The 10 Best Butt-Lifting Leggings, Tested by Popsugar Editors
No matter what’s trending in fitness or fashion, we’ll never abandon one of our most trusted pieces of workout gear: a great pair of leggings. While the closet staple is sometimes purely functional, the best pairs can withstand a long leg day (squats included) and look good doing it. When it comes to flattering fits, these butt-lifting leggings check all the boxes – particularly when it comes to showing off the backside. Look good, feel good, right?
You might’ve already seen some of these booty-lifting leggings trending on social media, but we thoroughly vetted the best ones based on editor testing and thousands of reviews. Ahead, shop some of our favorite pairs that’ll give your glutes a quick lift and your confidence an instant boost. All of these butt-sculpting leggings will make your booty look great whether you’re working up a sweat at the gym or lounging around at home. Our picks include the viral scrunch-butt leggings, and a few compression leggings that’ll keep you held in, but they all give that similar sought-after lift. Our editors test new leggings regularly (we’re talking at least one new pair a month), so we know the difference between a letdown and a truly supportive fit – especially when it comes to glute-enhancing power. That’s why we included a handful of our top-tested, so you can get the best of the best.
Our Favorite Butt-Lifting Leggings to Shop
- The viral scrunch leggings that broke the internet – and for good reason: Seasum High Waist Leggings at $15, originally $21
- For when you want 70s vibes with 2020s-level booty sculpting: Offline by Aerie Real Me High Waisted Crossover Flare Leggings at $27, originally $55
- An editor-loved pair that are smoothing, sculpting, and seriously sleek: Alo High-Waist Airlift Leggings at $128
- Whether you’re lifting heavy or lounging hard, these have your back (and your backside): Carbon38 High Rise Full-Length Leggings at $81, originally $108
How We Test the Best Butt-Lifting Leggings
As fairly active people, us PS editors have, without really meaning to, become accidental connoisseurs of butt-lifting leggings – and it shows. Over the years, we’ve tested countless pairs during workouts, commutes, long-haul flights, and Netflix marathons, and the list below features some of our all-time faves (the ones we’ll keep reordering until they stop making them, which they better not).
Here’s what we paid attention to during testing:
- Lift and Sculpt – Did they actually enhance and support our glutes, or just look cute on the hanger?
- Comfort – Could we wear them all day without tugging, adjusting, or feeling like we were being gently vacuum-sealed?
- Waistband Stay-Power – Did the high waist stay put through squats and lunges? No one likes a roll-down mid-burpee.
- Breathability – Were they sweat-wicking and breathable, or did they trap heat and cling like plastic wrap?
- Compression – Did they offer that satisfying “held in” feel without cutting off circulation?
- Stretch and Recovery – Did the fabric stretch comfortably but snap back into shape after workouts and washes?
- Versatility – Could we wear them from gym to brunch without a full outfit change?
The butt-lifting leggings we chose for the list below combine good design with serious performance – and yes, they made our butts look fantastic while doing it.
User reviews may have been lightly edited for clarity.
Update on July 1, 2025 at 5:25 PM ET: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
