Leggings Evaluation and Testing Criteria
There're some important features to look for in leggings to ensure they’ll fit great and hold up throughout your workout of choice.
While softer, stretchier materials are typically ideal for activities that call for stretching or moving through a deep range of motion, like yoga or weight lifting, tighter, compressive leggings are usually great for high-impact activities like running.
It’s also important to consider how sweaty you plan to get and if the leggings are made of material that can help keep you dry and comfortable.
1. Waistband Fit and Comfort
The waistband can make a huge impact on how comfortable and secure a pair of leggings is during a workout.
- Low-rise is wildly impractical during a workout because it’s going to move.
- So high-rise is way more ideal, but only if it stays in place.
- Some flat seams tend to roll down, while others pull and rub or even dig into the skin.
- A high waist on leggings makes you feel more secure.
2. Fabric Quality
Always test with squats to see if leggings are see-through; if they are, they are a no-go.
- Simply bending over in front of a mirror
- And checking out if the pants are see-through in the butt area works too,
- Although if the leggings are super cozy and still see-through, you may buy them anyway just for life and not working out.
3. Fit
The waistband can play a big role here, too, but overall, it’s important to test if your leggings stay in place during high-impact workouts.
If you find yourself having to constantly pull up or adjust leggings during a workout, then they may not be the best pants for that activity.
4. Length
Depending on your height, certain lengths of leggings may be cut off at different spots and be uncomfortable.
For example, I note that crops are too short for me and always bunch up behind my knees. For me, full-length leggings are just too long, but 7/8-lengths are just right.
5. Ease to Put On and Take Off
You shouldn’t hear ripping seams every time you pull on a pair of leggings.
- First, it’s uncomfortable and annoying to have to struggle to put pants on;
- Second, you’re likely ripping the stitching a little bit each time, and your pants won’t hold up for as long as you’d like.
- Plus, if it’s hard to get the leggings on pre-workout, just imagine how hard it’ll be to get them off when you’re done.
6. Moisture Management
Avoid choosing colors and fabrics that will put every bit of your sweat on display.
This is the time of athleisure, which means we are all going about our lives after workouts (or no workouts) and living in leggings. Those leggings need to dry quickly and without odor, so we can wear them all day.
To test for this, we take note of how wet leggings get during a sweaty workout, and how long it takes for the moisture to evaporate.
7. Activity-Specific Features
Certain types of workouts may warrant special added features.
- Pockets on leggings can be clutch for carrying small items on a run.
- A built-in drawstring can sometimes be helpful to keep leggings in place during high-impact workouts.
- You may want leggings that are extra stretchy for yoga, and ones that are made with tighter, compressive material for running.
8. How You Feel
Choose what makes you feel good. When you’re low on motivation to work out, having clothes you feel good about might just give you that extra boost to get it done.
9. How SELF Tests Leggings
- Perform the squat test in front of a mirror
- Do at least one workout based on the activity the leggings are intended for
- Wear leggings for an hour or two after a workout (to note comfort and wetness)
A pretty pair of leggings is a wardrobe staple, but they can't just look pretty! They need to be comfortable, stay in place, and hold up wash after wash. Hope these testing Criteria above can help you make a good choice.