Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Essent High-Rise Leggings

I really like these pants. The fabric is lightweight enough for summer mountain use, but the fabric is still durable and they kept me warm even at sunrise when it was close to freezing in the alpine. My ONLY thing I'd love to see is a waist drawstring built in to help cinch them up a bit. I found I had to tug them up a few times throughout the day -- but then again, I also have narrow hips so that might not be the case for everyone. As far as sizing goes, I know the Essent line can fit a bit small, but I still got my TTS and I think that was the correct size. They go on a bit snug at first, but then they relax just a smidge (without relaxing too much), and they felt like a comfy second skin. They also have great leg pockets that are super deep and my phone sat snugly in there all day.

I bought these leggings in Labyrinth and Forage colours and they are almost perfect. The fabric is really slidey (not sure how else to explain it!) and I do find you have to hike them up after a while. Other reviewers mentioned the tight fit - I ordered my usual size 8 and when I first put them on I was worried but in the end it was for the best as they really suck you in and stay on. I love the cellphone pockets and I do tend to reach for these leggings when I'm heading out for a quick walk or workout.

I got these few weeks ago and they are my go-to legging. These Essent Legging do not pill! Talk about durability! My puppy is teething at this moment (razor sharp teeth) and this legging has survived every time. No tear, no rip, not a single loose fabric. I have also worn this in the rain. Does not stick against my legs and dry super fast. The reason I gave 4 stars is because I had to size up for my legs but loose around my waist. Maybe if I stayed to my true size and the compression, over time, will loosen up a bit and will be a perfect size.

I got these few weeks ago and they are my go-to legging. These Essent Legging do not pill! Talk about durability! My puppy is teething at this moment (razor sharp teeth) and this legging has survived every time. No tear, no rip, not a single loose fabric. I have also worn this in the rain. Does not stick against my legs and dry super fast. The reason I gave 4 stars is because I had to size up for my legs but loose around my waist. Maybe if I stayed to my true size and the compression, over time, will loosen up a bit and will be a perfect size.

So far these leggings have been very comfortable. They fit tight like a compression legging and I did have to size one up in these as they fit quite small. They were so tight when I got them that it was like putting on a wetsuit; however, they have since relaxed a bit. Haven't used them in any intense activities but interested to see how they stand up.

These could be my favourite but they won't stay up - they've always been tight around the leg (great!) But a touch big around the waist, and after an hour of wear, I'm pulling them up constantly. A drawstring would fix this problem, and the extra weight would be totally worth it.

I have several Oriel thights, LOVE THEM, and bought Essence late 2022. I have the same problem that others. Have to lift them up all the time. Something weird with the cut. They fit, but don't? I have XS with Oriel, and 2 with Essence.

I have three pairs of last year's Oriel leggings and love them so much - I have climbed and run in them repeatedly and they remain intact, flattering, and comfortable. I even took a bad climbing fall and they didn't rip. Unfortunately, they've been discontinued! I ordered a few colors in this new Essent version, but had to return all of them. They took a great thing and made it less good in my experience, and I'd love to encourage a return of the Oriel! Things I loved about the Oriel that have been changed: 1) the pocket placement was lower in the Oriel than in the new Essent, which loses a great feature. The lower pocket was more comfortable in a harness, and it distinguished the leggings from all the other brands that place pockets up at your hip - which is unflattering; 2) in the Oriel, the logo was placed on the high waist, which was a fun feature to see when wearing a crop top. In the Essent, it's the brand name instead, and it's placed on the lower leg, which is not visible. I don't need to see a brand name necessarily so that placement is fine with the word (because it's like it's not there at all), but it would have been more fun to keep the logo at the waistline; 3) the sizing in the Oriel was SML - I was a size small, so I ordered a 4 in the Essent and it was too tight - I would have reordered in a 6 if I liked them enough to keep (I'm lean, athletic, 5'8"); 5) the new material is similar, but did feel slightly different, and unfortunately my underwear line was more visible in the Essent than in the Oriel and I don't believe it had to do with the colors or size since I did try the bigger size in store later. A final note about the purchase experience: I ordered the items during a Thanksgiving sale, and had originally considered exchanging at least one of them for the size 6 to keep, but they wouldn't honor the price I paid. They offered a lesser discount, but not the original price paid, even though it would have been the same item and color, just different sizing. That feels like unnecessary friction, so I would encourage reconsidering that policy. Please bring back the Oriel!

I bought these last season and while I quite like how they fit, they are not the most durable leggings. The seams have gotten fuzzy/ frayed after only a few times climbing in them. The fit is super nice however, and they do stay up when running or climbing in them. Once the seams are changed I could see myself buying them again, but for now probably not.

I am very meh about this legging. It fits a little off. I got my normal size but I am not pleased with where it hits me on my stomach and I do not like the seam in the front.

Went for my normal size and was extremely disappointed in the fit in the waist. I could have perhaps gone with a size down but hindsight is 20/20. They slid down all day and I ended up taking the scissors to them and making a slot for my own belt, which resolved the waist issue. Other than that they are very comfortable and not see through anymore like the Oriel leggings. They feel pretty sturdy in the material but I have yet to beat them up and see how long they last.

I got these a few weeks ago, very soft material & flattering!. I normally wear a 6 lululemon and got the same size, tighter fit more like a compression pant. Which i thought would be a good thing for running, they seemed to fall down during runs (despite being a tighter fit), but worked good for workouts & bike rides! I would wear them & recommend them for most workouts, probably wouldn't wear running again.

I ordered the Essent leggings and shorts. Based on the size chart, I was a size 4. Both arrived and were difficult to get on. Once I got them on, they felt nice and had good compression. I love how high the waist is, but the top does roll down when you sit down, which is disappointing. I will be returning for the size 6 to see if that helps. I really like the quality.

Bought two pairs of leggings in summer and finally gotta wear them in this beautiful fall. I wish I could really enjoy them as other items I've bought all these past years; unfortunately I'm very disappointed. I worn them for a beautiful lake'Ohara trail run yesterday and the pants kept falling all the time! It was very embarrassing to keep pulling my pants up while running in front of my male companions:(. Love the snug leg and side pocket, but there is change definitely need to be made for the waist.

I found that these leggings slide down really easily. They are so compressive in the legs themselves but the waist is way too loose. It's a shame because its a good resistant material and I love the biker shorts. Would be good to size down but my legs would feel so squished. Used for running and 2km in out of 10km i kept having to pull them up.

Bought these as the fit was seemingly amazing, great compression and excellent pockets. I was dubious about the lack of waist ties but having gotten knotted in several of my other pairs I thought this would be a nice change. I bought these to wear these for hiking, Pilates and yoga about 3-4 times a week. A month into wearing these and I can't say I'm impressed. They've stretched out and have nowhere near the compression they started out with even after washing, the seams don't look like they're going to last long - the overlocking is delicate to say the least and it's starting to fray and looks terrible all over but especially in between the legs. But the worst part is that I have to pull these up every 100m and about 20 times during an hour of yoga. The waist just won't stay put and slips all over the place. They're by far the most annoying pair of leggings I've owned and unfortunately some of the most expensive. I have so many other Arcteryx pieces that are amazing but these are nowhere near the usual standard. Disappointed.

Bought these as the fit was seemingly amazing, great compression and excellent pockets. I was dubious about the lack of waist ties but having gotten knotted in several of my other pairs I thought this would be a nice change. I bought these to wear these for hiking, Pilates and yoga about 3-4 times a week. A month into wearing these and I can't say I'm impressed. They've stretched out and have nowhere near the compression they started out with even after washing, the seams don't look like they're going to last long - the overlocking is delicate to say the least and it's starting to fray and looks terrible all over but especially in between the legs. But the worst part is that I have to pull these up every 100m and about 20 times during an hour of yoga. The waist just won't stay put and slips all over the place. They're by far the most annoying pair of leggings I've owned and unfortunately some of the most expensive. I have so many other Arcteryx pieces that are amazing but these are nowhere near the usual standard. Disappointed.

After my first was on delicate cycle with other delicate it4ems and hang to dry, the seams on the legs are frayinga nd looking fuzzy. Also, I cannot keep them up. they keep falling down. I tried a size smaller, and they were too tight and the size larger was too big. These were for sure the correct fit. For the price, I am incredibly disappointed.

I like the feel and comfort of the leggings BUT I wear a size 10 dress and Acteryx consigns me to the size 16 (!) bin. Good luck, Arcteryx, marketing solely to the over 25 (under 25 can't afford them) and under 40 (over 40 will end up like me). I won't be back.