By: Bradley Axmith
We gave our Review Team one job:
Find the best and most popular products and review them. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
The Athleta Salutation Stash Tights were a fast favorite of ours. With a soft, breathable fabric, a full-coverage airbrushed finish and an overall flattering fit, they really hit the sweet spot with quality, performance, comfort and style.
Athleta lives under the same parent company as The Gap and Banana Republic – brands that have stood the test of time and maintained a reputation for quality. Athleta is good for the planet, too. As a certified B Corp, Athleta has committed to quality but never at the expense of its ethical standards.
These leggings come in sizes XXS-3XL, and are designed to be flattering on all body types. The high compressive waistband that hits just above the navel, the tapered back seams, and the slightly brushed finish all lend themselves to a seamless silhouette. The Salutations also provide function with discrete thigh pockets that are large enough to hold a phone.
As far as performance goes, you will love putting these yoga pants to the test. The waistband stays put even during the toughest workouts and there is an extremely minimal amount of pilling. The material is incredibly breathable and provides a generous stretch. We would compare these to some of our favorites like the Lululemon Aligns or the Manduka Evolves.
Our main criticism is the indulgent $109 price point, but we have to admit, the quality holds up. While the cost makes these a bit inaccessible, it’s difficult to be too critical of their pricing when we know they are rated so highly in sustainability and labor. Paying a steep price upfront hurts a little less if we know workers are being compensated fairly and materials are being sourced responsibly.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Soft -
High performing material
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Large functional pockets
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Great coverage
-
Size inclusive
-
Ethical Brand
Things we don't like:
-
A bit pricey
Rating 4.8
DiveIn Score: 4.8/5
Quality: 5/5
Comfort: 4.8/5
Performance: 5/5
Price/Quality: 4.5/5
Athleta describes Salutation ⅞ tights as a ‘gentle hug’ and we couldn’t agree more. Featuring Powervita fabric, they make it easy for your legs to slide into them while also staying soft until you take them off. You might even forget you’re wearing them on a busy day – that’s how comfortable they are to walk and work out in.
Sitting right below the navel, they contour your hips with slight compression that allows you to do your thing all day long and not worry about your pants digging into your skin. The flatlock seams help with that too.
The ankle-length style combined with the relatively short inseam translates to inclusivity like no other. No matter how short or tall you are, you’ll be able to pull your pair of Salutation leggings like they were sewn for your individual parameters. Isn’t that what you’re ultimately looking for anyway?
Specs & Features
- Best Suited for: Great for most workouts; though might be a bit thin for colder climates
- Material: Powervita™ fabric (75% nylon 25% elastane)
- Finish: Matte, slightly brushed finish
- Sizing: XXS - 3XL
- Inseam: Regular/Plus: 25" Petite: 23" Tall: 28"
- Care Instructions: Machine wash and dry
- Other Specs: Large, discrete side pockets, moisture-wicking material, rated 50+ UPF for sun protection
Quality
If there’s one thing you can be certain about is that Athleta knows how to produce high-quality apparel that has the potential to put its competitors out of business. We’re talking lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, sweat-wicking, stretchy, supportive – you name it, Salutation ⅞ tights are it. Don’t take our word for it – read thousands of reviews posted online about them.
It’s the particular mix of Nylon, Polyester, and Spandex that makes them great. Used in deliberate proportions, the ⅞ tights are a powerhouse that enables you to indulge in the most intense workouts and come out on the other side without a single sweat stain. Factor in the 3-layer inner mesh construction and you’ve got yourself not only a high quality but also a flattering pair of yoga pants.
And as if this wasn’t enough already, Athleta sprinkled UPF 50+ on top of the concoction. No harmful UV rays will get in your way of achieving that banging body you’ll be proud of.
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Comfort
As for comfort, there isn’t anything to worry about either. The cloud-like fabric is so lightweight you won’t feel the leggings on your legs. They offer the cotton-esque feel that almost blends in with your skin when you’re switching from one yoga pose to another. You can thank flatlock seams for the absence of chafe that tends to occur when your thighs are rubbing together during a high-impact workout.
The supreme softness doesn’t exclude good support. As noted, with just the right amount of compression, Athleta Salutation tights have an improved waistband that sits flat against your stomach without feeling restrictive. The elastic band on earlier versions wasn’t everyone’s favorite, so the brand used the feedback to upgrade the construction for a much more comfortable fit. The result – satisfied customers that come back for a second pair.
Performance
When testing the leggings, we paid close attention to the compression and its impact on the performance. We’re glad to report that it didn’t fail to meet our expectations. The support was good enough to facilitate a productive HIIT workout and a challenging yoga practice that required compressive activewear.
Side note: the bonded-edge pocket for your keys or a smartphone makes the experience that much more rewarding given that you don’t have to bring an extra bag for your stash items.
Price/Quality
With Athleta Salutation ⅞ tights, you know you’re getting premium-quality stuff that is priced accordingly. Will this price be affordable for everyone? Not really. Are there similar leggings for a cheaper price? Definitely. But if you catch a pair or two on sale, consider it a good deal.
No doubt, these yoga tights are the cream of the crop. They’re the so-called elite of the yoga apparel that doesn’t leave much room for competition. And this is completely justified – the leggings are exceptionally soft, breathable, and compressive enough to support you when doing high-impact workouts. Besides, they are so versatile you can wear them everywhere you go. The question is whether they’re worth the high price tag.
We’d like to put it this way – if you’re in the market for the best yoga pants currently available and aren’t thrown off by their price, go for them as they’re not likely to disappoint you. However, if you’re not ready to commit to a pricey pair of leggings, opt for a more pocket-friendly option like 90 Degree by Reflex Power Flex Pants or ODODOS Out Pocket High-Waist Yoga Pants.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
-
Soft
-
High performing material
-
Large functional pockets
-
Great coverage
-
Size inclusive
-
Ethical Brand
Things we don't like:
-
A bit pricey
Frequently asked questions
Yoga pants are used to be referred to as semi-loose pants made from a stretchy material that can be used for doing yoga. And while this definition is still circulating on the interwebs, nowadays both yoga pants and leggings are considered to be the same thing. This is also applicable to tights.
Athleta Salutation ⅞ tights come in 3 height variations – regular (plus), tall, and petite – that feature different inseam lengths. The regular (plus) model has a 25-inch inseam, tall – 28-inch, and petite – 23-inch.
While both of the brands are popular among yogis and fitness enthusiasts, each of them makes a different emphasis on their apparel. Lululemon designs athleticwear for high-performing athletes; Athleta creates clothing for empowered women who preach inclusivity. Not one is better than the other – it’s all a matter of preference.
A review of the best yoga pants on the market today will clear this question up.
The brand isn’t short of leggings; it carries full-length, capri, crop, and short types that are bound to find their perfect owners. That said, the Salutation Stash Pocket Tight is their best-selling legging that has over 3000 praising reviews that highlight the tight’s impressive level of comfort, compression, and a flattering fit.
Generally speaking, Athleta leggings are true to size. Unless you’re going for a pair of yoga pants that is meant to fit tighter or looser, you should pick your normal size when getting a pair of your own.
Similar to Lululemon’s Nulu, Athleta’s Powervita is an innovative piece of fabric that is designed to be ultra-soft, super flexible, and yoga-oriented. To learn more about them, check out our review.
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