If your kids are like mine, leggings have a tendency to turn into Swiss cheese at the knee far before they outgrow them. And when they’re the only thing your kid will wear it’s easy to find yourself buying replacements far too often. That’s not only tiresome on your wallet—it’s a big bummer for the environment as well.

Clothes should be made to keep up with kids’ daring adventures, scooter mishaps and wild playground tendencies. And in a perfect world, kids’ leggings should be able to hold up well enough to land into the hand-me-down pile instead of the trash can.

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the highest-rated and positively reviewed durable leggings for kids that they’ll love just as much as you will. From the super affordable Cat & Jack leggings to brilliant kids leggings with reinforced knees (!) here are our top picks.

The best kids' leggings that last

Mightly Leggings

Mightly

$17.95

Leggings With Reinforced Knees

File under: BRILLIANT. Mightly’s line of reinforced knee leggings is such a no brainer that I can’t believe they didn’t exist sooner. Designed to stand up to all the tumbles, slides, falls and roughness kids can throw at them, these bad boys feature soft polyester patches on the inside that are invisible on the outside to reinforce the most vulnerable spot! What’s more, they’re made of GOTs certified organic cotton in a fair trade certified factory. They come in a wide range of fun colors and patterns.

Hanna Andersson Leggings

Hanna Andersson

$24

Solid Leggings

Hanna Andersson has been in the game since I was a baby, so it’s no surprise they’ve got this on lock. (Not that I’m a day over thirty something.) ​Creating clothes that last through one kid is part of their ethos—even leggings. These are some of the pricier ones out there, but in addition to their potential for handing down, they also regularly run fantastic sales. They wash well and hold up like total champs, living a nice long life with knees that are not only intact but also sag-free.

Deux Par Deux

Deux Par Deux

$20

Fleece Treggings With Knee Patch

If you’re on the hunt for a pair of leggings that are just a little warmer and more pant-like, check out the stylish Deux Par Deux Fleece Treggings With Knee Patch. With details like faux front pockets and back pockets, they’re a great option for kids who flat out refuse to wear button pants of any kind. The adorable heart-shaped knee patches are the perfect finishing touch!

Primary Leggings

Primary

$16.50

The Legging

Primary can do no wrong in my book. Their colorful, high-quality basics have been a wardrobe staple for my kiddo since the brand launched. Surprisingly, each and every piece has survived her hard-wearing beatings long enough to be outgrown and hit the giveaway pile instead of the trash—including the leggings. They have a wide waistband and smooth, flat seams so kids stay cozy no matter what antics they get up to. The standard style is always a winner but if you’re looking for something heavier for winter, go with the Cozy Legging instead!

 

Cat & Jack Leggings

Cat & Jack

$6

Kids Leggings

Fun fact: Did you know that Cat & Jack guarantees their clothes for an entire year? Yep. Me neither. Their leggings have a reputation for being durable but I know of a least a few pairs that were no match for my kid’s roughhousing. Now I know I could have marched them back to Target and replaced them. Noted!

Lands End Tough Cotton Leggings

Lands End

$24.95

Tough Cotton Leggings

According to Lands’ End, their Tough Cotton “stands up to wear and tear up to four times better than traditional cotton knits.” They’re reinforced all over—not just the knees—through an innovative process that makes the fabric stronger for longer by creating bonds with the cotton fibers. Saved by science again!

Old Navy Built-In Tough Full-Length Leggings

Old Navy

$15

Built-In Tough Full-Length Leggings 3-Pack

Budget-friendly basics that actually last? Yes please. According to Old Navy, their Built-In Tough Jersey fabric is 2x more durable and strong than standard jersey. They also come a five-pack of basic black for all your capsule wardrobe needs!

A version of this article was originally published September 9th, 2021. It has been updated.