Athleta Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

During the major Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, activewear brand Athleta offers versatile, sustainable pieces at a deep discount, while premium competitor Lululemon focuses on high-performance athletic apparel with its own highly anticipated deals. The key difference lies in Athleta's emphasis on inclusive sizing and multi-use function for a mid-range price versus Lululemon's sleek, sport-specific designs and premium materials, resulting in a higher price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

Athleta: The Versatile & Sustainable Choice

As a subsidiary of Gap Inc., Athleta has carved out a distinct identity by focusing on empowering women with stylish, eco-conscious activewear. Their clothing is specifically designed to transition from a morning yoga class to running errands or even a casual work setting. The target customer is someone who values performance and comfort but also prioritizes sustainability, inclusive sizing, and everyday versatility.

• Product mix: A wide range of leggings, sports bras, tops, and outerwear built for movement and comfort. They excel in "athleisure" pieces that blur the line between workout gear and casual clothing.
• Price point: Considered mid-range and an excellent value. Leggings typically cost between $80 and $130, while sports bras run from $50 to $70. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales often feature discounts up to 50% off select styles.
• Quality & Materials: A strong commitment to sustainability is evident, with heavy use of recycled fabrics and organic cotton. The materials are known for their softness, comfort, durability, and great stretch.
• Style & Aesthetic: The look is modern, vibrant, and functional, with designs that are fashionable without being overly trendy. They offer a balance of minimalist pieces and more colorful, patterned options.
• Sizing/Fit: Athleta is known for its inclusive sizing, offering a range from XXS to 3X. The fit is generally true to size and designed for comfort across various body types.

With its focus on sustainable materials, an inclusive size range, and multi-purpose designs, Athleta is ideal for the everyday athlete who needs her wardrobe to be as flexible as her schedule.

Shop Athleta: athleta.com

Lululemon: The Premium Performance Leader

Lululemon has built a loyal following by defining the premium activewear market with its innovative, high-performance fabrics and sleek designs. Originally focused on yoga, the brand now serves runners, trainers, and athletes who demand the best from their gear. Lululemon is for the consumer who is willing to invest in superior quality, engineered fabrics, and a minimalist aesthetic that performs under pressure.

• Product mix: Specializes in high-performance apparel for yoga, running, and training. Core offerings include their iconic leggings, supportive sports bras, and technical tops and outerwear.
• Price point: Sits at a much higher part of the market. Leggings typically range from $100 to $150, and sports bras cost between $60 and $80. While Black Friday brings discounts, they are rarely as steep or widespread as those at other brands.
• Quality & Materials: Famous for proprietary technical fabrics like the buttery-soft Luon and the sweat-wicking Everlux. The construction quality is exceptional, leading to long-lasting durability even with frequent, intense use.
• Style & Aesthetic: The design is sleek, modern, and often minimalist. Their pieces favor clean lines and a form-fitting silhouette suited for peak athletic performance and a streamlined look.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is generally true to size but often features a more compressive or 'hugged' fit intended for sport. Some customers find certain styles run small, particularly in the tops and jackets.

Lululemon is the go-to for serious athletes and those who prioritize technologically advanced fabrics and a compressed, performance-oriented fit over everything else.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Athleta vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price & Value During Holiday Sales

With the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping season, the price difference between Athleta and Lululemon becomes even more pronounced. Athleta typically offers substantial, sitewide discounts, often reaching up to 50% off on a wide range of products including seasonal colors and popular styles. This makes their already accessible price point even more attractive, delivering excellent value for shoppers.

Lululemon's approach to sales is more reserved. Their "We Made Too Much" section is the usual destination for markdowns, and their Black Friday event often expands on this. While you can find good deals, the discounts are usually less steep, and core colors and styles are often excluded. The value from Lululemon comes more from the product's longevity rather than the upfront sale price.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality activewear, but with different philosophies. Athleta stands out for its firm commitment to sustainable materials, using recycled polyester and organic cotton extensively without sacrificing performance. Their fabrics are celebrated for their comfort, softness, and durability for everyday wear and moderate-intensity workouts.

Lululemon's reputation is built on its proprietary, high-tech fabrics. Materials like Everlux are engineered to manage sweat and heat during the most intense workouts, while Luon offers its signature supportive, soft feel for yoga. This focus on fabric innovation often gives Lululemon an edge for athletes who need their gear to perform at the highest levels.

Fit & Sizing

This is a major differentiator. Athleta is a leader in inclusive sizing, offering sizes from XXS to 3X across most of its collection. Their fit is generally considered true to size and designed to be comfortable and flattering for a wider range of body types.

Lululemon provides standard sizing that is known for its compressive, performance-oriented fit. While they have expanded their size range recently, their offerings are not as comprehensive as Athleta's. Shoppers, especially those with curvier figures, sometimes need to size up to achieve a comfortable fit.

Product Selection & Style

Athleta's product line is intentionally versatile, with many styles you can comfortably wear from the gym to a coffee shop. They offer more vibrant colors, travel-friendly collections, and pieces like dresses and wide-leg pants that fit an active lifestyle beyond traditional workouts. It's a true athleisure brand alongside competitors like Nike and Adidas.

Lululemon remains more sport-focused with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Their collection is rooted in performance for yoga, running, and training. While many people wear Lululemon for casual activities, the design origins are very much planted in technical athletic function, resulting in a streamlined and focused collection.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are working on sustainability. Athleta, as a B Corp, places its sustainability mission at the forefront, evidenced by its wide use of recycled materials and water-saving dye techniques. Lululemon also has significant sustainability goals and a popular "Like New" resale program that promotes a more circular economy and reduces waste.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on your priorities, especially when trying to find the best deals during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Choose Athleta if:

• You want deep discounts and great value during Black Friday sales.
• An inclusive size range (XXS-3X) that fits true to size is important to you.
• You prioritize sustainable and recycled materials in your clothing.
• Your style is versatile, and you need activewear that doubles as everyday casual wear.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You need an extremely focused high-performance piece for intense runs, training, or hot yoga.
• You are willing to pay a premium for technologically advanced, proprietary fabrics.
• You prefer a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a compressive, athletic fit.
• Your top priority is investing in pieces known for exceptional long-term durability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand has better deals on Black Friday?

Generally, Athleta offers more significant and wider-ranging discounts during Black Friday. It's common to see sales of up to 50% off select items, making our Athleta Black Friday page much busier during November.

Is Lululemon's quality better than Athleta's?

The quality is different, not necessarily better. Lululemon excels in crafting high-performance, technical fabrics designed for intense athletic activity. Athleta offers excellent quality with a focus on comfortable, sustainable materials that are durable enough for workouts and everyday life.

Which leggings are better?

This depends entirely on your needs. For high-intensity training, many athletes prefer Lululemon's Wunder Train or Fast and Free leggings due to their compressive fit and moisture-wicking properties. For yoga, all-day comfort, and versatility, Athleta's Salutation Stash and Elation leggings are extremely popular.

Do both Athleta and Lululemon have Cyber Monday sales?

Yes, both brands typically participate in Cyber Monday. Often, these sales are an extension of their Black Friday deals, sometimes with new items added or slightly different promotions.

Which brand is better for plus-size options?

Athleta is the clear winner here. With a standard size run from XXS to 3X, they are far more inclusive and offer a better, more consistent fit for a wider variety of body types.

What about return policies during sales?

During big sales like Black Friday, it's crucial to check each brand's return policy. Items marked as "Final Sale" cannot be returned or exchanged. Always double-check cart details before purchasing, as sale policies can be stricter than during the rest of the year.

Can you shop Athleta at other stores?

Yes, besides their own website and stores, you can find Athleta products at retailers like Nordstrom and Macy's, which might have their own separate Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.