Lululemon Leggings vs. Alo Leggings

How Do Lululemon Leggings Compare to Alo Leggings? 

Hey guys, Katie from FitFormula Wellness here. Recently you’ve probably seen Alo Yoga on the rise. It’s becoming clear that it is going to be a significant competitor to Lululemon. I love my Lululemon Align leggings and they have long been a staple in my closet. In the last year, I have started buying Alo leggings, and I must say Alo leggings give Lululemon a run for its money. Let’s compare two popular brands to see which one is best for you!

Sizing 

For reference, I am 5’5” 120lbs and wear a 4/6 in Lululemon and a small in Alo leggings. 

What I like about Alo is it runs either true to size or a little big. Lululemon notoriously runs small, causing most people to buy numbered sizes that would generally be larger than their norm. 

I appreciate Alo for staying conventional with its sizing. Alo’s sizing sends more of a positive body message. Let’s face it; no one wants to buy sizes that are generally one, two, or three times larger than they would typically buy. Alo’s sizing also makes more sense as it is more in line with how many clothing companies size items.  

Return Policy 

Both Alo and Lululemon have standard 30-day return policies listed on each respective website. So you can rest assured that you won’t be stuck with any items that you don’t like. 

Quality Promise

Lululemon has a quality promise. It is somewhat vague but allows you to exchange leggings (or other products) even after 30 days if the product doesn’t live up to its quality standard, whichis a great promise if you take advantage of it. Alo doesn’t seem to have any such policy and only has the standard 30-day return policy. 

Care

I wash my Lululemon and Alo leggings on cold and hang dry. I have noticed my Lululemon leggings do pill, but that could be how I have cared for them as well the quality of my washer at my rented apartment (it’s not great). 

Comfort 

It’s a widely accepted fact that Lululemon’s Align leggings are like butter, making  them the best lounge leggings. However, I find the Alo ⅞ High-Waist Checkpoint leggings a great alternative to Lululemon’s Align leggings. The material is a little thicker, which at first, I was worried would mean it was less comfortable than Align. However, after putting the checkpoint leggings on, I loved them. The Alo Checkpoint leggings are comfortable and flattering. Alo describes the checkpoint leggings as a combination of leggings and sweatpants, and they definitely live up to that definition. Not only can I lounge around in these, but I can also workout in them.  

I find the Alo Checkpoint leggings to be more flattering than Lululemon’s Align leggings. I know this may be a controversial view, but I find the Alo leggings more flattering around the waist for my frame. Sometimes I felt my stomach area was less than complimentary when wearing Align leggings (maybe I need to start adding more protein to my daily routine). I know people swear by how flattering and comfy the Lululemon align leggings are, but personally, I felt the Alo leggings did more for my waist than the Lululemon leggings. FitFormula's Pro Vegan Protein Blend is great because it doesn't cause bloating that is often affiliated with whey protein. (Which helps to look and feel your best in your leggings).

In terms of butt, thighs, and calves, the Alo leggings tie with the Lululemon Align with how they fit and flatter the body. The Checkpoint leggings also have a nice pocket for your phone, which is helpful if you are working out. 

The Lululemon Align and the Alo Checkpoint leggings are both $98. 

Overall Brand Comparison

Alo’s colors are fire! I bought a beautiful periwinkle biker short / sports bra combo and saw many other very attractive colors in the store. Lululemon tends to have more muted colors- although their army print leggings are a must. 

Both Lululemon and Alo offer fitness classes. Alo has Alo sanctuary studios that, under normal conditions, offer yoga classes. Lululemon owns Mirror, the at-home workout machine.  Additionally, Lululemon provides yoga classes at some of its locations. 

Both Lululemon and Alo make outerwear. Alo tends to lean more towards loungewear, whereas Lululemon’s other products lend themselves to hiking or camping, which would compete more with items from Patagonia or The North Face.    

One other thing I will point out is the difference between Alo’s sports bras and Lululemon’s. I have always felt like Lululemon sports bras were very tight and would often hurt my shoulders after wearing them for a while. Yes, I have tried many different sizes, and it was always the same thing. Some people might like this if they are doing intense workouts. However, I find the Alo bras less constricting and more comfortable to tolerate for more extended periods of time. I wear my Alo bras during some intense workouts like SoulCycle, where there is a lot of movement, and even here, I prefer Alo bras because my shoulders are more comfortable.

Have you tried Lululemon leggings or Alo leggings? We would love to hear what you think of each! And remember, don’t forget to take your daily supplements to make the most out of your health and wellness routine.