A good pair of black leggings is a staple of almost every woman's closet. And whether you prefer to wear them to yoga, brunch, or on a long run, you want a pair that will hold up, stay up, and remain comfortable all day long. With tons of options out there, however, it can be difficult to figure out which ones will fit all of your needs—especially when shopping online. To help you choose, we gathered our favorite black leggings available right now.
If you prefer a color besides black, all of these leggings have other color options to choose from. Also note that not all colors will be available in every size.
The Best Black Running Leggings
How We Selected
To determine the best black running leggings on the market, we tapped into Runner's World editor-tested picks for the best running tights on the market, as well as reading through countless customer reviews of each product we considered. We then took into account price, materials, sizes, comfort, and durability to bring you the comfortable, stylish, and long-lasting black leggings you'll find below.
For more great running apparel, check out our picks for the best women's long-sleeved workout shirts and running jackets.
Whether or not you have owned a pair yourself, chances are you have heard someone raving about the Lululemon Align leggings. These leggings are universally flattering and buttery smooth, making them a top choice for yoga, brunch, a run through the park, or lounging at home. If you end up wanting a second pair, they come in 19 colors besides black.
Yogis love these leggings for their durable yet soft feel, and extreme stretch that moves with your body. The leggings have a triple-layer waistband that comes up past the belly button, which keeps it from falling down, and provides a supportive and slimming feel on the waist. They also has a pocket in the back of the waistband, large enough to hold a phone.
While these leggings may have been designed for yoga, their flexibility and thickness make them versatile enough to be used for lifting, hiking, and much more. They are incredibly soft, and have intentionally-placed seams that help flatter and sculpt your body. They also are made with multicolored threads that help give them a heathered look, which also helps to mask sweat marks.
Seamless leggings can be expensive, but these have a luxury look and feel while only costing $30. The ribbed design not only looks great, but also makes these leggings supportive while keeping them in place. They also comes in some fun, vibrant colors— though, of course, black and some other neutrals are available for a classic, easy-to-pair look.
Believe it or not, leggings that are squat-proof and super lightweight do in fact exist. These ones have a double-thickness band at the top and a super high rise, which keeps them from falling or slipping down. They also have little cutout details in the back that are both cute and help keep you cool by allowing for some ventilation.
If you wear over a size XL, it can sometimes be difficult to find workout clothes that are good-quality, cute, and will fit you well. These leggings come in sizes XXS-6XL, truly providing a range that fits just about everyone. Girlfriend Collective is also a sustainable brand and they make their clothing in part with recycled water bottles. These leggings also have four-way stretch and are super supportive, which is great for high-impact workouts and running.
Although most of us will still be running in shorts for a while, the days of slogging through freezing-cold workouts is inevitably in our future. These fleece-lined tights are great for those days when the temperatures are at their lowest. They have a drawstring that helps to keep them from slipping off your waist, and they have a medium rise so they won't feel bulky under a bunch of layers.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.