The athleisure and activewear craze is here to stay. Brands are making it easier for you on your workout, offering clothes specific for yoga to weight training.
There are so many workout brands, but Athleta and Lululemon have come out on top time and time again.
When comparing the two brands, which should you pick? Keep reading our Athleta vs Lululemon Review to decide which brand is best for your workout.
And, if you need more inspo, check out our list of the best athleisure brands to shop from!
Athleta vs Lululemon: Overview
Athleta is owned by GAP and is exclusive to women’s activewear and loungewear. Recently, it has become a certified B Corporation and streamlined a greener manufacturing and fiber sourcing effort. They offer a range of apparel, from workouts to loungewear.
Lululemon started out selling quality yoga leggings and has since expanded to all types of athleisure for both men and women. Lululemon offers specific fabrics designed for the workout you will be doing, ranging in levels of stretchiness, friction resistance, breathability, and more.
Both brands focus on athleisure and quality, comfort, and style. Since these brands are so similar and known for their quality, we’ve broken down their main comparison points below to help you decide:
| Athleta | Lululemon |
– Leggings range from $70 to $90 – Offers frequent sales – Offers workout clothes and other clothing – Inclusive sizing from XXS to 3X – Free shipping on all orders in the US over $50 – Free returns within 60 days – Allow worn returns – Recently added sustainable fibers like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and nylon | – Leggings range from $98 to $138 – Sales are very rare – Offers workout clothes and other clothing – Inclusive sizing, from XXS to 2X – Free shipping on all orders in the US – Free returns within 30 days – Returns must be unworn and unwashed with original tags – Uses a variety of fabrics, with some sustainable fabrics |
Athleta
Founded as a fitness and streetwear brand in the late 1980s, Athleta focuses its athleisure on hiking, running, and streetwear for the average person. They have a wide variety of offerings like leggings, biker shorts, sports bras, dresses, jackets, swimwear, and more.
Let’s break down this brand into pros and cons to give you a better feel for their company:
Pros
- Offers high-quality athleisure pieces
- Provides more sustainable fibers like recycled polyester, nylon, and even organic cotton
- Includes a slightly more extensive size range from XS to 3X
- Free returns within 60 days
- More affordable than other athleisure brands, with frequent sales
Cons
- Free shipping only on orders $50 or more
- Offers only women’s clothing
Lululemon
Lululemon is a Canadian brand founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson, who provides clothing specifically for high-end athletes and yogis.
They offer leggings, hoodies, joggers, swimwear, accessories, and shoes.
Let’s break down this brand into pros and cons to give you a better feel for their company:
Pros
- Offers high-quality athleisure pieces
- Customizes the fabric to your type of workout
- Guarantees long-lasting performance
- Offer both men’s and women’s clothing
- Includes a variety of colors and patterns
- Free shipping on all orders
- Free returns within 30 days
Cons
- Only goes up to size 2X
- Slightly pricier than competing athleisure brands
What Customers Are Saying
We’ve searched the web for customer experiences with these two brands and found these are the top points of feedback. Customers say:
- Lululemon has amazing quality products that are long-lasting
- Athleta offers a variety of streetwear and most products are great quality
- Lululemon can be pricey, while Athleta is more affordable
- Athleta products don’t seem to last as long as Lululemon
- Lululemon is better for high performance activities; Athleta is better for casual gym days
Conclusion: Who Is The Winner?
When it comes to Athleta vs. Lululemon, Lululemon seems to be the best investment. They’re great for high-impact workouts and elite athletes – most shoppers state their leggings have lasted 5+ years, even with regular wear. Athleta doesn’t seem to last this long (2–3 years seems to be the average).
That said, a lot of customers do love Athleta as well and typically wear the brand for more casual gym days.
Lululemon rarely offers sales whereas Athleta offers fairly frequent sales (not to mention they are already cheaper than Lululemon). If you’re looking for the best deal, Athleta might be a cheaper option for you. They also have a flexible return policy, whereas Lululemon’s policy is more strict.
Many people prefer one brand over the other, so we highly recommend visiting both stores and giving their top styles a try. You might find that one brand fits you better or you like the styles better.
Overall, we have had great experiences with the quality of both brands and they both offer a wide selection, but Lululemon is our top pick as far as quality goes. Since they last so long, we recommend thrifting Lululemon if you can’t afford them at full price!
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