The right workout tights stay in place, don’t show through when you squat, and keep their shape wash after wash. The wrong pair slides down during your workout, shows through in a deep squat, or loses its shape after a few washes.
This guide makes the choice easy. We cover the five things that matter most, which tights suit your training (the gym, running, yoga, padel, or everyday wear), how to choose the right size on your first order, and what to look for in the fabric. At the end, we answer the questions we get most often and show which Astani tights suit each need.
By the end, you’ll know which pair to choose, and why.
The 5 things that matter most
Check these five things before you buy a pair of tights.
1. Squat-proof fabric. Squat-proof means that nothing shows through, even in a deep squat. It depends on how densely the fabric is knitted, not only on how thick it is. Test it at home: put the tights on, squat down in front of a mirror in good light, and check the back. If you can see your skin through the fabric, the tights are not squat-proof. When you shop online, look for the words squat-proof or non-see-through in the product description.
2. Waist height. A high waist sits at or above your belly button. It stays in place when you jump, bend, and squat, and gives more hold around your stomach. A mid-to-high waist sits around your belly button, and a mid waist sits a little lower, so it presses less on your stomach. Tip: if your tights often roll down, choose a higher waist and a wide waistband. The waistband should hold without pressing into your stomach.
3. Compression. Compression is how firmly the tights hold around your legs and hips. Medium compression holds firmly and keeps everything in place during hard workouts. Light compression feels softer and is more comfortable when you wear the tights all day. Many people have both: a firmer pair for hard workouts and a softer pair for yoga and everyday wear.
4. Length. Full-length tights reach your ankles. They suit most workouts, keep your legs warm outdoors, and cover your shins when the bar slides along your legs in deadlifts. 7/8 tights end just above the ankle and feel a little cooler. Shorts are best for warm days and hot workouts. All Astani tights are full length, and for warm days we have the BLISS Scrunch Shorts.
5. Pockets. A phone pocket is useful if you run outside or use your phone at the gym. Check that the phone sits firmly and doesn’t bounce when you move. The PEAK Tights have a phone pocket at the back of the waistband.
Match the tights to your training
The best tights depend on how you train. Here’s what to look for.
Yoga, pilates, and low-intensity workouts
You want soft, stretchy fabric that moves with you in deep stretches. Choose a waistband that stays in place when you bend forward or lie on the mat, and full-length tights. Flared tights also work well here, and they’re easy to wear after class too.
HIIT, CrossFit, and Hyrox
You jump, run, and squat in the same workout, so the tights need to stay exactly where they are. Choose squat-proof fabric, a high, wide waistband that doesn’t roll down, and medium compression that holds firmly. A phone pocket is a bonus.
Running
Choose flat seams that don’t rub, breathable fabric, a close fit that doesn’t feel tight, and a pocket that keeps your phone in place. Full length for cold days, shorts for warm days.
The gym and strength training
Squats and deadlifts are the hardest test for tights: you squat deep, bend forward, and move in every direction. Choose squat-proof fabric, a waistband that stays in place without rolling down, fabric that goes back to its shape after you stretch it, and no front seam, so the front stays smooth and flat.
Padel, tennis, and other racket sports
You move sideways, lunge, and bend low for the ball, and you get warm fast. Choose seamless tights or flat seams that don’t rub on the inner thigh, breathable fabric, and a close fit that still lets your hips move freely.
Everyday wear
For everyday wear, choose soft fabric that’s comfortable for many hours, a waist height you like, and colors you want to wear outside the gym. Flared tights look good with sneakers or boots.
Sizing — finding your fit
Most sizing mistakes happen on the first order. Tights that are too small press into your waist and roll down. Tights that are too big wrinkle and slide down. Here’s how to find the right size.
Measure yourself first
Take two measurements before you order:
- Waist — the narrowest part of your waist, above your hips and below your ribs
- Hips — the widest part around your butt
Use a soft measuring tape, stand relaxed, and measure directly on your skin. Then compare your measurements with the size chart on the product page. It’s in centimeters.
If you’re between two sizes
Choose the smaller size if:
- the product page says the style runs big
- you want a firmer fit and more hold
Choose the bigger size if:
- your hip measurement matches the bigger size
- you want a softer, more relaxed fit
Astani sizing tip
Read the size note above the size buttons on each product page. For our tights:
- BLISS Scrunch Tights and EVE Seamless Tights run big — choose one size smaller than usual.
- PEAK Tights and SENSE Scrunch Tights are true to size — choose your usual size.
- AURA Flared Tights and DIVINE Wide Flared Tights are true to size — choose your usual size for a close fit, or one size up for a more relaxed fit.
Materials and features to look for
These details decide how your tights feel, and how long they keep their shape.
Squat-proof fabric
This is the most important thing in workout tights. Squat-proof fabric is knitted densely, so it doesn’t get thinner when it stretches. Fabric weight is measured in gsm (grams per square meter): a higher number means a thicker fabric. Our tights are 220–300 gsm, and every style is squat-proof (EVE in Black and Dark Gray).
4-way stretch
The fabric stretches in all directions, both up and down and side to side. This matters in deep squats, lunges, and side bends. If the fabric only stretches one way, it pulls when you move.
Breathable fabric
Good training fabric lets heat and moisture out, so you stay drier and more comfortable. Look for breathable or moisture-wicking fabric in the product description.
Soft, wide waistband
The waistband touches your skin during the whole workout. A wide, soft waistband spreads the pressure and is more comfortable than a narrow elastic band.
Flat seams or seamless
Raised seams on the inner thigh can rub during running and padel. Choose flat seams, or seamless tights that are knitted without side seams. SENSE, BLISS, and EVE are seamless.
The fabric blend
Workout tights are usually made of Nylon or Polyester, mixed with Spandex. Spandex gives the stretch, and Nylon makes the fabric strong and smooth. Our tights are 75–90% Nylon and 10–25% Spandex. The exact blend is on each product page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my tights are squat-proof?
Do the squat test: put the tights on, stand in front of a mirror in good light, and squat down or bend forward. Look at the back of the tights in the mirror or with your phone camera. If you can see your skin or the color of your underwear, they’re not squat-proof. Squat-proof tights are knitted densely, so the fabric doesn’t get thinner when it stretches. When you shop online, check that the product description says squat-proof or non-see-through.
What’s the difference between leggings and tights?
In activewear, the two words mean the same thing: close-fitting, stretchy training pants. Some brands use leggings for soft everyday styles and tights for training styles, but there’s no fixed rule. We use tights because that’s the word most people in Sweden search for.
Are high-waisted tights better?
Not always. It depends on what feels best on you. High-waisted tights stay in place in squats and jumps and give more hold around your stomach, so many people prefer them for training. Others find a mid waist more comfortable. Choose the waist height you feel good in.
How tight should workout tights feel?
Close-fitting, but never painful. The fabric should lie smoothly against your legs without loose folds, and the waistband should hold without pressing in. You should be able to slide one or two fingers under the waistband. If you can’t, the tights are too small. If you can pull the waistband several centimeters away from your body, they’re too big.
How long do good tights last?
It depends on how often you wear them and how you wash them. Good tights keep their shape and stretch for a long time if you wash them at 30°C and never tumble dry them. The first signs of wear are usually a waistband that no longer holds and pilling on the inner thigh.
Can I wear workout tights every day?
Yes. Many people wear their tights all day — at the gym, at work, and at home. For all-day comfort, choose a soft pair with light compression. For hard workouts, choose a pair with more hold.
How should I wash workout tights to make them last?
Wash them inside out at 30°C or lower, with similar colors. Don’t use fabric softener — it coats the fibers, so the fabric breathes less. Hang them to dry. Don’t tumble dry, bleach, or iron them, because heat damages the stretch in the fabric. If you only follow one rule: never tumble dry your tights.
When should I replace my tights?
When the waistband no longer stays in place, when the fabric starts to show through in a squat, or when the fabric has lost its stretch. A little pilling alone is not a reason to replace them.
Find your perfect pair — the Astani guide
We make six tights styles for women. Here’s which one suits your training, and how each one feels.
By what you do
High-intensity training (CrossFit, Hyrox, running, padel) → PEAK Tights
Squat-proof tights with medium compression, a wide waistband that reaches up high, no front seam, and a phone pocket at the back. Made for jumps, sprints, and hard workouts. True to size.
The gym and heavy squats, with a scrunch back → SENSE Scrunch Tights
Seamless and squat-proof, in our thickest fabric (300 gsm). Medium compression, a mid waist, no front seam, and a scrunch back that lifts and shapes your butt. True to size.
The gym, with a scrunch back in softer, stretchier fabric → BLISS Scrunch Tights
Seamless and squat-proof like SENSE, but thinner and extra stretchy, so they move with you. High waist, no front seam, and a scrunch back that gives your butt a lifted, rounder shape. Runs big — choose one size smaller than usual.
The gym, yoga, padel, and everyday wear, without scrunch → EVE Seamless Tights
Seamless tights with a smooth back, a high waist, extra stretch, and light compression. Breathable and comfortable all day. Squat-proof in Black and Dark Gray. Runs big — choose one size smaller than usual.
Yoga, pilates, walks, and everyday wear → AURA Flared Tights or DIVINE Wide Flared Tights
Both are squat-proof, soft, and stretchy, with a mid-to-high waist. AURA fits close at the top and flares out from the knee down. DIVINE fits close at the waist and thighs, has a wider flare from the knee down, and no front seam. Both are true to size — choose one size up if you want a more relaxed fit.
By how you want them to feel
- Firm hold and shape → SENSE Scrunch Tights (our thickest fabric)
- Firm hold for high-intensity training → PEAK Tights
- Soft and extra stretchy, with a scrunch back → BLISS Scrunch Tights
- Smooth and seamless, without scrunch → EVE Seamless Tights
- Soft and comfortable all day → AURA Flared Tights, DIVINE Wide Flared Tights
Summary
The right tights stay in place, don’t show through, and feel good for as long as you wear them. Start with how you train, choose the waist height and compression you like, measure yourself, and read the size note on the product page. Then you’ll get the right size on your first order. Need a sports bra too? Read How to Choose the Right Sports Bra.
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