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.
You don’t need to be a die-hard yogi to want to invest in a high-quality pair of yoga pants. In fact, you don’t even need to be going to the gym to justify the purchase. You can just as successfully use your leggings for running errands, jogging along the beach, and picking up your kids from school – the list goes on.
All of the above can be done with a pair of Manduka Essential leggings. Designed by “yogis and trusted by teachers worldwide”, they have long become a wardrobe staple of many. Their popularity is easy to explain: they are crafted from sustainable materials and are given a streamlined design that fits every body shape and size.
Coming in a variety of sizes and colors, Essential yoga pants are the true definition of ‘all-inclusive’. They are built to hug your figure and feel ‘barely there’ when you’re wearing them thus allowing you to go on about your day and not think about changing into other clothes. Since you’re your most comfortable in them, what’s the point anyway?
In case you’re still not hooked on them, carry on scrolling down.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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No pilling! -
They feature sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester
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The supportive mix of fabrics makes it easy to move around with no restrictions
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The leggings have 4-way stretch technology embedded in the fabric
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The flat seams integrated into the yoga pants ensure a chafe-free fit
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There is a pocket hidden in the waistband
Things we don't like:
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These leggings tend to run small - go up a size -
There is a low stock of these yoga pants
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Not suitable for high-intensity workouts
Evaluation
Manduka takes pride in creating yoga gear and apparel with a conscious approach to minimize environmental waste. Continually searching for new and more sustainable manufacturing technologies, the brand never fails to stay true to its values – and it shows. Their Essential leggings embody all that Manduka believes in and then some more.
You’ll have an easy time pairing your soft-as-butter Manduka yoga pants with all types of sports bras and tops. The 27-inch inseam combined with the wide waistband enables you to wear both crop tops and long-sleeve shirts with them without feeling like you’re showing too much skin. But even if you happen to, the relatively compressive waist will keep your tummy in place at all times.
Simple, comfortable, and functional – what else is there to wish for? Hop onto the Manduka bandwagon and join the club of those who prioritize ethical fashion over fast fashion.
Specs & Features
- Best Suited For: Low-medium impact workouts and yoga sessions
- Material: 88% recycled Polyester, 12% Spandex (heather); 65% recycled Polyester, 22% Polyester, 13% Spandex (solid)
- Sizing: XS-XL
- Inseam: 27"
- Style: Ankle-length
- Care Instructions: “Wash & dry in low temperatures to prolong garment shelf life while also conserving energy. Always avoid using fabric softeners – they can inhibit wicking and breathability in performance fabrics. Do not dry clean.”
Quality
There’s nothing worse than buying a pair of yoga pants that tears apart after a few wears. It hurts even more if it costs you a pretty penny. To avoid that, it’s crucial to investigate its quality ahead of time by either familiarizing yourself with the materials the pair you’re eyeing is made from, or reading the reviews of those who’ve already tested it.
Manduka Essential leggings are a great example of activewear that stands the test of time. Build from recycled Polyester and Spandex, they move with you as you practice your Asanas without overstretching and causing holes as a result. The 4-way stretch and the quick-drying properties reinforce flexibility even further.
Perhaps the biggest differentiating factor of these leggings is their ‘no pills’ construction. Unlike the majority of yoga pants – even those on the higher end – this pair won’t leave any pills after dozens of wears and washes. This is great news given the mid-price range the pants hold.
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Comfort
At the core of comfort lie natural fibers, relative stretchiness, and snug-but-not-tight fit. This is exactly what Manduka Essential leggings are like. Made from recycled fibers that feel soft to the touch, they are not only sustainable but also pleasant to wear. The smooth and cotton-like feel you get from wearing them makes you not want to ever take them off.
And while there is some compression to them, it’s not nearly as high as it is with, say, Alo Yoga Airbrush leggings. It’s felt solely if you size down for that close-fitting look. This means that your tummy won’t feel any pressure when you’re perfecting your crow pose and then hitting up your favorite smoothies shop for a quick and refreshing pick-me-up.
Performance
You can thank the contoured waistband that sits nicely on your hips while holding the leggings in place for the great performance Manduka Essential yoga pants offer. Whether you’re doing jumping jacks or hiking in your local forest, rest assured that they will cooperate with your every move.
The added media pocket is a cherry on top that makes your yoga pants that much more practical. Store your keys or a credit card in there and head out without grabbing anything else besides a smartphone and a water bottle. Your workout will be sorted and you’ll save some time finding a bag to carry around with you.
Price/Quality
Out of all the yoga pants we’ve reviewed, Manduka Essential leggings might be the ones that have some of the best price/quality ratios. Here’s why: they combine great functionality and a price that doesn’t seem like too much of a splurge. You get what you pay for, and this is exactly the no-frills and no-pills scenario that makes the purchase super straightforward.
If looking for a pair of leggings that will serve you many purposes, don’t even think twice and get yourself this one by Manduka. The chances are, you won’t regret the purchase.
If you’re searching for a pair of yoga pants that has the ‘barely there’ feel to it while also enabling you to approach each pose with confidence, you shouldn’t be debating too much whether you need them or not. Make your Amazon order before they run out of stock and reap the benefits of Essential leggings today!
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
-
No pilling!
-
They feature sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester
-
The supportive mix of fabrics makes it easy to move around with no restrictions
-
The leggings have 4-way stretch technology embedded in the fabric
-
The flat seams integrated into the yoga pants ensure a chafe-free fit
-
There is a pocket hidden in the waistband
Things we don't like:
-
These leggings tend to run small - go up a size
-
There is a low stock of these yoga pants
-
Not suitable for high-intensity workouts
Frequently asked questions
The best yoga pants will fit your body like a glove and feel like a second skin. Be them pants, tights or leggings, you should be able to squat without revealing the dreaded plumber’s butt and they should have a good price/quality relationship like the Manduka Essential/Essence leggings. Not all yoga pants are made for the same type of yoga intensity to read this guide to compare.
The best yoga pants are:
- LULULEMON Align Hi-Rise Pant 25″
- Oalka Yoga Capris
- Alo Yoga High Waist Airbrush Leggings
- ODODOS Out Pocket High-Waist Yoga Pants
- Manduka Essential Leggings
- Core 10 ‘Build Your Own’ Yoga Pants
- Crane & Lion Lightweight Capri Tights
- Beyond Yoga Spacedye High-Waist Pants
- Aoxjox High-Waist Seamless Yoga Pants
- Yogalicious High-Rise Yoga Pants
Manduka started off as a yoga accessories brand that produced yoga mats, props, and other gear. They have since ventured out into yoga apparel that has been getting consistent traction for the past few decades.
Manduka is committed to using materials that are “kind to the earth and comforting to the body”. This means that they approach manufacturing with sustainability in mind; these leggings are the proof – they’re made from recycled polyester and spandex.
The fabric of Manduka Essential leggings is super soft. They feel like your second skin when you’re wearing them and are thus considered to be some of the most comfortable yoga pants on the market.
Luckily, Manduka Essentials leggings do not pill. This is great news since there are plenty of yoga pants of the same or an even higher price range that pill after several wears and washes.
We can say with no doubt that Manduka Essential leggings are worth their price tag. If you’re looking for a pair of leggings that will serve you just as well during a yoga class as they will on a daily basis, don’t hesitate to grab them on Amazon before they’re sold out.
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