Made to move (plus and extended sizes only): Superfit Hero Superhold Pocket Leggings
How they fit: Smooth and dense with a supportive hold, the Superfit Hero Superhold Pocket Leggings have conveniently placed pockets. They felt good during sweaty workouts and less-intense sessions. Available in sizes L (12–14) to 7XL (40–42) and in one length (29 inches), they fit our 5-foot-2-inch plus-size tester (who wore a size 2XL) a bit snugly in the waist, but were otherwise comfortable.
Why they’re great: Superfit Hero transitioned to all plus and extended sizes in late 2020, allowing the company to cater fully to an often underrepresented population of athletic-wear aficionados. All of our picks offer sizing up to at least a 20 (and several of our favorites also come in extended sizes, including Girlfriend Collective and Universal Standard). But Superfit Hero goes the highest (40–42). Dense and soft with a good amount of stretch, these leggings are pleasantly compressive and felt great on—a nice dose of support versus a too-tight squeeze. Our plus-size tester, who wore a size 2XL and typically wears a size 16–18, liked the quality feel of the thick fabric. Though they fit her a bit snugly in the waist, they worked “mostly fine”; she noted that she also liked the capri version, which has a 20-inch inseam (she is 5 feet 2 inches tall). The inseam of the standard Superhold is 29 inches. She also particularly liked the fit of the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught In the Midi High Waisted Legging and the Lululemon Wunder Under High-Rise Tight Full-On Luon.
Of roughly 200 reviews for the Superhold leggings on the brand’s website, the majority gives them five stars. I wore a size M, which is, full disclosure, no longer represented in the lineup (Superfit Hero moved to exclusively plus and extended sizes right around the time we were testing). They have a held-in feel and large, well-placed side-drop pockets. For what it’s worth, they performed well during a 45-minute indoor cycling class and a 3-mile run with my phone in one of the pockets. Made for all types of exercise, these leggings feel less slick than some of the other high-activity pairs in our pool. Yet they strike a nice balance between ready to sweat and ready to recover.