How to Choose Your Yoga Pants

Doing the downward dog pose during yoga can be challenging if you’re not wearing the proper outfit. This is why it’s important to wear the proper clothes while practicing yoga.

Without the right yoga pants, you may have to fiddle with your clothes because your pants may be sagging or it’s too tight-fitting. If you’re uncomfortable with your clothing, you may struggle with the poses, which could take the fun out of the exercise.

The best yoga pants for you will depend largely on personal preference. Read on and gather some valuable tips on how to choose the best yoga pants for you.  

Yoga Pants 

If you’re planning on getting started on yoga, you’re going to need proper yoga pants. These pants provide maximum mobility while covering areas in your body properly. 

Yoga pants are clothes designed to be worn while doing yoga or other types of fitness classes. They are stretchy, flexible, and comfortable.   

They can be made from a blend of materials, including spandex, lycra, polyester, nylon, cotton, and wool. They come in multiple styles with varying lengths and fits. 

Yoga pants provide mobility while you’re doing intense lunges and stretching your body farther than it’s ever gone before. 

When buying yoga pants, look for products that offer a good combination of flexibility, breathability, and comfort. 

Health Benefits of Wearing Yoga Pants

Wearing yoga pants comes with several health benefits. Some yoga pants contain materials with moisture-wicking technology, which prevents your body from overheating.

This technology helps to keep your body temperature stable during exercise. Ventilating fabrics in yoga pants also increase airflow.

Synthetic polyester also provides more breathability than 100% cotton T-shirts. This means that using yoga pants made of synthetic materials may prevent overheating and promote airflow. 

Health Risks of Wearing Yoga Pants

Although wearing yoga pants can be beneficial, using yoga pants that aren’t right for you can have health risks.

Wearing too-tight yoga pants that limit movements can cause musculoskeletal disorders. Researchers note that wearing tight pants causes abnormal movement and promotes improper lumbar and pelvis posture.

Aside from musculoskeletal disorders, restrictive clothing can also lead to yeast infections, intertrigo, and tinea cruris, also known as jock itch.

Sweating and wearing tight clothing promote the growth of the naturally occurring yeast in the vagina, which causes inflammation.

Wearing ill-fitting yoga pants may also lead to intertrigo, which is characterized by inflammations between the folds of the skin. Sweating, friction, and poor ventilation can contribute to the onset of this condition.

Additionally, you can also develop tinea cruris if you’re wearing tight clothing, sweating, and not showering properly. This is why you need to wear yoga pants with moisture-wicking technology or breathable fabrics.

Qualities to Look for in Choosing Your Yoga Pants

Now that you know why you need yoga pants, you need to know the factors to look for when buying one. We have listed the qualities to look for when looking for new yoga pants below.

Comfort and Ease of Movement

The primary benefit of wearing yoga pants is providing comfort while you’re working out. 

When you’re looking for yoga pants, pay attention to parts of that clothing that may cause irritation, including the seams. Loose threads or too-snug seams may be uncomfortable and will make you itch.

Performance Properties

Depending on the intensity of your yoga practice, you need to consider specific qualities of your yoga pants.

You need to consider the performance capabilities of the yoga pants you need. You need clothing with the ability to stretch, repeal bacteria, and wick away moisture.

If your yoga practice involves slow types of yoga, you can use bamboo or cotton yoga pants. The clothing can provide a nice soft feel while providing mobility and coverage.

But, if you’re doing hot yoga, you may use synthetic-based yoga pants or yoga capris. The clothing can wick away sweat and dry your body fast.

Synthetic-based clothes can also help adjust your body temperature during and after yoga.

Durability

You can use a durable pair of yoga pants for a long time. This can save you money in the long run. 

Although there are no yoga pants that can last you a lifetime, some products will serve you longer than others.

Yoga pants made with nylon fabric can last a long time. It is considered one of the most durable and long-lasting synthetic fabrics.

Nylon fabrics are also pretty easy to wash. You only need to toss them inside a synthetic-friendly washing bag, into the washing machine, and you're good to go.

You can also look for yoga pants made of natural fibers, like organic cotton and hemp. These clothes withstand years of wear and tear.

If you’re looking for a durable pair of yoga pants, you may want to avoid those made from bamboo. This type of clothing wears out faster than other clothes made from materials. It also needs more meticulous care while washing.

You may also buy yoga pants that come with extra features that help serve you longer. A gusset, which is a fabric sewn into the crotch area, evenly distributes the pressure around the crotch seams. This minimizes the chances of the fabric breaking.

Fit and Style

Yoga pants can come in the form of leggings, loose-fitting yoga pants, and even harem hippie pants.

When buying, you need to make sure you’re buying pants of the correct length. They must not be too tight or too loose.

Remember that while doing yoga, your clothes need to be moving with you. This makes tight yoga pants the best option if you’re looking for comfort.

Leggings with compression can be a smart option for both men and women. This clothing can support joints, improve blood circulation, and help relax the muscles after the workout.

Loose-fitting pants can also be a good option for those practicing restorative or other slow styles of yoga. 

They’re also more versatile. If you’re wearing loose yoga pants, you can drop in at your favorite cafe after your yoga practice without feeling naked in tight-fitting yoga pants.

Design

There are several designs to choose from when looking for new yoga pants. Some even come with new extra features, including key pockets, clasps, and zippers. 

These additional features may add to your look, but there’s not much use for them while you’re doing yoga. 

Additionally, these decorations can be bunched up during yoga practice. Zippers and drawstrings can be uncomfortable while you’re holding belly-down postures.

Extra fabric around your waist may also get in the way of postures that involve bending forward.

Color and Pattern

Black yoga pants may seem uninspired and boring, but there’s a reason why it’s a classic among yogis. Black yoga pants don’t show sweat. 

This can be useful for you if you’re practicing hot yoga or other intense variations of the exercise. This is because these exercises can leave you sweating and drenched at the end of the session.

If you’re not a fan of the color black, yoga pants come in a variety of colors and patterns. But, it’s recommended to avoid colorful fabrics. 

This is because these fabrics change in color when wet. If you’re going to wear colorful yoga clothes, be prepared for darkened spots in your crotch and leg areas.

But, if you’re not bothered about showing sweat, then you have nothing to worry about. After all, sweating is a natural way for your body to regulate temperature.

Sustainability

Today, there’s a wide range of brands that offer sustainable yoga pants, leggings, shorts, tops, and other clothing. These brands use eco-friendly materials without compromising on comfort or breathability.

As a yogi, it’s your responsibility to look wider at the consequences of your choices, even when buying yoga clothes. 

Ethical Production

When buying yoga pants, ask yourself the following questions:

• Where were the yoga pants made?
• Are the yoga pants fairly priced?
• Who made the yoga pants?
• Who are the maker’s partners? 
• What are the working conditions in the factory where the clothing was made?
• What are the employees' salaries?
• What are yoga pants made of? 
• What's the impact on the environment?

Asking these questions can make you aware of the ethical production of the yoga clothing you want to buy. 

If the company you're buying from is concerned about the environment, you'll find some information about the questions above on their website. 

Price Range

Some yoga pants with technical features ideal for working out normally come at a higher price because they require technology to manufacture.

Other special features that can drive up the price include:

• Pockets where you can put your keys and credit card
• Waistband that doesn’t roll down
• The gusset
  

Are you looking for the right yoga props that go well with your yoga outfit? Check out yoga props made out of cork at corqyoga.com

Fabrics that Work Best In Yoga Pants

The quality of yoga pants varies depending on the fabrics used to manufacture them. Below are some of the different fabrics used in producing yoga pants:

Cotton

Yoga pants made from cotton are very soft. Cotton is also very breathable, strong, and comfortable to wear.

But, cotton yoga pants aren’t stretchable. Although the fabric is strong, it can lose its shape over time when stretched repeatedly.

Some manufacturers combine cotton with stretch fibers, like spandex. Doing this enables the cloth to hold its stretch better over time.

These types of clothing can make it suitable for workout activities and daily wear. 

Another disadvantage of cotton yoga pants is that it’s only breathable when it’s dry. This means that if you sweat a lot, you can feel stuffy because the fabric absorbs moisture.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton has the same quality as regular cotton. But, the upside of using organic cotton yoga pants is that the former is more environmentally friendly when manufactured.

Organic cotton is made from natural, non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) seeds. Production of the fabric doesn’t require pesticides or other harmful chemicals. 

This means that farmers of organic cotton are not exposed to the quality of the soil and removes nutrients.

Several organizations have awarded certifications for organic cotton. Certification proves that a certain product is truly organic.

The organizations that awarded organic certifications include:

• Naturland
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), 
• US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program 
• Organic Content Standards, 
• International Association of Natural Textile Industry / Internationaler Verband der Naturtextilwirtschaft (IVN)

Bamboo

Recently, some manufacturers of yoga clothing began to use bamboo as fabric for yoga pants. 

The main upside of using this product is that bamboo has antimicrobial properties. This means that using yoga pants made from this material will smell far less after an intense workout.

But, yoga pants made from bamboo are pricier compared to clothes made from synthetic materials.

Synthetics

Most yoga clothing manufacturers use synthetic fabrics, like polyester. This material makes for a very light fabric with impressive durability.

Polyester can also wick away moisture, making it ideal for manufacturing yoga pants. This means that you’ll be less stuffy with sweat even during intense yoga poses.

But, if used by itself, it’s far less breathable than other fabrics. This is why some manufacturers combine it with other fabrics, like spandex or Lycra.

Cotton-synthetic Blends

Manufacturers also introduced yoga pants made of cotton-synthetic blends. These yoga pants are softer and more comfortable to wear compared to clothes made from pure synthetic fabrics. 

But, the downside is that they absorb more sweat. They’re also more likely to pill and form persistent lint compared to clothes made of pure cotton or pure synthetics. 

Our Top Yoga Pants Recommendation

If you’re finding it hard to choose a brand that offers yoga pants, you can start from our recommendations below.

Corq Yoga

Aside from providing yoga mats made from 100 percent recyclable cork, Corq Yoga also offers durable yoga clothes.

Still true to their cause of promoting sustainability, the brand offers the eco-friendly produced Bella + Canvas 3413 shirt. The shirt can be worn both inside and outside the yoga studio.

Corq Yoga also offers a unisex tank top with a loose drape. This product combines three fabrics: polyester, cotton, and rayon.

Corq Yoga is for you if you’re looking for simple and eco-friendly yoga clothes and yoga mats.

Ripple Yoga Wear

Ripple Yoga Wear is also a brand that promotes sustainability while offering comfortable yoga clothing. Although the brand has a limited product line, it places great emphasis on quality.

The brand’s products are natural, sustainable, ethically sourced, and toxin-free. Ripple Yoga Wear is GOTS-certified, meaning their material quality and production processes are environmentally friendly. 

If you’re a fan of minimalist activewear fashion, you’ll appreciate the clothes from Ripple Yoga Wear.

DAY/WON

DAY/WON is well-known for its size-inclusive line of yoga clothing. The company prides itself on being the first size-inclusive activewear brand on the market.

The brand offers yoga clothing with sizes ranging from 0 to 32. The products are also sustainable and made with antimicrobial materials.

If you’re a fan of inclusive brands, you can support DAY/WON and its goal to make clothing for every type of body.

Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices is a brand that loves the classic, solid colors of yoga clothing. The brand provides a wide range of products with timeless styles and cuts.

The brand also offers clothes made from various fabrics, which are all environmentally friendly. They provide yoga clothing for men and women.

This brand is for you if you’re a fan of the classics and if you don’t like trendy patterns on your yoga clothes. The brand offers products with an emphasis on providing comfort while staying active.

Satva

A female-founded company, Satva offers sustainable activewear clothing with an emphasis on comfort. The brand uses organic cotton and recycled polyester to manufacture clothes.

Satva is not only environmentally conscious but it’s also socially conscious. It supports the communities they source from. This includes impoverished farming communities 

The brand also sponsors the education of young girls in the communities where organic cotton is cultivated for their clothing. The brand’s high-quality, non-GMO products are also affordable.

If you want to support a socially conscious, female-founded brand, you can try the products from Satva. 

Choosing Your Yoga Pants Based on Fit

The fit is one of the most important factors to consider when buying yoga pants. To help you determine the best yoga pants that fit you, remember these tips:

• Know your comfort level. Your yoga pants should feel like a second skin. It must keep you focused on holding poses while doing yoga.
• When buying yoga pants, try them on and do squats in front of a mirror. This way, you’ll know if the pants are thick enough to provide the proper coverage.
• Check if the pair of yoga pants you want is flexible and can stay up even while you’re doing poses. If the waistband slips, you may need a smaller size.
• A good pair of yoga pants won’t sag even while you’re holding poses. Check the crotch area and see if the pants are bunching up or sagging.
• Make sure that your yoga pants don't leave any lines or marks on your body. If they do, you may need to buy a bigger size.

Wash and Care Instructions for Your Yoga Pants

Caring for your yoga clothes is important because this can affect the lifespan of the product. If you bought synthetic yoga pants, you’ll need a good washing bag where you can place the pants before tossing them inside the washing machine.

You may need to use cold water when washing your yoga pants. Doing this prevents shrinkage, color bleed, and pilling or fabric breakdown. 

Air dry your yoga pants instead of using your machine’s drier, which can weaken the fabric.

If you’re using yoga pants made of natural material, you may want to turn them inside out before washing them. This can reduce friction with your other clothes. 

You want to avoid washing your yoga pants along with other harsh fabrics, like jeans. Washing the pants with harsh fabrics can weaken the material.

Wash your yoga pants with garments made of similar material instead. This reduces the friction between the fabrics. 

Don’t use a fabric softener when washing your yoga pants, especially if they’re made of synthetic fabrics. Although a fabric softener can soften the clothes, the liquid contains chemicals that can reduce the breathability of the yoga pants.

You must also invest in high-quality detergent. Using a good detergent can resolve the problem of synthetic fabrics that smell after an intense workout.

Tips On Buying and Choosing Yoga Pants

Below are some important tips to help you in buying and choosing yoga pants:

• Choose comfort.

If you’re uncomfortable in your yoga pants, you won’t be able to relax and achieve mental peace. Don’t opt for fabrics that bind too tight and chafe.

Remember that comfort should be your top priority when buying yoga pants. Don’t buy a product just because it looks good, buy it because it’s comfortable.

• Make sure your yoga pants fit you.

Make sure to buy yoga pants of the correct length. They shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.

Leggings with compression can support joints and help in muscle recovery. You can opt for loose-fitting yoga pants if you’re into restorative or other slow styles of yoga. 

• Try before buying.

Before paying for the yoga pants you want, you need to ask yourself three important questions:

1. Will it be comfortable?
2. Do the yoga pants provide proper coverage even when I bend over?
3. Do I like the design?

You can answer all these questions when you try the yoga pants you want in the store.

• It is important that they are stretchable and lightweight.

Depending on the intensity of your yoga practice, you need to consider specific qualities of your yoga pants. This includes the ability to stretch, wick away moisture, or repel bacteria.

• Too much compression is misleading. 

Your yoga pants should feel like a second skin. That being said, it should be too tight or compress at the wrong places.

This may lead to discomfort and constriction, which can be difficult while your practicing yoga. 

Your yoga pants must provide adequate comfort while you’re holding your breath and holding poses. If your pants are too tight, it can make it hard for you to breathe.

• The fabric should be the deciding factor 

You cannot ignore the material or the fabric when you’re buying yoga pants. The fabric must be comfortable, stretchable, and washable. 

Also, Check Out the Best Yoga Mats and Yoga Blocks

If you’re starting on yoga, you may want to look for the right yoga props that go well with your yoga outfit. Visit Corq Yoga today and check out yoga mats made out of cork!

Choosing Corq Yoga products promotes a healthier environment while you’re doing yoga. Cork is 100 percent recyclable, renewable, and biodegradable. Harvesting cork is also sustainable and eco-friendly.

Below are some of the key benefits of a cork yoga mat for yoga:

Anti-Slip

Cork has a honeycomb structure that can provide friction and grip. This means using yoga mats made from cork can prevent slippage while you’re doing yoga.

The material also gets even more grip with moisture. As your practice gets more intense and the more you sweat, your cork yoga mat will provide more friction.

Resilient & Flexible

Corq Yoga’s yoga mats are also resistant to moisture. It has cellular properties that wick away moisture, like sweat.

It’s also flexible, allowing you to fold or roll the product without worrying about ruining the shape of the mat.

Easy to Clean

The brand’s cork yoga mats’ natural properties make cleaning easy. These properties are moisture-resistance, chemical-free, and antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

Cork yoga mats possess antimicrobial properties. This means that the mats resist the growth of any bacteria or mites.

Because of this, Corq Yoga’s mats never smell and are hypoallergenic. This is ideal for people with allergies.

Sustainable

The brand prides itself on its sustainable products. Cork is 100 percent recyclable, renewable, and biodegradable. 

No tree is cut down for cork during the manufacturing process. The brand’s manufacturers also reuse waste.

Extra Cushion

Cork is 50 percent air, which provides an extra cushion for you. The extra cushion provides added comfort to yogis during difficult poses.

At Corq Yoga, we’re confident in saying that cork makes the best yoga mats. Using it offers a lot of advantages, not only for you but also for the environment.

Cork yoga mats are lightweight and portable, making them easy to fit in your car. They’re also durable and offer a lot of friction, whether wet or dry.

Now that you know the advantages of using cork yoga mats, reap these benefits and shop with Corq Yoga today! You can take advantage of our Corq bundles and enhance your yoga experience using our sustainable accessories!

FAQs About How to Choose Your Yoga Pants

What is the difference between yoga pants and leggings?

The main difference between leggings and yoga pants is that the latter is meant for athletics while the former isn’t designed to be activewear. Leggings may be too thin to wear during yoga and won’t provide the proper coverage. 

Who should not wear yoga pants?

Wearing too-tight yoga pants can have health risks, like tinea cruris, yeast infection, or musculoskeletal disorders. It’s recommended to avoid wearing tight clothes if you’re already experiencing these conditions.

Is it okay to wear yoga pants every day?

Wearing yoga pants or leggings every day increases the risk of developing a fungal infection. Excessive sweating, tight clothing, and not showering properly after exercise can also result in tinea cruris.