Lululemon leggings review: are the Align Pants worth the splurge?

With 9.98  million visits to their website over the past six months, it’s fair to say that Lululemon and their leggings are pretty popular. But are they worth the money? Our Lululemon leggings review has everything you need to know...

Depending on your workout of choice, there is a number of different styles of leggings on offer at Lululemon. There’s Fast and Free (perfect for running) and Wunder Under (best for extra sweaty workouts). In this Lululemon leggings review, our focus is on Align, designed especially for yoga. 

Here at w&h HQ, we know a thing or two about leggings. Within our team, more than one is a member of a running club, another goes to weekly trampolining sessions and one is an aspiring yogi. And when we’re not getting hot and sweaty during a workout, you’ll likely find us clad in leggings again, bingeing Netflix series on our sofas. So trust us when we say we know what (and who!) makes the best leggings when it comes to comfort, coverage and quality. In our Lululemon leggings review, we’ll be sharing our expert insight, so you can drop into that downward dog with confidence…

First impressions

Let’s start with the important stuff. At around $118/£88 a pair depending on style, Lululemon’s Align leggings aren’t cheap - unless you can find a Lululemon sale. For that price, you might be expecting these workout leggings to be all singing, all dancing—and brimming with high-spec features. And at first glance, they’re not.

What dropped into the w&h postbox was a pair of buttery soft leggings with a relatively high waist and minimal seams. So far, so simple. But that’s where the beauty of these leggings lies. What you’re actually paying a premium for is the feeling of wearing absolutely nothing at all. Which is a simple way to ensure there are no kit-based distractions when it comes to your yoga practice. 

So instead of worrying about niggling seams when you’re unwinding in shavasana or toppling out of tree pose to avoid a too-low waistband, the focus can remain on your movement and breath. 

How do they feel?

Now for more details on that fabric. With 81% Nylon and 19% Lycra Elastane content, the Lululemon Align leggings have plenty of stretch and give, making them easy to take on and off. Once on, they snap comfortably into place, hugging and honing your shape. 

Out of all the different types of leggings we’ve tried, these are by far the softest. It’s a fashion cliché, but you really can forget you’re wearing them. 

What do they look like?

Within the Lululemon Align leggings range, there is a number of slightly different designs. There’s the original, which sits just below the belly button, the high-rise (or HR), which gives slightly more coverage, and the super-high rise, which will reach most people’s ribs. Of course, if you’re tall or petite, how high the fabric reaches will vary.

Speaking of height, leg lengths vary from a capri-style 17in through to full-length 31in. If you’re in the market for shorts, there are also versions to see you through warmer weather. 

The standard Align design has a secret pocket hidden within the inner waistband. It’s not hugely spacious, but there is enough room to store your bank card or key. If you’re after a pair of leggings with pockets, the Align High Rise Pant with pockets features deep pockets on the sides of the thighs (big enough to hold your phone!) and at the back. 

As for colors and prints, you’ll be spoilt for choice. At the time of writing, there are 18 different options in the 25in Lululemon Align leggings. 

In the market for a bargain? Check out the “We Made Too Much” section of the website for the chance to pick up the particular colors at seriously discounted prices. 

Are they true to size?

In our opinion, Lululemon Align leggings are true to size, and most other reviewers seemed to agree. Music to the ears of online shoppers, this means you can opt for your normal size, safe in the knowledge they’ll provide a spot-on fit.

Despite the brand’s sizing controversy back in 2013, we’re pleased to report that Lululemon currently offers an inclusive range of sizes in their Align leggings. It spans from a US 0-24, which is equivalent to a UK 4-28. If you’re shopping from another region, the on-site size guide offers precise measurements.

Is it easy to care for them?

The care instructions for the Lululemon Align Leggings are as we'd expect for a pair of sweat-wicking gym leggings. Wash with like colors on a cold wash, tumble dry on the lowest setting and don't iron. 

Some online reviewers have complained about the fabric pilling, but that’s not something we’ve found to be a problem. After more than six months of liberally wearing and washing (and not always sticking to the “wash cold” instructions), there have been no problems with bobbling on the outside, only a little on the inside. The fabric only gets softer the more you wear them too, and doesn’t thin or become see-through—an especially important factor if you’re a fan of hot yoga.

What’s not so good?

The lightweight fabric is the biggest selling point of the Lululemon Align leggings, but also arguably the detail that can let them down too. The fabric is quite clingy, which means it's also not very forgiving in all colourways. 

If this is something you're worried about, opt for the darker and more heavily printed designs. They're slightly more forgiving on lumps and bumps, not to mention they make sweat marks less visible too. 

Our verdict 

The verdict of our Lululemon leggings review? If you're looking for a comfortable pair of yoga leggings that will retain their shape wash after wash, then the Lululemon Align leggings are hard to beat. They're expensive, yes, but will more than earn their keep in your workout (and everyday!) wardrobe. 

VIEW NOW: Lululemon Align Leggings