Whether you're working out or hanging out, no piece of clothing is quite as versatile as a humble pair of leggings. They're stretchy, they're simple, and they're soft—what's not to love?? But while most leggings have a horizontal waistband that can dig into your tummy, you'll find that crossover leggings are becoming increasingly popular and for a good reason: They're more functional and more flattering than pairs with a boring ol' straight waistband. Wondering why those Aerie crossover leggings you've seen all over TikTok keep selling out? Pls allow us to explain what makes V-waist leggings so damn great. What We Don’t Love: The material is quite thin, so it’s not the most supportive option for the gym. Why we love it: If you're in the market for a pair of high-quality workout pants that will be good to you and good for the environment, these are the pants to invest in. Plus, they're on sale right now! Ever slip into an extra-comfy pair of leggings and wish you could wear them all the time? This pair from OFFLINE by Aerie is equal parts comfort and style. We tested these in multiple sizes and found the crossover waistband and overall fit of these leggings to sit just right on small and large frames, and we couldn't get over how well this pair seems to hug all the right places without too much compression.

Amazingly enough, the same superior level of softness remained even after washing and drying – and we did not use the delicate cycle or any other precautions. We threw these in the machine, right with all our other clothes, and it did not disturb the fabric one bit. The color never faded. The material didn’t depreciate, and everything was as good as new. We didn’t expect to be as blown away by these Lululemon leggings as we were. We found ourselves basically unwilling to take these leggings off for nearly everything — the buttery soft, split-flare leggings accompanied us to the gym, the grocery store, to see friends, to dance, and to lounge around the house. We almost debated sleeping in them, but in the end, we felt we were taking it a bit too far and decided against it (but we still think you could). What customers say: One buyer relayed that these leggings are, "the comfiest ever! I live in these leggings. I'll be wearing them all winter long when I go walking with my friends." The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is comprised of fitness product experts who test all types of workout apparel including leggings, sports bras, yoga pants, workout tops, bike shorts and more. When testing flared leggings, we evaluate them both in our Lab and with consumer testers.On the flip side, the compression makes them less comfortable for lounging around the house. They’re definitely intended to be taken out, as we noticed them to be a little uncomfortable to snuggle into the couch with. Why We Liked It: Full coverage leggings that leave you feeling supported and comfortable without weighing you down. What customers say: One customer noted, "They're what I wish yoga pants WERE in 2008!" We wholeheartedly agree.

We found these leggings to be a great value—they're cheap without looking cheap. Though we did notice some slight shrinkage in the flare of these pants after washing, it made them less likely to drag. Mesa suggests a squat and lunge test if you plan to wear flared leggings while working out. "Get a feel for how it stretches and whether the waistband is rolling down," says Mesa. Also, note whether or not the legging is bunching up in weird places, like at the knees or the bottom. Why we love it: These are what you think of when you think of a great flared legging; flattering, comfortable, on-trend, and made to move with you. Why We Liked It: These high-wasted flares are ultra-flattering and earn top marks across all categories, from fit to performance, quality, and opacity.

What We Love: They are opaque and stretchy, allowing us to engage in our full range of motion comfortably.