Pop Fit Leggings vs. Fabletics: Which brand should you buy?

Pop Fit offers budget-friendly, versatile activewear with straightforward pricing, making it a go-to for shoppers who want reliable leggings without a subscription. In contrast, Fabletics operates on a membership model that provides high-performance, fashion-forward gear at a discount for its subscribers. The core difference lies in Pop Fit's simplicity and value versus Fabletics's trend-driven designs and subscription-based savings.

Let's compare these two activewear brands to help you decide which is the right fit for your workout and lifestyle.

Pop Fit: Affordable & Versatile Activewear

Pop Fit is an activewear brand that prioritizes quality, comfort, and affordability. They cater to a wide audience seeking durable leggings and workout apparel that transitions from the gym to everyday life. The brand is known for its inclusive sizing, squat-proof fabric, and supportive fit, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts who don't want to commit to a membership.

• Product mix: Primarily leggings, along with sports bras, tops, and accessories. The designs are modern and sleek, focusing on function and versatility.
• Price point: Very affordable, with most leggings priced between $25 and $40. Frequent sales and promotions offer even greater value.
• Quality: Made from a durable polyester and spandex blend. The fabric is moisture-wicking, squat-proof, and designed with reinforced seams to hold up during regular workouts.
• Style & Aesthetic: Features clean, minimalist designs with solid colors and subtle patterns. The style is understated and functional, perfect for those who prefer timeless activewear.
• Sizing/Fit: Runs true to size with a consistent fit. Pop Fit emphasizes inclusivity, offering sizes from XS to 3X.
• Shopping experience: A straightforward e-commerce site with easy navigation. Customers can purchase items directly without any membership requirements.

Pop Fit is ideal for shoppers seeking reliable, comfortable, and affordable activewear for daily use and moderate workouts without any subscription commitments.

Shop Pop Fit: popfit.com

Fabletics: Fashion-Forward, Subscription-Based Activewear

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics blends high-performance activewear with the latest fashion trends. The brand operates primarily on a flexible subscription model, offering its VIP members significant discounts, early access to new collections, and personalized recommendations. Fabletics is known for its proprietary fabrics, bold designs, and a vast selection of leggings, sports bras, and athleisure wear.

• Product mix: Extensive collection of workout apparel including leggings, sports bras, tops, and complete athleisure outfits. Known for unique collections and statement pieces.
• Price point: Non-member pricing for leggings ranges from $50 to $80. VIP members can get leggings for much less, often around $25-$40 during promotions.
• Quality: Uses high-performance, proprietary fabrics like "PowerForm" and "Vapor" that offer advanced compression, four-way stretch, and moisture-wicking technology.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, trendy, and fashion-forward. Fabletics is recognized for vibrant prints, color-blocking, and stylish details like mesh panels and cutouts.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a wide and inclusive size range from XXS to 4X. Leggings generally run true to size but often have a snug, compressive fit designed for performance.
• Rewards program: The VIP Membership is the core of their model. Members receive credits each month for a new outfit and get access to exclusive discounts up to 50% off retail prices.

Fabletics is built for the fashion-conscious fitness enthusiast who wants high-performance gear with trendy designs and enjoys the savings and perks of a membership program.

Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com

Pop Fit Leggings vs. Fabletics Comparison

Price Comparison

Pop Fit is the clear winner for straightforward, low prices. Leggings are consistently in the $25-$40 range, making them highly accessible without needing sales or memberships. This model offers predictable and excellent value for anyone on a budget.

Fabletics has a higher retail price, with leggings often costing $50 to $80 for non-members. However, the VIP membership dramatically changes the value equation. With member-exclusive discounts and monthly credits, subscribers can often grab high-end leggings for a price similar to Pop Fit's. The better value depends entirely on whether you shop for activewear frequently enough to justify the membership.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce quality activewear, but their materials target slightly different users. Pop Fit leggings use a reliable polyester and spandex blend that is comfortably supportive, moisture-wicking, and squat-proof, making them great for general gym use, yoga, and everyday wear.

Fabletics invests more in fabric technology. Their proprietary blends like PowerForm and Vapor offer advanced compression, superior moisture management, and exceptional durability designed for high-impact activities. For serious athletes or those who demand peak performance from their gear during intense training, Fabletics has a slight edge in material innovation.

Style & Aesthetic

The style difference is one of the biggest distinctions between the two brands. Pop Fit’s aesthetic is versatile and understated. Their collection revolves around solid colors and classic, subtle patterns that are timeless and easy to mix and match. It’s perfect for someone building a functional workout wardrobe that doubles as casual wear.

Fabletics, on the other hand, is a trendsetter. The brand is known for its bold prints, unique cutouts, mesh panels, and fashion-forward designs. If you want your activewear to make a statement and reflect the latest trends, Fabletics has a wider variety of eye-catching options.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands are committed to inclusive sizing and offer a consistent fit. Pop Fit provides sizes from XS to 3X and is known for being true to size with a comfortable, supportive feel.

Fabletics provides an even broader range, from XXS to 4X. Their sizing is also generally true to size, but customers should note that many of their high-performance styles are designed for high compression. This can make them feel snugger than leggings from other brands, so checking the product description for the compression level is a good idea when choosing your size.

Shopping Experience

The shopping experiences are fundamentally different. Shopping with Pop Fit is a simple, traditional e-commerce transaction. You visit the site, pick what you like, and check out. It's fast, easy, and requires no ongoing commitment.

Fabletics offers a more personalized, curated experience through its VIP membership. The program includes a monthly charge that converts to store credit, allowing members to buy new outfits at a discount. While you can "skip the month" to avoid a charge, it requires active management. This model is great for those who love getting new activewear regularly but might not be ideal for infrequent shoppers.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are making moves toward more sustainable practices, but neither markets itself as a fully sustainable brand. Pop Fit aims to use eco-friendly fabrics and responsible manufacturing, maintaining transparency about its efforts.

Fabletics has also increased its use of recycled materials in some of its collections and partners with factories committed to ethical standards. As a large retailer, their progress is ongoing, and they are working toward better supply chain transparency.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent products, but they are designed for very different shoppers. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide.

Choose Pop Fit if:

• You're on a budget and want consistently low-priced, quality activewear.
• You prefer a simple, no-commitment shopping experience.
• Your style is more minimalist and you prefer versatile, solid-colored pieces.
• You need reliable gear for moderate workouts like yoga, light jogging, or gym training.

Choose Fabletics if:

• You love a good deal and are comfortable with a subscription model to get it.
• You want your activewear to be bold, trendy, and fashion-forward.
• You need high-performance gear with features like advanced compression for intense workouts.
• You enjoy a personalized shopping experience and look forward to new collection launches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pop Fit or Fabletics cheaper?

Pop Fit is cheaper if you're buying a single pair of leggings without any commitments, with prices typically between $25 and $40. Fabletics can be equally affordable with its VIP member pricing, but this requires an ongoing monthly subscription.

Are Fabletics leggings better quality than Pop Fit?

Both brands offer good quality, but Fabletics often uses more advanced, proprietary fabrics designed for high performance and durability, which may offer a slight edge for intense activities. Pop Fit's quality is excellent for its price point and is well-suited for everyday wear and moderate exercise.

Do I have to subscribe to Fabletics?

No, you can buy products from Fabletics as a non-member, but you will pay the full retail price, which can be nearly double the VIP member price. The main draw of the brand is the savings offered through its membership.

Which brand is better for intense workouts?

Fabletics leggings are generally better for intense workouts due to their high-compression fabrics, advanced moisture-wicking technology, and durability in styles designed for high-impact activities like running and HIIT.

Are Pop Fit leggings squat-proof?

Yes, Pop Fit leggings are known for their squat-proof fabric, which provides good coverage and prevents sheerness during exercises like squats and lunges.

How does sizing compare between Pop Fit and Fabletics?

Both brands are generally true to size and offer inclusive sizing. Pop Fit is available in XS-3X, while Fabletics offers XXS-4X. Fabletics's high-compression styles might feel tighter, so it's wise to read reviews or the product description before buying.

Which brand offers more styles?

Fabletics typically offers a wider variety of styles due to its frequent collection drops. They are known for bold patterns, unique cutouts, and collaborations that produce a constant stream of new, trendy designs.

Are these brands sustainable?

Both brands have taken steps towards sustainability, such as using recycled materials and ethical manufacturing partners. However, neither is considered a fully sustainable brand. Their efforts are ongoing, but they primarily focus on performance and affordability.