What are the best Lululemon leggings for running?

According to Lululemon’s website, the Wunder Train, Swift Speed, Base Pace, Fast & Free all make good running leggings. There are different fabrics and compression levels in each style, to suit your needs. The sweat-wicking fabric and pockets made the Swift Speed our pick for best for running. “My personal favourite Lululemon running leggings are the Fast and Free Tights —high-waisted and quick-drying, they're made with Lululemon's Nulux™ fabric, which is super thin, lightweight and silky, so I never feel like I overheat in them,” says Alice Barraclough, commissioning editor at Runner’s World. “Plus, they have two side drop-in pockets big enough to fit your phone, keys and any mid-run gels.” These are also a Byrdie pick for best for HIIT.

What are the compression levels of Lululemon leggings?

Lululemon leggings vary from 'barely-there' fabrics to super compressive support—so it really comes down to what kind of exercise you're into and how you want to feel when you work out. “In Lululemon stores, the leggings are normally displayed from tightest compression to least compressive fit. So, it's easy to find what you need,” says Barraclough. “If you want to feel like you're wearing nothing at all, then I'd recommend opting for Lululemon's Align leggings , which are made from buttery-soft Nulu fabric and practically weightless. They're a classic for a reason and our choice for best overall. “But, if you prefer to feel held in and supported, you'll want to opt for a pair of InStill tights (for yoga) or Wunder Under (for HIIT and strength workout) for more of a hugged feel.”

Do Lululemon leggings run small?

We always recommend trying before you buy, but when it comes to fit, Lululemon is known to have fairly standard sizing. Barraclough says: “I'd say Lululemon leggings run fairly true to size unless you want a more compressive feel opt for your normal dress size. If you're particularly worried about your leggings falling down mid-run, or in downward dog, you could size down.” Align leggings are super stretchy and many customers find sizing down in that style helps to find their best fit.

The 11 Best Lululemon Leggings in 2022

Whether you've owned a pair in the past or have yet to slip into the sweet nirvana that is Lululemon stretchy pants, you're probably at least somewhat aware of their cult following. What makes the brand's workout tights shine above the rest—so much so that TikTokers and other content creators continuously inform their audiences of potential dupes? (To be sure, Lululemon leggings have never been effectively imitated.)

It must be the addictive fabrics with their 360-degree stretch. Maybe it's the undeniably flattering cuts or the waistbands that tuck everything in while still allowing you to bend, reach, tilt, and stretch without the material digging into your ribs. In any case, you really can't go wrong with Lulus. The athletic apparel company has been making yoga pants and workout leggings for over two decades—well before athleisure was accepted as actual fashion or Instagram fitspo became a thing—and was a direct-to-consumer brand before it was cool.

Ready to order your first pair or expand your Lulu horizons? Scroll down for the best Lululemon leggings.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 25" at Amazon

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Best for Yoga:

Lululemon Unlimit High-Rise Tight 25" at Lululemon

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Best for Barre:

Lululemon Wunder Under High-Rise Tight at Lululemon

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Best for Pilates:

Lululemon Super High-Rise Tight 28" at Lululemon

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Best for Cycling:

Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight at Lululemon

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Best for HIIT:

Lululemon Fast and Free Tight 25" at Lululemon

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Best for Running:

lululemon Swift Speed High-Rise Tight at Lululemon

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Best for Weight Training:

lululemon Invigorate High-Rise Tight 25 at Lululemon

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Best for Water Sports:

Lululemon Wade the Waters Paddle Tight at Lululemon

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Best Cropped:

lululemon All The Right Places Crop at Lululemon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie?

4.8

Lululemon

View On Amazon View On Lululemon

"My all-time favorite Lululemon leggings would be the Aligns. They are super comfortable, and they flatter in the way they fit," says Mel Boban, fitness instructor at Barre3. We couldn't agree more. Lululemon is a beloved brand, but the Align Pant has an even deeper fan base. Thanks to the signature Nulu fabric, a buttery, breathable, and endlessly soft material with four-way stretch, these leggings really nail the "feels like you're wearing nothing" effect.

We also appreciate the supportive yet forgiving waistband, which is perfect for working out or hanging out. The ultra-stretchy fit is even a favorite among pregnant women. These pants are so beloved, in fact, that Lululemon now has an entire Align line, chock full of joggers, wide-leg crops, tanks, dresses, shorts, bodysuits—you name it.

Price at time of publish: $124

View On Lululemon

Though the company has expanded into technical apparel for a variety of activities, at its roots, Lululemon is a yoga brand. With that said, the Unlimit High-Rise Tight is the best choice for yogis. Made with crave-worthy Nulu fabric and featuring an extra-high waistband with a handy drop pocket in the back, these leggings are just the thing for hitting the studio or doing an at-home flow.

Courtesy of Lululemon

View On Lululemon

"For barre specifically, my go-tos have always been the Wunder Unders,'' Boban tells Byrdie. "They wick sweat, dry super quickly, and never pill, even after hundreds of wears!"

Made with Lululemon's super-slick, friction-resistant Luxtreme fabric, they're breathable and cool to the touch. And the addition of Lycra fibers helps these leggings hold their shape (and yours) as you lift, tuck, pulse, and shake your way to a toned physique.

Lululemon Get in Line Super High-Rise Tight

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For pilates stans, we recommend the Get in Line Tight. These notably breathable leggings are made with quick-drying, sweat-wicking Everlux fabric, plus Lycra for added stretch, and linear stitching to help hold the shape.

They feel refreshingly cool and sumptuously sleek against your skin and have an incredibly soft brushed matte finish on the outside. Whether you're doing scissor kicks on the mat or mermaid moves on the reformer, these high-waisted tights will carry you through.

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

Whether you cycle at home or venture out to group classes, you'll be glad to be wearing a pair of Wunder Train Tights when things get spicy. Everlux fabric wicks away sweat while managing heat so you'll remain dry, cool, and comfy. Plus, the supportive high-rise cut and continuous drawcord ensure the waistband stays in place during your entire spin session.

Price at time of publish: $118 for size 4

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

Are you a HIIT devotee? Check out the Fast and Free Tight. Featuring the brand's Nulux fabric and a bit of Lycra for good measure, they're fast-drying, moisture-wicking, and wonderfully lightweight. Best of all, the semi-tight waistband and continuous drawcord keep them in place during the most intense training sessions. In other words, they pass the squat test.

Price at time of publish: $128

4.8

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

Featuring sweat-wicking fabric with reflective detailing and three secure pockets, the Swift Speed High-Rise Tight was made for running. Whether you're hitting the trails, pounding the pavement, or jogging on the treadmill, these Lulus will keep you cool and dry every step of the way. What's more, they're designed with no inseam and low-friction materials for a smooth, comfortable stride.

Price at time of publish: $128

4.9

Lululemon Invigorate High-Rise Tight 25"

Courtesy of Lululemon

View On Lululemon

Designed for training, the Invigorate Tight has all the features you need to strengthen, tone, and build muscle. Cool on the inside and velvety soft on the outside, the airy yet supportive fabric draws heat from your skin while wicking away sweat. We also love that the four-way stretch waistband has a cinchable drawcord to help it stay in place as you lift, squat, lunge, row, push, and curl your way to a stronger body.

Price at time of publish: $128 for size 14

View On Lululemon

If your favorite pastimes include paddling, surfing, water skiing, kayaking, or sailing, you should definitely consider getting a pair of Wade the Waters. Lululemon's Esca fabric is somewhere between a high-end swimsuit material and neoprene, but better.

The soft ribbed texture and high waistband flatter your frame and offer a held-in feel. Not only that, but these innovative leggings provide UV protection from the sun, plus saltwater and chlorine resistance.

4.7

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

Featuring a 23-inch inseam, the All The Right Places Crop is designed to sit above our ankles and below your calves. The incredibly stretchy, low-friction fabric is great for high-intensity workouts like cycling, running, or HIIT. Also, the thoughtful stitching and added Lycra fibers offer support where you need it while hugging your curves, well…in all the right places.

Price at time of publish: $118

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

For Lululemon's best athleisure leggings, we're gonna circle back to the Align collection. This pair is like the original, but with side pockets. You'll get the same weightless yet cozy Nulu fabric, with its wear-anywhere feel and versatile matte finish. These stretchy pants are ideal for working from home, running errands, grabbing brunch, or doing whatever it is you love to do.

Price at time of publish: $128

Final Verdict

The Align Pant is, by far, the best leggings Lululemon offers. The ultra-light and buttery Nulu fabric is nearly impossible to beat, and there's just something about the fit that effortlessly flatters all body types. That said, if you want something a little thicker and more supportive for cycling, running, or interval training, the fast-drying, sweat-wicking Wunder Train High-Rise Tight may be a better choice.

Meet the Expert

Mel Boban is a St. Louis-based fitness instructor at Barre3.

What to Look For When Buying Workout Leggings

Style

Lululemon has a great feature on its website that helps you quickly identify which fit and fabric of legging is suited to your exercise preferences. The Instill range, for instance, is made from its trademarked SmoothCover™ fabric that’s ideal for yoga while the Swift Speed range is designed for running with a sleek and supportive Luxtreme™ fabric. Start here first and the rest is easy.

Leg Length

The secret to a great fitting pair of leggings is finding a pair in the right leg length. If they’re too short, you’ll constantly be pulling them down around the calves. Likewise, if they’re too long, they’ll go baggy around the crotch and calves. Thankfully most Lululemon leggings come in a range of lengths – from 17” to 31”—so you can ensure yours fit like a dream.

FAQ

What are the best Lululemon leggings for running?

According to Lululemon’s website, the Wunder Train, Swift Speed, Base Pace, Fast & Free all make good running leggings. There are different fabrics and compression levels in each style, to suit your needs. The sweat-wicking fabric and pockets made the Swift Speed our pick for best for running.

“My personal favourite Lululemon running leggings are the Fast and Free Tights—high-waisted and quick-drying, they're made with Lululemon's Nulux™ fabric, which is super thin, lightweight and silky, so I never feel like I overheat in them,” says Alice Barraclough, commissioning editor at Runner’s World. “Plus, they have two side drop-in pockets big enough to fit your phone, keys and any mid-run gels.” These are also a Byrdie pick for best for HIIT.
What are the compression levels of Lululemon leggings?

Lululemon leggings vary from 'barely-there' fabrics to super compressive support—so it really comes down to what kind of exercise you're into and how you want to feel when you work out.

“In Lululemon stores, the leggings are normally displayed from tightest compression to least compressive fit. So, it's easy to find what you need,” says Barraclough. “If you want to feel like you're wearing nothing at all, then I'd recommend opting for Lululemon's Align leggings, which are made from buttery-soft Nulu fabric and practically weightless. They're a classic for a reason and our choice for best overall. “But, if you prefer to feel held in and supported, you'll want to opt for a pair of InStill tights (for yoga) or Wunder Under (for HIIT and strength workout) for more of a hugged feel.”
Do Lululemon leggings run small?

We always recommend trying before you buy, but when it comes to fit, Lululemon is known to have fairly standard sizing. Barraclough says: “I'd say Lululemon leggings run fairly true to size unless you want a more compressive feel opt for your normal dress size. If you're particularly worried about your leggings falling down mid-run, or in downward dog, you could size down.” Align leggings are super stretchy and many customers find sizing down in that style helps to find their best fit.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributing writer Theresa Holland has extensive experience covering at-home workout gear, fitness apparel, and athleisure wear. Upon being gifted her first pair of Aligns for Christmas in 2017, she was immediately hooked and has since purchased several more pairs—and occasionally branches out to other Lululemon collections. You can check out more of Theresa's work on The Spruce, MyDomaine, and Verywell Fit.

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