Anyone who has shopped at a major online retailer knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens upon dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that products from any given brand are not all created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands do some things better than others. With its built-to-move-in basics and casual cuts inspired by surf life, Vuori is one of those brands. To help you find the best activewear, accessories, and more, I’ve rounded up all the Vuori items featured in our archives, including our favorite men’s gym shorts for yoga and the leggings that are better than Lululemon Aligns.
Women’s bottoms
“Stretchy and soft yet not too schleppy looking,” says former senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson of these slim and slightly cropped Vuori sweatpants. Designed with the brand’s signature DreamKnit fabric (a blend of polyester and elastane), these moisture-wicking pants are somewhat odor-resistant, according to Adelson, who wore them practically daily while working from home. She says they can go a while without being washed, which is a plus in her book.
These Vuori leggings rival the stretchy styles at Lululemon, according to Strategist contributing editor Jessica Silvester, who prefers the Daily Legging to her Aligns (which says a lot, considering she once wrote a whole ode to them). Silvester says her Vuori pair are just as “peach-skin soft and flattering, sitting not too high or low on the waist and lifting your butt.” They feature a drawstring tie and cuffed ankles, plus they are available in three lengths.
Another high-rise option is the AllTheFeels Legging, which our writer Arielle Avila has owned for over six months. She wears them mainly for yoga since they are extremely soft and seamless. Avila also points to the 24-inch inseam as a standout feature and the secret to their perfect fit. “I’ve had a lot of leggings from Outdoor Voices and other brands that would bunch up at my ankles,” Avila says, but the length of the AllTheFeels has never been an issue for her five-foot-two frame.
When we spoke to experts about the best women’s running shorts, retired professional runner Heather Kampf recommended these five-inch tight-fitting shorts. Kampf owns this pair and loves the ultrasoft fabric and flattering high rise. She also appreciates that they don’t move around or ride up during her runs. And if you’re looking for a way to carry your phone or other small items, a drop-in pocket at the waist and two side pockets provide multiple ways to stash everything.
If you prefer breezy, unlined running shorts, Vuori’s Dash Shorts are ideal for a range of fitness activities thanks to the lightweight, fast-drying fabric. I tested the style for this shopping guide and immediately noticed the mid-rise fit and wide elastic waistband feel super-comfortable, even during a longer run or gym session. And though these are linerless and the three-inch inseam is on the shorter side, they hold their shape without riding up too much. Other features I love include a secure zippered back pocket and two deep side pockets.
The Halo Boxy shorts are made from the same stretchy DreamKnit fabric as the Performance Joggers above. Before testing these shorts, Avila thought she would wear them exclusively for sleeping and lounging, but quickly realized that they’re also ideal for daytime activities, like running errands or grabbing coffee “without feeling frumpy,” she says. “I think it’s the high waist that helps. They’re super-flattering for sweatshorts.” They also wash well, and though Avila accidentally put hers in the dryer (she typically hang-dries athleisure), they maintained their shape, softness, and stretch.
Women’s tops
Avila also owns this sports bra crafted from the same “buttery soft” fabric as the leggings above. She likes to wear it for activities such as running and yoga because it’s “super-supportive without feeling restrictive.” Avila says the fabric is pill-free even after consistent washing, though she suggests hang-drying.
You can never have enough closet classics, and Vuori’s Feather Tee is the perfect plain white T-shirt for those who need an airier option. Though I haven’t been testing it for long, I was impressed with the fabric’s softness and ultralightweight feel, thanks to a mix of cotton and stretchy elastane. As for fit, the crewneck collar is super-comfortable and the torso doesn’t cling; it falls perfectly at my waist with the sleeves hitting around my bicep.
Men’s bottoms
Vuori’s Kore shorts offer impressive stretch, which is why we crowned them the best gym shorts for yoga. “Vuori makes some of the most comfortable and durable gym shorts,” according to personal trainer Ariel Brill, who likes the versatility of this pair, which are lined. While Brill says these would be great for any “sport or outdoor activity,” our writer and resident fitness expert Jeremy Rellosa recommends the Kore shorts for more relaxed workouts because they’re less compressive than other gym shorts he has tested. Another fan is Tim Senesi of the popular YouTube channel Yoga With Tim, who says he loves that they fit comfortably and aren’t too loud or flashy.
Instead of Patagonia’s ubiquitous Baggies, go for this pair from Vuori, which, according to former associate editor Louis Cheslaw, are everything his Baggies were not. They are “insanely stretchy in the crotch,” which makes them ideal for working out and lounging on the couch. The recycled polyester fabric features four-way stretch technology, and they hit well above the knee, which makes them great for exercising but not too athletic-looking for social occasions. As Cheslaw puts it, they are “somehow entirely casual enough for the beach and entirely structured enough for the city.”
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
