Alo Airlift vs. Airbrush: What's the difference?

The Alo Airlift and Airbrush fabrics are two of the most popular offerings from Alo, but they offer distinctively different experiences. Airlift is a lightweight, high-performance fabric with a signature sheen and a compressive, second-skin feel perfect for sweaty workouts. Airbrush, on the other hand, is a sculpting fabric with a soft, matte finish designed to smooth and contour, making it a versatile choice for anything from yoga to everyday wear.

Here’s everything you need to know to decide which beloved Alo fabric is the right choice for you.

Alo Airlift Fabric

Airlift is Alo's answer to high-performance, high-sweat athletic wear. Made from a proprietary double-knit fabric, it feels sleek, cool to the touch, and almost weightless. Its defining characteristic is its subtle sheen, which gives leggings a modern, slightly liquid look that transitions well from the studio to the street.

• What it is: A lightweight, micro-performance fabric with a compressive feel and a signature shiny finish.
• Key features: Second-skin fit, moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, significant 4-way stretch, and a breathable, light-as-air feel.
• Price: Around $128 for flagship leggings.
• Materials/Construction: It's a double-knit performance fabric, typically a blend of polyester and spandex, designed to withstand intense activity.
• Sizing/Fit: True to size but designed for a very snug, compressive fit. If you are between sizes, you might consider sizing up for comfort, but the compression holds its shape beautifully.
• Pros: Excellent for intense workouts and hot yoga. Dries quickly. The compression sculpts and lifts. The sleek fabric resists pet hair and lint very well.
• Cons: The shiny finish isn't everyone's preference. Compression can feel restrictive for all-day lounging. Lighter colors may show sweat marks more noticeably than matte options.

This is the perfect fabric for anyone who wants a lightweight, compressive legging for intense, sweaty workouts and loves a studio-to-street look with a subtle sheen.

Shop this product: alo.com/products/w5561r-high-waist-airlift-legging

Alo Airbrush Fabric

Airbrush is the original, fan-favorite fabric that helped put Alo on the map. It's known for its incredibly soft, cotton-like feel and its eponymous "airbrushed" effect that smooths and contours the body. With a totally matte finish and no side seams, this fabric creates a flattering, streamlined silhouette for a wide range of activities.

• What it is: Alo's signature sculpting and smoothing fabric with a non-shiny, matte finish.
• Key features: Lifts and sculpts the body, 4-way stretch, moisture-wicking, and a seamless, flat-locked construction for a smooth fit.
• Price: Around $98 for cornerstone styles like the 7/8 High-Waist legging.
• Materials/Construction: Usually a nylon and spandex blend, this fabric feels softer and slightly thicker than Airlift. The absence of side seams is a key construction feature.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits true to size with a comfortable, body-hugging feel that's less intensely compressive than Airlift, making it ideal for longer wear.
• Pros: Extremely flattering and smoothing effect. The matte finish hides imperfections and sweat well. Incredibly comfortable for all-day wear, yoga, and lounging.
• Cons: Can feel warmer than the more breathable Airlift fabric. Prone to pilling in high-friction areas over time. May attract more lint and pet hair than Airlift.

This is made for someone looking for a versatile, ultra-flattering, and comfortable legging with a matte finish that smooths and sculpts for everything from yoga to running errands.

Shop this product: alo.com/products/w5573r-7-8-high-waist-airbrush-legging

Alo Airlift vs. Airbrush Comparison

Fabric Feel & Finish

The most immediate difference is how the fabrics feel and look. Airlift is slick, cool, and has a distinct sheen. Think of it as pure performance wear with a high-fashion edge. Its surface is smooth and almost liquid-like.

In contrast, Airbrush is completely matte with a soft, peachy, next-to-skin feel that resembles high-end cotton. It's designed for luxurious comfort and a smoothing visual effect rather than an overt performance look.

Compression & Support

Both fabrics are supportive, but they achieve it in different ways. Airlift offers pronounced high compression. It’s a "held-in" sensation that feels secure and supportive during high-impact movements, making you feel locked in and ready for action.

Airbrush provides a gentler, more forgiving support. It sculpts and hugs the body but feels less like compression and more like a comfortable, smoothing embrace. This makes it more suitable for all-day wear and lower-impact activities where extreme compression isn't necessary.

Performance & Best Activities

Airlift truly shines during sweaty, intense exercise. It’s ideal for hot yoga, spinning, HIIT classes, and running, because the fabric is brilliant at wicking moisture and drying fast, keeping you cool.

Airbrush is the perfect all-rounder. While a great option for yoga, Pilates, and weight lifting, its comfort and flattering fit make it exceptionally versatile. It’s the legging you can wear to a morning yoga class and keep on for brunch and errands without feeling too much like you’re in technical gym gear.

Style & Aesthetic

The aesthetic choice is clear. Airlift's sheen gives off a sleek, energetic, and modern vibe. It's a visually striking fabric that makes a statement. Colors often appear deeper and more saturated because of the light-reflecting finish.

Airbrush offers a timeless, understated aesthetic. Its matte finish is classic and less obviously "athletic." This makes it easier to pair with casual wardrobe items like sweaters and boots, blending seamlessly into an everyday look.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both fabrics are excellent additions to any activewear collection, but they cater to different priorities.

Choose Airlift if:

• Your primary activities are high-sweat workouts like cardio, HIIT, or hot yoga.
• You love a sleek, shiny finish and a compressive, "held-in" feeling.
• You prioritize quick-drying technology and performance in your activewear.
• You want a durable legging that’s a bit more resistant to lint and pet hair.

Choose Airbrush if:

• You want one ultra-versatile legging for yoga, errands, and lounging too.
• You prefer a soft, matte look that smooths your silhouette and hides imperfections.
• All-day comfort is your most important consideration.
• You want a classic, no-side-seam design for a clean, streamlined look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Alo Airlift and Airbrush?

The main difference comes down to the finish, feel, and function. Airlift is a sleek, shiny, and compressive performance fabric for intense workouts. Airbrush is a soft, matte, and sculpting fabric for versatile comfort from yoga to everyday life.

Which Alo fabric is better for hot yoga?

Airlift is better for hot yoga. Its lightweight, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying properties are specifically designed to handle heat and heavy sweat, keeping you more comfortable.

Which fabric is more compressive?

Airlift offers a higher level of compression. It provides a snug, held-in feeling ideal for high-impact activities. Airbrush is more gently supportive and sculpting without feeling restrictive.

Do Alo Airlift and Airbrush leggings run true to size?

Yes, both styles generally run true to size. However, because Airlift is naturally more compressive, it will feel much tighter when you first put it on. If you're between sizes, you could comfortably stick to your size for performance or size up for a slightly less compressive fit.

Do these leggings show sweat?

Both fabrics have moisture-wicking technology. However, the matte finish of the Airbrush fabric is generally better at disguising sweat marks. The sleek surface of Airlift, especially in lighter shades, can sometimes make moisture more apparent.

Which fabric is more flattering?

This is subjective. Many find the matte finish of the Airbrush fabric incredibly flattering because it smooths over everything and creates a seamless look. Others prefer the lifting and sculpting effect of Airlift's compression.

Does Alo Airbrush pill?

Like many soft, matte fabrics, Airbrush can be prone to some pilling over time with repeated friction. To minimize this, wash them inside out on a gentle cycle and let them air dry rather than using a machine dryer.

Is Alo Airlift see-through?

No. The double-knit construction of the Airlift fabric ensures it is fully opaque and passes the squat test with flying colors, as long as you are wearing the correct size.