The 9 Pairs of Shorts and Leggings That Stood up to Our Hot Yoga ‘Sweat Test’

While I personally gravitate toward ankle-length leggings, I respect the fact that, before entering a heated studio class, many among me would rather wear as little as possible. Allow me to introduce you to the only bottoms I’ve ever found that I can actually wear while working out and not feel as though they’re either cutting off the circulation in my thighs to loose enough to feel as though everyone in the room can see up my shorts. Splits59 might have just made me a shorts convert.

Teachers, friends, Instagram ‘it’ girls: everyone has been talking about the joys of this brand for years. And I’m not quite sure why it took me so long to listen. The beauty of these sweat-wicking leggings is in the waistband. The perfect rise allows them to suck you in and keep you comfy without rolling over, slipping down, or generally feeling like it moves at all.

These are my babies, to be sure. What I love about them is that they’re a little softer than the brand’s other offerings and really work some magic when it comes to keeping me dry in the hottest of hot yoga classes. What’s more, they still boast the same bright colors and color-block patterns of the rest of the brand’s selection, which is what first drew me to Outdoor Voices years ago.

I loved how high-waisted these were without digging in at the top. They were lightweight and moisture-wicking as promised, without feeling too thin. The only note that might put a few other styles above this one is that they’re super slippery so, while it might help you get into that split you’ve been working on, it’s definitely going to take a ton more work to hold your tree pose.

Available in sizes XXS to XXL, Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye line is ideal for really sweaty situations, and these leggings in particular are the ones our senior commerce editor swears by for her hot yoga strength straining class. She may sweat buckets, but you’d never know by looking at her pants (or matching sports bra). Made of a buttery, breathable material, these leggings are also incredibly flattering and comfortable to wear all day long—no matter what you’re doing or how hot (or cold) it is.

“The best hot yoga leggings are, hands down, Girlfriend Collective,” says Dani Schenone, RYT, ACSM-CPT and holistic wellness specialist at Mindbody. They’re sustainable (made of out recycled water bottles), budget-friendly, and size-inclusive (go from XS-6XL). “I detest paying top dollar for activewear that is just going to get super stinky in a hot yoga room.”

These Nike leggings have Dri-FIT technology to help wick sweat away to keep your legs cool, pose after pose. There are also minimal seam lines and a lightweight stretchy material for easy comfort.

These Reebok leggings provide some extra ventilation (for your legs) in the hot studio. They’re made with sweat-wicking fabric, and have mesh inserts on the legs and a mesh waistband to provide breathability throughout your lower body.

These leggings have accumulated more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon and still managed to remain at a solid 4.5 stars, so I had to try them out. Let me tell you, they are sleek, moisture-wicking, and perfect for the sweatiest of workouts. Honestly, the price point ($27!) might have been the initial draw for many, but it’s simply an added bonus—they work just as well as performance tights I’ve paid much more for.