Splits59 vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Splits59 is a premium activewear brand focused on a modern, fashion-forward aesthetic, offering sleek designs and eco-friendly fabrics, often at a slightly more accessible price point due to frequent sales. In contrast, Lululemon is an iconic lifestyle giant known for its versatile, classic pieces, proprietary high-performance fabrics like Nulu and Luon, and a massive community-driven shopping experience.

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

Splits59: The Fashion-Forward Performance Wear

Founded in 2012, Splits59 creates high-performance athletic apparel that blends function with a distinctively modern and sophisticated style. The brand targets women who want their activewear to move seamlessly from the gym to the street, with a focus on sleek lines, quality construction, and innovative technical fabrics that are often eco-friendly.

• Product mix: The core collection includes leggings, joggers, sports bras, tanks, and outerwear. The aesthetic is clean and often features bold color-blocking and contemporary silhouettes.
• Price point: Splits59 sits in the premium category, with leggings typically ranging from $98 to $128, directly comparable to Lululemon's standard pricing.
• Quality & Materials: The brand uses high-quality technical fabrics that prioritize moisture management, shape retention, and a soft feel. A significant part of their ethos includes using eco-friendly and recycled fibers.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing generally runs true to size from XS to XL. The fit is designed to be supportive and snug, though some of their joggers and tops offer a more relaxed silhouette for layering.
• Sales: One of Splits59's biggest draws is its semi-regular sales and promotions, which can offer significant savings that are harder to come by at Lululemon.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes responsible manufacturing and the use of sustainable materials as a core part of its mission.

Splits59 is the go-to for high-quality activewear that doesn't sacrifice bold, contemporary style for performance.

Shop Splits59: splits59.com

Lululemon: The Iconic Lifestyle & Wellness Brand

Since its launch in 1998, Lululemon has grown from a yoga-inspired apparel store to a global activewear and lifestyle leader. Renowned for its buttery-soft leggings and exceptional quality, Lululemon has built a fiercely loyal following by positioning itself as more than just clothing - it's a wellness brand supported by a strong community and in-store experience.

• Product mix: A wide array of products including leggings, shorts, sports bras, tops, jackets, and accessories for yoga, running, training, and casual wear. They are famous for their Align and Wunder Train leggings.
• Price point: Lululemon is firmly in the premium category, with most leggings retailing between $98 and $128 and sports bras from $48 to $68.
• Quality & Materials: The brand is famous for its proprietary, high-performance fabrics, including the weightless Nulu™ (for Align leggings), sweat-wicking Luxtreme™, and versatile Luon™.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for consistent, true-to-size fits, Lululemon offers a broad size range from 0 to 20. Their leggings are celebrated for their flattering, compressive, and supportive fits that stay put during any activity.
• Sales: Sales are less common and typically linked to seasonal events or the "We Made Too Much" section, making full-price the standard for new arrivals.
• Shopping Experience: Lululemon offers an exceptional customer experience through its user-friendly website, knowledgeable store staff, free hemming, and community events like in-store yoga classes.

Lululemon delivers reliable, high-performance activewear with a timeless look and an unmatched community experience.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Splits59 vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

On paper, both brands occupy a similar premium price tier. A pair of high-performance leggings from Splits59 or Lululemon will typically cost you between $98 and $128. However, your total spending can differ significantly.

Splits59 offers more frequent sales, promotions, and markdowns throughout the year, making it easier to snag a stylish set at a discount. Lululemon sales are less frequent and are often limited to its "We Made Too Much" online section, which consists of overstocked or end-of-season items. If getting a deal is a priority, Splits59 offers more opportunities to save.

Quality & Materials

Both brands deliver exceptional quality, but they emphasize different fabric technologies. Lululemon has built its empire on widely recognized, trademarked fabrics like Nulu™ and Everlux™, which are tested and loved for their durability, unique feel, and consistent performance over years of use.

Splits59 focuses on modern technical fabrics that also provide great moisture control and shape retention. Many customers praise their sleek feel and performance, and the brand often incorporates sustainable, recycled fibers into its materials. While Lululemon's fabrics are more established in the market, Splits59's innovative materials present a strong, fashion-forward alternative.

Style & Aesthetic

This is where the brands diverge most clearly. Lululemon’s aesthetic is versatile, minimalist, and classic. Its pieces are designed to be timeless wardrobe items that function perfectly at the gym but also look polished for everyday wear. The branding is subtle, and the color palettes often lean toward neutrals and solid tones.

Splits59 adopts a more modern, streetwear-inspired look. Designs are often sleeker and edgier, featuring asymmetrical lines, bold color-blocking, and sophisticated details. If you're looking for activewear that makes more of a style statement, Splits59 is likely the better fit.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands generally run true to size, but the fit and size range differ slightly. Lululemon is famous for its compressive, high-rise fits that shape and support, available in a wide numeric size range (0-20). The fit is remarkably consistent across different styles like the Align or Wunder Train lines.

Splits59 also provides a supportive, comfortable fit, offered in letter sizes (XS-XL). While many of their leggings are snug and compressive, some of their joggers and tops are designed with a more relaxed fit for layering and casual wear. For those seeking a wider range of sizes, Lululemon is the clear winner.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are moving toward more sustainable practices. Splits59 makes eco-friendly fabrics a central tenet of its brand ethos, often highlighting the use of recycled materials in its marketing. As a much larger corporation, Lululemon has comprehensive initiatives aimed at responsible sourcing, reducing its carbon footprint, and increasing supply chain transparency, though like any major brand, it faces scrutiny to do more.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer fantastic activewear, but your choice depends on your priorities in style, price, and overall brand experience.

Choose Splits59 if:

• You prefer a fashion-forward, modern aesthetic with edgy details like color-blocking.
• You're a savvy shopper who loves finding premium pieces on sale.
• You value brands that emphasize the use of eco-friendly and recycled fabrics.
• You want activewear that easily doubles as a sleek streetwear outfit.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You prioritize proven, long-lasting quality and proprietary fabrics known for their unique feel.
• You prefer a timeless, minimalist style that you can wear for years.
• You want a consistent and flattering compressive fit with a wide size range.
• You value the community feel, in-store services, and customer experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lululemon or Splits59 more expensive?

Their full-price items are very similar, with leggings from both brands typically costing around $98-$128. However, Splits59 holds sales and promotions more frequently, so it is often possible to purchase its products for less than Lululemon's.

Which brand has better quality leggings?

Both offer excellent quality. Lululemon is known for its highly durable and iconic proprietary fabrics like Nulu™, which have a proven track record. Splits59 uses high-performance technical fabrics that are also durable and effective, often with a sustainable edge. The choice comes down to personal preference for fabric feel and style.

How is the sizing different between Splits59 and Lululemon?

Lululemon uses a numeric sizing system (0-20) and is known for its consistent, true-to-size compressive fit. Splits59 uses a lettered system (XS-XL) and also fits true to size, with some styles offering a more relaxed fit compared to Lululemon's consistently body-hugging leggings.

Which is better for high-intensity workouts?

For high-intensity training, Lululemon’s proprietary Everlux™ fabric - used in its Wunder Train collection - is specifically designed to manage high sweat and dry quickly. Splits59 also offers excellent technical fabrics for intense workouts, but Lululemon has spent years specifically marketing and perfecting fabrics for that purpose.

Does Lululemon ever go on sale?

Yes, but not in the traditional sense of site-wide sales. Lululemon has a permanent "We Made Too Much" section on its website where it lists items at a discount. Major sales are rare and usually limited to events like Black Friday.