Activewear has become a staple in many people’s wardrobes. With more individuals prioritizing fitness and wellness, brands like Gymshark and BuffBunny have gained popularity for their functional yet stylish apparel.
But which brand truly reigns supreme? This comprehensive guide examines the pros and cons of Gymshark and BuffBunny to help you determine which best fits your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Gymshark | BuffBunny |
| Pricing | Affordable, leggings $50 – $70 | Premium, leggings $80 – $95 |
| Sizing | XS – XL | XS – 4XL |
| Quality | Moderate, some issues with sheerness or durability | Excellent construction and fabrics |
| Styles | Athleisure and casual fitness | Feminine details and prints |
| Releases | Frequent, new items weekly | 1-2 limited collections per year |
| Categories | Leggings, tops, some outerwear and accessories | Leggings, tops, loungewear, swim |
| Shopping Experience | Large selection, frequent sales | Excitement of limited releases selling out fast |
Overview Of Gymshark
Founded in 2012 by teenagers Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan, Gymshark has grown exponentially into one of the most recognizable activewear brands. Gymshark specializes in bodybuilding and workout clothing catered towards gym enthusiasts. The United Kingdom-based company has become massively successful through strategic social media marketing and sponsoring fitness influencers and athletes.
Some key features of Gymshark include:
- Affordable pricing: Compared to other athletic brands, Gymshark’s products are reasonably priced. Leggings typically cost $50 – $70, tops $30 – $50, and shorts around $40.
- Innovative fabrics: Gymshark incorporates proprietary technologies into their fabrics like Speedwick, Flex, and Seamless. These fabrics promise features like sweat-wicking, stretch, breathability, and durability.
- Athleisure and casual styles: Along with hardcore training apparel, Gymshark has expanded into loungewear and athleisure collections. The brand caters not just to bodybuilders but also to casual everyday fitness.
- Limited sizing: One downside is Gymshark’s smaller size range, typically only from XS to XL. The sizing and cuts may not accommodate curvier body types.
- Frequent new releases: Gymshark consistently launches new collections and products weekly to engage customers and influencers. But this makes it hard to keep up with and re-purchase favorites.
Overview Of BuffBunny
Founded in 2013 by Heidi Somers, BuffBunny provides stylish workout clothes for women. The Nebraska-based company has found immense success through Heidi’s massive fitness influencer following on social media.
Some standout features of BuffBunny include:
- Inclusive sizing: Unlike most activewear brands, BuffBunny offers an impressive size range from XS to 4XL in all items. The stretchy fabrics and flattering cuts work for many body types.
- High quality construction: Customer reviews praise BuffBunny for durable seams and fabrics that hold up wear after wear. The materials are sweat-wicking and squat-proof.
- Feminine styles: BuffBunny’s collections cater to feminine tastes with details like mesh cutouts, dainty straps, and bold prints. The brand also sells swimsuits and loungewear.
- Steep pricing: The quality and inclusivity comes at a price. Leggings are $90+, bras $50+, and sets $100+ making BuffBunny one of the pricier activewear brands.
- Limited releases: BuffBunny only launches new collections 1-2 times per year. So once items sell out, customers have to wait months for a re-stock.
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Comparing Gymshark And BuffBunny Product Offerings
Gymshark and BuffBunny overlap in some product offerings but also have distinctive specialties.
- Leggings
Leggings are a core product for both brands. Gymshark has over 50 legging styles incorporating unique fabrics like Gymshark Adapt (AC) and Seamless. Popular styles include the Energy Seamless, Flex, and Vital Seamless. BuffBunny also specializes in leggings with several collections like the Legacy, Monarch, and Naked collections. Their patented PowerFabric provides stretch and compression. For leggings, consumers can’t go wrong with either brand.
- Tops
Both companies sell fitness tops like t-shirts, tanks, bras and sweatshirts. Gymshark focuses on lightweight, breathable fabrics in their tops. BuffBunny aims for eye-catching cuts and details like mesh and strappy backs. For variety and functionality, Gymshark takes the lead on workout tops. But BuffBunny wins for stylish details.
- Outerwear
While Gymshark sells jackets and hoodies, they offer less selection than other categories. BuffBunny hardly sells any outerwear. So Gymshark triumphs for having at least basic activewear outer layers.
- Accessories
For smaller accessories, Gymshark provides a decent range including bags, hats, and socks. BuffBunny has very little accessories aside from occasional jewelry. Gymshark better supplements a full activewear wardrobe.
- Loungewear
Both brands expanded into the athleisure category with loungewear like joggers and sweatpants. Gymshark’s selection includes their Rest Day, Modal, and Eco collections. BuffBunny also sells coordinating sets and robes for lounge and travel. For lazy day apparel, it’s a close tie between the two.
- Swimwear
While Gymshark hardly sells any swimsuits, BuffBunny has made it one of their specialties. They offer a thorough mix of bikinis, one-pieces, and cover ups. Definitely BuffBunny for your beach and poolside needs!
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Comparing Quality And Sizing
When investing in activewear, you want pieces that can handle intense workouts and frequent washes. Here’s how Gymshark and BuffBunny stack up on quality and size range.
- Gymshark uses proprietary fabrics but has faced issues like sheerness and durability complaints in some items. Their quality is moderate but not industry-leading.
- BuffBunny is praised for holding up extremely well over time without sagging, pilling or sheerness. Their quality and construction excels compared to competitors.
- For sizing, Gymshark’s smaller XS-XL range caters more towards straight body types. Their leggings may become sheer or compressive for curvier figures.
- BuffBunny shines for inclusive sizing with most pieces ranging from XS-4XL. Their stretchy fabrics and flattering designs work for petite to plus sizes.
So BuffBunny takes the lead when it comes to inclusive and high quality construction that withstands the test of time. But Gymshark still caters well to smaller, athletic body types.
Comparing Costs: Which Brand Offers Better Value?
While the prices may seem similar, BuffBunny’s quality and inclusivity does come at a markup compared to Gymshark.
On average, equivalent items cost:
- Gymshark leggings: $50 – $70
- BuffBunny leggings: $80 – $95
- Gymshark tops: $20 – $40
- BuffBunny tops: $45 – $60
- Gymshark sets: $70 – $100
- BuffBunny sets: $100 – $120
For those on a tight budget, Gymshark offers more affordable options. But BuffBunny provides greater value through premium fabrics, construction, and size diversity. Overall, BuffBunny does justify its higher prices through exceptional quality and performance.
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Comparing Shopping Experience
Beyond just products, the overall brand experience can impact your satisfaction with activewear companies.
Gymshark offers a smooth ecommerce experience with frequent sales, promos, and launch events. But limited product availability and sell-outs can lead to frustration.
BuffBunny has a slightly less polished website and shopping cart. But they limit launches which creates more excitement and urgency to purchase before sell-outs.
For online experience, Gymshark ekes out a small win. But smart BuffBunny shoppers can sign up for launch reminders and act fast when new collections drop.
Also watch this about Gymshark!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Gymshark provides decent quality activewear at an affordable price point. Their fabrics incorporate high tech features like sweat-wicking, compression, and four-way stretch. However, some Gymshark leggings may become see-through when squatting or lose shape over time. For budget-friendly basics, Gymshark delivers. But the quality does not exceed other high end athletic brands.
As a women’s activewear brand, some of BuffBunny’s biggest competitors include:
Gymshark: A major player in athletic apparel with a massive cult following.
Lululemon: The athleticwear giant known for premium quality and technical fabrics.
Alo Yoga: A trendy, fashion-forward brand worn by celebrities.
Outdoor Voices: Known for minimalist, functional activewear.
Fabletics: The subscription brand co-founded by Kate Hudson.
Some gymwear brands with a similar athletic aesthetic and price point as Gymshark include:
Alphalete: Known for high-waisted, ultra soft leggings.
TALA: Trendy seamless sets sold by influencers on Instagram.
P’tula: Bold prints and fun, eye-catching workout clothes.
Ryderwear: Matching activewear sets great for yoga and HIIT.
Beyond Yoga: Luxe leggings and basics available at Nordstrom.
Gymshark and Lululemon both sell trendy activewear catering to young, fitness enthusiasts. However, Lululemon positions itself as a premium technical athletic brand with prices ranging from $100-$200 for leggings. Gymshark offers a budget-friendly alternative at just $50-$70 for leggings. While Gymshark doesn’t quite compete, it does offer a similar look for less cost. More price-conscious shoppers may choose Gymshark over pricier Lululemon.
Also Read: Differences Between Hylete And Lululemon.
Conclusion
When all factors are considered, BuffBunny edges out Gymshark as the leading activewear brand. While Gymshark offers affordable prices and massive product selection, BuffBunny triumphs on:
- Inclusive size range accommodating all body types
- Superior fabric quality and construction
- More stylish, eye-catching designs
- Specialized categories like loungewear and swim
Gymshark still provides a solid assortment of basic activewear staples. But BuffBunny excels at crafting versatile pieces that transition from the gym to streets in style and comfort. Ultimately BuffBunny gets the vote for industry-leading, high performance activewear worth investing in.