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Anyone who has shopped at a bigger-box store knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is not all products from a given brand are created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than they do other things. Lululemon, with all of its stretchy, sweat-wicking offerings, is one of those brands, with an expansive inventory (more than 100 styles of leggings alone!) that can be overwhelming to sort through. Read on for all of our favorite Lululemon finds, from marathon-runner-recommended tights (and tops) to leggings beloved by fitness folk and new moms alike.
Women’s bottoms
Lululemon’s Wunder Trains are our pick for the best workout leggings; our writer Kat Gillespie tested them for more than a year and found that they still “look and feel as good as new,” even after many, many spins in her laundromat’s industrial-strength dryer. The leggings are a favorite of fitness pros, including Sky Ting yoga teacher Kate Posch, who says the high-rise fit prevents her from constantly pulling up her leggings while practicing. The sweat-wicking, four-way stretch fabric makes these as useful for a HIIT conditioning class as they are for running errands — and according to Katherine Gundling, a coach and programmer at ICE CrossFit NYC and Oculus CrossFit, “They will last you years and stay in great condition,” too.
As a “die-hard, large-screen-loving iPhone Max user,” Gillespie can confirm that the pockets on this version of the Wunder Trains are wide enough to hold a larger phone and keep it securely in place, whether she’s lounging at home or jogging the Prospect Park loop.
Lululemon’s Align pants are one of the most universally beloved pairs we’ve written about. Fitness instructor Ashley Rosenberg calls the style a “forever classic” that’s “just unbeatable.” Expecting mothers, yoga instructors, and other fitness folk all agree, praising their high-rise fit, durability, and four-way stretch. Strategist contributing editor Jessica Silvester is another fan: She wore these while seven months pregnant and told us the same pair still fits her years later: “My proportions have more or less returned to normal, but the fabric has snapped back, too; it continues to conform to my shape.”
This shorter version of the Align pants also works as both workoutwear and loungewear, according to the Cut’s Diana Tsui. Made with lycra fiber that helps the pants hold their shape, Tsui says they offer a snug fit “without squishing any internal organs.” She adds: “They’re so ridiculously comfortable that I also wear them to sleep.”
These Align pants were named our top pick for pregnant people because of their not-too-tight, waistband-free cut. The super high-rise style helps the leggings “grow with you throughout your entire pregnancy and postpartum,” according to Tori Thain Gioia, a co-founder of pre- and post-natal vitamin company Perelel. Pilates instructor Anna Anderson, who wore the Align pants throughout three pregnancies, loves that the material is supportive without being overly restrictive. Tenia Skinner, a certified personal trainer and member of Mater Mea, a community for Black moms, agreed, saying that the pants “feel like a second skin” and “were so comfortable all 40 weeks.”
If you’re working out while pregnant and prefer shorts instead of longer pants, this Align pair comes recommended by Presley Pritchard, a medic, mom, and fitness coach. “When I’m pregnant I get so much hotter, but they’re really lightweight,” she says, adding that the breathable material stretches easily over a growing belly.
Our junior writer Brenley Goertzen told us that she lives in these wide-leg pants while working from home. The pants are as comfortable as her favorite cotton sweatpants, but the soft, matte material makes them feel more refined. The stretchy, pull-on waistband has an easy-to-adjust drawstring, and she says the pockets are deep enough to hold her wallet, keys, and phone when she runs out to grab coffee or take her dogs for a walk.
Women’s tops
The original Swiftly Tech racerback made this list back in 2020 — and the newly upgraded version has many of the same qualities that made it a favorite then, just with an updated waistband. Fitness instructor Hollis Tuttle, who is also a Lululemon ambassador, says that this Lululemon racerback goes the extra mile during runs: “It’s very breathable, light (even when sweaty), dries quickly, and does not chafe.” The lightweight fabric is interwoven with naturally antimicrobial silver thread to prevent odor (Tuttle calls it “anti-stink technology”). Adelson — who is not a Lululemon ambassador — is also a fan, telling us that “this top is a workhorse that gets me through most of the summer.”
When we asked stylish tennis experts about their favorite clothes to play in, former Howard University tennis player Emnet Simunyola praised this Lululemon top for its “exceptional quality.” According to Simunyola, the sleeveless cut allows for unrestricted arm movement on the court and the half-zip collar helps her regulate her body temperature during multiple rounds on the court.
According to personal trainer and yoga teacher Lauren Seib, this versatile split-back top will help you avoid unsightly back sweat during heavy workouts: “Wear it ‘open and flowy’ for barre and crushing weights in the gym or tied up in the back for practicing your arm balances next vinyasa.”
When we went searching for the best clothes to hide sweat, stylist Gaelle Paul told us this performance tee works great because it’s designed for more active pursuits but is still nice enough to wear casually. She especially likes the “particularly flattering” neckline.
This workout top with a built-in bra — a feature that Lululemon calls “the original life hack” — is Y7 founder and CEO Sarah Larson Levey’s favorite for low-intensity workouts. “I love that it has a built-in bra and vertical ribbing, which makes it super-slimming, so it doesn’t bunch up during workouts.” The cups are removable, too, so the amount of coverage is totally up to you.
Tuttle told us that this long-sleeve top is “light and moves well without chafing,” adding that it can be both “a great top or midlayer piece.” Another feature she likes is that it “has thumb holes for a little extra protection over my hands.” Like other Lululemon tops on this list, it’s also woven with bacterial-killing silver thread to help minimize odor.
Marathoner and podcast host Ali Feller, who is a Lululemon ambassador, recommends this jacket to “everyone who asks what to wear on winter runs.” It’ll warm you up in no time, and you can “also definitely wear it as an everyday jacket.” She adds that it’s great for traveling since “it packs up so small because it’s actually really, really thin.” This jacket is also a favorite of Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell, who loves how it “manages to keep me warm outside no matter how cold it gets thanks to the goose-down filling, but it’s also still very lightweight.”
Lululemon’s Long Line Energy Bra has an extra inch of fabric in its band for added support and security, according to Tuttle, who says the design makes it ideal for running or high-impact workouts. “I don’t often wear shirts while working out, and I like the bit of extra coverage that this bra provides,” she says. “I feel less naked but still stay cool in the middle.”
Bethany Lyons, the founder and CEO of Lyons Den Power Yoga, told us that the Lululemon Flow Y Bra is “forever and always” her go-to for boot-camping, spinning, or other medium-impact activities that call for moderate support and coverage. It’s made from lightweight, four-way stretch material, with minimal seams and removable cups, making it an ideal bra if you’re after that barely-there feel. “It’s versatile, looks good under anything, is comfortable, and gives great coverage,” Lyons adds.
According to Navarro College cheerleader Morgan Simianer, a lot of her female teammates “wear Lululemon sports bras.” She adds that “it depends on the girl, and certain things can be pricey, so preferences vary.”
Men’s bottoms
Sports bras and scrunchies aren’t the only items from Lululemon that Navarro cheerleaders love. According to the team’s assistant coach, Andy Cosferent, guys on the squad often wear these shorts for practice.
This lined version of the above shorts is a favorite pair of Matt Jared, the co-founder of yoga and meditation nonprofit United We Om, who recommends them as some of the best gym shorts for men. He wears his when teaching classes, telling us that “the fit is loose and relaxed, but they stay in place and don’t pinch, no matter what shape I find myself in.” Jared adds that he “especially likes the liner, which has serious moisture-wicking capabilities and keeps everything in place.”
These slightly shorter lined Pace Breaker shorts are a favorite gym short of Chris Keyloun, a coach at New York City rowing studio Rowgatta, who likes that the “comfortable liner allows you to move in all directions.” He’s also a fan of their well-placed pockets, which include a zipper pocket made to hold smartphones. “It will hold your phone securely in place whether you’re rowing a 6K or sprinting a 2K,” Keyloun says. (Lululemon makes a linerless version of this style, too.)
Named our best unlined gym shorts for men, this pair is beloved by Strategist writers and editors and it’s a go-to among stylish men we’ve spoken with over the years. Ralph Lauren creative producer Yale Breslin says Lululemon has “mastered fit, simplicity, and technology” in creating this unlined style, which he calls the “ultimate” gym shorts. Breslin appreciates the subtlety of their branding and likes the “not too long and not too short” length that’s ideal for his at-home HIIT, yoga, and boot-camp workouts.
While these are technically men’s shorts, comedian Sophie Santos loves them for their “perfect length — five inches is where you want to be, friends” and the fact that they’re “stain-and-rip resistant, something I need because I run into my furniture at least twice a day.”
If you’re upgrading your office wardrobe, former associate editor Louis Cheslaw says these (non-workout) pants are “transformative,” calling out design details such as their flat front, dark color, and size range that runs from 26 to 50. He says the stretchy, proprietary Warpstreme fabric keeps him from overheating and can accommodate any position he sits in. Cheslaw adds that their name (ABC stands for anti-ball-crushing) needs no explanation.
Another cool-guy-approved pair of Lululemon pants, these joggers — which are as suitable for working out as they are for lounging — are a favorite of Donnell Baldwin, a former style director for Mr Porter. He’s owned a pair for years, promising that they’re worth the price because “they don’t fall apart.”
Writer Zachary Weiss told us he has been “living” in these Lululemon pants that the brand describes as “inspired by chinos.” According to Weiss, they may not be formal enough for a night out but are a “true life hack” for day-to-day life, travel, and lounging at home. “They’re comfortable without looking sloppy, and I love that Lululemon hems them for free, too, if you want a more tailored fit.”
We know these aren’t shorts or pants, but these Always in Motion boxers are technically bottoms — and they have a stamp of approval from SheaMoisture model Keith Pough. “Albeit pricey, anyone who owns Lululemon can confirm not only the quality but also the comfort of its products,” says Pough, who told us this three-pack is a gift he’d never turn down. “If you’re looking for a lovely gift for your significant other, Lululemon Always in Motion boxers is it.”
Men’s tops
Yoga instructor Ben Wisch says that this tank’s moisture-wicking material and “strategic” mesh ventilation are two reasons why he wears it to teach classes. We think those are two reasons to wear it for other workouts, too.
Like the women’s Swiftly long-sleeve crewneck, this long-sleeve Lululemon men’s crewneck has silver threads to reduce odor. The shirt is also breathable and moisture-wicking.
Citius Mag founder Chris Chavez picked up this short-sleeved shirt for its moisture-wicking abilities and cool pattern. “I like how it’s sweat-absorbing and super-lightweight,” he says. “And blue is my favorite color, so I had to get my hands on this one.”
Accessories
Simianer also told us that this Lululemon scrunchie is a popular item among her teammates. She says the Cheer stars all have them in “multiple colors” and “try to mix and match them with what we’re wearing.”
Strategist editor Maxine Builder finds the Lululemon branding on the front of this fanny pack “a little embarrassing at times,” but says that in terms of function, it is “excellent.” She can fit all of her necessities inside, including a sunglasses case, her wallet, her phone, and her car keys, and “easily sling it across my chest.” Plus, “it’s fairly sturdy” and “water-resistant,” so she can wear it in a rainstorm and not worry that anything will get soaked. And while the bag has (historically) sold out quickly, Lululemon’s stock has been holding recently — so you can have your pick of one of the seven colorways.
Trainer Megan Norregaard told us that this Lululemon backpack is her favorite gym bag because it is “functional and stylish” as well as “durable and water-resistant.” Other noteworthy details include a water-bottle holder, laptop sleeve, expandable pocket for dirty clothes, and an exterior phone pocket.
This double-sided yoga mat made our list of the very best yoga mats for its multiple textures; it’s perfect for those who can’t decide whether they prefer the feel of grippy rubber or a smooth synthetic surface. Yoga teacher Hannah Gardner uses “the smooth side up during a Vinyasa flow, allowing easy transitions,” then turns it over for hot yoga because “having the grip side up keeps me from sliding around.”
Goertzen, who ran cross country and track in college, has used this running belt since high school. She likes that the “super lightweight” band creates minimal bounce — even on her 11-mile runs — while the stretchy zippered pocket keeps keys, cards, a phone, and some fuel gels in place. The reflective detailing is ideal for dusk and after-dark workouts, and at the end of a run Goertzen simply throws the belt in the wash with the rest of her gear.
They’re not your typical athletes, but opera singers love these scarves, according to opera singer Luca Pisaroni, who told us this full-coverage unisex scarf is “frequently used in the opera industry because it is a 360-degree, long scarf that you can wrap around your neck. We all have them because we are all throat and neck freaks.”
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