If you, like me, are five foot nothing, then you know how real the struggle is to find the best petite leggings. Since most leggings are designed for women of average height, if you’re under 5’5”, classic leggings will bunch at the ankles and may even sag in places they’re supposed to hold in. But fret not, short girlies, some brands have our backs and make petite leggings for women in a shorter length to cater to anyone who lacks in the height department.
After scouring the athleisure market for years and testing out different petite leggings, I’ve discovered the eight best options that flatter a petite frame. Outlined below, the best leggings for petite women have a cropped inseam, body-hugging design, and, of course, plenty of color options.
Keep reading to find your next go-to leggings for any situation.
Key Takeaways
After searching the internet high and low, I was happy to discover that there are a surprising number of options for the best petite leggings for women, but the best overall is the Athleta Salutation Stash Mesh 7/8 Tight, which has a cute design and a special petite fit with a 23” inseam. If you like the idea of Athleta leggings but are shopping on a tighter budget, the Old Navy PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings are still under the Gap brand (like Athleta) with the same petite fit but with a lower price tag.
Top Picks
Best Overall: Athleta Salutation Stash Mesh 7/8 Tight
Best Squat Proof: Yogipace Petite High Waisted Leggings
Best with Pockets: Stelle Capri Essential Leggings
Best Comfortable: CRZ YOGA Butterluxe Lounge Legging
Amazon: HeyNuts Essential Cropped Leggings
Best Budget: Old Navy PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings
Best Luxury: Vuori Daily Legging
Best Everyday: Lululemon Align Mini Flared Pant Extra Short
Best Overall: Athleta Salutation Stash Mesh 7/8 Tight
Why they’re great: Athleta is the gold standard for petite leggings because almost all of their products come in regular, tall, or petite fits. For this particular pair, the petite fit has a 23” inseam for a true 7/8 length, compared to the regular fit at 25” and the tall length at 28”. Specially designed for women who are vertically challenged, these leggings have a buttery, moisture-wicking material and mesh around the ankles for a cool look (and added airflow).
Who are these for? Standard 7/8 leggings have more of an ankle length on shorter women, so if you’re hoping for a bit of a crop, these are perfect. They also have pockets and UV protection – paired with the mesh, they’re the ideal pair of petite leggings for year-round wear.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Compared to Athleta’s other Salutation Tights, these have a less robust material.
Material: 75% nylon, 25% lycra | Sizes: 2XS – L | Colors: 3 | Care: Machine wash cold
Best Squat-Proof: Yogipace Petite High-Waisted Leggings
Why they’re great: Specifically designed for petite women, these workout leggings have two inseam lengths to choose from and three neutral colorways to match everything. Rather than a nylon construction, they’re made from a cotton and polyester blend that’s durable and thicker than most of the cheap leggings you find on Amazon. This makes them suitable for year-round wear and medium- to high-impact workouts.
Who are these for? The shorter inseam is the perfect ankle length for women between 4’10” and 5’3”, and the 25” option will have some bunching at the ankles if you’re under 5’4”.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These leggings attract pet hair like no others, so if you have a furry friend at home, prepare to keep a lint roller nearby!
Material: 87% nylon, 13% spandex | Sizes: XS – 2XL | Colors: 3 | Care: Machine wash cold
Best with Pockets: Stelle Capri Essential Leggings
Why they’re great: Since these petite leggings are a capri length on normal heights, they hit just above the ankle or a 7/8s length for women between 4’10” and 5’2”. The flattering design works well for everyday wear or the gym, with plenty of stretch and mild compression to hold everything in place. Their thicker material makes them squat-proof, so you won’t have to worry about a sheer behind while sporting them.
Who are these for? For anyone searching for cropped leggings with deep pockets, these have a luxury feel without the price tag to match. They’re also high-waisted without being too much, striking a solid middle ground.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These leggings are a bit thick for very hot weather or climates.
Material: 87% nylon, 13% spandex | Sizes: 2XS – 3X | Colors: 18 | Care: Machine wash cold
Best Comfortable: CRZ YOGA Butterluxe Lounge Legging
Why they’re great: These live up to the butterluxe name. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better pair of leggings under $30. Not to mention the perfect inseam length (19”), which makes them some of the best petite leggings for women. They’ll hit right at calf length if you’re hovering around 4’10 or 5 feet, which is a rarity, even with leggings designed for petite frames. Women who are 5’2” or taller will have a traditional capri length. Add in unmatched color options and a budget-friendly price, and you can understand why women are ditching their Lululemon leggings and wearing these instead.
Who are these for? Any fun-sized woman shopping for high-quality, affordable leggings that won’t slide down will love these. Given the generous crop and the thinner material, they’re the perfect leggings for summer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although CRZ YOGA boasts that these leggings are squat-proof, the sheer material on the backside tells a different story.
Material: 81% polyamide, 19% lycra | Sizes: 2XS – XL | Colors: 23 | Care: Machine wash coldBest on
Amazon: HeyNuts Essential Cropped Leggings
Why they’re great: Well loved as the most convincing alternative to the Lululemon Align tights, these are some of the nicest petite leggings for a fraction of the cost. They have the same look and feel as Lulus, with a buttery fabric, high waist, and pockets lining the waistband, and some reviewers even claim to like the HeyNuts option more. They’re an especially compelling choice for petite women who want a cropped fit, since these come in a 19” inseam that will fall mid-shin if you’re between 4’11” and 5’3”.
Who are these for? If you’re on the shorter side, it’s hard to find cropped leggings that don’t extend to the ankle. Since this style is a capri length on average heights, it will be a true crop for shorter women.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: While these are some of the best leggings for everyday wear and travel, they aren’t squat-proof, so if you’re headed to the gym, it’s better to opt for a more opaque pair.
Material: 70% nylon, 30% spandex | Sizes: XS – 2XL | Colors: 15 | Care: Machine wash cold
Best Budget: Old Navy PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings
Why they’re great: Because both Old Navy and Athleta are owned under the Gap umbrella, you can find Athleta-quality leggings at Old Navy for about one third of the price. This pair offers the same variety in fits, covering regular, tall, and petite, with a nearly identical polyester spandex blend. With a flattering high waist and tons of colors to choose from, these are some of the best petite leggings for women shopping for quality on a budget.
Who are these for? Like the idea of Athleta leggings, namely the customized lengths? This Old Navy pair is the perfect affordable alternative.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you choose the petite length, then these leggings will hit just above the ankle with the 23” inseam. Prefer a full length? The regular fit will fall to the top of your shoes if you’re 5’4” or shorter.
Material: 77% polyester, 23% spandex | Sizes: XS – XL | Colors: 9 | Care: Machine wash cold
Best Luxury: Vuori Daily Legging
Why they’re great: The short queens in my life swear by Vuori for petite leggings, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree. The Daily Leggings are the brand’s staple, with a signature drawcord waist, crazy soft fabric, and tons of on-trend color options. However, what makes them stand out are the three length options with inseams catering to different heights. The short fit is amazing for petite women with a 22” inseam that hits right at the ankle.
Who are these for? Thanks to their unique design, these leggings are for anyone looking for something different while maintaining the classic legging feel.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you’re shorter than 5’4”, then you might experience some bunching at the ankles, even with the short length.
Material: 72% polyester, 28% elastane | Sizes: 2XS – 2XL | Colors: 9 | Care: Machine wash cold
Best Everyday: Lululemon Align Mini Flared Pant Extra Short
Why they’re great: If you’re under 5’4”, then you know the struggle is real to find flared leggings (ahem, yoga pants) that don’t drag on the ground. Luckily, Lululemon is to the rescue with petite leggings at an extra short length, with a 28” inseam, which will touch the top of your shoes if you’re under 5’2”.
Who are these for? With eight colors to choose from and a buttery soft fabric, these leggings are the ultimate choice for casual or light workout wear. They’re great if you’re looking for leggings to wear as pants, since the flare at the hem makes them slightly dressier than standard leggings.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you’re between 5’3” and 5’5”, then you may find these pants to be a bit short.
Material: 81% nylon, 19% lycra elastane | Sizes: 0 – 20 | Colors: 8 | Care: Machine wash cold
Buying Considerations for the Best Petite Leggings
Inseam Length
The most important consideration when buying petite leggings is the inseam length, as this determines where the leggings will fall.
Standard leggings normally have an inseam length between 25” and 28”, with the shorter length giving the 7/8 appearance and the longer length hitting the bottom of the ankles.
Petite leggings have an inseam length between 19” and 23” to create the same effect on a shorter frame. If you’re between 4’10” and 5’1”, then a 19” inseam length will have a perfectly cropped look and a 23” inseam will fall to the ankles. If you’re between 5’2” and 5’5”, then a 23” inseam will create a 7/8s look and the 19” will look closer to capris.
Legging Style
The style of the legging also matters, since some are more suited to petite sizes than others. The legging style can be influenced by the inseam length, with shorter inseam lengths creating a cropped or Capri style. However, the style can also change with flared ankles, split hems, or a V-shaped waistband.
If you’re a petite woman, it’s worth being cautious when shopping for leggings beyond a cropped style. Flared leggings tend to have a significantly longer inseam length, which means that a standard pair will hit the ground on shorter women.
That said, some brands specialize in petite leggings, with various styles that cater to shorter heights. For example, the Lululemon Align Mini Flared Pants come in an extra short size (before their release, it was impossible to wear Lulu’s flared leggings if you were under 5’5”).
Waistband Rise
Lastly, the waistband rise matters more for petite women than others, so don’t forget about it when shopping for the best leggings. If you have a shorter torso, then you may want to avoid super-high-waisted styles that will create the illusion of a squatter frame. Instead, opt for a lower waistband, which can elongate the legs in a more meaningful way.
How We Chose These Products
There’s nothing quite like leggings that fit like a second skin, and it can be challenging to achieve this as a shorter woman. This sent me down a rabbit hole of searching for the best leggings specifically designed for petite women. I discovered a wealth of leggings with a shorter inseam length and a designated petite silhouette. I included the best options on the list – those that didn’t bunch, roll, or sag – along with a few standard leggings that flatter a petite frame. Combining fit (of course), quality materials, and versatility, the products on this list are truly the best leggings for petite women.
Fit: Given the unique fitting challenges that petite women often face, I emphasized leggings that offer a variety of lengths and waist measurements. I looked for options that cater specifically to shorter leg lengths and smaller waist sizes without sacrificing comfort or style.
Material Quality: High-quality materials ensure durability and comfort. I selected leggings that are made from premium, stretchable fabrics that maintain their shape and texture even after multiple washes.
Versatility: The best leggings are not just for workouts; they are suitable for various occasions. I included versatile styles that transition seamlessly from the gym to casual outings.
Why You Should Trust Us
Jane is an experienced fashion writer and daily legging wearer. She’s also a total shrimp, which has led her to be passionate about the best clothing and gear for smaller women since it’s a true challenge to find clothes that fit. She spends her time hunting down and testing products to deliver trustworthy reviewers to readers. When she’s not writing, you can find her running around Paris and New York City, where she splits her time (in leggings, no doubt.)
Final Verdict
The best petite leggings are the Athleta Salutation Stash Mesh 7/8 Tight. They have a special petite fit for smaller women and mesh detailing on the legs, which sets them apart from other options. If you like the idea of the Athleta leggings but are on a tighter budget, then opt for the Old Navy PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings instead, which are made by the same Gap family without the premium cost.
FAQs
What is the best length for petite leggings?
The best length for petite leggings is between 19” and 23”. The shorter length will have more of a crop on petite women, whereas the longer inseam will hit around the ankles if you’re under 5’4”.
What are short leggings called?
Short leggings can also be called petite leggings, cropped leggings, or Capri leggings. The latter two names refer to where the leggings fall; petite leggings refer to the overall sizing.
