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Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush Review

Elegant shaping in all the right places and a solid choice for cooler weather
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Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush Review (The gusset on the Airbrush is a skin-molding fit in straddles, lunges, and splits.)
The gusset on the Airbrush is a skin-molding fit in straddles, lunges, and splits.
Credit: Dorothy Lee
Price:  $98 List
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Manufacturer:   Alo Yoga
By Kate Pitts ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 17, 2024
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 18
  • Comfort and Fit - 30% 8.0
  • Ease of Movement - 30% 9.0
  • Breathability - 25% 4.0
  • Construction Quality - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

We love the Alo High-Waist Airbrush for striking an outstanding balance between freedom of movement and compression. We were particularly impressed by the on-trend high-waist that stays put without an extra elastic band. This combination allows ease of movement without constantly adjusting your leggings throughout practice or feeling an uncomfortable squeeze at the midline. This pair excels in most yoga styles; however, they run hot, so we hesitate to wear them for heated classes or hikes on a hot day. They're a good pick for a relaxed evening yoga nidra class where the body cools in deep rest. The Airbrush looks great and is one of our favorite yoga pants for accentuating all the right places. To see how it stacks up versus the competition, check out our review of yoga pants.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent fit
Form-fitting compression
Moves easily
REASONS TO AVOID
Not breathable
Stiff and slightly rough fabric
Attracts pet hair
Editor's Note: This review was updated on May 17, 2023, to include more in-depth test results.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Contouring and Support
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Yoga Pants
Editors' Choice Award
Best Yoga Pants for Budget-Conscious Yogis
Best Buy Award
Best Buy for Sweaty Yogis
Top Pick Award
Best for Casual Comfort
Price $98 List$98 List
$88.47 at Amazon
$27 List
$19.99 at Amazon
$26 List
$26.00 at Amazon
$99.00 at REI
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Bottom Line One of the most shaping pants, the comfortable fit moves with ease during cooler activitiesOffering the perfect balance between a second-skin feel, breathability, and freedom of movement, they are our favorite yoga pants for expanding in every directionAt a third of the price of designer pairs, these pants deliver top performance in comfort, fit, and mobilityThese budget yoga pants are comfortable, flattering, and breathable, making them perfect for sweaty practices and pretzel-shaped stretches. They even repel pet hairThese pants are the softest of the soft, and they dress up or down to make you look great on or off the yoga mat
Rating Categories Alo Yoga High-Waist... Lululemon Align Hig... ColorfulKoala High... Crz NakedFeel Leggi... Beyond Spacedye Out...
Comfort and Fit (30%)
8.0
9.5
8.0
7.0
9.0
Ease of Movement (30%)
9.0
10.0
9.5
9.5
8.5
Breathability (25%)
4.0
9.0
9.0
9.5
7.0
Construction Quality (15%)
8.0
8.5
7.0
6.0
7.0
Specs Alo Yoga High-Waist... Lululemon Align Hig... ColorfulKoala High... Crz NakedFeel Leggi... Beyond Spacedye Out...
Available Sizes XXS-XL 0-20 XS-XL XXS-4X XS-XL
Material 87% polyester, 13% spandex 81% nylon, 19% Lycra 75% polyester, 25% spandex 71% polyamide, 29% spandex 87% polyester, 13% spandex
Features Wide waistband, anti-microbial fabric, Moisture wicking, 4-way stretch, hidden waistband pocket, sweat wicking, h-shaped gusset Flatlock construction, seamless waistband, hidden waistband pocket, v-contour seam on back Hidden pocket, crotch gusset, pet-hair resistant 5 in. waistband sits at natural waist, 4-way stretch, moisture wicking, hip pockets
Key Pocket? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Other Versions 7/8, capri 23", 25", 28", 31", mini flare, wide leg, with pockets, ribbed 25", 28" 25" and 28", flare and shorts 7/8 (they call them capri)

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Alo High-Waist Airbrush is made with an 87% polyester and 13% spandex blend. These tights are available in XXS to XL sizes. The XXS size is an option that can be hard to find, helping petite yogis find something in the women's section rather than the girls. At the time of this review, these leggings are not currently available in Plus sizes. Some color options are “glossy,” with a sheen that might affect the feel of the fabric. We tested a non-glossy color, which still had an aesthetic shine.

Performance Comparison


alo yoga high-waist airbrush - the alo high-waist airbrush gives supportive strength, yet is fluid...
The Alo High-Waist Airbrush gives supportive strength, yet is fluid in flow - no resisting movements.
Credit: Dorothy Lee


Comfort and Fit


We love the fit of the Airbrush; it is one of the most comfortable pairs we tried on. The waist has no elastic, yet it stays in place and hugs in all the right places. We appreciate that we didn't have to pull them up, and they offered more tummy tucking than other top performers.


Some of the models we tested have enhanced core technology to create that “perfect core” appearance; however, our testers found these often felt too tight and uncomfortable during our practice. Plus, no one wants a muffin top. The Airbrush is compressive and holds everything in without constricting. We weren't in a hurry to peel them off when we got home from practice.

The gusset on the Airbrush allows them to stick to the hips comfortably, and we especially appreciated this in movements with wide hip extension or expansion. One thing to consider is we felt that the material feels slightly stiff, like a new cotton t-shirt. We also noticed it was more prone to attracting pet hair than other models. Consider another option if you are looking for super-soft yoga pants.

alo yoga high-waist airbrush - the wide waistband on the airbrush has no constricting elastic; it...
The wide waistband on the airbrush has no constricting elastic; it stays in place and offers a sculpting tummy tuck.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Ease of Movement


The Airbrush received a high score here, offering more shaping support than most flexible pants on the market. We never felt restricted or uncomfortable in any pose, effortlessly flowing through our practice. With these pants, the main distraction for us in vigorous flows is the lack of venting in these pants, so they move best in unheated or yin classes.


Although our testers love high-waist support in yoga pants, the extra material or tight elastic band around the waist can feel restricting and uncomfortable. Too tight means we feel like we're being choked in the wrong places, which is incredibly disruptive if our breath is squeezed. The Airbrush pants don't have a tight elastic band and feature a wide, flat band of fabric. Their design is snug and stays in place while we're in challenging poses and during dynamic movements like jumps into arm balances.

The fabric of the Airbrush is not as buttery soft as other top performers, but it does provide a bit of texture that helps you stick arm balances like astavakrasana (eight-angle pose). We tested these in acro yoga and found that the slight friction in the material makes them perfect for partnering up for acrobatics in the air with a friend.

alo yoga high-waist airbrush - the alo high-waist airbrush has a wide waistband and well-designed...
The Alo High-Waist Airbrush has a wide waistband and well-designed hip seams that move lithely through dynamic moves. We never felt limited by these pants.
Credit: Dororthy Lee

Breathability


Today's vigorous styles of yoga and temperatures ranging between 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (in a hot or Bikram class) mean sweat — and a lot of it. The Airbrush leggings earned an average score in this metric because they built heat on our legs in most flows, and we felt they would be a better fit for winter or cooling practices like yin or yoga nidra. The easiest way for yoga pants to be breathable is to be thin, but often at a sacrifice in compression, which doesn't lend itself to comfort or style. The Airbrush leggings provide good enough breathability, particularly when considering their compression and shaping abilities. One feature we loved in the Airbrush is that it has a double-layer gusset in the crotch that helps absorb moisture.


As mentioned, while some leggings are thinner and offer more breathability, they don't provide much compression or shaping. Unless you specifically practice in a hot room, a thicker weight material can provide support and help your pants transition to daywear or working out. We felt that the Airbrush would be an excellent choice for cooler weather or practicing in an unheated room. They would be the first in our bag for skiing. Consider them your go-to for a chilly airplane ride or a winter vacation.

alo yoga high-waist airbrush - a well-designed gusset protects against camel toe and helps with...
A well-designed gusset protects against camel toe and helps with range of motion. The Alo High-Waist Airbrush has an excellent double-layer gusset that molds perfectly against the inner hips and protects against sweat stains in the groin.
Credit: Kate E Pitts

Construction Quality


The Airbrush earned a high score for durability; the fabric only had minor pilling after several months of use and wash cycles, and we saw no unraveling seams. We tested these pants in high-friction activities like scrambling and hiking in lava rocks and found no snags in the material.


Our reviewers also took this pair out climbing and scrambling on seaside cliffs, and everyone was impressed with how the fabric held up. You can trust their coverage as one of the heaviest weights we tested. They crushed the squat test; they are not see-through and hardly show panty lines. You can keep these pants looking good with simple care in the wash cycle. Alo recommends washing them inside out with similar material or in a washing bag. Avoid the dryer to get the most use of these pants, and leave them out to hang dry.

alo yoga high-waist airbrush - we were impressed with how the alo high-waist airbrush held up...
We were impressed with how the Alo High-Waist Airbrush held up sitting on sharp rocks and climbing. An excellent choice for hiking in cooler weather!
Credit: Dororthy Lee

Should You Buy the Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush?


The Airbrush is stretchy, comfortable, supportive, and durable. This pant is great for many different styles of yoga because of its above-average balance of shaping and ease of movement. They are comfortable and great for all-day wear, so if you like to wear yoga leggings around town or paired with a cozy sweater, these are a great option. The time we'd choose to wear something else would be for a heated class, but they can still do the trick if you're okay with extra sweat.

What Other Yoga Pants Should You Consider?


The Airbrush is a comfy and durable choice for yoga or hiking in chilly weather. However, if you want supportive and durable pants with more breathability, consider the Prana Becksa 7/8. If you want a softer material with a buttery touch, the Lululemon Align High Rise and Patagonia Maipo 7/8 Tights are top-rated yoga pants that match the ease of movement in the Alo Airbrush pants. If you are a pet mom and want comfort and flexibility in fabric that sheds hair easily, you will love cuddling with your fur baby in the Crz Yoga NakedFeel Leggings Double Waist Seam. If you also need a supportive mat to pair with your leggings, check out our review on the best yoga mats for your practice.

Kate Pitts