Lole vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

While both Lole and Lululemon are Canadian activewear brands, they serve very different customers. Lululemon is known for its high-performance technical fabrics, minimalist aesthetic, and premium price point, positioning itself as a leader in luxury athleisure. Lole offers a more accessible, eco-conscious alternative focused on colorful, versatile designs perfect for transitioning from a workout to daily life.

Here are the key differences you need to know to decide which activewear brand is right for you.

Lole: The Eco-Friendly & Versatile Activewear Brand

Founded in 2002, Lole is a Canadian activewear brand that blends style, comfort, and sustainability. It targets women looking for functional and fashionable pieces that work for both fitness activities and casual wear. With a strong commitment to eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing, Lole appeals to the conscious consumer who doesn’t want to sacrifice performance for principles.

• Product mix: A wide range of women's activewear, including yoga pants, leggings, tops, sports bras, and a noted collection of outerwear like jackets and vests that balance fashion with function.
• Price point: Lole is positioned in the mid-range market, making it more accessible than Lululemon. Most items are priced between $50 and $150.
• Quality & Materials: The brand heavily emphasizes eco-conscious materials, utilizing recycled fabrics, organic cotton, and other sustainable blends. The quality is solid, designed for durability in everyday activities rather than exclusively high-impact performance.
• Style & Aesthetic: Lole’s style is vibrant, playful, and feminine. Expect to find bold patterns, brighter colors, and a more expressive look compared to Lululemon's minimalist approach.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing generally runs true to size, offering comfortable and sometimes more relaxed fits. The brand provides a broad range of sizes to cater to different body types.
• Sustainability: This is a core part of Lole's identity. The brand is transparent about its use of sustainable materials and ethical production processes, making it a strong choice for environmentally-minded shoppers.

Lole is a great choice for those who value vibrant style, ethical production, and versatility at a more approachable price point.

Shop Lole: lolewomen.com

Lululemon: The Leader in High-Performance Athleisure

Lululemon has become a global powerhouse since its founding in 1998, defining the premium athleisure market. The brand is renowned for its innovative technical fabrics, superior fit, and community-focused marketing. Lululemon's target audience is willing to invest in high-quality gear that excels during intense workouts and offers a sleek, put-together look for everyday wear.

• Product mix: Known for its iconic yoga leggings like the Align Pant, the brand offers a wide array of athletic apparel for yoga, running, and training. It has also expanded successfully into men's apparel (ABC pant) and everyday outerwear like the Define Jacket.
• Price point: Positioned firmly in the premium category, with most core items ranging from $60 to $200. The higher price is justified by its proprietary fabric technology and construction quality.
• Quality & Technical Materials: This is Lululemon's main differentiator. It uses proprietary fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™, moisture-wicking Luon™, and compressive Everlux™. The brand's products are known for their exceptional durability, shape retention, and performance under pressure.
• Style & Aesthetic: Lululemon’s design philosophy is sleek, minimalist, and sophisticated. Its collections often feature monochrome color palettes, clean lines, and subtle branding.
• Sizing/Fit: Lululemon runs true to size but is known for a precise, body-contouring fit designed to support and flatter. It offers a wide range of sizes, including options for different inseam lengths.
• Shopping Experience: Offers a premium experience both online and in its retail stores, which often host community events like free yoga classes. Customer service and its return policy are generally regarded as excellent.

Lululemon is unmatched for those seeking peak performance, a minimalist aesthetic, and long-lasting quality worth the investment.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Lole vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing between the two brands. Lole operates in a mid-range pricing tier, with leggings typically falling in the $80-$100 range and tops from $50-$80. Lole also runs more frequent sales and promotions, making it a better choice for budget-conscious shoppers who still want quality.

Lululemon is a premium brand, and its prices reflect that. Its popular leggings start around $98 and can go up to $128 or more, while jackets and outerwear can easily exceed $200. Sales are less frequent, typically limited to their "We Made Too Much" section, which can make discounted finds feel more exclusive.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon's reputation is built on its innovative, high-performance fabrics. Materials like Nulu feel incredibly soft and weightless, perfect for yoga, while Everlux is designed to handle the most intense, sweaty workouts with fast-drying technology. The construction is top-tier, ensuring products last for years with proper care.

Lole’s quality is excellent for its price point, with a focus on durability for everyday wear and moderate exercise. Its main advantage is its commitment to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. While comfortable and functional, its fabrics may not offer the same level of specialized technical performance as Lululemon’s lineup.

Style & Aesthetic

The style separation is significant. Lole embraces color, patterns, and a vibrant, feminine aesthetic. Its collections feel lively and expressive, perfect for someone who wants their activewear to make a cheerful statement. The designs are versatile, easily transitioning from a pilates class to running errands.

In contrast, Lululemon is the master of understated elegance. Its minimalist approach, often seen in solid colors and subtle branding, results in a sleek, sophisticated look. The clean lines and classic designs make its pieces timeless and easy to mix and match, for both the gym and streetwear.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer reliable, true-to-size fits. Lole’s products often have a slightly more relaxed and comfort-oriented cut, though they provide ample support for most activities. They offer a good size range suitable for a variety of body shapes.

Lululemon is famous for its precise, body-sculpting fit. Their leggings and tops are designed to contour and support your body, creating a flattering silhouette. This compression and shaping are particularly valued in high-performance items. Lululemon's extensive sizing, including multiple inseam lengths for pants, offers a more customized fit.

Sustainability & Ethics

Sustainability is a central pillar of Lole's brand identity. The company is very transparent about its use of recycled and organic fabrics and its ethical manufacturing partners. For shoppers who prioritize environmental impact, Lole has a clear advantage and has built its mission around this commitment.

Lululemon has improved its focus on sustainability in recent years, launching programs to reduce waste and incorporating more recycled materials. However, its primary brand focus remains on technical innovation and performance. While taking positive steps, a commitment to eco-friendly practices feels more deeply integrated into Lole's mission.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent products, but they cater to different priorities and styles.

Choose Lole if:

• Sustainability and eco-friendly materials are a top priority for you.
• You love expressing yourself with bright colors, bold patterns, and feminine designs.
• You want versatile activewear for workouts, errands, and casual life at an accessible price.
• You prefer a more comfortable, slightly relaxed fit over a highly compressive one.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You need high-performance activewear for intense training, running, or a serious yoga practice.
• You prefer a minimalist, sleek, and sophisticated aesthetic with a premium feel.
• You are willing to invest in proprietary technical fabrics known for exceptional comfort and durability.
• You value a precise, body-contouring fit that supports and flatters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lole or Lululemon more expensive?

Lululemon is significantly more expensive than Lole. It is a premium brand with prices reflecting its proprietary technical fabrics and market position, while Lole offers a more accessible, mid-range price point.

Which brand is better for yoga?

Both brands are excellent for yoga. However, Lululemon's Align leggings made from Nulu fabric are iconic in the yoga world for their buttery-soft, weightless feel. Lole is a great alternative, offering comfortable and stylish options at a better price.

How does sizing compare for Lole and Lululemon?

Both brands generally run true to size. Lululemon is known for a very precise, body-hugging fit, whereas Lole can sometimes offer a slightly more relaxed or comfort-focused fit in its pieces.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Lole places a stronger and more central emphasis on sustainability, using a larger proportion of recycled and organic materials and being transparent about its ethical manufacturing. It's the better choice for an eco-conscious shopper.

Do Lole and Lululemon go on sale?

Yes, both do. Lole has more traditional seasonal sales and promotions. Lululemon's sales are usually confined to its "We Made Too Much" section online, which is a perpetual markdown area with final sale items.

What is Lululemon best known for?

Lululemon is best known for its game-changing Align Pant leggings, high-quality technical fabrics that offer exceptional performance and feel, and its strong brand community.

Is Lole a Canadian brand like Lululemon?

Yes, both Lole (founded in Montreal in 2002) and Lululemon (founded in Vancouver in 1998) are proudly Canadian brands.

Can Lululemon leggings be used for running?

While some Lululemon leggings (like the Align Pant) are best for low-impact activities like yoga, the brand offers specific styles made with fabrics like Luxtreme and Everlux that are designed for running and high-intensity training. These offer more compression and sweat-wicking properties.