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

Under Armour is engineered for high-performance athletic function, offering innovative tech apparel and footwear at a broad price range, while Lululemon focuses on premium, fashion-forward athleisure with a reputation for exceptional comfort, quality, and a higher price tag. Under Armour prioritizes pushing physical limits with gear that manages sweat and temperature, whereas Lululemon excels in versatile pieces designed for yoga, training, and everyday life.

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

Under Armour: The Performance & Innovation Brand

Under Armour built its brand on solving problems for athletes. Known for its performance-driven apparel, the company’s focus is on technological innovation to help you perform better. Their target customer is a serious athlete or fitness enthusiast who needs their gear to withstand intense workouts, manage moisture, and regulate body temperature in various conditions.

• Product mix: A vast selection of performance tops, compression wear, shorts, footwear, and accessories designed for specific sports like running, training, and basketball. Famous for its HeatGear, ColdGear, and UA Storm technologies.
• Price point: Accessible to many, with prices ranging from mid-tier to premium. Performance shirts start around $30, while specialized running shoes can exceed $150.
• Quality: Built for durability and function, Under Armour’s materials are made to handle rough, repeated use and frequent washing. The quality is reliable, especially within their dedicated performance lines.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally fits true to size for standard apparel. Their signature compression gear is designed to be very snug, so it's best to consult sizing charts if you're new to the brand.
• Sales: Frequently runs sales and offers discounts, especially during seasonal changes and major holidays, making it a great value for performance-focused shoppers.

Under Armour delivers highly functional, durable gear with smart fabric technology, making it a strong choice for athletes who prioritize performance over everyday style.

Shop Under Armour: underarmour.com

Lululemon: The Premium Athleisure & Lifestyle Brand

Lululemon is a premium lifestyle brand that has achieved a cult-like following by perfecting the blend of function, comfort, and fashion. It originally gained popularity for its yoga wear but has expanded into a full range of athleisure. The brand's audience values impeccable fit, buttery-soft fabrics, and minimalist designs that transition effortlessly from the gym to daily errands.

• Product mix: A curated collection of leggings, sports bras, tops, jackets, and accessories. Best known for its proprietary fabrics like the soft Nulu™ (used in Align™ pants) and the supportive Luon™.
• Price point: Positioned firmly in the premium category. Leggings are typically priced between $80 and $150, and tops range from $60 to $120.
• Quality: Lululemon's reputation is built on long-lasting, high-quality materials. Their fabrics maintain their shape, feel, and color exceptionally well over years of use with proper care.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for its flattering, body-hugging silhouettes that most people find run true to size. Due to the high stretch content, pieces can feel snug but are designed to move with you comfortably.
• Sales: Heavy discounts are rare, which helps maintain the brand's premium image. The 'We Made Too Much' section online is their primary way of offering items at a discount.

Lululemon is an investment in luxe comfort and versatile style, ideal for those who want long-lasting, fashionable activewear for a wide range of activities.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Under Armour vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing models. Under Armour is far more accessible, offering entry-level tops and shorts around the $25-$35 mark. Their product pricing scales with the level of technology and intended use, but seasonal sales and outlets make it possible to build a complete workout wardrobe for a reasonable price.

Lululemon operates at a premium price point with little variation. Their flagship leggings, like the Align pant, start at $98 and go up. While the cost is high, many justify it with the product's longevity, feel, and versatility. You won't find major sitewide blowouts, so the price you see is generally the price you'll pay unless you shop their 'We Made Too Much' section.

Quality & Materials

Both brands deliver excellent quality, but their materials are engineered for different purposes. Under Armour's strength is in its performance fabrics like HeatGear, which wicks sweat to keep you cool, and ColdGear, which traps heat to keep you warm. These materials are tough, durable, and designed to enhance athletic performance during intense training.

Lululemon's focus is on feel and comfort. Their proprietary fabrics like Nulu™ and Luxtreme™ are famous for their unparalleled softness, stretch, and breathability. While durable for low-impact activities and everyday wear, some of their softer fabrics (like Nulu™) are more delicate and require careful washing to prevent pilling compared to Under Armour’s workhorse materials.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands' styles are worlds apart. Under Armour has a bold, athletic, and performance-oriented aesthetic. You'll see more prominent logos, sharp lines, and designs that communicate functional sportswear. Their look says "I'm here to work out."

Lululemon champions a minimalist, sleek, and fashion-forward approach. Branding is often subtle, silhouettes are clean, and color palettes are modern. This design philosophy makes their clothing extremely versatile, allowing pieces to be worn for a yoga class, a coffee run, or even layered for a casual social outing.

Fit & Sizing

Under Armour provides a standard athletic fit that is generally true to size. They offer 'Fitted,' 'Loose,' and 'Compression' styles, giving consumers clear choices for their comfort and performance needs. Their sizing is consistent and reliable across male and female lines from XS to XXL.

Lululemon is praised for its flattering and body-conscious fit. The engineered stretch in their fabrics ensures a second-skin feel that moves with you without restricting motion. Their leggings and tops tend to run true to size, but given the snug fit, personal preference might lead some to size up for a more relaxed feel.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both companies are taking steps toward more sustainable practices, but Lululemon often gets more attention for its efforts. Lululemon has public commitments to reducing its carbon footprint, using sustainable materials, and ethical sourcing, backed by detailed annual reports. Under Armour is also increasing its use of recycled materials but has historically been less vocal and transparent about its supply chain practices.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your priorities: punishing workouts or polished, comfortable style.

Choose Under Armour if:

• You're an athlete who needs gear to perform during high-intensity training, lifting, or running.
• You value technical features like moisture-wicking and weather-resistance over fabric feel.
• You're budget-conscious and appreciate the ability to snag performance wear during frequent sales.
• Durability for intense and rugged activity is your top concern.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You prioritize comfort and buttery-soft fabrics for yoga, barre, or day-to-day wear.
• You want versatile activewear that has a minimalist, stylish look perfect for the gym and beyond.
• You are willing to invest in premium-priced items that are known for their great fit and longevity.
• A flattering silhouette and polished athleisure aesthetic are important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Under Armour or Lululemon cheaper?

Under Armour is significantly cheaper across almost all categories. Their business model includes more accessible price points and frequent sales, whereas Lululemon is a premium brand with consistently high prices and infrequent discounts.

Which brand has better quality?

This is subjective. For sheer athletic performance and rugged durability during intense activity, Under Armour's technical fabrics are superior. For feel, comfort, color retention, and long-term shape retention in everyday and low-impact wear, Lululemon’s proprietary fabrics are widely considered to be higher quality.

Which brand is better for running?

Under Armour offers a more extensive line of running-specific apparel and footwear with advanced technology like HOVR cushioning in their shoes. While Lululemon has a growing collection of running gear that is very popular, Under Armour's depth of product and technology makes it a more specialized choice for serious runners.

Does Under Armour or Lululemon run small?

Both brands generally run true to size. However, Under Armour's compression fits are meant to be extremely tight and can feel small. Lululemon's items are form-fitting and snug, which some people may interpret as running small, though the fit is intentional.

Is Lululemon worth the money?

For many of its followers, yes. The high price point is justified by the unique feel of their fabrics, the flattering fit, and the impressive durability for its intended use. If style, versatility, and comfort are your primary needs, the long-term wear you get can make the investment worthwhile.

Does Lululemon ever have sales?

Lululemon rarely has traditional sales. Instead, you can find discounted items in the "We Made Too Much" section of their website. These are final sale items, so be sure of your size before purchasing.

Which brand is men's clothing better?

Under Armour has a much longer history of catering to male athletes and offers a vastly larger selection of styles, fits, and sport-specific gear for men. While Lululemon's men's line is highly regarded for its comfort and quality (especially the ABC Pant), Under Armour provides far more variety and performance-focused options.

Which brand's leggings are better?

For comfort, feel, and a flattering fit for yoga or everyday wear, Lululemon leggings like the Align or Wunder Train are widely considered the gold standard. For intense, high-sweat training sessions where durability and moisture management are key, Under Armour's compression leggings provide better performance and toughness.