Athleta vs Lululemon

The Athleta vs Lululemon debate tops the discussion list among fitness enthusiasts who’ve logged hundreds of workout classes and spent big on premium activewear. My experience from three years of thrice-weekly workouts and over 400 barre classes has shown clear differences between these two premium athletic wear giants.

Lululemon stands as the gold standard for luxury leggings, but Athleta has grown into a strong rival. Many fitness experts now rate Athleta’s high-quality products as a match for its famous competitor. Each brand shines in its own way – Lululemon creates workout clothes that excel in yoga, HIIT, and running, while Athleta focuses on versatile athleisure wear that works well both in and out of the gym. Their pricing tells a different story too. Athleta’s frequent deep discounts can drop premium legging prices to $20-$30, something you rarely see at Lululemon.

This complete comparison looks at everything from brand values and size ranges to how their popular products perform, so you can decide which brand gives you better value for your money.

Brand Philosophy and Shopping Experience

Every successful athletic brand has its own philosophy and shopping experience that builds customer loyalty. These two giants compete not just with their products but also with their values and how they sell them.

Athleta vs Lululemon: What each brand stands for

Both brands started in 1998 but grew into different identities. Lululemon markets itself as a premium athletic wear brand that focuses on technical performance and quality. Their designs are made specifically for workouts like yoga and HIIT. The brand builds community through in-store events, yoga classes, and ambassador programs that create loyalty beyond just buying products.

Athleta (now part of Gap Inc.) built its brand on three main pillars:

• Inclusivity: They show women of different sizes, ages, and backgrounds in their ads
• Sustainability: They use recycled materials and cut carbon footprints—Athleta is a certified B Corporation with clear sustainability goals
• Accessibility: Their quality athletic wear costs less than Lululemon

Athleta also takes a broader “athleisure” approach. They create versatile pieces that naturally fit both workouts and daily activities, with options like swimwear, dresses, and casual wear.

Store experience and online shopping

The stores show clear differences between these rivals. Athleta scores slightly better in customer satisfaction with 4.39 stars because of their core team, product availability, and amenities. Lululemon comes close at 4.38 stars but customers complain more about wait times.

Athleta’s stores have friendly mobile greeters throughout the space, upbeat pop music, and tech features like MacBook tables to browse online-exclusive items. Their mannequins are special because they show how clothes look during exercise.

Lululemon has more stores worldwide and goes for a minimalist look with darker, concrete spaces. Their CEO McDonald plans to make the business twice as big.

Both brands have easy-to-use websites with accessible navigation. Athleta’s site stands out with better filtering options for sizes and styles that match their inclusive approach.

Instructor discounts and loyalty perks

Both brands reward fitness pros with special programs that work differently. Lululemon’s Sweat Collective gives certified fitness instructors, athletes, and coaches 25% off regular-priced items. Members get invited to exclusive events and help improve products.

Athleta’s Professional Discount Program also offers 25% off to certified wellness pros, including fitness instructors, health coaches, and women’s health practitioners.

Their loyalty programs are quite different. Lululemon rarely does big sales except for 2-3 seasonal ones each year. Their loyalty program has perks like free hemming, birthday gifts, and early access to limited sales.

Athleta often gives 20-30% off everything and runs clearance sales with 40-60% discounts. Their loyalty program uses points that turn into money off future purchases. They also let you return items within 60 days even if worn, while Lululemon gives just 30 days and only takes unworn items.

Fit and Sizing: Which One Works for More Bodies?

Fit and sizing play a vital role in athletic wear selection, right alongside looks and fabric quality. When it comes to athleta vs lululemon sizing, customers often wonder which brand better serves different body types.

Athleta vs Lululemon sizing systems

These brands take different approaches to sizing. Lululemon uses numerical sizing (00-20), which many customers find gives them more exact fit options. Athleta keeps it simpler with letter-based sizing from XXS to 3X. This makes a big difference when you shop online, where numerical sizing can be trickier to guess right.

The brands handle in-between sizes differently too. Athleta’s clothes have more stretch and give, which works well for people between sizes and curvier body types. Lululemon’s designs work best for taller, slimmer builds (around 5’7″-5’8″), which might not suit everyone.

You’ll need to adjust when switching between brands. A size 4 in Lululemon might match an XS at Athleta. The size chart shows these rough matches:

• Athleta XXS ≈ Lululemon 0
• Athleta XS ≈ Lululemon 0-2
• Athleta S ≈ Lululemon 4-6
• Athleta M ≈ Lululemon 8-10

Inclusivity and plus-size options

Each brand’s approach to size inclusivity tells a different story. Athleta led the way in inclusive sizing by bringing extended sizes (XXS-3X) to hundreds of styles both in-store and online starting in 2017. By 2021, they made about 70% of their spring collection—over 500 styles—available in plus sizes.

Lululemon’s history with size inclusion hasn’t been as smooth. They once kept size 12 items hidden in back areas, which didn’t help their reputation. While they expanded their size range in 2020-2021 to fix this issue, they still offer fewer plus-size options than Athleta.

Athleta gives plus-size shoppers the same style choices as everyone else, from basic neutrals to bright colors. This has helped earn them recognition as “one of the most size-inclusive athleisure brands on the market”.

Petite and tall availability

Getting the right length can make or break how happy you are with your workout wear. Athleta shines here by offering petite, regular, and tall lengths in many styles. Their popular Elation tights come in several inseam options:

• 7/8 (25″ regular inseam)
• Full (27″ regular inseam)
• Crop (16.5″ regular inseam)
• Capri (21″ regular inseam)

Petite inseams run 2″ shorter than regular, while tall adds 3″ more length. This helps fit people of all heights.

Lululemon’s Align leggings come in six lengths (17″, 21″, 23″, 25″, 28″, and 31″), plus unique 19″ options in other styles. They also offer in-store tailoring to help you get the perfect fit.

Your choice between athleta vs lululemon often comes down to what works best for your body type and what you prefer. People who want more inclusive sizing options usually pick Athleta, while those who like precise numerical sizing tend to go with Lululemon.

Leggings Showdown: Align vs Elation vs Salutation Stash

Fitness enthusiasts can really see the difference between Athleta and Lululemon when we look at their signature leggings. Each brand’s best sellers—Lululemon’s Align, Athleta’s Elation, and Athleta’s Salutation Stash—show unique approaches to comfort, functionality, and durability.

Fabric feel and compression

The fabric choice sets the foundation for how each legging performs. Lululemon’s Align leggings use their own Nulu fabric (nylon-spandex blend) to create a “second skin” feel with a thinner, sleeker texture that works great on warm days. These lightweight leggings feel amazing for yoga and everyday wear.

Both the Athleta Elation and Salutation Stash leggings come with Powervita fabric that has more spandex than Lululemon’s Aligns. You’ll notice these leggings feel thicker and more compressive, with a brushed texture that makes them soft and warm. Athleta’s options feel more substantial against your skin—this makes a big difference when it’s cold outside.

Here’s how the compression levels stack up between brands:

• Lululemon Align: Lightest compression, “barely-there” sensation
• Athleta Elation: Medium compression with “gentle hug” feel
• Athleta Salutation Stash: Slightly more compressive, especially in high-rise waistband

People who want more support usually go for Athleta’s options, while those who like unrestricted movement lean toward Lululemon’s Align.

Waistband support and comfort

The waistband design makes a big difference between these premium leggings. Athleta Elation comes with a three-layer waistband, while both Lululemon Aligns and Athleta Salutation Stash have two layers. This extra layer gives you more support without making the leggings less comfortable.

Athleta’s options have slightly wider waistbands than Lululemon Aligns. The Elation Ultra High Rise really shines if you want maximum coverage and support. Some users say panty lines show up more with Athleta’s designs—many reviewers suggest wearing them without underwear.

Pockets and seam design

Pocket design plays a huge role in how useful these premium leggings are. Lululemon Aligns have a small inner pocket in the waistband—good for a key or card but not much else. Athleta takes a different path:

• Elation leggings: Deep slot pocket in the back waistband
• Salutation Stash: Side pockets on both legs with fused seams

The Salutation Stash design stands out because it holds your phone well and lets you move hands-free, earning a 4.6-star rating from over 2,500 Athleta shoppers.

Looking at seam construction, Lululemon Aligns keep things simple with one center seam from crotch to legs. Athleta Elation has a similar center seam design, while Salutation Stash puts seams along both leg sides. Athleta’s leggings use slightly thicker seams, but all options stay comfortable during long wear.

Durability after multiple washes

These premium leggings cost a lot, but they last differently. Lululemon Aligns often pill where thighs touch. Even the new 2024 versions still have this issue despite claimed improvements.

Athleta leggings hold up better with hardly any pilling after many washes. Their Powervita fabric (nylon/lycra blend) stays strong while keeping its sweat-wicking and quick-drying features.

Taking care of these leggings also differs. Lululemon leggings need gentle washing and air drying to stay nice. Athleta’s leggings are easier to care for—they stay in good shape even with regular machine washing. This makes Athleta a better choice if you want low-maintenance options that last longer.

Your choice between Athleta and Lululemon leggings comes down to what matters most to you: compression level, pocket space, or how easy they are to maintain.

Beyond Leggings: Shorts, Tops, and Accessories

Leggings are the life-blood of premium activewear, but a full picture of Athleta vs Lululemon must look at their whole product lines. These brands take different approaches to shorts, tops, and accessories that match different customer priorities.

Athleta vs Lululemon shorts comparison

Both brands have large shorts collections with different pricing strategies. Lululemon’s shorts cost $20-30 more than similar Athleta styles. Athleta runs frequent sales that cut these price gaps. Smart shoppers can get Athleta shorts at 40-60% off during seasonal sales, which rarely happens with Lululemon products.

Sports bras and tops

These competitors take substantially different approaches to sports bras. Lululemon offers 89 different sports bra options that range from light to high impact support. Their designs come with special features like high neck styles for more coverage and racerback designs that keep straps secure during intense workouts.

Athleta has fewer options but focuses on technical performance with moisture-wicking fabrics that keep you dry during workouts. Their bras come with adjustable straps and removable padding that let you customize the fit whatever your cup size. Many Athleta styles look stylish enough to wear from gym to casual outings.

Athleta belt bag vs Lululemon belt bag

The belt bag comparison shows maybe the clearest difference in value between these brands. Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag costs between $38-$48 based on style and has a loyal following even though it rarely goes on sale. It uses water-repellent fabric you can clean easily, making it great for outdoor use.

Athleta’s Excursion Crossbody Belt Bag offers great value at $50 regular price, often on sale for $25, and sometimes as low as $18. The bag uses water-repellant, snag-resistant material and comes with interior pockets and adjustable compression straps for different wearing styles. The Athleta belt bag ended up costing about one-third of its competitor’s price, showing the brand’s steadfast dedication to quality at better price points.

Performance, Durability, and Everyday Use

The real test of premium activewear goes beyond looks or comfort. You need to see how it performs in different activities and lasts over time. Understanding the performance differences between athleta and lululemon is vital to get the best value for your money.

Best for yoga, HIIT, and travel

Both brands created their signature products with specific activities in mind. Lululemon stands out in yoga settings with their Align leggings that give you that “second-skin” feel – perfect for free movement and breathability in heated studios. The lightweight, thinner fabric works great for low-impact activities and warm-weather workouts.

Lululemon’s specialized gear like their Fast & Free leggings does better than many Athleta options for high-intensity interval training. Their technical design handles intense movement better, though you’ll pay more for it.

Athleta focuses on making gear that works for many different activities. Their Elation leggings give you that “gentle hug” compression that works well for everything from hiking to yoga. The thinner, super stretchy Vitafree fabric in Athleta’s Transcend Tights makes them great for long flights and switching between activities.

How each brand holds up over time

At similar price points, these brands show big differences in durability. Athleta’s leggings last longer and keep their shape even after many washes. Their slightly thicker fabric naturally resists the wear that often damages thinner materials.

Lululemon’s gear, though super comfortable at first, often has durability issues – especially with their Align leggings. Even with 2024’s fabric improvements, pilling remains a common issue where thighs touch.

Care instructions and pilling issues

Taking care of your gear properly makes a huge difference in how long it lasts. Here’s what you should do:

• Machine wash on gentle cycle with cold water
• Turn garments inside out before washing
• Skip fabric softeners – they mess with moisture-wicking properties
• Keep dark and light colors separate

Lululemon offers great customer service by replacing or fixing damaged leggings for free. A fabric shaver can help with minor pilling, but be careful with Lululemon’s thinner Nulu fabric to avoid making holes.

Athleta products handle standard machine washing better, while Lululemon leggings need gentler washing and air drying to stay nice. This difference in maintenance requirements really matters if you want low-maintenance athleisure wear.

Summing all up

The Athleta vs Lululemon debate ended up being about personal priorities and body type after looking at both premium activewear giants. Each brand shines in different areas and offers unique benefits for fitness enthusiasts.

Lululemon excels at technical performance with lightweight, “second-skin” fabrics that work great during yoga and high-intensity workouts. Their numerical sizing system helps people find exact fits. The premium experience comes with some drawbacks – higher prices, rare discounts, and pilling problems even with their newest fabrics.

Athleta provides great value through frequent sales that can drop premium legging prices to one-third of what competitors charge. Their steadfast dedication to inclusivity shows in their extended sizing (XXS-3X) and multiple length options. The thicker, more durable Powervita fabric handles pilling better over time. Some users might not love it for hot-weather workouts.

Style-conscious shoppers should think about practicality beyond the original comfort. Athleta’s products are easier to care for and stay in good shape with regular machine washing. Lululemon’s items just need gentler care to last longer.

These brands have built loyal followings and with good reason too. Without doubt, dedicated fitness enthusiasts could benefit from specific pieces from each brand. Lululemon’s Align leggings work great for yoga while Athleta’s Salutation Stash offers everyday comfort with phone-carrying convenience.

The bottom line? People who value inclusive sizing, sustainability, versatility, and good deals will probably prefer Athleta, especially during sales. Those who want premium technical fabrics designed for specific activities might choose Lululemon despite higher prices. Both brands are much better than budget activewear options. You’ll have to decide if the big price difference matches the quality difference for your needs.

Here are some FAQs about Athleta vs Lululemon:

Is Athleta owned by Lululemon?

No, Athleta is not owned by Lululemon – the athleta vs lululemon comparison involves two separate companies. While lululemon vs athleta are often compared as activewear competitors, Athleta is actually owned by Gap Inc. The athleta vs lululemon shorts and other product comparisons reflect different corporate philosophies despite similar markets.

Does Athleta have good quality?

In the athleta vs lululemon quality debate, Athleta products are known for their durable construction and performance fabrics. The athleta vs lululemon leggings comparison shows both brands offer high-quality options, with Athleta often being more affordable. Customer reviews consistently praise Athleta’s quality, especially for their athleta belt bag vs lululemon accessories.

What makes Athleta different from other brands?

The athleta vs lululemon distinction lies in Athleta’s focus on inclusive sizing and sustainability initiatives. While lululemon vs athleta both offer premium activewear, Athleta emphasizes versatile pieces that transition from workout to daily wear. The athleta vs lululemon shorts and other items show Athleta’s unique blend of performance and lifestyle aesthetics.

Who is Athleta’s biggest competitor?

In the athleta vs lululemon rivalry, Lululemon remains Athleta’s primary competitor in the premium activewear space. The lululemon vs athleta competition extends across categories like athleta vs lululemon leggings and sports bras. Other significant competitors include Nike and Alo Yoga, but the athleta belt bag vs lululemon comparison shows their closest direct competition.

Is Athleta considered a luxury brand?

While athleta vs lululemon both occupy the premium activewear market, Athleta positions itself as slightly more accessible than luxury. The lululemon vs athleta price comparison shows Athleta offers similar quality at lower price points. Products like athleta vs lululemon shorts demonstrate Athleta’s balance of quality and value rather than pure luxury positioning.

What’s better than Lululemon?

In the athleta vs lululemon debate, some prefer Athleta for its inclusive sizing and sustainability focus. Alternatives like the athleta belt bag vs lululemon often appeal to different customer priorities. While lululemon vs athleta comparisons are common, “better” depends on individual needs – some may prefer other brands like Alo Yoga or Outdoor Voices for specific features.