11 best yoga pants and leggings to support you as you stretch

While practising yoga provides us with a moment of zen and calm, shopping for the perfect pair of yoga leggings can have quite the opposite effect.

They need to be soft and flexible, so they can move with your flow without restriction, and it’s a good idea to check the fabric is fully opaque, so you don’t show off your underwear along with your downward dog. Apart from those criteria, the options come down to personal preference.

Some people like flared or loose yoga pants made from a smooth fabric, while others prefer a more compressive design, as they believe it holds their form tighter, makes them more aware of adjustments needed and supports their core.

Further choices to make are whether you like bright colours or calming shades, and if you want a full leg, cropped leg or a 7/8 leg, which falls to just above the ankles. If you’re doing a particularly vigorous or hot yoga class, our opinion is the less fabric, the better. However, it doesn’t matter too much, as long as the material is capable of wicking away sweat and is breathable.

With prices ranging from less than £20 to more than £120, how do you know which yoga