The Important Difference Between Leggings And Yoga Pants

Yoga pants and leggings ultimately look pretty similar so what’s the difference? Well, yoga pants are considered fitness or activewear while leggings are

designed to wear during anything but exercise. However, with improvements in materials and the increase in manufacturers, the line has blurred leading most of

us to ask ourselves, “What’s the difference between legging and yoga pants?”.  

In short, the difference between leggings and yoga pants is that yoga pants are meant for athletics while leggings are not specifically designed for this purpose

and may be too thin to wear during fitness activities. Additionally, yoga pants are not always tights. They come as sweatpants, wide-leg yoga pants, and capris

while leggings are always skin-tight.

Below we will cover more of the major differences between them, what each one’s for, and some of the different styles.

Let’s get right to it…

The Full Story Of Leggings

Leggings were originally designed as a way to fight the cold weather. They were something that was to be worn under your pants as an added layer to help you

stay warm during cold winters similar to long johns. Hence why leggings are all skin-tight. They also were not stylish like they are now because nobody really

saw them. The most common materials used for leggings are lycra, polyester, cotton with spandex, and nylon. 

Nowadays, there are also “yoga leggings” which are yoga pants but they’re skin-tight like leggings and made from a thicker material that’s designed for athletics.

If you’ve ever seen someone doing squats in normal cheap leggings, you quickly realized that they weren’t designed for workouts. Leggings become see-

through when they stretch and you can clearly see their underwear. A quality pair of yoga pants won’t do that to you. 

Advantages Of Leggings

The main advantage of leggings is that they’re usually more affordable than yoga pants. This is because they’re made from thinner materials and they don’t

need to withstand the same demands that workout pants do. 

They’re also available in a wide variety of styles, patterns, colors, materials, etc. They’re budget-friendly and an easy way to add variety to your wardrobe. 

Another perk is that they’re comfortable. They’re stretchy, flattering, and comfier than jeans which makes them a popular choice. 

Disadvantages of leggings 

Like I was saying before, leggings are cheaper and thinner than yoga pants. So if you’re thinking you’ll wear leggings to the gym because those lululemon’s cost

too much, We might reconsider. The thinner material of leggings doesn’t hold up well when stretched and shows you but and underwear – especially under those bright gym lights. 

Further, the waistband on leggings isn’t designed for athletics so they have a tendency of folding over rather than staying in place while you work out. These

aren’t disadvantages to everyday wear though. When it comes to wearing them just around during the day, there’s no downside. They’re comfortable, cheap

and look great.  

Yoga Pants Are Better (Sometimes)

Yoga pants are better for fitness and if you’re plus-sized and want something that won’t stretch out or become see-through. What makes yoga pants great is

that they’re double material in many areas and sweat-wicking which helps you regulate temperature. 

And if you’re worried about the styles, don’t be. Most athletic companies have expanded their yoga pant styles to match the fashion demands of today’s

consumers. They realize that many of us want to look like we do yoga, but don’t actually do it – and that’s okay. 

Now Aika company all make fashionable yoga pants for everyday wear. The worlds of leggings and yoga pants have merged and everyone’s better for it. 

Advantages

The primary advantages are that yoga pants stay in place and don’t become see-through when you bend over. Further, they’re often more comfortable than

leggings because they’re built to hold their shape under any conditions. 

And if you’re wearing them to workout, they have a larger/thicker waistband that won’t fold over but still bends and flexes so it’s not uncomfortable. 

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of yoga pants is the price. They’re more expensive in most cases but you get what you pay for and they almost always last significantly

longer than a pair of leggings. Additionally, if I’m reaching for disadvantages, there may not be as many styles or fabrics available. 

Conclusion

It has to say that the difference between leggings and yoga pants is actually pretty substantial. They’re different in materials, styles, price, and functionality. So

while they may look the same when wearing them, when and where you wear them is totally different. 

In short, if you want pants for fitness, get yoga pants or activewear leggings. But if you want an affordable and comfortable option for every daywear, leggings

can do the trick.