Halara vs. Fabletics: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Compare Halara's trendy, affordable fitness apparel with Fabletics' performance-driven, inclusive activewear. Discover which brand fits your style and budget.
Spencer Lanoue
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Spencer Lanoue
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Halara is known for its budget-friendly, trendy fitness apparel, with most items under $60, making it a popular choice for younger shoppers. In contrast, Fabletics operates on a subscription-based model offering higher-quality, performance-focused activewear at a slightly higher price point, with a strong emphasis on inclusive sizing.

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

Halara: The Trendy &, Affordable Activewear Brand

Halara has quickly become a go-to for shoppers seeking fashionable and affordable activewear that transitions smoothly from a light workout to everyday casual wear. The brand targets a youthful audience that loves trendy designs, like their famous Activity Dress, but doesn't want to spend a fortune. Their aesthetic is playful, colorful, and built around pieces that are as stylish as they are comfortable.

  • Product mix: Known for active dresses, leggings, shorts, and skirts, Halara offers a wide range of athleisure pieces. They focus on versatile items known for combining fashion-forward elements like cutouts and bold colors with functional designs.
  • Price point: Very accessible, with most products priced between $20 and $60. The brand frequently runs promotions and flash sales, making it easy to grab popular styles for less.
  • Quality: Halara uses stretchy, breathable fabrics that are soft and comfortable for daily wear and low-impact activities. While comfortable, the materials may not offer the same level of compression or durability as premium-priced brands for intense workouts.
  • Style aesthetic: Youthful, playful, and heavily influenced by social media trends. Think bright colors, fun patterns, and eye-catching silhouettes that are perfect for everything from a coffee run to a TikTok video.
  • Sizing/Fit: Sizing generally ranges from XS to XL, with some popular items offered in plus sizes up to 3X. Most items are designed to be flattering and "true to size," though some shoppers recommend checking reviews for specific item fit.
  • Return policy: You have 30 days from the date of receipt to return items. The process is handled entirely online and is fairly straightforward for a refund or exchange.

Halara excels at offering stylish, budget-friendly activewear perfect for everyday life, travel, and light exercise, making it an excellent choice for a fashion-conscious shopper on a budget.

Shop Halara: halara.com

Fabletics: The Stylish &, Performance-Focused Athleisure Brand

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics built its reputation on a flexible VIP membership model, offering high-quality and fashionable activewear. The brand is designed for women who want gear that performs well during a workout but also looks polished enough for post-gym errands. It places a strong emphasis on fabric technology, exceptional fit across an inclusive size range, and coordinated sets.

  • Product mix: Fabletics offers a complete range of activewear, including leggings, sports bras, tops, outerwear, and accessories. Their collections often feature curated "outfits" consisting of matching tops and bottoms.
  • Price point: Standard prices for individual items range from $30 to $80. However, the VIP membership offers significant savings, often bringing the cost of a complete two-piece outfit to around $59.95 per month through a member credit.
  • Quality: Fabletics uses proprietary performance fabrics like PowerHold and Motion365, which provide excellent compression, moisture-wicking capabilities, and durability. These materials are built to withstand high-impact workouts and repeated washings.
  • Style aesthetic: Sleek, modern, and versatile. While Fabletics offers trendy patterns and colors, its core collections often feature muted tones and minimalist designs that appeal to a wide audience seeking a polished athleisure look.
  • Sizing/Fit: A major strength is its inclusive sizing, ranging from XXS to 4X. Fabletics is known for having a consistent and reliable fit, with detailed size guides to help you find the perfect match.
  • Rewards program: The VIP program is central to the brand. Members pay $59.95 monthly for a credit to spend on outfits, get steep discounts, and earn reward points. Members can choose to "skip the month" to avoid being charged.
  • Return policy: A flexible policy allows for returns and exchanges within 45 days of purchase for a full refund or store credit.

Fabletics is the ideal choice for someone who is serious about their workouts but still wants versatile, stylish apparel that offers great performance and an inclusive fit.

Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com

Halara vs. Fabletics Comparison

Price Comparison

Halara is the clear winner for upfront affordability. With leggings starting around $25 and active dresses around $40, you can build a collection without a large investment. They constantly run sitewide sales and promotions that make their pieces even more accessible.

Fabletics has a higher retail price, but its VIP membership model changes the value equation. An "outfit credit" of $59.95 a month can get you a high-quality set that might retail for over $120. If you shop regularly and are committed to the membership, Fabletics can offer excellent long-term value. For one-off purchases without a subscription, however, Halara is consistently cheaper.

Quality & Materials

Fabletics takes the lead in quality and performance. Its proprietary fabrics, like the compressive PowerHold, are engineered for workouts. They provide support, wick away sweat, and hold up well to frequent use, making them a reliable choice for running, weightlifting, and other intense activities.

Halara's fabrics are designed primarily for comfort and casual wear. They are soft, stretchy, and perfect for lounging, walking, or low-impact yoga, but they lack the heavy-duty compression and moisture management needed for serious athletic performance. For long-term durability and workout function, Fabletics has the definite edge.

Product Selection & Style

Both brands offer a wide range of athletic apparel, but their styles serve different aesthetics. Halara leans into what's currently trending on social media. Its collections are full of unique silhouettes, vibrant colors, playful patterns, and distinct pieces like tennis skirts and workout dresses.

Fabletics focuses on a sleek and versatile aesthetic. Their approach is more about creating timeless, flattering sets that can be mixed and matched. While they incorporate trends, their core focus remains on polished, high-function pieces that won't look dated next season.

Fit & Sizing

Fabletics is a leader in inclusive sizing. With a comprehensive range from XXS to 4X, it caters to a much broader range of body types than Halara. Their fit is known to be consistent and reliable across different styles, which makes online shopping easier.

Halara’s sizing is more limited, typically from XS-XL, with some popular items available up to 3X. The fit can sometimes vary between products, so checking customer reviews and size charts is recommended before purchasing.

Return Policies

Fabletics offers a more generous return window of 45 days, giving you ample time to decide if you like a product. Halara provides a standard 30-day return policy. Both brands have straightforward online return processes, but the extra 15 days from Fabletics provides more flexibility.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on what kind of shopper you are. Both brands are excellent at what they do, but their specialties are distinct.

Choose Halara if:

  • You're on a budget and want cute, stylish activewear without spending a lot.
  • You prioritize fashion and trendy designs over high-performance athletic features.
  • Your activities are mostly low-impact, like walking, yoga, or wearing your gear for daily errands.
  • You prefer to buy pieces individually without committing to a subscription.

Choose Fabletics if:

  • You need durable, high-performance apparel for intense workouts like running, HIIT, and weight training.
  • You value an inclusive size range and a consistent, reliable fit.
  • You prefer a more polished, versatile aesthetic and enjoy buying coordinated sets.
  • You shop for activewear frequently and can take advantage of the VIP membership savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Halara or Fabletics cheaper?

Halara is cheaper for individual, upfront purchases. Most of its items cost between $20 and $60. Fabletics is more expensive at retail, but its VIP membership offers outfits at a discounted rate, which can provide better value for frequent buyers.

Which brand has better quality leggings?

Fabletics generally has higher quality leggings for athletic performance. Their proprietary fabrics offer superior compression, support, and durability for high-impact activities. Halara leggings are very comfortable and soft, making them great for lounging and light activities, but less suited for intense workouts.

Is Fabletics a subscription-only service?

No, you can shop at Fabletics as a non-member anytime, but you'll pay full retail prices. The VIP membership is an optional program that provides significant discounts, free shipping, and access to exclusive collections for a monthly fee of $59.95, which can be used as a shopping credit.

Are Halara's clothes good for real workouts?

Halara is best for low-impact workouts like yoga, pilates, walking, and stretching. While comfortable, the fabrics generally lack the advanced sweat-wicking properties and compression needed for running, HIIT, or other high-intensity training sessions.

Which is more size-inclusive?

Fabletics is significantly more size-inclusive, offering sizes from XXS to 4X across the majority of their products. Halara’s sizing is more limited, mainly falling within the XS-XL range, though they are expanding their plus-size offerings.

Does Halara have good return policies?

Halara offers a 30-day return policy for most items. The process is easy and managed through their online portal, making it simple to get a refund or exchange for items that don't work out.

What is the main style difference between Halara and Fabletics?

Halara’s style is youthful, playful, and trend-driven, featuring bold colors and unique designs like activity dresses. Fabletics focuses on a sleek, modern, and versatile aesthetic with coordinated sets and minimalist designs that transition seamlessly from the gym to the street.

Does either brand have frequent sales?

Halara is known for having frequent sales, flash deals, and promotions site-wide, making it easy to buy items at a discount. Fabletics also has regular sales, especially for its VIP members, who get exclusive access to major discounts.