Public Rec vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026 updated]

Public Rec excels at creating ultra-comfortable and versatile athleisure with a relaxed, minimalist style, making it ideal for everyday wear, travel, and lounging. Lululemon, on the other hand, is a leader in technical, high-performance activewear designed for intense workouts, featuring innovative fabrics and a sleek, sporty aesthetic at a higher price point.

Let's compare them side-by-side to help you decide which brand best fits your lifestyle and needs.

Public Rec: The Masters of Versatile Comfort

Public Rec is a direct-to-consumer brand centered on one core mission: making comfortable clothing you can wear anywhere. They merge the softness of loungewear with the polish of casual streetwear, targeting individuals who want elevated basics that transition from the couch to a coffee run without a wardrobe change. Their focus is on premium, soft-touch fabrics and clean, timeless designs.

• Product mix: The lineup includes men's and women's joggers, hoodies, t-shirts, and layering pieces. Their signature products, like the All Day Every Day Jogger, are made with their proprietary fabrics designed for maximum comfort and durability for everyday life.
• Price point: Positioning themselves in the accessible-premium space. Most key items, like hoodies and joggers, fall between $98 and $128, which is slightly more affordable than their direct counterparts at Lululemon.
• Quality & Materials: Known for ridiculously soft and durable fabrics like their CloudKnit and All Day Soft materials. While comfortable and breathable, these materials prioritize all-day comfort over the high-tech, sweat-wicking capabilities needed for intense exercise.
• Sizing/Fit: Fit tends to be more relaxed and forgiving compared to the often compressive styles at Lululemon. The fit is tailored but not tight, designed to provide a clean silhouette without constricting movement, making it great for various body types.
• Style & Aesthetic: The aesthetic is minimalist, modern, and understated. You'll find a core offering of neutral colors like black, navy, and heather grey that are easy to mix and match.

Public Rec is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing effortless style and exceptional comfort in their daily wardrobe, serving as a perfect work-from-home or travel uniform.

Shop Public Rec: publicrec.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Performance Athleisure

Lululemon built its empire on technical apparel for yoga and has since become a global powerhouse in activewear for running, training, and everyday life. The brand is famous for its innovative, performance-driven fabrics and flattering, body-hugging fits. Its target customer is someone who demands their clothing perform during a workout but also wants a stylish, cohesive look for post-gym errands or brunch.

• Product mix: Lululemon offers a vast range of products including leggings, sports bras, shorts, tops, jackets, and accessories for both men and women. They are celebrated for category-defining items like the Align Pant and the ABC Pant.
• Price point: Positioned firmly in the premium category. Expect to pay between $98 and $128 for a pair of leggings and over $128 for men’s joggers or pants. The price reflects their investment in fabric research and development.
• Quality & Materials: This is where Lululemon shines. Proprietary fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™, slick and supportive Luxtreme™, and breathable Everlux™ are engineered for specific activities, offering properties like four-way stretch, sweat-wicking, and shape retention.
• Sizing/Fit: Garments are designed to be form-fitting and often compressive to support muscles during activity. Sizing is generally true to size but can feel snug. For a more relaxed fit in items like the Scuba Hoodie, many people size up.
• Style & Aesthetic: The look is sleek, athletic, and contemporary. While they offer core neutrals, Lululemon is also known for introducing seasonal colors and bold prints that keep the brand feeling fresh and fashionable.

Lululemon is designed for fitness enthusiasts who need their apparel to work as hard as they do, without ever sacrificing a modern, fashion-forward look.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Public Rec vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

Lululemon is consistently the more expensive brand. A pair of their best-selling leggings, like the Align Pant, will typically cost between $98 and $128. Public Rec’s popular joggers are usually in the same range, but its other essentials like t-shirts and hoodies are often 10-20% less than comparable Lululemon items.

Value-wise, Lululemon justifies its prices with its technical fabric innovations and high-performance branding. Public Rec offers value through its focus on durable, ultra-comfortable materials meant for everyday repeat wear rather than specialized athletic pursuits.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality apparel, but their materials serve different purposes. Lululemon’s fabrics are engineered for performance - they wick sweat, stretch with you during a deep squat, retain their shape after countless workouts, and provide compression. They are built for movement and moisture management.

Public Rec’s quality is defined by comfort and a premium feel. Fabrics like their CloudKnit are incredibly soft, breathable, and designed to look great even after a full day of wear. While they are durable for daily life, they lack the technical features required for intense, sweaty workouts.

Style & Aesthetic

The visual identity of each brand is quite distinct. Public Rec leans into a minimalist and understated style. Their color palette revolves around versatile neutrals like black, charcoal, navy, and heather grey, making their pieces easy to integrate into any wardrobe. The designs are classic and clean.

Lululemon’s aesthetic is decidedly more athletic and trendy. While they have a strong core of black basics, they are known for introducing seasonal, eye-catching colors and patterns. Their silhouettes are often more body-conscious and sporty, showcasing their technical fabrics and athletic-minded design.

Fit & Sizing

Sizing reflects each brand’s primary focus. Lululemon builds garments with a "hugged" sensation in mind, especially for leggings and tops. The fit is compressive and close to the body to offer support during exercise. This can sometimes feel snug, and you may need to adjust your size depending on the fabric and desired feel.

Public Rec offers a more relaxed, "leisure" fit. Their styles are tailored enough to look polished but designed with enough room to maximize comfort. Their sizing is generally more forgiving, aligning with a casual wear experience rather than a performance-based one.

Sustainability & Ethics

As a much larger B Corporation, Lululemon has more extensive and publicly documented sustainability initiatives. They have public goals related to recycled materials, carbon footprint reduction, and supplier ethics. They also have an ongoing "Lululemon Like New" trade-in and resale program to extend the life of their garments.

Public Rec's approach to sustainability is rooted in creating durable, high-quality pieces that you won't need to replace frequently. By promoting a "buy less, but better" mentality, they contribute to reduced consumption. However, their public-facing environmental initiatives are less comprehensive than Lululemon's.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands deliver exceptional quality in their respective categories, but they are designed for very different lifestyles.

Choose Public Rec if:

• Your top priority is all-day comfort for lounging, errands, and travel.
• You prefer a simple, minimalist aesthetic with neutral colors.
• You're looking for elevated work-from-home or casual office wear.
• You prefer a more relaxed yet tailored fit over a compressive, athletic one.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You need technical apparel for yoga, running, HIIT, or other high-intensity training.
• You value innovative fabrics that manage sweat, feel lightweight, and support movement.
• You enjoy a sleek, sporty look and like having options for bold, seasonal colors.
• You are willing to invest in premium performance gear that is built to last through tough workouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Public Rec or Lululemon more expensive?

Generally, Lululemon is more expensive across the board, especially for flagship products like leggings and outerwear. While certain items like men's pants from both brands are close in price (e.g., Lululemon's ABC Pant versus Public Rec's All Day Every Day Pant at around $128), Lululemon's tops, bras, and accessories skew higher.

Which brand is better for working out?

Lululemon is without a doubt the superior choice for most workouts. Their fabrics are specifically engineered to handle sweat, stretch, and provide support. Public Rec is suitable for very light activities like walking or stretching, but it's not designed for intense, sweaty exercise.

Which brand is better for loungewear and everyday comfort?

Public Rec is the winner here. Their focus on soft fabrics and comfortable, relaxed fits makes their clothing exceptional for lounging, running errands, or simply feeling comfortable while looking put together.

How does Public Rec sizing compare to Lululemon?

Public Rec sizing is generally more relaxed and straightforward. Lululemon’s sizing is more 'active fit,' meaning it's snug and compressive. For example, a Medium in a Public Rec sweatshirt will feel roomier than a Lululemon's equivalent size.

Does Lululemon ever go on sale?

Lululemon does not have traditional sitewide sales. However, they have a permanent "We Made Too Much" section on their website where they sell end-of-season items at a discount. These are final sale.

What is Public Rec's most popular item?

Their most famous product is likely the All Day Every Day Pant or a corresponding Jogger. These pieces cemented the brand’s reputation for creating comfortable pants that look polished enough to wear out.

Can you return items to both brands?

Yes, both brands have fairly generous return policies for unworn merchandise with tags attached. Lululemon typically offers a 30-day window. Public Rec also allows returns, emphasizing a hassle-free try-at-home experience.

Which brand is better for travel?

This depends on the type of travel. For long flights and relaxed city exploration where comfort is key, Public Rec is an amazing option. For active trips involving hiking or fitness activities, Lululemon's wrinkle-resistant and sweat-wicking properties provide more functionality.