Lululemon Tights vs. Leggings: Which one should you buy?

While Lululemon often uses the terms interchangeably, their "tights" and "leggings" serve very different purposes. Lululemon tights are technical, performance-driven bottoms designed for high-impact activities like running and training, using compressive fabrics like Everlux. In contrast, Lululemon leggings, like the famous Align pant, prioritize buttery-soft comfort for low-impact workouts like yoga, lounging, and everyday wear using fabrics like Nulu.

Here’s a clear look at how they compare, so you can pick the perfect pair for your activities.

Lululemon Tights

Lululemon tights are engineered for performance. Think of them as specialized gear for sweating, running, and intense training. They are typically made from slick, cool-to-the-touch, and highly durable fabrics that offer compression, wick away moisture efficiently, and stand up to high-friction movements without pilling. These are the bottoms you choose when your main goal is athletic performance and support.

• What it is: Technical athletic bottoms designed for high-impact and high-sweat activities like running, HIIT, and training.
• Key features: Compressive fit, moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics, durable construction, and often include details like drop-in pockets and reflective elements.
• Price: Typically range from $118 - $148.
• Materials/Construction: Made from performance fabrics like Everlux (fast-drying, a bestseller for training) and Luxtreme (sweat-wicking with a cool, smooth feel). Construction features flatlock seams to reduce chafing.
• Sizing/Fit: Designed for a compressive, second-skin fit that hugs and supports muscles. They generally fit true to size.
• Pros: Excellent durability for intense workouts, superior sweat management, compressive fit feels supportive, less likely to pill, holds shape over time.
• Cons: Fabric can feel less soft or cozy for casual wear, compressive fit may be too restrictive for lounging, often come at a higher price point than leggings.

This is the ideal choice for dedicated runners, gym-goers, and anyone who needs their activewear to perform under pressure and intense conditions.

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

Lululemon Leggings

Lululemon leggings have become synonymous with all-day comfort and versatility. Led by the buttery-soft Align collection, these bottoms focus on flexibility for low-impact movement and a feeling so lightweight it’s often described as a "naked sensation." While great for yoga or Pilates, their primary appeal is comfort for lounging, errands, and everyday athleisure style.

• What it is: Unbelievably comfortable, lightweight bottoms made for yoga, low-impact exercise, and all-day wear.
• Key features: Buttery-soft feel, minimal seams, high-waisted designs, exceptional stretch, and a massive range of colors and lengths.
• Price: Typically range from $98 - $118.
• Materials/Construction: Famously made from Nulu fabric (used in the Align Pant), which is ridiculously soft and offers four-way stretch. Also available in Luon for a more cottony-soft feel.
• Sizing/Fit: A close-to-body, form-fitting fit with less compression than tights. Most styles are true to size.
• Pros: Unmatched comfort and softness, incredibly versatile for casual and lifestyle wear, flattering high-rise fit, feels weightless on the body.
• Cons: Nulu fabric is delicate and can pill with high friction or improper washing, shows sweat more visibly than technical fabrics, offers minimal compression or support for intense workouts.

Perfect for yoga enthusiasts, those who work from home, or anyone who values next-level softness and comfort above all else.

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

Lululemon Tights vs. Leggings Comparison

Fabric & Feel

The biggest difference lies in the fabric. Lululemon tights use materials like Everlux and Luxtreme, which feel slick, cool, and supportive. They're designed to handle sweat and glide against your skin without creating excess friction during movements like running or squatting.

Leggings, especially those from the Align Collection, use Nulu fabric. This fabric gives them their famous "buttery-soft" texture. It is warm, cozy, and incredibly stretchy, prioritizing a feeling of total comfort over technical performance. It doesn't have the slick, athletic feel of the tights' fabric.

Performance & Durability

For performance, it’s no contest: tights are the winner. The compressive fabrics support your muscles, and their moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties are far superior for high-sweat sessions. They are engineered to endure rubbing, pulling, and frequent washing associated with intense workouts.

Lululemon leggings, particularly the Nulu-based Align pants, are much more delicate. The soft fabric is prone to pilling if subjected to high friction (like from running or lifting) or if washed with abrasive items like towels. While perfect for yoga, they simply weren't built for the same level of abuse as a dedicated running tight.

Versatility

While tights are performance-focused, leggings often win on versatility for daily life. Thanks to their incredible comfort and minimalistic design, Lululemon leggings seamlessly transition from a yoga class to the grocery store or a coffee run. Their softer appearance makes them easier to style as regular daywear.

Tights, with their performance paneling, pockets, and sometimes-shinier finish, look more explicitly like workout gear. They are less likely to be your first choice for a casual outfit unless you're coming straight from the gym.

Price & Value

In general, Lululemon leggings like the Align pant start at a lower price point (around $98) than technical tights like the Fast and Free (around $128). The value comes down to your needs. If you're a serious athlete, investing in a durable, performance-focused tight is better value in the long run. If you want maximum comfort for everyday wear and low-impact activities, the lower-priced legging offers more value for your lifestyle.

Who Each One Works Best For

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your primary activity. Lululemon tights are tailor-made for runners, HIIT lovers, and anyone needing serious muscle support and sweat control. Their durability and performance features make them the clear choice for demanding physical fitness.

Lululemon leggings are designed for an entirely different customer. They are for the person who values comfort above all - perfect for yoga, Pilates, light walks, or simply enjoying the softest pants imaginable while lounging, working from home, or running errands.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both options offer exceptional quality, but they excel in fundamentally different areas.

Choose Lululemon Tights if:

• Your primary activity is running, Cross-Fit, or other high-impact training.
• You need fabric that wicks away sweat quickly and efficiently.
• You prefer a snug, compressive feel that supports your muscles.
• Durability and resistance to pilling are your top priorities.

Choose Lululemon Leggings if:

• Comfort is your #1 goal - you live for that “buttery-soft” feeling.
• You practice yoga, Pilates, or other low-impact activities.
• You want one pair to do double-duty for lounging and light workouts.
• You’re careful with your laundry and want a flattering everyday bottom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Lululemon tights and leggings?

The main difference is their purpose and fabric. Tights are for high-performance workouts, using durable, sweat-wicking, and compressive materials. Leggings are for comfort and low-impact activities, using ultra-soft, stretchy fabrics like Nulu.

Are Lululemon leggings see-through?

No, Lululemon leggings and tights are renowned for being opaque. They are designed with high-quality, dense fabrics that provide full coverage even when bending or stretching, so you can move with confidence.

How do you keep Lululemon Align leggings from pilling?

The soft Nulu fabric is prone to pilling from friction. To minimize it, wash them inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water. Avoid washing with abrasive items like denim or towels, and always hang them to dry instead of using a machine dryer.

Which Lululemon fabric is the softest?

Nulu™ fabric is the softest. It's used in the famous Align leggings and is known for its incredibly soft, "buttery" feel and weightless sensation perfect for yoga and everyday wear.

Can you wear Lululemon Align leggings for running?

While you can, it's not recommended. The Nulu fabric is not designed for the high friction of running and can pill quickly. Align leggings also lack the compression and sweat-wicking capability of designated running tights like the Fast and Free.

Are Lululemon leggings and tights true to size?

Yes, Lululemon is known for its consistent sizing. Customers generally find that both their leggings and tights fit true to size. It's best to stick to your usual size to get the intended fit and compression level for each style.

Which Lululemon bottom is best for training and the gym?

The Wunder Train High-Rise Tight made with Everlux fabric is a popular choice. It bridges the gap between leggings and tights, offering the durability and quick-drying properties of a tight with a softer feel, making it great for versatile gym workouts.

Is Wunder Train considered a tight or a legging?

This style blurs the line, but it’s best classified as a training tight. It uses the performance-oriented Everlux fabric designed to handle sweat and repeated friction, placing it firmly in the 'tight' category intended for workouts over lounging.

Are Lululemon bottoms worth the price?

Many customers believe they are. The high price tag reflects the premium fabric quality, durable construction, incredibly flattering fit, and shape retention over many washes and wears. For those who wear activewear frequently, the long-term performance can justify the initial cost.

Which is cooler for hot weather: tights or leggings?

Tights made from fabrics like Everlux or Luxtreme are generally better for hot weather and intense workouts. These technical fabrics are specifically designed to pull sweat away from the skin and dry quickly, helping you stay cooler and more comfortable than softer, more absorbent legging fabrics.