If you’re searching for the perfect pair of affordable leggings, chances are you’ve checked Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection—but not all leggings are created equal. After ordering and wearing countless pairs, I’ve narrowed down the best of the best, so you don’t have to buy 14 pairs.
With just this one pair of Amazon leggings by the brand HeyNuts, you’ll have everything you need for workouts, yoga, errands, and everything in between. And for those looking for an excellent backup option, CRZ Yoga leggings come in as a close second.
In the world of leggings, it’s all about the right combination of fabric, waistband, and durability. A great pair of leggings should be versatile enough for workouts, comfortable enough for lounging, and stylish enough for running errands. HeyNuts meets all of my (very high) expectations.
HeyNuts leggings are made from a buttery-soft nylon and spandex blend that feels luxurious. The fabric has the right amount of stretch and compression, providing a “naked feel” that’s smooth, breathable, and supportive. I always compare them to Lululemon Align leggings saying that HeyNuts are about 90% as good – and for the price, you may as well round up to 100%.
The high waistband on HeyNuts leggings give a secure, stay-put fit that hugs your waist without digging in. The high waist also flatters your silhouette, making it easy to style these leggings for casual outfits or workouts. The waist band has great compression without feeling restricting, and I don’t find myself pulling them up throughout the day–they stay in place.
HeyNuts leggings are built to handle it all, with a squat-proof design that gives you the confidence to work out worry-free. The fabric is also moisture-wicking, perfect for intense sessions where staying dry is key. There are three different “fits” of HeyNuts leggings, which I’ll get into below. The “workout pro” fit is ideal for workouts due to the extra compression.
HeyNuts Leggings come in sizes ranging from XS to XL. The fit is forgiving – I wear a size XS and did all throughout my pregnancy right up until the end of my third trimester. I am usually a size 4-6 in Lululemon, which may help you with sizing. They also come in a few different length options, starting at a capri (21″) crop and ranging to a 31″ tall length.
I don’t like the look of side pockets, but that’s a personal preference. HeyNuts does offer leggings with side pockets, so you can keep your essentials like your phone or keys within reach while you’re out for a run or handling errands.
There are a couple of different “fits” for HeyNuts leggings, and I have different feelings about each.
The Pure&Plain fit was the first pair I ever tried from HeyNuts that lead me to make the Lululemon Align comparison. These are made with a 70 Nylon x 30 Spandex blend and have a back waistband pocket. The compression is medium, and they’re meant to be worn for daily use. I believe this was the first fit that HeyNuts made, and I also believe they are being discontinued for the two fits below! You can still order this fit on Amazon, thankfully, and if you prefer to have a more relaxed pair of leggings with less compression for athleisure, I’d get these.
My favorite fit from HeyNuts is their Workout Pro fit. It’s newer, and it’s best for true sweaty workouts. The Workout Pro fit is made with a 72% Nylon, 28% Lycra Elastane blend and has strong compression. I wear these for my pilates classes, short runs (I need pockets for long runs so I opt for Lululemon Fast and Free), and athleisure. Since the Pure&Plain fit is harder and harder to find, I’ve been reordering this style to wear as my only fit.
I believe the HeyNuts Yoga Pro fit is going to replace the Pure&Plain fit. These are made with an 80% Nylon, 20% Lycra blend, which is different from the Pure&Plain but still has less compression than the Workout Profit. They are designed for yoga and daily wear, and the compression level is medium. I have not personally ordered this style yet, but I’ll report back when I do. If you’re looking for a daily athleisure legging, try these.
If you’re looking for a second legging option (for more colors perhaps, or maybe you already own a CRZ workout top and want the fabrics to match), CRZ Yoga leggings are a solid choice. Known for their naked, buttery feel, these leggings are slightly thinner than HeyNuts. But, that thinner fabric also makes them more prone to show cellulite and to fall down throughout the day (and during workouts).
CRZ Yoga Leggings are made with a polyamide, lycra blend that feels like a second skin. The material is thinner, making them perfect for high-movement activities where you need breathability.
The high waist offers secure coverage, while the flexible fit allows for maximum movement. These leggings don’t pinch or restrict, even when you’re bending or stretching.
The CRZ Yoga Leggings come in a range of sizes from XS to XXL and styles like full-length and ankle-length. I actually loved the CRZ maternity leggings during pregnancy. Read my post on the best leggings for pregnancy here.
These leggings are designed to handle sweat and movement, so they’re perfect for hot yoga, intense workouts, or even summer activities where a light, breathable legging is essential. See what I wear to hot yoga here.
The Naked Feel leggings are made with a 71% Polyamide, 29% Spandex blend. They’re ankle length and designed for hot yoga or pilates. They’re super comfortable with a cool touch. They have a seamless waistband. These have more compression than the Butterluxe style, so I’d opt for this fit if you’re wearing them for workouts. Even though these are thicker than the Butterluxe style, they’re still thinner than HeyNuts, and I like the WorkoutPro compression that HeyNuts offers.
The Butterluxe style is just slightly more stretchy than the Naked Feel leggings. They’re made with a 81% Polyamide, 19% Lycra blend and have a soft feel and subtle compression making them great for errands and casual wear. The Butterluxe lined is extremely soft for max comfort. They have lightweight, very gentle compression– stick to these when you want an athleisure pair, but opt for the Naked Feel when you’re looking for workout leggings.
I’ve mentioned this throughout the post, but I prefer HeyNuts to CRZ Yoga for a few reasons.
The HeyNuts leggings have a thicker fabric and more compression, which I also prefer when it comes to leggings. I like to feel like my button half is being held in, and I also appreciate that the thicker fabric disguises any cellulite that CRZ does not due to the thinner material.
I also find that HeyNuts leggings retain their shape wash after wash. I wash both brands in the washing machine, and I do my best to lay them out to dry, but it does not happen every single time. I’ve been super impressed by how well the HeyNuts leggings have held up through many washer and dryer trips.
I also find the HeyNuts pair to be more flattering in general. They have very minimal seams (none on the sides of the legs!), and the length options are ideal for someone who’s 5’1″ like me.
As I mentioned, if you already own a CRZ workout top in a fun color, I can see why you’d prefer to get leggings that match exactly. However, besides the color options, I think HeyNuts is a better purchase.
When comparing HeyNuts leggings to Lululemon, both brands have a loyal following, but they appeal to slightly different needs.
HeyNuts leggings offer an affordable yet premium-feeling alternative with a buttery-soft fabric blend that is very similar to Lululemon’s Align leggings. However, my Lululemon Align leggings pilled within a few months, and after a year+ of wearing my HeyNuts leggings, they haven’t developed those pesky little balls of fabric.
While HeyNuts has a budget-friendly price, Lululemon leggings have a slightly better fit and a broader size range. I also find Lululemon doesn’t fall down quite as much throughou the day and wicks sweat better. They both have great color options.
So, which you buy depends on your budget and what features are most important to you!
While HeyNuts and CRZ Yoga are the best, other popular options are worth checking out:
Colorfulkoala is known for great prints and color options with the same buttery-soft feel. (I like this brand for skorts!). This pair of Colorfulkoala leggings has 50,000 great reviews!
Gym People is another popular brand on Amazon for workout gear. I own a really cute cropped workout top from Gym People but haven’t tried their leggings. See my favorite Amazon workout gear linked in this blog post.
To keep your leggings in top shape, wash them on a gentle cycle in cold water and avoid fabric softeners, which can break down spandex and reduce the waistband’s stretch. Air dry or lay flat to keep your leggings looking and feeling new. Or, just throw them in the dryer like I do. 😉 They haven’t pilled!
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect pair of leggings on Amazon doesn’t have to be a chore. With HeyNuts and CRZ Yoga, you can invest in one or two pairs that offer everything you need, whether it’s a high-waist fit for yoga, a squat-proof design for the gym, or that naked feel for lounging. These leggings provide comfort, durability, and style at a fraction of the price of high-end brands. So save yourself the hassle of buying multiple brands to compare – just buy these HeyNuts ones.
Shop The Post
Leave a Comment
One response to “The Best Leggings on Amazon (you don’t need 14 pairs, just this ONE pair)”
Love these tips! I usually air dry my leggings, but it’s good to know the dryer hasn’t caused pilling for you—might try it next time!