I Tried Every lululemon Legging So You Don’t Have To

Align™ is one of the brand’s top-selling leggings, thanks to their versatility. I’ve owned multiple pairs for over eight years, so to say I’m an Align™ advocate is an understatement. I reach for these leggings on a weekly basis, wearing them to everything from yoga to vegetating on my bed mid-winter. They’re made of lululemon’s buttery soft Nulu™ fabric, which is so light and smooth it feels better than being naked, but still hugs you in all the right places. The Align™ leggings are designed specifically for yoga, but in my experience, they’re sturdy enough to withstand a cycling class, too. 

For pumping iron, you’re going to want to grab a pair of Wunder Train. These leggings are thicker than the Align™ and made with lululemon’s proprietary fabric, Everlux™, a fast-drying fabric that wicks away sweat to keep you cool. The Wunder Train leggings are specifically designed for dynamic movement, so they’re more supportive in the mid-waist. In other words, you won’t have to fuss with the waistband after each deadlift ever again. 

While the Align™ leggings are technically lululemon’s top-selling yoga pants, the InStill line is my personal favorite. These leggings move a little easier with a sweaty body and dry faster, which is much appreciated after you’ve spent 90 minutes in a hot yoga studio. 

These leggings are so sleek, they make me, a non-runner, think I can do a marathon. They’re created with a material called Luxtreme™ that has a four-way stretch, so they’re strong but pliable. Luxtreme™ also has “low-friction support,” meaning you don’t need to worry about the fabric rubbing together at your thighs and pilling over time (an unfortunate downfall of most other activewear leggings). The Swift Speed leggings have another bonus: The material is slightly reflective, so it’s ideal for night walkers. 

If you prefer a more weightless, barely-there feel for high-intensity cardio, let me recommend the Fast and Free. They’re thinner than the Swift Speed, so it’s a great option for summer workouts, or days when you want your skin to breathe a little more. The best part about these leggings is just how fast they dry: I wore them to a power yoga class in a room heated to 105 degrees, and by the time we reached shavasana, my leggings and I were completely soaked. But 10 minutes after class, my pants were magically dry as a bone. 

When it comes to dressing for a hike, you need to be mindful of your terrain: Shorts aren’t the best idea if the trail is covered in poison oak or mosquitoes are running amok, and most thin leggings can’t withstand tears if rogue branches are swiping at them. Loose hiking pants are typically recommended, but some of us prefer moving in leggings (guilty as charged). That’s why lululemon’s Cargo style is my top choice for scaling peaks: They’re outfitted with multiple pockets, a D-ring loop to clip on a carabiner, and other features that look and perform like true “gorpcore” gear, and their abrasion-resistant fabric makes them ideal for trailblazing. The compression level is tighter than most typical hiking pants, so they can easily support you on your next backpacking trip (or a “hike” to brunch). 

Gone are the days when wearing Hard Pants was necessary for a quick trip to the grocery store or grabbing a morning coffee. (I’ll find any excuse to wear leggings out and about.) But you can still look chic in your activewear while running errands. That’s where lululemon’s Groove leggings come in: They’re made of the same material as the Align™ and cut in a flared style that’s universally flattering. Feel free to wear them to your next barre class, but if you style these right, they can easily pass for chic trousers, too.