Ten Thousand vs. Lululemon: Which brand is better?

Ten Thousand designs minimalist, highly durable activewear engineered for intense training, while Lululemon offers stylish, versatile apparel that blends high-performance fabrics with fashion-forward trends suitable for both the gym and everyday life. Ten Thousand focuses squarely on function and longevity for serious athletes, whereas Lululemon prioritizes comfort, flattering fits, and a lifestyle aesthetic.

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

Ten Thousand: Engineered for Serious Athletes

Ten Thousand is a direct-to-consumer brand that has carved out a niche by creating exceptionally durable performance apparel for dedicated athletes. Their no-nonsense, utilitarian approach focuses on technical fabrics and construction that can withstand the most demanding workouts, from CrossFit to weightlifting. Their target customer is someone who views their gear as a tool and prioritizes function and longevity above all else.

• Product mix: A focused collection of men's training gear, including shorts (the Interval Short and Foundation Short are popular), pants, shirts, and technical accessories like training socks and liners. Their range is curated and less extensive than Lululemon's.
• Price point: Mid-to-premium, with training shorts typically starting at $68, shirts around $58, and joggers around $98. The pricing reflects the investment in durable, technical materials.
• Quality: The brand's cornerstone is durability. Fabrics are engineered to resist abrasion and tearing, with features like reinforced seams and silver ion anti-odor treatment to extend the life of the garment.
• Style: The aesthetic is distinctly minimalist and utilitarian. Colors are often neutral and muted (black, navy, olive), with an emphasis on clean lines and a functional design free of unnecessary branding or frills.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs true to size with an athletic cut intended to move with your body during training without being restrictive or overly loose.

Ten Thousand delivers high-performance gear built to last, making it a top choice for athletes who need their apparel to be as tough as their workouts.

Shop Ten Thousand: tenthousand.cc

Lululemon: The Stylish Athleisure Icon

Lululemon is a global powerhouse that redefined the activewear market by merging performance with everyday style. Famous for its buttery-soft fabrics and flattering fits, the brand appeals to a wide audience - from dedicated yogis and runners to individuals seeking comfortable, fashionable clothing. Lululemon isn't just about the workout, it's about a lifestyle, with versatile pieces that look just as good at brunch as they do in the studio.

• Product mix: An extensive range of apparel for men and women covering yoga, running, training, and casual wear. Core products include the Align Pant for women and the ABC Pant for men, alongside sports bras, tops, jackets, and accessories.
• Price point: Premium pricing. A pair of new leggings typically costs between $98 and $128, with men's shorts around $68-$88 and hoodies often exceeding $118.
• Quality: Known for its proprietary, innovative fabrics like Nulu™ (soft and weightless) and Luon™ (sweat-wicking with four-way stretch). While comfortable and high-performing for specific activities, some of the softer fabrics require more delicate care to prevent pilling.
• Style: Sleek, modern, and often trend-driven. Lululemon offers a wide spectrum of colors, from timeless neutrals to seasonal brights and patterns, all designed with clean, flattering silhouettes.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a wide and inclusive range of sizes. Sizing is generally true to size, but the intended fit (e.g., tight, relaxed) varies by collection, so checking reviews or in-store guidance is helpful.

Lululemon excels at creating comfortable, attractive activewear that offers excellent performance for activities like yoga and running, while also serving as stylish everyday clothing.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Ten Thousand vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands operate in the premium activewear space, and their prices on core items are often comparable. A pair of high-performance men's training shorts from either Ten Thousand or Lululemon will likely run you between $68 and $88. Lululemon's product catalog is much larger, so their price range extends higher, especially for outerwear and specialized pieces.

Ten Thousand frames its cost as a long-term investment in durability, arguing that their products will outlast competitors' under harsh conditions. Lululemon’s pricing reflects its strong brand prestige, investment in fabric innovation, and the versatility of its apparel, which can be worn for multiple occasions.

Quality & Materials

This is a primary point of difference. Ten Thousand builds its products with durability as the top priority. They use technical fabrics designed for abrasion resistance and heavy use, with reinforced stitching and moisture-wicking properties made to handle intense, sweat-soaked training sessions. Their gear is meant to be abused and hold up over time.

Lululemon prioritizes comfort, feel, and performance for specific use cases. Their signature Nulu™ fabric is famously soft but can be more susceptible to pilling if used for high-friction activities. Other fabrics like Luxtreme™ or Everlux™ are more resilient and better suited for intense training. The quality is excellent, but is specialized for comfort and style over pure, rugged durability.

Style & Aesthetic

The visual identity of each brand is starkly different. Ten Thousand is minimalist and utilitarian, with a color palette dominated by black, grey, navy, and olive tones. The branding is subtle, and the focus is on a clean, functional look that appeals to athletes who don't want flashy gear.

Lululemon is sleek, modern, and trend-aware. They offer a much wider variety of colors, including seasonal palettes and patterns. The cuts are designed to be flattering, making their pieces highly popular as fashion items outside of a fitness context. Lululemon's style is quintessentially "athleisure," blending performance with contemporary design.

Fit & Sizing

Ten Thousand designs its clothing for an athletic physique. The fit is true to size and constructed to support movement during dynamic exercise, meaning it's neither compression-tight nor baggy. It's a functional, athletic fit that works best for its intended purpose.

Lululemon provides a wider range of sizes and fits to cater to a broader audience. With women's leggings, you can choose from different lengths and rises, and for men's pants, they pioneered the "athleisure" fit with their ABC Pant. Their fit is generally considered more forgiving and focused on flattering the body, which contributes to its broad appeal.

Shopping Experience

The shopping experience is another key differentiator. Ten Thousand is a digital-first, direct-to-consumer brand, meaning you primarily purchase their products through their website. This creates a focused, simple-to-navigate buying process without the need to visit a physical store.

Lululemon offers a complete omnichannel experience. You can shop on their slick website, use their app, or visit one of their hundreds of retail stores worldwide. The stores are a huge part of their brand, offering community events like yoga classes, run clubs, and personalized shopping assistance from their "Educators."

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands have made public commitments to improving their sustainability practices. Lululemon has a larger, more formalized program due to its scale, publishing regular impact reports and setting goals for using sustainable materials and reducing its carbon footprint across its supply chain.

Ten Thousand also invests in responsible manufacturing, using recycled fabrics and partnering with ethical facilities. As a smaller brand, its initiatives are not as broad in scope as Lululemon's, but sustainability and transparency are core to their brand identity.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you value most in your activewear: pure training performance or versatile style.

Choose Ten Thousand if:

• You're a serious lifter, CrossFit enthusiast, or high-intensity athlete.
• Durability and longevity are your top priorities, you want gear that won't rip or chafe.
• You prefer a simple, minimalist aesthetic without loud colors or prominent logos.
• You value function over fashion and see your apparel as essential training equipment.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You want versatile apparel that you can wear for a workout and then out for coffee.
• Comfort and a luxurious fabric feel are most important to you, especially for yoga or lounging.
• You enjoy a wide variety of colors, styles, and trend-driven designs.
• Your activities range from running and yoga to daily wear and you want one brand that can do it all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ten Thousand or Lululemon cheaper?

Their prices are very similar on key items like shorts and shirts, placing both in the premium category. Lululemon's extensive product range includes more expensive items like jackets and coats that push its overall price ceiling higher. Neither brand could be considered a budget option.

Which brand has better quality?

They both offer high-quality products, but their definition of quality differs. Ten Thousand's quality is centered on ruggedness and durability for intense workouts. Lululemon's quality lies in its proprietary fabrics, incredible comfort, and flattering fits. For pure longevity under stress, Ten Thousand has the edge, for feel and comfort, Lululemon is superior.

Is Ten Thousand just for men?

Currently, Ten Thousand primarily focuses on men's athletic apparel. While their audience is expanding, their core product line is designed and marketed for men. Lululemon offers extensive collections for both men and women.

Which is better for CrossFit or weightlifting?

For high-intensity activities that involve friction and abrasion, like CrossFit and weightlifting, Ten Thousand is generally the preferred choice. Their shorts and tops are specifically engineered to withstand barbells, ropes, and repetitive, rigorous movement.

Which is better for yoga or running?

Lululemon is the market leader for a reason in yoga and running. Their fabrics, particularly the Align collection for yoga, offer unparalleled comfort and stretch. For running, their technical gear provides excellent sweat-wicking properties and thoughtful features like secured pockets.

Where can you buy Ten Thousand apparel?

Ten Thousand is sold almost exclusively through its official website, tenthousand.cc. This direct-to-consumer model allows them to maintain control over their brand and pricing.

Do the clothes from either brand shrink?

Both brands use high-quality technical fabrics that are largely pre-shrunk and resistant to shrinking if cared for properly. It is always recommended to wash in cold water and tumble dry on low to preserve the fit and integrity of the fabric.

How does the sizing compare between the two?

Both brands generally fit true to size. Ten Thousand offers a more standard, athletic cut across its products. Lululemon has a greater variety of fits (e.g., tight, relaxed, classic) that are specific to each product line, so it's important to read the description for each item.