We tried the leggings every supermodel on our Instagram feeds seems to be wearing - here's what we thought

I was surprised by how much I loved these leggings. Typically, when I see performance gear being billed as "studio-to-street," I assume that's code for athleisure rather than gear that's actually compatible with hot, sweaty cardio sessions. But Alo's High-Waist Airlift Capri ($114) impressed me — the four-way stretch fabric fits like a flexible, breathable second-skin during exercise, and I've used them far more frequently for HIIT than I have for streetwear.

They're also, admittedly, pretty flattering. The creamy, silky material isn't stuffy and compressive, but it still manages to lengthen the silhouette into a lean, seamless shape. Or, as Alo puts it, they're "engineered to lift, sculpt, contour and smooth." They're not exactly Spanx, but when I put them on for the first time my first thought was, "Ah, I get why celebrities wear these so much now."

The one thing I'd note is that the capris run a little long, meaning they're still great for my 5'7 frame, but may end up being full-length for petites. And while I didn't notice sweat showing through on the dark cherry color I tested, other reviews mentioned seeing the sweat in lighter colors.

The price is steep at $118, and I've found cheaper options that are just as breathable, but, if you're thinking of getting them, I'd wager you'll love them. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

These leggings feel like a second skin, but one that's so stretchy you could bend into a pretzel and you wouldn't feel any pulling, digging, or resistance. Every time they come out of the wash, they're the first pair I put on for a workout or day of running errands. The material is silky and soft, the stretch is just enough to hold them in place without digging, and they're breathable without being sheer. They're definitely best for anything that involves bending or stretching a lot (they were designed for doing yoga, obviously), but I've worn them running plenty of times and they held up really well.

Sadly, my favorite pair (the 7/8th length) is currently sold out, but the capri version is available and I'd recommend those just as happily since they're made from the same material, and since Mara said they run a little long anyway. I just liked the ankle-length pair because I'm a little over five feet tall and they fit like full-length leggings on me without any bunching at the bottom. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor