Athleta Salutation vs. Ultimate: What's the difference?

The Athleta Salutation legging is known for its buttery-soft Powervita™ fabric and gentle compression, making it ideal for yoga and lounge, while the Athleta Ultimate legging uses a slicker, cool-to-the-touch SuperSonic™ fabric designed for high-impact training and running. Salutation prioritizes a second-skin feel and supreme comfort, whereas Ultimate focuses on sweat-wicking performance and athletic support.

Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Athleta legging for your needs.

Athleta Salutation Leggings

The Salutation legging is one of Athleta's most popular styles, beloved for its supremely soft and comfortable feel. Made with the brand's signature Powervita™ fabric, it's designed with low-impact activities like yoga and Pilates in mind, offering a gentle, hugged-in sensation that moves with you.

• What it is: A best-selling legging celebrated for its buttery-soft feel, designed for studio workouts and all-day comfort.
• Key features: Powervita™ fabric, high-rise waistband that doesn't dig in, minimalist design, and versions available with stash pockets ("Salutation Stash").
• Price: Around $98 - $110
• Materials/Construction: Made with Athleta's Powervita™ fabric, a blend of nylon and Lycra that feels soft and lightly compressive with four-way stretch.
• Sizing/Fit: A snug, second-skin fit that is true to size. It offers gentle compression that feels supportive yet freeing, not restrictive.
• Pros: Exceptionally soft and comfortable fabric. Opaque and squat-proof. Perfect for yoga and lounging. Versatile enough for everyday wear.
• Cons: Fabric can be more prone to pilling with high-friction activities. Higher price point. Less sweat-wicking than training-specific leggings.

This is the legging for those who prioritize a cloud-like, comfortable feel for yoga, barre, or simply living their daily lives.

Shop this product: athleta.gap.com/browse/category/salutation

Athleta Ultimate Leggings

The Ultimate legging is Athleta's workhorse, engineered for a wide range of high-intensity workouts from running to gym training. It's crafted from SuperSonic™ fabric, which feels sleek, lightweight, and cool to the touch, offering supportive compression and excellent moisture-wicking capabilities.

• What it is: A versatile performance legging designed for high-impact workouts, training, and running.
• Key features: Lightweight and quick-drying SuperSonic™ fabric, mid to high-rise fit, supportive waistband, and pockets on most styles.
• Price: Around $88 - $100
• Materials/Construction: Features Athleta's quick-drying, breathable SuperSonic™ fabric made with recycled materials, designed for maximum airflow during intense activity.
• Sizing/Fit: A supportive, compressive fit that is true to size. Feels more structured and athletic compared to the Salutation.
• Pros: Excellent sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties. Durable fabric resistant to pilling. Supportive feel is ideal for running and HIIT. Often slightly more affordable than the Salutation.
• Cons: Fabric feels technical and slick, not buttery-soft. Higher compression may feel too restrictive for casual wear or lounging.

This legging is perfect for anyone needing a durable, high-performance bottom for sweaty workouts and intense training sessions.

Shop this product: athleta.gap.com/browse/category/ultimate

Athleta Salutation vs. Ultimate Comparison

Feel & Fabric

The primary difference between the Salutation and Ultimate leggings lies in the fabric. The Salutation is made with Powervita™, which is famous for its exceptionally soft, peached, "buttery" feel. It's cozy enough for lounging but supportive enough for yoga.

In contrast, the Ultimate features SuperSonic™ fabric, which has a sleek, smooth, and cool-to-the-touch finish. This material is designed for performance - it's slick, breathable, and effectively wicks away sweat, a feeling many athletes prefer for intense activity.

Fit & Compression

Both leggings are compressive, but the sensation is different. The Salutation provides a gentle, "hugged-in" compression that molds to your body like a second skin. It supports you without feeling restrictive, which is perfect for the deep stretches and fluid movements in yoga.

The Ultimate offers a more structured, athletic compression. It feels more secure and locked-in, designed to support muscles during high-impact movement. While still comfortable, its primary function is performance support over all-day coziness.

Best For & Versatility

The Salutation legging truly shines in low-impact environments. Think yoga, Pilates, barre, walking, or as a comfortable choice for travel and daily errands. Its softness makes it a favorite for those who value comfort above all else.

The Ultimate legging is the clear winner for sweat-intensive workouts. Its quick-drying fabric makes it ideal for running, HIIT, CrossFit, and gym training. While you can wear it casually, its technical feel is optimized for pushing your physical limits.

Price & Value

Typically, the Salutation leggings sit at a slightly higher price point, usually around $10-$20 more than the Ultimate. This reflects the premium, soft feel of the Powervita™ fabric. For those seeking yoga-specific or luxury-feel comfort, the value is clear.

The Ultimate leggings offer incredible value as a versatile, high-performance athletic staple. Their durability and sweat-wicking functionality make them a worthwhile investment for anyone who trains regularly and needs gear that can keep up.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both leggings are excellent, but they serve different primary purposes.

Choose the Salutation if:

• You prioritize a buttery-soft, cloud-like feel in leggings.
• Your main activities are yoga, Pilates, barre, or low-impact workouts.
• You want a comfortable legging that you can wear all day, from the studio to the sofa.
• You prefer a gentle, second-skin compression style over a restrictive feel.

Choose the Ultimate if:

• You regularly engage in running, HIIT, or other high-impact, sweaty workouts.
• You prefer a sleek, cool, technical fabric that is exceptionally quick-drying.
• You want supportive, structured compression to feel held-in during intense activity.
• You need a durable fabric that resists pilling from frequent, high-friction movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between Athleta Salutation and Ultimate leggings?

The fabric is the key difference. Salutation uses the buttery-soft Powervita™ fabric for comfort-focused activities like yoga, while Ultimate uses the sleek, quick-drying SuperSonic™ fabric for high-impact training and running.

Which is better for yoga?

The Salutation is specifically designed for yoga practitioners. Its flexible, soft fabric moves with your body and won't distract you during your flow.

Which is better for running or HIIT?

The Ultimate is the superior choice for high-sweat activities. Its SuperSonic™ fabric effectively wicks moisture and dries quickly, and its supportive compression is ideal for high impact.

Which one is more compressive?

Both offer compression, but in different ways. The Ultimate typically feels more compressive and structured for athletic performance. The Salutation offers a gentler, all-over gentle "hug" that feels less intense.

Do Salutation leggings pill?

The soft, peached finish of the Salutation's Powervita™ fabric can be more susceptible to pilling over time, especially with high friction (like from contact with a spinning bike or rough surfaces). The Ultimate's smooth SuperSonic™ fabric is highly resistant to pilling.

Do they run true to size?

Yes, both styles generally run true to size. Choose your regular size for the best fit. If you're between sizes, you might prefer to size down in the Salutation for a snugger fit or go with your larger size in the Ultimate for comfort during high-intensity exercise.

Which style has pockets?

Both leggings come in versions with and without pockets. Look for styles labeled "Salutation Stash" or "Ultimate Stash" to ensure you get the convenient side pockets Athleta is known for.

Are they squat-proof?

Yes, both the Salutation and Ultimate leggings are designed to be fully opaque and squat-proof when properly sized. The high-quality fabrics ensure excellent coverage through all movements.