HomeYoga ClothingYoga pants vs leggings: What is the Main Difference?

Yoga pants vs leggings: What is the Main Difference?

Going back centuries, Yoga is an ancient Indian art, spiritual practice, or ritual of sorts that promotes physical and mental health. Yoga comprises different postures and techniques, each of which has a specific purpose. Different yoga movements consist of varying degrees of movement, often demanding a good range of flexibility.

As a result, most people who practice yoga tend to wear stretchy, comfortable outfits such as Yoga pants or leggings. Yoga pants and leggings are both popular athleisure wear, with a few subtle differences between them. While yoga pants are made of stretchy, athletic fabric, leggings are made of soft, daily-wear material.

In addition to this, leggings are always tight-fitting, whereas yoga pants come in a variety of different styles. If you are caught in the Yoga Pants vs Leggings debate, this article is just for you!

What are Yoga Pants?

Yoga pants are a form of athleisure, commonly worn by those who hike or practice yoga. Yoga pants are made of stretchy, athletic fabric, usually high-performance nylon or spandex. Yoga pants are made to allow a wide range of flexibility and movement in the wearer.

Advantages of Yoga Pants

  • Very durable material.
  • Suitable for intense physical activities.
  • Available in a variety of styles.
  • Most common style is tight, form-fitting.
  • Often equipped with moisture-wicking abilities.
  • Helps wearer remain cool and dry during activities.

Disadvantages of Yoga Pants

Yoga pants are the most preferred form of exercise and hence, do not have many disadvantages. They are, however, more expensive than their counterparts, such as leggings and bike shorts.

Also Read: Tips to Find Best Yoga Pants for You

What are Leggings?

Leggings are also a very popular form of athleisure. They are form-fitting, stretchy tights with a high waist. They are made of lightweight fabric and not athletic wear fabric. They are often worn on a daily basis for activities that are not limited to athletics, exercise, and yoga.

Advantages of Leggings

  • Lightweight fabric ensures softness and comfort.
  • Suitable for everyday wear at home or leisure activities.
  • Very affordable compared to other clothing options.
  • Versatile: can be dressed up or down for different occasions.

Disadvantages of Leggings

  • High cotton content and lightweight fabric.
  • Not very durable compared to other materials.
  • Susceptible to wear and tear, especially during intense physical exercise.
  • Wear out faster compared to yoga pants.

What is the Difference Between Yoga Pants and Leggings?

The main difference between yoga pants and leggings is that the former are thicker, stretchier, and more durable than the latter.

Yoga pants are specifically made with the intention of heavy exercise, whereas leggings are made for comfort and lounging. Yoga pants also come in a variety of styles and Leggings are restricted to a single style only.

It is recommended that you wear Yoga Pants during activities that involve a lot of movement like yoga, as they are made for heavy use and flexibility. Leggings, on the other hand, are more susceptible to wear and tear. While yoga pants are generally only worn for exercise and yoga, leggings are commonly worn on a daily basis.

When you find yourself asking the question, What’s the difference between leggings and yoga pants?, remember one thing- yoga pants are made to be worn during heavy exercise, whereas leggings can act as simple loungewear.

Types of Leggings according to materials

Leggings are a popular clothing item today, especially amongst the youth. As a result, there are many different types of leggings. The following are the main types of leggings available on the market today.

1. Cotton

Most leggings today are made up of a lightweight cotton blend. This makes them very soft and comfortable to wear. These leggings are form-fitting, but due to the high cotton content, are very breathable. These leggings are often worn on a daily basis due to their comfort.

2. Polyester

Leggings can also be made of a cotton-polyester blend. These leggings are also form-fitting and comfortable to wear. However, they may be less breathable than pure cotton-blend leggings.

3. Wool

In colder regions, woolen Leggings are a popular clothing item amongst men and women alike, as it preserves body heat. These leggings are also form-fitting, with a thick woolen interior that provides insulation. They can be worn as is, or underneath other clothing items for warmth.

4. Leather

Popular amongst the youth, leather Leggings are a modern take on this clothing favorite. These are thick, form-fitting pants, that are often referred to as a ‘second skin’. They are worn at a variety of events and can be seen often on celebrities.

5. Spandex

Spandex Leggings are the most suitable for high-intensity exercise. Spandex leggings are thicker and more durable than their cotton/polyester counterparts. Hence, they are often used for working out, aerobics, hiking, and other athletic activities.

FAQ

1. Should Leggings be tight or loose?

Leggings were made to facilitate flexibility and movement, especially to be used for activities like Yoga, exercises, and sports. As a result, Leggings are made to be as tight and form-fitting as possible, to allow optimal movement and support the muscles.

Unlike loose clothing, leggings give the wearer a very high range of motion, making them the best option for sports.

2. Should I go by hip or waist measurement for leggings?

The size of your Leggings is determined by your waist, inseam, and hip measurements. Leggings are supposed to be form-fitting, and hence, both your waist and hip measurements are equally important. So, in order to choose the best fitting Leggings for you, measure your hips and waist and choose your Leggings accordingly. You can also pick the stretchiest fabric available, to ensure that the Leggings fit your shape perfectly!

Summing Up

However, in today’s world where all those around you are always on the go, both articles of clothing are great forms of athleisure that can provide you with the optimal level of movement and comfort.

Although, if you find yourself caught in the Yoga Pants vs Leggings debate, ask yourself the question- ‘Do I need this item of clothing for leisure or for exercise?’, and you’ll have your answer!

Yetta McGovern
Yetta McGovern
Yetta is a sales and digital marketing head at YogaCurious.com, she loves practicing yoga and published various articles in this category.
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1 COMMENT

  1. I prefer leggings for yoga and yoga pants for day to day stuff. I love the tiede and found some really sweet tiede yoga pants at soul flower – soul-flower.com. Truth is tho , I wouldn’t use them for yoga. I would use leggings instead!

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