Ten Thousand vs. Fabletics: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Ten Thousand is a premium activewear brand focused on minimalist design, extreme durability, and high-performance materials for serious athletes. In contrast, Fabletics offers trendy, affordable athleisure with a fashion-forward aesthetic, operating on a subscription-based model that appeals to a broader, more style-conscious audience.

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

Ten Thousand: The Performance-First Activewear

Ten Thousand aims to be the go-to brand for dedicated athletes and fitness enthusiasts who demand gear that can withstand the most intense training. With a focus on function over fashion, their products are engineered for performance using high-quality technical fabrics, reinforced construction, and a clean, utilitarian design.

• Product mix: A curated selection of men's training gear, including their popular Interval and Tactical shorts, compression pants, performance tops, and hoodies.
• Price point: Premium pricing reflects the technical materials and construction. Expect to pay between $68 for shorts and up to $150 for specialized outerwear.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes advanced, durable fabrics like nylon and elastane blends that provide excellent moisture-wicking properties, four-way stretch, and abrasion resistance.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a consistent, true-to-size athletic fit. The clothing is designed to be streamlined and non-restrictive during movement, often feeling snug to support performance.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes creating durable products that last, reducing the need for replacement. They are transparent about their manufacturing processes and focus on responsible material sourcing.

Ten Thousand is the ideal choice for those who see their activewear as an investment in performance and durability and prefer a stripped-down, functional aesthetic.

Shop Ten Thousand: tenthousand.cc

Fabletics: The Trendy & Accessible Athleisure

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics blends fashion and fitness, offering stylish and accessible activewear for a wide audience. Known for its membership model, the brand provides trendy leggings, sports bras, and tops at competitive prices. Their target customers are casual gym-goers and individuals looking for versatile athleisure that works for both workouts and everyday life.

• Product mix: An extensive range of women's and men's activewear, including leggings in various fabrics and compression levels, sports bras, tops, and coordinated sets. They frequently release new collections inspired by current fashion trends.
• Price point: Highly accessible, especially for VIP members. Most items range from $20 to $70, with frequent sales and promotional offers that make it very budget-friendly.
• Quality & Materials: Uses comfortable, moisture-wicking polyester blends. While well-made for general fitness and everyday wear, the materials are less focused on extreme durability compared to performance-only brands.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for its inclusive sizing, offering a wide range from XXS to 4X. Fit can sometimes vary between different styles and collections, so checking size guides is recommended.
• Shopping Experience: Primarily driven by a flexible VIP membership model that provides significant discounts. Members can choose to shop or "skip the month" to avoid a monthly charge.

Fabletics stands out for its unique blend of trendy designs, affordable prices, and inclusive sizing, making it a go-to for shoppers who want stylish workout clothes without a high price tag.

Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com

Ten Thousand vs. Fabletics Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between these two brands is one of their biggest differentiators. Ten Thousand operates in the premium activewear space, with a pair of training shorts costing around $68-$78. This reflects their investment in technical fabrics, research, and durability testing. It's a "buy it once, own it for years" philosophy.

Fabletics, on the other hand, is built on affordability. With its VIP membership, you can often get two pairs of leggings for as little as $24. Their standard prices are still competitive, with most individual items falling between $20 and $70. This model allows customers to build a large and varied activewear wardrobe for a fraction of the cost of premium brands.

Quality & Materials

Ten Thousand is obsessed with quality. They use high-performance nylon, elastane, and polyester blends engineered for specific activities, featuring details like anti-odor treatments, military-grade construction on certain products, and reinforced seams. This gear is designed to endure an incredible amount of stress from activities like weightlifting, HIIT, and endurance training without wearing down.

Fabletics focuses on delivering comfort and style for moderate activity and everyday wear. Their signature fabrics are soft, stretchy, and effective at wicking moisture. However, because Fabletics prioritizes affordability and rapid style changes, the materials may not stand up to the same level of abuse as Ten Thousand's gear over the long term.

Style & Aesthetic

The aesthetics of these two brands are worlds apart. Ten Thousand embraces a minimalist, utilitarian look. Their color palette consists of classic, neutral tones like black, grey, navy, and olive. There are no loud patterns or bright colors here - just clean lines and a focus on fit and function.

Fabletics is all about trends. They offer a huge variety of vibrant colors, bold patterns, color-blocked designs, and stylish cutouts. Collections are updated monthly to reflect what's current in fitness and fashion, making the brand perfect for those who want their workout clothes to make a statement.

Fit & Sizing

Ten Thousand provides a very consistent, athletic fit that is true to size. Garments are designed to be functional, meaning they stay in place during intense movement without being overly restrictive. Their sizing is straightforward and reliable.

Fabletics is notable for its inclusive size range, running from XXS to 4X, which makes it accessible to a much broader audience. Because they offer so many different styles and fabrics, the fit can occasionally feel inconsistent from one product to the next. Some customers report needing to size up or down depending on the collection.

Shopping Experience

Shopping on the Ten Thousand website is simple and direct. You pick what you want, pay a premium price, and you're done. There are no subscriptions or memberships - just a straightforward e-commerce experience.

The Fabletics experience is centered on its VIP membership. You get deep discounts in exchange for a monthly membership fee (which becomes a shopping credit). This model is fantastic for shoppers who buy activewear regularly but can be a drawback for those who prefer to shop without a subscription.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your priorities, budget, and how you train. Both brands excel in their respective niches.

Choose Ten Thousand if:

• You're a serious athlete or fitness enthusiast who trains intensely and frequently.
• Durability and long-term performance are your top priorities.
• You prefer a minimalist, clean aesthetic without flashy logos or patterns.
• You are willing to invest more upfront for gear that is built to last.

Choose Fabletics if:

• You enjoy a wide variety of styles and love keeping your activewear fresh with trendy designs.
• You're on a budget and want to get the most for your money.
• Your workouts consist of yoga, light gym sessions, or you want versatile athleisure for daily wear.
• You enjoy the savings and perks that come with a membership program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ten Thousand or Fabletics cheaper?

Fabletics is significantly cheaper, especially for its VIP members. Ten Thousand positions itself as a premium brand with prices that reflect higher-cost materials and construction intended for longevity.

Which brand is better for intense workouts like CrossFit or running?

Ten Thousand is designed specifically for high-intensity training. Its durable fabrics, reinforced seams, and performance-oriented fit make it a much better choice for activities like CrossFit, weightlifting, and serious running.

Which brand offers more sizes?

Fabletics offers a more inclusive size range, with most products available from XXS up to 4X. Ten Thousand has a more standard range, typically S to XXL.

Do you need a membership to shop at Fabletics?

No, you can shop at Fabletics as a non-member, but you will pay a higher retail price for items. The VIP membership offers substantial discounts, but it requires a monthly commitment (which you can "skip" before you're charged).

Is Ten Thousand clothing worth the money?

For individuals who prioritize performance and durability, many customers find Ten Thousand's clothing to be a worthwhile investment. The gear is known for lasting years even with rigorous, frequent use, which can make it more cost-effective over time.

How often does Fabletics release new styles?

Fabletics operates on a fast-fashion model for activewear, releasing new collections and styles every month to keep up with current trends.

What are the return policies for Ten Thousand and Fabletics?

Both brands offer fairly standard return policies. Ten Thousand allows returns on unworn items within a specified window. Fabletics also accepts returns and exchanges, making it easy to find the correct size if your initial purchase isn't quite right.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Ten Thousand has a stronger sustainability argument built on its "buy for longevity" ethos, creating highly durable products reduces waste. They are also transparent about their manufacturing. Fabletics is improving its eco-friendly practices but operates a much higher-volume, trend-driven model, which is inherently less sustainable.