6 Summer Leggings That Are Comfortable And Lightweight Enough For Your Sweatiest Workouts

Whether you’re a HIIT, yoga, or Pilates enthusiast, workout motivation can be seriously hard to muster in the thick of summer. The heat. The humidity. The beads of sweat that develop from merely crossing the street. Add in the idea of leggings and gah!

But because shorts (cycling, running) aren’t everyone’s fav, breathable workout pants are key for having an active summer. “The last thing you want on those hot, humid days is non-breathable leggings,” says Hannah Deely, senior market editor for Hearst Women’s Fashion Group. “You’ll be focused on the added body heat rather than your workout.”

Luckily for your overheated legs, tights made out of lightweight and breathable fabric with moisture-wicking technology make a world of difference in the heat and can actually keep you feeling cooler than you would with bare legs.

Plus, despite their “second-skin” feel, leggings made with these fabrics also offer multi-way stretch and compression. This way, you reap performance benefits without catching fire.

Another thing to consider? Design. Leggings with lots of seams can create chafing, Deeley says. Instead, smooth, seamless silhouettes with laser-cut designs are best if you’re craving a fashion moment.

Equip your activewear drawer to handle the hottest workouts of the year with these 13 pairs of summer workout leggings, from the trainer-tested to the internet sensations.

1. ALL ACCESS CENTER STAGE LEGGING

CENTER STAGE LEGGING

For celebrity trainer Megan Roup, and founder of the dance cardio and sculpting workout method The Sculpt Society, there’s no better summer legging than All Access Center Stage leggings. “I love that these leggings are thin, but have a compression material that helps you feel pulled in in all the right places,” Roup says. (She loves that the thick waistband stays put during all of her sculpting and dance cardio sequences.)

2. LULULEMON FAST AND FREE HIGH-RISE TIGHT

FAST AND FREE HIGH-RISE TIGHT

“It’s super important that my leggings fit well, not only for aesthetics but for performance,” says Latoya Julce, an instructor at dance cardio studio 305 Fitness. “I swear by anything Lululemon as the quality and longevity of the material never disappoint me.”

With a barely-there feel and plenty of functionality (including side drop-in and discreet waistband pockets), this pair features the brand’s ultra-lightweight, Nulux fabric, which is ideal for workouts where you seriously sweat.

3. FP MOVEMENT GOOD KARMA LEGGING

HIGH-RISE 7/8-LENGTH GOOD KARMA LEGGINGS

If your summer sweats involve Pilates or yoga, these are for you. “[This is] my go-to workout legging for summer,” says Lia Bartha, founder of B The Method. “They are super-soft and lightweight with breathable holes along the backside to release heat. They also have SPF 30 UV protection and come in so many beautiful colors!” she adds.

4. ALO HIGH-WAIST AIRBRUSH LEGGING

7/8 HIGH-WAIST AIRBRUSH LEGGING

Shantani Moore, an instructor for Pure Barre GO, deems this pair her must-have for summer. “The material snaps back perfectly, so you always feel great in them,” she says. “I still have leggings from my first year of teaching, and they still look brand new seven years later.”

Available in full-length and 7/8-length, these leggings have flat-locked seams (and no side seams at all!) to reduce chafing in hot weather.

5. BEYOND YOGA HEATHER RIB HIGH-WAISTED MIDI LEGGING

HEATHER RIB HIGH-WAISTED MIDI LEGGING

Amanda Freeman, the founder, and CEO of SLT and Stretch*d, swears that these leggings are the only full-length ones she’ll wear for warm-weather workouts. What makes them so good? The ribbed performance fabric. “They are lightweight and so perfect for hot temps,” she says.

6. GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE COMPRESSIVE HIGH-RISE LEGGING

MIDNIGHT COMPRESSIVE HIGH-RISE LEGGING

From high-intensity circuits to rock climbing and restorative yoga, these leggings (which feature four-way stretch and compressive fabric made from recycled water bottles) are a favorite of Marcia Meade, Pilates instructor at obé fitness. “I look for my leggings to be lightweight and breathable,” she says. “Girlfriend Collective is fabulous at nailing these points. Not only [that], but the fit allows me to run about town even after my workout. Talk about living your best sweat life.”