Athleta vs. Lululemon: Which brand is better? [2026]

Athleta is known for its versatile, inclusive, and sustainable activewear at a more accessible price point, making it ideal for everything from workouts to daily wear. Lululemon focuses on premium, high-performance technical fabrics and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, positioning itself as a luxury brand for serious fitness enthusiasts.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear for your needs.

Athleta: Versatile & Inclusive Activewear

Owned by Gap Inc., Athleta creates activewear for women with a strong focus on versatility, inclusivity, and sustainability. Their target customer wants high-quality apparel that seamlessly transitions from a yoga class to running errands without sacrificing style or comfort. As a certified B Corporation, the brand appeals to shoppers who prioritize ethical and environmental responsibility in their purchasing decisions.

• Product mix: A wide range of leggings, tops, sports bras, outerwear, and accessories designed for yoga, training, hiking, and travel. Many pieces are designed for both athletic use and casual, everyday life.
• Price point: Mid-range and generally more affordable than Lululemon. Most leggings are priced between $80 and $100, putting them in the accessible-premium category.
• Quality: Uses high-quality, durable materials with a focus on sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester and organic cotton. Their Powervita™ fabric is known for its soft, supportive feel.
• Sizing/Fit: A major strength. Athleta offers one of the most inclusive size ranges in activewear, from XXS to 3X, with styles available in regular, tall, and petite inseams. The fit is generally considered true to size.
• Sales: Holds seasonal sales and frequent promotions, making it possible to get their products at a significant discount.
• Return policy: Famous for its “Give-It-a-Workout Guarantee,” which allows customers to wear and test out a product and still return it within 60 days if they aren't satisfied.

Athleta is a great choice for those seeking comfortable, stylish, and ethically made activewear with a strong emphasis on inclusive sizing and value.

Shop Athleta: athleta.com

Lululemon: Premium Performance & Technical Fabric

Lululemon is a Canadian brand that defined the luxury activewear category, becoming a global symbol of high-performance apparel. Known for its proprietary technical fabrics and sleek, minimalist design, Lululemon caters to dedicated athletes and style-conscious consumers who view activewear as a fashion statement. The brand has built a loyal following around its community-focused marketing and cult-favorite products.

• Product mix: Specializes in leggings, sports bras, tops, and jackets for yoga, running, and training. Popular lines like their Align and Wunder Train leggings have achieved iconic status.
• Price point: Premium pricing reflects their luxury positioning. Leggings typically cost between $98 and $128, with special editions priced even higher.
• Quality &, Technology: This is Lululemon's core differentiator. They engineer proprietary fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ (for Align leggings) and fast-drying Everlux™ (for intense workouts) that offer a distinct feel and performance advantage.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for a signature body-hugging, compressive fit that many users find flattering. However, their sizing often runs small, and many customers size up. The size range is less expansive than Athleta's.
• Sales: Lululemon rarely holds traditional sales. Instead, they have a "We Made Too Much" section on their website where items are marked down, but popular sizes and colors sell out quickly.
• Return policy: Accepts returns of unwashed and unworn merchandise with tags attached within 30 days of purchase. Sale items from the "We Made Too Much" section are final sale.

Lululemon is designed for shoppers who prioritize cutting-edge fabric technology and a sleek, compressive fit, and are willing to invest in premium, high-performance gear.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Athleta vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

Lululemon is consistently the more expensive brand. A standard pair of yoga leggings from Lululemon will set you back around $98, while their more technical training tights can go up to $128 or more. Athleta's popular Salutation Stash and Elation leggings are typically priced around $89-$109, but the brand’s frequent sales and promotions mean you can often purchase them for less.

If budget is a concern, Athleta offers far more opportunities for savings. Lululemon's "We Made Too Much" section offers discounts, but sizes are often limited and all sales are final.

Quality &, Materials

Both brands produce high-quality activewear, but their primary focus differs. Lululemon's reputation is built on its proprietary, high-tech fabrics. The weightless, buttery feel of their Nulu™ fabric is legendary among yoga practitioners, while their Everlux™ fabric is engineered for moisture-wicking during the toughest workouts. These materials provide a unique texture and performance that justifies the higher price for many.

Athleta focuses more on durable, comfortable, and sustainable fabrics that perform well across a variety of activities. Their Powervita™ fabric is exceptionally soft and gently compressive, but the brand's strength lies in creating versatile materials that last. While not as technically specific as Lululemon’s lineup, their quality is excellent for the price point.

Style &, Aesthetic

Lululemon embodies a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Their designs are clean, often featuring subtle branding and a color palette focused on monochrome tones and sophisticated solids. It's a polished, modern look that many associate with a high-end, fitness-focused lifestyle.

Athleta's style is more versatile and casual. While they offer plenty of solid-colored basics, you'll also find a broader variety of patterns, prints, and vibrant colors. Their designs often lean more towards "athleisure," with pieces like joggers, jumpsuits, and casual dresses that are meant to be worn outside the gym environment.

Fit &, Sizing

This is one of the most significant differences between the two. Athleta is a leader in inclusivity, offering sizes from XXS to 3X as well as petite and tall inseams. Their fit is generally regarded as true to size, offering a comfortable and supportive feel without being overly restrictive.

Lululemon offers a more limited size range (typically 0-20). The fit is famously compressive and body-hugging. Many customers find that Lululemon runs small and recommend sizing up, especially in leggings, to get a comfortable fit.

Sustainability &, Ethics

Both brands are actively working on sustainability initiatives, but Athleta has made it a central pillar of its brand identity. As a certified B Corporation, Athleta meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. A large percentage of their products are made with sustainable materials like recycled polyester.

Lululemon has also invested in sustainability through its "Like New" resale program and commitments to reducing CO2 emissions and using sustainable materials. While making positive strides, their efforts are not as foundational to their brand reputation as they are for Athleta.

Return Policies

Athleta's return policy is an industry standout. The "Give-It-a-Workout Guarantee" lets you return items within 60 days, even after you've worn them for a workout. This risk-free approach allows you to truly test the performance and comfort before committing.

Lululemon maintains a more traditional 30-day return policy for unwashed and unworn items with the tags still attached. Sale items are final, offering no flexibility. For shoppers trying to find the perfect fit, Athleta’s policy provides significantly more peace of mind.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on what you value most in activewear. Both brands are excellent, but they serve different shoppers.

Choose Athleta if:

• You need versatile activewear that works for workouts, travel, and everyday life.
• You prioritize an inclusive size range that includes plus, petite, and tall options.
• You are budget-conscious and want the ability to shop sales and promotions.
• You want to support a certified B Corporation focused on sustainability.
• A flexible, try-it-out return policy is important to you.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You want highly specialized, technical fabrics engineered for specific activities like hot yoga or intense training.
• You love a compressive, body-hugging fit that feels like a second skin.
• You prefer a minimalist, high-end aesthetic and a premium brand experience.
• Price is not a major factor, and you’re willing to invest in pieces a la carte.
• You are familiar with your sizing and comfortable with a final sale policy on discounted items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Athleta or Lululemon more expensive?

Lululemon is more expensive. Expect to pay $10-$30 more for comparable items like leggings and sports bras at Lululemon. Athleta's frequent sales make the price difference even larger.

Which brand has better quality?

Both have excellent quality, but they specialize differently. Lululemon is known for its proprietary technical fabrics that have a unique, luxurious feel and high-performance features. Athleta focuses on durable, comfortable, and sustainable materials built for long-term, versatile wear.

Does Athleta or Lululemon run small?

Lululemon is well-known for running small. Most shoppers recommend sizing up, especially in leggings, for a comfortable fit. Athleta is generally considered to run true to size.

Which is better for yoga?

Lululemon's Align leggings are considered the gold standard for yoga by many due to the weightless, buttery-soft feel of their Nulu™ fabric. However, Athleta’s Salutation Stash tights made with Powervita™ fabric are also incredibly soft, supportive, and beloved by yogis.

What is Athleta's return policy compared to Lululemon's?

Athleta has a much more generous policy. Their "Give-It-a-Workout Guarantee" allows returns within 60 days, even on worn items. Lululemon requires items to be unwashed and unworn with tags attached for a return within 30 days, and sale items are final.

What is the difference between Athleta's Powervita™ and Lululemon's Nulu™ fabric?

Both are popular, soft fabrics. Lululemon's Nulu™ is incredibly lightweight, ultra-stretchy, and has a signature "buttery" feel, designed for low-impact activities like yoga. Athleta's Powervita™ is also buttery-soft but offers a bit more compression and durability, making it suitable for a wider range of activities.

Is Athleta sizing the same as Gap or Old Navy?

Yes, since all three brands are owned by Gap Inc., Athleta sizing is generally consistent with Gap and Old Navy. If you know your size in one of those stores, you can likely order the same size at Athleta with confidence.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Both brands are taking steps towards sustainability, but Athleta has integrated it more deeply into its brand identity. As a certified B Corporation, Athleta meets rigorous standards for environmental and social performance, which is a key differentiator for eco-conscious shoppers.