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Outdoor Voices
- In 2018, Outdoor Voices launched TechSweat — a collection of lightweight workout gear that’s cool to the touch and specially designed for hot, sweaty workouts.
- TechSweat includes staples ranging from leggings to crop tops and skorts, and prices from $45 to $95 per item.
- Recently, the TechSweat leggings underwent a fit update that gave them a new waistband, along with new colors.
- To see how the leggings stacks up, Insider Reviews tested the new TechSweat leggings ($75-$95) in our own workouts. Find our (unanimously positive) verdicts below.
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Outdoor Voices has largely been defined by its unusual ability to appeal to both athletes and athleisurites, and, true to form, the company recently released an athletic collection that manages to keep its “chill” aesthetic intact while supercharging the clothing’s functionality.
TechSweat, built for severely sweaty, no-frills workout classes, gets its namesake from OV’s relatively new TechSweat material. It’s breathable, sweat-wicking, surprisingly cool-to-the-touch, and extremely pliable thanks to four-way stretch. The shorts promise to be the lightest and smoothest you’ll ever wear, and the leggings to withstand the high-intensity, high-sweat exercises that feel like they’re being hosted in the fiery brimstone of hell on a Monday morning. The collection includes leggings, bras/crops, tanks, shorts/skorts — and prices range from $48 for crop tops to $98 for 7/8 leggings.
To see if the TechSweat material was really all it was chalked up to be, we had several members of the Insider Reviews team put Outdoor Voices TechSweat leggings to the test.
You can find our personal experiences below, but the gist of it is this: these are great workout leggings.
At first glance, the collection looks like any other Instagrammable pair designed by the company: high waists; flattering, intuitive seaming; and rich colors. But on the body — and, more importantly, in your spin class — there’s no mistake that these leggings were built first and foremost for exercise.
The material is soft, smooth, and sculpting, but doesn’t catch or hold heat. It’s responsive, flexible, and lightweight enough to escape notice during exercise. For us, it meant our attention could remain on our workouts, rather than on how quickly we could bail.
If you’re already convinced, we recommend ordering your true size. If you need some more guidance before ordering, check out our reviews below.
Here’s what we thought after working out in Outdoor Voices TechSweat leggings:
Outdoor Voices
TechSweat 3/4 Leggings, $98
I am supremely picky about leggings. I don’t like to own pairs that are specifically for workouts or specifically for lounging — I want the pairs that I’m happy to wear for either of those things, and the TechSweats do not disappoint.
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
The material is incredibly stretchy and thin, but I never worry that it’ll become see-through when I bend over. Instead, the thinness contributes to their breathability, responsiveness, and gentle supportiveness.
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
The waistband is high and thick, so it stays secure over my hips, but it’s not so stiff that I feel like I’m being squeezed in half, which is a huge pet peeve of mine with a lot of HIIT-specific leggings. They fit true-to-size,
Overall, I just really love this pair and I wear them all the time, both while working out and while laying around the house. I didn’t have a great experience with the Springs leggings, so I’m really glad I gave OV a second chance with these. And now they’re the ones I recommend to any friends (or readers) looking for a good pair. —Sally Kaplan, senior editor
Remi Rosmarin: TechSweat 7/8 Two-Tone Leggings
Outdoor Voices
TechSweat 7/8 Leggings, $98
I’m particularly picky when it comes to leggings — it’s hard to find a pair that are comfortable, can power through all kinds of workouts, and look great, too. When I find that trifecta, I get a little obsessed, like I am with this pair from Outdoor Voices.
The first thing I noticed slipping these on was how soft, stretchy, and lightweight they are. I’m always a little hesitant about such lightweight leggings as many lack support, but these are equal parts supportive and breathable — a winning combination for sweaty workouts. The high waistband keeps everything secure while you run, stretch, or bend, but it doesn’t dig into your stomach like other high-waisted pants have a tendency to do. The two-toned blue color is really pretty, but also super flattering and although these are lighter colors, I haven’t had any issues with sweat marks.
Beyond practicalities, I love the way these make my legs and butt look and I would (actually, make that will) definitely buy another pair. —Remi Rosmarin, former reporter
Editor’s note: The two-tone version that was originally tested is no longer available so we’ve linked to the solid pair
TechSweat 7/8 Leggings
Outdoor Voices
TechSweat 7/8 Leggings, $98
Like Connie, after an initially underwhelming introduction to OV, I wasn’t sure if the brand’s larger-than-life hype would hold up. I own more than 20 pairs of workout leggings, and over two years of researching and reporting on products on top of that haven’t made me an easy-to-please shopper.
But TechSweat really surprised me. Where the other OV leggings I had tried failed, these excelled. The TechSweat leggings manage to tread the very thin (some would say impossible) line between leggings fit for casual wear and those equipped with the performance level needed to withstand sweaty, punishing workouts all in one pair. I still wear my 2XU tights for the hottest conditions, but I may wind up wearing these more frequently overall, and I still gladly tug them on for HIIT classes. The breathable, flexible material is forgettable in exactly the way workout gear should be. The waist is tighter than the legs, but not uncomfortable.
On top of functionality, it’s worth mentioning that they’re also pretty flattering on — strategic seaming accentuates leg muscles and shapes your bum, and a high waist elongates legs and seems to narrow the waist. My only substantial gripe is that I wish the back pocket had a zippered closure, and the downside to such great breathability and light colors is that you may run into noticeable panty lines with a noticeable pair on underneath. —Mara Leighton, senior reporter
TechSweat 3/4 Two-Tone Leggings
Outdoor Voices
TechSweat 3/4 Leggings, $98
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Outdoor Voices clothing. Some of it is well deserved, and some of it isn’t … at least for the price. OV leggings aren’t cheap (they range from $75 to $95 a pair), so I had high expectation for the TechSweat leggings when they landed on my desk to test. And … my verdict is in: These didn’t disappoint. Their look is very Instagram-worthy, but it’s their comfort and overall performance that sold me. They’re very stretchy, but still supportive thanks to their high waistband; they’re made of a thin-ish, but durable nylon blend that breaths better than other workout legging in my closet; and they’re comfortable enough to wear when I’m not working out too.
There are definitely cheaper leggings out there that are just as cute and high performing, but if you’re itching to own an OV pair, definitely go for one from the TechSweat line. —Ellen Hoffman, Insider Reviews Executive Editor
** The two-tone version which was originally tested is no longer available so we’ve linked to the solid pair
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