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

Vrst targets serious athletes with technical, performance-driven activewear featuring a minimalist aesthetic and a slightly more accessible price point. In contrast, Lululemon appeals to a broader audience searching for versatile, stylish athleisure that blends workout functionality with everyday fashion, supported by a powerful brand community and premium pricing.

Let's compare these two activewear brands to help you decide which one best fits your fitness and lifestyle needs.

Vrst: The Performance-First Activewear Label

Vrst is a premium activewear brand built for athletes who demand technical innovation and high performance from their gear. The brand focuses on creating durable, functional apparel with innovative fabric technology designed to support intense workouts. Its target customer is a fitness enthusiast who prioritizes streamlined design and performance features over trendy styles, appreciating a clean, modern aesthetic.

• Product mix: A focused collection of performance apparel including leggings, shorts, sports bras, tops, and jackets designed for athletic activity.
• Price point: Sits in the higher mid-range, with core items like leggings and tops typically ranging from $80 to $150.
• Quality & Materials: Emphasis on high-performance, engineered fabrics with moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, and quick-drying properties. Garments often feature durable details like flatlock seams and reinforced stitching meant to withstand rigorous training.
• Sizing/Fit: Vrst apparel generally fits true to size with an athletic cut that supports movement. Some compression-focused pieces may feel snug, so sizing up could be an option for a less restrictive fit.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is minimalist and sleek. Vrst prefers subtle branding and monochrome color palettes, creating a sophisticated and technical appearance.
• Sustainability: The brand is committed to sustainability by using eco-friendly fabrics, working to reduce manufacturing waste, and maintaining a transparent supply chain.

Vrst is the ideal choice for dedicated athletes who require technically advanced gear that performs under pressure and prefer an understated, clean aesthetic.

Shop Vrst: vrst.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Stylish Athleisure

Lululemon is a global powerhouse renowned for its high-quality athletic apparel that flawlessly transitions from the yoga studio to the street. Centered around wellness and active lifestyles, Lululemon has cultivated a loyal following through its proprietary fabrics, flattering fits, and strong community engagement. Their customer values premium quality, style, and a brand that aligns with a mindful, active life.

• Product mix: An extensive range including leggings, tops, bras, and more, plus a wide array of accessories, bags, and personal care items.
• Price point: A premium price point, with most key apparel pieces like leggings and jackets costing between $80 and $200.
• Quality & Materials: Famous for its proprietary fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™, supportive Luon™, and sweat-wicking Everlux™. These materials are known for their exceptional comfort, shape retention, and durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for a wide range of sizes that cater to various body types for a personalized and comfortable fit.
• Style & Aesthetic: Blends function with fashion, offering sleek designs in a wide variety of bold colors, subtle patterns, and always-flattering cuts. Their pieces are designed to be as suitable for brunch as they are for a HIIT class.
• Community: A core part of the brand experience, with in-store classes, ambassador programs, and fitness events that create a strong sense of belonging among customers.

Lululemon excels at creating versatile, stylish, and comfortable activewear for those who want their gear to perform well while fitting into their everyday lifestyle.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Vrst vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

While both brands operate in the premium activewear market, their pricing strategies differ slightly. Vrst is generally more accessible, with most of its core performance pieces priced between $80 and $150. This reflects its focus on providing high-tech gear without the same level of brand prestige markup as its main competitor.

Lululemon commands a higher price, with leggings often starting at $98 and jackets easily exceeding $200. This pricing is justified by their extensive fabric research, massive brand recognition, and the lifestyle and community that come with the interlocking "A" logo.

Quality & Materials

Quality is a priority for both, but their approaches are distinct. Vrst focuses on engineered, technical fabrics built for athletic extremity - think durability, moisture management, and compression. Their materials are designed to enhance performance during high-sweat, intense activities.

Lululemon is famous for its proprietary fabrics, which prioritize a specific feel and function. Their Nulu fabric offers a famously soft, "naked" sensation perfect for yoga, while their Everlux fabric is engineered to dry quickly during the hottest workouts. While Lululemon's gear is highly durable, the primary selling point is often the unparalleled comfort and specific sensation of their textiles.

Style & Aesthetic

Aesthetic is a key differentiator. Vrst is unapologetically minimalist and technical. Their designs feature clean lines, understated colors, and very subtle branding. The look is geared toward those who want their apparel to function as serious equipment without making a loud fashion statement.

Lululemon, on the other hand, defines the athleisure aesthetic. They balance performance with fashion, offering a much wider range of colors, seasonal patterns, and trendy silhouettes like flared leggings and cropped hoodies. Their clothing is made to be seen, transitioning seamlessly between workout and daily life.

Fit & Sizing

Vrst sticks to a standard true-to-size model with an "athletic" fit designed for movement. This means some items, particularly those with compression, can feel quite snug and body-hugging. Customers may occasionally size up for a more relaxed feel.

Lululemon is known for its consistent and inclusive sizing, with many popular styles offered from size 0 to 20. Their fits are engineered to be extremely flattering, providing support and contouring that enthusiasts rave about. This attention to how the clothes make you look and feel is a cornerstone of their success.

Shopping Experience

Vrst operates primarily as an e-commerce brand, although it partners with select retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods. Its website focuses on detailed product information, highlighting fabric technology and performance benefits.

Lululemon's shopping experience is omnichannel. Their user-friendly website is complemented by a huge network of physical stores where customers can try on products, receive personalized fitting advice, and participate in community events. This hands-on, community-driven approach is a significant advantage.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you prioritize in your activewear. Both brands deliver exceptional quality, but their strengths serve different needs.

Choose Vrst if:

• You are a dedicated athlete who needs high-performance, technical gear that can withstand intense training.
• You prefer a minimalist, understated style with subtle branding and a focus on function.
• Fabric innovation, like advanced moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, is more important to you than a soft, buttery feel.
• You want premium quality at a slightly more accessible price point compared to Lululemon.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You want versatile activewear that you can comfortably wear for both workouts and everyday activities.
• You love having a wide variety of colors, trendy styles, and flattering fits to choose from.
• The feel of the fabric is a top priority, and you love staples like the buttery-soft Align leggings.
• You appreciate the community aspect of a brand, including in-store events and a broader lifestyle focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vrst cheaper than Lululemon?

Yes, Vrst is generally slightly cheaper than Lululemon. While still a premium brand, Vrst's core items typically fall in an $80-$150 range, whereas Lululemon often prices its popular leggings starting at $98 and can go up to $200+ for outerwear.

Which has better quality, Vrst or Lululemon?

Both brands offer excellent quality, but with different focuses. Vrst is notable for its durable, performance-engineered fabrics designed for rigorous athletic use. Lululemon is famous for its proprietary fabrics that offer a superior feel, comfort, and longevity for both workouts and everyday wear.

Which brand is better for high-intensity training?

Vrst is arguably better for high-intensity training. Its emphasis on technical, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying fabrics is specifically geared toward supporting athletes during tough workouts.

Which brand is better for yoga and everyday wear?

Lululemon is the clear winner for yoga and everyday athleisure. Its proprietary fabrics like Nulu™ are designed for ultimate comfort and stretch, while its versatile and fashionable designs make it perfect for life outside the gym.

Does Vrst clothing run true to size?

Yes, Vrst generally runs true to size with an athletic fit. However, because some items are designed for compression, they can feel tight. If you are between sizes or prefer a looser fit, you might consider sizing up.

Can you buy Vrst in physical stores?

Vrst is available in some physical retail locations, most notably through its partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods, but its primary presence is online. Lululemon has a much larger network of dedicated brick-and-mortar stores worldwide.

Are both brands sustainable?

Yes, both Vrst and Lululemon have made public commitments to sustainability. Vrst focuses on using eco-friendly materials and transparent manufacturing, while Lululemon has initiatives for recycled materials, water reduction, and fair labor practices.

What is Lululemon most famous for?

Lululemon is most famous for its Align Pant, made from the buttery-soft Nulu fabric. This product helped define the athleisure market and remains a bestseller due to its unmatched comfort and flattering fit.