Set Active vs. Alo: Which brand should you buy?

Set Active offers minimalist, versatile activewear with a focus on matching sets at a more accessible price point, while Alo Yoga provides luxury, fashion-forward pieces with technical fabrics and trend-setting designs at a premium cost. Set Active is known for its seamless, sculpting materials and a muted color palette, making it ideal for everyday wear, whereas Alo features edgier designs, bolder colors, and a higher-profile presence in luxury retail.

Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your style and budget.

Set Active: The Minimalist Athleisure Brand

Set Active creates contemporary activewear designed for seamless transition from the gym to the street. The brand's focus on sleek, minimalist designs and high-performance fabrics appeals to a modern consumer who values a polished, unified look. Their target customer seeks comfortable, stylish pieces that prioritize both function and aesthetics without a luxury price tag.

• Product mix: Best known for their color-coordinated matching sets, including seamless leggings, sports bras, and outerwear. The collections are built around creating a complete, versatile look.
• Price point: Premium yet accessible, with items generally ranging from $50 to $150. A full set can be purchased for a significantly lower price than a comparable outfit from a luxury competitor.
• Quality: Uses high-quality performance materials like seamless, ribbed, and sculpting fabrics that offer a snug, supportive fit. The construction is durable and designed to hold up through workouts and daily activities.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Minimalist, clean, and modern. Primarily features neutral tones like beige and black, along with muted pastels, emphasizing simple silhouettes with subtle branding.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally fits true to size, offering a sculpting, body-hugging feel that provides comfortable support. Sizing ranges from XS to XL, with some styles available up to XXL.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes ethical manufacturing and incorporates eco-friendly fabrics, including recycled materials, into some of its collections.

Set Active delivers high-quality, stylish, and incredibly versatile activewear for shoppers who love a clean aesthetic and the ease of a matching set.

Shop Set Active: setactive.com

Alo Yoga: The Luxury Performance & Lifestyle Brand

Alo Yoga is a global leader in luxury activewear, blending high-end fashion with technical performance since its launch in 2007. The brand has built a strong reputation for trend-setting designs worn by celebrities and yogis alike. Their collections are crafted from innovative, premium fabrics designed to perform during intense workouts while looking chic and stylish for everyday wear.

• Product mix: Offers a wide range of products including high-performance leggings, tops, sports bras, hoodies, and jackets. Alo is also known for its extensive collection of accessories and wellness products.
• Price point: Positioned firmly in the luxury market, with most item prices falling between $70 and $200. This higher price reflects its premium materials and aspirational branding.
• Quality: Known for investing heavily in proprietary, top-tier fabrics with features like moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, and anti-odor properties. The construction is meticulous, with reinforced seams and a high-end finish.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Sleek, modern, and often edgy. Alo isn't afraid of bold colors, unique patterns, and eye-catching details that stand out.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits are sleek and body-hugging to flatter the silhouette. While generally true to size, the form-fitting nature of their performance fabrics means it's always wise to consult their detailed size guides. Sizing typically runs from XS to XL.
• Sustainability: Alo has made significant commitments to sustainability, using recycled materials, reducing waste in its supply chain, and adhering to ethical manufacturing standards.

Alo Yoga is the go-to brand for those who see activewear as a core part of their fashion wardrobe and are willing to invest in premium quality and trend-forward styles.

Shop Alo Yoga: aloyoga.com

Set Active vs. Alo Yoga Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Set Active sits in an accessible-premium category, with most individual pieces costing between $50 and $150. This makes it more approachable for shoppers who want a high-quality look without a luxury price tag. You can often build a complete matching set for under $150.

Alo Yoga operates at a higher, luxury price point, with individual items typically ranging from $70 up to $200. While this investment gives you access to more advanced fabric technology and trend-driven designs, it is less friendly for those on a tight budget. For the price of a single pair of Alo leggings, you might be able to get a full two-piece set at Set Active.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality materials, but their focus differs. Set Active excels with its signature seamless, ribbed, and sculpting fabrics. These materials are known for providing excellent comfort and a body-hugging, flattering fit that holds its shape. They feel soft yet supportive, perfect for both workouts and day-to-day life.

Alo Yoga's reputation is built on its innovative and technical fabrics. They utilize materials with advanced properties like moisture-wicking and four-way stretch that feel incredibly luxurious against the skin. Alo's materials and construction often feel more substantial and technical, designed for peak performance while delivering a high-fashion aesthetic.

Style & Aesthetic

Aesthetic is a key differentiator. Set Active is the champion of minimalism. The entire brand revolves around clean lines, solid neutral and muted colors, and the simple elegance of a perfectly matched set. Their vibe is understated, modern, and versatile.

Conversely, Alo Yoga embraces a more fashion-forward and edgy aesthetic. They are often first to market with new trends, featuring bold colors, unique cutouts, glossy finishes, and statement pieces. While Alo offers core staples, the brand is most known for items that stand out and push the boundaries of athleisure.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer inclusive sizing, though their fit philosophies vary slightly. Set Active is known for a consistent, true-to-size fit with a focus on sculpting and compression. The feel is secure and supportive, comfortably hugging your body. They offer a range from XS to XXL in many styles.

Alo Yoga’s fit is sleek and body-contouring, designed to create a long, lean silhouette. Some customers find their styles to run slightly more compressive or form-fitting, so reviewing the size guide for each product is a smart move. Their standard size range is typically XS to XL.

Shopping Experience

Set Active primarily operates on a direct-to-consumer model through its streamlined and user-friendly website. The shopping experience is straightforward, focusing on new color drops and curated sets. They are a true digital brand.

Alo Yoga offers a more omnichannel experience. In addition to a polished website that includes styling tips and product videos, Alo has flagship brick-and-mortar stores and is available in high-end department stores like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. This allows customers to see and feel the products in person, enhancing the luxury shopping feel.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands have made public commitments to ethical and sustainable practices, which is a big plus for conscious consumers. Set Active focuses on incorporating eco-friendly and recycled materials into their products and maintains transparent sourcing.

Alo Yoga also promotes its earth-friendly approach, with ethical manufacturing facilities and efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through recycled materials and waste reduction programs. If sustainability is a priority, you have a solid choice in either brand.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities in style, budget, and function. Both brands make excellent activewear, but they serve different needs.

Choose Set Active if:

• You love a minimalist, clean aesthetic and a perfectly coordinated matching look.
• You want versatile activewear that works just as well for running errands as it does for a yoga class.
• Your budget is in the accessible-premium range, and you value getting a full set at a reasonable price.
• You prefer a soft, comfortable, and sculpting fit over highly technical, compressive fabrics.

Choose Alo Yoga if:

• You want to make a fashion statement with your activewear and love unique details and bold designs.
• You are willing to invest in luxury materials and advanced fabric technology.
• Your style is edgy and trend-driven, and you want pieces seen on top celebrities and influencers.
• You enjoy a high-end shopping experience, whether online or in-store at luxury retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Set Active or Alo Yoga cheaper?

Set Active is decidedly more affordable. Their pieces generally range from $50-$150, while Alo's regularly fall between $70-$200. A full Set Active outfit is often significantly cheaper than a comparable one from Alo.

Which brand has better quality leggings?

Both offer excellent quality, but for different reasons. Set Active's leggings are known for their soft, sculpting, and seamless texture that's incredibly comfortable. Alo Yoga's leggings often feature more technical, compressive, and innovative fabrics designed for high performance with a luxurious feel.

Does Alo Yoga run true to size?

Alo's sizing is generally true to size, but its fit is designed to be sleek and body-hugging. Because some of their fabrics are highly compressive, some shoppers prefer to size up for a more comfortable fit, especially if they are between sizes. Always check their size chart.

Is Set Active good for high-intensity workouts?

Yes, Set Active is suitable for a range of workouts, including high-intensity training. Its supportive and sculpting fabrics provide good compression and stay in place. However, for extremely intense, sweaty activities, some may prefer the more advanced moisture-wicking technology found in Alo Yoga's fabrics.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Both Set Active and Alo Yoga have strong commitments to sustainability, using recycled materials and promoting ethical production. Neither is clearly superior to the other, making them both good choices for environmentally conscious shoppers.

Where can I buy Set Active?

Set Active is primarily sold direct-to-consumer through its official website, setactive.com. They occasionally partner with select retailers, but their main storefront is online.

Does Alo Yoga ever have sales?

Yes, Alo Yoga holds sales, though they are not as frequent as other brands. Key shopping periods like Black Friday and end-of-season sales are the best times to find discounts on their premium activewear.

What are Set Active and Alo most known for?

Set Active is best known for its minimalist matching sets in a variety of complementary muted and neutral colorways. Alo Yoga is most known for its trend-setting Airbrush and Airlift leggings, which are celebrity favorites, as well as their fashion-forward designs.