When it comes to finding the best women’s running leggings, the options can seem endless, but really, all you want is a pair that won’t ride up or down on the run and have enough pockets for all your essentials. To help you find your perfect pair, we’ve rounded up the best pairs on the market right now.
What to look for in a good pair of women’s running leggings
Fit: There’s nothing worse than a pair of leggings that just won’t stay put. When it comes to finding the right pair – look for handy features like a drawcord waistband, which lets you pull the leggings tight against your waist as you move.
Leg length: If you’re a shorter runner, you’ll almost definitely have tried an awkward legging-fold at least once. We’ve rounded up some of the best leggings for petite runners below.
Reflective details: When you’re running in low light, reflective details can help you stay seen.
Pockets: One thing all runners need – pockets! Whether it’s a side pocket big enough for your phone, or a zipped pocket on the back for your keys and lip balm, the right pockets can make all the difference to your run.
The best women’s running leggings on the market 2021:
The best women’s running leggings for petite runners:
Gone are the days where shorter runners were forced to bunch up the legs of their full-length leggings. As more brands opt for 7/8 leg length options, we’ve hand-picked our favourites:
The 7/8 leg length is perfect for shorter runners (our Deputy Digital Editor is 5 foot 2 and these sit on the ankle). These leggings are designed for faster runs, so there are no pockets for your phone, but plenty of ventilation thanks to the mesh panels on the back of the leg. The high waistband is super comfortable and the compressive fit helps you feel ready to race.
These On running leggings are designed to hug the legs as you move. There are no side pockets on the legs to restrict your movement, instead, they have cleverly-placed L-shaped stitching around the knees to allow. They’ve also got a reflective print which helps keep you seen when running in low light.
There’s nothing worse than your phone bumping against your hip as you run, so Under Armour came up with a solution – their Speedpocket, which is more of a waterproof pouch that sits at the front of the waistband, allowing you to easily access your phone without having to do that awkward twist. These also have a drop-in pocket on the hip, reflective details and a high waistband for comfort.
RUN DRY+ FEEL WOMEN’S RUNNING CROPPED BOTTOMS – BURGUNDY
4/4 SLIDES
The best women’s running leggings with reflective details:
When it comes to autumn and winter running, staying safe is all about staying seen. A good pair of reflective running leggings will have details that catch a car’s headlights as you cross the road or run along the pavement. We’ve hand-picked our favourites here:
There’s no ifs or buts about it, these reflective running leggings are beautiful. Featuring an all-over, eye-catching print, they’ll help you stay seen but look great when running in low light. There are also side pockets on the hips for your phone and essentials and a zipped pocket on the back.
These leggings are as lightweight and comfortable as they are reflective. They don’t have a pocket for your phone, so you’ll need a running belt, but Brooks ja
Run Warm + Women’s Running Warm Tights – Night Black
These Nike leggings are available in size UK22 to UK32. They’ve got reflective details on the legs to catch the light and are a good length for shorter runners. There’s also a zipped pocket on the back to keep your keys safe and a high-rise waistband to keep you comfy as you clock up the miles.
Lululemon recently increased their size range in a bid to be more inclusive, and we’re impressed. These high-rise running tights are made from Lulu’s brilliantly-soft fabric, have a comfortable high-waistband and drop in
ASOS 4505 Curve run legging with reflective contouring in fleece back
If you’re looking for a pair of leggings you can comfortably wear on the run, but also for a home workout or virtual yoga class, these Nike One leggings tick the right boxes. They’re buttery-soft against the skin, high waisted and sweat-wicking. They don’t have pockets, so you’ll still need a running belt, but they are a great all-rounder.
5/5 SLIDES
The best capri women’s leggings:
If you’re the kind of runner who prefers to wear leggings all year round, a capri leg length is a great way to get the coverage you desire, without overheating on the run. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite capri-length leggings on the market:
Enduro Bamboo Deep Waistband 3/4 Leggings
Ronhill Life Cropped Running Leggings, Mono Mushroom
These New Balance leggings are a simple, affordable option, designed to be comfy on and off the run. There’s a drawcord waistband for a personalised fit and a small, hidden inner pocket big enough for your keys. There’s also a reflective logo on the bottom of the leggings to help you stay seen in low light.
These Gymshark leggings are designed to be stretchy and supportive, offering a full range of movement whether you’re running, squatting or dancing around the living room. The waistband has an internal silicone band to keep it in place as you move, the seamless design keeps things chafe-free and the fabric is designed to wick moisture away from the body.
These Brooks leggings are designed to stand the test of time. Brooks write, ‘There’s nothing extra about this essential women’s running capri’. They’ve got a wide, supportive waistband, a no-bounce pocket big enough for your phone and chafe-free flatlock seams.
4/4 SLIDES
The best women’s running leggings under £40:
If you’re after affordable running kit that will last you more than one season, we’ve found it. From comfortable high-waisted leggings, to relaxed running pants, these options might not last forever, but will comfortably get you through your next training plan, without spending a fortune:
Not only do these M&S leggings look beautiful, they’ve got a high waistband, drop-in pockets on the side of the legs for your phone and running gloves,
These Nike leggings are a good find for less than £40 – they’ve got a high-rise waistband, mesh details on the back of the leg for added breathability and side slip pockets for your phone and face mask, allowing you to leave your running belt at home.
We’ve not tried these Amazon running leggings, but with an average rating of 4.5/5 and with over 1200 reviews, they’re a popular option. They’ve got side pockets on the hips big enough for your smartphone, a high waistband to keep everything tucked in as you move and they’re available in a wide variety of colours and leg lengths.
If you prefer a looser fitting trouser when running, you can’t go wrong with these Ronhill bottoms. The fabric has a water-repellent coating to keep you dry when running in wet weather, plus there are two front zip pockets to hold your essentials as you run.
These Decathlon leggings are brilliantly good value at just £9.99. With an average rating of 4.47, they’re a good option if you’re looking to save money. Decathlon writes, ‘we designed these leggings for women running in cool, mild and hot weather’. They’re breathable, with an adjustable drawcord waistband and a small zipped pocket on the back for your essentials.
![Looking for the best women's running leggings? We've found the best nike running leggings, the best women's running leggings for petite runners and the best winter running leggings.](https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/33-of-the-best-womens-running-leggings-for-2021/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"40","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1dqedJ.img?h=400&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"31","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1dqedJ.img?h=312&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"31","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1dqedJ.img?h=312&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})