I Love These 90 Degree by Reflex Leggings So Much I Bought 3 Pairs
Updated: Mar. 04, 2021
These 90 Degree by Reflex leggings became my go-to gear for work, exercise, and going out. At less than $30 a pair and squat-proof, I'm sold on these high-waisted leggings.
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Leggings for exercise and work
With more people working from home, leggings are becoming a work wardrobe essential. Typically, those who love leggings (like me), end up buying multiple pairs and wearing them for specific reasons: classic black leggings for work, going out, and networking; exercise leggings; and athleisure leggings to wear around the house or do errands. Over time, this amounts to a lot of money spent on a lot of leggings.
Little did I know that I would find a pair on Amazon that would become my “everything leggings.” The 90 Degree by Reflex High Waist Squat Proof Ankle Length Interlink Leggings with no pockets ($27, XS-XL) are now the pair I’d wear for everything from semi-casual outdoor events to workouts to work. At that moment, I felt like I developed a wardrobe hack, and in the early days of the pandemic, this small win felt good.
Sure, you can argue that in the age of Zoom calls, what you wear below the waist doesn’t matter. But wearing something other than pajama bottoms—but not quite jeans—feels like a wardrobe upgrade. Plus, leggings are versatile enough for my routine. (These are the best cozy loungewear sets to buy.)
My 90 Degree by Reflex leggings review
So, what’s so special about these 90 Degree by Reflex leggings? A lot. I like them so much that I bought the same style in three colors (black, grey mauve, and pomberry). Here’s what I experienced when it came to the feel, fabric, coverage, and mobility.
The feel
When it comes to buying a pair of leggings, a big part of the purchase is about how they make you feel. Comfort is key. For me, I like a pair of leggings that makes me feel comfortable, but put together.
These leggings feel like butter. Yes, butter. They slide on (and off) easily and adjust to my body without having to do any wiggling, jumping, or other maneuvers used with skinny jeans. They fit like a glove—even for us tall folks (I’m 5’9″).
A plus: The compression and wide, high waistband helps create a svelte silhouette (hello, tummy control). Now, if you’re looking for less compression, these leggings may not be for you.
Overall, they’re soft, yet they provide the right amount of thickness so you don’t sweat in them even on the hottest days. (Looking for lighter leggings? Try these best leggings for warmer weather.)
The fabric
These high-waisted leggings are made of a 76 percent polyester and 24 percent spandex interlock weave. Most leggings that claim to be squat-proof will use spandex and another fabric, like polyester, because it’s non-stretchy. This fabric duo keeps you cool, but also allows you to move freely.
The fabric is also moisture-wicking, which means it’s able to pull the sweat away from the skin. This helps prevent skin irritation. Although cotton leggings sound like a comfortable and breathable alternative, skip the cotton if you’re also looking to exercise. Cotton is able to absorb moisture easily, which means if you’re breaking a sweat, the fabric will soak that moisture in and stay there.
One caveat about wearing polyester: A small study of 26 healthy people, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, found that polyester shirts soaked with sweat contained more bacteria that produced foul odors than cotton shirts. As a rule of thumb, air out your clothes after a workout and wash at your discretion.
The thick material on these 90 Degree by Reflex leggings make it possible for them to double as a pair of pants, comparable to Lululemon or Spanx, but for a fraction of the cost. The interlink semi-thick material allows you to wear, wash, and re-wear the leggings without compromising quality. I’ve washed mine and put them in the dryer countless times—they’re still good as new. Also, no shrinkage.
(Pair your leggings with the best sports bras for exercise.)
The coverage
I have to say what initially drew me to these leggings were the words “squat-proof.” This means that when you’re in a squatting position—whether you’re doing squats or yoga moves—the fabric is not see-through. Fabrics like spandex and polyester are ideal for full coverage because they prevent the light from showing other fabrics (like, um, your underwear).
The visibility of the panty line is a popular pet peeve with leggings. Unfortunately, there are some leggings (cheap and poorly made) that tend to look more like tights, which means they are sheer everywhere. However, these leggings are opaque and durable enough to wear with a crop top, sports bra, or your favorite oversized sweater. Trust me, I’ve tried all three.
They’ll keep your bottom opaque, but also smooth out a panty line in sight. So, rather than finding the best no-show underwear to wear with leggings, you can use any pair you like. (Avoid making these underwear mistakes.)
The mobility
These leggings are ideal for all occasions. But they’re also one of my favorites while exercising for several reasons. In the crotch area, they contain a triangular-shaped fabric—a gusset—which helps to stop them from riding up. This gives you the freedom to move around as much as you want without feeling friction. And yes, they can survive spin class, too. (Check out the best products for exercise bikes.)
I’ve used them to go hiking, run errands, and while at work. I’ve done lunges in them to test their flexibility. I could even do cartwheels if I wanted to, but I’ve refrained.
The final thought
The comfort of these 90 Degree by Reflex leggings is undeniable and potentially life-changing when it comes to versatility. Depending on the pair and how much you invest, leggings can be multipurpose. These 90 Degree by Reflex leggings are really just comfortable enough that you won’t want to take them off.
- Allied Market Research: "Athleisure Market by Product Type, Gender, and Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026"
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology: "Microbial Odor Profile of Polyester and Cotton Clothes after a Fitness Session"
Originally Published: February 02, 2021
