Leggings: Sweaty Betty vs Matalan

[LadyPeppermint]

I know - another bl**dy post about leggings - even I'm yawning.

Anyway, I'm still after the holy grail and have purchased a few different pairs over the last couple of months. I got some Sweaty Betty high waist super sculpt leggings and the compression / sucky-in-ness around the bum and tum was brilliant, but they keep falling down at the waist and constantly need pulled up. Incidentally I don't think this is a size thing - I've spotted that loads of the reviews say the same.

Around the same time, I bought a pair of active leggings from Matalan's Souluxe range and while they don't have the same sucky-in factor, the waist is fantastic - much better than the SB leggings as they just don't budge.

Is it just impossible to find good leggings with compression and a waist which doesn't budge? I've also tried Queenieke which are fine, but not much compression and another brand from Amazon whose name escapes me right now. I even reconciled myself with selling my soul to Fabletics to grab a couple of pairs for £24 before cancelling, but they never have anything i like in stock in my size, so that hasn't gone any further.

Why is this so difficult? I do like and rate the plain black leggings from decathlon for running, but want some different coloured pairs, with a side pocket to wear for leisurewear / low intensity exercise.

Has anyone tried multiple pairs from Matalan - do they have a higher compression offering?

Thanks!

Sweaty Betty power leggings are the best. They don’t budge.

@4Mongrels

Sweaty Betty power leggings are the best. They don’t budge.

Thanks. Sorry i should have said that I've tried the power leggings too and thought they were ok but the compression on the sculpt ones was much better, so for me there was even less between the power leggings and the matalan ones. 🙊

SB Power leggings aren't all that, IMO. I mean, they're decent enough and all, but my Nike ones are just as good as my SB Powers, and were less than half the price.

Gymshark are super tight snd high waist and they do nice colours and detailing on them- but no pockets

I got so tired of the endless quest for leggings with pockets meaning I had to compromise on other features and bought myself a running vest to hold my phone and keys, which now means my options for leggings have opened up significantly.

@fellrunner85

SB Power leggings aren't all that, IMO. I mean, they're decent enough and all, but my Nike ones are just as good as my SB Powers, and were less than half the price.

Thanks - can you let me know which ones you recommend please?

@thenewaveragebear1983

Gymshark are super tight snd high waist and they do nice colours and detailing on them- but no pockets

I got so tired of the endless quest for leggings with pockets meaning I had to compromise on other features and bought myself a running vest to hold my phone and keys, which now means my options for leggings have opened up significantly.

I totally get this 😃. I've also resigned myself to a life potentially without pockets for the same reason. They would be nice to have, though. I've looked at gymshark but they all seemed to have the highly logoed elastic waist, which wasn't really the look I'm going for. However, I will have another look in case there are others now available.

Ronhill. A proper technical sports brand rather than a fashion sports brand. I've only bought their leggings for working out for about a decade. They stay up well but many also have an internal drawstring for extra security (which I find useful if I have a phone in the pocket weighing them down).

I was really disappointed with Sweaty Betty tbh. My best coloured compression leggings are from Combat Dollies. I use a flip belt to put stuff in

Girlfriend collective!