5 of the best yoga pants: Health benefits and risks
Wearing yoga suit while exercising may

make a workout more comfortable and therefore more enjoyable. It may also prevent

overheating. That said, it also carries some health risks.
This article discusses the health benefits and risks of wearing yoga pants, what to

look for, some of the best options available to buy online, and alternative gym clothing to

consider.
Yoga pants describe a variety of different styles of pants, from formfitting leggings

to looser trousers. However, nearly all yoga pants have some stretch to them due to the

materials that they contain.
Many yoga pants contain materials that wick moisture from the body and promote airflow.

The moisture-wicking technology prevents overheating by keeping body temperature stable

during exercise, while ventilating fabrics increase airflow.
A 2014 studyTrusted Source found that synthetic polyester was more beneficial than a

100% cotton T-shirt in terms of both breathability and moisture-wicking.
This may suggest that yoga

suit-summer made of synthetic material, such as polyester and elastane, may prevent

overheating and promote airflow. This in turn may make workouts more comfortable,

especially in warm or hot environments.
Health risks of wearing yoga pants
The stretchy material in yoga pants should not feel too tight or limit movement, as

restrictive clothes can contribute toward musculoskeletal disorders.
For example, a 2016 studyTrusted Source found that males wearing tight pants are at a

greater risk of musculoskeletal disorders, because they cause abnormal movement and posture

in the lumbar spine and pelvis.
While this study focused on males and restrictive clothing, especially around the

waist, it suggests that wearing flexible and comfortable clothing may decrease the risk of

abnormal movement and posture.
Wearing tight or formfitting yoga pants may also lead to other conditions:
Yeast infection
Some people may develop a vaginal yeast infection. Certain clothes, such asTrusted

Source those that are too tight or use synthetic materials, are factors in people

developing this infection.
Tight clothes and sweating allow the yeast that naturally occurs in the vagina to

thrive, which leads to inflammation.
Learn more about yeast infections here.
Tinea cruris
Another condition that people may develop while wearing

yoga suit-autumn is tinea

cruris, or jock itch. Excessive sweating, restrictive clothing, and not showering properly

after exercise are risk factorsTrusted Source for developing this condition.
People wearing tight yoga pants that do not have moisture-wicking or breathable fabrics

may be at risk of jock itch.
Learn more about jock itch risk factors and prevention here.
Intertrigo
People wearing yoga pants may also develop intertrigo. This condition is an

inflammation that appears in skin folds. Risk factors for intertrigo includeTrusted Source

warm temperatures, sweating, friction, and poor ventilation.
Wearing yoga pants that do not have breathable and moisture-wicking materials may

contribute to this condition.
Learn more about intertrigo here.
List of top yoga pants
There are many yoga pants available to buy. However, people should look for

yoga suit-pattern that are:
nonrestrictive
breathable
moisture wicking
Below, we present a selection of the top yoga pants available on the market.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All

information presented is purely research-based.
These leggings contain moderate compression fabric that flattens the stomach and shapes

the waist and legs. Shaper clothing does not offer fitness benefits.
The leggings also feature mesh cutouts around the knees that promote extra airflow and

breathability. The fabric in the leggings wicks moisture, preventing overheating.
The company recommend these leggings for people doing high impact exercise, such as

agility, strength, and resistance training.
These leggings are available in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes.
These pants are lightweight, moisture wicking, and quick drying. They do not contain

spandex, but they prevent sagging or bagging with FREEFLEX fabric.
They also feature a wide pull-on waistband, four pockets, and a gusseted crotch for

freedom of movement. Additionally, they have a water-repellent finish.
The company recommend these pants for people who work out in the gym and outdoors.
These pants are available in small, medium, large, extra-large, and double extra-large

sizes, with a variety of inseam options.
These polyester and lycra pants have a capri length and an over-the-belly waistband

that a person can wear up or fold down, depending on their needs. These leggings feature a

four-way stretch and UV protection. They also absorb moisture.
The company recommend these for both a workout and general use. Additionally, the

leggings are suitable throughout pregnancy.
They come in the following sizes: extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large.
Whether you’re working out or just working from home, yoga pants are probably

somewhere in your day-to-day wardrobe rotation. To help you find the right pair for your

preferences — whether you like high-waisted or fold-over or capris or boot cut — we’ve

scoured thousands of Amazon reviews for the best of the best. And if you’re looking for

more activewear, be sure to check out our roundups of the best sports bras, leggings, and

plus-size workout clothes.
More than 31,000 reviewers give these high-waisted yoga tops-vest five stars, and over 300 describe them as

“buttery soft.” One such reviewer writes, “I cannot express how much I LOVE these

leggings! They make the booty look good, and I honestly like them better than my Lululemon

Aligns. And at this price, they’re hard to beat.” Another self-proclaimed “avid gymgoer

” also prefers these over Lululemon’s leggings because they “don’t cost $100/pair, have

good pockets, give enough compression for belly support, are super-stretchy and

comfortable, and they stay put.” Plenty of reviewers appreciate the 7/8 length of these

slightly shorter leggings, including one reviewer who’s under five feet tall. “The fit is

perfect for my small, hard-to-shop-for body!” they write. “It can be hard to find

leggings with little to no slack on the legs, but these fit just right, no bunched-up

fabric at my ankles!”
Over 3,000 reviewers give these even less expensive yoga pants five stars, with many

describing them as lightweight enough to workout in. “I was looking for cool, light

material because I use these pants for running on an indoor track. They are perfect,” one

writes, while another says, “I have hiked in them a couple times now and found them to

feel comfortable, and yet very supportive on my legs.” And while they are breathable, one

assures, “They’re not see-through like a lot of leggings can be; so wearing them at the

gym is totally fine.” As far as the length goes, some reviewers say they are a little

long, but one five-foot-one-inch reviewer says, “Once I put on a sneaker they are just

above the ground.” Reviewers also appreciate that they’re affordable — and that that

doesn’t impact their quality. “I had them for 2.5 years and they still look like new,”

one owner says. “I wear them weekly. Amazing quality. No stretch, no holes, no sign of

wear. Just amazing.”
According to the majority of positive reviewers here, Baleaf High Waist yoga pants don

’t press, squeeze, pinch, or leave indents on your stomach, and they stay put. “The high

waist stays up through all kinds of movement,” said one reviewer. Another satisfied

customer who wears them for work and yoga said, “I love that they don’t slide down,

flatten out my waist without leaving indents in my stomach or putting too much pressure

like most high-waisted pairs do.” A woman who said she wears them running called them

“perfect workout pants” saying “they fit wonderfully, and they’re so comfortable I don

’t even feel like I’m wearing pants (wore them for my run tonight). The waistband comes

up high enough to cover what I want covered without squeezing the hell out of my belly.

Super breathable, moisture-wicking, not see-through!” And a reviewer who bought another

pair “immediately” after receiving the first ones said “the fit on these pants are

amazing! They hold everything in yet still manage to feel breathable and so comfortable!

They’ll make your booty look great also!”
“I’ve been searching for a LONG time on Amazon for the perfect leggings,” writes one

customer who wanted Lululemon quality “without spending a lot of money.” She tested many

different Amazon leggings before these, and says “these by far are the most comfortable to

work out in. They def pass the squat test, are not see-through at ALL, and have convenient

pockets that I didn’t think I needed but love.” And plenty of five-star reviewers mention

the pockets on these IUGA leggings. One calls them “great, deep pockets.” She says that

women should “DEMAND more and better pockets” because after all “pockets are not just

for men.” Another customer says these leggings “are everything.” She appreciates the

pockets because they’re large enough for her utility knife and keys, but like nearly 200

other five-star reviewers, she loves the high waist. “The high waist allows me to look

slimmer and feel better about myself which ironically makes me work harder and faster,”

she explains, adding, “I can bend and squat and kneel and lift easily with no restrictions

or material pulling in certain places and not in others.”
“So take it from me and get one of these pants, if not multiple, because they will

change your life,” writes one reviewer who thinks these leggings are top-quality. Many are

especially impressed with the mesh panel on the calves; one notes that it “is very

flattering” and “slimming,” while another adds that “the mesh panels gives better

cooling effect.” But the mesh isn’t the only draw: As one reviewer notes, “The bottom of

the legs is cut on a slight angle (which doesn’t show in the image), but it adds to the

styling along with some the diagonal seaming, which is the inverse of the mesh insert.

There’s also mesh trim on the pocket, a nice detail.” The fit is another selling point.

Reviewers describe the leggings as stretchy and comfortable, but thick enough to be

supportive. “They keep my ‘jiggles’ controlled for yoga, barre, and boxing workouts

(told you … GOALS!),” one says. “The high waisted ‘tummy tuck’ also stays put during

all my activities, no rolling down! And finally, the material is dense, no awkward ‘see-

through’ spots on the bum.”