studioFLEX Curve Love 7/8-Length Legging, $65
- Best Budget Pick: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Full-Length Pocket Leggings, $40
- Best Lightweight: Aritzia Butter Cheeky Hi-Rise Legging, $78
Shop the softest leggings
Staying in? Same here—let’s suit up.
Best Overall: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging
Beyond Yoga
Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging
Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye fabric sets the standard for soft, stretchy activewear—and its leggings have earned multiple SELF Activewear Awards over the years. The most recent winner is the Spacedye Out Of Pocket style, which our judges compared to pajamas in terms of comfort, noting that they’re great for both lounging around and busy days.
“I reach for these all the time because they’re SO comfy to wear, and they work for most activities I do,” one said. “Not only do they go up to 4X, but they’re true plus sizes and don’t run small. No matter how much I wash and dry these, they hold up well!”
The brand also makes Spacedye tanks and hoodies, so you can swath your entire person in its buttery-soft goodness if you wish.
Sizes: XXS to 4XL | Lengths: 28 inches (also available as 25-inch capris) | Material: Polyester, elastane
Best for Yoga: Lululemon Align Pant High-Rise Pant
Lululemon
Align Pant High-Rise Pant
You know them, you love them, and you can wear them from the studio to the couch and back again—Lululemon’s best-selling Align yoga leggings really are that good. With seemingly unlimited stretch and sweat-wicking properties, their soft fabric is perfectly suited to Pilates practice or a fast-paced flow, but won’t feel restrictive if you’re just hanging out.
“The material fits snug, but not compressive, which is perfect for when you just want to be comfy while working from home or running errands,” SELF contributor Amy Winderl says. “But then I don’t need to change if I end up doing a workout later on.”
Sizes: 0 to 20 | Lengths: 23, 25, 28, and 31 inches | Material: Nylon, Lycra elastane
Best Plus Sizing: Universal Standard Next-to-Naked Legging
Universal Standard
Next-to-Naked Legging
Love leggings with a second-skin feel? Meet your new go-to pair. “These leggings are super soft and make you feel like you’re barely wearing pants,” one 2023 Activewear Awards judge said. “They would work for a wide range of people—from those looking for comfortable, flattering athleisure to those looking for comfy leggings for light to fairly serious workouts.”
Just note that Universal Standard’s sizing differs from other retailers (for example, if you normally wear an XL, the brand recommends its size small). Make sure to check the size guide before placing your order.
Sizes: 4XS to 4XL | Lengths: 21 and 27 inches | Material: Nylon, Lycra
Coziest: Vuori AllTheFeels Legging
Multiple SELF staffers (including myself) love Vuori’s AllTheFeels Legging. I’ve worn my pair while traveling, running errands, walking all over the neighborhood with my dog, and, of course, rotting on the couch. They have stretch for days and a wonderfully cozy, brushed feel that makes them delightful to wear when the weather turns chilly. By that same token, though, they don’t perform well if sweat is involved—they tend to hold moisture and heat, so I leave them at home if I’m headed to the gym.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Lengths: 22 (short), 24 (regular), and 27 (long) | Material: Recycled polyamide, elastane
Best for Thicker Thighs: Abercrombie & Fitch YPB studioFLEX Curve Love 7/8-Length Legging
Abercrombie & Fitch
YPB studioFLEX Curve Love 7/8-Length Legging
2023’s version of these high-waisted leggings won an Activewear Award—our tester especially loved the thicker, secure waistband—and Abercrombie’s only improved upon them since then. The roomier fit through the butt and thighs (balanced by the snug-fitting waist) remains, while the fabric has been upgraded to the brand’s new StudioFLEX material, which moves with you and feels ultra-soft and -light.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Lengths: 23 (short) and 25 (regular) inches | Material: Nylon, elastane
Best Budget Pick: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Full-Length Pocket Leggings
Old Navy
High-Waisted PowerSoft Full-Length Pocket Leggings
Reminder: You don’t have to spend a small fortune to find high-quality, comfy bottoms. These Old Navy leggings won a readers’ choice Activewear Award last year, in no small part because they’re as soft as they are moisture-wicking. One reader noted that they never show sweat stains, while another proudly admitted to owning 25 pairs. “They’re comfortable AF, slimming, and they actually stay up during runs,” they added.
Sizes: XS to 4XL | Lengths: 26 (petite), 28 (regular) and 32 (tall) inches | Material: Polyester, spandex
Best Lightweight: Aritzia Butter Cheeky Hi-Rise Legging
Aritizia
Butter Cheeky Hi-Rise Legging
When it comes to seriously comfy fabrics, Aritzia’s Butter material wins the SELF team over time and time again. It’s thin yet cozy and “ridiculously soft,” Sarah Felbin, our senior commerce editor, says. She also swears by the brand’s Butter Jumpsuit for breezy summer days—so consider this your new favorite fabric for warm weather.
In the Cheeky Hi-Rise legging, you get that smooth feeling with a side of support—its curved waistband gives your butt a lift and hugs your middle to prevent slippage.
Sizes: 00 to 16 | Lengths: 28.75 to 33.25 (inseam length varies by size) | Material: Nylon, elastane
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