Yoga pants are one of the primary things that any yoga practitioner needs. They allow freedom of movement, are comfortable to wear, and honestly – very easy to combine with other apparel.
But, what to look for when buying yoga pants? Since there is a vast range of yoga pants, varying in style, material, length, and whatnot, I’ve made this yoga pants buying guide.
I hope that I will answer all your questions connected to hot yoga pants for women, and after reading, you will be able to do the right decision for your yoga pants.
What to Look for When Buying Yoga Pants
Yoga pants come in all kinds of patterns, styles, and sizes, so when you want to buy your new yoga pants, you might start scratching your head faced with the decision of which one. So, let’s start by explaining all the important aspects you need to consider before buying your new yoga leggings.
Fit and Rise
For hot yoga, you need something that will stay in place but is not too tight. There will be a lot of sweating, so you need breathable materials and ones that won’t see-through when wet. So, two things to look at are the rise and the fit.
The fit of your leggings needs to be tightly wrapped around your legs and body, but not too scrunched up, since that will restrict your movement. But, be careful – the last thing you need is your leggings slipping down while in a yoga pose. So, something in the middle will work just fine.
In regards to rise, avoid low-rise yoga pants, since there is a lot of bending in yoga. The higher the rise of your yoga pants, the better they will stay put during practice. Also, they will provide support for your lower back and spine. And let’s not forget – they do look flattering to the body.
But, you do need to be careful about the amount of extra fabric at the waist part. A lot of reinforcement might restrict your movement and make it uncomfortable for you to hold poses.
Amount of Compression and Stretch
Compression leggings hold and support your muscles in place during poses and reduce the pressure from the veins when you’re standing. Furthermore, they provide support and aid muscle recovery after exercising. Naturally, they feel a little tighter than regular leggings, but if you get the right size, it shouldn’t be a problem.
If you don’t have any experience with compression leggings, I propose starting with something lighter i.e. lower compression style. If you are comfortable with them and decide that you can go for more, you can always upgrade.
If you buy your leggings from a store, you should try them out before buying and make sure that you get into a couple of those poses in the changing room.
Length
Depending on the type of yoga you practice, as well as your personal preference, you can choose between full length, Capri, or shorts.
Full-length yoga pants have a high rise and end at the ankles. If they are longer than that, you might slip or trip during practice. The good news is that if you have some long leggings, you can always just bring them to a tailor for adjustments.
Capri leggings end below the knees or in the middle of the calves. They can be suitable for practitioners that are getting hot during practice, or those that want to have their lower calf uncovered for more friction.
Practitioners are divided when it comes to shorts. Some of them love shorts since they allow more friction or sticking legs to different body parts. Others find shorts uncomfortable and prone to pushing upwards. Practitioners of hot yoga might benefit from shorts since they will lower sweating.
Bottom Style
When we think of leggings, we think of tight bottoms from the calf to the ankle. But, there are some other types of yoga pants – straight cut and flared bottoms.
Some people don’t like the tightness of classical leggings, so they go for something wider at the bottom. But, for other practitioners, this extra material on the bottom just makes it uncomfortable during practice.
For example, in poses with your legs up, you can expect flared bottom pants to turn down and maybe get stuck when you get out of the pose. This can distract you from your practice.
The bottom style you opt for is all up to you.
Material
Material is one of the most important aspects of any yoga pants. You have three options to choose from – pure cotton, pure synthetics, or cotton and synthetics blends. Each of these options has both positive and negative sides.
- Cotton
Cotton is fully natural, grown processed, and threaded into leggings. The benefits of cotton are: it’s soft, it doesn’t pill and form fluffs (even if it does, they easily fall off), and it absorbs moisture (sweat included). The negative sides are that it’s not as breathable as synthetic materials and is prone to fading. If the leggings are lighter to be more comfortable, cotton can also be see-through.
- Synthetics
Synthetic yoga pants are usually done from polyester, spandex, nylon, or a combo of the three. The strongest benefits of any synthetics are that they stay in their shape longer, have moisture-wicking properties, and are breathable. Cons include their tendency for pilling, stronger smells, and roughness (compared to pure cotton).
- Blends of cotton and synthetics
Blends are the third option and they include all those previously mentioned benefits and cons of both cotton and synthetics.
If you haven’t made up your mind about the material of your new hot yoga pants, bear in mind breathability. It’s very important, especially for yoga practices where you sweat. The second most important thing is moisture-wicking properties, since, without it, your leggings will stick to your body after you sweat or will show sweating marks. To not further delay it – synthetic materials beat cotton in both of these aspects.
Price
Price is another parameter to keep in mind. Surely, some practitioners want only the best for their practice, and that includes expensive yoga clothes or accessories. But, if you want to be reasonable and spend less on yoga clothing, surely you can find inexpensive yoga pants that have average quality.
In this article, I’ve included yoga pants that are at the lower end of the price range. If you want to, you can easily find yoga pants worth around $100. The yoga leggings reviewed in this article were meant to provide all the benefits, without “stretching” your budget. So, our included hot yoga pants for women are up to $50.
10 The Best Hot Yoga Pants (2022)
Best Plus-Size Women’s Yoga Pants
1. JUST MY SIZE Women’s Plus Size Active Pieced Stretch Capri
The Just My Size (JMS) Company is one of the leading plus-size clothing companies for women. They make apparel and underwear, and thankfully – yoga pants. Their affordable, yet quality-made Capri yoga pants made it on the top of our list. With multiple sizes and colors to choose from, Just My Size delivers great Capri pants, perfect for hot yoga classes.
Key Features:
- Material: 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
- Feature: Plus size
- Colors: Slate Gray with Black; Black and White; Plum and Black; Odyssey Blue and Black;
- Sizes: 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Pros:
- Drawstring closure
- Comfortable waistband
- Stitched seams
- Defining shape
Cons:
- No Compression
- No Pockets
2. YOHOYOHA Plus Size Leggings High Waist Athletic Workout Yoga Pants Pockets Women’s Tummy Control Best Thick Long
The Yohoyoha leggings hold second place on our plus size list. With high waist, pockets and multiple lengths available, they truly can deliver leggings for everyone’s taste. Coming in a classic black color, users report that these leggings are comfortable for much more than just yoga practice.
Key Features:
- Material: 79% Polyester, 21% Spandex
- Features: Plus Size, Multiple Lengths
- Colors: Black
- Sizes: X-Large, 2X, 3X, 4X
Pros:
- Available in 2 types of Capris and Full-Length Leggings
- Pull-On closure
- Stretchy fabric
- Compression
- All over interlock seams
- Machine washable
- Pockets
Cons:
- Some users report small overall sizing
- They are quite compressive for some users
3. MOREFEEL Plus Size Leggings for Women-Stretchy X-Large-4X Tummy Control High Waist Spandex Workout Black Yoga Pants
The last brand on our plus size list is the Morefeel leggings with tummy control and a high waist. This too is a company dedicated to plus size apparel, perfecting their leggings for comfort, tummy control and flattering figures.
Key Features:
- Material: 92% Polyester，8% Spandex
- Feature: High Waist & Tummy Control
- Colors: Black, Camouflage, Navy Blue, Grey, Leopard Print
- Sizes: X-Large, 2X, 3X, 4X
Pros:
- You can buy one or a pack of two leggings
- Wide compression waistband
- Not prone to pilling
Cons:
- Non-standard sizing, you have to carefully check their sizing chart
- Too long for some users
- No pockets
Best Tight Women’s Hot Yoga Pants
4. Heathyoga Yoga Pants with Pockets for Women Capri Leggings for Women Yoga Leggings with Pockets for Women High Waisted
The Heathyoga Company makes and sells sports’ and yoga wear, making them some of the first go-to producers for yoga clothes and accessories. Their yoga pants with a high waist and pockets come in 23 different colors and multiple sizes. They are perfect for any kind of exercise.
Key Features:
- Material: 75% Polyester, 25% Spandex
- Feature: Capris and Full-Length Leggings
- Colors: 23 colors
- Sizes: from XS to 2XL
Pros:
- Elastic closure
- 4-way stretch technology
- High Waisted
- Pockets
- High waist elastic waistband
- moisture-wicking material
Cons:
- For some users they are ultra-high
- For some users, they are too long
- Very low compression
5. IUGA High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets, Tummy Control, Workout Pants for Women 4 Way Stretch Yoga Leggings with Pockets
The IGUA yoga pants are the best Tight Women’s hot yoga pants on a budget. With an Amazon rating of 4.7 out of 5, provided by more than 56,000 customers, actions speak more than words. They astound with the choice of colors and sizes, so if the High Waist yoga pants are not what you want, make sure you check their store for other options.
Key Features:
- Material: 77% Polyester, 23% Spandex
- Feature: Elastic
- Colors: 18 colors available
- Sizes: From XS to 3XL (7 sizes)
Pros:
- Multiple colors to choose from
- True to size
- With pockets
- High-Rise Waistband
- Tummy Control
- Hidden Pocket
- Four-way Stretch material
Cons:
- They can be long for some users
- A very spandex-y feel for some practitioners
- Not very breathable
6. Colorfulkoala Women’s Buttery Soft High Waisted Yoga Pants 7/8 Length Leggings
The Colorfulkoala high-waisted yoga pants are perfect for yoga practice, other kinds of sports, or simply as a leisure wear. They are especially comfortable for shorter practitioners since they are 7/8 length. If regular full length is long for some yogis, these will be perfect. They get our third place since they cost a little more than Heathyoga leggings, even though they have a lower Amazon rating.
Key Features:
- Material: Spandex and Nylon blend
- Feature: Flatlock construction
- Colors: 9 different colors
- Sizes: from XS to XL (5 sizes)
Pros:
- Seamless waistband
- Lightweight fabric
- Non-see through
- Small compression
Cons:
- Very small compression for some users
- No pockets
- Very synthetic feel for some practitioners
- Some users report changes in color and fit after washing
7. YEOREO Women High Waist Workout Gym Smile Contour Seamless Leggings Yoga Pants Tights
The Yeoreo yoga pants for women have a lot of mixed reviews on Amazon. Some people love them, while others hate them. What sets them apart from the rest is their crescent butt shadings, which give your figure a very flattering features. Even though more expensive than the rest of our tight hot yoga pants, they might be just the thing you’re looking for in you want to boost confidence while boosting muscles.
Key Features:
- Material: 100% Nylon
- Feature: Contouring
- Colors: 20 different colors with or without contouring colors
- Sizes: from S to 2XL
Pros:
- Darker contouring color on some parts of the leggings
- Good compression
- Squat proof
Cons:
- Might feel too synthetic for some people
- Not very breathable
- See-through, especially the lighter colors
- Very tight for some users
Best Hip Women’s Hot Yoga Pants
8. PHISOCKAT 2 Pack High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets, Tummy Control Leggings, Workout 4 Way Stretch Yoga Leggings
Phisockat leggings are a great option for practitioners who want to have enough pockets in their yoga pants. Getting in mind that they come in a pack, their price is at the lower end, compared to other manufacturers. The only negative side is that they don’t have an option of 1 Capri + 1 full length.
Key Features:
- Material: 77 % Polyester, 23% Spandex
- Feature: They come 2 or 3 in a pack
- Colors: available in 10 colors
- Sizes: from S to 3XL
Pros:
To see the pros of the Phisockat high-waisted yoga pants, I recommend taking a look at their Youtube promotional video.
Cons:
- Tight for some users
- They don’t have an XS size
- Long for some users
- They don’t have a pack of 1 Capri + 1 full length
9. Zenana Premium Cotton FOLD Over Yoga Flare Pants
For the lovers of wide-legged yoga pants, I recommend the Zenana Cotton Fold Yoga flare pants. Zenana Company is not exclusively selling sportswear, but they do excel in sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical production. If you feel uncomfortable in tight leggings, and don’t mind that they are made of cotton, these are the ones to go with.
Key Features:
- Material: 95% Cotton 5% Spandex
- Feature: Wide-leg yoga flare pants
- Colors: 18 colors
- Sizes: 4 sizes from S to XL
Pros:
- Flare (wide legs) bottom
- Soft cotton feel
- Multiple colors to choose from
- Tummy control
Cons:
- Cotton based i.e. less breathability and lower moisture-wicking properties
- Don’t have an XS size
- The waist is too high for some users
- Not enough wideness on the legs for some users
10. OMKAGI Women Scrunch Butt Lifting Leggings Seamless High Waisted Workout Yoga Pants
Omkagi Company specializes in leggings and swimwear, so they do know how to make quality leggings. Omkagi yoga pants are high-waisted and with butt lifting properties. A lot of women love them because of their flattering contouring. The scrunch leggings trend became viral a couple of years back, and it keeps on going, so you won’t make a wrong decision in taking these types of leggings.
Key Features:
- Material: 100% Spandex
- Feature: Butt lift i.e. Scrunch leggings
- Colors: Available in 30 colors
- Sizes: 5 sizes from XS to XL
Pros:
- Squat Proof
- Butt lift
- Tummy control
- High compression
- 4-way stretch
- High waisted
Cons:
- Very tight for some users
- Some users report inconsistency in color and size
What to Wear to Hot Yoga Class?
Leggings or Shorts
Since our whole article was about leggings, shorts, and yoga pants, I’m not going to repeat myself. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can go for shorts or full-length leggings. Either way, make sure that they have breathing and moisture-wicking properties. Also, if you practice yoga to lose weight, you might just go with full-length pants, to provoke even more sweating.
Crop top or Sports Bra
The upper part of the body needs to be clothed with a textile with similar properties to the leggings. So, find something that is breathable and wicks moisture.
You can opt for crop tops or sports bras, but make sure they are tight. During yoga poses, you will bend and twist your body in different ways, so wide t-shirts might fall on your face when you do bending positions. Furthermore, tight upper clothing will allow your yoga instructor to better see your body posture and suggest adjustments if needed.
Headbands
Headbands can be a perfect addition to a hot yoga class. If you’re prone to sweating (as I am) the headband will prevent sweat from rolling in your eyes. Trust me, there is nothing worse than stinging eyes due to sweat in them. If that happens, you will have to pause the practice and run to the bathroom to wash your face.
A headband will prevent all that since it will absorb part of the sweat running down your face. For removing the remaining sweat, move to the next section.
What to Bring to Yoga Class?
Towels
For hot yoga practice, towels are essential. Depending on your sweating level, you can take one, two, or as many towels as you need.
You can use them to remove sweat from your face, hands, or legs. I’m mentioning these body parts and the need for them to be dry since you might need to use them as support for some yoga asanas. Downward facing dog, for example, requires both your hands and feet to be dry, otherwise, you can easily slip.
You can place your towels beside your yoga mat at the beginning of the class and use them to wipe your sweat at any point during practice. To not distract yourself during poses, use the relaxing period between poses to wipe your body.
Yoga Mat
People have different opinions in regards to owning and taking their yoga mat to yoga practice. For some, hygiene is very important and they don’t want to touch surfaces that some other person sweated on. For others, that is not such a big deal, since they head off to the shower right after practice.
Owning your yoga mat has a lot of benefits since you learn how your yoga mat behaves and how much it slips when wet. On the other hand, you would need to take the mat with you to and back from every practice. This is not desirable for practitioners will long commute times. But, there always is a solution. Depending on the yoga studio you visit, they might have lockers they rent to their members. So, you can easily rent a locker and keep your yoga mat, extra towers, and extra clean clothes in it.
Clean Clothing for After Practice
Clean clothes are another essential. If you don’t want to travel back home all sweaty and smelly, you need to have clean clothes. Most hot yoga studios have bathrooms with changing rooms and showers. So, after practice, you can head to the shower and then put on some clean clothes on the way back home.
If you rent a locker at your yoga studio, you can stock some extra clothes. But, don’t forget to regularly take used clothes with you to wash them and bring them back to the next class.
Conclusion
Hot yoga pants for women are a crucial part of every yoga practice. Today, there are numerous varieties when it comes to size, pattern, material, compression, stretch, etc.
I hope that with this guide and product review article, I’ve helped you in your decision about the yoga pants you want and need.
If there is anything I might have missed to mention; or if you want to share your opinion or experience on the topic, feel free to do so in the comment section. I would love to hear what you consider quality hot yoga pants.
