Everlane Leggings vs. Lululemon: Which one should you buy?

The Everlane Perform Legging combines a minimalist aesthetic, ethical manufacturing, and an accessible price point, making it a staple for casual wear and light workouts. Lululemon leggings, on the other hand, are high-performance activewear crafted from technical, proprietary fabrics, known for their superior fit, durability, and a much higher price tag.

Here’s everything you need to know to decide whether to invest in Lulu or opt for Everlane's classic basics.

Everlane Perform Legging

The Everlane Perform Legging is designed as a do-it-all essential for modern life, offering everyday comfort and just enough performance for low-impact activities. True to Everlane's mission, it's produced with a focus on ethical manufacturing and sustainable materials, all while maintaining a versatile, minimalist look.

• What it is: A mid-range, lightweight legging designed for comfort, versatility, and low-impact activities like yoga, walking, or running errands.
• Key features: Minimal seams, high-waisted fit, interior front pocket, and a lightweight, breathable feel with light compression.
• Price: Around $40-$60.
• Materials/Construction: Made from a blend of recycled nylon and elastane, giving it moderate stretch and a smooth, soft finish. Known for being less compressive than high-performance brands.
• Sizing/Fit: Available in XS-XXL with two inseam options. The fit is generally true to size and offers a more relaxed, comfortable feel rather than a super-sculpting one.
• Pros: Significantly more affordable than Lululemon. Strong commitment to ethical and sustainable production. Minimalist style is versatile enough for non-gym wear. Comfortable for all-day wear and lounging.
• Cons: Not ideal for high-intensity or very sweaty workouts due to lighter fabric. Offers less compression and shaping than Lululemon. Limited color and style options.

This legging is perfect for the ethically-conscious shopper who needs a comfortable, stylish basic for everyday life and light exercise, and who values affordability and transparency over intense athletic performance.

Shop this product: www.everlane.com/collections/womens-leggings

Lululemon Leggings

Lululemon has built its globally recognized brand on premium, high-performance leggings tailored for specific athletic pursuits. From the buttery-soft Nulu fabric of their Align pants to the sweat-wicking Everlux for intense training, each pair is an investment in technical function, flattering fit, and fashionable design.

• What it is: Premium, technical leggings designed for specific activities like yoga, running, and high-intensity training, known for their unique fabrics and superior fit.
• Key features: Proprietary fabrics with features like four-way stretch, moisture-wicking, and shape retention. Sculpting high-rise waistbands, hidden pockets, and a wide variety of lengths and styles.
• Price: $80-$130, sometimes more for special editions.
• Materials/Construction: Made with exclusive technical fabrics like Luon, Nulu (Align pants), Luxtreme (Wunder Unders), and Everlux (Wunder Train). These materials are known for durability and performance.
• Sizing/Fit: Offered in numerical sizes (0-20) with multiple inseam lengths. The fit is famously compressive and sculpting, designed to stay in place during movement and flatter the body.
• Pros: Unmatched performance for athletic activities. Extremely durable and long-lasting when cared for properly. A huge variety of fabrics, styles, colors, and patterns. Flattering, sculpting fit appreciated by many.
• Cons: High price point puts it in the luxury activewear category. Less transparency in the supply chain compared to Everlane. The compressive fit can be too intense for casual lounging for some wearers.

Ideal for serious athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone willing to invest in high-quality activewear that delivers technical performance, a premium feel, and a signature style.

Shop this product: shop.lululemon.com/c/women-pants-leggings

Everlane Leggings vs. Lululemon Leggings Comparison

Price & Value

There's no contest here: Everlane leggings are significantly more affordable, typically costing less than half the price of a pair from Lululemon. For shoppers on a budget or those looking for a solid daily basic, Everlane offers strong value with good quality for its $40-$60 price tag.

Lululemon commands a premium price ($80-$130+) that reflects its investment in fabric innovation, performance engineering, and powerful branding. The value comes from their longevity and specialized function, a runner or dedicated yogi might find the high cost justified by a product that performs perfectly and withstands many years of washes and workouts.

Quality & Materials

Everlane uses a quality recycled nylon blend that is soft, breathable, and suitable for daily wear. It holds up well for its price point but is noticeably thinner and less compressive. The focus is on wearable comfort and sustainability over technical athleticism.

Lululemon is defined by its materials. Nulu fabric offers a famously weightless, buttery-soft feel perfect for yoga, while Everlux is quick-drying and cool to the touch, built for the sweatiest training sessions. These fabrics deliver superior moisture management, shape retention, and a compressive feel that Everlane’s more basic construction can’t match.

Fit & Sizing

Everlane offers a simple sizing system (XS-XXL) that provides a comfortable, relaxed fit. It's less about sculpting and more about easy, everyday wear. Lululemon's numerical sizing (0-20) and various inseam choices offer a much more precise and technical fit. Their leggings are known for a "hugged" sensation with high compression that shapes and supports, staying locked in place during any activity.

Versatility & Performance

Everlane’s leggings are true lifestyle pieces. Their minimalist aesthetic makes them perfect for pairing with a sweater for errands, working from home, or engaging in light exercises like walking or restorative yoga. However, they lack the sweat-wicking and compressive properties needed for intense sports.

While known for athleticwear, Lululemon leggings are extremely versatile. The Align Pant has become a go-to for both lounging and yoga, while more technical styles like the Wunder Train or Fast and Free are built for serious performance. Lululemon excels in purpose-built design, easily outperforming Everlane in any athletic scenario.

Sustainability & Ethics

This is Everlane's key differentiator. The brand is built on "Radical Transparency," sharing details about the factories and material costs for each product. Their use of recycled materials and commitment to ethical production is central to their identity.

Lululemon has made public commitments to sustainability, with initiatives like using recycled materials and reducing water usage. However, transparency is not the core of their brand message as it is with Everlane, and they face the standard criticisms of a large-scale apparel manufacturer.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent products, but they were created for fundamentally different customers and purposes.

Choose the Everlane Perform Legging if:

• Your primary concern is budget and finding a high-value basic.
• You prioritize brand transparency and ethical manufacturing in your clothing choices.
• You need leggings primarily for casual wear, errands, lounging, and low-impact exercise.
• You prefer a minimalist aesthetic and a comfortable, less compressive fit.

Choose Lululemon Leggings if:

• You are an athlete, runner, or yogi in need of high-performance technical activewear.
• You are willing to invest a premium price for exceptional quality, durability, and fabric innovation.
• You love a supportive, sculpting, and compressive fit that stays put during intense movement.
• You enjoy a wide variety of styles, bold colors, and an overall fashion-forward athletic look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Everlane and Lululemon leggings?

The main difference is performance and price. Everlane leggings are affordable, ethically made basics for casual wear and light activity. Lululemon leggings are premium, technical activewear designed with proprietary fabrics for high-performance sports and demanding workouts.

Are Everlane leggings good for working out?

They are best suited for low-impact workouts like yoga, Pilates, walking, or light weight lifting. For high-sweat, high-intensity workouts like running, HIIT, or spinning, most people prefer the superior moisture-wicking and compressive support of a brand like Lululemon.

Are Lululemon leggings worth the price?

For many fitness enthusiasts, the answer is yes. Their durability, specialized fabrics, and flattering fit make them a worthwhile investment that lasts for years. However, if you don't require high-performance features, the price may not be justifiable.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Everlane has built its brand on radical transparency and ethical sourcing, making it a central part of its customer appeal. While Lululemon has ongoing sustainability initiatives, Everlane's business model is more deeply integrated with and vocal about sustainability practices.

What is the sizing like for Everlane vs. Lululemon?

Everlane uses standard alphabetical sizing (XS-XXL) and generally fits true to size for a comfortable, less constricting feel. Lululemon uses numerical sizing (0-20) for a more precise and highly compressive "hugged" fit.

Do Everlane leggings run true to size?

Yes, most users find that Everlane leggings run true to size. They are designed for a less compressive fit, so if you're between sizes, you may be comfortable in either, depending on your preference.

Are Lululemon leggings see-through?

Lululemon leggings are famous for their opaque, squat-proof fabrics. When you buy the correct size and style for the intended activity, they provide excellent coverage and are not see-through.

How supportive are Everlane leggings compared to Lululemon?

Lululemon leggings are far more supportive. Their designs use high-compression fabrics that sculpt and hold you in, which is ideal for high-impact activities. Everlane leggings offer light compression, focusing more on comfortable stretch for everyday wear.