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

Astoria Activewear focuses on sustainable, eco-friendly apparel with minimalist designs and a mid-range price point, while Lululemon is a global leader known for its premium, innovative performance fabrics and higher-end, trend-driven styles. The primary difference is Astoria’s core mission of sustainability versus Lululemon's reputation for proprietary fabric technology and brand prestige.

Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right activewear for your goals and values.

Astoria Activewear: The Sustainable & Stylish Choice

Astoria Activewear caters to the environmentally conscious consumer who wants performance-ready clothing that doesn't compromise on style or ethics. The brand is built on a foundation of sustainability, using recycled materials and transparent manufacturing processes to deliver fashion-forward designs that are as good for the planet as they are for a workout.

• Product mix: A focused collection of leggings, sports bras, tank tops, hoodies, and accessories designed for both fitness and everyday life.
• Price point: Sits in the accessible mid-range, with most items falling between $50 and $120. Leggings typically cost between $60 and $100.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes high-performance, eco-friendly fabrics like recycled polyester and nylon that are durable, moisture-wicking, and offer comfortable stretch.
• Style & Aesthetic: Features a sleek, minimalist vibe with an emphasis on neutral color palettes and subtle branding for a timeless feel.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a standard range from XS to XL, with fits that are generally comfortable and true-to-size for a wide variety of body types.

Astoria is an excellent choice for shoppers who prioritize environmental impact and prefer understated, versatile pieces without a luxury price tag.

Shop Astoria Activewear: astoriaactivewear.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Performance & Innovation

Lululemon has established itself as the benchmark for premium athletic apparel, celebrated for its buttery-soft fabrics, impeccable construction, and high-performance designs. The brand is a favorite among serious athletes and athleisure enthusiasts alike, offering innovative gear for yoga, running, training, and more, backed by a robust brand community.

• Product mix: An extensive range of leggings, shorts, sports bras, tops, jackets, and accessories, including activity-specific collections for yoga, running, and training.
• Price point: Positioned in a higher, premium category. Expect to pay between $70 and $150 for most core items, with their famous leggings priced from $98 to $128.
• Quality & Materials: Famous for its proprietary fabrics, such as the ultra-soft Nulu™ for yoga and the high-performance Everlux™ for intense training, which offer exceptional stretch, sweat-wicking properties, and shape retention.
• Style & Aesthetic: Modern, sleek, and often trend-driven. The brand offers a mix of core colors and seasonal, bold colorways with recognizable logo placement.
• Sizing/Fit: Provides a broad size range from 0 to 14. Their fit is generally true-to-size, though some of their more compressive styles can feel snug.

Lululemon is ideal for those who are willing to invest in top-tier performance, fabric innovation, and the status that comes with a globally recognized activewear brand.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Astoria Activewear vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Lululemon operates in a premium market, with its most popular leggings starting at $98 and often exceeding $120. Astoria Activewear offers a more accessible entry point, with its leggings typically available for $60 to $100.

For budget-conscious shoppers who still want quality, Astoria provides better value. Lululemon's higher prices reflect its extensive research and development in proprietary fabrics, a vast retail footprint, and strong brand positioning. While Lululemon holds major sale events, its everyday prices position it as an investment piece, whereas Astoria is more of an affordable, high-quality alternative.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality activewear, but their material-sourcing philosophies differ greatly. Lululemon's primary strength lies in its portfolio of innovative, patented fabrics. Nulu™ feels weightless and cloud-like, Luon® offers supportive stretch, and Everlux™ dries incredibly fast - each is engineered for a specific athletic experience and is known for its impressive longevity and feel.

Astoria Activewear focuses on sustainability without sacrificing performance. Its fabrics, often made from recycled plastic bottles and other materials, are soft, durable, and highly functional with great stretch and moisture-wicking capabilities. While they may not have the same unique, engineered feel as Lululemon’s fabrics, they perform excellently and appeal to shoppers looking to make an eco-friendly choice.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer generally reliable and consistent sizing. Lululemon provides numerical sizing from 0-14, which offers a more precise fit. Most items are "true to size," but high-compression styles are designed to be very snug, and some customers choose to size up for comfort. Their versatile designs often work very well for a range of athletic builds.

Astoria Activewear uses standard sizing (XS-XL), making it straightforward for most shoppers. Their fit tends to be inclusive and comfortable, focusing on flexible styles that are both functional for workouts and comfortable for lounging.

Style & Aesthetic

Your style preference will be a major factor in your decision. Lululemon's aesthetic is clean, modern, and athletic. The brand is known for setting trends with seasonal color palettes, unique prints, and versatile designs that easily transition from the studio to the street. The recognizable logo is also a key part of its appeal for many.

Astoria Activewear embraces a more minimalist and understated style. Their collections heavily feature neutral, earthy tones and timeless silhouettes. With subtle branding and simple, elegant designs, Astoria’s pieces are perfect for creating a classic, functional activewear wardrobe that won't go out of style.

Sustainability & Ethics

This is where Astoria clearly stands out. The brand’s entire identity is built around eco-conscious practices, transparent supply chains, and the use of recycled materials. For shoppers who place a high value on environmental responsibility, Astoria is the obvious choice. They make their sustainability efforts a central part of their messaging.

Lululemon has made significant efforts to improve its sustainability, setting goals to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of recycled materials. However, as a massive global corporation, its scale presents greater environmental challenges. For those where sustainability is the number one priority, Lululemon is moving in the right direction but is not as focused as Astoria.

Which One Should You Choose?

The best brand for you depends on your priorities, budget, and personal style.

Choose Astoria Activewear if:

• Your biggest priority is shopping with a sustainable and eco-friendly brand.
• You are looking for high-quality activewear that won't break the bank.
• You prefer a minimalist, understated style with neutral colors and subtle branding.
• You want versatile pieces that are comfortable for both low-impact workouts and daily wear.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You are willing to invest in premium, high-performance fabrics engineered for specific activities.
• You prioritize fabric feel, technical features, and long-term durability.
• You enjoy trend-driven styles, seasonal color drops, and prominent branding.
• You are a serious athlete or fitness fan who demands the best in performance from your workout gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lululemon or Astoria Activewear more expensive?

Lululemon is notably more expensive. Its products are priced as premium activewear, with leggings costing around $98-$128. Astoria Activewear is positioned in the mid-range market, with leggings typically priced between $60 and $100, making it the more budget-friendly option.

Which brand has better quality leggings?

Both have excellent quality, but for different reasons. Lululemon is known for its proprietary, high-tech fabrics like Nulu™, which offer a specific feel and superior performance for different activities. Astoria offers durable, comfortable leggings made from sustainable materials that perform very well for general fitness and everyday wear.

Is Astoria Activewear a truly sustainable brand?

Yes, sustainability is at the core of Astoria Activewear's mission. The brand emphasizes using fabrics made from recycled materials, utilizes eco-friendly packaging, and is transparent about its supply chain and manufacturing processes.

How does Lululemon sizing compare to Astoria?

Lululemon uses a numerical sizing system (0-14), which allows for a more granular fit, but some styles can run small. Astoria uses a standard XS-XL sizing system that generally fits true-to-size and is focused on comfort and inclusivity.

What is Lululemon most known for?

Lululemon is most famous for its proprietary fabrics, especially the Align pant made with Nulu™ fabric, which is beloved for its buttery-soft, next-to-nothing feel. The brand effectively defined the modern athleisure market.

Is Astoria Activewear good for intense workouts?

Yes, Astoria's products are designed with performance in mind. Their materials offer moisture-wicking and four-way stretch, making them suitable for most fitness activities, including HIIT and gym sessions. For elite athletes in need of sport-specific features, Lululemon's technically advanced fabrics may offer an edge.

Where can you buy Astoria Activewear?

Astoria Activewear is sold primarily through its official e-commerce website, though it may also be available through select eco-conscious online marketplaces and boutique fitness studios.

Which brand is better for everyday wear and lounging?

Both brands excel at athleisure, but the choice comes down to style. Astoria is ideal for a classic, minimalist look with its neutral tones and comfortable fits. Lululemon is great for a more trendy, sporty street-style look.