Lululemon Brushed vs. Not Brushed: What's the difference?

While fabrics from Lululemon are known for quality, the key difference between their brushed and not brushed materials comes down to texture and warmth. Not brushed fabrics are smooth, sleek, and lightweight - perfect for high-intensity, sweaty workouts. Brushed fabrics, in contrast, have a soft, fuzzy interior that provides cozy insulation, making them ideal for lounging or exercising in colder weather.

Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right fabric finish for your needs.

Brushed Lululemon Fabrics

Brushed fabrics have been mechanically treated to create a soft, slightly fuzzy texture on the inside surface. This process adds a tangible layer of plushness and warmth, transforming a standard piece of activewear into a cozy essential. You'll often find this finish on fall and winter collections of popular styles, like the Align Pant or the Define Jacket.

• What it is: A specialized fabric finish where the material's interior is brushed to create a soft, fleece-like feel for added warmth and comfort.
• Key features: Plush and fuzzy interior texture, enhanced insulation for cold weather, a luxurious "cozy" sensation against the skin.
• Price: Typically priced at a slight premium, often in the $100 to $150 range for key items.
• Sizing/Fit: The fit is generally consistent with non-brushed versions, but the added fabric thickness can make them feel a touch snugger or more compressive to some.
• Pros: Extremely soft and comfortable, provides significant warmth in cooler climates, feels luxurious for lounging, and is perfect for low-impact winter activities.
• Cons: Less breathable than standard fabrics, may be too warm for high-intensity workouts, can be more prone to pilling if not cared for properly, slightly higher cost.

This fabric is the perfect choice for anyone who prioritizes cozy comfort and needs reliable activewear for colder temperatures.

Shop this product: shop.lululemon.com/c/womens-leggings/brushed

Not Brushed Lululemon Fabrics

Not brushed fabrics are the standard, high-performance materials that define the core Lululemon line. These include iconic textiles like Nulu™ and Luxtreme™, which are engineered to feel sleek, lightweight, and cool to the touch. With a smooth finish inside and out, they excel at wicking moisture and supporting movement during any workout.

• What it is: Lululemon's core smooth-faced technical fabrics, like those used in the classic Align and Wunder Train lines, designed for performance and breathability.
• Key features: Lightweight and breathable, moisture-wicking properties, four-way stretch, a sleek "second-skin" sensation.
• Price: Standard Lululemon price range, typically between $80 and $130 for leggings.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for their high stretch and perfect fit, these fabrics fit snugly and are true to their intended "second-skin" feel without feeling restrictive.
• Pros: Versatile for year-round wear across all workout types, highly breathable and quick-drying, incredibly durable, offers a sleek and athletic look.
• Cons: Provides minimal insulation for cold weather, the cool-touch feel may not be ideal during winter months.

This is the go-to fabric for those who need high-performance, breathable activewear for demanding workouts and everyday, all-season wear.

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

Brushed vs. Not Brushed Lululemon Fabrics Comparison

Feel & Comfort

The most immediate difference is how each fabric feels against your skin. A brushed fabric instantly provides a sense of warmth and coziness, similar to slipping into your favorite fleece-lined lounge piece. It’s plush, soft, and designed for comfort above all else.

In contrast, a not brushed fabric feels sleek, cool, and smooth. Its "second-skin" feeling is designed to disappear during activity, providing compression and support without any perceivable fluffiness or excessive warmth. It prioritizes a lightweight, barely-there sensation ideal for performance.

Performance & Breathability

Not brushed fabrics are the clear winners for high-intensity, sweat-inducing activities. Materials like Luxtreme™ are engineered to pull moisture away from the body and dry rapidly, keeping you cool and comfortable during a run, spin class, or HIIT session. Their construction maximizes airflow and prevents overheating.

Brushed fabrics inherently sacrifice some breathability in exchange for insulation. While still capable of handling light moisture, they are designed to trap heat. This makes them perfect for a cold morning run, a winter walk, or a gentle yoga class, but they can quickly feel too warm during intense indoor workouts.

Price & Value

Not brushed items typically align with Lululemon's standard pricing. Given their versatility for year-round workouts and activities, they offer excellent value for anyone seeking a true performance garment.

Brushed versions often come with a slightly higher price tag due to the additional manufacturing process. The value here is specialized, if you live in a cold climate or simply want the most comfortable loungewear possible, the marginal extra cost for superior warmth and coziness is easily justified.

Durability & Care

Both fabric types are highly durable when cared for correctly. Lululemon’s standard fabrics are known for their resilience, holding their shape and color through countless workouts and washes.

Brushed fabrics, due to their raised fibers, can be more susceptible to pilling over time, especially in high-friction areas. To maintain their soft texture, it's best to wash them inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water and lay them flat to dry or tumble dry on the lowest setting.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends entirely on your climate, activity level, and personal comfort preference.

Choose Brushed Fabrics if:

• You live in a cool or cold climate and need activewear that provides genuine warmth.
• You prioritize a soft, plush, and cozy feel for loungewear or low-impact activities.
• The primary use will be cold-weather runs, outdoor walks, or restorative yoga sessions.
• You want a winter-specific version of a Lululemon style you already love, like the Brushed Nulu Align Pant.

Choose Not Brushed Fabrics if:

• You want versatile, all-season activewear suitable for a wide range of workouts.
• You primarily engage in high-sweat activities like running, cycling, or studio classes where breathability is crucial.
• You prefer a lightweight, sleek, "second-skin" sensation over a plusher feel.
• You want Lululemon's classic, high-performance gear that made styles like the Align and Wunder Train iconic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between brushed and not brushed Lululemon leggings?

The main difference is texture and function. Brushed fabrics have a soft, fuzzy interior for added warmth and coziness. Not brushed fabrics have a smooth, sleek finish and are lightweight and breathable for high-performance exercise.

Are brushed Lululemon leggings warmer?

Yes, significantly. The brushing process creates tiny air pockets in the fabric that trap heat, providing insulation against the cold.

Do brushed fabrics pill more easily?

They can be more prone to pilling than their smooth counterparts due to the raised fibers. To minimize this, wash them inside out on a gentle, cold cycle and avoid washing them with abrasive items like zippers or denim.

Can you machine wash brushed Lululemon items?

Yes. The recommended care is to machine wash with similar fabrics in cold water on a delicate cycle and either tumble dry on low or, ideally, lay them flat to dry.

Does the fit differ between brushed and non-brushed versions?

Lululemon designs them to have the same fit, so you should take your regular size. However, some people find the brushed fabric feels a bit snugger due to its slightly thicker composition.

Which is better for running?

It depends on the weather. For most indoor or temperate weather runs, a not brushed fabric like Luxtreme™ is superior for its moisture-wicking and breathability. For cold winter runs, a brushed version will provide necessary warmth and comfort.

Which Align Pant should I get: brushed or regular?

Choose the regular Nulu™ Align Pant for yoga, everyday wear, and a lightweight feel. Choose the Brushed Nulu version for lounging, cold-weather comfort, and low-impact activity in chilly conditions.

Is the price difference worth it?

If you need gear for cold weather or specifically want a cozier feel for lounging, the extra cost for a brushed fabric is absolutely worth it for the added comfort and insulation. If you want a versatile, year-round workout staple, the standard not brushed fabric provides better overall value.