I didn’t want to love these Sweaty Betty leggings – but they’re by far the best I’ve ever worn
Expensive, heavily hyped and long avoided – are Sweaty Betty leggings really worth it after 40? Our tester finds out...
Sweaty Betty Power Leggings feel like a rare find – soft, sculpting and surprisingly supportive without ever feeling tight or restrictive. They’re not cheap, but they’re the first pair our tester didn’t want to take off or send back for a refund.
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Flattering, sculpting fit
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Comfortable for all-day wear
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Truly opaque – never see-through
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Premium price point
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May need sizing up for best fit
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If you’ve ever ordered (and returned) multiple pairs of leggings in search of the one, you’re not alone. For many women over 40, finding the best workout leggings isn't about chasing trends – it’s about finding a pair that wears well, feels supportive and flattering, and is genuinely worth the investment.
Georgina Hyam, a 47-year-old member of the Woman&Home Tester Network, recently told us that she had avoided Sweaty Betty Power Leggings for ages, unconvinced that the hype – or the price tag – could ever be justified.
"I have been searching for years for decent workout leggings without luck, and I'd heard people rave about Sweaty Betty, but I couldn't talk myself into spending that much, so I've never even tried a pair on," she explains. At the point of giving up the search for a pair that wouldn’t fade, slip or lose shape after a few washes, Georgina agreed to put these to the test.
Specifications
- Price: RRP £88
- Sizing: XXS - 4XL
- Length: 7/8 and full length
- Features: Side slip pocket, back zip pocket, sculpting fabric
- Fabric: Sweat-wicking and quick-drying
First impressions and fit
What started as a cautious trial quickly turned into something else entirely – these much-hyped leggings didn’t just perform well, they changed the standard for our tester.
A dress size 10-12 and measuring 159cm tall, Georgina chose these in a size 'small' – but initially had doubts before popping them on for a run.
"They looked so tiny and so short – I was convinced that I was going to have to wrestle them on," she said. "But that shifted immediately – they felt like elasticated silk and easily slipped up my legs and over my hips. The waistband felt like it hugged the top of my hips but didn't squeeze, and they were also the perfect length."
The moment her first workout was over, Georgina got back in touch. “The Sweaty Betty Power leggings are quite simply the best leggings I have ever worn," she said. “From the moment I slipped them on, I understood what all the fuss is about and why people rave about them.”
Comfort and support
Comfort is where Sweaty Betty Power Leggings leave the competition standing – particularly when compared to cheaper alternatives.
"The leggings have a really lovely density to the fabric – sort of silky and springy but not heavy," Georgina explains. "The elasticity of the fabric has noticeably more bounce – I kept thinking of the cartoon word ‘boing’ while wearing them because it felt like they were helping my muscles spring back into place."
Whether psychological or not, the impact was noticeable – Georgina felt she ran better in these leggings than in others, because of how the fabric moved with her body. “The fabric also sculpted my body without squeezing, so I felt supported but not restricted, and they are thick enough that I don't feel naked wearing them on the school run.”
Coverage and confidence
For many women, coverage is the real deal-breaker with leggings – but also where these leggings truly deliver. During rounds of obligatory squats, these remained reassuringly opaque with zero hint of VPL to worry about.
That confidence carried through into real life too. “I wasn't self-conscious wearing them," Georgina says. "I felt confident stepping out in public and found the leggings actually made me feel good in my skin.”
Value for money
This was initially the biggest barrier for our tester and the only real downside she highlighted in her review, but it's a perspective that softened after wearing them.
"The price point means that they are simply out of reach for many women, and although they are expensive, they are also genuinely really good quality,” she says.
Looked at more practically, however, she feels the cost makes more sense over time. "If you consider ‘price per wear’, it seems likely these leggings will represent good value for money."
“It is not just a brand name after all," Georgina concludes. "Sweaty Betty leggings are simply better quality than most. They far and away exceed my experience of any other leggings I have ever tried or owned.”
Final thoughts
The ultimate test for workout leggings is, of course, how you feel in them – not how you look when you glance in the mirror.
“Excellent fitness wear should sculpt all bodies and make you feel like the best version of yourself,” agrees our tester. "These are genuinely the best leggings I have ever worn. They are altogether perfect.”
This review comes from a woman in her 40s balancing busy family life, changing hormones, and a renewed focus on her own style. “I married a widower 13 years ago, and we have been nurturing our blended family ever since. I am mum to four boys - three step, one tummy baby – aged 21, 18, 15 and 9,” she says. “The last decade has been a rollercoaster, and just when I thought I was finding myself again, the peri-menopause arrived with all the changes and delights that it brings.” Style still matters, even in the midst of it all – hence testing leggings that can genuinely keep up.
Want to know more about how we test? Our reviews are powered by a trusted network of real women over 40, who put products through their paces in everyday life so our recommendations are grounded in genuine experience, not just first impressions.
