Set Active vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Set Active focuses on minimalist, fashion-forward activewear with on-trend color palettes at an accessible mid-range price point, making it a go-to for stylish, versatile sets. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium performance brand known for its proprietary technical fabrics, higher price tags, and reputation for exceptional durability in athletic scenarios.

Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which activewear brand is the right investment for your wardrobe and workout routine.

Set Active: The Modern Athleisure Uniform

Set Active is a contemporary brand that perfectly blends function with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Their core mission is to create pieces that transition seamlessly from the gym to everyday life, appealing to a fashion-conscious customer who values both style and comfort. The brand is famous for its coordinated sets and limited-edition color drops that create a strong sense of a cohesive, minimalist wardrobe.

• Product mix: Known for their matching sets, Set Active offers leggings, sports bras, tank tops, hoodies, and joggers. They focus on core silhouettes released in seasonal, highly anticipated colors.
• Price point: Positioned as accessible luxury, prices are noticeably lower than premium competitors. Leggings and sports bras typically fall in the $50 to $80 range, offering great value for the quality.
• Quality: The brand uses high-quality, sweat-wicking fabrics that offer comfort and support. While not a proprietary technology like Lululemon's, the materials are durable for everyday wear and light to moderate workouts.
• Sizing/Fit: Fit is generally true to size with a focus on flattering and inclusive silhouettes, ranging from XS to XL. The cuts are designed to be both stylish and comfortable without feeling restrictive.
• Style aesthetic: Set Active's look is defined by minimalism, clean lines, and neutral or monochrome color palettes. They create an understated "uniform" feel that is immediately recognizable and versatile.

Set Active is ideal for those who want stylish, coordinated activewear that works just as well for running errands as it does for a yoga class, all without the premium price tag.

Shop Set Active: setactive.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Performance & Innovation

Lululemon is a global powerhouse in the activewear market, setting the standard for high-performance athletic apparel. Founded with roots in yoga, the brand has expanded to serve all types of athletic pursuits, from running to training. They are renowned for their investment in fabric technology, creating proprietary materials engineered for specific activities, which justifies their premium pricing and has cultivated a fiercely loyal customer base.

• Product mix: Their extensive range includes leggings, sports bras, shorts, tops, and technical outerwear. They also offer a wide selection of accessories, bags, and a growing lifestyle and menswear collection.
• Price point: As a premium brand, Lululemon is more of an investment. Leggings are typically priced between $98 and $150, and sports bras are around $50 to $70.
• Quality & Technology: This is where Lululemon shines. They use proprietary fabrics like buttery soft Nulu&trade, for yoga, fast-drying Everlux&trade, for intense training, and supportive Luon&trade,. The construction and materials are designed for longevity and a consistent feel wash after wash.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is very consistent, typically offering sizes from 0 to 14, with many styles now available in extended sizes. The fit is famously snug and body-hugging, designed to support movement and often has a compressive feel.
• Community & Experience: Lululemon is known for its strong community focus, offering in-store fitness classes and brand ambassador programs that create an immersive customer experience.

Lululemon is built for the dedicated athlete or anyone who prioritizes technical performance, fabric innovation, and long-term durability in their activewear choices.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Set Active vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. A typical pair of leggings from Set Active costs around $70-$80, while popular leggings from Lululemon start at $98 and can go up to $150. Similarly, Set Active sports bras are usually under $60, whereas Lululemon's often start at $58 and go higher.

Ultimately, Set Active offers excellent quality for a mid-range budget, making it the more affordable choice. Lululemon styles itself as an investment piece, justifying its higher cost with advanced fabric technology and a reputation for longevity, an appealing proposition for those willing to pay more upfront for performance.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon's core differentiator is its portfolio of high-tech, proprietary fabrics. Their buttery soft Nulu™ fabric, used in the famous Align™ pants, is unmatched for comfort in yoga and lounging. Everlux™ is designed for the sweatiest workouts, wicking moisture and drying incredibly fast. This focus on material innovation gives them a distinct edge in performance and a luxurious feel.

Set Active uses high-quality nylon and spandex blends that are comfortable, flattering, and durable. They feature excellent compression and sweat-wicking properties suitable for most workouts and daily life. While their fabrics are reliable and feel great, they don't have the same level of patented technology or hyper-specific engineered qualities that define the Lululemon experience.

Style & Aesthetic

Set Active thrives on a trendy, minimalist aesthetic built around cohesive matching sets. Their strategy of releasing specific silhouettes in limited-edition color palettes creates demand and allows customers to build an interchangeable activewear uniform. The look is understated, modern, and very current.

Lululemon has a classic sporty-chic style that is functional and versatile. They offer a broader range of styles, colors, and patterns, from timeless solid blacks and navies to seasonal prints and brighter hues. While they have many fashion-forward pieces, their core identity is more rooted in athletic function than in trend-driven aesthetics.

Fit & Sizing

Set Active's products are generally considered to run true to size, offering a stretchy yet compressive fit that flatters the body without being overly restrictive. Their typical range is from XS to XL, and customers often find the sizing guide reliable for online purchases.

Lululemon offers a wider size range (0-14+, depending on the item) but is known for its slender, compressive fit. For many, this body-hugging feel is a performance feature, but it can also lead some people to size up, especially in styles like the Wunder Train leggings. You get a locked-in, supportive feel that stays put during intense activity.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer quality activewear, but they excel in different areas and serve different customer priorities.

Choose Set Active if:

• You love the look of coordinated, monochromatic matching sets.
• You want stylish, on-trend pieces that transition well from the gym to the street.
• Your budget for leggings is comfortably under $100.
• You prioritize a fashion-forward, minimalist aesthetic in your activewear.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You prioritize technical performance fabrics for specific, high-intensity activities like running or HIIT.
• You are willing to invest in premium apparel known for its exceptional durability and longevity.
• You want a wide selection of styles and fabrics tailored to different workouts.
• You appreciate the 'barely there,' buttery soft feel of fabrics like Nulu™ for yoga and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Set Active cheaper than Lululemon?

Yes, significantly. Set Active's products are priced at a mid-range level, with leggings generally costing $30-$50 less than a standard pair from Lululemon, making it a much more budget-friendly option.

Which brand has better quality?

Lululemon is generally recognized for higher-quality, more resilient materials due to its long-term investment in proprietary fabric technology. However, Set Active offers excellent quality for its price point with durable, comfortable fabrics that hold up well for daily wear and moderate exercise.

Is Set Active sizing similar to Lululemon?

Not exactly. Set Active is widely considered to fit true to size. Lululemon is known for a snug, compressive fit, and it's common for shoppers to size up from their usual size in other brands, depending on the desired level of compression.

What is Set Active best known for?

Set Active is best known for its minimalist, sleek matching sets and limited-edition color drops. Their brand identity is built around creating a stylish and coordinated activewear "uniform."

What is Lululemon best known for?

Lululemon is best known for its game-changing fabrics, particularly the Nulu™ material used in its cult-favorite Align™collection, which offers a unique weightless, buttery-soft feel and incredible comfort.

Which brand is better for intense workouts?

For high-intensity, sweaty workouts like running, HIIT, or spin, Lululemon is the superior choice. Its Everlux™ and Luxtreme™ fabrics are specifically engineered to handle sweat and provide durable support during rigorous activity.

Are the materials similar?

While both use blends of nylon and spandex, they are not the same. Set Active uses high-quality versions of these materials that are soft and supportive. Lululemon's fabrics are proprietary, meaning they are developed and manufactured exclusively for them and are engineered with specific textures, finishes, and performance attributes that are hard to replicate.

How often do these brands have sales?

Set Active occasionally holds sitewide sales, which are hyped events. Lululemon rarely has traditional sales but maintains a year-round "We Made Too Much" section where you can find discounted items. They also have an annual warehouse sale online, often referred to as their Black Friday sale.