Varley vs. Vuori: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Varley is a contemporary activewear brand with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic and higher price point, designed for fashion-forward performance. In contrast, Vuori is a California-based brand focused on laid-back, coastal-inspired comfort and everyday versatility, offering a more accessible price range. Key differences come down to style, feel, and cost: Varley provides tailored, high-fashion silhouettes, while Vuori is celebrated for its buttery-soft fabrics ideal for lounging and casual wear.

Let's compare these two brands to help you decide which one is right for your wardrobe and lifestyle.

Varley: The Sleek, Minimalist Activewear Choice

Varley is a luxury activewear brand that blends a New York City aesthetic with high-performance function. It caters to style-conscious individuals who want their workout gear to double as sophisticated casual wear. With a focus on clean lines, muted tones, and technical fabrics, Varley's pieces are designed to be as versatile as they are effective.

• Product mix: Varley offers leggings, sports bras, joggers, and stylish outerwear. The brand is known for its coordinated sets and fashion-forward designs that seamlessly transition from the gym to errands.
• Price point: Positioned in the mid-to-luxury market, Varley's pieces typically range from $100 to $250. Leggings often fall between $150 and $200, with jackets and knits on the higher end.
• Quality & Materials: The brand uses durable, technical fabrics with excellent stretch, support, and moisture-wicking properties. They often incorporate sustainable materials like recycled polyester and nylon into their designs.
• Sizing/Fit: Varley generally runs true to size with a focus on a compressive, sculpting fit designed to smooth and support. Sizing typically covers XS to XL.
• Sustainability: Varley emphasizes sustainable sourcing and ethical manufacturing, using eco-conscious materials and packaging to minimize its environmental footprint.
• Return policy: Offers a standard 30-day return policy for items in their original condition, making it easy to find the right fit.

Varley is ideal for those seeking elevated, fashion-forward activewear with a performance edge and are willing to invest in premium quality and design.

Shop Varley: varleynyc.com

Vuori: The Coastal-Inspired Comfort Brand

Vuori is a Southern California activewear brand that prioritizes comfort, versatility, and a laid-back lifestyle. Famous for its incredibly soft fabrics, Vuori’s pieces are made for everything from a light workout to lounging at home. The brand appeals to active individuals who value a casual but put-together look and feel.

• Product mix: Vuori is best known for its iconic Performance Joggers but also offers a wide range of t-shirts, hoodies, leggings, and shorts for both men and women. Their focus is on core essentials for an active lifestyle.
• Price point: Vuori is more accessible, with prices ranging from $50 to $150. Their popular leggings and joggers are usually priced between $70 and $120.
• Quality & Materials: The brand is celebrated for its signature buttery-soft fabrics that offer four-way stretch and moisture-wicking technology. Many products are made from recycled and eco-friendly materials without sacrificing comfort.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is consistent and true to size, focusing on a comfortable, easy-to-move-in fit that isn't overly compressive. Vuori offers sizes from XS to XXL.
• Sustainability: As a Climate Neutral Certified brand, Vuori is deeply committed to sustainability through the use of recycled fabrics, eco-friendly dyes, and ethical manufacturing.
• Return policy: Vuori offers free returns within 30 days of purchase for items that are unworn with tags attached, ensuring a risk-free shopping experience.

Vuori excels at creating exceptionally comfortable and versatile activewear at a great value, making it perfect for everyday wear and low-impact activities.

Shop Vuori: vuoriclothing.com

Varley vs. Vuori Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Varley operates in the luxury activewear space, with leggings costing around $150 and jackets exceeding $250. This reflects their use of premium technical fabrics and fashion-forward details.

Vuori offers better value for the budget-conscious shopper. With leggings and joggers typically under $120, their pricing is more accessible for everyday essentials. While both brands offer excellent quality for their price, Vuori provides a much lower barrier to entry for high-quality, comfortable activewear.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality, but with different focuses. Varley's materials are more technical and performance-oriented. Their fabrics offer a compressive, durable feel designed to withstand intense workouts while maintaining a sleek, structured look. It's built for both performance and street style.

Vuori is all about the feel. Their claim to fame is buttery-soft, lightweight fabric blends that feel incredible against the skin. While still moisture-wicking and durable, the primary goal of their materials is maximum comfort for activities like yoga, hiking, traveling, and daily wear.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands' aesthetics reflect their origins. Varley's style is modern, minimalist, and chic with a distinct urban edge. Think muted colors, clean lines, subtle branding, and sophisticated silhouettes that look just as appropriate at brunch as they do in a pilates class.

Vuori embodies a relaxed, Southern California vibe. Its aesthetic is casual, sporty, and effortless, featuring earthy tones and simple, functional designs. It's the kind of clothing you can put on in the morning and feel comfortable in all day, no matter what you're doing.

Fit & Sizing

Varley offers a tailored, sculpting fit. Their leggings and bras are designed to be compressive and shaping, providing a secure and contoured feel that flatters the body. Sizing is consistent and generally runs from XS to XL.

Vuori's fit is more relaxed and forgiving. The brand engineers its clothing for ease of movement and comfort, so you'll find less compression and more room to breathe. Their sizing is also slightly more inclusive, running from XS to XXL in many core styles.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands make sustainability a core part of their mission. Varley integrates recycled and eco-friendly materials into its collections and partners with ethical factories. They continue to push for more sustainable innovations in their supply chain.

Vuori places sustainability at the forefront of its brand identity. They are Climate Neutral Certified and use a significant amount of recycled materials. They also offset their carbon footprint and ensure ethical practices in their manufacturing, making them a strong choice for environmentally conscious consumers.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Varley and Vuori offer fantastic products, but they cater to different priorities and styles.

Choose Varley if:

• Your style is modern, minimalist, and chic.
• You want performance activewear that doubles as high-fashion casual wear.
• You prefer a sculpting, compressive fit for your workouts.
• Your budget allows for investing in luxury activewear pieces.

Choose Vuori if:

• Unbeatable comfort and super-soft fabrics are your number one priority.
• You need versatile clothes for traveling, lounging, errands, and low-impact activity.
• You prefer a more relaxed, casual, and forgiving fit.
• You're looking for excellent quality and sustainability at a more accessible price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Varley or Vuori more expensive?

Varley is significantly more expensive than Vuori. Varley's luxury positioning means its prices for leggings, bras, and outerwear are often 50-100% higher than similar items from Vuori.

Which brand is softer?

Vuori is renowned for its exceptionally soft, buttery fabrics. While Varley's materials are high-quality and comfortable, Vuori's primary focus is on a luxurious, soft feel that makes them a leader in comfort-focused activewear.

Which is better for high-intensity workouts?

Varley's technical, compressive fabrics make it a better choice for high-intensity workouts like running, spinning, or HIIT. The supportive and moisture-wicking fabric is designed specifically for high performance.

Do Varley and Vuori run true to size?

Yes, both brands generally run true to size. However, the fit is different. Varley offers a more tailored, compressive fit, while Vuori has a more relaxed, comfortable fit. Check individual product reviews and size guides if you are between sizes.

How do the return policies compare?

Both brands offer similar and shopper-friendly 30-day return policies for unworn items with tags. Both aim to make the process easy, ensuring you can find the perfect size and style risk-free.

Are Varley and Vuori sustainable brands?

Yes, both place a strong emphasis on sustainability. Vuori is Climate Neutral Certified and makes extensive use of recycled materials. Varley also integrates recycled fabrics and champions ethical production, making both strong choices for eco-conscious shoppers.

What is Vuori best known for?

Vuori is most famous for its Performance Joggers for both men and women. These joggers are celebrated for their incredibly soft feel, comfortable fit, and versatility, making them a best-seller.

Does Varley or Vuori ever go on sale?

Yes, both brands have sales, typically during major holiday periods and at the end of seasons. It's a good time to find popular styles from both Varley and Vuori at a discount.