Description
The Spanx Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings are the piece that built the brand’s activewear category, and they position squarely as the premium-mid alternative to Lululemon Align. They use Spanx’s signature heritage shaping knit, a Booty Boost rear panel that lifts and shapes the seat without the bulky look of old-school shapewear, a 7/8 cropped length, and a high 5-inch rise. Retail is $98, and they frequently drop to $70-80 on Amazon during sale events.
Fabric & build
The fabric is Spanx’s structured shaping knit, a dense, mid-to-heavy-weight compression fabric with a matte finish that reads more like performance shapewear than a soft yoga legging. It is opaque and squat-proof, holding its shape under tension rather than going sheer, and the fabric has real recovery so it snaps back after deep movement instead of bagging at the knee. The defining feature is the Booty Boost rear panel, a contoured seam construction engineered to lift and shape the seat in a genuinely flattering way without feeling overly compressive or looking like a visible shapewear panel. The 5-inch high rise is cut tall enough to sit above the navel and stay put through movement, and the 7/8 crop hits just above the ankle. The overall hand is firmer and more substantial than a buttery second-skin knit, which is the deliberate trade-off for the shaping and hold.
Fit & sizing (honest)
These run true to size in the standard fit. Order your normal Spanx size, or if this is your first Spanx pair, order true to your regular legging size. If you fall between sizes, the medium-heavy compression means the smaller size will feel snug and shaping while the larger size relaxes the hold, so choose based on whether you want firmer or gentler shaping. The compression is medium-to-heavy, closer to Lululemon Wunder Train than to the buttery-light Align, so expect real hold rather than a barely-there feel; that structure is the trade-off, more shaping and support in exchange for less second-skin softness. The high 5-inch rise makes them a strong pick for postpartum core support or anyone who dislikes waistband roll-down during bending. On taller frames the 7/8 crop can read closer to a full ankle length, while petite wearers get a clean above-ankle break. Black is the perennial, with navy, charcoal, and plum in seasonal drops.
How it compares
| Legging | Compression | Standout feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanx Booty Boost | Medium-heavy | Booty Boost rear panel | $98 (often $70-80) |
| Lululemon Align | Light, buttery | Weightless feel | $98-118 |
| Lululemon Wunder Train | Medium-heavy | Sweat-wicking structure | $98-108 |
| Alo High-Waist Airbrush | Medium | Smooth sculpting finish | $88-98 |
Read across the table and the pattern is clear: Booty Boost is the only pair here built around a dedicated rear shaping panel, so if visible seat lift is your priority it wins even against pricier premium names that lead on softness or sweat-wicking instead.
How to style it
The structured, opaque fabric makes these work for studio classes, strength training, and errands alike. Pair with a cropped tank for training or an oversized hoodie for off-duty days. For pairing them with the right training tops and layers, see our best workout pants for women guide, and compare them against other performance options in our honest workout leggings review.
Who it’s for / who should skip
Buy them if you want visible shaping through the seat plus medium-heavy support and squat-proof opacity, and if you value a legging that holds its structure for two to three years rather than a soft pair you replace annually. They are especially strong for weight training, shape-conscious athleisure, and anyone who wants a high rise that stays put through core work. Skip them if you want the weightless, second-skin feel of Align, minimal compression for gentle yoga, or the lightest possible hand for hot-weather flow. If your practice is restorative rather than high-intensity, our best yoga leggings picks point to softer alternatives.
Care
Wash cold inside-out and hang dry. Air-drying preserves the Booty Boost panel structure, while heat drying breaks down the shaping knit faster.
FAQ
- How do they compare to Lululemon Align? Firmer. Align is light and buttery; Booty Boost is medium-heavy with real shaping.
- Are they squat-proof? Yes, the fabric is opaque and passes the squat test.
- What size should I order? True to size, whether in your normal Spanx or regular legging size.
- How long do they last? Shoppers report two to three years of regular wear, longer than fast-fashion equivalents.
- Can I tumble dry them? Hang drying is recommended to protect the Booty Boost panel structure.
- Does the high rise roll down? The 5-inch rise sits above the navel and is built to stay put through bending and core work rather than folding over.
Bottom line: the shaping legging that built Spanx Active, with a real Booty Boost rear panel and medium-heavy support, best when you want visible shaping over a weightless Align feel.


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