Fit
The Old Navy PowerSoft Leggings fit true to size and, importantly, offer one of the best length selection options in the market: Short (26”), Regular (28”), and Tall (31”) inseams mean most heights can find a pair that hits at exactly the right point. The wide, smooth waistband sits at the high-rise position without rolling or digging in, which is the most common failure point for budget leggings and one Old Navy handles well here.
The fit is relaxed-compression — these lay against the body without the firm sculpting hold of compression-forward options like the Fabletics PowerHold or Nike Dri-FIT Go. For everyday wear, lounging, low-impact workouts, and casual use, this is perfectly comfortable. For running, HIIT, or any activity where you want your leggings actively working with your muscles, the minimal compression will feel insufficiently supportive.
Fabric & Feel
“PowerSoft” is Old Navy’s proprietary soft-touch fabric technology, and it earns its name. The 78/22 polyester-spandex blend has a notably smooth, almost silky feel for a fabric at this price point — hold one up alongside a premium legging and the gap is smaller than you’d expect. The fabric has four-way stretch, moves comfortably, and has light moisture-wicking properties that handle low-to-moderate sweat adequately.
The fabric is thinner and lighter than premium compression fabrics. In strong light or during a deep squat, there can be some sheerness — not dramatically so, but enough to be noticeable. This is the clearest indicator of the price point and the main reason performance athletes should look at more technical options.
Durability
Durability is where the value proposition has its honest limitation. Old Navy PowerSoft leggings hold up well for the first six months with regular gentle use and proper washing care. Beyond that, pilling on the inner thighs, slight bagging at the knees, and gradual elastic softening become more common than with higher-priced options. The polyester-spandex blend is inherently less resilient than the elastane-heavy fabrics used in premium compression leggings.
Cold wash, hang dry, and these will last longer. If you run them through a hot dryer repeatedly, you’ll accelerate the elastic degradation considerably. At $35 a pair, many buyers treat them as a seasonal item to be replaced annually rather than a long-term investment — and at that price, that calculation still works out favorably.
Value
This is where the PowerSoft leggings win unconditionally. At $35 — and frequently on sale at $20–25 during Old Navy’s regular promotional events — these are simply the best-value entry in the budget legging category. The fabric and fit quality punches above its weight class, and for buyers who primarily want comfortable everyday leggings rather than elite training gear, nothing comes close at this price.
Old Navy’s frequent 40–50% off sales mean most buyers never pay full retail anyway. Buying two or three pairs during a sale event costs less than a single pair of mid-range competition.
Who It’s For
The Old Navy PowerSoft Leggings are the right choice for everyday casual wear, light workouts, yoga, and anyone building a wardrobe on a budget. They’re also an excellent first activewear purchase for new gym-goers who aren’t sure yet what features matter most to them. Serious performance athletes will outgrow what these offer, but for the majority of shoppers, these deliver everything needed at a price that’s genuinely hard to argue with.
