Lululemon Luon vs. Nulu Fabric: What's the difference?

The core difference between Lululemon's Nulu™ fabric and its original Luon™ fabric comes down to feel and function. Nulu™ is famous for its buttery-soft, lightweight, second-skin experience, designed for ultimate comfort in low-impact activities, while Luon™ is a more substantial, cottony-soft fabric that offers greater support, compression, and durability for more demanding workouts.

Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Lululemon fabric for your lifestyle.

Lululemon Nulu™ Fabric

Nulu™ is the fabric that powers Lululemon's massively popular Align™ collection. It was developed to give a "naked" or "barely there" sensation, prioritizing unrestricted movement and luxurious softness above all else. Its lightweight handle and incredible stretch make it feel like a second skin, perfect for everything from yoga to all-day lounging.

• What it is: A proprietary, lightweight, buttery-soft fabric designed for comfort and freedom of movement.
• Key features: Four-way stretch, sweat-wicking properties, and a weightless feel that moves with you.
• Price: Leggings in Nulu™ fabric, like the Align™ High-Rise Pant, typically range from $98 to $128.
• Materials/Construction: A blend of 81% Nylon and 19% Lycra® elastane for its signature stretch and soft texture.
• Sizing/Fit: Garments made with Nulu™ offer a snug, form-fitting silhouette that feels like a gentle hug. It is very stretchy and generally true to size.
• Pros: Unbelievably soft and comfortable, extremely lightweight and breathable, provides excellent freedom of movement for yoga and Pilates, feels luxurious against the skin.
• Cons: Less compressive than other fabrics, more prone to pilling if not cared for properly (avoid washing with abrasive materials like towels), can show sweat more easily in lighter colors, not ideal for high-impact workouts due to minimal support.

This fabric is made for those who prioritize sensorial comfort for low-impact workouts like yoga, Pilates, or simply want the most comfortable everyday leggings for lounging and running errands.

Shop this fabric: shop.lululemon.com/c/women/collections/nulu

Lululemon Luon™ Fabric

Luon™ is one of Lululemon's original, foundational fabrics that set the standard for yoga wear. It provides a more structured, cottony-soft feel with supportive compression. It’s designed to be a durable workhorse, managing sweat and holding its shape through repeated wear and challenging workouts without sacrificing comfort.

• What it is: Lululemon's original signature performance fabric, offering a cotton-like feel with serious stretch and support.
• Key features: Four-way stretch, inherent sweat-wicking abilities, excellent shape retention, and a supportive, body-hugging fit.
• Price: Products made with Luon™ fabric, like the classic Groove Flared Pant, are often priced between $98 and $118.
• Materials/Construction: A blend of nylon and Lycra® elastane fibers, engineered for durability and a supportive fit.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a more compressive and secure fit compared to Nulu™. It's still true to size but provides a much more "held-in" sensation.
• Pros: Extremely durable and less prone to pilling, provides great support and light compression, maintains its shape well over time, versatile for a range of activities from yoga to training.
• Cons: Thicker and heavier than Nulu™, doesn’t have the same "naked" sensation, can feel too warm for some during intense workouts, not as buttery-soft.

This fabric is built for those who want support, durability, and a classic athletic feel from their activewear, making it suitable for yoga, gym training, and everyday activities where a bit of compression is welcome.

Shop this fabric: shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-trousers/Groove-Pant-Flare-Luon

Lululemon Nulu™ vs. Luon™ Comparison

Feel & Comfort

This is the most significant point of difference. Nulu™ is exceptionally soft, smooth, and lightweight, engineered to feel almost like you're wearing nothing at all. Its primary selling point is this luxurious, buttery feel against the skin. Most users choose Nulu™-based styles like the Align™ Legging purely for this comfort-driven experience.

Luon™, while still soft, has a distinctively different texture. It’s often described as "cottony-soft" rather than "buttery." It feels more substantial and athletic, with a texture that reassures you of its durability. It’s comfortable but in a more traditional, secure-feeling way, lacking the feather-light touch of Nulu™.

Support & Compression

Luon™ is the clear winner if you're looking for support. Its denser weave provides light to medium compression that holds you in and smooths your silhouette. This makes it a great choice for activities where you want to feel secure and supported through various movements without adjusting your pants.

Nulu™ offers minimal compression. Lululemon describes it as a "hugged" sensation, but it’s very gentle. It contours to your body beautifully but won't provide the level of muscle support or shaping that Luon™ does. This lack of compression is part of what makes it so comfortable for lounging and all-day wear.

Durability & Longevity

Engineered for toughness, Luon™ is highly resistant to pilling and abrasion. With proper care, a pair of Luon™ leggings can last for many years, holding their shape and color through countless washes and workouts. It is a true performance fabric built for longevity.

Due to its uniquely soft and delicate fibers, Nulu™ requires more careful handling. It is more susceptible to pilling, especially when it comes into contact with abrasive surfaces (like rough gym equipment, velcro, or even when washed with coarse towels). To keep Nulu™ looking its best, wash it inside-out in cold water with similar fabrics and hang it to dry.

Price & Value

Prices for products made with these fabrics are comparable, sitting firmly in the premium activewear category. A pair of leggings typically costs around $100 for either fabric. The value proposition is different for each. With Nulu™, you're paying for an unparalleled soft and comfortable experience. With Luon™, your investment goes toward a durable, supportive piece of activewear that's built to last through intense use.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Lululemon fabrics are standouts in the activewear market, but they are designed for very different end-uses.

Choose Nulu™ fabric if:

• You prioritize a buttery-soft, second-skin sensation above all else.
• Your main activities are yoga, Pilates, or other low-impact workouts.
• You want leggings that are supremely comfortable for lounging and all-day wear.
• You prefer a lightweight fabric with minimal compression.

Choose Luon™ fabric if:

• You need a fabric that provides support and light compression.
• Durability and resistance to pilling are top priorities for you.
• You prefer a more classic, "cottony-soft" athletic fabric feel.
• You want a versatile pair of leggings for yoga, gym training, and everyday wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Nulu™ and Luon™ fabric?

The main difference is feel and function. Nulu™ is a lightweight, buttery-soft fabric designed for maximum comfort and a "naked" feel with minimal compression. Luon™ is a thicker, more supportive fabric with a cottony-soft feel that offers light compression and superior durability.

Does Nulu™ fabric pill?

Yes, Nulu™ fabric is more susceptible to pilling than other Lululemon fabrics due to its delicate, soft fibers. To minimize pilling, avoid friction with rough surfaces and wash items inside out, in cold water, with other soft fabrics only. Laying them flat or hanging them to dry is also recommended.

Which fabric is better for yoga?

Both were originally designed for yoga, so the answer depends on your preference. Many prefer Nulu™ for its unrestricted, second-skin feel that moves with you through every pose. Others prefer the supportive, held-in feel of a Luon™ pant that stays put and provides more coverage.

Which leggings are made from Nulu™?

Lululemon's best-selling Align™ collection, including leggings, shorts, and tops, is made entirely from Nulu™ fabric.

Is Luon™ fabric being discontinued?

While newer Lululemon fabrics have become more prominent, Luon™ has not been completely discontinued. It is considered a heritage fabric and is still used in core styles, most notably the popular Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pant.

Which fabric is more compressive?

Luon™ is more compressive. It offers a light compression that gently holds you in, whereas Nulu™ provides a very light "hugged" sensation with minimal compression.

How should I care for Luon™ fabric?

Luon™ fabric is quite durable. For best results, machine wash in cold water with similar fabrics and tumble dry on low. You can wash it without the same level of caution required for Nulu™.

Between Nulu™ and Luon™, which is softer?

Nulu™ is definitively softer in a silky, buttery sense. Luon™ has a pleasant, cottony-soft texture, but it cannot match the uniquely smooth and lightweight feel that makes Nulu™ so popular.