> > The Best Black Leggings Comfy Enough to Live In

By Erin Parke

Like puzzle tournaments, TikTok rabbit holes, and homemade baked goods, the best black leggings are an unsung hero of quarantine living. Chances are, you ditched your denim when the nation went into lockdown (unless you're a low-key sociopath), and replaced it with stretchy, cozy garments that are equally suitable for a grocery store run and a disco nap. Even before the world stopped, the infinitely versatile style staple was a favorite among everyone from Kendall Jenner to J.Lo, and black leggings will remain a wardrobe essential when we can actually go somewhere other than our backyard.

Even though leisurely shopping Sundays feel like a distant memory, there are so many great black leggings to choose from online. Blame the Outdoor Voices phenomenon, but the activewear staple has become a no-brainer for doing pretty much anything (or nothing), and Glamour staffers have feelings about the ones they never take off. From Lululemon to Everlane, these are the various styles we always keep nearby. Ahead, the best black leggings to incorporate into your walking, yoga, and lounging routines now and always.

 

Best for Everyday Wear: Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tights

These babies define second skin. They have just the right amount of support to make me feel secure during a yoga class or running errands on the weekend but are also soft enough to make me never want to take them off. Frankly, it’s a problem. Given how much I wear these, I was worried about how they’d hold up in the wash, but after a few months, there’s still no sign of pilling, fading, or sagging. —Macaela Mackenzie, senior health editor.

 

Old Navy High-Waisted Elevate Compression Leggings

I hope this roundup starts and ends with my recommendation because there’s only one BEST pair of black leggings. I don’t care where you’re going or what you’re doing, if you’re wearing black leggings and they’re not Old Navy’s High-Waisted Compression leggings, then you could do better. I wear the Crops from spring through fall, the Full-Length Leggings in winter, and the 7/8 Moto Leggings for the airport. Do you require a pocket? Here you go. A pocket that zips? You’re covered. Want racing stripes? Have at it. And you could probably buy all six of the aforementioned pairs for less than one pair from a boutique brand. I’ve written a full-length ode to the actual best leggings—the cut! the fabric! the fact that they never get funky!—if you need more convincing, but hopefully you’re busy adding to cart before all the women who know what’s what beat you to ’em. —Kim Fusaro, brand marketing director

  

Zella Barely Flare Live in High Waist Pants

The so-called “flared leggings” Gen Z-ers have been posting on TikTok? Yeah, those are yoga pants, but maybe they're too young to remember. I'm honestly not mad about this resurgence, considering they make combat boots look less like clown shoes than when paired with actual leggings—I'm mostly just upset I'm officially old enough to be like, “That was before your time." C'est la vie. —Erin Parker, commerce writer

 

Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Leggings

I hate the feel of most athletic leggings, but these are as soft as my favorite T-shirt. I would even go as far as to call them cozy. That being said, they’re still nice and compressive, and I never have to worry about flashing anyone. The super-high-waist covers me up enough to just wear a bra on top. And of course, I love the message behind them: Each pair is made from 25 recycled water bottles. —Bella Cacciatore, beauty associate

  

Best Ultra-High Rise: Extreme High-Waist Airlift Leggings

I have one must when it comes to leggings: a super-high waist. Alo answered my prayers when it came out with this pair of leggings—they’re by far the highest waist I own, and the band doesn’t fold over when I twist or bend. The compression is decent too, so I feel secure without feeling like I’m about to have heartburn. —Shanna Shipin, commerce editor

  

Best for Running: Speed Up Tights, 25"

Nothing can ruin a run faster than a saggy, suffocating pair of leggings, which is why filling your top shelf with workout gear that’s functional is so important. Lululemon has hundreds of leggings to choose from, and I’ve sweated my way through a handful to tell you that this pair is one of the best ones for running. It comes in three lengths (25", 28", and 31"), has a side pocket, and features a waistband thick enough so you feel supported but not smothered while you move. Honestly, these leggings are so comfy you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. —Talia Abbas, commerce writer.

 

Best for High-Intensity Workouts: TechSweat 7/8 Flex Leggings

I liked these leggings right off the bat because they fit nice and snug, and they pull everything in without suffocating you. They come right up to the perfect mid-rise point,  right around the bellybutton—but the best part about them is the hidden side pockets for phones, keys, cards, etc. I didn’t even notice them at first, and it was an extremely convenient surprise when I finally did. —

  

High-Waisted Elevate Powersoft Plus-Size Leggings

For something as basic as black leggings, you’d think finding great options in plus sizes would be easy. And yet, so many are either too tight, too sheer, or too flimsy. These hit the sweet spot of being both extremely comfortable—they’ve become a staple in my WFH wardrobe—and sturdy enough to stay put when I run in them. They also hit right at the ankle, which is great if you're under 5' 4" like me and every other legging bunches at the bottom. Best of all, I’m not the only one who thinks they’re incredible. Our judges voted them the best leggings in the Plus-Size Fashion Awards last year. —Lindsay Schallon, senior beauty editor

 

Everlane Perform Leggings

My first impression was “I hope these fit.” Thankfully, the leggings have a ton of stretch, so I had no issues. Don’t be afraid of what they look like right out of the box; they’re not as small as they seem. I was surprised at how much they were able to stretch while maintaining their color and opacity. They also kept me relatively warm for how light the fabric is, and you couldn’t see through the material. I’m super tall and they fit my ankle! To me, that’s a huge success. I did my regular Sunday stroll around my neighborhood in Brooklyn—grabbed a coffee, ran a few errands, bought a plant! What I love most is that there’s a need to pull these leggings up or down. They stay put as you walk. —Madeline Hirsch, senior manager of social media.

All Access Center Stage Capri Leggings

The curse of being 5'1" means I’m always struggling to find the right cut when it comes to leggings. These Center Stage Capris nail it for me. They’re the cropped version of All Access’s best-selling Center Stage legging, which means they hit me just where I want—above the ankle, like a 7/8 style (which IMO is the Goldilocks length of leggings). I’ve had them for two years now and they are still in great condition, despite how often I wear and wash them. The fabric is buttery soft and thin without being flimsy or see-through. —T.A.