If you don’t already have a pair of cotton leggings in your closet, prepare to invest. Promise you'll love them as much as your spandex ones, since they're a wardrobe staple that personal trainers swear by when it comes to staying cool and saving money. Need I say more?
Instead of compressing, shaping, and squeezing all of your guts in like some pairs of workout tights can, cotton leggings feel like you're wearing a pair of pajamas while still making you look great, says Caroline Grainger, a certified personal trainer at FitnessTrainer. You can also find ones that pack many of the features you love, like pockets or a high waist.
"Cotton is an excellent choice for activewear because it's light, durable, breathable, inexpensive, and great at wicking sweat,” Grainger shares.She loves using them for working out indoors or anytime she's back home in west Texas since the weather there tends to be warm.
Are you sold yet? Good.It's time to add a quality pair to your closet. Here are the 20 best cotton leggings to keep you cozy and cool all year-round, per reviews.
These mid-rise leggings are perfect for a night out with the girls or chilling on the couch. They have RANGE. They are 57 percent cotton, so you know they're soft. Plus, th1ey're mid-rise for a little extra belly coverage.
The brand also keeps sustainability in mind by using recycled materials in its products, which is a wonderful bonus.
Rave Review: “These leggings are great for daily wear. [I like the] jersey material that doesn’t overheat, and they're thin, but not sheer. The mid-rise is perfect—not too high to be annoying. These fit great and stay put.”
These leggings from Juicy Couture promise a buttery soft finish. Customers love them for their stretchy, comfy fit and thick—but not too thick—feel.
Rave Review: “I can’t believe I found such good quality Juicy leggings for so cheap!! They look small when you first open them, but they have so much stretch to them, and they’re not sheer at all. Super comfy and cute—I'm glad I found these.”
These leggings made with 54 percent cotton will have you feeling super cozy no matter where you are. Enjoy non-see-through fabric and a thick waistband, so you won’t be yanking them up all day.
Rave Review: “They are more expensive, but worth it—the most comfortable out of any others. They have a soft, cottony feel, and the wide waistband keeps them in place, so they don't ride down."
These 95 percent cotton leggings are the perfect addition to any wardrobe. They come in 24 different colors, from the usual black to a bold wasabi green, and are super stretchy.
Rave Review: “These look good with a tunic. When I took them out of the package, I thought I'd have to send them back because they looked VERY small. But they stretch a lot, ended up being easy to put on, and are quite comfortable. I'm really happy with this purchase.”
These are Nordstrom’s most recommended leggings and for good reason.They're full-length, match any style, and can be worn anywhere. The leggings are also lightweight and made from a breathable cotton blend.
Rave Review: “These are exactly what I was looking for—desired thickness, length, and tummy coverage.”
There’s nothing like a classic, and it doesn’t get more classic than Old Navy. These leggings are only $15 and come in five different colors. The high waist is flattering without being restrictive. They also have a thicker fabric that is great for chilly winter days.
Rave Review: “I love these!!...They're true to size, keep your legs warm—but not too hot—and you don't freeze when you go outside!!"
Thanks to the CloudLux tech they're made with, these leggings are stretchy, but designed to have a high-compression fit, so you're tucked in without feeling like you can't move. They also feature a convenient pocket for your smartphone or valuables.
Rave Review: "I think the cotton content [of these leggings] is better for my skin. I don’t sweat as much and they are more comfortable to work out in!! So happy to have found them!!"
These cotton leggings are lightweight and stretchy enough to bend with all your movement, whether you're tackling new yoga poses or improving your running stride. They're made with a lightweight cotton-blend fabric that's soft and breathable.
Rave Review: "Great product—not see-through. I don’t sweat too much in them, so they’re great in the summer, but not overly warm for winter. I have multiple pairs of Core 10 leggings for a reason!"
If a soft fabric against your skin is the goal, these leggings are your answer. They are 95 percent cotton, mid-rise, and fit true to size, say customers in the reviews. The leggings also run from an XS to a 5X. Love to see size inclusivity!
Rave Review: “I love the turquoise leggings I purchased. They are soft and long enough to cover my whole leg. I will be ordering more colors.”
These classic black leggings are a must-have, and if you're lucky enough to score them on sale (they tend to be on sale on Amazon), they're a great option to stock up on for cold weather. They easily fit under a pair of PJs or looser jeans as a second layer.
These leggings have a wide waistband and are 92 percent cotton. AKA, they're guaranteed to be super soft.
Rave Review: “Loved these. They fit perfectly and are very soft. I bought a couple more after purchasing the first ones.”
Want to skip the basic styles? The crossover waist on these leggings gives them a subtle hint of style that takes them from regular to real cute when paired with a crop top or hoodie.
Rave Review: "My search for the best leggings stops here! They are thick and fit like a glove. They don't get saggy and aren't see-through."
These machine-washable 93 percent cotton leggings are a favorite amongst athletes or people who just love a stylish pair of leggings. They're designed with Adidas' signature three stripes, feel like a second-skin so they don't restrict movement, and pair perfectly with oversized sweaters or crop tops. Yep, it checks all the boxes.
Rave Review: “I already have a pair of these leggings in black, so when I saw this pretty green color, I had to get it, too. They're so comfortable. I like that the fabric isn't too thin. In fact, it's perfect for any season."
You’ve probably seen Parade’s ads for their truly adorable undies, but did you know they bring comfort to all sorts of loungewear? Now you do. These leggings are made with 96 percent cotton and feature a high-rise that sits on your waist. Plus, the band won’t dig into your waist, which is just good business.
Rave Review: “I was already a fan of their lingerie, but once I tried their leggings, I was even more excited! They are [made from] a very flexible material, but still thick enough that I know they're durable!”
If you want the comfort of leggings blended into the style of traditional pants, these bootcut leggings are for you. Pair these with your favorite white sneaks or boots and a crew neck sweater for a casual, but stylish brunch look.
Be sure to pay special attention to sizing measurements, as customers say that the sizing may feel a little off.
Rave Review: "Absolutely love!!!! These leggings are so cute and comfortable! They run big in my opinion, so I did order another pair. I sized down and they are absolutely perfect."
If you want to look and feel as smooth as butter, prepare to obsess over these Everlane leggings. They're made with minimal seams to be as comfy as possible, and are designed with an ultra-high waistband that's stretchy.
Rave Review: "These fit great and do not sag throughout the day. I ended up getting these in two colors because I loved them so much."
These leggings are designed with a snug waistband that lies flat against your waist for a tight, yet comfy feel. Made from 89 percent cotton, these leggings are also super breathable, even though customers say they run on the thicker side.
Rave Review: "These fit really well! The fabric is thick, but not too thick. The waist fits well and is comfortable. I am five feet and 110 pounds and got an x-small. The design is cute, too, and the fabric feels like it's good quality."
These stretchy 90 percent cotton leggings are perfect for plus-sized people. They have a full-length fit, and come in sizes 1X-3X. Hanes promises a flattering fit for all wearers.
Rave Review: “Ok, these are the most comfortable leggings I've ever tried on or have ever owned. They come in black and a dark grey, and TBH, I'm thinking of getting the other ones.”
If there’s one thing Kim Kardashian’s Skims is known for, it's comfort. Their underwear literally makes you feel like you’re not wearing any, and the pajamas are cloud-like soft. These leggings are 95 percent cotton and have cuffs around the ankles for a little extra pizazz.
Rave Review: “Fits just perfect. High-waisted. Super comfortable and form-fitting.”
You know those days when you don't really want to dress up, but still want to look presentable—like when you're heading off to a catch a flight somewhere you have plans as soon as you land? These ribbed leggings from Lunya were made just for those occasions. They looklike real pants, but they're secretly leggings. Their fabric blend also includes silk, so you know they're extra soft.
Rave Review: "These pants are so comfortable! They’re cool, but warm, retain their shape, and they’re soft. Highly recommend."
If you're looking for maternity leggings to accommodate your changing body, these cotton leggings are it. They're designed with opaque fabric that retains its shape and a panel that will make your belly feel tucked in.
Rave Review: "I highly recommend these cotton maternity leggings. I first purchased them in my regular size (small) and then repurchased them in a medium later in my pregnancy. It's hard to find good maternity leggings with a high percentage of cotton. The coverage provided is very good. These leggings have a belly panel made out of the same material as the legs. The belly panel stays up, but isn't too tight."
Jacqueline Tempera is an award-winning writer and reporter living in New Jersey with her many pets. She is a business owner and a double Scorpio who loves all things astrology and reality television. She is passionate about body diversity and representation, mental health, and the fight to end sexual assault and harassment. To learn more about Jackie, follow her on Instagram @jacktemp or visit her website at jackietempera.com.
Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.