Glyder vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy?

Glyder is known for its fashion-forward, vibrant activewear at a mid-range price point, making it a great choice for those seeking trendy styles that move from the gym to the street. In contrast, Lululemon built its reputation on premium, high-performance technical apparel with minimalist designs and proprietary fabrics, positioning itself as the leader in luxury athletic wear for serious fitness enthusiasts.

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

Glyder: The Fashion-Forward Activewear Brand

Glyder delivers contemporary activewear that combines style with function, designed for women who want their workout clothes to be as fashionable as they are practical. The brand's focus on modern aesthetics, sleek silhouettes, and bold designs makes its pieces versatile enough for pilates, coffee runs, and everything in between. Glyder successfully bridges the gap between high-end performance gear and accessible everyday fashion.

• Product mix: Offers a full range of women's activewear, including leggings, sports bras, versatile tops, and outerwear.
• Price point: Operates in the mid-range with accessible price points. Leggings typically cost $70-$100, while sports bras range from $40-$60.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes high-performance, moisture-wicking fabrics with four-way stretch for durability and comfort during various activities.
• Sizing/Fit: Focuses on inclusivity with sizes generally ranging from XS to 3X. The designs are crafted to create flattering fits for many different body types.
• Style/Aesthetic: Known for a modern, vibrant, and trend-driven look. Glyder often features unique cuts and eye-catching colors that help you stand out.
• Return policy: Accepts returns of unworn, unwashed items with tags attached within 30 days of the ship date.

Glyder is the ideal choice for those who view activewear as part of their personal style and seek on-trend, quality pieces without a premium price tag.

Shop Glyder: glyder.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Performance & Quality

Lululemon is a global powerhouse in the athletic apparel industry, famous for its innovative fabrics and exceptional quality. The brand sets the standard for technical performance, offering gear that supports the most demanding workouts while maintaining a sleek, minimalist look. Lululemon is widely considered an investment in quality, attracting a loyal following from serious athletes and style-conscious individuals who prioritize durability and function.

• Product mix: Extensive collection including leggings, bras, shirts, jackets, and accessories for yoga, running, and training. They have also expanded into footwear and casual wear for both men and women.
• Price point: Positioned as a premium brand. Expect to pay $98-$128 for their popular leggings and $48-$68 for sports bras.
• Quality & Materials: Known for top-tier construction and exceptional durability with reinforced seams designed for longevity and rigorous activity.
• Technology/Innovation: A huge differentiator is their portfolio of proprietary fabrics, such as the buttery-soft Nulu™ for yoga and the cool, sleek Everlux™ for intense cardio sessions.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers highly consistent sizing, typically from 0 to 14, with many styles now available in extended sizes up to 20 to ensure a supportive, technical fit.
• Style/Aesthetic: Focuses on a minimalist and timeless aesthetic that is both functional and sleek, making their pieces very easy to style outside of the gym.
• Return policy: Offers returns on unworn and unwashed merchandise within 30 days, though items marked as "Final Sale" cannot be returned.

Lululemon is unmatched for those prioritizing technical innovation and long-term durability in timeless styles that perform at the highest level.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Glyder vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

Lululemon sits firmly in the premium activewear category. A pair of their iconic Align High-Rise Pants costs $98, which is a starting point for most of their leggings. This reflects the brand's investment in fabric technology, quality, and their market position as an aspirational brand.Glyder offers a more accessible entry into quality activewear. Their leggings often range from $70 to $100, providing a high-value alternative for shoppers who want performance and style without paying top dollar. While both brands hold sales, Lululemon’s everyday price point is consistently higher, making Glyder the clear winner for budget-conscious consumers.

Quality & Materials

This is where Lululemon truly excels. Their proprietary fabrics like Luon, Nulu, and Everlux are industry benchmarks, each engineered for specific sensations and activities - from weightless and buttery-soft to compressive and fast-drying. The construction quality, including flatlock seams and durable stitching, is meticulous and designed to last through countless workouts and washes.Glyder also uses high-quality performance materials that are moisture-wicking and offer excellent four-way stretch. Their apparel is durable and well-made for most everyday fitness routines. However, Lululemon's deep investment in textile innovation gives it the edge for serious athletes or anyone who values the distinct feel and function of highly technical fabrics.

Style & Aesthetic

Glyder’s aesthetic is unapologetically trendy and fashion-forward. The brand is quick to adopt bold colors, unique patterns, and interesting cut-outs, creating pieces that make a statement. Their designs are intended to transition from studio to street, appealing to a customer who wants their activewear to reflect the latest trends.Conversely, Lululemon's look is more classic, minimalist, and sleek. Their color palette often leans towards muted tones and solid colors, emphasizing timeless silhouettes that remain popular year after year. While they introduce seasonal colors, the core is understated elegance. Lululemon is for someone building a long-term activewear wardrobe, while Glyder appeals to someone who likes to refresh their look more often.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands have invested in providing good fits for a range of body types. Lululemon is praised for its consistent sizing, which ranges from 0-14, with a growing number of items offered in sizes up to 20. Their fits are engineered with athletic performance in mind, offering support and compression precisely where it is needed.Glyder offers an impressive and more straightforward size range from XS to 3X, with a focus on creating fits that are flattering and comfortable. Customer feedback suggests their sizing is reliable and designed to hug the body in a complementary way. Your choice may come down to preference: a technically precise fit (Lululemon) versus a versatile, flattering fit (Glyder).

Sustainability & Ethics

Lululemon has made public commitments to sustainability and regularly publishes reports on their impact and goals. The company is actively working towards using more sustainable materials, reducing its carbon footprint, and improving circularity through programs like their "Like New" resale platform.Glyder’s public information regarding sustainability is less comprehensive. While the brand emphasizes creating durable, long-lasting products to reduce waste, it does not offer the same level of transparency into its supply chain or environmental goals as its larger competitor. Shoppers focused on transparency and corporate sustainability initiatives may find Lululemon to be the more aligned choice.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent activewear, but your choice depends entirely on your priorities.

Choose Glyder if:

• You're looking for quality activewear at a more accessible, mid-range price.
• Your style is bold and trendy, and you love eye-catching colors and designs.
• You want versatile pieces that seamlessly transition from the gym to daily life activities.
• You prioritize a flattering, comfortable style for light-to-moderate exercises and everyday wear.

Choose Lululemon if:

• Technical performance features, and innovative fabrics are your top priorities.
• You are willing to invest more in premium gear that is known for its exceptional durability.
• You prefer having a more sleek, minimalist, and timeless aesthetic look & feel.
• You need reliable, high-performance apparel for intense training, running, or serious athletics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glyder or Lululemon more expensive?

Lululemon is significantly more expensive. Their leggings start at around $98, while Glyder's are often in the $70-$100 range, making Glyder the more budget-friendly option.

Which brand has better quality leggings?

Lululemon is widely considered to have superior quality in terms of technical performance and fabric innovation. Their proprietary materials and durable construction are designed for high-intensity activity and long-term use. Glyder offers excellent quality for its price, but Lululemon leads in the premium performance space.

Is Glyder sizing true to size?

Yes, customers generally find that Glyder’s activewear and apparel is true to size. The brand is also known for its flattering fits across its inclusive size range (XS-3X).

Which brand is better for high-intensity workouts?

Lululemon is the clear choice for high-intensity workouts. Their engineered fabrics like Everlux are specifically designed to handle high sweat and provide support, coolness, and quick-drying properties that are essential for demanding activity.

Do Glyder and Lululemon have sales?

Yes, both brands have sales and special promotions. Glyder frequently offers discounts on its website. Lululemon has a "We Made Too Much" section with ongoing markdowns, but their major sale events are less frequent.

How does Lululemon's Nulu fabric feel?

Lululemon's Nulu fabric, used in their popular Align collection, is famous for its "buttery-soft" and weightless feel. It offers gentle compressive support and is ideal for low-impact exercises like yoga or lounging.

What is the return policy for Glyder?

Glyder allows returns of new, unworn, and unwashed activewear and apparel within 30 days of the item's ship date for a complete refund.

Where can I buy Glyder clothing?

You can purchase Glyder products directly from their official website, glyder.com. You can also purchase them at retailers like Nordstrom and Revolve.