Athleta vs. Lululemon vs. Fabletics: Brand comparison [2026 updated]

Lululemon leads the premium activewear market with high-performance technical fabrics and a luxury price point, while Athleta offers a similar focus on quality but emphasizes sustainability and size inclusivity at a more moderate price. In contrast, Fabletics competes on trendy, fashion-forward designs and affordability, primarily through a subscription-based model that delivers new-to-market styles at a lower cost.

Let's compare these three activewear brands to help you decide which is a better choice based on your specific needs: fit, feel, budget, or anything else.

Athleta: Versatile, Sustainable, and Inclusive

Owned by Gap Inc., Athleta designs versatile, high-quality performance apparel for active women. The brand is a certified B Corporation, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainability, ethical production, and female empowerment. Its target customer prioritizes eco-friendly materials and an inclusive brand ethos without wanting to sacrifice performance for activities from yoga to running.

• Product mix: A wide range including yoga leggings, running shorts, sports bras, outerwear, and versatile lifestyle pieces that double as everyday wear.
• Price point: Mid-range, with most items falling between $50 and $150. For example, their popular Salutation Stash leggings typically cost around $109.
• Quality: Uses high-quality, durable performance fabrics with a major focus on sustainability, incorporating recycled polyester and organic cotton into many of its products.
• Sizing/Fit: A leader in size inclusivity, offering a wide range from XXS to 3X as well as petite and tall inseams, catering to a diverse range of body types.
• Sales: Regular sales and promotions, especially for Athleta Rewards members. Major sale events occur at the end of each season.
• Return policy: Offers a "Give-It-a-Workout Guarantee," allowing you to wear and test a product and still return it if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Athleta is a great choice for those seeking a balance of high-performance quality, inclusive sizing, and sustainable practices at a reasonable price point.

Shop Athleta: athleta.gap.com

Lululemon: Premium Performance and Innovation

Lululemon is a premium Canadian brand that established the high-end activewear market, becoming famous for its buttery-soft leggings and technical gear. The brand is built on a reputation for fabric innovation, superior quality, and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. It attracts serious fitness enthusiasts and those willing to invest in long-lasting, high-performance apparel for yoga, running, and training.

• Product mix: Best known for yoga leggings like the Align Pant, but also offers a full range of tops, sports bras, jackets, and accessories for both men and women.
• Price point: Premium, with products generally ranging from $70 to $200. The iconic Align High-Rise Pant starts at $98.
• Quality: Renowned for its proprietary technical fabrics such as Nulu™ (buttery soft) and Luon® (supportive and cottony). The construction is durable, designed to withstand intense workouts and frequent washing.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run small and offers a more focused, narrow sizing offering. Many people find it helpful to size up.
• Sales: Holds an infrequent "We Made Too Much" sale section with final-sale markdowns instead of major sitewide promotions, maintaining its premium pricing structure.
• Return policy: Standard 30-day return policy for unworn merchandise. Items from their markdown section are typically final sale.

Lululemon excels in creating technical, high-performance apparel with an unmatched feel, making it the top choice for those who see activewear as a long-term investment.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Fabletics: Trendy and Affordable Subscription Style

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics disrupted the activewear market with its affordable, subscription-based model and on-trend, fashion-forward designs. The brand appeals to budget-conscious and style-focused shoppers who want fresh, new workout looks every month. Its business model revolves around a VIP Membership that offers significant discounts and monthly personalized outfit recommendations.

• Product mix: Offers coordinated monthly collections of leggings, tops, and sports bras in bold patterns and bright colors. They also carry lounge and everyday basics.
• Price point: Very affordable, especially for VIP members. Most individual items range from $25 to $60, with complete outfits often available for around $59 for members.
• Quality: Quality is generally good for the price, suitable for light workouts and casual wear. However, fabrics may not offer the same longevity or technical performance as Lululemon or Athleta.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive, offering a broad size range from XXS to 4X. Fit can sometimes be inconsistent between different styles.
• Shopping model: Known for its flexible VIP subscription. Members can shop recommended outfits at a discount each month or choose to "skip the month" to avoid being charged.
• Return policy: Offers a 90-day return window for exchange or store credit for members.

Fabletics is the clear winner for trendy activewear on a budget, delivering a fun, personalized shopping experience and a huge variety of styles.

Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com

Athleta vs. Lululemon vs. Fabletics Comparison

Price Comparison

Price is the most significant differentiator among the three. Fabletics is the most budget-friendly brand, offering leggings for less than half the price of its competitors, especially through its VIP membership outfits that start around $59. This model provides outstanding value for those looking to build an activewear wardrobe quickly and affordably.

Athleta occupies the middle ground. Its products are an investment but are generally more accessible than Lululemon's, with leggings around the $100 mark. Frequent sales and a strong rewards program add to its value. Lululemon is positioned at the top of the market as a premium luxury brand. Paying $100-$130 for leggings is standard, and its high prices reflect its investment in fabric innovation and brand reputation.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon is the industry leader in fabric quality and innovation. Its proprietary materials like Nulu™ feel exceptionally soft yet supportive, retain their shape incredibly well, and are built to handle high-intensity workouts for years. This focus on durability often justifies the higher cost for serious athletes.

Athleta offers excellent quality that competes closely with Lululemon, with the added benefit of using sustainable materials like recycled polyester. Their fabrics are known for being durable, comfortable, and performance-oriented. While some find Lululemon's material feel slightly more luxurious, Athleta’s fabrics are purpose-built for movement and longevity.

Fabletics prioritizes fashion and affordability, so its materials are generally less technical. They are comfortable and great for everyday wear or low-impact exercise, but may not offer the same sweat-wicking properties, compression, or long-term durability as Lululemon or Athleta after many washes and intense workouts.

Style & Aesthetic

Each brand has a distinct look. Lululemon's aesthetic is sleek, minimalist, and almost uniform, favoring solid colors and subtle designs that translate well beyond the gym. It’s a very clean, modern look that has defined high-end athleisure.

Athleta's style is versatile and practical, blending performance with lifestyle. Their designs feel modern and functional, equally at home in a yoga class, on a hiking trail, or while running errands.

Fabletics is bold, trendy, and vibrant. It is known for its bright colors, eye-catching patterns, and fashion-forward details like cutouts and mesh panels. It’s the brand you choose when you want your workout gear to make a statement.

Fit & Sizing

Athleta and Fabletics are clear leaders in size inclusivity. Athleta offers sizes XXS-3X along with petite, tall, and regular inseams, providing one of the most comprehensive fit ranges on the market. Fabletics is also strong, with a size span from XXS to 4X.

Lululemon's sizing is more limited and notoriously runs small compared to other American brands. Many customers need to size up. While they have expanded their size offerings, they do not offer the same comprehensive range as Athleta or Fabletics.

Sustainability & Ethics

Athleta is the most committed of the three to sustainability. As a B Corp, it prioritizes using recycled and sustainable materials and ensures ethical manufacturing practices. This commitment is a core part of its brand identity.

Lululemon has taken steps to improve its sustainability, such as incorporating more recycled fabrics, but it is not as central to its brand message as it is for Athleta. Fabletics has started integrating more eco-friendly fabrics but still lags behind the other two in its overall sustainability efforts and transparency.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your priorities, since all three brands deliver quality gear for their target customers.

Choose Athleta if:

• You prioritize shopping with sustainable and ethical brands.
• You need inclusive sizing, including petite, tall, or plus-size options.
• You want versatile, high-quality pieces that work for both tough workouts and casual wear.
• You appreciate a good sale and a rewards program that offers real value.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You are willing to invest in premium, high-performance gear that will last for years.
• You want the softest, most comfortable fabrics on the market for yoga and training.
• A sleek, minimalist style is important to you.
• You prioritize fabric technology and a proven reputation for quality above all else.

Choose Fabletics if:

• You are on a budget and love a good deal.
• You want to build a large and varied activewear collection quickly.
• You love trendy styles, bold colors, and eye-catching patterns.
• Your workouts are primarily low-to-medium impact, or you're looking for stylish athleisure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Athleta or Lululemon more expensive?

Lululemon is consistently more expensive than Athleta across almost all categories. While both are considered high-end, Lululemon typically prices their items higher than Athleta. Athleta also runs more frequent sales and coupons, making its products more accessible.

Which brand has the best quality?

Lululemon is generally considered the benchmark for fabric quality and innovation. Their proprietary materials are known for their exceptional feel and long-term durability. Athleta's quality is also very high, offering durability with performance-focused materials. However, Lululemon's materials like Nulu™ and Everlux™ are an industry-wide benchmark for quality and feel.

Is Fabletics good for serious running or HIIT workouts?

Fabletics offers collections designed for high-impact workouts, but its core strength lies in stylish design at a very competitive price. Many serious runners and fitness enthusiasts typically find better performance benefits and technical features like moisture-wicking and targeted compression support from Lululemon or Athleta.

Which brand is the most size-inclusive?

Athleta and Fabletics are the leaders in size inclusivity. Athleta offers sizes from XXS to 3X and multiple inseam lengths (petite, regular, tall), while Fabletics provides a range from XXS to 4X. Lululemon has been expanding its size options but doesn't match the range provided by Fabletics or Athleta.

Does Lululemon ever go on sale?

Lululemon rarely holds store-wide sales events. Instead, they have a section called "We Made Too Much," where overstock items are offered at discounted prices. These items are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged, and the brand does not participate in heavy discount sales events like Black Friday.

Do I need a membership to shop at Fabletics?

No, you do not need a subscription to shop at Fabletics. They allow shoppers to choose a "basic checkout" option. However, they heavily promote their "subscribe to save" model across their retail offerings, which may make it harder to find items at standard prices.

Which brand is best for yoga?

All three brands originated from the yoga category, and each has strong offerings. However, Lululemon is best known for its yoga focus due to their quality fabrics and design ethos rooted in yoga fundamentals.

Which brand has the best return policy?

Athleta, backed by its parent company The Gap, has a more flexible return policy compared to others. While you still need to have the original tags attached and your receipt, Athleta returns tend to be less strict compared to those of other brands.