Back in 2012, I came back to the U.S. after a year in South Korea — and suddenly everyone was wearing them as actual pants. I thought it was absurd.
Then I bought a pair for yoga. Wow: They were unbelievably comfortable.
Gradually, my yoga leggings became my quick-trip-to-the-store pants. And eventually, they turned into my go-everywhere-for-any-reason pants. (If you’re a fellow legging devotee, you know how it happens.)
It looks like the trend isn’t fading, and since it’s legging weather again across much of the globe, I wanted to determine which pairs are worth buying.
Which ones aren’t thin and poorly-made, but instead are thick and luxurious — while still budget-friendly, of course.
After asking around the office and our Facebook community for their top picks, I assembled eight leggings under $20 to buy and evaluate — plus one bonus brand I’ll mention at the end.
Here are the findings…
The Best Women’s Leggings Under $20 (and the Least Impressive)
I had each model wear her leggings and rate them on a 1–10 scale for comfort, appearance and value. I then averaged those scores to get a final rating and ordered the pairs from worst to best.
Ready? Let’s go…
8. Amazon
Lush Moda Seamless Leggings ($9.99)
Since I was writing this piece, I got stuck picking last when it came to who modeled which leggings — and apparently the other women had already figured things out (hint: avoid these).
They come in lots of fun shades (including a purple that would please Savinly readers!), but that’s pretty much where the appeal stops. They’re see-through when you bend, made of a weird shiny fabric that feels uncomfortable and are WAY too long for shorter folks.
Comfort: 5
Look: 5
Value: 6
TOTAL: 5.33
7. Kohl’s
LC Lauren Conrad Solid Leggings ($20)
As much as I enjoyed “The Hills,” LC’s leggings landed near the bottom of our ranking. While some shoppers call them the “most comfortable leggings ever,” our model didn’t share that enthusiasm.
She selected the small length, yet they still felt too loose on her.
“They’re too baggy, and they’re not super soft,” she said. “I’m disappointed, since they had such glowing reviews online!”
Plus, they were the priciest in our selection — so even if they suit taller or curvier shapes, I’d suggest opting for one of the picks below.
Comfort: 6
Look: 5
Value: 7
TOTAL: 6
6. Walmart
Danskin Now Cotton Sport Leggings ($12.95)
I love my ultra-soft No Boundaries leggings from Walmart, but these Danskin ones didn’t impress our model.
“The fabric is sort of rough and a bit scratchy,” she said. “They’re fairly thick. The seams feel heavy, and there’s a really odd drawstring. I’d use them for workouts, but not as everyday pants.”
Comfort: 5
Look: 6
Value: 8
TOTAL: 6.33
5. Victoria’s Secret PINK
Lounge Legging ($19.50)
These were the second priciest leggings we tried, and while nothing about them was terrible, they might not be the best bang for your buck.
“They’re kind of plain, but I like them,” our model said. “The fit is spot-on; no muffin top and no awkward bits showing.”
“They last a long time,” one reader reported. “Eight years or more.”
Comfort: 10
Look: 7
Value: 6
TOTAL: 7.66
4. Sam’s Club
Marika Fitted Capri (2 for $16.99)
Who would’ve guessed you can find high-quality athletic leggings at Sam’s Club?
These are definitely geared toward workouts, which our model appreciated.
“They’re super thick so you don’t get that see-through moment when you bend,” she said. “And hang on… they have pockets! Big pockets that can fit your phone and keys.”
Comfort: 8
Look: 6
Value: 10
TOTAL: 8
3. Forever 21
Classic Leggings ($3.90)
Priced about the same as your regular morning coffee, these are the least expensive on the roundup. And our model felt they were a decent bargain!
“They’re soft and not restrictive,” she said. “They sit high so they cover any tummy concerns… but if I bend over they’re somewhat see-through. I’ve got to watch that they don’t bunch in front. I’d lounge in them or wear them under a skirt, but probably not with a short top.”
Comfort: 8
Look: 7
Value: 10
TOTAL: 8.33
2. Target
Mossimo Printed Leggings ($17.99)
Target is beloved for a reason, and our testing suggests Target leggings are winners too. We didn’t even have to purchase these — our model already owned a pair.
“I love the colors and prints, and they’re really comfortable,” she said. “The quality is solid; I’ve had them for a year and they’re still good. I think they’re a smart buy.”
I linked to a similar style above, but for more prints and sizes you’ll likely need to visit your local Target.
Comfort: 8
Look: 9
Value: 9
TOTAL: 8.66
1. Old Navy
Patterned Leggings ($12.50)
Ding, ding, ding! We have a champion.
Our model raved about how comfy and flattering these leggings are.
“I have a big butt and am 5’10”,” she said, “so I love how well they fit.” She did caution they can be slightly see-through when you bend, so “maybe pair them with a longer top.”
Even better, “They’ve lasted years with heavy wear,” one reader shared. “And they don’t go see-through on me.”
For $12.50 and adorable patterns, I’m eager to try these myself!
Comfort: 10
Look: 9
Value: 10
TOTAL: 9.66
Bonus Pick: LuLaRoe
Okay, these leggings aren’t under $20 — but since so many community members and staffers voted for this brand, I had to include them.
Here are some of the descriptions LuLaRoe fans used for their favorite leggings:
“Comfort is 100% heavenly.” “Incredible.” “Buttery soft.” “Magical fabric.”
“Looks great even on CURVY women.”
“They’re not too thin, they don’t reveal your rear, and they don’t bunch where you don’t want bunching.”
“They’re the trendiest thanks to the prints and variety. They’re built to last. You can wear them as pants because they have a proper band.”
“Insanely soft and stretchy, yet still opaque… breathable but warm enough for cooler days.”
The main drawbacks? The price: about $25 for a pair. They’re offered in two general size ranges: regular or tall & curvy, and sometimes the fit can vary by cut.
They’re also not sold in retail stores, so you must buy through a consultant. If you don’t know anyone, you can search for a seller using the brand’s site.
Or search LuLaRoe on Facebook, and many groups will appear. When I looked, I discovered several friends had recently hosted LuLaRoe pop-ups.
So, they’re pricier and a bit trickier to obtain — but for true leggings-as-pants lovers, they could be worth the effort.
Comfort: 10
Look: 10
Value: 9
TOTAL: 9.66
What do you think? Do these results match your experience, or did I overlook your go-to pair?
Oh, and if you live where fall weather is already here, please send some cool breezes down to Florida so I can fully enjoy my leggings!
Your Turn: Did your favorite leggings make the cut?
Alex Rivera, senior writer for Savinly, is always chasing budget-friendly adventures. Visit her blog at alexrivera.com, or say hi on Twitter @alex_rivera. Editorial assistant Jamie Morales also helped a great deal with the hands-on testing.
