The 12 Best Black Leggings of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Size Range: 0-20 | Inseam: 23, 25, 28, 31 inches | Materials: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra elastane

Lululemon practically made leggings the staple they are today, and while we understand not everyone can or wants to spend $100 on a pair, we do think these are worth the investment. Shannon Bauer, Byrdie’s associate editorial director, has owned a pair for three years, and they look as good as new. She describes the Align’s brushed nylon fabric as the lightest leggings she’s tried, super stretchy (she recommends sizing down), and body hugging rather than compressing.

While some leggings are meant just for working out and others for relaxing, the Aligns serve both purposes. They keep us cool during low-impact workouts—think yoga, pilates, walks, and light runs—and comfy while watching a movie on our couch. We wish the size range was more inclusive, but we appreciate how this style comes in four different inseam lengths. If we could only buy and wear one pair of leggings, it would be these.

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director: “I have bought many cheaper ‘dupes’ and lululemon wins every time. The softness of the fabric, fit, and longevity make the investment worthwhile.”

Size Range: XXS-XL | Inseam: 26.5 inches | Materials: 81% Polyamide, 19% Lycra

Amazon customers are convinced these leggings are dupes for the lululemon Aligns. From our testing, we say they are fairly comparable to the Aritzia Butter Legging, though they don’t come in petite or tall sizing, which is our biggest complaint. On our 5’3” tester, the leggings bunch at the ankles and are slightly too high in the waist—reaching her ribcage while sitting down. This isn’t a deal breaker, and we still happily throw them on for casual occasions when we don’t care about the aesthetics.

We are impressed with how well the brushed nylon fabric keeps us cool while walking around in 70-degree weather. Just like the Aritzia style, the design features a butt-enhancing curved yoke in the back and a comfortable waistband. Though we wish these were offered in more inseam lengths, we agree they are a great value for a $30 Amazon legging, rivaling those styles that are twice or three times the price.

Emily Cieslak, associate commerce editor: “These leggings have a very similar brushed nylon feel to the Aritzia Butter, though the material is slightly thicker and not quite as soft, which may mean they are more durable. I think they are great for wearing when running errands, traveling, or chilling at home, and you don’t want to put your $100 leggings through the wear and tear.”

Size Range: XS-4X | Inseam: 23, 25, 28 inches | Materials: 77% Polyester, 23% spandex

We have to hand it to Old Navy for always remembering to cater to all sizes and heights. This style goes up to size 4X and is offered in both tall and petite inseams in addition to the regular length. At 5’3”, Byrdie’s copy editor, Cher Checchio, was thrilled to find the petite length actually hit her right above the ankles rather than bunching up. The blend of polyester and spandex feels smooth and sleek, and with slight compression, the leggings elongate the legs. They are a great choice for the gym, thanks to the sweat-wicking, squat-proof fabric. Yet the side pockets are our favorite feature since they are actually large and strong enough to carry a phone, lip gloss, keys, and I.D.

Though these leggings come at half the price of others on this list, the quality is still impressive and built to last. “I wore these leggings as my primary ones for two years, and they held up extremely well,” says Cieslak. “By the end there was some piling around certain areas, but they served a good run, and I wouldn’t mind purchasing them again for the price.”

Cher Checchio, copy editor: “I think these are a superb option for petite frames looking for moisture-wicking, compression leggings for workouts. They also do a wonderful job at making your butt look good.”

Size Range: 00-16 | Inseam: 24.5, 26, 27.5 inches | Materials: 80% Nylon, 20% elastane

If your ideal legging is made from brushed nylon, we recommend Aritzia Butter Leggings. As the name suggests, the fabric is extremely soft and cozy, yet it also offers a nice amount of sculpting and keeps us feeling and looking cool on our hot girl walks. As also hinted in the name, the curved waistband helps to emphasize your backside in a subtle way. We ordered the short length and were pleased with how well they fit our 5’3” frame. They hit us at the perfect spot above our ankles and slightly above our belly button. Like most brushed nylon materials, they attract lint and hair, but we haven’t noticed any piling after wearing and washing, just a few loose threads.

Emily Cieslak, associate commerce editor: “These leggings fit a unique niche—they are more comfortable than true performance leggings yet more put together than true lounge leggings.”

Size Range: XXS-XXL | Inseam: 30, 32, 34 inches | Materials: 88% Nylon, 12% elastane

It’s safe to say these TikTok-viral leggings popularized the crossover waistband, so we had to try these out. When we first pulled them out of the bag, the material felt very thin, but after putting them on, we realized that’s part of the allure—they are very breathable and offer a no-pant feel. We also quickly understood the hype, as the crossover waistband and curved seams snatched our midsection while the flared leg played up our hips and accentuated an hourglass shape. We think they’re especially great for those who struggle with finding pants that don’t gap at the waist, as the crossover waistband eliminates this problem. Considering these come in both short and long inseams and constantly go on sale, you might as well pick up a pair to add some flair to your leggings rotation.

Caitlyn Martyn, associate commerce editor: “I love the high-waisted cross-over waistline that flatters my midsection. I have wide hips but a small frame, so I struggle to find pants that fit my body right. This waistline style hugs me in all the right places and shows off my body type rather than hides it.”

Size Range: XXS-XXL | Inseam: 24.4 inches | Materials: 88% Nylon, 12% elastane

These Gymshark leggings perform exactly as we hope during workouts: they stay in place, don’t ride up, don’t weigh us down, keep us cool, and don’t show sweat. The thick waistband compresses and smooths the stomach yet still is comfortable. The rest of the legging is thin and lightweight and offers a cooling sensation on the skin. It’s durable too, with no piling or loose threads post-wash. If you don’t like front seams, Gymshark is known for offering seamless leggings that don’t sag. This specific style only comes in one length, and it fits our 5’10” tester right at the ankle, so it might be slightly too long on those who are petite.

Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor: “I wore them throughout my barre class and actually forgot I was wearing them at all. They passed all the exercise tests and didn’t weigh me down, ride up, or show sweat.”

Size Range: XS-XL | Inseam: 23.75 inches | Materials: 88% Microfiber nylon, 12% spandex

If you’re looking for a legging to sculpt your curves and give you that extra boost of confidence, these are it. They strike the elusive balance of being compressive yet still comfortable and enjoyable to wear. Alyssa Kaplan, associate commerce editor, says they can be a bit stiff right out of the box, but once you break them in, they hug the body so well and don’t restrict movement. While they offer all-over shaping, the thick waistband especially helps to smooth the stomach, and thanks to no front seam, you don’t have to worry about camel toe. The fabric is thick, opaque, and has held up well for years. Though they come in one inseam, they fit our 5’1” tester perfectly.

Alyssa Kaplan, associate commerce editor: “I love the thick, compressive material because it hugs the body nicely and is extremely durable.”

Size Range: XXS-3X | Inseam: 25, 27, 30 inches | Materials: 75% Nylon, 25% Lycra

Finding leggings that actually are comfortable enough to lounge or travel in is harder than it seems—many are too compressive or simply not as cozy as sweats. So when you find a pair that you can rot in for hours, you invest, even if they are on the pricier side. These leggings have that brushed, matte feeling similar to lululemon, yet they are thicker than the Aligns, which makes them better suited for leisurely activities or colder weather. They also don’t pick up lint as easily as the Aligns, which is great news for pet owners. Since they aren’t as compressive in the waist, they can roll down with excessive movement, which is a tradeoff for comfort.

After owning them for three years, Bauer says they are her go-to for movie marathons, walks, and flights, especially since they have a roomy pocket to go hands-free. And after all these years, they still look great and remain squat-proof.

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director: “I love how comfortable these are. I reach for these all the time for work from home or casual days where I refuse to wear uncomfortable or rigid pants. It’s my go-to for rot days on the couch, walks, and long-haul flights. The pockets are a great addition for travel where you want to keep your phone handy.”

Size Range: XXS-4X | Inseam: 24 inches | Materials: 87% Polyester, 13% elastane

Thanks to the wide waistband, these leggings are a great option for those who want more support in the stomach area. Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director, describes these as the Goldilocks of leggings—they are not too compressive nor too lightweight, meaning they will smooth your midsection without feeling like shapewear. In fact, the Spacedye fabric may be one of the softest fabrics we’ve felt in leggings. Despite its thick texture, it still keeps us cool and dry in warm weather and heated workouts. The fabric features a marbled design, which camouflages any cellulite in the back of your thighs. Beyond black, they come in a range of vibrant colors and up to size 4X.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director: “The material is among the softest leggings material I’ve experienced. It’s so smooth, substantial, yet lightweight. I’m as comfortable wearing them in 80-degree weather as I am in the dead of winter.”

Size Range: XS-2X | Inseam: 26.5 inches | Materials: 85% Nylon, 15% spandex

What makes these leggings stand out is the lace-up design that takes inspiration from football pants (talk about a good game day outfit). Besides looking cute, this feature helps you snatch your waist and prevent the leggings from rolling down. We also love the style’s thick, ribbed material, which adds some visual interest, smooths us out, and hides any panty lines. Byrdie senior commerce editor Dominique Hobdy is shocked at how well they fit her 5’11” frame (you may want to size down) and how well they keep her cool during workouts. If you’re bored of traditional black leggings and want a style to switch it up, these are your best bet.

Dominique Hobdy, senior commerce editor: “I love love love the material of these. They’re a blend of nylon and spandex so they’re super stretchy and give great coverage. The material is also a bit thick so there’s no chance of underwear peeking through and no panty lines.”

Size Range: XXS-L | Inseam: 24 inches | Materials: 87% Polyester, 13% elastane

A favorite among celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Alo Yoga is known for its minimalistic aesthetic and expensive sets. We regret to inform your wallet that we do think the Alosoft leggings are worth the hype. Offering medium-level compression, they are ideal for low-impact workouts where you want something supportive but don’t need a very compressive pair. Four-way stretch allows you to do all the downward dogs while staying dry. They do run a bit long—our 5’4” tester says the ⅞ length hit her like a full—so keep that in mind if you are petite.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director: “They take a second to form to your body on first wear, but once they do, they feel like a second skin. I love that the waistband doesn’t have a seam at the end, so it feels like it just melts away at the top.”

Size Range: XS-XL | Inseam: 30, 32 inches | Materials: 87% Nylon, 13% Lycra

While some may argue that the entire point of leggings is to be form-fitting, there is something about flare leggings that can’t be beat. You still get the booty-hugging fit of your regular legging, while the flared leg balances out your hips and creates an hourglass shape. When it comes to flare designs, Split59 does it best with its Raquel Split Him. The flare begins at the calf, so it’s not too wide that it looks like a pair of bell bottoms. The material is nice and thick, sculpting our curves and resisting any wear or tear. We first ordered the 32-inch inseam, and it was too long, so we suggest ordering the 30 if you are petite.

Emily Cieslak, associate commerce editor: “I love a good pair of flare leggings, and these are definitely high up there. I personally like how the material is thicker than the Aerie flare leggings. Thanks to the material and silhouette, I can wear these out and about and feel put together rather than like I’m wearing loungewear.”