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

Squatwolf is known for its high-quality, sustainable materials and sleek, minimalist aesthetic, often at a higher price point. In contrast, Gymshark focuses on trendy, figure-flattering designs and affordability, driven by a massive social media and influencer community.

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

Squatwolf: The Modern, Minimalist Performance Wear

Squatwolf is a newer activewear brand from the Middle East that has quickly gained a reputation for combining modern design with high-performance function. Their customer is a fitness enthusiast who values ethically-made, durable apparel with an understated and sophisticated style that works both in and out of the gym.

• Product mix: A focused range of leggings, shorts, tops, and sports bras for men and women. They also offer accessories like gym bags and hats.
• Price point: Positioned in the mid-to-high range, with items typically costing between $50 and $120. Leggings start around $70, and sports bras around $55.
• Quality: Construction is a clear priority, using premium, eco-friendly fabrics like recycled polyester. A meticulous focus on stitching and durability means pieces are built to last.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits are generally true to size and consistent across different collections, with an inclusive range from XS to XXL. The focus is on comfortable support for performance.
• Style: Sleek, minimalist, and slightly edgy. Designs favor subtle branding and muted color palettes, making them easy to mix, match, and wear casually.
• Sustainability: This is a core part of the brand. They are transparent about using recycled and organic materials and maintaining ethical, fair-labor manufacturing.

Squatwolf is the brand for shoppers who prioritize durable, ethically-made gear with a clean, versatile aesthetic and are willing to invest a bit more for that quality.

Shop Squatwolf: squatwolf.com

Gymshark: The Trendy, Community-Driven Powerhouse

As one of the world's most recognizable activewear brands, UK-based Gymshark has mastered social media marketing to build a massive global community. Their customer is often younger, trend-conscious, and wants stylish, figure-enhancing outfits for the gym without a high price tag.

• Product mix: Extensive collection including leggings, tees, hoodies, sports bras, and a wide array of accessories. Best known for their seamless collections.
• Price point: Very accessible, with most core pieces falling between $30 and $80. You can often find popular leggings on sale for under $40.
• Quality: Uses innovative technical fabrics designed for compression and moisture-wicking. Quality can sometimes be inconsistent on lower-priced items, and care is needed to maintain longevity.
• Sizing/Fit: Famous for its body-conscious, curve-hugging fits. Sizing often runs small, especially in leggings, and many shoppers recommend sizing up for a more comfortable fit.
• Style: Trend-driven and youthful, featuring bold branding, vibrant colors, and cuts designed to be noticed and photographed for social media.
• Sales: Holds frequent and very popular sales events, offering significant discounts that make their already affordable apparel even more budget-friendly.

Gymshark excels at providing trendy, accessible, and flattering activewear for shoppers who value style and community at an affordable price.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Squatwolf vs. Gymshark Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing strategy. Gymshark is the more budget-friendly choice, with high-quality leggings often available for $50-$60 and frequent sales that can drop prices to $30 or less. Their business model is built around accessibility and volume.

Squatwolf positions itself as a more premium brand. Leggings start around $70 and can go up to $100+. Sales are less common and not as deeply discounted. The higher price is a reflection of their focus on sustainable materials and more durable construction, offering long-term value over initial cost savings.

Quality & Materials

Squatwolf's main advantage is its emphasis on high-quality and sustainable materials. The fabrics feel substantial and are designed to hold up through intense workouts and repeated washing. Features like reinforced stitching and premium eco-friendly blends are common. If durability and craftsmanship are your top priorities, Squatwolf has the edge.

Gymshark uses innovative, stretchy, and supportive fabrics, especially in their seamless collections. They are great for performance and create a very flattering silhouette. However, the durability can be less consistent compared to Squatwolf, with some users reporting pilling or wear over time, particularly with more delicate materials.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands' styles appeal to very different tastes. Gymshark is defined by what’s trending in the fitness world. Expect a lot of bold logos, eye-catching colors, and pronounced contouring details designed to enhance your physique. It's a look that's made for social media and standing out at the gym.

Squatwolf takes a completely different approach with a modern, minimalist cool factor. The branding is subtle, the colors are more often muted and sophisticated, and the designs are sleek and functional. Their pieces are versatile enough to wear to brunch right after a workout without looking like you just came from the squat rack.

Fit & Sizing

Fit is another key differentiator. Squatwolf offers a reliable, true-to-size fit focused on comfort and support. You can generally order your usual size with confidence, and pieces will provide a secure but comfortable feel that's ideal for performance.

Gymshark is known for its compressing, body-contouring fit. This enhances curves but often means their clothing runs small. It's very common for shoppers to size up, especially in leggings, to avoid a fit that is too tight. If you enjoy a "locked-in," compressive feel, Gymshark's fit is ideal, but be sure to check size charts.

Sustainability & Ethics

Squatwolf makes sustainability a central part of its brand identity. They are transparent about their use of recycled fabrics and commitment to ethical manufacturing, making it a clear choice for the eco-conscious consumer. You are paying for clothing that is designed to have a smaller environmental footprint.

While Gymshark has been making improvements in its sustainability practices, its model is closer to fast fashion, with a focus on producing large volumes of trendy, affordable clothing. Their specific initiatives and material sources are less transparent than Squatwolf's.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands make excellent activewear, but they serve different priorities and styles.

Choose Squatwolf if:

• You are willing to invest more for extremely durable and long-lasting apparel.
• You prioritize clothing made from sustainable and ethically sourced materials.
• Your style is minimalist and sophisticated, you prefer subtle branding.
• You want a reliable, true-to-size fit that focuses on performance and comfort.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You are shopping on a budget and love catching a great sale.
• You prefer trendy, eye-catching styles with bold colors and logos.
• A curve-hugging, body-contouring fit is your top priority.
• You enjoy being part of a well-known brand with a huge fitness community behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Squatwolf or Gymshark cheaper?

Gymshark is significantly cheaper. Their core products are priced lower and they run major sales frequently, whereas Squatwolf is positioned as a premium brand with higher initial prices and fewer discounts.

Which brand has better quality?

Squatwolf generally has better quality in terms of material durability and construction. Their focus is on premium, long-lasting fabrics and meticulous stitching, which justifies the higher price tag.

What is the sizing like for Gymshark?

Gymshark often runs small. Their clothing is designed to be very form-fitting and compressive, so many people choose to size up one size from their usual for a more comfortable fit, especially in their seamless leggings.

Is Squatwolf true to size?

Yes, Squatwolf's apparel is known for fitting true to size. You can usually purchase your normal size with confidence and expect a supportive yet comfortable fit.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Squatwolf is the clear winner for sustainability. They build their brand around using eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester and are transparent about their ethical manufacturing processes.

Where are Squatwolf and Gymshark from?

Squatwolf was founded in the Middle East (Dubai), and Gymshark was founded in the United Kingdom.

Which brand is better for high-impact workouts?

Both brands offer excellent high-support options. Squatwolf's quality construction provides reliable support across its ranges, while Gymshark's compressive fabrics offer a secure "locked-in" feel that is great for intense training.

Are these brands available in physical stores?

Both brands operate primarily through their official websites. They focus on a direct-to-consumer online model, so you won't typically find them in multi-brand retail stores.