5.11 PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging Review: When Your Training Demands More

The 5.11 Women’s PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging is clearly designed as a training tight, not just another fashion piece with a tactical logo slapped on. The nylon/elastane fabric has a dense, supportive feel that’s great for heavy squats and hill sprints, and the high-rise waistband stays in place throughout. The main drawback is heat and less than all-day wearability. They’re fantastic in the gym and in cooler weather, but they can feel a bit warm on long efforts in full sun. If you bounce between the weight room and the trail, these hit a really nice balance of coverage, support, and durability.

At-a-Glance Specs & What Matters

• Fabric: 69% nylon / 31% elastane interlock with moisture-wicking and anti-odor finish. This design provides more structure and durability than soft cotton blends, with less post-workout funk if you’re slow to peel them off after the gym.
• Rise & Waistband: High-waist, contoured waistband designed to stay put through intervals, lifting, running, and biking. It feels more like a supportive panel than a roll-prone yoga waistband, which matters when you’re doing anything more dynamic than stretching.
• Construction Details: Flat-locked seams, triangle gusset, and reflective transfer on the front left leg. These details keep seams from chafing and make you a little more visible when you’re running in low light.
• Pockets: Internal waistband front pocket sized for a key, card, or gym tag, along with two side pockets that are just big enough for a phone so it stays secure even when you’re running or jumping..
• Inseam & Lengths: Short 25” and Regular 27” inseams. Having two lengths matters if you’re tired of choosing between ankle-bunching and accidental capris.
• Price & Positioning: MSRP around $72, sitting in that mid/high tier where I expect real performance and durability, not just a logo and fragile fabric.

Test Methods & Conditions

I wore the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Leggings three to four times a week for about a month. Most of that time was split between strength training in a traditional gym, treadmill and stair machine sessions, and brisk neighborhood walks with some light hills. Outside, conditions ranged from mid-40s mornings to low-70s afternoons with low desert humidity, plus one or two windy days where I layered them under a light shell.

I’m 5’6”, athletic with curves through the hips and thighs, and I tested a size medium in the night tiger camo. I specifically watched for waistband creep during hinge movements, opacity in deep squats and step-ups under harsh gym lighting, any hot spots from seams during longer sessions, and early signs of pilling at the inner thighs or seat. I also paid attention to how quickly they dried between a sweaty session and random errands when I didn’t have time to change.

First Impressions

Immediately, the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging felt like a training piece, not lounge wear. The fabric is smooth and cool, with a noticeable density that makes you think durable before you even pull them on. Stitching and flat-locked seams looked clean and even, with no loose threads or weird bumps along the inner thighs. The high waistband has plenty of structure and a supportive feel.

Sliding them on does take a bit of the classic “hip wiggle” because of the higher compression and thicker knit, but once they’re up, they hug without feeling suffocating. The waistband landed just above my navel and felt immediately secure—no gaping in the back, no digging at the front when I sat down to tie my shoes. One slight drawback was that the compression was a bit much for all-day wear, which would have been solved by purchasing the next size up. The internal waistband pocket is subtle, but I could tuck a house key and a slim card in there without feeling a hard, obvious lump against my stomach. I enjoyed the addition of the slim side pockets, which most training leggings lack.

Rating:  7.5 / 10

Performance in the Field

In the gym, these earn the “Max Effort” name. While performing squats, deadlifts, rows, or lunges across the gym, the waistband stayed locked in, even when I was bracing hard and moving under load. I never had to pause between sets to readjust my leggings back into place. On the treadmill and rower, they moved with me instead of against me; the gusset and stretch kept things smooth at full stride and during deep knee bends. The side pockets held my phone and keys in place without causing any sag or bouncing while walking and running.

Opacity was excellent. Under bright overhead gym lighting with patterned underwear, I didn’t see any sheerness in deep squats or hinge positions. The thicker fabric definitely helps with that. On outdoor walks with light hills, the leggings felt supportive but not restrictive, and the reflective hit on the lower leg is a small but appreciated touch for visibility and aesthetics. The only ding is heat: in longer, higher-intensity cardio sessions, I could definitely feel the fabric holding warmth compared to ultralight running tights.

Rating:  8.0 / 10

Durability, Materials & Build Quality

After a month of rotating these through workouts and regular life, the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging is holding up better than most of my athleisure pieces. The nylon-heavy blend gives it a technical training feel compared to most fashion leggings, and that shows in how it resists abrasion from benches, rower seats, and the random textured surfaces we all sit on outside the gym. There’s no bagging at the knees or rear, even after full days of wear.

I didn’t see any real pilling on the inner thighs—just the beginnings of that soft fuzz you get on any knit that’s actually being used, and even that was minimal. Seams stayed flat and comfortable, especially along the inner legs and around the gusset, which is usually where cheap tights betray themselves first. The reflective logo and transfers are still crisp, and the waistband hasn’t twisted or warped in the wash. Based on this window, I’d expect these to survive regular multi-day-per-week training for at least a couple of seasons before I need to cycle them out.

Rating:  9.0 / 10

Comfort, Fit & Mobility

Fit-wise, I’d call these “true to size with a performance lean.” In my usual size, the waistband and hips felt snug and supportive without cutting in. These are tights, after all, so the fit in the thighs and the calves hugs your figure. If you’re between sizes, especially in the waist, I’d lean toward going up if you want more all-day comfort or down if you want a more compressive, training feel.

Mobility is a non-issue. Deep squats, lunges, lateral shuffles, and step-ups onto benches all felt smooth, and I never had seams pulling tight across my knees or backside. Nor did I have those annoying seam imprints on my skin when I took them off. The fabric stretches in every direction without that shiny overstressed look, and the triangle gusset means you’re not fighting a seam right where you’re trying to drop into a deep hinge. One thing to note is that these are thicker than fashion leggings and are therefore warmer so using them in warmer temperatures might be uncomfortable. In contrast, they perform very well on cool mornings and in air-conditioned rooms.

Rating:  8.0 / 10

Comparisons & Alternatives

Within 5.11’s lineup, the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging and the Athene Legging overlap more than they diverge. Both offer functional details like side pockets, so pocket storage alone isn’t a meaningful differentiator here. The real distinction comes down to overall build and intended use. The Athene leans more toward a structured, tactical-inspired look that transitions easily into casual wear due to its sleek black look. At the same time, the PT-R Max Effort keeps things simpler and more training-focused, with less visual bulk, a more streamlined feel, and a more compressive fit.

Compared to mainstream athleisure brands, the Max Effort trades ultra-soft, brushed handfeel for durability and structure. A similarly priced studio legging may win on softness or color options, but it’s also more likely to pill, lose opacity, or show wear sooner. Budget tights can match basic comfort, but they often fall short on seam quality and long-term opacity. If most of your time is spent in yoga classes or lounging, those options can work just fine. If you’re training, hiking, or more often than not in an outdoor setting, the PT-R Max Effort stands out for being something you can wear without worrying about it holding up.

Who It’s For / Who Should Skip It

The PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging is an excellent fit if you spend time training/exercising in the gym or on the trails. Women who want a high waistband that doesn’t roll, a bit of midsection compression, and fabric that can handle real training will be happy here. It’s also a strong option if you’re sick of sheerness in deep squats or constantly having to replace cheap leggings that pill out too quickly.

However, if your main requirement for a training legging is a soft buttery feel, these probably won’t be your favorite. The fabric is smooth but not plush, and the support is noticeable. Hot-climate runners who are routinely out in full sun for long miles might also want something lighter and more breathable. And if your budget is tight and you mostly walk, stretch, and wear leggings as pants, you can get by with something cheaper and accept that it won’t be as tough.

Value & Price-to-Performance

With a price hovering around $72, the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging is a high-quality training legging, not just for casual wear. For that price, I expect excellent opacity, real longevity, and thoughtful training-focused features—and so far, these deliver on those expectations. The fabric weight, seam quality, and high-rise cut all feel comparable to, or better than, the big-name athleisure brands in the same bracket.

Where the value really appears is in the cost-per-wear. If you’re putting serious hours into training every week, these will likely last longer and look better than softer, trend-driven leggings that give up after a few hard uses. If you only occasionally work out and mostly want something comfy for errands, that same $70 is a bit of overkill. For women who train hard and hate constantly replacing tights, I’d call the PT-R Max Effort a solid buy rather than a splurge.

Rating:  8.0 / 10

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High-rise contoured waistband stays put through heavy lifts and intervals
• Thick, opaque fabric that isn’t see-through in deep squats
• Flat-locked seams and gusseted crotch keep chafing and hot spots to a minimum
• Moisture-wicking, anti-odor finish helps them stay fresher between washes
• Reflective detail adds a bit of visibility for early-morning or evening runs
• Side hip pockets and an internal waistband pocket

Cons

• Runs warm compared to ultralight running or studio tights
• Fabric feel is more technical than buttery-soft
• Price may be a stretch if you’re not training regularly

FAQs

Do the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Leggings run true to size?

In my experience, they run true to size, but on the performance end of the spectrum—expect a snug, supportive fit at your normal size. If you’re between sizes or prefer a more relaxed feel at the waist, consider going up one.

Are they squat-proof?

Yes. In deep squats and hinging movements under bright gym lighting, I didn’t see any sheerness, even over patterned underwear.

Are these good for running and HIIT, or just lifting?

These leggings are great for mixed training—lifting, running, rowing, and biking. The waistband stays put, and the fabric moves well, but if you’re logging long-distance runs in high heat, you may want something lighter and more breathable.

Do they stay up without a drawstring?

The high, contoured waistband and overall compression do a good job of staying put on their own. I never missed having a drawstring, even during sprints and step-ups.

Care, Maintenance & Longevity Tips

Caring for the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging is straightforward: cold wash, gentle cycle, and skip the fabric softener so you don’t clog the moisture-wicking and anti-odor treatment. I dry mine on medium heat along with my other clothes. If you train often, consider having two pairs to rotate so each one gets a full dry time between sweaty sessions.

To keep pilling at bay, don’t wash them with rough items like Velcro-backed gear, denim, or jackets with heavy zippers. Treat them more like technical training pants than cheap leggings, and they’ll hold up longer than just a few uses.

Rating:  9.0 / 10

The Verdict

As someone who squeezes a gym session or hiking into the day where I can, the 5.11 Women’s PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging is just the thing. They’re not the softest tights I own, but they’re the ones I reach for when I want my waistband to stay put, my squats to stay opaque, and my leggings to survive real workouts without worry.

They run a little warm, and the price will give some people pause, but if you’re serious about training and tired of flimsy fashion leggings, these are worth it. For women who want a genuinely functional, high-rise training tight that can keep up with heavy lifting and everyday chaos, the PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging earns its keep.

Overall Rating:  8.5 / 10

5.11 Women’s PT-R Max Effort High-Waist Legging Ratings

Deanna

Deanna is a former Toyota mechanic, current EMT-I, and certified Physician Assistant with a lifelong passion for adventure and self-reliance. When she’s not practicing medicine or wrenching, you’ll find her exploring the rugged deserts and mountain landscapes of the Southwest. She’s usually off wandering trails, chasing quiet sunsets, and unplugging from the noise of modern life.