The best gym leggings, tested for squat-proof and sweat-proof claims

Score: 93/100

It’s safe to say that our testers loved these ultra-soft leggings from Vuori. They scored highly for comfort and flattering fit, which remained true to size even after washing. These also come in short, medium and long, catering to different heights.

“They stay in place during activities, and the waistband doesn’t fall down like other leggings,” said one tester. This is down to the drawstring tie, which keeps them firmly in place. The only real gripe mentioned was the lack of pockets, which would have been ideal for runs or workouts where you only want to bring your phone and keys.

Otherwise, they’re a comfortable, flattering and secure pair of leggings – and you don’t have to worry about sweat marks, thanks to the moisture-wicking fabric.

Score: 93/100

Offering the perfect combination of style and comfort, these leggings will become a mainstay in your workout wardrobe. Easily the softest pair of leggings on test, our seriously impressed panellists couldn’t get enough of their weightless material, with many recommending them to friends and family. “They’re so soft and comfortable, I’d wear them to bed!” raved one enthusiastic tester.

Despite their loungewear credentials, these leggings stayed in place during exercise and there was no gaping or bunching. Better still, our testers found the high-waisted fit flattering on all body types. Though too cosy for avid CrossFitters, they'd be ideal for Pilates, barre, yoga, walking or just everyday wear.

Score: 92/100

Another Lululemon pair in our winners list, but are you really surprised? Our testers liked the seamless design of these yoga leggings, with one saying it was the comfiest pair of they’d ever worn! Everyone loved their soft, premium feel, too.

Available in a wide range of colours, testers said the lighter shades showed sweat more, but overall they’re a high-quality pair that will see you through plenty of sun salutations.

Score: 86/100

“I’m practically living in them at this point,” is what one tester had to say about these leggings, and we wouldn’t blame them, with others calling out the ultra-soft material, which doesn’t dig in at the waist. They’re also lightweight and breathable, and the fabric has four-way stretch, so they’re squat-safe too.

They don’t offer as high a level of compression as some other leggings though, which may not suit everyone. However, they make a great pair of leggings for gentle exercise or lounging about in. They’re available in a flattering plain black, as well as a light grey and eye-catching lilac.

Score: 86/100

Gymshark’s popular Vital Seamless Leggings claim to keep you cool and comfy throughout your training with the help of moisture-wicking technology and breathable mesh dots, and they didn’t let us down. They scored full marks for sweat wicking in our lab tests, and our panellists said they kept them dry and comfy, without any unwanted sweat patches.

Testers liked the thick, compressive fabric; it doesn’t budge and holds you in in all the right places while still feeling soft and comfortable. They also rated the muscle contouring lines along the legs and bottom, which created a flattering silhouette.

With no pockets, our panel missed having somewhere to store their valuables during workouts; however, this wouldn’t put them off wearing them time and time again. “I’d definitely recommend them. I want to buy them in more colours now!” said one satisfied tester.

Score: 86/100

Sustainable activewear brand Girlfriend Collective uses up to 25 recycled water bottles in every pair of leggings, making these a more eco-choice. Our testers said they fitted well, with no gaping or bunching, while the two discreet pockets proved handy, too.

Although the fabric wasn’t super stretchy, it allowed for full range of movement, including squats, but the waistband wasn’t as secure as others on this list. We found the sizing comes up small too, so go up a size if you’re unsure.

Score: 85/100

Been lusting after a pair of gym flares? Call of the search, we’ve found your perfect match. These budget-friendly beauties are made from supremely soft, weightless fabric and allow total freedom of movement, whether you’re pulsing it out in reformer Pilates or performing squats in the gym.

Our testers raved about the high waistband, which stayed put and didn’t need constant rearranging during their workouts, and loved that the material remained cool and breathable throughout. The leggings performed well for vigorous yoga classes, strength training and even light running. Plus the simple, stylish design means you could easily dress them up and wear them to lunch or the office.

They were too long for the shorter testers among our panel, and everyone would have appreciated side pockets for practicality, but those were our only niggles. For under £25, they offer excellent value for money.

Score: 85/100

Activewear doesn’t get much more fashionable than Adanola, so if you’re looking to splash out on a stylish new pair of leggings, these more than deliver. Testers praised the flattering wrap waist design and appreciated the seam-free panel at the front, which prevents unwanted camel toe.

According to our panel, the ultra-soft, stretchy material is so comfortable, you won’t want to take the leggings off. The best part? You don’t have to – they look good enough to wear all day long, whether you’re at the gym, running errands or having brunch with the girls.

While they don’t claim to wick away moisture, we found they did a decent job of keeping our testers cool, calm and collected as they worked up a sweat. Still, we’d save them for more gentle workouts such as yoga, Pilates, stretching and hiking. Note that they come up small, so size up to ensure maximum comfort.

Score: 85/100

Spanx is renowned for its compressive, sculpting shapewear and its Booty Boost leggings don’t disappoint. They were a firm favourite among our testers, with one describing them as “honestly the best pair of leggings I’ve ever had”. One of the more stylish pairs on our list, they’re chic enough to wear outside the gym, too.

According to our panel, they’re incredibly flattering and you’ll feel constantly supported when wearing them thanks to the compressive, form-fitting material. What’s more, they proved easy to slip on and off and never needed hoicking up mid-workout.

They’re great for all kinds of vigorous workouts as they passed our squat test and scored nearly full marks for sweat wicking in the lab. The only activity we wouldn’t recommend them for is cycling – we found them a little too restrictive to allow comfortable movement on the bike.

Score: 85/100

Everyone needs a trusty pair of cropped leggings in their activewear arsenal and this classic style from Nike is a strong contender. Made with ‘Dri-Fit’ technology, they’re designed to wick away sweat. Sure enough, they kept our testers pleasantly dry and scored 4/5 in our sweat-wicking lab test.

The stretchy, breathable material and simple yet flattering design were a big hit with our testers, with one saying, “they were the perfect fit” and “I looked forward to wearing them.” The waistband stays in place and they’re squat proof, making them a great all-round choice for everything from yoga through to strength training and cardio.

Oh, and did we mention that at least 50% of the fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles? So they get a thumbs up for their sustainability credentials, too.

Score: 80/100

The second Spanx entry in our list, the brand has brought its sculpting tech and comfortable feel to its gym wear. The idea of wearing Spanx leggings did make some of our testers apprehensive, as they thought they’d be extremely tight and restrictive, but, as one told us, “I couldn't have been more wrong.” They didn’t dig in around the waistband; instead, they held our panellists in.

The stretchy material caters to a range of body types – one tall tester loved how well they fitted without riding up. One of our shorter testers with skinny ankles said they didn’t experience any gaping, which “rarely happens.” With no centre seams the dreaded camel toe is avoided too.

They maintained their quality through multiple washes and a “ridiculous” amount of wear in the case of one tester, so consider them a long-term investment.

Score: 80/100

Yogis may want to splurge on these low-impact leggings. Our testers felt well supported by their stretchy material and high waistband, and they liked the way the sleek seamless design looked when on.

The sizing did come up small, but the independent brand focuses on creating high quality products that will last, and these leggings are made with fabric that’s 100% recycled polyamide, giving them some nice green credentials.

Score: 80/100

The best gym leggings can be pricey, but this wallet-friendly pair from M&S proves you don't have to pay over the odds for performance.

Not only did they score top marks in our sweat-wicking tests, but our panel also raved about the lightweight, breathable fabric for heavier gym sessions and running. They appreciated the secure back pocket for storing valuables and the internal drawstring at the waistband for adjusting the fit.

These leggings earned a thumbs-up for support, compression and sizing; both our petite and tall testers liked the length. Some testers found them a touch tight around the hips and ankles, but these great value leggings should be firmly on your radar.

Score: 79/100

CRZ Yoga’s products are designed to be affordable while rivalling the designs of other leading yoga brands. Our testers described these leggings as velvety soft and luxurious, while one telling us they kept them cool throughout a hot yoga practice.

The compression style and flex of the silky material also allowed for a range of movement. Those of a shorter stature may struggle with the length, while the waistband moved around for some. However, these are a great option for yoga or Pilates classes.