Lululemon Align leggings review: My defense of $100 leggings after trying them all

When it comes to leggings, Lululemon pretty much has the market cornered. And when it comes to Lululemon's leggings, the Align high-rise pants are the one to beat. With more than 22,000 reviews — the highest I've seen by a long shot — and an average four-star rating, it's safe to say these leggings have reached cult-following status since hitting the market in 2015.

Aligns were created in response to consumer demand for leggings that felt unrestricted, light and free, Lululemon says — like wearing nothing at all. The brand created Nulu, its now-trademarked four-way stretch fabric that's used in Align apparel, over 18 months. Since then, the Align franchise has become a cornerstone of the brand and expanded into tops, skirts, shorts, dresses, bras and bodysuits — to the tune of $1 billion in revenue, Lululemon reports.

The leggings are priced accordingly. A pair of Align leggings will run you anywhere from $98 to $128 for the version with side pockets . As someone who is loyal to leggings with pockets , that's a pricey pill to swallow for a single pair of leggings that I use to sleep, lounge and sweat. But here's the thing: I've tested more than 24 pairs of the best leggings in the past month alone, and nothing comes close to Aligns.

While there are certainly wonderful budget-friendly leggings I wear often, as well as compressive, sweat-wicking options perfect for intense workouts, Aligns are in a class of their own. The fabric strikes an inimitable balance of stretch and compression, and the fit seems to be excellent on, well, everyone.

Of the 53 pairs of leggings tested on 16 real women ranging from sizes 0 to 18 and 5'0" to 5'11", Aligns came out on top with a nearly pristine score of 4.9 out of 5, according to the results of 1,590 survey questions answered. Here's what testers said makes them so great, and what you should know before buying Align leggings yourself.

How we tested

We tested 53 pairs of leggings on 16 testers and expert evaluators. Our diverse panel is comprised of people with bodies self-described as straight and athletic, curvy and plus-size and beyond. Testers range from sizes 0 to 18 and heights 5'0" to 5'11", with inseams from short to tall.

And what they consider the perfect pair of leggings? Just as varied. Preferences ranged from thick, compressive leggings with butt-lifting and tummy-flattening capabilities to lightweight, buttery-soft options with a barely-there feel.

Once they were matched with a pair that suited their needs, testers wore their leggings for weeks, though we also incorporated long-term testing from leggings lovers who've been wearing their samples for years. They sported them on long-haul travel days and doused them during intense HIIT workouts and heated classes. They vinyasa'd and PR'd in them; they wore them on walks with friends, for errands, to happy hours and beyond.

Then, they weighed in on their experience, from how the leggings fit to how they performed through various activities. In a 30-question survey, testers reported on whether they felt high-quality and durable, if they stayed opaque through downward dog and squats and whether they washed well without pilling, stretching or fraying. That left us with a whopping 1,590 points of feedback. Here's what they had to say about Align leggings.

Fit

Sizing

Testers unanimously agreed that Align leggings fit true to size, which earned them perfect 5s across the board for fit. While some Lululemon garments run small, that's not the case here, and size accuracy is a major plus for anyone who shops online and doesn't want to deal with the hassle of returns or ordering multiple sizes.

"The length is absolutely perfect," said one 5'7" tester. "They're not too short on the ankle, and they don't ride up. They feel perfectly snug in a way that hugs my legs without making me feel restricted or squeezed — and that's a good thing."

The waistband doesn't slip, shift, roll or budge, and it feels secure without squeezing, and the leggings similarly got straight 5s from all testers for staying in place through activity. "No crotch sagging or riding up in the slightest," said one. "These fit the way I always dreamed leggings should."

Feel

Softness

Those barely-there, lightweight, ultra-soft claims? Lofty — but warranted. "These are probably the softest leggings I've ever worn," said one tester. Results back it up: Every single tester gave Align leggings a perfect 5 for softness.

Another tester lauded the Nulu fabric, a proprietary blend of nylon and Lycra. "Extremely soft and smooth material, very breathable too," she said. They're not super thick, but they're still warm enough for winter wear. A third tester summed it up nicely: "Even with tons of competition for that 'buttery soft' feel, this takes the cake." We have to agree.

Comfort

Aligns got perfect 5s across the board for comfort. One tester waxed poetic: "There are no pair of leggings on earth that are more comfortable than Aligns. They move with you so effortlessly without shifting on the skin or making you feel suffocated. I truly don't know how they do it."

Another tester credits the comfort level to the unique stretch of the fabric. "The four-way stretch makes them so comfortable that I hardly wear anything else," she said. "They move with me in a really amazing way; I barely notice that I'm even wearing bottoms." The seams lay flat and don't dig or rub uncomfortably. Another agreed, saying, "of the three leggings I own, these are my favorites to wear."

Compression

Aligns nabbed a 3.5 score for compression, but a lower number here doesn't equal poor performance. It merely means that the leggings aren't as tight-fitting as others, and that's something a lot of our testers preferred. "They sculpt me in a super-flattering way without feeling tight or restrictive," explained one.

"They're a little on the thinner/less compressive side … but that's also what makes them an amazing lounge/travel legging that you can truly wear for hours," said another. "I'd wear them for any form of workout without second thought — running, yoga, lifting, Pilates, HIIT, etc.,"

She cautioned, however, that the thinner materials means "you do have to watch out for panty lines and they won't carve out your waist in an extreme, Kardashian-esque way," but other testers swear by the waist-whittling effects of Align leggings, and I personally love that the rear seams are sewn in a slightly angled V-shape to visually shape the tush.

"The high waist holds everything in without suffocating me," said one tester, who loves that they give her "all the shape and confidence I need." And yet another tester corroborated the flattering cut. "The high waist helps my waist look cinched and the fabric, seams and cut work together to visually sculpt and whittle my legs. They're magic."

Performance

Sweat-wicking

Overall, Aligns earned a 4.5 for sweat-wicking. One tester who rated them a 4 explained, "there's a slight trade-off for the buttery, extra-soft feel and semi-matte finish. They're not as sweat-wicking as other leggings I've worn with a more performance-focused look and athletic feel."

But that versatility is what makes Align leggings a favorite. "I actually prefer that they don't have that shiny, performance-y look to them, and any visible sweat dried within 10 or so minutes" the tester continued, "but still, if I know I'm going to be pouring sweat, I may opt for a slightly more sweat-wicking option."

Opacity

Surprise, surprise: More 5s across the board. "They pass the squat test," said one tester. "I never have to worry about these leggings becoming see-through when I bend down."

Another marveled, "these feel so airy and light that I had serious concerns they'd sheer out mid-downward dog, but I can confirm that through every pose, they were completely opaque — even when wet." It's worth noting that gray is the lightest color our testers have tried in these leggings, so very light colors may or may not fare as well.

Durability

Here's one of the only places where we think Align leggings could improve. With repeated wear and washing, the leggings tend to pill and stretch slightly, which left them with durability and shape-retention scores of 4.5 each (still impressive).

One tester has been wearing the same pair of Align leggings since 2017; she recently got a second pair and noticed a difference. "I didn't realize it before, but the Nulu fabric really does shape-shift over time," she said. "My older pair almost have a microfleece-like nap to them after many years of love and washing (though they have never, not once, seen the inside of a dryer). Meanwhile, my new pair are so sleek and buttery smooth that it's hard to stop touching them."

The brand says you can tumble-dry Align leggings on low, but we don't recommend it. "I did put my first pair in the dryer with my other clothes, and they pilled a bit," said one tester. "Since then, I've been strict about air-drying them and haven't had any problems." She's purchased three more pairs since then.

Similarly, long-term testers say these slight pitfalls are not enough to knock Align leggings off their pedestal. One who's been wearing this style for years explained that they "do stretch out a little over time but not to the point of there being a visual difference — but you do lose a little of the compression if you wear them over and over." She followed up with, "I still stand by them being one of the best pairs of leggings out there, period."

Bottom line: Are Lululemon Align leggings worth it?

Unanimously and unequivocally yes. "If you're going to buy one pair of leggings and call it a day, these will serve you really well in most scenarios," said one expert evaluator. That said, I know it's painful to shell out a cool hundred bucks for leggings. Our testers all balked at the price too. "I hate spending nearly $100 on a pair of leggings, though I suppose my cost per wear is maybe a few cents at most," agreed one.

I wish I could tell you that there's a budget-friendly alternative that's just as good. There is not. There simply are no Lululemon dupes. "Align" and "Nulu" are both trademarked by the brand, which quite literally means they can't be duplicated. And in my robust experience trying, testing, feeling, pulling and stretching leggings, I can tell you there's no other pair on the market that looks and feels the same.

Testers are on my side: "I have plenty of Amazon 'dupes' that come close (and I still love and wear) but none quite measure up to the OG Align leggings." And that's reflected in our test results: A rare and near-perfect 4.9 overall score with unanimous 5s in fit, softness, opacity, aesthetic and satisfaction.

I find myself reserving my Align leggings for my biggest days where I need to feel comfortable, confident and supported. (I didn't think it was possible to have "special occasion leggings," but here we are.) And don't just take my word for it: They're also the favorites of a whopping seven Yahoo editors who test clothing for a living. "In the year I've had them, I've become so obsessed that I've ordered three more pairs," said one.

Same goes for me: While I get sent a lot of free clothing, I bought my Align leggings with my own hard-earned $128 plus tax, so when I say they're worth it, I say so knowing how that price-related stomach knot feels. But honestly? I'd buy them again — and already have. They're just that good.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.