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

Vuori is known for its exceptionally soft fabrics and laid-back, West Coast style that combines performance features with everyday comfort, making it a favorite for lounge and light activity. In contrast, Athleta, a part of Gap Inc., champions inclusivity with an extensive size range (XXS-3X), more vibrant and trend-focused designs, and a strong focus on versatile performance wear for a variety of activities.

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

Vuori: The West Coast Blend of Performance and Comfort

Vuori is a Southern California-based activewear brand that has built a devoted following around its modern aesthetic and unbelievably comfortable materials. The brand excels at creating versatile clothing that performs during a workout but looks right at home during errands or lounging. Their target customer values high-quality, understated pieces that prioritize softness and a clean, versatile design.

• Product mix: Known best for joggers, shorts, and performance tees that bridge the gap between activewear and lifestyle clothing. Their collection includes leggings, hoodies, and jackets suited for yoga, training, and everyday life.
• Price point: Sits in the mid-to-premium range. Expect to pay $60 to $110 for performance tops and shorts, with their popular joggers and leggings typically priced between $90 and $120.
• Quality & Materials: Famous for its proprietary fabrics like the ultra-soft brushed jersey DreamKnit™ and moisture-wicking Performance Knit. The materials feel luxurious, durable, and maintain their shape and softness wash after wash.
• Sizing/Fit: The fit is generally athletic and true to size, though some find it runs slightly fitted. Sizing is more limited compared to its competitors, typically running from XS to XXL.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is minimalist and modern with a clear surf-and-skate culture influence. Color palettes often feature muted, natural tones that are easy to mix and match.
• Return policy: Vuori's "Investment in Happiness" guarantee means they stand behind their product. Returns are generally easy and accepted on unused, unwashed items.

Vuori is the go-to brand if your top priority is unparalleled softness and a minimalist style that works for both the gym and your daily schedule.

Shop Vuori: vuoriclothing.com

Athleta: The Leader in Inclusive & Versatile Activewear

As a certified B Corporation and part of the Gap Inc. family, Athleta is committed to empowering women through inclusive designs and sustainable practices. The brand markets itself to a wide audience of active women, offering a huge selection of gear for everything from yoga and running to hiking and travel. They are a one-stop-shop for women seeking functional, stylish, and durable activewear.

• Product mix: A comprehensive range of activewear including leggings, sports bras, tops, outerwear, swimwear, and dresses. Athleta caters to specific activities like running, yoga, swimming, and hiking.
• Price point: Sits in a similar range to Vuori, with leggings from $80 to $120 and tops from $50 to $90. However, Athleta runs frequent sales and promotions, often making it more budget-friendly.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes technical, performance-driven fabrics like the buttery-soft Powervita™ and sleek, compressive SuperSonic. There is a strong emphasis on using recycled and sustainable materials across their lines.
• Sizing/Fit: A leader in size inclusivity, offering sizes from XXS to 3X in regular, tall, and petite inseams. The fit is functional and designed for movement, generally fitting true to size with flattering silhouettes.
• Rewards program: Part of the Gap Inc. rewards program, allowing customers to earn and redeem points across Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.
• Sales: Holds regular sales events throughout the year, especially at the end of seasons, making their quality activewear more accessible.
• Return policy: Offers a generous return policy, allowing you to return unwashed and unworn items, which provides peace of mind when trying new styles.

Athleta is the ideal choice for shoppers who need inclusive sizing, performance-specific gear, and the savings that come with a strong rewards program and frequent sales.

Shop Athleta: athleta.gap.com

Vuori vs. Athleta Comparison

Price Comparison

On paper, Vuori and Athleta operate in a similar premium activewear price bracket. Leggings and joggers from both brands hover around the $90-$120 mark. However, the key difference lies in promotions and overall value.

Athleta runs promotions, coupons, and major sales events far more frequently than Vuori. As part of Gap Inc., Athleta also benefits from a robust rewards program, allowing loyal shoppers to earn points and discounts. Vuori rarely offers discounts on its core products, positioning itself as a premium brand where the value is in the year-round quality rather than seasonal sales.

Quality & Materials

This is where the brands really diverge. Vuori's reputation is built on its incredibly soft, comfort-first fabrics. Materials like DreamKnit™ are unmatched for their plush feel, making Vuori ideal for lounging, travel, and low-impact activities where cozy comfort is paramount.

Athleta focuses more on technical performance fabrics. Their Powervita™ fabric is soft and comfortable, but materials like SuperSonic are built for compression and support during high-impact workouts. Athleta’s materials are durable, moisture-wicking, and often contain sustainable fibers like recycled polyester and nylon. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize cloud-like softness (Vuori) or technical performance (Athleta).

Style & Aesthetic

Vuori embodies a minimalist, Southern California "health goth" aesthetic. Their designs feature clean lines, simple silhouettes, and a color palette dominated by sophisticated neutrals and earth tones. It’s an understated style that blends seamlessly from the gym into your daily life.

Athleta offers a much broader and more colorful aesthetic. While they provide plenty of classic black and neutral options, their collections regularly feature bold patterns, bright colors, and trend-focused details. If you like making a statement with your workout wear or want more variety and seasonal options, Athleta’s selection is more extensive.

Fit & Sizing

Athleta is the clear frontrunner in inclusivity. With sizes ranging from XXS to 3X and options for petite, regular, and tall inseams, a far wider range of body types can find a great fit. Their designs are praised for being functional and flattering without feeling restrictive.

Vuori offers a more standard size range, typically from XS to XXL. Their fit is generally described as "athletic" - true to size but more tailored and less forgiving than Athleta's. This is a critical distinction for shoppers who fall outside standard sizing or prefer a little extra room.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands make sustainability a core part of their mission. Vuori focuses on ethical manufacturing, using sustainable materials, and offsetting 100% of their carbon footprint. They are transparent about their efforts to reduce waste and water usage.

As a certified B Corp, Athleta adheres to high standards of social and environmental performance. They use a significant amount of recycled and sustainable materials in their products and are committed to empowering women in their supply chain through Fair Trade programs. Both companies are good choices for the environmentally conscious shopper, with Athleta’s B Corp certification providing a more formal backing to its claims.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities for activewear. Both brands create excellent products, but they are designed for slightly different customers and uses.

Choose Vuori if:

• Extreme softness and next-level comfort are your main priorities.
• You prefer an understated, minimalist style with neutral colors.
• Your activities are mainly yoga, training, lounging, or travel.
• You want versatile pieces that work just as well for errands as they do for workouts.

Choose Athleta if:

• You need inclusive sizing options, from XXS to 3X and multiple lengths.
• You enjoy bold colors, trendy patterns, and having lots of style choices.
• You're looking for activity-specific gear for running, HIIT, or hiking.
• You're a savvy shopper who loves a good sale and earning points through a rewards program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vuori or Athleta cheaper?

While their retail prices are comparable, Athleta is often cheaper due to frequent sales, promotional coupons, and a robust rewards program. Vuori rarely discounts their key products, making Athleta the more budget-friendly option over the long term.

Which has better quality leggings?

It depends on your preference. For pure softness and lounging comfort, Vuori's leggings are hard to beat. For support, compression, and durability during intense workouts, Athleta's technical fabrics are superior.

Does Vuori or Athleta run small?

Vuori is generally considered to have a more true-to-size, athletic fit that can feel snug. Athleta's sizing is often described as slightly more generous and accommodating, with a more relaxed fit in many of their styles.

Which brand is better for everyday wear?

Both brands are excellent for everyday wear, but Vuori might have a slight edge. Its minimalist aesthetic and focus on creating versatile separates make it easy to integrate its clothing into a non-workout wardrobe.

Is Athleta owned by Lululemon?

No, Athleta is owned by Gap Inc., which also owns Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. Its main competitor is Lululemon.

What is Vuori famous for?

Vuori is most famous for its men's and women's joggers, particularly the Performance Jogger for women and the Kore Short for men. Both are celebrated for their incredibly soft feel and versatility.

Which company is more sustainable?

Both brands have strong sustainability initiatives. Athleta is a certified B Corporation, meaning it meets very high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Vuori focuses on offsetting carbon emissions and using recycled materials. Both are excellent choices for conscious consumers.

Which brand is better for running?

Athleta is generally better for running. They offer a wider range of technical shorts, leggings, and tops specifically designed with features like compression, high-visibility details, and sweat-wicking to support runners. Vuori's products are better suited for lower-impact activities and general training.