Athleta vs. Lululemon Shorts: Which one should you buy?

While both Athleta and Lululemon make excellent activewear shorts, they serve different customers. Lululemon is known for its premium, high-performance fabrics and sleek, minimalist aesthetic, carrying a higher price tag between $60 and $120. Athleta offers greater versatility and value with a focus on sustainability and inclusive sizing, with shorts typically ranging from $40 to $80.

Here’s a full comparison to help you choose the right shorts for your workouts, style, and budget.

Athleta Shorts

Athleta, owned by Gap Inc., focuses on creating versatile, stylish, and functional activewear for women. The brand strongly emphasizes sustainability and inclusivity, offering a wide range of sizes that cater to various body types. Their shorts are designed to transition seamlessly from the gym to everyday life, combining reliable performance with a modern, sporty-chic look.

• What it is: Versatile and comfortable activewear shorts designed for a range of activities from running and training to casual, everyday wear.
• Key features: Moisture-wicking fabrics, comfortable stretch, thoughtful details like pockets and flatlock seams, and a strong focus on eco-conscious materials.
• Price: $40 - $80
• Materials/Construction: Often made with sustainable materials, including recycled polyester and nylon, designed for comfort and durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for its inclusive sizing, offering a broader range (including plus sizes) with a generally more relaxed and forgiving fit.
• Pros: More affordable price point, strong commitment to sustainability, highly versatile for both workouts and casual use, and inclusive sizing for many body types.
• Cons: Fabric technology may not feel as high-performance as Lululemon's for intense athletic activities, aesthetic is less minimalist.

These shorts are ideal for women seeking reliable, stylish, and eco-conscious activewear that offers great value and works for a wide variety of activities.

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

Lululemon Shorts

Lululemon is a premium athletic apparel brand famous for its high-quality, yoga-inspired gear. The brand is synonymous with cutting-edge fabric technology and a sleek, minimalist style that appeals to serious athletes and fashion-conscious fitness enthusiasts alike. Their shorts are engineered for specific activities, delivering superior performance, comfort, and shape retention.

• What it is: High-performance athletic shorts built with innovative proprietary fabrics for activities like running, training, and yoga.
• Key features: Signature fabrics like Nulux and Everlux offer exceptional stretch, sweat-wicking properties, and a "second skin" feel. Designs often feature hidden pockets and flattering seam placements.
• Price: $60 - $120
• Materials/Construction: Made with advanced, technical fabrics that are highly durable and designed to withstand intense workouts and frequent washing.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a consistent, flattering fit that is often more compressive and tailored for specific sports. Sizing is true to size but can feel snug.
• Pros: Superior fabric technology for performance and comfort, exceptional durability and shape retention, sleek and sophisticated aesthetic, and holds resale value well.
• Cons: Higher price point makes them a bigger investment, sizing is less inclusive than Athleta, and styles are often less patterned or colorful.

These shorts are perfect for the dedicated athlete who prioritizes technical performance and a polished look and is willing to invest in premium quality.

Shop this product: shop.lululemon.com/c/womens-shorts

Athleta Shorts vs. Lululemon Shorts Comparison

Price & Value

The most immediate difference is price. A pair of Athleta shorts will typically cost you between $40-$80, making them significantly more accessible. With frequent sales and promotions, Athleta offers excellent overall value for high-quality, long-lasting activewear.

Lululemon lives in a higher price bracket, with most shorts ranging from $60-$120. The cost reflects their investment in proprietary fabric technology and premium construction, which results in exceptional durability and performance that many loyal customers believe justifies the expense.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon is an industry leader when it comes to fabric innovation. Materials like Everlux (fast-drying and breathable) and Nulux (weightless and slick) are engineered for high-intensity workouts and feel noticeably technical. Their construction quality is top-tier, and the shorts are known to look new even after years of use.

Athleta also produces high-quality shorts with excellent performance fabrics focusing on comfort and sustainability. They use recycled materials extensively, but the feel is generally less tech-forward and more geared towards all-day comfort and versatility than sport-specific performance.

Style & Aesthetic

Aesthetically, the two brands cater to different tastes. Lululemon shorts have a signature sleek, minimalist design. You'll find a lot of solid, neutral colors and a polished, understated vibe that's instantly recognizable.

Athleta shorts offer a wider range of styles, with more vibrant colors, bold patterns, and relaxed fits. Their aesthetic leans more sporty-chic and casual, designed to be as functional for running errands as they are for a run in the park.

Fit & Sizing

Sizing is a key differentiator. Athleta is a leader in inclusivity, offering an extensive size range, including petite, tall, and plus sizes up to 3X. Their fits are often described as more relaxed and forgiving, making them a great choice for a wide variety of body types.

Lululemon offers a consistent and flattering fit, but their size range is more limited and the fits tend to be more compressive and body-hugging. While they have been expanding their sizing, Athleta still has a clear advantage in this area.

Sustainability & Ethics

If sustainability is a major factor in your decision, Athleta makes it a core part of its brand identity. As a certified B Corp, they are committed to using recycled materials, responsible manufacturing, and fair labor practices, often highlighting these efforts in their marketing.

Lululemon has also invested in sustainability initiatives, including developing more eco-friendly materials and setting goals to reduce its environmental footprint. However, Athleta’s messaging and certifications in this area are generally more prominent and comprehensive.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands produce fantastic shorts, but they are built for different priorities and preferences.

Choose Athleta if:

• You want excellent quality and performance at a more accessible price point.
• Sustainability and ethical manufacturing are important to your purchasing decisions.
• You need a versatile short that works for both workouts and casual day-to-day wear.
• You are looking for inclusive sizing options, such as petite, tall, or plus sizes.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You prioritize cutting-edge fabric technology for maximum performance during intense workouts.
• You're willing to invest in premium shorts known for their incredible durability and longevity.
• You prefer a sleek, minimalist, and sophisticated style with a tailored, often compressive fit.
• You participate in specific activities like running or hot yoga and want gear designed for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Athleta and Lululemon shorts?

The main difference comes down to focus and price. Athleta focuses on versatile, sustainable, and inclusively sized shorts at a mid-range price point. Lululemon focuses on premium, high-performance shorts with proprietary fabrics and a sleek aesthetic at a higher price point.

Which brand is more expensive?

Lululemon is consistently more expensive than Athleta. A typical pair of Lululemon shorts costs around $60-$120, while Athleta shorts generally fall between $40-$80.

Are Lululemon shorts worth the price?

For many dedicated athletes, yes. The high price reflects the advanced fabric technology, superior durability, and long-term shape retention. If you work out frequently and want shorts that will perform and last, the investment can be worthwhile.

Which brand is better for running?

Many serious runners prefer Lululemon for their lightweight, sweat-wicking Nulux and Fast and Free fabrics. However, Athleta also makes excellent running shorts that offer great comfort and value, making them a fantastic choice as well.

Does Athleta or Lululemon have better sizing?

Athleta offers a more inclusive and wider range of sizes, including petite, tall, and plus sizing up to 3X. Lululemon has a more limited size range, although they are continuing to expand it.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Athleta is a certified B Corporation and places a heavy emphasis on using recycled materials and ethical practices. While Lululemon is also making sustainability improvements, Athleta has a more established and public-facing commitment to it.

Which shorts are better for casual wear?

Athleta often wins for casual wear due to their versatile styles, relaxed fits, and broader range of colors and patterns. Many of their shorts are designed to easily transition from a workout to daily activities.

Where can I buy Athleta and Lululemon shorts?

Both brands sell their products through their official websites and in standalone retail stores. You can also sometimes find their products at premium fitness studios or authorized retailers.