One of my major goals for 2026 is to increase my movement and establish a consistent exercise routine. I’ve committed to working out at least four days a week, so I was due for an athletic wardrobe upgrade.
From yoga classes to weightlifting and daily walks, I needed something durable and fashionable — because there’s nothing like a cute gym outfit to give me a boost of confidence during my workout.
So, I turned to a few of the most raved about retailers, including Alo, Lululemon, and Athleta to find a great pair.
Here’s how my day of shopping went.
I started my search for new leggings at Alo.
Alo Yoga is a high-end athleisure brand that was originally known for creating sleek, performance-driven activewear designed to suit yogis in the studio and in everyday life. Nowadays, the brand sells everything from leggings and athleisure to casual dresses and trousers.
I used to visit my nearby Alo store regularly just to window shop, so I figured it would be a good place to start in my search for a great pair of leggings.
Although the brand’s line of trendy clothing is impressive (I wish I could buy it all, honestly), there were only a few true athletic options in-store. Between cargo jackets, matching sweatsuits, and accessories, it was a challenge just to find a single pair of workout-appropriate leggings.
Eventually, I spotted the high-waist Airlift leggings in the limited edition “clover green” color. At first glance, I was drawn to the soft and shiny material, made from the brand’s high-compression performance fabric (82% polyester and 18% elastane).
However, I probably wouldn’t wear these leggings to work out.
When I tried these leggings on, I could immediately tell they were flattering and well constructed. I loved the thick waistband and the fact that there were no side seams.
However, they seemed to run a bit small. Plus, the compression element eliminated some of the stretchiness, comfort, and breathability, which are priorities for me during workouts.
If I were to buy these, I’d most likely wear them for athleisure looks during casual outings, like running errands or going on coffee dates, rather than for exercising. For that reason, I couldn’t justify the $134 price tag.
Next, I stopped at Lululemon.
Lululemon is a premium athletic brand known for its soft fabrics and flattering designs.
I own a few pairs of Lululemon leggings that I bought at least five years ago, and I still wear them semi-regularly even after countless hot yoga classes, hikes, and gym sessions. So, I wanted to see if the quality was still up to par.
Luckily, there were tons of options available in-store, including a full wall of leggings. I grabbed a sage-green pair of the Wunder Train no-line high-rise tight leggings to try on.
I really liked the Lululemon leggings.
When I put these on, I could tell immediately how soft the material (made from 77% nylon and 23% Lycra elastane) was.
The material was pretty thick, similar to the version from Alo, but it was still flexible. These felt more suitable for various kinds of workouts.
I loved the actual design, too, especially because there was no center seam down the middle and an extra-thick waistband. They looked flattering on me, and I would feel confident wearing these at the gym or for casual outings.
These leggings cost $108, which is definitely an investment. But considering that my other pairs have stood the test of time, I debated purchasing these as well.
I closed out my shopping experience with a trip to Athleta.
Before choosing a favorite, I wanted to try one more store with a strong reputation. Even though I don’t own anything from Athleta, I’ve admired the brand for a while because of its many modern and colorful styles.
The store I visited had tons of options available and was solely dedicated to activewear and athleisure. It was well organized by style and easy to find what I was looking for.
I picked up the Elation ultra-high-rise leggings in the shadow-gray shade and brought them to the fitting room.
I wasn’t thrilled with the pair from Athleta.
My first impression after putting these on was that they look and feel almost exactly like a pair of $30 leggings I own from Amazon.
That said, the material was incredibly soft and comfortable. Made from 75% nylon and 25% Lycra elastane, it was stretchy and would work well for most workouts.
However, the fit wasn’t as flattering as the other pairs I tried on. It did have a thick waistband, but there was a thin band of elastic around the top of it, which emphasized and dug into my midsection.
At $89, these were the most affordable of the three pairs I tried on. Plus, I later saw them on sale for $70 online. I’d be interested to try on some other Athleta styles, but honestly, this pair didn’t win me over.
I’d be most likely to buy the pair from Lululemon.
Overall, my favorite pair was from Lululemon, and I can understand how the brand has maintained its popularity over time.
In addition to the comfortable material and flattering silhouette, I know from experience that this pair of leggings would likely hold up well over time.
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