Leading brands in this sector include Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Gymshark, Fabletics, and Nike. Each brand brings something distinct to the market, which can make it challenging for fitness enthusiasts to choose. In this article, I’ll compare these top brands to help you find the most comfortable activewear for your needs!
Lululemon
Origin
Established in 1998 in Vancouver, Canada, by Chip Wilson, Lululemon began as a yoga studio and design studio but quickly evolved into a leading sportswear brand, focusing on yoga and fitness.
Features
Lululemon is renowned for its high-quality fabrics and innovative designs. Their signature fabric, Luon, is a nylon and Lycra blend that offers stretch, support, and comfort. Other popular fabrics include Luxtreme, known for a tight, compressive fit, and Nulu™, celebrated for its buttery-soft feel. Their Align Pant and Wunder Train leggings are some of their most popular models.
Price Range
Due to its premium quality, Lululemon is at the higher end of the price spectrum. Sports leggings range from about £69 to £129, and tops from about £43 to £86.
Durability
Lululemon apparel is known for its longevity. With proper care, their high-quality materials maintain shape, elasticity, and colour even after numerous washes.
Alo Yoga
Origin
Founded in 2007 in Los Angeles, California, Alo Yoga was started by yogis for yogis and is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical production.
Features
Alo Yoga merges style with functionality, making their apparel suitable for both gym and everyday wear. The garments are crafted from high-performance materials such as Airlift and Alosoft. Airlift provides a lightweight, compressive fit that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, while Alosoft is renowned for its ultra-soft, comfortable texture. Their High-Waist Airlift Legging is a definite crowd-pleaser.
Price Range
Alo Yoga’s products tend to be pricier, ranging from about £60 to £111 for sports leggings and about £34 to £77 for tops.
Durability
Alo Yoga apparel is designed for longevity, maintaining its quality through many washes. The fabrics and construction are focused on durability and comfort, extending the life of the products.
Gymshark
Origin
Founded in 2012 in the United Kingdom by Ben Francis and a group of friends, Gymshark started in a garage and quickly rose to become a globally renowned fitness brand, particularly popular among Millennials and Gen Z.
Features
Gymshark offers trendy and functional sportswear designed to enhance performance. They utilise fabrics like Seamless, a technology that provides a comfortable, second-skin feel, and Flex, a blend of polyester and elastane that offers flexibility and support. Gymshark’s garments are designed to accentuate the body, with a focus on fitted clothing that highlights muscle definition. It’s especially loved by athletes who focus on strength training.
Price Range
Gymshark offers mid-range pricing, with sports leggings ranging from about £34 to £69 and tops from about £21 to £52.
Durability
Gymshark apparel generally has a good lifespan, though it may not last as long as the pricier brands. With proper care, the products retain their fit and colour for a considerable amount of time.
Fabletics
Origin
Launched in 2013 by actress Kate Hudson in collaboration with JustFab Inc., Fabletics was created to provide fashionable, affordable, and accessible sportswear to a wide audience.
Features
Fabletics offers a wide range of styles and sizes, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity. Their apparel is both functional and fashionable, featuring fabrics like PowerHold, which offers firm compression and support, and Motion365, which combines flexibility and breathability. The brand operates on a membership basis, so exclusive deals and personalised recommendations are first offered to members.
Price Range
Fabletics is known for its affordability. Sports leggings range from about £26 to £60, and tops from about £17 to £43.
Durability
The longevity of Fabletics products is reasonably good, especially considering the price. They are designed for regular use, but some customers have reported issues with pilling fabric and wear over time.
Nike
Origin
Nike was founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight as Blue Ribbon Sports and was renamed Nike in 1971, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory. It has since become a leading global sportswear brand.
Features
As a world leader in sportswear, Nike needs little introduction. Known for their innovative technology and wide product range, Nike caters to athletes at all levels. They utilise advanced materials like Dri-FIT, which wicks sweat away and keeps you cool and dry. Nike offers a wide variety of fits, from compression to loose, making the brand highly accessible to every athlete. Read our article about the Nike Membership to find out more about this brand!
Price Range
Nike’s prices vary widely. Prices for sports leggings range from about £43 to £103, and prices for tops range from about £26 to £60.
Durability
Nike apparel is built to last, even with intensive use. The high quality of the fabrics and construction ensures that the clothing withstands many washes and training sessions without wearing out.
Conclusion
Choosing between Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Gymshark, Fabletics, and Nike comes down to personal preferences and budget. If you’re looking for premium quality, Lululemon and Alo Yoga are excellent choices. For affordable options with good quality, Gymshark and Fabletics are great picks. Nike offers a balance between price and performance, suitable for both amateur and professional athletes. Each brand has its own unique features and strengths, allowing you to find the perfect activewear that fits your needs and preferences. Whichever brand you choose, it will undoubtedly energise you to get moving! Hopefully, this article helps you find your perfect sport set.
