Aerie vs. Lululemon Leggings: Which brand is better? [2026]

Aerie offers soft, comfortable leggings at an affordable price point, making them ideal for lounging and casual wear, while Lululemon focuses on high-performance, premium leggings with technical fabrics designed for intense workouts and a sculpted fit. Aerie's strength is its accessible pricing and inclusive, comfort-first approach, whereas Lululemon is known for its durable, supportive materials and higher investment cost.

Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right leggings for your lifestyle and budget.

Aerie: The Leader in Affordable Comfort

Owned by American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie built its reputation on body positivity and inclusivity, originally focusing on bras and underwear. The brand has since expanded into loungewear and activewear, offering leggings that prioritize a soft feel and a relaxed fit. Their target customer is someone looking for versatile, budget-friendly leggings for everyday activities, from running errands to light yoga, who values comfort above technical performance.

• Product mix: Primarily known for their OFFLINE by Aerie collection, which includes casual leggings, flare leggings, sports bras, and loungewear. Styles often feature crossover waistbands and a variety of textures.
• Price point: Very accessible, with most leggings priced between $20 and $50. It’s common to find them for even less during frequent promotions.
• Quality & Materials: Aerie uses soft cotton-blend and polyester fabrics that feel great against the skin. While comfortable and often squat-proof, they lack the advanced technical properties of premium activewear and may be more prone to pilling or losing shape over time.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is inclusive, running from XXS to XXL. The fit is generally true to size and designed for comfort rather than high compression, so they feel less restrictive than performance-oriented leggings.
• Sales: Extremely frequent sales and promotions, often with discounts of up to 50% off, making them a go-to for shoppers on a budget.
• Return policy: A flexible 30-day return policy with free returns on online orders, allowing customers to shop with confidence.

Aerie is the clear choice for anyone who prioritizes softness and affordability for daily wear, lounging, and light activity, offering a wide array of popular styles at an unbeatable price.

Shop Aerie: ae.com

Lululemon: The Gold Standard in Performance Activewear

Lululemon is a premium athletic apparel brand that set the industry standard for high-quality yoga and workout leggings. They are known for their innovative, proprietary fabrics that offer a unique combination of performance, feel, and durability. Their customer is willing to invest in long-lasting, technical apparel that supports intense training, holds its shape, and transitions seamlessly from the gym to everyday life.

• Product mix: Extensive range of leggings designed for specific activities like yoga, running, and training. They also offer a wide selection of activewear including bras, tops, and outerwear.
• Price point: A premium investment, with leggings typically ranging from $98 to $148. The higher cost reflects the advanced materials and construction quality.
• Quality & Materials: Lululemon’s strength is its proprietary fabrics. Buttery-soft Align leggings use Nulu fabric, while fast-drying Wunder Train leggings feature Everlux. These materials are engineered for shape retention, sweat-wicking, and durability.
• Technology/Innovation: The brand constantly innovates its fabric technology to solve problems like moisture management, supportive stretch, and a "naked" sensation feel during workouts.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a precise fit with sizes from 0 to 20. The fit is generally compressive and body-hugging. Most styles run true to size, but the secure fit might feel snugger than casual brands.
• Return policy: A fair 30-day return policy for unworn items. They are also known for their quality promise, addressing product performance issues outside the standard window.

Lululemon offers unparalleled performance and durability, making it the top choice for serious athletes and anyone who treats their activewear as a long-term investment in quality and function.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Aerie vs. Lululemon Leggings Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference is the most significant factor between the two brands. Aerie positions itself as an affordable brand, with leggings costing between $20 and $50. Plus, with heavy discounts during their frequent sales, you can easily buy multiple pairs of Aerie leggings for the price of one pair from Lululemon.

Lululemon leggings are an investment piece, priced from $98 to $148. Sales are rare, mostly limited to their "We Made Too Much" section. The value here is in longevity, a single pair can last for many years of intense use, which can make the cost-per-wear lower over time for those who are active frequently.

Quality & Materials

Aerie leggings are made from soft, stretchy blends and polyester designed for ultimate comfort and everyday wear. They are great for lounging or low-impact activities. However, these materials are less technical and may not hold up as well under high-friction workouts, sometimes resulting in pilling or losing elasticity faster.

Lululemon's reputation is built on its proprietary fabrics like Nulu (weightless, buttery-soft feel) and Everlux (fast-drying and breathable). These materials are engineered to withstand sweat, friction, and constant stretching while maintaining their shape and supportive qualities. The construction is also superior, with reinforced seams made for athletic performance.

Style & Aesthetic

Aerie’s style is youthful, casual, and on-trend. They are famous for their crossover waistband styles and flared leggings (yoga pants), available in a wide spectrum of colors and occasional patterns. Their aesthetic is perfect for a relaxed, comfortable look.

Lululemon’s aesthetic is sleek, athletic, and minimalist. Their designs feature subtle branding and clean lines in sophisticated, often muted colors. They are designed to function as high-performance gear while looking polished enough for post-workout errands, embodying the "athleisure" trend.

Fit & Sizing

Aerie offers inclusive sizing (XXS-XXL) and a more relaxed fit that prioritizes comfort. While generally true to size, the fit can sometimes be less consistent across styles and may stretch out with wear. The focus is less on compression and more on a gentle hug.

Lululemon provides precise technical sizing (0-20) designed for a "second-skin" fit. Their leggings offer varying levels of compression to support muscles during activity. The fit is exceptionally consistent, ensuring you get the same support and feel every time you buy your size in a specific style.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are making efforts toward sustainability. Aerie highlights its use of recycled materials in its Real Good collection and promotes ethical practices and body positivity. These initiatives are part of a broader corporate responsibility plan under American Eagle.

Lululemon has more extensive and detailed sustainability goals, focusing on creating a circular ecosystem with programs like their Like New resale platform. They are heavily invested in using sustainable materials and reducing their environmental footprint across their supply chain, offering greater transparency.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on how you plan to use your leggings and what you value most.

Choose Aerie if:

• You're on a budget and love finding a good deal.
• Your top priority is buttery-soft comfort for lounging, errands, or daily wear.
• You enjoy on-trend styles like crossover waistbands and flared leggings.
• You need leggings for low-impact activities like walking, stretching, or light yoga.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You need durable, high-performance leggings for intense workouts like running, HIIT, or hot yoga.
• You are willing to invest in activewear that will maintain its shape and quality for years.
• You prefer a sculpted, compressive fit that supports your muscles and stays put.
• You want a sleek, minimalist style that transitions seamlessly from the gym to the street.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aerie or Lululemon cheaper?

Aerie is significantly cheaper. Their leggings are typically priced under $50, and frequent sales often bring the cost down even further, making them a very budget-friendly option.

Which leggings are better for working out?

Lululemon leggings are hands-down better for intense workouts. Their technical fabrics are designed to wick sweat, support muscles, and withstand high-friction movement without losing their shape or falling down.

Which brand is better for everyday wear and lounging?

Aerie is an excellent choice for everyday wear and lounging. Their focus on soft-brushed fabrics makes them incredibly comfortable for non-athletic activities, and the low price means you don’t have to worry about wear and tear from daily use.

Do Lululemon leggings pill?

Lululemon leggings are very resistant to pilling, especially when cared for properly (washed in cold water and hung to dry). The common complaint of pilling usually refers to the Align Pant, which uses the delicate Nulu fabric and can pill if exposed to high friction over time.

What size should I get in Lululemon vs. Aerie?

Aerie leggings generally run true to size with a comfortable, relaxed fit. Lululemon leggings are also true to size, but offer a much more compressive, "second-skin" feel. If you are between sizes or prefer less compression, you might consider sizing up in some Lululemon styles.

How often does Aerie have sales?

Aerie has sales very frequently. It's common to find their leggings and other apparel discounted by 30-50%, especially around holidays and the end of seasons. It's often best to wait for a sale before buying.

Does Lululemon ever have sales?

Lululemon rarely holds store-wide sales. Your best bet for a discount is their "We Made Too Much" online section, which features items that are marked down. Major sale events are very uncommon.

Will Aerie crossover leggings go out of style?

The crossover waistband is a very popular trend that has shown staying power due to its flattering design. While micro-trends come and go, this style has become a signature for Aerie and remains a customer favorite.