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

The Alo Yoga Airlift and Airbrush collections offer two distinct experiences: Airlift is a lightweight, breathable performance fabric with a subtle sheen that feels like a second skin, perfect for intense, sweaty workouts. Airbrush is a thicker, compressive, and sculpting fabric with a matte finish, designed to smooth and contour your shape during weight training or for everyday wear.

Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Alo Yoga fabric for your activity and style.

About Alo Yoga Airlift

The Alo Yoga Airlift collection is engineered for high-performance activities where breathability is key. Its signature fabric is ultra-lightweight, has a sleek feel, and a signature slight sheen that looks and feels like a second skin. It's the go-to choice for practice in heated rooms or for anyone who prioritizes minimal fabric feel and maximum moisture-wicking during intense workouts.

• What it is: Lightweight, high-performance activewear with a second-skin feel and subtle sheen, made for intense, sweaty workouts.
• Key features: Four-way stretch, moisture-wicking and quick-drying capabilities, highly breathable, and a signature slight sheen.
• Price: Leggings range from $80 - $130, while bras and tops are typically $50 - $80.
• Materials/Construction: A smooth, sleek, lightweight technical fabric designed to move with you and dry fast.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits true to size with a comfortable, body-hugging feel that isn't restrictive. The high-rise waistband stays put without digging in.
• Pros: Incredibly lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for hot yoga and HIIT. Dries exceptionally fast. The slight sheen offers a stylish, performance-oriented look. Moves with your body without restriction.
• Cons: Offers light, gentle compression - less sculpting than Airbrush. The sheen and lightweight can be less forgiving in hiding imperfections.

This collection is for those who prioritize a barely-there feeling, superior breathability for sweaty workouts, and a sleek, performance-focused aesthetic.

Shop this product: aloyoga.com/collections/airlift

About Alo Yoga Airbrush

The Alo Yoga Airbrush collection is famous for its sculpting and smoothing properties. Made from a thicker, highly compressive fabric, Airbrush is designed to lift and contour, providing a flattering “airbrushed” look. Its buttery-soft, matte finish makes it a versatile choice for everything from weightlifting and pilates to running errands, offering total coverage and a supportive, held-in feel.

• What it is: High-compression, sculpting activewear with a soft, matte finish designed to smooth, lift, and contour.
• Key features: High compression for a supportive feel, a flattering matte-finish, sculpting and lifting effects, and a buttery-soft texture.
• Price: Leggings range from $80 - $130, with bras and tops priced between $50 - $80.
• Materials/Construction: Crafted from a substantial, high-compression fabric that feels durable yet luxurious and soft against the skin.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits true to size, but its high-compression nature means it will feel very snug. If you are between sizes or prefer a less compressive fit, consider sizing up.
• Pros: Exceptional smoothing and sculpting qualities create a very flattering silhouette. The thick fabric is durable and offers complete coverage. Its matte finish is versatile and easy to style. The compressive fit feels secure and supportive during training.
• Cons: The thicker fabric is warmer and less breathable than Airlift, making it less ideal for hot yoga. High compression can feel overly restrictive to some.

Perfect for anyone who wants a supportive, smoothing, and sculpting fit for weight training, mixed workouts, or everyday wear where a contoured look is desired.

Shop this product: aloyoga.com/collections/airbrush

Airlift vs. Airbrush Comparison

Fabric Feel & Performance

The most immediate difference between Airlift and Airbrush is the feel of the fabric. Airlift is smooth, sleek, and cool to the touch with a lightweight quality designed purely for performance. It excels at wicking sweat and drying quickly, which is why it's a favorite for hot yoga and high-intensity cardio.

In contrast, Airbrush feels thicker, denser, and buttery-soft with a distinct matte texture. Its performance is rooted in support and compression. It holds you in, smoothes everything out, and provides a feeling of stability, making it better suited for strength training, Pilates, or any activity where you want to feel sculpted and secure.

Fit & Sizing

Both collections generally run true to size, but they fit differently. Airlift offers a close, second-skin fit with gentle compression that moves effortlessly with your body. It has a high-stretch factor, making it comfortable and flexible for dynamic movements.

Airbrush provides a much snugger, high-compression fit. This is by design - it's meant to sculpt and support. While you should stick with your regular size for the intended shaping benefits, those who are sensitive to compression or fall between sizes might feel more comfortable sizing up for a bit more room.

Style & Aesthetic

Airlift's signature slight sheen gives it a modern, athletic look. It catches the light just enough to highlight muscle definition and lends itself well to a performance-focused, studio-centric style.

Airbrush, with its completely matte finish, offers a different kind of polish. It's more versatile for "studio-to-street" wear because the non-shiny fabric looks less like technical activewear and more like a premium, everyday legging. Its smoothing effect provides a clean, contoured silhouette that many find incredibly flattering for both workouts and casual outings.

Price & Value

Pricing for Airlift and Airbrush items is almost identical, so your decision won't come down to budget. The value is determined by your needs. If your top priority is a high-performance fabric for hot, sweaty workouts, Airlift delivers an excellent value. If you want durability, a flattering sculpted silhouette, and versatility for both gym and life, Airbrush provides a ton of value with its multifunctional appeal.

Which One Should You Choose?

While both collections are excellent, they are engineered for different preferences and activities.

Choose Airlift if:

• You primarily do hot yoga, spin, or intense cardio sessions and need maximum breathability.
• You prefer a lightweight, second-skin feeling over a thick, compressive one.
• You enjoy a sleek, subtle sheen in your activewear that has a high-performance look.
• You prioritize moisture-wicking and quick-drying capabilities above all else.

Choose Airbrush if:

• You want a fabric that sculpts, lifts, and creates a smooth, "airbrushed" silhouette.
• You need a supportive, held-in feeling for activities like weightlifting, resistance training, or Pilates.
• You prefer a versatile, buttery-soft matte finish that works just as well for errands as it does for workouts.
• You want durable, full-coverage leggings that you never have to worry about being see-through.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The primary difference is the fabric's feel, finish, and function. Airlift is a lightweight, breathable performance fabric with a slight sheen, ideal for hot workouts. Airbrush is a thicker, compressive, and sculpting fabric with a matte finish that's better for support and creating a smooth silhouette.

Which fabric is better for hot yoga?

Airlift is hands-down the better choice for hot yoga. Its lightweight construction, moisture-wicking properties, and breathability are designed to keep you feeling as cool and dry as possible in a heated environment.

Is Alo Airbrush see-through?

No, the Airbrush fabric is completely opaque thanks to its thicker, high-compression construction. It provides excellent coverage, making it a reliable choice for squats and deep bends.

Does Alo Airlift have compression?

Airlift has a gentle, light compression. It hugs the body closely for a second-skin feel but doesn't offer the intense, sculpting support that you get from the Airbrush fabric.

Which fabric is more flattering?

This is subjective, but many users find the Airbrush fabric to be a more traditionally flattering choice due to its high-compression, smoothing, and sculpting capabilities that help contour the body and hide imperfections.

How do you wash Alo leggings?

To preserve the fabric's integrity, machine wash your leggings in cold water on a gentle cycle with like colors. It's best to turn them inside out. Always lay them flat to dry and avoid using fabric softener, as it can damage the technical fibers.

Do Airlift or Airbrush leggings pill?

Both are made from high-quality, durable fabrics. However, like most activewear, pilling can occur over time with friction, especially on the inner thighs. Washing them inside out and avoiding abrasive surfaces can help minimize this.

Should I size up in Alo Airbrush?

If you're between sizes or you don't enjoy a very compressive, "held-in" feel, sizing up in Airbrush is recommended. Otherwise, your true size will provide the intended sculpting fit.