A pair of yoga leggings or yoga pants that won't bunch around your ankles or give you a camel toe in downward dog can be as hard to find as inner calm on a Monday morning. (We've been there, tried the mid-meeting meditation, can't necessarily recommend it.) But fear not, we've taken on the challenge to find the best yoga leggings or yoga pants for women.

They're the core piece of kit that underpins yoga and Pilates sessions, Netflix watching and strolling around the park to get some fresh air — so it's best to pick ones that really do the job and stay up while you're at it.

So, whether you're indulging in a stress-busting candlelit yoga sesh or sweating through a morning power-hour flow, here are the best of this season's styles for every type of practice. Scroll on for our in-depth reviews, plus we've answered some FAQs on yoga leggings further down.

Above all, yoga leggings provide comfort and flexibility while you practise — both of which are pretty important when you're bending every which way. 'Wearing leggings specifically designed for practising yoga will make your practice comfortable and safe,' says Liz Joy Hardie, Head of Wellness & Product at MoreYoga.

'The fabrics used in yoga leggings are made for purpose so perfect for balances, flowing sequences and moving in and out of certain postures like Tree Pose, which require a non-slip fabric for you to stay in the balance without slipping out,' says Hardie. 'They are also often made with breathable fabrics that make you feel relaxed and comfortable in your own skin — the perfect combination for any yoga practice!'

Meet the expert: Liz Joy Hardie is Head of of Wellness & Product at MoreYoga. She's a trained holistic wellbeing coach and senior yoga teacher specialising in yoga therapy for stress and anxiety. Having begun her career in fashion, she left to pursue yoga, and since completing her yoga teacher training in 2014 has taught around the world.

Can't I just wear my gym leggings?

While it might be temping to throw on your go-to gym leggings for yoga, this is likely a bad idea, as most gym leggings are compressive and designed for higher intensity exercises, so you may not be able to move in the right way, and they could cut in uncomfortably in certain poses.

'It’s worth buying leggings specifically designed for yoga so you can practise safely and feel confident,' says Hardie. 'Having the right leggings is like having the best equipment — whether you’re doing hot yoga, a dynamic power practice, yin yoga or restorative, yoga leggings will be designed for style and comfort so you look and feel amazing.'

Material

The most important factor in yoga leggings is that they have great stretch without being restrictive, so opt for flexible fabrics like nylon, polyester and elastane. Moisture-wicking should also be a consideration, particularly if you’re a dynamic flow kinda gal, as well as breathability and the general feel of the material — the best yoga leggings tend to use soft fabrics that feel smooth against the skin, rather than more technical feeling fabrics you might find on gym leggings. 'Where possible, you could also opt for natural fabrics such as cotton and bamboo, which offer breathability and comfort and are less synthetic,' says Hardie.

Waistband

Most yoga leggings have high, wide waistbands which offer extra support and pair well with longline bras so you don’t have to wear a top if you find the extra fabric a distraction. But if you don’t love that held-in feeling (though when it comes to yoga leggings it's always a gentle, supportive feel rather than compressive), opt for mid-rise or wrap waists (which also happen to look super flattering), or you might prefer yoga pants with a less structured waist.

Style

It goes without saying that your yoga leggings should look great and help you feel confident on the mat — and all the styles we’ve recommended we feel do just that. If you prefer the look of loose yoga pants over leggings, just make sure you’ve considered whether you’ll find a flared leg riding up in three-legged dog annoying or not.

Compression

Yoga leggings don’t tend to offer as much compression as gym leggings, but you may prefer a gentle compression to help you feel supported and enhance muscle recovery.

Seams

Ideally your yoga leggings will have flat seams to reduce chafing, or possibly be completely seamless for a sleek, undisturbed flow (and to make camel toe a problem of the past). Some yoga leggings use seams to enhance sculpting features — Sweaty Betty is a good example of this — so really it comes down to personal preference.

Fit and length

You want a snug but comfortable fit that allows for free movement. If your waistband feels like it’s cutting you in half, size up or try a different style. Length-wise we tend to go for a 7/8 fit to ensure there’s no loose fabric to roll up around the ankles, but taller women may want to choose a regular or long leg. Many brands offer a range of lengths, so check the individual size guides to determine the best fit for you.

Ethics and sustainability

As with any purchase, you should consider whether the values of the company you're buying from align with your own. 'Yoga Philosophy teaches us to practice ahimsa, which is understood to mean non-violence and compassion, so I believe it’s important to choose sustainable brands that do not negatively impact the planet to help embody yogic teachings,' says Hardie. 'When you’re looking for yoga leggings, think about where you’re buying from, who you’re supporting and where in the world they are made.'

To find the best yoga leggings and yoga pants, our team of editors, writers and willing yogi testers tried out each and every pair of yoga leggings in this guide — including several that didn't make the cut. We tried the leggings across a variety of yoga class styles, including dynamic and yin, as well as donning them for reformer Pilates, barre, and simply running errands.

Many of our recommendations come from years of use and familiarity with the products, while others we tested specifically for this piece over several months. In every case, each tester reported back on how they found the design and fit, as well as whether they performed well on the mat.

We also kept a close on eye on durability and longevity — many of the yoga leggings on this list have been editor favourites for years, and thus washed more times than we can count, so we've only recommended those that have held their shape and elasticity and haven't bobbled.

lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

BEST YOGA LEGGINGS OVERALL

lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 25

Now 61% Off

£34 at Lululemon

Pros

• Soft, second-skin feel

• Flexible and unrestrictive

• Incredible comfort

Cons

• You'll want more than one pair

Material	Nylon, Lycra elastane
Style	High-waisted leggings
Pockets	Small slip pocked in the front of the waist — but side pocketed versions are available
Size range	UK 4 - 24, plus 4 different lengths: 23", 25", 28", 31"
Colours	Choose from 25 colours

Consider this your go ahead to buy those lululemons you’ve been lusting after because these leggings aced our testing with one of our panel describing them as the comfiest pair they’d ever worn — and our editors thoroughly agree.

Though the fit varied between our testers, everyone raved about the seamless design and luxuriously soft fabric. There’s a small slip pocket in the front of the waistband that will hold a card and a small phone at a push, but if you want more storage the brand to make a pair with pockets too.

We carried out wash tests on the lululemon Align leggings in the WH lab to ensure that they stay fresh after a spin in the washing machine — plus our editors still wear pairs they bought years ago with zero complaints, but we do recommend you don't tumble dry them to avoid bobbling.

If you’re after a pair for hot yoga, just make sure to pick a darker colour so they’re sweat-patch proof. Overall though, they’re star sun saluters. And the brand has recently announced a new version of the Align leggings without a central front seam — hallelujah!

Adanola Ultimate Wrap Over Leggings

MOST FLATTERING YOGA LEGGINGS

Adanola Ultimate Wrap Over Leggings

£42 at adanola.com

Pros

• No front seam = no camel toe

• Super soft and stretchy

• High, sculpting waistband

Cons

• A little thin at full stretch

Material	Recycled polyamide, elastane
Style	Wrap waist leggings
Pockets	No
Size range	XXS - XXXL
Colours	7 core colours, plus rotating seasonal shades

Adanola has reworked its classic gym leggings with a flattering wrap-over waist, which helps provide extra support around the tummy. The seamless panel at the front also means you can wave goodbye to the dreaded legging camel toe.