Athleta Brooklyn vs. Endless: What's the difference?

The main difference between Athleta and Endless activewear is their core focus: Athleta offers versatile, stylish pieces designed to transition from workouts to everyday life, emphasizing sustainability and inclusive sizing. Endless hones in on high-performance, technical activewear with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic built specifically for durability and intense physical activity.

Here’s a complete look at how these two womenswear brands compare so you can decide which is right for your closet.

Athleta

Athleta, part of the Gap Inc. family, is a powerhouse in women's activewear celebrated for its sustainable, functional, and stylish apparel. The brand's philosophy is rooted in empowering women with clothing that effortlessly bridges the gap between athletic performance and daily wear, offering designs that are both modern and practical.

• What it is: A popular activewear and lifestyle brand offering an extensive range of clothing including leggings, tops, sports bras, and outerwear designed for versatility and comfort.
• Key features: Broad product variety for different activities, commitment to using sustainable materials, and B Corp certification reflecting high standards of social and environmental performance.
• Price: Mid-range activewear prices. Leggings are typically $80-$130, sports bras are $40-$70, and tops range from $40-$80.
• Materials/Construction: Prioritizes high-quality, eco-conscious fabrics like recycled polyester, nylon, and organic cotton. Known for durable materials that hold up well to frequent use and washing.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive sizing range from XXS to 3X. Athleta is known for consistent, true-to-size fits that accommodate a wide variety of body types.
• Pros: Extremely versatile designs suitable for both exercise and casual wear. Very inclusive sizing. Strong and verifiable commitment to sustainability. Wide availability online and in physical stores.
• Cons: A more casual aesthetic may not appeal to those seeking purely high-performance compression wear. Prices are mid-tier, which may be a consideration for some budgets.

This brand is perfect for women who want high-quality, eco-conscious activewear that can seamlessly be integrated into a busy, versatile lifestyle.

Shop this product: athleta.gap.com

Endless

Endless is a contemporary activewear brand that specializes in creating high-performance apparel with a sleek, modern edge. It focuses on innovative technical fabrics and minimalist designs to deliver stylish, durable, and comfortable pieces that excel during demanding workouts but are fashionable enough for life outside the gym.

• What it is: A modern activewear brand focused on technical performance, offering leggings, tops, and sports bras with a sleek, understated style.
• Key features: Uses advanced technical fabrics with four-way stretch, quick-drying properties, and excellent shape retention for optimal performance. Minimalist designs with subtle branding.
• Price: Mid-range to premium pricing. Leggings are often around $90-$140, sports bras are $50-$80, and tops are from $50-$90.
• Materials/Construction: Utilizes technical nylon-spandex blends designed specifically for sweat-wicking, breathability, and durability during high-intensity exercise.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers sizes from XS to XL, with select styles up to XXL. The fit is generally snug and supportive, designed to contour to the body for a compressive feel.
• Pros: Excellent performance for intense workouts due to technical materials. Sleek, minimalist aesthetic looks sophisticated. Durable construction with great shape retention.
• Cons: Less inclusive sizing range compared to Athleta. Can run slightly small in some styles. Less focus on "athleisure" makes it slightly less versatile for non-workout wear.

This brand is ideal for women who need durable, high-performance gear with a modern aesthetic for active and demanding workouts.

Shop this product: endless.com

Athleta vs. Endless Comparison

Price & Value

Both brands operate in the mid-range to premium activewear space and are priced similarly. On average, Endless can be slightly more expensive on specific items like leggings and sports bras. Athleta may offer more frequent and more substantial sales events, making it potentially more accessible from a budget standpoint.

Both Athleta and Endless offer good value for their quality, but the better value depends on your primary use. If you’re looking for versatile pieces to wear for years, Athleta's durability for both workouts and daily wear is a great investment. If you need gear that stands up to intense, frequent exercise, the technical fabric from Endless provides excellent performance value.

Quality & Materials

When it comes to quality, both brands deliver. Athleta's major strength is its commitment to sustainability, using materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. Their fabrics are known for being soft, comfortable, and durable for everyday life.

Endless focuses more specifically on technical performance. Their fabrics feature excellent stretch, moisture-wicking capabilities, and shape retention that perform exceptionally well during high-impact activities. While Athleta's quality is high, Endless's choice of material is purpose-built for movement and sweat.

Style & Aesthetic

Both companies embrace a modern, minimalist style, but their aesthetics serve different functions. Athleta designs its apparel to be versatile - clean lines and neutral color palettes make their pieces easy to pair with your existing wardrobe for errands, brunch, or travel.

Endless has a more streamlined, sleek look that reads as high-performance. With subtle branding and body-contouring fits, the aesthetic is sophisticated and athletic. Athleta leans into everyday functionality, while Endless leans into focused athletic elegance.

Fit & Sizing

Athleta stands out for its commitment to inclusive sizing. By offering a range from XXS to 3X in many of its products, it caters to a much broader spectrum of body types. Their fits are generally true-to-size and designed for comfort.

Endless provides standard sizing from XS to XL (and some XXL). Their fit is more compressive and snug, which is intentional for supporting the body during workouts. If you are on the cusp of sizes or prefer a less-constricting feel, you might consider sizing up with Endless, whereas Athleta's sizing is typically consistent.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands make excellent activewear, but your choice will come down to your primary needs for sizing, style, and function.

Choose Athleta if:

• You prioritize wearing clothes that can go directly from a yoga class to coffee with friends.
• Inclusive sizing is important to you and you need options beyond a standard XS-XL range.
• You want to support a brand with a strong, transparent commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
• You prefer a softer, more comfortable fit over a highly compressive one.

Choose Endless if:

• You need durable, technical activewear that holds up to high-intensity training, running, or gym sessions.
• You prefer a sleek, minimalist, and streamlined look with subtle branding.
• A snug, supportive, and compressive fit is what you look for in performance gear.
• You value high-tech fabrics engineered for breathability, moisture management, and longevity during workouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Athleta and Endless?

The core difference is versatility versus performance. Athleta excels at creating stylish, multi-purpose clothes for an active lifestyle, focusing on sustainability. Endless focuses on creating sleek, high-performance technical apparel specifically designed for workouts.

Which brand is more expensive?

Their price points are very similar, placing them in the mid-range to premium activewear market. Some items from Endless might have a slightly higher price tag, but both brands are comparable. Athleta often has more frequent promotions, which can make it more budget-friendly at times.

Are Athleta and Endless sustainable brands?

Both brands prioritize sustainability, but Athleta is more vocal about its efforts. As a certified B Corporation, Athleta has a well-documented commitment to using recycled fabrics and ethical production. Endless also uses sustainable materials and aims for low-impact manufacturing, but Athleta's larger platform makes its eco-initiatives more prominent.

Which brand is better for travel and everyday wear?

Without a doubt, Athleta is the better choice for travel and everyday wear. The brand's entire design philosophy is built around versatility, with many pieces - like their travel-friendly pants and tops - made to be comfortable and stylish for various casual occasions.

Which brand has more inclusive sizing?

Athleta offers a more inclusive size range, with most products available from XXS to 3X. Endless typically offers sizes from XS to XL, with some items available up to XXL, making Athleta the more accessible choice for a wider range of body types.

What styles are Athleta and Endless known for?

Athleta is known for a modern, functional, and minimalist aesthetic that smoothly transitions outside of the gym. Endless is recognized for its sleek, elegant, and high-performance look with very subtle branding.

Is the quality of Endless activewear worth the price?

Yes, if you need high-performance gear. The price reflects the technical fabrics used, which offer excellent durability, moisture-wicking properties, and shape retention that are ideal for regular, intense workouts.

Do I need to size up in Endless activewear?

Endless clothing often has a naturally snug and compressive fit. If you are between sizes or prefer a slightly looser fit for your activewear, you might consider sizing up, particularly in their leggings.