Not all leggings are created equal. These are the best of the best.

As a fashion writer, it's easy to assume that I take the way I dress very seriously, but if I’m going to be completely honest, my favourite item of clothing, and the one I wear most often, is the humble legging. Do I enjoy dressing up and styling outfits? For sure. But sometimes comfort takes precedence. 

With 2024 finally underway, I’m actually grateful that I have a wide range of leggings at my disposal, because like pretty much everyone else on the planet, I am determined to hit the gym and work out this year. Will I last till the end of the year? Who knows, but watch this space.

Watch: Fashion Crimes: Festival Chaps. Post continues below.

When picking out leggings, especially for working out, I need them to be comfortable, thick and easy to move around in. Bonus points if it has handy features like pockets and zips at the ankles.

Now, as much as I would love a ‘one-legging-fits-all’ approach, I know that’s just not true. Everyone has different preferences, and those preferences can change depending on what workout you're doing and how intense the exercise is going to be. Not to mention that leggings come in different lengths, colours and styles, so having a few options on rotation is a good idea.

So if, like me, you’re also getting ready to kick your fitness goals out of the park this year then keep reading, because these are the best pairs of workout leggings you can buy.

Full-length leggings.

Under Armour Women’s HeatGear No-Slip Waistband Full-Length Leggings, $60.

Image: Under Armour.

Lorna Jane Lotus Classic Ankle Biter Tights, $100.

Image: Lorna Jane, The Iconic.

Nike Pro 365 High-Rise ⅞ Tights, $60.

Image: Nike, The Iconic.

Dk Active Odessa Tight, $99.95.

Image: Dk Active.

Cropped leggings.

Lululemon Wunder Train Contour Fit High-Rise Crop, $119.

Image: Lululemon.

Adidas Performance 3-Stripes ¾ Tights, $55.

Image: Adidas, The Iconic.

Running Bare Ab Waisted Sculpt ⅞ Tights, $109.

Image: Running Bare, The Iconic.

Rockwear Luxesoft Pocket ¾ Tights, $69.99.

Image: Rockwear, The Iconic.

Bike shorts.

Under Armour Motion Bike Shorts, $45.

Image: Under Armour, The Iconic.

UNIT Energy Activewear Shorts, $69.99.

Image: UNIT, The Iconic.

Active Truth Anti-Chafe Compression Bike Short, $109.99.

Image: Active Truth, The Iconic.

ASICS Race Sprinter Tights, $80.

Image: ASICS, The Iconic.

Flared leggings.

P.E Nation Full Force Leggings, $99.

Image: P.E Nation, The Iconic.

Cotton On Body Active Ultra Soft Fold Over Flare Tights, $49.99.

Image: Cotton On Body, The Iconic.

All Fenix Madison Flare Leggings, $88.

Image: All Fenix, The Iconic.

Maternity leggings.

Aim’n Sense Flare Maternity Tights, $130.

Image: Aim'n, The Iconic.

Lorna Jane LJ Maternity Bike Shorts, $80.

Image: Lorna Jane.

Supacore Injury Recovery and Postpartum Compression Leggings, $199.

Image: Supacore, The Iconic.

Reebok Performance Yoga Lux 2.0 Maternity Tights, $100.

Image: Reebok, The Iconic.

Our word of the year for 2024 is MOVE. On my schedule, for my budget, for however I'm feeling and wherever I am. Want to join us? Head here to start your free trial of our brand new exercise app, MOVE by Mamamia.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature Image: The Iconic/Active Truth/Dk Active/Lorna Jane.