A clash of two mighty titans in the realm of activewear, the Alo Yoga vs Lululemon debate ignites passionate discussions among fitness enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike.
Both brands deliver a kaleidoscope of options when it comes to chic and functional athletic apparel.
However, while they have their similarities, they each bring their own unique origins, philosophies, and shortfalls to the table.
With this in mind, we’ve decided to weigh in on the discussion, helping you to decide which brand is best for you, plus giving some recommendations for alternative, sustainable brands.
In this article, we’ll be comparing Alo Yoga vs Lululemon across 6 categories to see who comes out on top. These include:
- Product Range & Quality
- Price Range
- Style, Design & Comfort
- Ethics & Sustainability
Alo Yoga vs Lululemon: Who’s better?
#1: Product Range & Quality
Winner: Lululemon
Comparing Alo Yoga vs Lululemon in this category is a tricky one, as both brands deliver well when it comes to the product range and quality – a shared success that has contributed to their prominence on the athleisure scene.
However, there is a small clincher that leans us toward Lululemon – their purpose-driven approach to sportswear.
That means that in Lululemon each item is specifically designed for a particular activity, whether it’s running, yoga, or gymming.
Alo Yoga, on the other hand, specializes in crafting sportswear that caters primarily to yoga enthusiasts.
So while Alo’s products excel in providing comfort and flexibility, precisely what yogis need during their practice, their sportswear isn’t designed for anything high intensity.
This means anyone looking to invest in more versatile clothing suitable for activities beyond just yoga might want to explore other options that prioritize durability and performance in those specific activities.And Lululemon offers exactly that.
What’s more, their product descriptions provide super useful explanations about how each item is designed and performs for its intended purpose.
Plus, their trademark fabrics are known and praised for being exceptionally durable.
#2: Price Range
Winner: Alo Yoga (but only just. . .)
When it comes to comparing the prices of Alo Yoga and Lululemon, it’s worth mentioning that both brands fall into the premium activewear category.
So, you’re unlikely to find any super-bargain deals with either.
In general, however, Alo Yoga does tend to be a tad more affordable compared to Lululemon – offering a range of price points, with some products falling in line with mid-range activewear brands like Adidas or Athleta.
Saying this, most Alo Yoga products are still on the higher price end.
The price range for their sports bras varies from $40 to $70, while tops and shorts fall between $50 and $100. Leggings or pants, on the other hand, often exceed $80 in price.
Similarly, Lululemon’s reputation as a premium status brand is certainly reflected in their cost, with pretty much all of their products having higher price tags than mid-range yoga clothing brands.
For Lululemon, sports bras range from $50 to $80, tops from $40 to $100, shorts from $40 to $120, and leggings and pants typically start at $90 or higher.
The above information is, of course, just a general guide with prices relevant at the time of writing, so the exact pricing will vary depending on the specific item and any ongoing promotions or sales they might have.
#3: Style, Design & Comfort
Winner: Lululemon
When it comes to comparing the style, design, and comfort of Alo Yoga vs Lululemon, who comes out on top is kind of a subjective one.
However, there are some stylistic differences between the two brands that might sway you to one or the other where design is concerned.
While we’d like to see the size inclusivity of both brands improve, their range has improved considerably over the years, with both now offering sizes ranging from XXS to XXL in most items.
Looking at Alo Yoga, they stand out as a modern and fashion-forward brand with less conventional designs and earthy neutral colors designed to be suitable to be worn both during workouts and as streetwear.
Where Alo Yoga focuses more on muted earth tones, Lululemon has a literal rainbow of options, including bright colors, patterns, neutrals, and pastels.
Their designs are also more sleek, classic sportswear in comparison to Alo’s athleisure approach.
Even a quick peek at their customer reviews reveals the praise for both brands regarding the comfort of the designs and fabrics they use across their products.
So, overall if having numerous color options is important for you, we’d recommend exploring Lululemon’s pieces.
However, if you’re looking for more trendy clothing that toes the line between gym wear and streetwear, Alo Yoga is likely what you’re looking for.
#5: Ethics & Sustainability
Winner: Neither . . .
There’s an unfortunate prevalence of greenwashing in both the athletic and clothing industries, and it’s particularly rampant in the yoga world.
Some brands shamelessly exploit yogis demand for ethical products in order to make sales.
For this reason, investigating the moral and sustainability claims of yoga brands is crucial to ensure that your purchases aren’t supporting any unethical manufacturing or social systems.
Both Alo Yoga and Lululemon have had their fair share of criticism and controversy when it comes to ethics and greenwashing, and a closer look into their production and history reveals that they have a long way to go to match the sustainable image they present.
Despite their claims of commitment to ‘spreading mindfulness and movement’, research has shown that Alo Yoga’s ethical practices are questionable.
According to an investigation by Good On You, the brand falls short in managing carbon emissions, ensuring fair treatment of workers, using of eco-friendly materials and safeguarding animal welfare.
So, while they have some eco-friendly initiatives like a solar-powered office and recycling program, their ethical commitments are far from comprehensive or sincere enough.
Similarly, Lululemon has been accused of ‘hiding abuses under the guise of being “green”‘. Good On You also found the brand to lack any significant action on reducing hazardous chemicals, water waste, and other sources of environmental damage.
What’s more, their labor rating is poor, with no certified supply chain and disappointing efforts towards diversity and paying workers a livable wage.
And while Lululemon avoids fur and certain animal products, they lack both comprehensive policy and transparency on their commitment to minimizing animal suffering.
Over the years and despite management changes, both Alo Yoga and Lululemon have recieved recurring criticism for shunning and shaming plus sized shoppers, failing to represent a range of body types in the sizes they offer and their advertisement campaigns.
As to be expected from businesses whose primary pursuit is profit, the sustainable and ethical commitments of neither brand satisfies the yogic principle of ‘ahimsa‘, (non-violence), which urges practitioners to cause no harm in thought, speech, or action.
Conclusion: Who’s better?
To sum up, the conclusion to the hot Alo Yoga vs Lululemon debate is boring but honest: it depends.
We’ve seen above that when comparing Alo Yoga and Lululemon, there are clear winners in some categories, but both brands have areas that need improvement.
Lululemon shines for its purpose-driven approach to sportswear, offering items specifically designed for different activities, durable fabric that can cater to high-impact activities, and long-lasting performance.
Alo Yoga, on the other hand, offers ever-so-slightly more affordable options within the premium activewear category, with designs that are trendy and fashion-forward, suitable for both workouts and streetwear.
For us, Lululemon takes the ever so slight (and very subjective) lead in terms of style and design, offering a wider range of colors and patterns than Alo Yoga’s earthy neutral colors and a sports-streetwear blend approach.
Neither brand emerges as a winner in terms of ethics and sustainability, both having faced criticism and controversy regarding their ethical practices and greenwashing.
It’s a little inconclusive, but ultimately, whether you choose Alo Yoga or Lululemon should depend on your individual preferences.
However, considering their lack of sustainability and ethical commitments, we’d recommend supporting alternative brands that offer equally amazing products at a similar price point. Check out our recommendations in the section below!
Alternative Yoga Brands we love
If Alo Yoga and Lululemon haven’t got you sold, and you’re looking for a brand that offers sustainable, inclusive, and affordable activewear while pioneering ethical manufacturing practices and community initiatives, check out some of our favorite brands below:
#1: Girlfriend Collective
Top of our list, Girlfriend Collective is a standout choice for sustainable activewear.
For us, what sets Girlfriend Collective apart is their dedication to ethical manufacturing practices.
Partnering with SA8000-certified factories, they ensure fair labor conditions and uphold high social standards throughout their supply chain.
They also use almost exclusively recycled materials (made from plastic bottles!), cater for body sizes from XXS to 6XL and donate to social justice organizations and run cause campaigns where a percentage of sales is donated to charities chosen by customers.
#2: Tentree
Tentree is a mindful brand and our top pick for organic yoga clothing for a few key reasons. They prioritize transparency, ensuring ethical manufacturing practices, and prohibiting forced labor and discrimination.
As well as being a Certified B Corp, tentree’s focus on sustainability is evident in their garments’ reduced carbon footprint, waste, and water usage.
By choosing tentree, you can support a brand that aligns with your values while enjoying high-quality, eco-friendly apparel.
#3: Boody
Boody is a standout brand for several reasons.
The best include prioritizing sustainability by using recycled packaging and plant-based ink and their innovative textile recycling program allows customers to return old items for store credit.
Boody also offers inclusive sizes, including sustainable sports bras for cup sizes up to 38D or 40C.
Additionally, their commitment to giving back is evident through donations to environmental and non-environmental charities.
Further Reading
If you’ve enjoyed this article on Alo Yoga vs Lululemon, why not check out our other related articles below:
