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Prana Transform High-Waisted Capri Review

A staple pair for your closet!
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Price:  $70 List | $48.73 at REI
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Durable, look great on, comfortable material, breathable, capri fit
Cons:  A little tight around the waist, not much variety in style and color
Manufacturer:   Prana
By Hannah Hall ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 30, 2019
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83
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 15
  • Breathability - 25% 8
  • Ease of Movement - 25% 9
  • Comfort and Fit - 20% 8
  • Durability - 20% 8
  • Style - 10% 8

Our Verdict

The Prana Transform High Waisted Capri is made from a lightweight, breathable material that looks and feels great on. These are the only capri length pants we reviewed, and we love that we don't have to worry about extra fabric bunching at the base of our calves. The Nylon and Lycra blend allows for exceptional durability, and virtually no pilling was observed during our testing process. A great pair of basic yoga pants that are a bit more cost-effective than others, they'll perform well during most yoga classes and will become a staple piece in your closet!


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $48.73 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$98 List$79.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$67.01 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$27.99 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Durable, look great on, comfortable material, breathable, capri fitButtery soft, easy to move in, great color options and fit, comfortable, breathableCompressive, shaping, stylish, and durableComfortable, supportive, easy to move in, contoured high waist with no elasticLightweight, breathable, easy to move in, inexpensive
Cons A little tight around the waist, not much variety in style and colorNeeds delicate careA little tight, thick, could be more breathableDecent breathability but not the best for heated classesFabric is a little stiff compared to others, durability issues in previous pairs
Bottom Line A staple pair for your closet!With a great balance between compression and breathability, these pants are buttery soft and perform exceptionally!These are the perfect all-around tight, great for most yoga styles, as well as hiking, climbing, biking, or running.A comfortable and stylish pair that looks and feels great.A good pant for the price that will make you question whether the expensive ones are really worth it.
Rating Categories Transform High-Waisted Capri Lululemon Align II Patagonia Centered Tights High-Waisted Airbrush High Waist Powerflex
Breathability (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
Ease Of Movement (25%)
10
0
9
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
10
10
0
9
Comfort And Fit (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
Durability (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
7
10
0
8
Style (10%)
10
0
8
10
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10
10
0
8
10
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10
10
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8
Specs Transform... Lululemon Align II Patagonia Centered... High-Waisted... High Waist Powerflex
Material 88% Supplex Nylon / 12% Lycra Nulu 85% recycled polyester/15% spandex jersey 87% polyester, 13% spandex 87% Nylon, 13% Spandex
Key Pocket Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Features wide waistband; Double layer powermesh inset panels in waist for max support; triangle gusseted crotch; highwaisted Comfortable waistband that lies flat against skin, naked sensation, hidden pocket in waistband, high waisted Recycled material; flattering wide waistband with 1/2 inch elastic band; soft thread in seems for skin to skin comfort; key pocket Wide waistband, anti-microbial fabric Moisture wicking, 4-way stretch fabric

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Prana Transform High Waisted Capri is made with a 88% Supplex Nylon and 12% Lycra. They come in four dark and plain color options and are sized from XS to plus size.

Performance Comparison


The Prana Transform are a classic pair of capris perfect for a variety of yoga styles.
The Prana Transform are a classic pair of capris, perfect for a variety of yoga styles.

Breathability


The Transform earned good scores across the board in almost every metric, including breathability. The material vents well and is moisture-wicking, though not quite as thin as the models we preferred for heated classes.

The material is breathable and you can't see sweat when it does accumulate.
The material is breathable, and you can't see sweat when it does accumulate.

Ease of Movement


The ease of movement was very good, and we felt comfortable throughout every class we took, from power yoga to yin. While they aren't quite as stretchy as the Lululemon Align II leggings, our Editors' Choice winner, they go above and beyond.

While not quite as stretchy as some of the other models that we tested we still got great range of motion out of this pair.
While not quite as stretchy as some of the other models that we tested, we still got great range of motion out of this pair.

Comfort and Fit


This is the one area that we felt a little disappointed by the Transform Capri. The material is your typical Nylon/Elastane blend and is pretty soft and smooth against the skin. It isn't as comfortable as the Beyond Yoga Caught in the Midi legging, the Top Pick for All Day Comfort, but we enjoyed the way the material felt. Even though the waistband consists of a thin piece of elastic, it feels a bit too tight for our taste, though this can be mitigated by sizing up (so long as it fits you properly elsewhere).

These leggings are a little on the tight side and we would recommend sizing up.
These leggings are a little on the tight side and we would recommend sizing up.

Durability


We appreciate the durability of the Transform Capri, as the material resisted pilling and didn't stretch out or lose its shape quickly. We have been unimpressed with Prana in the past, as some pairs seem to pill instantly, which was not the case this time.


Style


We tested this pair in plain black capri length, which is simple and stylish. This specific model is currently available in five darker colors. If you are someone who enjoys wearing bright colors to class, or a bright pattern, we recommend taking a peek at the other options in our review.

We'd suggest sizing up for these pants as they feel a little tight around the waistband.
We'd suggest sizing up for these pants, as they feel a little tight around the waistband.

Best Applications


The Transform Capri is a great all-around pair of yoga pants. They are breathable and feature good ease of movement, and can be worn to any type of yoga practice.

Value


The Transform Capri is priced a bit lower than other high-end yoga pants. Ringing in at $69, this is a decent savings over the $90+ options out there.

Conclusion


The Prana Transform Capri is a great pair of tights for yoga, particularly if they fit you comfortably. They were a little tight around the waist, and we would recommend sizing up if you prefer not to have everything completely squished in. They're ideal for a variety of yoga classes and provide exceptional ease of movement.


— Hannah Hall