Not Just Any Black Leggings—6 Viral Pairs That Have Reached Cult Status

Leggings are one of those boring staples that can be neutral, if downright uninspiring, to shop for. At the end of the day, what makes one pair better than another, especially when they all start to look the same after about two scrolls of the page? I'll admit that aside from being what I reached for when heading on a long travel day, they weren't something I used to give much thought to before picking up a running and Pilates habit. Fast forward several years, and now my collection is overflowing with styles from every major activewear brand and beyond. In other words, I've become somewhat of a leggings snob, without even realizing it.

After seeing another celebrity street-style look featuring leggings, I realized that it was time to put together my shortlist of personal favorites and mainstream best-sellers. In addition to pillaging my own leggings drawer, I asked around to my team of fashion editors and in-the-know stylist friends for their favorites, too. Naturally, there was plenty of crossover, so what resulted is a tightly edited list of the most cult-popular pairs on the market today.

Without further ado, read on to get our honest opinions on the leggings we've tested and would recommend to anyone, along with some other stellar picks from celebrities and fashion people.

Top Leggings of 2025

• Best Seamless Option: Lululemon Align High-Rise Leggings ($98)
• Best Thick Leggings: Zella Live In High-Waist Leggings ($59)
• Best Stirrup Leggings: Leset Rio Stirrup Leggings ($220)
• Best Buttery-Soft Fabric: FP Movement Never Better 7/8 Length Leggings ($98)
• Best for Intense Workouts: Alo ALOsoft High-Waist 7/8 Relay Leggings ($108)
• Best Cotton Leggings: Commando Stretch Cotton Leggings ($158)
• Best for Low-Impact Movement: Adanola Ultimate Leggings ($65)

Lululemon Align High-Rise Leggings

Fit: True to size—take your numerical dress size

Specs: Sizes 0 12, made from 81% nylon and 19% Lycra elastane, eight colorways, 25-inch and 28-inch inseam options

Pros: Buttery-soft fabric, new Align No Line variation without a front rise seam, interior waistband pocket for keys; Cons: Mid-weight material is better for lower workouts and casual dressing rather than dressing up

Comfort: Maximum sculpting with minimal constriction, these are a great option for those looking for leggings that will look flattering without sacrificing comfort

Why we love them: They're classic for a reason. For the past 10 years, Lululemon's Align leggings have remained a cult-popular pick for their buttery-soft fabric that's sculpting but never constricting and feature a signature high-rise waistband that lays flat without digging in.

More reviews:

"I have so many pairs of black leggings, but I always find myself rummaging through my drawer before pilates in search of my Lululemon Align leggings. They're comfortable, flattering, high-waisted but not too high-waisted, and they're magically warm-ish in the winter and cool-ish in the summer. I've bought them in a few colors, but the black ones obviously get the most wear. Speaking of that, they look brand new even after dozens of wears and washes." — Allyson Payer, senior editor

FP Movement Never Better 7/8 Length Leggings

Fit: Runs large, consider sizing down

Specs: Sizes XS-XL, made from 79% Polyamide and 21% Elastane, 12 colorways, 24.5-inch inseam

Pros: Soft fabric, lightweight feel, matching sports bras available to make them a full set; Cons: No pockets, runs large, better for lower and medium-impact workouts, minimal sculpting technology

Comfort: Soft to the touch and light as air, you'll find yourself reaching for these leggings on the daily, whether you're traveling, grabbing a coffee, or heading out to a Pilates class

Why we love them: They may not be the most sculpting or fanciest leggings in your drawer, but they're so comfortable to wear you'll find yourself reaching for them first

More reviews:

"I'm a big leggings girl. Whenever I work from home, travel, or run Sunday errands, you can likely spot me in leggings, especially black ones. I've tried many pairs, but nothing compares to FP Movement's Never Better 7/8 Length Leggings. Not to sound clichéd, but the fabric truly feels like butter against my skin. I also appreciate how breathable and stretchy they are. The thick waistband keeps my waist secure and never rolls down. Additionally, the 7/8 length is perfect for my 5-foot frame—it comfortably hits my ankle without any extra bunching. I now own two pairs and can’t wait to add more to my collection." — Nikki Chwatt, associate fashion editor

ALO Alosoft High-Waist 7/8 Relay Leggings

Fit: A high-rise, slightly cropped shape finished with a logo waistband

Specs: Sizes XXS-L, made from 87% polyester and 13% elastane; black and pink color options; 15.25-inch inseam (sizes XXS-S) and 25.62-inch inseam (sizes M-L)

Pros: Ribbed finish gives these a cool texture, soft, breathable fabric, graphic black-and-white branding; Cons: Light compression makes them better for lower-impact movement; logo waistband is more for fashion than function

Comfort: ALO's signature Alosoft fabric is ultra-light and breathable, making these a great option for heated workouts and warm weather

Why we love them: Between the logo waistband, ribbed texture, and celebrity stamp of approval, there's nothing more iconic than a pair of ALO leggings.

More reviews:

"I’ve tried my fair share of black leggings, but nothing compares to the AloSoft. A lot of performance leggings are designed for intense workouts—super stretchy, sweat-wicking, and almost too technical—but this pair feels like sweatpants in the best way. They slide right on, stay perfectly in place, and feel buttery soft against the skin. They’re still functional, but what sets them apart is how insanely comfortable and cozy they are without sacrificing a good workout." — Sierra Mayhew, fashion editor

Leset Rio Stirrup Leggings

Fit: Made for a body-skimming silhouette, these feature a slim leg, sturdy stirrup hems, and a comfortable elastic waistband

Specs: Sizes XS-XXL, made from 74% Viscose, 18% Polyamide, and 8% Elastane; black and chocolate color options; 27.5-inch inseam

Pros: Stirrup hems, pull-on elastic waistband, thick and smoothing material; Cons: Best for fashion and lounging rather than working out

Comfort: Made from a Ponte material, these are comfortably secure yet have a slightly flexible feel.

Why we love them: The stirrup hems bring such a cool, forward look to otherwise basic black leggings, making them a chic option for styling with flats, boots, and even kitten heels. Leset makes some of our favorite high-quality wardrobe basics, and these are no exception.

More reviews:

"The Leset Rio Stirrup is my go-to for elevated but comfy leggings. I always reach for them for long-haul flights. If I'm not feeling the stirrups that day, I'll go for my Commando Cotton Leggings—they hold everything together, they're not see-through at all, and have lasted me years." — Coco Schiffer, celebrity stylist and content creator

Commando Stretch Cotton Leggings

Fit: Constructed with the brand's utility-patented waistband, these are a high-rise, compressive

Specs: Sizes XS-XL, made from 80% cotton and 20% elastane; comes in black; 26.5-inch inseam

Pros: Breathable cotton fabric, patented fit; Cons: Not meant for exercise, one color option

Comfort: These are meant as more structured and compressive leggings, so the comfort level isn't as flexible as other pairs, save for the 20% elastane, which provides some give

Why we love them: Sometimes you need a more airy pair of leggings not made from workout material. Enter Commando's Cotton Leggings, made from breathable Italian cotton for all-day-long wear

More reviews:

"These leggings are not what I expected, but in a good way. They are quite compressive and fit like a glove. The fabric is breathable, but I did find these to fit a bit smaller than some of my other commando leggings. They look great paired with an oversized sweater or blouse. Looking forward to continuing to wear these all year long." — Commando reviewer

Zella Live In High-Waist Leggings

Fit: True to size—if you're on the shorter side, they may be a tad long, but a quick fold fixed that for me.

Specs: Sizes XXS-XL, made from 88% polyester and 12% spandex; black, tan, and olive green color options; 29-inch inseam

Pros: Affordable under-$60 price point, regularly on sale, 7.9K Nordstrom reviews; Cons: Reviews say the quality can be inconsistent

Comfort: Although flexible, the fabric is still on the firmer side.

Why we love them: I always see Zella's leggings recommended when scrolling throughReplica Store's site, so I was thoroughly interested to see how they actually ended up holding up. I've tried a lot of workout leggings in the past, but this pair from Zella has turned out to be my new favorite. They're fitting and sturdy but don't feel me leaving constricted. These are your best bet for more vigorous workouts.

More reviews:

"I’ve had these for almost a year now and I cannot day enough good things! I live in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and I mostly do outdoor activities in these. I rock climb, hike, scramble over ridges, run trails, and more in these and they never fail. They’re never too hot, they truly do wick sweat away. And never ride down, 12-mile hikes and I don’t have to pull them up once. They’re better than my Lululemon Wunder Under leggings, and they constantly go on sale so you can get them for a great deal. Personally I sized down to an XS, I’m 5’3” and 120lbs and usually wear a small." — Nordstrom reviewer

Adanola Ultimate Leggings

Fit: High rise fit with a wide, flat waistband and three inseam options: Regular, Short, and 7/8

Specs: Sizes XXS-XXXL, made from 70% recycled Polyamide and 30% elastane, 10 core colorways and 8 seasonal colorways, 62.5cm, 72.5cm, and 57.5 inseam options

Pros: Nearly 1K positive reviews, no front rise seam, celebrity-approved, discreet logo; Cons: Sizing can be inconsistent

Comfort: While technically meant for slower movement, the fabric and fit falls somewhere in between the comfort of loungewear comfort and the compression of a high-intensity style

Why we love them: With a range of pretty neutral color options and minimal, discreet branding, Adanola is quickly becoming the It activewear brand to know, and these leggings are the foundation to so many cool looks for in and out of the gym

"These are by far some of the airiest leggings I've ever owned. They have that buttery-soft feel that rivals Lululemon's Align (for a fraction of the price, too) and feel like next to nothing on your skin. However, that's not to say that these are lacking in the performance department—this fabric somehow straddles the line between loungewear comfort and high-intensity durability, taking me through my intense cycling classes and slow Pilates sessions alike (though it's worth mentioning that they're technically made for slower movement). Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber are also fans, so really, do you need any more convincing?" — Alyssa Brascia, associate beauty editor

What to Look For

Before you can decide on the best leggings to buy, you should consider what your top priorities are in a pair of leggings. The best details to look at include the fabric breakdown, level of compression, and overall silhouette and fit.

For instance, are you going to be wearing them for high-intensity workout like HIIT and running? You'll want to look for fabrics featuring a 30% or higher blend of elastane for maximum flexibility as well as more compressive fits. Doing mostly lower-intensity movement like Pilates and yoga while occasionally also lounging in your leggings? In that case, you'll want more soft, breathable fabrics that are offer lighter compression that you can wear for hours on end without feeling constricted. Lastly, however, if you're seeking a more elevated pair to wear with flats, boots, or heels, opt for higher cotton blends and thicker styles that look the most structured.

How We Chose

We considered a number of factors when choosing our list of the best black leggings. We first compiled a larger list of the styles our editors considered their personal favorites and cross-referenced it with the styles recommended by top stylists and industry insiders. Then, we narrowed it down based on which leggings were best-sellers, highly-rated across the internet, featured a stamp of approval by celebrities, and offered the most cost-per-wear.

Why Trust Us

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognizable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality, and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, including everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders, and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.