Every brand claims their leggings are squat proof, buttery soft and flattering. Wear-test them under a barbell and most claims fall over on the first heavy set. Here is what actually separates the best leggings in Australia from the rest, and our honest picks from our own range.
What makes leggings worth buying
Squat proof means opaque under load, not just standing in a mirror. Fabric density and stretch recovery decide this.
The waistband does the work. High waisted with genuine compression stays up through burpees and hip hinges without folding or digging.
Seams should flatter and survive. Scrunch seams that lift, flatlock stitching that does not chafe, and gussets that handle a full range of motion.
Our picks
Best overall: NKD V Scrunch Leggings. Buttery soft NKD fabric, V waistband, scrunch bum seam, and hundreds of five star reviews from people who train in them daily. If you buy one pair, this is it.
Best black staple: Staples High Waisted Leggings. The everyday pair. Thick, opaque, high waisted and built to disappear into your routine. See the full black leggings and tights range for every version of the classic.
Best for the pump and the scroll: TikTok Leggings. The original viral scrunch butt honeycomb pair. Shop the TikTok leggings collection.
Best gym to street: NKD Flared Leggings. High waisted through the core, flared from the knee, sits clean over trainers. New dedicated range here: flared leggings.
Why buy Australian
Ryderwear started in Adelaide and has been building gym wear for lifters since 2009. Ordering from the women's gym leggings range means AU sizing, fast local shipping, free delivery over $120 and returns that do not involve international postage.
Start with the full leggings range and filter by what your training demands.
