Squat Wolf vs. Gymshark: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Squat Wolf is an emerging premium brand focused on high-performance fabrics and bold designs for serious athletes, often at a higher price point. In contrast, Gymshark is a global giant known for its trendy, affordable activewear and a massive social media community, catering to a broader audience from casual gym-goers to dedicated lifters.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your fitness goals and style.

Squat Wolf: The Performance-Focused Challenger

Squat Wolf positions itself as a premium activewear brand built for athletes who demand both function and style. Originating from Dubai, the brand emphasizes technical fabrics, durability, and a sleek, modern aesthetic tailored for intense training sessions. Their target customer is the dedicated fitness enthusiast who is willing to invest in gear that stands up to heavy workouts and looks good doing it.

• Product mix: Offers a focused range of men's and women's activewear including leggings, high-impact sports bras, shorts, and tops designed specifically for performance. The brand also releases limited edition collections.
• Price point: Premium pricing. Leggings typically cost between $60 and $80, while sports bras range from $40 to $60. The price reflects an investment in advanced materials and construction.
• Quality: Uses high-performance fabric blends of nylon, polyester, and elastane that are moisture-wicking, breathable, and quick-drying. The construction emphasizes durability with flatlock seams and reinforced stitching.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true-to-size with a fit engineered for athletic body types. If you're between sizes or prefer a slightly looser feel, sizing up is a good idea.
• Style: Features bold, eye-catching designs, vibrant colorways, and a modern aesthetic that makes a statement in the gym.
• Sustainability: The brand is transparent about its ethical manufacturing practices and use of recycled materials and eco-friendly packaging.

Squat Wolf is ideal for serious athletes who prioritize technical fabric performance and durability and prefer a bold, modern gym style.

Shop Squat Wolf: squatwolf.com

Gymshark: The Influencer-Powered Global Giant

Gymshark has dominated the fitness apparel industry through its strategic use of social media influencers and a community-first approach. It offers trendy, functional, and highly accessible activewear that appeals to a wide demographic. Their brand image is built on inspiration, consistency, and a sense of belonging, making it extremely popular with younger audiences and those new to the fitness world.

• Product mix: Extensive collection of activewear and athleisure for both men and women. Their lineup includes everything from seamless leggings and shorts to hoodies, joggers, and t-shirts suited for the gym or daily wear.
• Price point: Very affordable. Leggings generally range from $30 to $50, and sports bras are priced between $20 and $40. Frequent sales, including their massive Black Friday event, offer even deeper discounts.
• Quality: The quality is excellent for the price point, using comfortable blends of polyester, nylon, and spandex. While durable enough for most workouts, some lower-priced items may show wear faster than premium competitors.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for running true-to-size with stretchy materials that accommodate a wide variety of body shapes. Certain high-compression lines may feel snug, so checking reviews for specific items is helpful. They offer an inclusive and broad size range.
• Style: Known for its minimalist and sleek aesthetic, often featuring monochrome colors, signature seamless designs, and prominent but simple logo placement.
• Return policy: Offers a straightforward and often free return policy, making it easy to try different sizes and styles.

Gymshark’s versatile and trendy apparel is a great fit for budget-conscious shoppers who value style, comfort, and being part of a large fitness community.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Squat Wolf vs. Gymshark Comparison

Price Comparison

When it comes to price, there is a clear difference. Gymshark is the undisputed winner for shoppers on a budget. With leggings starting around $30 and frequent, deep discounts during major sales events, it's possible to build a complete outfit for the price of a single pair of leggings from more premium brands.

Squat Wolf operates in a higher price bracket, with leggings costing around $60-$80. This price reflects their use of more technical materials and engineered designs intended for high performance and longevity. While more expensive, customers are paying for advanced fabric technology and durability.

Quality & Materials

Both brands deliver quality gear, but they focus on different priorities. Squat Wolf emphasizes high-performance materials designed for durability. Their fabrics are often more compressive, feature superior moisture-wicking capabilities, and are built to withstand frequent, intense activity without pilling or losing shape.

Gymshark focuses on comfort, style, and stretch. Their popular seamless collections are buttery-soft and move well with the body, making them exceptionally comfortable for both workouts and casual wear. The quality holds up well for the price, but the materials may not have the same technical edge or long-term resilience as Squat Wolf's premium offerings.

Style & Aesthetic

The two brands cater to different tastes. Squat Wolf’s designs are modern, bold, and often feature unique color-blocking, sharp lines, and a more aggressive, athletic look. They are designed to make you stand out and project a high-performance image.

Gymshark’s aesthetic is more minimalist and versatile. Known for clean lines, subtle branding on many collections, and solid, often muted colors, their pieces seamlessly transition from the gym to the street. Their look has become an accessible uniform for a generation of fitness enthusiasts worldwide.

Fit & Sizing

Squat Wolf's apparel is generally true to size but cut for an athletic physique. This can mean a more tapered or compressive fit, which is ideal for performance but may feel restrictive if you prefer a relaxed feel. Sizing up if you are between sizes is often a safe bet.

Gymshark's sizing is also considered true to size, but their use of extremely stretchy fabrics often provides more flexibility and forgiveness across different body types. They offer a very wide range of sizes, making them a more inclusive choice for many shoppers.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both companies are making efforts toward greater sustainability, but their approaches differ. Squat Wolf is more vocal about its ethical manufacturing processes and its journey toward using more eco-friendly materials and packaging. As a smaller brand, they are able to maintain closer oversight of their supply chain.

Gymshark, as a much larger company, has taken steps to incorporate recycled materials into its products and packaging. However, given its scale and fast-fashion production model for some lines, it faces more significant challenges and scrutiny regarding supply chain transparency and overall environmental impact.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on your priorities in fitness apparel. Both brands offer excellent products but serve different needs.

Choose Squat Wolf if:

• Performance and durability are your top priorities for intense workouts.
• You're willing to invest in premium technical fabrics that will last.
• You prefer a bold, sharp aesthetic that stands out from the crowd.
• You value a more focused product line designed specifically for athletic training.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You're on a budget and love finding great deals during seasonal sales.
• You want versatile, comfortable gear that works for lifting, cardio, and running errands.
• You prefer a trendy, minimalist style and enjoy being part of a huge brand community.
• You need inclusive sizing and a fit that works for a variety of body shapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Squat Wolf or Gymshark cheaper?

Gymshark is significantly more affordable than Squat Wolf. With regular prices being lower and frequent major sales, Gymshark offers a much better value for budget-conscious buyers.

Which brand has better quality?

Squat Wolf is generally considered to have higher-quality, more durable materials focused on athletic performance. Gymshark's quality is very good for its price but is built more for comfort and everyday style rather than purely for intense, long-term athletic wear.

Which brand is better for squatting?

Both brands offer "squat-proof" leggings. However, Squat Wolf's focus on supportive and compressive performance materials may give them a slight edge for serious lifters who need fabric that stays put and provides support during heavy movements.

How do Squat Wolf and Gymshark clothes fit?

Both generally run true to size. Squat Wolf offers a more tailored, athletic cut that is very structured. Gymshark uses stretchy fabrics that are very accommodating to a wider range of body types.

Which brand offers more variety?

Gymshark offers a much broader range of products, including an extensive selection of hoodies, joggers, and other athleisure items in addition to their core activewear.

What are the return policies?

Both brands have straightforward return policies, typically offering refunds within 30 days for unworn items with tags attached. Gymshark is well-known for offering free returns in many regions, which makes shopping risk-free.

Do both brands have sales?

Yes, but Gymshark is famous for its semi-annual and Black Friday sales, where items are discounted as much as 70% off. Squat Wolf's sales are generally less frequent and not as steeply discounted.

Which is better for casual, everyday wear?

Gymshark is the better choice for casual wear. Their minimalist designs, comfortable fabrics, and extensive range of loungewear and athleisure pieces are perfect for a relaxed, everyday style.