Looking for the best CrossFit leggings for your workouts?
In this Athletic Muscle guide, I’ll be covering:
- What to look for in a pair of CrossFit tights or leggings.
- Why the right gear can have surprising benefits for your training.
- How these items can help show off your personality while at the gym.
- And my top 6 leggings and tights.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Top Pick
| Rogue WOD Gear Crop Pants
| View on Rogue Fitness |
Most Innovative
| VIRUS Compression Pants
| View on Rogue Fitness |
| Reebok CrossFit Mesh Lux Tights
| View on Reebok |
Most Color and Pattern Options
| Colorfulkoala High-Waisted Leggings
| View on Amazon |
| Under Armour Women’s HeatGear Armour Leggings
| View on Amazon |
Best Compression
| Active4U Superhero CrossFit Leggings
| View on Amazon |
Best for Running
| Nike Pro Crop Tights
| View on Amazon |
| Dragon Fit High-Waisted Leggings
| View on Amazon |
| Reebok High-Waisted Vector Capri Tights
| View on Reebok |
Top 9 Best CrossFit Leggings & Tights
There are various things needed to prepare for a tough workout: nutrition, hydration, rest, and the right attire.
Choosing the right leggings is essential to focus on your workout without getting distracted by discomfort or self-consciousness. As fitness wear can be a significant investment, it’s also valuable to find leggings that endure whatever you throw at them, from rope burn to barbell friction.
- Rogue WOD Gear Crop Pants (Top Pick)
- VIRUS Compression Pants (Most Innovative)
- Reebok CrossFit Mesh Lux Tights
- Colorfulkoala High-Waisted Leggings (Most Color and Pattern Options)
- Under Armour Women’s HeatGear Armour Leggings (Best Compression)
- Active4U Superhero CrossFit Leggings(Best Budget Box)
- Nike Pro Crop Tights (Best for Running)
- Dragon Fit High-Waisted Leggings (Most Afforable)
- Reebok High-Waisted Vector Capri Tights
In this article, we’ll cover what to look for to find the best CrossFit leggings and tights to rock the Box.
What to Look For in CrossFit Leggings
When shopping for CrossFit workout pants, the first feature to look at is the material. The leggings should be made of a high-quality, breathable, moisture-wicking material that aids with temperature and humidity control as things start to heat up. This feature is also invaluable during colder weather workouts to keep you safe and healthy while smashing your goals all year long.
The material should also be squat-proof, with thick and closely-woven fabric that doesn’t become sheer when stretched. Watch out for signs of pilling or fragile elasticity— the best Crossfit leggings will fit like a second skin.
Most importantly, leggings or tights should be comfortable to wear. High-waist compression leggings can help prevent the roll-down effect during hinging movements, which can be distracting.
Finally, look for leggings in a style that appeal to you and showcase your personality. Features like extra pockets and drawstrings can also help enhance your comfort, depending on your personal preferences.
The Best Leggings for Crossfit
Keeping the features above in mind, here are the best leggings for CrossFit based on the best overall quality, value, and budget options.
Overall #1 Pick
When it comes to training equipment and attire, you can’t go wrong with anything Rogue.
Made with a blend of nylon, spandex, and poly materials, these durable leggings are built to last. The stretchy material provides ample squat-proof coverage, offering compression without restricting mobility.
Additionally, the fitted waistband prevents slippage so that you don’t have to continuously adjust yourself while training.
As the name implies, these pants are cropped. Shorter athletes will find them falling to mid-calf, making them comfortable to wear with compression socks.
They also come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit any style. The waistband also has a small slot-style pocket that’s large enough to hold keys or cash while running.
While most customers have nothing but positive things to say about their WOD Gear Crop Pants, a few curvier athletes have mentioned that the rear compression isn’t built for all body types.
Pros
Cons
VIRUS brand compression pants were designed for serious athletes.
The manufacturing process sounds like the pants could turn you into a CrossFit cyborg with bioceramic materials like zirconium, aluminum, zinc, and titanium.
This list of materials leads to one critical question: are they comfortable. Fortunately, the answer is yes. Not only are the pants comfortable, but they also have an inner drawstring to adjust the waistband.
These compression pants keep your blood circulating and prevent pain and inflammation while doing a tough WOD or competing in the Games.
On the downside, they only come in black, and getting the proper sizing is crucial.
Some athletes have complained about the waistband being too low cut and rolling during intense workouts, but VIRUS has since released a 3-inch waistband option that seems to have resolved the issue.
As the long-time sponsor of CrossFit, Reebok arguably produces the best leggings for CrossFit training. The polyester and spandex blend is held together with flat seams to prevent indentation and discomfort from compression. The waistband is low-rise, but wide enough to prevent rolling during training.
The Reebok CrossFit Mesh Lux tights also have a few special features that make them a worthwhile investment. First of all, they have a proper side pocket with top access so you can keep your phone handy without it impeding movement. These compression tights also have mesh backing to improve breathability and keep you cool.
These tights are comfortable and versatile, with various styles and sizes. They’re a solid investment if you want something you can wear to the Box or on a rest day. Keep in mind that you pay for the CrossFit branding on these tights, which drives up the price a bit.
Best Value for Money CrossFit Leggings
These versatile leggings are a hidden gem for CrossFitters. These leggings come in an endless array of colors and patterns, with new options being added to the line-up regularly.
The polyester and spandex blend offers light compression without being too restrictive. Many customers report them as being more comfortable than their Lululemon legging collection as well. While these leggings don’t have pockets, the high-waist is designed to prevent rolling.
There are a few caveats with this brand. First, many customers have indicated that the sizing is slightly off. Most people have no trouble with sheerness while squatting, but those who have reported their pants as sized too small have. When in doubt, go a size up.
Another important thing to be aware of is that Colorfulkoala has recently experienced issues with scam companies using their name and images. Be mindful that you’re buying from the original manufacturer, not one of the knock-offs.
While Colorfulkoala leggings aren’t the most durable, they’re a price-savvy option that blurs the line between workout clothes and leisurewear.
Under Armour Women’s HeatGear Armour Leggings
- Anti-microbial
- Odor control
- Squat-proof
While the name is a bit of a misnomer, Under Armour’s HeatGear line up is meant to keep athletes cool while they train.
The HeatGear Armour leggings are made with thin, lightweight polyester and elastane and feel more like tights than leggings. They’re moisture-wicking and quick-drying, with antimicrobial elements to help prevent that gross post-workout odor that comes from leaving gear in your gym bag.
The ankle-crop length enhances the temperature control, and the compression lets these leggings move with your body. Under Armour also sells HeatGear sports bra options for a cohesive training ensemble.
One negative to note about these compression leggings is that they have a thin waistband. While some customers haven’t had an issue, others have complained about rolling.
Active4U Superhero CrossFit leggings and compression tights come in four distinct prints: Captain America, Superman, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman. These leggings are incredibly thick and tightly woven, rendering them completely squat-proof.
These compression tights are so tight that many people need to go a size or two up to feel more comfortable. In addition to having unique prints, these CrossFit leggings offer the best compression of all options on this list.
The high waist and thick waistband prevent rolling, making them comfortable for intense workouts. The fabric is not the best moisture-wicking option but does help keep athletes dry.
Unfortunately, these leggings don’t have pockets, but they don’t pill or fray and are quite durable.
Nike’s compression tights offer a blend of polyester and spandex for durability and moisture-wicking. With mesh panels at the back of the legs, these CrossFit tights are guaranteed to keep you cool through intense workouts.
Nike is known for quality, and produces some of the best CrossFit shoes in the world. The elastic waistband sets these apart from other options on the list, making them ideal for those with a muscular build.
The Nike Pro Crop Tights are lightweight and fit like a second skin, making them great for endurance training.
Best Budget Workout Leggings or Tights
Dragon Fit leggings are marketed as yoga leggings, but many CrossFit athletes use them as a price-friendly option.
These leggings come in a variety of styles and lengths with breathable fabric. These workout leggings are form-fitting to move with your body, and are also squat-proof and roll-proof.
The soft fabric makes these leggings one of the more comfortable options on the list but also makes them susceptible to damage.
While these leggings are great for some, athletes who train heavy and sweat heavily throughout should look for something with more moisture-wicking capabilities.
While these leggings are fitted, many athletes feel that they lack compression.
Unlike the Lux tights, these Reebok workout leggings are more generalized rather than targeting CrossFit, specifically. That being said, many of the features are the same.
These compression leggings have a high waist that prevents rolling and the need for adjustment while working out.
With moisture-wicking material, you can stay dry and comfortable even during the toughest CrossFit WOD. Like the Lux tights, these also have a convenient media pocket on the side.
Shorter athletes will find that these leggings fit more like a 7/8 length than a capri. While they tend to run true to size, many customers have ordered a size down for better compression and loved the result.
While the material of these leggings is durable and able to withstand an intense workout, some people have complained that they aren’t squat-proof.
Train Hard with the Right Gear
Having the right gear is essential for a great workout. Invest in a pair of CrossFit leggings or tights that are comfortable and don’t have to be adjusted every few minutes. It’s those few minutes that can make all the difference in your WOD.
