I've been wearing these Athleta leggings for years — I'll keep wearing them until they fall apart. (Athleta)(Athleta)
Six years ago, I ran my first marathon — and I swore I would never run another one. I did not enjoy it. That said, crossing the finish line gave me a wonderful sense of accomplishment that wound up inspiring me in other areas of my life, giving me the momentum to eat healthier, save up for a dream vacation or just try a new hobby. On a quest to give myself another win, I signed up for a half-marathon this spring. The 13.2 miles is just long enough that it's hard, a little scary and takes real dedication, but not so long that by the time I finish I never want to run again.
That said ... yes, I do like to run, but during my training I haven't always felt like it. One way I motivate myself to get out and hit the pavement is with a quality outfit that I feel comfortable in. With those two criteria in mind, I almost always reach for Athleta's Interval Leggings, particularly its Stash High Rise 7/8 Leggings. I ran my marathon in them, and here I am, six years later, still wearing them. I've since bought a few more pairs, but my original set is still going strong and looks as good as new — and I've run over 100 miles in these babies!
If your prefer a brighter color over plain black, these also come in green, blue, navy, white and more. Oh, and for a limited time, they're on sale! Said discount, however, varies based on the color you choose.
I'm not the only Athleta fan here at Yahoo. If you're thinking of giving them a whirl, know that the brand makes a few different types, each with different activities in mind.
Intervals are for medium to high-impact activities, like running. They have a super soft, smooth fabric that feels similar to a swimsuit but isn't shiny (it calls it the PowerMove fabric). It offers medium to high compression and it's sweat-wicking. Even when I've been sweating on a run for over an hour, they never feel sweaty. Again, the material is soft, which is important for long-distance running, where the slightest rubbing can lead to chafing, a blister or even small cuts. I did have to cut the tag off the back because it once it left me with a small scrape after a long run.
I especially like that these leggings are high-waisted and have an internal drawstring. They don't slip down as I run and they suck me in in all the right places. And, as someone who's 5'2", I appreciate that Athleta offers petite sizes and a 7/8 length. This way, they don't bunch around my ankles (another thing that can cause chafing).
Interval Stash Leggings also come with pockets on the sides. While I don't use them much during training, I do appreciate them if I decide to wear them to walk my dog or run errands. I can stash my phone in one and my keys in the other for a real minimalist look. However, I've noticed that plenty of reviewers consider them essential.
The durability of these leggings is really what gets me, though. I don't have any others that have kept their shape with no pilling.
It's no wonder that over 1,200 Athleta shoppers rave about the Interval Stash High-Rise 7/8 Leggings in the reviews, giving them five out of five stars. "The fabric is smoothing, comfortable and have compression that moves with you. Thinner but so durable," said one fan.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
