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

Public Rec is known for its minimalist and versatile casualwear, creating elevated basics perfect for working from home or everyday leisure. In contrast, Vuori is a performance-focused activewear brand with a distinct coastal, California-inspired vibe, specializing in technical fabrics designed for workouts and outdoor adventures.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right apparel brand for your lifestyle.

Public Rec: Versatile & Minimalist Casualwear

Public Rec designs its apparel around the idea of "leisure for life," offering comfortable and stylish basics that don't look like they belong solely on the couch. Their target customer is the modern professional who values high-quality construction and a clean, understated aesthetic. These are go-to pieces for remote work, weekend errands, and travel, effortlessly blending comfort with a polished look.

• Product mix: The collection focuses on elevated casualwear, including their popular All Day Every Day Joggers, shorts, comfortable t-shirts, polos, hoodies, and jackets.
• Price point: Positioned in a mid-range to premium tier, a pair of their signature joggers retails for between $85 and $125, while t-shirts hover around $50-$60.
• Style/aesthetic: Minimalist, modern, and clean. Their color palette is grounded in neutral and earth tones, making the pieces incredibly easy to mix and match.
• Quality & Materials: The brand is celebrated for its proprietary fabrics that are soft, durable, easy to care for, and retain their shape over time. The focus is on long-lasting comfort for daily wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Public Rec offers consistent sizing that generally runs true to size. The fit is often described as relaxed yet tailored, providing a structured look without feeling tight or restrictive.

Public Rec is an excellent pick for anyone looking to build a wardrobe of high-quality, understated basics that prioritize comfort without sacrificing style for everyday situations.

Shop Public Rec: publicrec.com

Vuori: Performance Activewear with a Coastal Vibe

Inspired by the active lifestyle of coastal California, Vuori crafts performance apparel that effortlessly transitions from workouts to daily life. The brand is known for its innovative, super-soft technical fabrics and a laid-back, sporty style. Their customer is an active individual who needs their clothing to perform during yoga, hiking, or a gym session but also wants to look stylish and feel comfortable grabbing coffee afterward.

• Product mix: Vuori features a wide array of activewear, including performance joggers and leggings, technical shorts, moisture-wicking tops, hoodies, and outerwear.
• Price point: As a premium activewear brand, their joggers and leggings typically cost between $85 and $130, and performance tops are in the $50-$70 range.
• Style/aesthetic: Casual, sporty, and energetic. While they offer neutral basics, Vuori is also known for its vibrant and textured fabrics that reflect an outdoor, beach-inspired vibe.
• Quality & Materials: Vuori is famous for its proprietary fabrics like the unbelievably soft DreamKnit and moisture-wicking V-Yarn. The materials are designed for movement, breathability, and performance.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs true to size with an athletic focus. Fits are designed for mobility, so some performance items may feel more snug or compressive compared to pure loungewear.

Vuori excels at creating stylish, high-performance activewear with exceptionally comfortable materials, making it a great choice for fitness enthusiasts and anyone on the move.

Shop Vuori: vuoriclothing.com

Public Rec vs. Vuori Comparison

Price Comparison

Both Public Rec and Vuori operate in the premium apparel space, and their prices reflect that. Core products like joggers from both brands land squarely in the $85 to $130 range. Neither brand is aiming to be a budget option, instead, they justify their prices with high-quality materials and durable construction.

In general, their pricing is very comparable. The value decision often comes down to promotions. Vuori tends to have seasonal sales and more frequent promotions, which can make their lineup slightly more accessible for shoppers who are patient and watch for discounts.

Quality & Materials

Here is where the core difference lies. Public Rec prioritizes fabrics designed for ultimate leisure comfort and durability. Their material blends are soft, substantial, and hold up well to repeated washing, making them ideal for everyday, all-day wear. The feel is often plush and cozy.

Vuori, on the other hand, engineers fabrics for performance. Their famous DreamKnit material is incredibly soft but also lightweight, moisture-wicking, and stretchy. Materials like their V-Yarn are specifically designed to be breathable and quick-drying. If your activities involve sweat, Vuori’s technical fabrics offer a clear performance advantage, whereas Public Rec’s focus is pure comfort.

Style & Aesthetic

Choosing based on style is straightforward. Public Rec offers a minimalist, urban-inspired aesthetic. Their pieces feature clean lines, solid neutral colors, and a polished look that feels more versatile for casual office settings or brunch. It's an understated style that blends in seamlessly.

Vuori embraces a sporty, energetic, and distinctly West Coast vibe. Their color palette is broader and often more vibrant, and the overall design feels more aligned with an active, outdoor lifestyle. The look is stylish but undeniably rooted in athletic gear.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands provide reliable sizing that generally runs true to size. Many customers find an overlap in how a size large fits from both companies, for example. However, the intent behind the fit differs.

Public Rec joggers and shorts have a relaxed yet tailored cut. They are roomy enough for lounging but have a tapered silhouette that prevents them from looking sloppy. Vuori's clothing is designed with an athletic fit to allow for a full range of motion. Performance leggings and tops might fit more snugly and offer a touch of compression, which is ideal for activity but might not be what you want for pure relaxation.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are taking steps toward more responsible manufacturing, but Vuori has made sustainability a more prominent part of its brand identity. Vuori actively publicizes its use of recycled and sustainable materials, highlights its environmental initiatives, and provides transparency around its manufacturing ethics.

Public Rec emphasizes creating durable, long-lasting products to reduce consumption, but is less vocal about its specific eco-friendly practices. For shoppers who prioritize sustainable and ethical production, Vuori offers a more compelling and transparent story.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both apparel brands do an excellent job at what they do, but their specialties are clearly defined and serve different needs.

Choose Public Rec if:

• You're looking for elevated loungewear for working from home, traveling, or running errands.
• You prefer a clean, minimalist style with a neutral color palette.
• Your top priority is all-day comfort for casual, low-impact activities.
• You want durable, high-quality basics that will become long-term wardrobe mainstays.

Choose Vuori if:

• Your clothing needs to perform during workouts, yoga, or outdoor adventures.
• You love a relaxed, sporty, coastal-inspired aesthetic, often with vibrant colors.
• You need technical features like moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics.
• Prioritizing brands with a strong, transparent commitment to sustainability is important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Public Rec or Vuori more expensive?

Their pricing is very similar. Both are premium brands with joggers and leggings typically costing between $85 and $130. You won't find a significant price difference on core items at full price, though Vuori may offer sales and promotions more frequently.

Is Vuori's DreamKnit fabric that good?

Yes, it's widely regarded as one of the softest and most comfortable materials in the activewear market. It is lightweight, stretchy, and perfect for both lounging and light activity, making joggers and hoodies made from it fan favorites.

Is Public Rec good for workouts?

Public Rec clothing can work for light activities like stretching, walking, or a very low-impact gym day. However, it's not made with performance materials. For high-intensity workouts or activities that involve a lot of sweat, Vuori is the far superior choice due to its moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics.

How do Public Rec joggers fit?

Public Rec’s joggers, like the All Day Every Day Jogger, typically have a tailored but comfortable fit. They run true to size and are designed to look polished rather than overly baggy.

How does Vuori sizing run?

Vuori clothing generally runs true to size. Because it's designed for activity, many items have an athletic fit that is closer to the body to allow for optimal movement. It's a comfortable fit, but not as relaxed or roomy as some of Public Rec’s pieces.

What's the biggest difference between their styles?

The core difference is minimalism versus sporty. Public Rec's style is modern, sleek, and understated, relying on neutral colors. Vuori's is vibrant, casual, and energetic, inspired by California's outdoor culture.

Do Public Rec and Vuori ever go on sale?

Yes, both brands have sales, typically around major holidays and the end of seasons. From customer experience, Vuori seems to run promotions and special offers more regularly than a brand like Public Rec.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Vuori has a more established and public commitment to sustainability. They actively use recycled materials and are transparent about their efforts to reduce their environmental impact.