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Manduka has firmly established itself as a leader in standards of yoga goods. From their mats to their props, everything about Manduka seems to radiate excellence. In addition to the tangible quality of their products, Manduka has always held itself to a high ethical standard by responsibly sourcing materials and minimizing environmental waste.
The Manduka Evolve Leggings are no exception, as they are some of our absolute favorites on the market. Hitting the trifecta of quality, comfort, and performance, it was hard to find much to be critical about. While the price point sits on the higher end of the spectrum, we believe this is a pair of yoga pants that is worth every penny.
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
High Quality materials and construction -
Leggings stay in place
-
Very comfortable – feels like nothing
-
No front seam thus eliminating cameltoe
-
Brand actively tries to decrease their environmental impact
Things we don't like:
Luxury price point- A magnet for lint and pet hair
- One option of 25” inseam
Luxury price pointWhere to buy:
Specs & Features
- Best Suited for: Good for most workouts, especially great for hot yoga
- Material: 81% Nylon, 19% Spandex
- Inseam: 25”
- Care Instructions: Cold wash with light colors, tumble dry on low
- Finish: Matte with a slight sheen – Somewhere between eggshell and semi-gloss
- Other Specs: Moisture wicking, 4 way stretch
The Evolve Leggings Have Reached Their Final Form
These leggings are about as close to perfect as it gets. With the soft fabric, the lightweight, airy feel, and the clear quality and durability, these are the leggings of our dreams.
Manduka really thought of everything and crafted a garment that is as stylish as it is functional. The extra high waist hits the body at the slimmest point, giving you a flattering silhouette. The front panel is seamless, giving an elegant shape to the body with a full coverage fabric.
We were pleased with the performance of these leggings, and we’re confident they can keep up with even the most committed yogis out there. They feature an airy, soft fabric that has shown no signs of pilling or wear and tear. First impressions aren’t everything, but these pants sure made a strong one.
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Features
Not only are these leggings highly functional, providing full coverage, but they are also our favorite in terms of style.
The proportions of the garment are flattering to most body types, with a high waist that sinches in the perfect spot. The seamless front and sides give the piece an elegant look and a comfortable wearing experience.
One of the bigger selling points for these pants is the seamless front panel, as it completely eliminates the problem of the dreaded cameltoe. While there are only 4 color options, these are a pair of leggings you can wear with just about anything.
Much like a lot of other yoga pants on the market, the Manduka Evolves feature a small hidden pocket on the inside of the waistband. This pocket is only large enough to hold a couple of cards or a key, but it also functions as a pocket for your phone so long as you’re upright and not moving too vigorously. It’s a place to stash your phone while you’re grocery shopping, but it won’t be very secure there during vinyasa.
Quality
There is clear attention to detail and commitment to quality; we are completely unsurprised to hear the founder of Manduka is a former architect. These leggings have the lightweight coverage of the Lululemon Aligns, the buttery soft fabric of the Yogalicious Nude Techs, and have the performance of some of the best running pants out there. They somehow cherry-picked the best qualities of every brand and fit it all into one pair of pants.
After testing these leggings in the yoga studio and on a three-mile jog, the Evolves show no sign of pilling. This is surprising for a fabric this soft. The seam construction appears very sturdy, with no points of concern on the garment. This is a durable, well-crafted garment as made for exercise as we’ve ever seen.
Comfort
These are some of the most comfortable leggings we’ve tried. They are very similar in feel to the Lululemon Aligns or the Yogalicious Nude Tech Leggings, featuring a buttery soft material and light compression. However, the fabric blend is a little cooler – sliding into these leggings feels almost like flipping to the cool side of your pillow. The compression is a little bit snugger than the Aligns, but still has a light and airy feeling.
Much like the endlessly comfortable Yogalicious Leggings, the only reason we didn’t give this pair a perfect comfort score is the lack of options for the inseam. For the average woman, the length is just about perfect, but with so many shapes and sizes out there, a couple of extra inches can make all the difference in terms of comfort. We hope in the future, they will add inseam options to make these amazing leggings more inclusive.
Performance
“Moisture-wicking” seems to be a huge marketing buzzword for yoga pants, but with the Manduka Evolves, it is a substantiated claim. The fabric blend has such a cool, breathable feel, both during exercise and just lounging around. With this in mind, they are a top pick for hot yoga.
With several minimalist details, this garment is designed to stay out of your way during your practice. The long gusset keeps seams from catching and prematurely fraying, and the seams are designed to be flat so as not to dig into your skin. The coverage is phenomenal for such a lightweight fabric, passing the squat test and showing no trace of cellulite.
These are ideal for all forms of yoga, but they are also a really great option for higher-intensity exercises like running or stair climbing, as they don’t seem to pill much at all. You can wear these for just about anything and look good doing it.
Price/Quality
These leggings sit at $85, closer to the Lululemons of the world and further from any of the budget-friendly options. While the price is steep, the quality really justified the expense.
While their return policy is limited, after trying and testing these leggings with yoga, running, and lounging, we’re confident that these are durable and will last. It’s always nice to have the peace of mind of a warranty like the Lululemon Quality Promise, but the quality of this product really stands on its own and doesn’t need a warranty to give you that peace of mind.
Do We Recommend Them
As we mentioned, it has been difficult to find anything negative to say about this product. Between the quality, comfort, performance, and style, these are certainly a favorite of ours that we highly recommend.
Whether you’re looking for yoga wear, loungewear, or running pants, the Manduka Evolves are our favorite lightweight, comfortable and durable option. Not only are these leggings going to endure your practice, the flattering cut of the garment will ensure that you’ll look your best doing it.
If the $85 price tag is turning you off, we suggest looking at some other budget-friendly options in our buyer’s guide.
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
High Quality materials and construction
-
Leggings stay in place
-
Very comfortable – feels like nothing
-
No front seam thus eliminating cameltoe
-
Brand actively tries to decrease their environmental impact
Things we don't like:
- Luxury price point
- A magnet for lint and pet hair
- One option of 25” inseam
Frequently asked questions
Lululemon has made a name for itself with quality products and a great warranty. Manduka certainly has a reputation for quality but doesn’t have a warranty to give consumers the same air-tight peace of mind.
Lululemon definitely has the edge as an athleisure company, offering countless style options and colorways, but we think Manduka has them beat as a yoga-specific company at a slightly more accessible price point.
For a complete look at all the yoga pants we recommend, dive in here.
In their own marketing material, Manduka claims to be eco-friendly, using responsibly sourced materials, but there is very little information available to support their claim.
There is information listed about their mats and props, but it’s unclear where they source their fabric for their leggings and how sustainable that production process is.
While they claim to be planet-conscious, there is very little information available about their labor policies or detailed information about their production processes to make a fair assessment.
Manduka is a German company but outsources a good bit of manufacturing. Some of their products are handcrafted in Germany, and some of the manufacturing is outsourced to Taiwan. On the tag of the Evolve leggings, it states that the garment was made in Vietnam.
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