The Onzie High-Waist Capri uses an 82% Polyester and 18% Spandex fabric. They have a low-rise waist and are available in four sizes: X/S, S/M, M/L, L, and XL.
Performance Comparison
The Onzie Capri is made with a paper-thin swimsuit material (that's not see-through!), keeping you cool even when the heat is cranking.
Breathability
The Onzie received one of our highest scores for breathability. The fabric is almost tissue-thin (but not see-through!), which lets any moisture you are generating saturate through immediately and then evaporate. For this reason, this pair is one of our favorite options for the hot room. No more feeling like you are practicing in sodden sweatpants. The material does not change color when wet, which we appreciated when sweating out a quart or more.
One of the best things about these tights is that they are so light that you barely notice that you are wearing them. Many hot yoga practitioners prefer to wear small shorts when practicing, as long pants or capris feel confining in the heat. However, some prefer to be slightly more covered when assuming the intricate postures in a hot yoga class. These capris solve that problem; they cover you all the way to mid-calf but feel like the lightest of layers on your skin. They also feel well on their way to drying out by the end of Savasana.
These pants are exceptionally breathable! If you love hot yoga, then these are the leggings for you!
Ease of Movement
The silky material of these pants moved with us every which way and never limited our movements, earning a decent score in this metric. The waistband is wide, but the material itself is thin, so it doesn't bunch up or get in the way of our forward bends. We did take a few points off this pant's ease of movement score for one reason: the material is slippery when dry. This makes it more challenging to hold some arm balances like Bakasana (Crow Pose), where the friction between the material covering your knees and your armpits helps you hold the pose. Once the material is wet, the friction improves, but it's still on the slick side. Purists might argue that any aid from your yoga pants in these difficult poses is cheating, but we prefer our pants to help us out rather than hinder us.
These pants can move in any which way, but the material is a little slippery when dry.
Comfort and Fit
The High Waist Capri uses a smooth material that feels light and airy against your skin, and the pants fit well without being constricting. That being said, the material doesn't give much lift or compression. We did appreciate the elastic in the waistband. The similar Teeki Hot Pant doesn't have that elastic and as a result, tends to slide down during class. The silky material on the Onzie feels nice against the skin but is reminiscent of a swimsuit.
The waistband is wide and stays in place thanks to an elastic band on the top.
Durability
The smooth-faced material is not prone to pilling, the bane of many a yogini. We do worry that the thin material won't hold up to other activities, like hiking or rock climbing, so if you are looking for a pair to use for multiple applications, it's best to look elsewhere. We also worried that with the swimsuit like material, the leggings might stretch and become see-through and faded over time.
Yoga is notoriously hard on clothing - all of the movements and then repeated washing can quickly cause fading or pills to form. We've had many pairs of these pants over the years and have yet to experience either of those two issues.
Style
We tested the simple black option in these pants. They also come in several bold and fancy patterns, as well as lace. The swimsuit like material lacks any compression or shaping and doesn't particularly flatter the figure. These are a very practical and usable legging for a hot yoga practice, but not our favorite in terms of style and looks.
Best Applications
These are great for any hot yoga class. If you're tired of overheating in a heavier pair of pants or wearing shorts as your only other option, give these capris a try, and you'll likely be pleasantly surprised. They also can, of course, be worn for unheated yoga, though the material is slippery when not wet, which makes arm balances and various other poses a bit more challenging.
Value
These pants retail for $59, which is a nice break from the $85 and up models we see in the industry these days. Frankly, we probably wouldn't want to pay more than $59 for these pants, as there doesn't seem to be much regarding construction or materials used that warrants a much higher price. Considering that you'll need a least a few of these in your closet if you are a regular yoga practitioner, it's nice to give your wallet a break with this pair.
Conclusion
If you love your yoga classes with a side of sweat, and won't stretch unless the heater is cranking, then the Onzie Capri is the one to wear. This pair will keep you covered without feeling constricting or making you overheat, and you'll look good at the same time.
