Pilates wear has its own specific requirements that distinguish it from yoga wear and general gym activewear, yet most activewear brands market the same pieces for all three contexts. The reformer introduces variables that the mat does not: the moving carriage that requires grip from the socks, the foot bar that tests the grip of legging fabric at the arch, the springs that require a specific range of hip and shoulder mobility that tests garment construction differently from floor-based movement.
Grip socks. Not optional for reformer pilates. The grip sole prevents slipping on the footbar and carriage, which is a genuine safety issue during spring-loaded exercises. The grip must cover the full sole — partial-grip socks are inadequate for reformer use.
Seamless or flat-seam construction at the hip and inner thigh. The reformer carriage and sideboard can create friction against seams during lateral leg work. Seamless or flat-seamed leggings eliminate this source of discomfort.
Close-fitting but non-restrictive. Loose clothing catches in the carriage’s mechanisms. Very tight clothing restricts the hip mobility required for leg circles and hip flexor work. A fitted but not compression-tight fit is the optimal balance.
Top length coverage. The inversion of spine work on the reformer means a short top rises above the waistband. Longer crop tops or fitted full-length tops provide coverage through the full range of reformer movement.
Available at: Lululemon (lululemon.com), in stores
Best for: The barefoot-sensation softness that makes mat and reformer pilates comfortable.
Already detailed in the yoga pants content — the Align’s Nulu fabric and minimal seaming make it the most comfortable reformer legging available. The thin, smooth fabric produces no friction against the reformer carriage or footbar. The seamless inner thigh reduces the irritation that structured seams produce during leg circle and adductor work.
Available at: Toesox (toesox.com), Pilates Studio retailers, Amazon
Best for: Providing the grip on the reformer footbar and carriage that prevents slipping during spring-loaded exercises.
Toesox’s full-toe grip socks provide grip coverage that open-toe alternatives don’t — the full toe separation allows proprioceptive feedback through the foot while the grip sole covers the entire contact surface of the foot bar and carriage. For reformer pilates specifically, full-toe grip socks are the most functional choice.
The grip pattern on the sole of quality Toesox versions is dense enough to prevent slipping under load — the test being whether the foot stays in position during footbar pushes under maximum spring resistance.
Available at: Sweaty Betty (sweatybetty.com), in stores
Best for: Those who prefer cycling short format for pilates over full-length leggings.
The cycling short format for pilates provides the coverage needed for reformer work without the warmth of full-length leggings, in a length that doesn’t catch on the reformer’s mechanisms. Sweaty Betty’s Glide shorts use a smooth-surface fabric that moves easily over the reformer carriage and provide full inner-thigh coverage without seam friction.
Available at: Splits59 (splits59.com)
Best for: Those who want a pilates-specific legging designed explicitly for reformer and mat use.
Splits59 designs specifically for pilates and yoga — the brand’s founder started the company based on the specific inadequacy of available activewear for studio practice. The Airweight fabric is their reformer-specific material: thin, smooth, seamless in the critical inner thigh and crotch areas, and cut in proportions that sit correctly through the full range of reformer movement without rising or constricting.
Available at: Girlfriend Collective (girlfriendcollective.com)
Best for: A pilates top with adequate length coverage through spine work and inversions, in recycled materials.
The Float Crop’s length (landing at or below the hip) provides coverage through the full range of reformer movement including the spine-loaded positions where shorter crops ride up. The recycled fabric manages moisture in the warm studio environment, and the fit is close enough to prevent catching without being restrictive.
Pilates wear rewards specific consideration of the reformer’s unique demands. Lululemon Align for the smoothest, most friction-free reformer legging. Toesox full-toe grip socks — genuinely not optional for reformer pilates safety. Sweaty Betty Glide shorts for the non-legging preference. Splits59 Airweight for the pilates-specific premium. And Girlfriend Collective Float Crop for the pilates top with adequate coverage. The grip sock is the most important single purchase in this category regardless of what the studio requires — reformer work without grip soles is the specific safety risk that pilates has which yoga does not share.