CRZ YOGA Women's Naked Feeling I High Waist 25" Leggings Review: budget-friendly Lululemon vibes without the drama

I’ve worn a stupid number of leggings over the years: cheap supermarket pairs, mid-range sports brands, and the big fancy names everyone raves about. Most of them end up sliding down, going see-through, or turning into bobbly trash after a month. With these CRZ YOGA Naked Feeling I high waist 25" leggings, I went in pretty skeptical because of the low price and the massive number of reviews. I assumed they’d feel cheap or cut corners somewhere.

I’ve been using them for a mix of things: proper gym sessions (squats, hip thrusts, deadlifts), hot yoga, walking, and just sitting at my desk all day. I’ve washed them several times, shoved them in a suitcase, and worn them on a long train journey. So not just a try-on-in-front-of-the-mirror kind of test. I’m around 5'6"/168 cm, about 150–160 lbs depending on the week, and usually a UK 12–14 in bottoms, with thighs that rub together and a soft stomach.

The short version: they’re not perfect, but they’re pretty solid for the price and I keep reaching for them over my pricier pairs. The fit is forgiving, the fabric is genuinely comfortable, and they don’t fall down mid-workout, which is honestly my main requirement. There are a few small annoyances, like light pilling and the waistband rolling a bit when I bend, but nothing that made me stop wearing them.

If you’re expecting luxury-brand construction and heavy compression, you’ll be a bit disappointed. If you just want soft, high-waisted leggings that stay put, aren’t see-through, and don’t cost a fortune, they do the job really well. I’d say they sit in that nice spot between cheap fast-fashion leggings and the big premium names. That’s basically why I’d buy another pair.

On value, this is where these leggings make the most sense. You’re paying a fraction of what the big yoga brands charge, and you’re getting something that, in daily use, feels surprisingly close in terms of comfort and look. No, the stitching and fabric aren’t quite at the same level as the top-tier names, but they’re not miles behind either. For the average person who just wants good leggings for the gym and daily wear, this is solid bang for your buck.

If I compare them to cheaper supermarket or fast-fashion leggings I’ve owned, these win easily: better fabric, better fit, and they actually stay up. Compared to high-end leggings that cost three or four times more, I’d say you lose a bit in durability and fine details, but not enough to justify the huge price gap unless you’re very picky or live in activewear. For the price of one premium pair, you could buy two or three of these and rotate them.

What you’re paying for here is mainly: a comfortable high waist that doesn’t dig in, a fabric that isn’t see-through, and a fit that works for workouts and casual wear. You’re not paying for fancy branding, packaging, or a bunch of extra features like zip pockets or drawcords. If you need those extras, you might want to look at other models or brands.

So in terms of value, I’d call these good to very good. They’re not the bargain of the century, but they sit in that sweet spot where you don’t feel ripped off, and you actually get something you’ll wear a lot. If you’re building a small rotation of reliable black leggings without spending a fortune, these are a sensible pick.

The design is pretty straightforward, which I actually like. High waist, fitted leg, 7/8 length. The waistband is seamless at the top, which means there’s no elastic band digging into your stomach. Instead, the structure comes from a double seam lower on the waist. On me, that means the waistband feels soft and secure, but when I bend deeply (like in yoga forward folds or deadlifts) it can roll a little at the very top and then bounce back when I stand up. It’s not dramatic, just mildly annoying if you’re picky about that.

The back has no weird stitching or contour seams trying to shape your butt. It’s just a clean cut that somehow still looks flattering. They do smooth things out a bit, especially around the hips and thighs. If you have cellulite (I do), the fabric doesn’t magically hide it, but it doesn’t exaggerate it either. It’s more of a smoothing effect than a sculpting one. I’d call the compression light to medium: enough to feel held in, not enough to feel like shapewear.

One thing to flag: the leg opening at the ankle isn’t super tight. On my fairly average ankles, there’s a tiny bit of looseness, not baggy but not that "sprayed-on" look either. If you’ve got very slim ankles, you might notice a bit of a gap. For me it doesn’t move around or ride up, but it’s not that suction-seal finish some leggings have.

In terms of sizing, these run pretty forgiving. I could see someone hovering between sizes going either way depending on whether they want more comfort or more compression. The design choice of a simple pull-on legging, no zips or drawstrings, works for most workouts, but if you do super intense running and like a drawcord, you’ll miss that. Overall, the design is practical, low-profile, and focused on comfort more than hardcore performance features.

On comfort, these are very easy to wear. First time I pulled them on, I expected that usual wrestling match you get with tighter compression leggings, but they went up without drama. The high waistband sits above my belly button and doesn’t dig in, even when I’m bloated or sitting hunched at my desk for hours. That seamless top edge really helps; there’s no hard line cutting across your stomach.

During workouts, they stay put surprisingly well. I’ve done squats, lunges, glute bridges, and some light cardio, and I’m not constantly yanking them up. The only movement I notice is at the very top of the waistband when I bend deeply – a small roll that settles back when I stand. It’s more of a "feel it with your hands" issue than something that looks bad. On the legs and hips, they don’t slide down, which is the main thing for me.

For long wear, like a full day working from home plus a walk, they’re still comfortable. No chafing between the thighs, no weird rubbing at the seams. The fabric is thin enough that you don’t feel overheated, but not so thin that you feel naked. I’ve also worn them under an oversized jumper just as casual wear, and they work fine as everyday leggings, not just for the gym.

If you’re looking for super strong compression that really "locks everything in", these might feel a bit too relaxed. They smooth, but they don’t cinch. Personally, I prefer that for yoga, Pilates, and strength training because I can breathe and move freely. For running, they’re comfortable, but if you like that ultra-tight feel, you might want to size down or look for a more compressive line. Overall, comfort is one of the big strong points of this pair.

The fabric is 71% polyamide and 29% elastane, so basically a smooth, stretchy synthetic blend with a lot of give. If you’re used to cotton leggings, this will feel very different. It’s more like high-quality swimwear or those pricey studio leggings: buttery-soft, cool to the touch, and very slippy. No fuzz, no brushed texture. Personally, I like this for workouts because it doesn’t hold sweat and pet hair doesn’t cling to it much, which is a win in a house with a shedding dog.

In practice, the material is lightweight but not flimsy. When I stretch it over my thighs and squat under good lighting, I don’t see skin or underwear showing through, at least in black. I can’t speak for the lighter colours, but the black is solid and passes the squat test for me. The trade-off for that smooth feel is that the fabric can start to pill a bit between the thighs after repeated wear. On mine, after several gym sessions and washes, I’m seeing very light pilling where my legs rub, but you have to look closely.

Breathability-wise, they’re decent. I’ve worn them to hot yoga and they handled sweat fine. They don’t feel like a sauna around your legs, and they dry reasonably quickly. I wouldn’t pick them for winter outdoor workouts without a layer over them because they’re not warm – they’re clearly designed for indoor training, running, or milder weather, not for standing around in the cold.

One nice side effect of this material: hair and dust don’t cling much, unlike some brushed or cottony leggings that turn into lint magnets. Also, they don’t feel itchy or rough anywhere, and all the seams are flat enough that I didn’t get any rubbing on long walks. So, the fabric is not luxurious in a fancy-brand way, but for the price it’s honestly better than a lot of mid-range sports brands I’ve tried.

Durability is where cheaper leggings usually fall apart – literally. With these CRZ YOGA ones, after several weeks of wear and multiple machine washes, they’re holding up better than I expected. I wash them on a standard cold cycle, inside out, then hang dry. So far there’s no noticeable fading on the black, no loose threads, and the seams are still flat and intact. They haven’t stretched out at the waistband or gone baggy at the knees.

The main wear I’m seeing is light pilling between the thighs. It’s not dramatic yet, but if you look closely in good light, you can see tiny bobbles where the fabric rubs. This is pretty standard for smooth, stretchy fabrics on people whose thighs touch, so I’m not shocked. It doesn’t affect how they feel or look from a normal distance, but if you want something that stays pristine for years, you’re probably looking at a higher price bracket anyway.

One good sign: even with the high elastane content, they haven’t lost their snap. The waistband still feels snug, and the legs haven’t loosened up to the point of sliding. Some cheaper leggings get that "tired" feeling pretty quickly where you can tell the stretch is dying; I’m not getting that here yet. Also, they haven’t twisted oddly after washing, which happens when the construction is sloppy.

Realistically, for the price, I’d expect these to last a good rotation of several months to a year+ of regular use before looking properly worn, depending on how many pairs you cycle through and how you wash them. They’re not indestructible, but they’re definitely not disposable quality either. I’d put them at "better than average" durability in the budget-to-mid range legging world.

Performance-wise, I’ve put these through a few different situations: strength training, hot yoga, walking, and general errands. For strength work in the gym, they do exactly what I need. I can squat and deadlift without worrying about them going see-through. They don’t slide down my hips when I’m moving around the rack, and the waistband doesn’t fold in half or twist inside itself, which some cheaper leggings do after a couple of wears.

For yoga and Pilates, the stretch is more than enough. I can hit deep lunges, forward folds, and twists without feeling restricted. The fabric moves with you and doesn’t cut into the back of the knees or behind the thighs. In hot yoga, they get sweaty obviously, but they don’t feel heavy or soggy, and they dry reasonably fast once you’re out of class. They also don’t seem to show sweat patches in an embarrassing way, at least in black.

On the "daily life" side, I’ve worn them for travel and long walks. Because the fabric is smooth, your thighs can glide a bit instead of sticking, which actually helps if your legs rub together. After a few hours of walking, I didn’t get any seam irritation. Also, they don’t bag out at the knees or butt by the end of the day, which I’ve had happen with cheaper cotton blends.

Are they performance monsters for marathon runners or hardcore CrossFit people? Probably not the absolute best you can buy, but for normal gym users, yoga fans, and people who just want reliable leggings, they handle pretty much anything you throw at them. The only functional downside is the lack of side pockets – if you run outdoors and want your phone on you, you’ll have to use an armband or belt instead. Apart from that, they’re solid performers across most everyday activities.

Out of the bag, these look like very standard black high-waisted leggings. No big logos down the leg, no weird mesh panels, no random zips. Just plain, fitted, ankle-length leggings. If you like simple stuff that goes with everything, that’s a plus. They’re labelled as 25" inseam, which on me (168 cm) hits just above the ankle – that classic 7/8 length that most people wear for workouts anyway.

The waistband is high rise and fairly wide, with a seamless top edge. Inside the waistband there’s a small hidden pocket where you can shove a key, a card, or maybe a gym tag. Don’t expect to fit your phone in there; it’s really just for small flat things. There are no side pockets on this model, so if you like to carry your phone on runs, that’s a downside right away.

They’re labelled as part of the "Naked Feeling" collection, which basically means they’re lightweight, stretchy and meant to feel like a second skin. That matches what you get in hand: the fabric is smooth and almost like a soft swimsuit or high-end activewear, not cottony or brushed like fleece. If you’re used to thick compression leggings, these will feel lighter and more slippery.

Overall, the first impression is: clean, simple, gym-ready leggings that don’t shout for attention. No fancy packaging, no extras, but honestly for the price I don’t care about that. They look more expensive than what they cost, and if you already own pricier brands, they won’t look out of place next to them in a drawer.