I Bought 27 Pairs of Very Recommended Workout Pants. These 4 Are Worth Keeping.

Best of all: My favorite pair is only $23.

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On June 1, 2021, I decided to see how many days in a row I could exercise. While I didn’t think it was possible at the time, my secret internal goal was to make it to 365/365. Something happened in that year that totally changed my outlook on moving my body, and today, as you read this, will mark day 629 of the workout streak that started nearly two years ago. 

Why am I telling you this? Because I need you to believe it when I say that this weird workout project of mine means I’ve thought more about exercise clothes than probably 99% of the fitness civilians out there. (I’m sure actual athletes and the folks who work in the athletic apparel industry think about it more than I do, but c’mon, that’s a pretty small percentage of this world, right?)

Over the last two years—and then even more intensely for the past few months, once I got the idea for this story in my head—I have tried a pretty wide range of workout pants. All the fancy brands? If I don’t own them, I’ve personally purchased them and tried them on repeatedly. All of the trending styles? Same thing. Also, I’m that nosy person, up in my friends’ DMs and text messages, asking everyone who has ever posted a workout on social media what they love. Plus! I’ve also pestered trainers, fitness founders and gurus, and more workout experts on their go-to workout pants. 

I also trolled all of the “best of” lists for ideas and bought the majority of the most recommended options. That includes “best workout pants” from The Thirty, ELLE, NY Mag and The Cut, plus I tried all of the options on Amazon’s bestsellers list, and more. 

My research? Flawless. Or at the very least: Pretty darn competitive. 

Of course, there are caveats to all of this. Starting at the top: I’m not a marathon runner. I don’t go on hiking retreats. I don’t pretzel myself in hot yoga classes and I haven’t cycled or even ridden a bike in at least five years. So just to be perfectly clear, my workouts are almost exclusively one of three things: cardio trampoline bounce classes via The Ness streaming app, sculpt classes that primarily use light (under 10 lbs) handheld weights, and walking in hilly parts of Los Angeles with my friends. 

In other words: My training isn’t that varied, but it is super consistent. 

Also, and probably more controversially, I only wear black workout clothes. I know, I know, it’s boring. But we are who we are, people. I think your neutral or colorful matching sets are awesome, but for the purpose of this experiment, I only looked at black workout leggings. Additionally, after having two kids—including one via c-section; the shelf is real, folks—I do not have a flat stomach, which is totally fine. I’m just saying this because I tend to prefer pant styles that do not emphasize this aspect of my body, so my favorite options usually have a wider waistband that has some sort of mild compression element to it. If you hate all of these things, I’m sorry to say, today’s newsletter might not be for you. My apologies. 

Long story long: I have spent many dollars on workout pants over the past couple of years, and even bought 27 new pairs just for this story. (Don’t worry: I returned almost all of them, and yes, it was annoying and took a long time, which is why this story is nearly three weeks later than I originally intended.) Of all the fancy and cheapo styles I have tried, there are four that I can recommend without reservations, all of which are detailed here for your perusal.

Oh one last thing: I really went back and forth on whether or not to photograph the workout leggings for the newsletter because, I don’t know, pants are pants? But I did it and am sharing some more detailed videos on @hillarykerr this weekend, if you are curious. To preemptively answer some questions: The cropped Matt Darling sweatshirt was a gift from my friend Rory, who got it in New Orleans. My exact style seems to be sold out, but there are still some regular sweatshirts online. The olive green fuzzy Birks are currently on major sale at FWRD, some sizes on sale at Shopbop, Saks, and Bloomingdale’s. They are heaven; 11/10 do not regret. And finally, my bed looks different because I spilled a full flat white all over the duvet and duvet insert and took pictures while still in the middle of coffeegate hell. (For the record: Treat the stain while still wet with cold water, OxiClean spray, and borax. It works!)

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Target JoyLab High-Rise Ribbed Seamless ⅞ Leggings ($34)

Full disclosure: Once upon a time, Who What Wear collaborated with Target on JoyLab, but that deal is long, long, long done, so I have no connection to the brand, nor have I in years. That said, I’m always still a little curious about what JoyLab is up to, and I took this story as the impetus to buy a few styles, as well as six other brands at Target. All of the leggings were returned, except for this pair.

While they’re technically high-waisted, it’s a gentle high waist that actually just hovers around the navel, for the most part. They’re ribbed in a really cool way that makes the basic black look a tiny bit more interesting, and the thing I love most is the extra wide, very stretchy waistband, which is extremely comfortable on my lower stomach area. Yes, they come in other colors (blue, pink, and slate blue) too, if you’re into that. I wear a medium.

JoyLab option. I’m actually happy about them, contrary to my face. Took these pics with a fever + tonsillitis, so forgive me? Doing better video content in IGS, I swear.

Vuori Clean Elevation Leggings ($98)

My USC sorority girlfriends introduced me to Vuori a couple of years ago—apparently all the cool soccer moms like the Performance Jogger—and they were totally onto something. Their joggers are great, even if you, like me, have never stepped foot on a soccer...field? Pitch? Whatever. Great lounge pants, period. 

Once indoctrinated into all things Vuori, I promptly fell for their Pace High Waisted Leggings, which sadly no longer seem to be available. No worries, because the Clean Elevation style is pretty darn similar. Incredible material, a smart hidden pocket at the waist for your keys, and an all-around excellent fit. I am not one to spend this kind of money on workout pants, but they are pretty remarkable. As usual, I wear a medium.

Why yes, these are the Vuori leggings. Never thought I’d spend this much on workout clothes, but they’re great.

Free People Movement High-Rise ⅞ Length Good Karma Leggings ($78)

Have I mentioned this exact style many, many, many times before? Yes. Do they still hold up to all that love, even after trying on scads of more expensive and trend-chasing brands? Also yes. The design is my preferred style: slightly higher waisted, but not much above the navel, extremely supportive fabric, and a wide waistband. They always stay in place, no matter what electrified reindeer move I’m doing on the trampoline, and they don’t itch, even when I’ve sweat gallons. I am not a great caretaker of workout clothes—these are supposed to be hand washed, but I always throw mine in the washing machine on cold and dry on a regular temperature—yet after years of rough treatment by me, they still look brand new.

And! For those of you who adore color, please note these leggings are always available in loads of really fun shades like an electric lime called Margarita or a nearly naked fleshy pink called Desert Dune. I wear an XS/S but the M/L also fits just fine. They’re very accommodating! 

Really really really great option from FP Movement.

Yunoga Ultra Soft High Waist Seamless Tummy Control Yoga Capris ($23)

I hate the name of this style—tummy control, come on—but honestly these are my must-buy workout leggings. The price is just too hard to resist, and they’re actually pretty excellent in terms of the material and fit, too. Are they a fancy brand DOOP? Allegedly. All I know is that they are reliable, and I’m never worried about hurting them because again, the price is right. 

Do they last forever? Absolutely not. They will get holes in them, not that holes have stopped me from continuing to wear the same pair over and over. And honestly, you get what you pay for, so I wasn’t even that mad at the holes? Because truthfully, having a pair of workout leggings that make me feel great and do what they need to do (ahem: stay put) is amazing. And the fact that I could accidentally ruin them with bleach or kid mess or whatever and not feel that put out because they’re so affordable? Priceless. As per most things, I also take a medium in this style.

These inexpensive Amazon leggings are still my number one, as evidenced by this striking, not at all literal pose. THE PRICE IS RIGHT PEOPLE. Trust.

Okay friends, that’s it for now. As always, if you’re so inclined to share this newsletter, I’d think that’s grand. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.