Allbirds vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Allbirds is built on a foundation of sustainability, offering minimalist, comfortable footwear made from eco-friendly materials like merino wool and eucalyptus fiber. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium athleisure giant focused on high-performance, stylish activewear engineered with technical fabrics for workouts and everyday life. The essential difference lies in their core purpose: Allbirds prioritizes eco-conscious casual comfort, while Lululemon emphasizes performance-driven fashion.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your lifestyle and needs.

Allbirds: The Leader in Sustainable Comfort

Allbirds has rapidly become a favorite for its direct-to-consumer model focused on comfortable, casual footwear and apparel made from sustainable materials. Targeting environmentally conscious consumers, the brand combines a clean, minimalist aesthetic with innovative materials like soft merino wool, breezy eucalyptus tree fiber, and sugarcane-based foam soles. As a certified B Corporation, Allbirds places transparency and environmental responsibility at the center of everything it does.

• Product mix: Known for its iconic Wool and Tree Runners, the brand also offers a variety of other shoe styles, from slip-ons to high-tops. They have expanded into apparel with a collection of loungewear, t-shirts, and socks that share the same eco-friendly philosophy.
• Price point: Shoes typically fall into the mid-range premium category, with most styles priced between $95 and $150.
• Quality & Materials: The focus is on natural and recycled materials. Their merino wool is soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating, while their eucalyptus fiber provides a cool, lightweight feel. Durability is suited for everyday walking and casual use.
• Sizing/Fit: Footwear generally fits true to size with a comfortable, slightly relaxed feel designed for all-day wear. They prioritize comfort over a snug, performance-oriented fit.
• Sustainability: This is Allbirds' defining feature. They are Climate Neutral Certified, B Corp Certified, and publicly measure the carbon footprint of every product, making it easy for shoppers to make an informed choice.

Choose Allbirds for simple, exceptionally comfortable, and sustainable footwear suitable for everyday activities like walking, travel, and casual outings.

Shop Allbirds: allbirds.com

Lululemon: The Premium Athleisure Giant

Lululemon is a global leader in athletic apparel, famous for popularizing the athleisure movement. Originally focused on yoga wear, the brand now offers a wide range of high-performance clothing for running, training, and daily life. Their success is built on proprietary technical fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ fabric (used in their Align leggings) and the sweat-wicking Everlux™. Lululemon targets active, style-conscious consumers who want versatile pieces that look as good as they perform.

• Product mix: Extensive range includes leggings, sports bras, tops, jackets, and shorts for women, plus a rapidly growing men's line featuring joggers and shorts. They also sell accessories like yoga mats, bags, and have even launched their own footwear.
• Price point: Lululemon operates in the premium segment, with leggings typically priced between $98 and $128, and tops ranging from $58 to $88.
• Quality & Materials: The brand is synonymous with high-quality construction and innovative, engineered fabrics. Materials are designed for high-stretch, shape retention, and moisture-wicking capabilities, ensuring durability through intense workouts and frequent washing.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is consistent and generally true to size. Most pieces, especially leggings and sports bras, are designed to have a snug, body-contouring fit to support movement.
• Shopping Experience: Lululemon offers a premium shopping experience, both online and in its modern, well-located retail stores that often host community events like free yoga classes.

Ideal for fitness enthusiasts and athleisure fans, Lululemon delivers stylish, high-tech apparel that seamlessly transitions from a workout to running errands.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Allbirds vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

While both brands operate in the premium space, they target different product categories. An Allbirds shoe (around $100-$135) costs about the same as a pair of Lululemon's popular leggings ($98-$128). You can buy a core piece from either brand for a similar investment.

Value is subjective here. With Allbirds, the price is justified by the sustainable materials, carbon-neutral production, and simple comfort. With Lululemon, you are paying for extensive research and development in technical performance fabrics, a trend-forward design, and significant brand prestige.

Quality & Materials

The brands' approaches to materials are fundamentally different. Allbirds champions natural, renewable, and recycled materials. Their merino wool and eucalyptus fibers offer exceptional softness and breathability for casual comfort. These materials are durable for everyday life but are not designed for the abrasive demands of intense athletic training.

Lululemon excels in creating proprietary synthetic fabrics. Materials like Luon, Nulu, and Everlux are engineered to stretch, wick sweat, and withstand friction without pilling. This makes Lululemon's apparel exceptionally durable for rigorous activities like running, weightlifting, and high-intensity interval training, maintaining its shape and function over years of use.

Style & Aesthetic

Allbirds embodies a minimalist and understated style. Their designs are timeless, with a clean silhouette and often available in a muted, neutral color palette. This makes their products incredibly versatile for casual and travel wardrobes, appealing to those who prefer a less-is-more approach to fashion.

Lululemon is sleek, modern, and often trend-conscious. While they offer core neutral colors, they frequently release seasonal collections with bold colors and patterns. The designs feature flattering seams and cuts that contour the body, functioning as both performance gear and a fashion statement.

Fit & Sizing

Allbirds designs its footwear with everyday comfort in mind. Their shoes generally run true to size and offer a standard to slightly relaxed width, allowing for natural foot movement throughout the day. Simplicity is key, and the fit is consistently comfortable across their main styles.

Lululemon's apparel sizing is quite specific to achieve a technical, performance-ready fit. Items are generally true to size but often fit snugly or compressively by design. Their website provides detailed size charts and model information to help customers find the right fit for their bodies and intended activities.

Sustainability & Ethics

For sustainability, Allbirds is the undisputed leader. The brand was founded on an eco-conscious mission. As a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral company, they transparently report their carbon footprint and use innovative, low-impact materials. This commitment is the primary reason many customers choose them.

Lululemon has made significant strides in sustainability, introducing programs like "Lululemon Like New" for trade-ins and incorporating more recycled materials into its products. However, these initiatives are additions to their existing business model rather than its core foundation. For shoppers prioritizing environmental impact above all else, Allbirds is the clearer choice.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your primary needs and values. Both brands deliver excellent quality but serve very different purposes.

Choose Allbirds if:

• Sustainability is your top shopping priority.
• You need a comfortable, minimalist shoe for walking, travel, or everyday casual wear.
• Your personal style is understated, simple, and timeless.
• You value brands that are transparent about their environmental impact and are certified B Corps.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You need high-performance activewear for yoga, running, and gym workouts.
• You want stylish athleisure pieces that offer a flattering, body-contouring fit.
• You prioritize technical, engineered fabrics that are durable and sweat-wicking.
• Your style is sleek and modern, and you enjoy wearing activewear as everyday fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allbirds or Lululemon more expensive?

Their signature products are priced similarly. A pair of Allbirds' most popular shoes (like the Wool Runners) costs around $100, which is comparable to a pair of Lululemon's iconic Align leggings. Both brands are considered premium in their respective markets.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Allbirds is significantly more focused on sustainability. It is the core of their business model, reflected in their material choices (wool, eucalyptus), their B Corp certification, and their commitment to carbon neutrality. While Lululemon is improving its practices, sustainability is Allbirds' primary mission.

Can you work out in Allbirds shoes?

Allbirds shoes are primarily designed for walking and casual, low-impact activities. While they have athletics-inspired styles like the Tree Dasher, they are not intended to replace dedicated training or running shoes for high-intensity workouts. Lululemon also now sells its own high-performance training shoes.

Is Lululemon sizing the same as Allbirds?

No, because they sell different types of products. Allbirds' shoes typically fit true to size with a focus on comfort. Lululemon's clothing is also true to size but usually designed to be form-fitting or compressive. It's best to consult each brand's specific sizing guide before purchasing.

Which brand is better quality?

Both brands produce high-quality products. Lululemon’s quality is defined by its durable, high-performance technical fabrics that withstand intense use and washing. Allbirds’ quality is in its soft, comfortable, and eco-friendly natural materials designed for long-lasting everyday wear.

Do Allbirds and Lululemon have physical stores?

Yes, both brands have a strong direct-to-consumer presence with retail stores in major cities and shopping centers around the world. This allows customers to try products on and get a better feel for fit and materials.

What is Lululemon known for?

Lululemon is most famous for its buttery-soft Align leggings made from their proprietary Nulu™ fabric. The brand is also well known for its supportive sports bras, versatile yoga mats, and hugely popular men's ABC Pants.

What is Allbirds' signature product?

Allbirds' most iconic shoe is the Wool Runner. It's the simple, comfortable, eco-friendly sneaker made from merino wool that launched the brand to popularity and remains a bestseller today.