Alo Yoga vs. Athleta: Which brand is better? [2026 updated]

Alo Yoga offers trend-focused, high-fashion activewear with premium fabrics and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic designed for transitioning from studio to street. In contrast, Athleta focuses on creating versatile, accessible, and comfortable activewear with a strong commitment to size inclusivity (XXS-3X) and sustainability.

Let's compare these two activewear giants so you can decide which brand is the right choice for your lifestyle and needs.

Alo Yoga: The High-Fashion Performance Brand

Alo Yoga has built its reputation on stylish, technically advanced activewear that feels at home in both a yoga class and a city cafe. The brand targets a fashion-conscious audience that values a modern, edgy aesthetic and is willing to invest in premium materials. Their collections are known for butter-soft fabrics, a body-hugging fit, and a color palette that leans toward sophisticated monochrome tones and muted shades.

• Product mix: Known for their signature leggings and matching bra sets, Alo also offers a range of hoodies, tops, and outerwear. The focus is primarily on yoga apparel and comfortable athleisure.
• Price point: Alo sits in the mid-to-high end of the market. Leggings typically cost between $80 to $130, while sports bras range from $50 to $70.
• Quality: The brand uses innovative, high-performance fabrics like its signature buttery-soft Alosoft and sculpting Airbrush materials. The construction is top-notch, with reinforced flatlock seams that ensure durability during intense workouts.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing generally runs true to size but offers a snug, compressive fit. The standard range is XS to XL, with select styles available up to XXL. If you're between sizes, sizing up might be more comfortable.
• Style & Aesthetic: Alo’s look is sleek, modern, and minimalist. Think bold logos, contemporary cuts, and a sophisticated, LA-inspired vibe that appeals to those who view their activewear as part of their fashion wardrobe.
• Return policy: You have 30 days to return unworn items for a full refund or exchange.

Alo Yoga is the go-to choice for those who want their workout gear to double as a fashion statement, combining high-performance fabrics with trend-forward designs.

Shop Alo Yoga: aloyoga.com

Athleta: The Versatile & Inclusive Activewear Choice

As part of Gap Inc., Athleta is a B Corp Certified brand dedicated to creating versatile and inclusive activewear for women. Their mission is to empower a community of active women of all shapes and sizes. Athleta has a broad appeal, catering to those who need practical, comfortable, and durable pieces for everything from running and yoga to hiking and everyday errands.

• Product mix: Athleta offers an extensive selection of apparel for a variety of activities, including yoga, running, training, and swimming. Their lineup includes leggings, bras, tops, joggers, dresses, and outerwear.
• Price point: Positioned as a more accessible mid-range brand, their leggings run from $70 to $110, and sports bras are typically $40 to $60. Frequent sales and a strong rewards program add to the overall value.
• Quality: The focus is on durable, reliable, and comfortable fabrics, with a heavy emphasis on sustainable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. Their pieces are designed to hold up to repeated wear and washes.
• Sizing/Fit: This is where Athleta truly shines. They offer comprehensive and inclusive sizing from XXS to 3X, including petite and tall options, ensuring a wider range of customers can find a great fit.
• Style & Aesthetic: Athleta's style is functional, approachable, and often colorful. You'll find a mix of solid colors and vibrant prints that are practical and designed for performance rather than high fashion.
• Return policy: Athleta boasts a generous 60-day return policy for unworn merchandise.

Athleta is perfect for the active woman who values sustainability, inclusivity, and versatile clothing that supports a wide range of pursuits.

Shop Athleta: athleta.com

Alo Yoga vs. Athleta Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing between the two brands. Alo Yoga operates in the premium category, with leggings often starting at $80 and going up to $130 or more. This reflects its positioning as a luxury, fashion-forward brand.

Athleta is more budget-friendly, with leggings typically in the $70-$110 range. As part of Gap Inc., Athleta also runs frequent sales and promotions, making their quality activewear even more accessible. For shoppers seeking value and affordability without compromising on durability, Athleta is the stronger choice.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality garments, but their fabric philosophies differ. Alo focuses on innovative, proprietary blends like Alosoft and Airbrush that offer a distinctively soft and sculpting feel ideal for yoga and studio activities. The feel is luxurious and built for performance comfort.

Athleta prioritizes durability and sustainability in its materials. Using fabrics like recycled polyester and nylon, their pieces are designed to be reliable workhorses for a wide array of activities, from high-impact training to casual daily wear. While perhaps less "luxe" feeling than Alo, Athleta’s materials are built for long-term versatility.

Style & Aesthetic

Style is a primary differentiator. Alo Yoga is undeniably trend-driven. Its aesthetic is sleek, minimalist, and often edgy, making it popular among celebrities and fashion influencers. If you want activewear that feels like it’s straight off a runway, Alo is your brand.

Athleta's style is more classic, practical, and approachable. With a broader palette of colors, prints, and patterns, their designs are timeless and functional. The focus is on creating pieces that work for multiple activities and fit seamlessly into an active lifestyle, rather than making a fashion statement.

Fit & Sizing

Athleta is the clear leader when it comes to inclusive sizing. By offering sizes from XXS to 3X, as well as petite and tall varieties, they cater to a much broader range of body types. Their fit is known for being comfortable and consistent across different styles.

Alo Yoga offers a more standard size range from XS to XL (with some styles in XXL). Their fit is designed to be body-hugging and compressive, which is great for studio workouts but may feel less forgiving to some. For shoppers who fall outside of standard sizing, Athleta will be the far better option.

Sustainability & Ethics

While both brands are taking steps toward more sustainable practices, this is a core tenet of Athleta's brand identity. As a certified B-Corporation, Athleta is legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, the community, and the environment. They have strong goals for using recycled and sustainable materials.

Alo Yoga also uses eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing, but its sustainability narrative is less central to its overall branding compared to Athleta's B-Corp commitment.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent activewear, but they cater to very different priorities and lifestyles.

Choose Alo Yoga if:

• You view activewear as a core part of your fashion style and love trend-focused designs.
• You prioritize a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a modern, urban edge.
• You want luxurious, super-soft fabrics with a compressive, sculpting fit.
• Your workouts are primarily yoga, Pilates, or other studio-based activities.

Choose Athleta if:

• Size inclusivity is a top priority, you need options beyond the standard size range.
• You want versatile, practical pieces that perform well across many different activities.
• You prioritize sustainability and want to support a B-Corp certified brand.
• You are a budget-conscious shopper who looks for good value and appreciates frequent sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alo Yoga or Athleta more expensive?

Alo Yoga is generally more expensive. It is positioned as a premium brand with higher price points on leggings, bras, and tops compared to the more accessible, mid-range pricing of Athleta.

Which brand is better quality?

Both brands offer excellent quality, but in different ways. Alo Yoga focuses on luxe, high-tech performance fabrics with a unique feel. Athleta prioritizes durable, long-lasting materials designed for versatile, everyday use. The "better" quality depends on whether you prefer a premium feel or practical durability.

Which brand fits better?

Athleta offers a more inclusive and accommodating fit for a wider range of body types, with sizes from XXS to 3X plus petite and tall options. Alo provides a very compressive, body-hugging fit that is true to size but less forgiving, making Athleta the better choice for those seeking comfort and a wider size selection.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Athleta has a stronger and more central commitment to sustainability. As a certified B-Corporation, it upholds ethical and environmental practices with transparent policies, giving it the edge.

Is Alo Yoga true to size?

Yes, Alo Yoga is generally true to size. However, because its fabrics are highly compressive, some items can feel very snug. If you are between sizes or prefer a less restrictive feel, you may consider sizing up.

What is Athleta's return policy?

Athleta has a generous return policy, allowing customers to return unworn items within 60 days of purchase for a full refund or exchange.

Which brand is better for running vs. yoga?

Alo Yoga specializes in yoga, and its fabrics are perfected for studio movements. While Athleta also has great yoga gear, it offers a wider range of products specifically designed for high-impact activities like running, making it a more versatile choice for multi-sport athletes.

Which brand has better sales?

Athleta, being part of the Gap Inc. family, runs more frequent and significant sales promotions than Alo Yoga. Shoppers can regularly find markdowns on Athleta's website, whereas sales at Alo Yoga are less common.