Athleta vs the rest - YouLookFab Forum

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Athleta vs the rest

Anonymous

So Athleta is now finally shipping to Canada . My only experience with the brand is seeing it here on YLF - and what I see is certainly nice but ……

The pricing is about 10% less than Lululemon , which is my go-to . Let’s please leave the why-not-to-buy-Lululemon out of this for now; I’d like to know how Athleta stacks up against the competition .( Zella maybe ? Sweaty Betty ? ) I am happy to pay for high quality workout and leisure wear . Anyone who buys from Athleta : tell me about fits , fabric quality , and performance - I’m all ears !

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from LaPed

Linda

I buy a lot from Athleta and find their quality to be excellent. I also buy Zella for my workout wear, but tend to like Athleta better. Their Brooklyn jogger pants are great for travel. They look dressy and are really comfortable. I also have some nylon capris from them that are at least 7 years old and still in great shape. Recently I bought 3 pairs of their pocket shorts which I wear to the gym, for running outside, and to yoga. So far, the have held up beautifully. Some of my Zella bottoms tend to slide down when I’m running, but the Athleta stay in place and even have a pocket for my phone! I’m a big fan as you can see! Please follow up if you have any more specific questions!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm an Athleta devotee for a few reasons. First, they carry a pretty decent size range. Second, they're a certified B-corp. And third, because my Athleta pieces pretty much never wear out. Seriously, I have leggings from them that are almost a decade old.

NancyW

Veteran

My 'Brooklyn' bottoms are among my most worn items. The fabric has a lovely hand and is just indestructible. My first pair was purchased in the spring of 2017 or 2018 and they still look so good - no obvious wear spots or pilling. I haven't purchased any other items - but I have tried the other pants in this fabric - not for me but still loved the fabric!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My experience with Athleta in terms of quality, function, and fit has been more consistently good than Zella. Zella pants are cut a little short for me — I had a pair of their running capris that shifted down my hips and also cut into the backs of my knees because they were too short. I don’t have a lot of Sweaty Betty to compare.

My gripe about Athleta is about the fit on top — they seem to cut tops and jackets a bit long and a bit narrow in the hip for my body. But their running and yoga capris, hiking pants, and the Brooklyn pants are all great.

I still love my old Lululemon pieces. I have running capris and a jacket from them that are over a decade old and still good. I don’t love their color palettes of the last few seasons, so not much recent from them.

Sal

Veteran

I have two Athleta pieces and the quality has been excellent - similar to Lululemon which I also think wears brilliantly. I also have lots of mainstream sports gear - mostly Adidas now - and I find this hard wearing although not quite as feature rich, thoughtfully designed.

MidwestrnChic

I have a large number of items from Athleta. I buy mainly for the quality and fit. Nearly all of my leggings, workout tops and shorts are in perfect condition and some date back to 2016--they simply don't wear out and believe me, they get a ton of wear. I also am a fan of their joggers and Brooklyn bottoms. I love the wide leg pants that are similar to the Luluemon on the fly bottoms for travel. Always arrive uncreased and feeling put together. One sweater that I bought that was pricey quickly pilled so I can't recommend that, but nearly everything else are winners. Love Athleta!

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for starting this, Lisa! I was just browsing the site, wondering the same!

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I’m with Jenn. I wear my gear hard and wear Athleta almost exclusively. I don’t know if this is true in Canada, but you can return items after wearing/washing them out in the U.S. if they don’t work out. I never return anything, though - love my tights, tanks, and sports bras. I wear their swimsuits, too.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

If you have questions about particular items, I wear both Salutation and Elation 7/8 tights, and speedlight tanks.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, Lisa, it seems like you and I might be buying up the athletic wear again this year,

Anonymous

It’s not like I need anything - I have more workout gear than you can imagine I am always on the hunt for just the right sports bra though , as Lulu discontinued the one I like best . I also see Athleta as being a good source for work wear for me .

Laurie

Veteran

I also have numerous things that I've collected over the years from Athleta - their city pants/joggers go in and out of working for me. Currently the only style that's worked is the Venture pant, but I think they're phasing it out (glad I got my usual multiple colors!). So many folks love the Brooklyn jogger, including my mom and sister, but it doesn't have a tie waist so didn't fit me right. I love that new hoodie that I just got last week. Excellent quality and style.

I much prefer LuLu's yoga tights to any other brand. They feel, truly, "like butter".

I get occasional Zella and 90 Degree items from Nordstrom / Rack and they're ok. I've worked out and walked in a few pairs of 90 Degree bike shorts with the side pockets for phone, and they've been great for the price.

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Anonymous

Yay- you can finally get Athleta!!!
I haven't tried Zella or SB yet, but nearly all my gear is from Athleta now.

Many of the bottoms have zip pockets, or else pockets big enough for a phone. All completely opaque- and have stayed that way through weekly washings. The tops have elastic on the bottom so don't ride up.

I didn't like the sports bras I tried, they just didn't feel covered enough for comfort (very thin).

They also have quite a few streetwear type clothes, so definitely a good source for workwear.

In general really good value for the money, and I like how they go out of their way to be inclusive.

ETA- fits tend to be generous, but if there's something you like, don't wait for a sale. Only the smallest sizes are left when things go on sale

sarah

Veteran

I have bought quite a lot of bottoms and tank tops from Athleta and have been really happy with the quality. I have not tried their leggings. The sweatshirt is about the softest most comfie thing I’ve ever owned.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Athleta (and Zella) are much more popular with my clientele than Lululemon because it's cheaper, more size inclusive, great value and quality, and has a HUGE assortment of so much! Great current design and crossover into very casual wear. It's easy to shop with any Gap retail card too.

ophelia

Veteran

My 1 experience w/ Athleta didn’t work out-during my search for high neck tanks (before I copied your tank tops) I ordered petite size & the armholes were so low & wide, they gave a complete view of the *entirety* of my bra. It was the smallest size available so I gave up. I’d suggest sizing down.

Linda

Lisa, I find Brooks sports bras are great! I run and do some high impact work at the gym, so I want a supportive bra for that. Brooks bought the company Moving Comfort and has kept the same quality. I don’t know if Brooks is available in Canada.

Anonymous

Angie - my point being that Lululemon and Athleta are almost the same at retail here - which is why they'd be considered " the competition" for me. I'm fortunate to be right in the middle of sizing, so it's not an issue .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lisa P, for you, I suspect it will boil down to the silhouette variety and fit between the two brands. You might find more interesting things at Athleta, and a larger assortment of colours. The quality is comparable.

Christina F.

Veteran

Others have covered the gear and pants. I also love the dresses I’ve got them Athleta this year. I expect them to be go-to items for travel in particular. Lightweight, quick dry, no wrinkles etc.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that Athleta has more variety— in color as well as styles. Lulu seems to have adopted a tight color palette each year for the past couple of years and if you don’t love the colors you’re pretty much limited to black.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I used to adore Athleta back in the day before Gap bought them out. I agree with people who say their pieces last a long time. I prefer Lulu and Tory Sport and ALO these days. It’s difficult to articulate what I like better about the cut and fit of leggings when they’re inherently tight, but Athleta’s leggings are never my go-to (I feel the same way about Zella ….maybe it’s the fabric?) For hiking type athletic wear I’m very partial to Title Nine but I doubt they ship to Canada in a cost effective way.

Anonymous

Dresses aren’t on the Cdn website , interestingly . That’s one category I was really looking forward to trying .

Not familiar with Title Nine - off to look.

Peri

Veteran

I love Athleta but haven't tried the others you mentioned. I don't really buy for workout wear...mostly I love their "city" type pants for everyday wear. Their featherweight stretch fabric helps make summer in the South more bearable.

Kate

Veteran

I love Athleta, and most of my gear comes from there. Great quality. I prefer it to Zella. I found the Zella tops and jackets ran too narrow across the shoulders for me, so I ended up buying from the men’s line. The quality and fit is not on par with Athleta.

Sweaty Betty I used to love, but of late the quality and size consistency has suffered, so I no longer buy from them. My old SB items are wonderful and still going strong. I only have one item from Lululemon, a flirty lightweight midi skirt that I duplicated in a different color. Those skirts are great, but I would only buy from LL on sale.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I like athleta for their thoughtful, functional details. Thumb holes where you need them, zippered pockets, elastic loops for key rings, mesh inserts for sweat…it’s clear that the designs are considered carefully. And their stuff lasts forever— I think the only athleta pieces I’ve had to throw away were due to “user error” (an intimate encounter with a jagged piece of coral killed my swim trunks; and a big spill of mosquito oil stained some other shorts).

Staysfit

Veteran

I almost exclusively wear Athleta and have for years. Athleta design puts function and movement first; nice style is a bonus, Athleta took me through training and running multiple marathons. No chafing. No stinking, No stretching out. No riding up or sliding down. The clothes wear like iron if you hang them dry….which I do. A pair of their leggings can last me up to three years with heavy use before they lose their umph. They have moved towards sustainability without a decrease in quality or change in fit. They have a wide range of sizes and I assume more inclusive sizing. Their catalogs show a wide range of models that look like real people mixed with real athletes. Athleta fits me better than Lululemon. Torso fit, Sleeve and leg length is perfect for me in their wide selection of size small tall. Sizing is consistent, I know whatever the garment, if I order my size, it will fit. There are all sorts of thoughtful and practical details…little hidden pockets, reflective details for safety, good quality zippers, thumb holes, UPF, features to help keep clothes from slipping and sliding. They stay in place when I do Pilates and Yoga. Zella does not move as well or have as many thoughtful functional features. Their items are more likely to ride up, stretch out, fray at seams, fade, chafe, or even strangely pill. At most I can get one season of wear from Zella, maybe less. My experience with Lululemon is generally positive. The quality and durability is about the same as Athleta. The basic Lululemon styles that they carry on repeat have good functional designs but most of their clothes in my size are black, a neutral I do not wear.

viva

Veteran

We are fortunate enough to have an Athleta brick and mortar store in Portland. A caveat for the following opinion is that I buy/refresh workout wear VERY rarely (even with working on average 4x/week, I find that the stuff lasts forever, and I am not about style when I sweat LOL).

Still, I really like Athleta. Their leggings fit me well and have a beautiful handfeel, the one dress I have has been a go-to for the beach, and the store is very customer-friendly and inclusive. Plus they have an amazing return policy. When I last bought leggings there - at least a year ago - they said, "Just try them out. If they're uncomfortable or don't work for barre, bring them back." And, being a Gap company: frequent sales.

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Roberta

Veteran

I am a huge fan of Title Nine, but have no idea about Maple Leaf shipping, sorry. They are women-owned and designed and have decent sales. I own leggings, tops, jackets, sweaters, and more. They use "real" (is there a better word?) women in their catalogs, which I love, and everything is really well-made and durable. Also an excellent source for sports bras! They're having a sale right now: - https://www.titlenine.com/title-nine-sale.html BUT - their sizing is not exactly extensive.

I have Athleta pants and fleeces from 15 years ago that wear like iron. I guess they should, being manmade fiber! When I lived in a drafty house, I wore their Polartec pants all winter long. Now I live in an over-heated condo and wear them for winter walks. They have multiple zipper pockets AND don't collect pet hair.

The reason I don't shop at Athleta any more is purely because of the limited color palette. It seems like everything is black, olive, or grey - an "urban" palette - and I like a lot more color in workout wear.

I've bought a couple Z by Zella shorts from the Rack and like them a lot, especially for the price, but I had to try and return a few before I found a style that really worked.

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