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Born Primitive may not be the first name that comes to mind for you when you think of leggings. They certainly weren’t for me. For me, Born Primitive was always a CrossFit and tactical-style brand, and I never really realized they had cute leggings (I know, I know, I’m late to the party).
After Jake had me try on some Born Primitive Savage 1s and I liked them, I was curious how BP’s leggings would do. At a price point that’s almost half of the competition, could BP really make something that competes with the big names like Lululemon and Alo Yoga?
I picked up their Your Go-To ⅞ Legging 2.0s and got to work. I put these through weeks of my usual testing. I trained, ran, did yoga, hiked, lived, and traveled in them.
They’re certainly not perfect. I haven’t found a pair of leggings yet that are for every single context. But for the price point and performance, they’re closer than most.
Your Go To Legging 2.0
$78
Pros
- Squat proof
- Have a barely there feel
- Price point is great
Cons
- Waistband is hit or miss
- Odd length options
Best For
- Lifting & HIIT
- Running
- Yoga & Pilates
- Daily Wear
Specs
| Breathability | Good |
| Compression/Support | Moderate |
| Sweat-Wicking | Moderate |
| True to Size | Yes |
| Times Washed | 12+ (still going strong!) |
Who Should Buy Your Go-To ⅞ Legging 2.0?
- Well-Rounded for Price: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair of leggings that deliver excellent quality, these hit the mark. They range in price from $47 to $78, depending on sales and the specific colorway.
- You Love a Minimalist Feel: If you want a pair of leggings that have that “barely-there” feel, you’ll almost forget you’re wearing these.
- You Like Mid-Level Compression: If you want a pair of versatile leggings with mid-level compression, these are worth picking up.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Your Go-To ⅞ Legging 2.0?
- High/Low Compression Lovers: If you prefer your leggings to have super high or very low compression, these fall right in the middle and will be a pass for you.
- No-Inbetween Inseam: I wish they offered something in between a 23″ and 29″ inseam. The 29″ would likely run far too long on me and the 23″ is a little shorter than what I prefer.
- You Need Something Heavier: If you’re looking for leggings that are a bit thicker and feel more durable, these are super lightweight and aren’t going to hit that mark.
Sizing & Fit Recommendations
About Me: I am 5’3” 122 lbs. For form-fitting clothes/athletic wear, I am typically a size small. In Abercrombie Jeans, I wear a 24/26 Regular depending on the style.
I picked up my normal size small in the 23-inch length. Length-wise, they were a bit short for me. I have longer-than-average legs for someone my height. It’s frustrating because I think the 29-inch length would be too long. The shortness isn’t as noticeable with a pair of crew socks.
I do recommend staying true to size for most ladies. The waist fits very snugly without being overly restrictive. The exception is that the top seam of the waistband is less stretchy and can be annoying during high-impact and hinge movements.
If you’re taller and have longer legs, I’d recommend the 29-inch length. Just be ready to have a bit of extra fabric around the ankle.
Performance Assessment
Lifting & HIIT: 9.1/10
I was skeptical going into my lower-body and HIIT days with these. They’re so lightweight that you barely feel them. Despite that barely-there feel, the mid-level compression gives me the perfect balance of support and structure. I was also worried that they’d be too lightweight to be squat-proof and, even with the lighter (Army Green) colorway I picked up, I’m happy to report that’s not the case.
The high-waisted waistband is supportive and flattering. I never once had to adjust or pull them back up. That said, the top seam of the waistband feels tighter and more restrictive than the rest. It’s not quite as stretchy as the rest of the body, which helps keep them in place but can be annoying during deeper hinge movements. I noticed the waistband rolling and digging in slightly during some high-impact and seated movements. It’s not a true dealbreaker, just a minor annoyance.
Running: 8.6/10
My personal preference for running leggings is higher compression and thicker material. I like that extra support and security when going for runs or doing cardio. These definitely fall in the mid-level tier of compression and the thinner fabric didn’t give me that “held-in” feel that I like. The upside of the thinner fabric is how breathable they are. A lot of my runs right now are outdoors in Arizona, where it’s still pretty warm, so the breathability on these is a nice touch. I worry about running in them when it gets colder.
I also went with the no-pockets model. That was a mistake. I prefer to run hands-free and not having pockets to stash my phone or keys in can be annoying. I do think that with the thinner fabric, even if there were pockets, feeling my keys or phone digging into my hips or waist would be uncomfortable. Maybe I did make the right call with these.
If you like a lighter, airier feel for running, especially running in warmer climates or gyms, these are going to be a great pickup. Just be ready to not have that locked-in compression of leggings that are purpose-built for running.
Yoga & Pilates: 8.9/10
After fighting with the waistband during my lifting sessions, I was worried about how these would perform in my mat-based classes. I was pleasantly surprised, especially with Pilates. Most of the time with compression leggings, you trade-off compression for mobility. These didn’t feel like they made that sacrifice. I got the compression I like and didn’t give up any mobility. They have more compression than Lulu’s Aligns and have just as much flexibility.
The top seam was still frustrating. It had a tendency to roll and fold a bit during crunching and deep hinge movements, but it wasn’t as annoying as I thought it was going to be. Again, not a dealbreaker, just be aware.
Daily Wear: 9.3/10
It’s rare to find a pair of leggings that are this lightweight and still have a flattering, sculpting aesthetic to them. These were both, and more. The only real knock against them (and it’s my own fault, to be honest) is they don’t have pockets. For travel days, dog walks, and running errands, I love the convenience of being able to stash my phone and keys in a pocket and not have to carry a lot around. It’s worth noting that Born Primitive offers a version of these with pockets. I do have concerns about the integrity and durability of the pockets, especially with how lightweight the material is.
Construction & Materials
These are made with Born Primitive’s “activeLUX” fabric. It’s a 70/30 nylon and spandex blend. That blend is what gives it the “barely-there” feel without sacrificing compression.
They come in a few different variations. They’re available with or without pockets, and in 23-inch and 29-inch lengths.
They also offer one of the widest arrays of colors that I’ve ever seen. I went with the Army Green colorway. It’s worth noting, that if you’re like me and don’t separate your lights from darks when doing laundry, the lighter colorways have a tendency to stain a bit.
Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?
This were my first pair of leggings from Born Primitive. They impressed me more than I expected. They delivered on the second-skin, mid-level compression fit that I love. They blended structure and flexibility almost perfectly.
This is one of the most versatile pair of leggings I’ve ever worn. They’re a great option for anything in the gym, running, mat-based workouts, and everyday wear.
For the price point and color options available, it’s worth stashing a couple of pairs in your closet.
Overall, if you want a legging that balances compression and comfort, without breaking the bank, these are worth checking out. For me, they’ve earned a spot in my go-to rotation for functional and casual wear.
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