Activewear and athleisure brands have exploded in popularity in recent years. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to decide which brand is right for you and your lifestyle.
Two of the most popular athletic apparel companies are Rhone and Lululemon. But how do they compare when it comes to quality, style, price, and more?
A Brief Comparison Table
Category | Rhone | Lululemon |
Founded | 2014 | 1998 |
Gender Focus | Men | Women |
Best Known For | T-shirts, shorts, hoodies | Yoga pants, leggings |
Fabrics | Proprietary sweat-wicking and anti-odor | Luon, Nulux proprietary yoga fabrics |
Style | Understated, versatile | Chic, feminine, bold prints |
Fit | Slim, tailored | Compression, slimming |
Price | $$ | $$$ |
Product Range | Broad menswear range | Leggings, bras, tanks, joggers |
Brand Vibe | Understated performance | Aspirational, motivational manifesto |
Sustainability | Use of recycled fabrics | Sustainability reports and commitments |
Overview Of Rhone And Lululemon
Rhone and Lululemon are both athleisure brands catering to men and women who lead active lifestyles.
Rhone was founded in 2014 and is best known for its activewear made from premium technical fabrics. Their products include t-shirts, shorts, pants, outerwear, underwear, and accessories like hats and bags. Rhone aims to create clothing that can transition seamlessly from workout to weekend. Most of their apparel uses sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and anti-odor fabrics.
Lululemon was founded in 1998 and pioneered the athleisure fashion category. They are renowned for their technical yoga pants and leggings made from proprietary Luon fabric. Lululemon has expanded beyond yoga apparel to offer running, training, and casual everyday wear. Their clothes are stylish, comfortable, and functional for an active lifestyle.
Both brands sell primarily through their own retail stores and e-commerce websites. They also offer lifestyle clothing that can be worn both in and out of the gym. However, Lululemon remains more focused on women’s apparel, while Rhone has a larger men’s collection.
Also Read: Differences Between Born Primitive And Lululemon.
Rhone Pros
So, what are the key benefits of choosing Rhone over other athleisure brands?
- Innovative Technical Fabrics
Rhone uses proprietary fabrics designed to be durable, breathable, and comfortable during workouts. This includes perforated T-shirts, sweat-wicking button-downs and polos, and shorts featuring 7-inch inseams. The materials are high-quality and thoughtfully engineered for athletic performance and style.
- Versatile Men’s Selection
Rhone has an extensive selection of versatile men’s activewear that transitions seamlessly from the gym to the street. This includes pants, shorts, hoodies, polos, button-downs, and accessories. The GoldFusion line features shirts woven with real gold fiber for enhanced thermoregulation.
- Unique Blend of Casual & Performance Wear
Rhone manages to blend casual lifestyle apparel with technical performance wear. Pieces like the Swift Jogger or Bomber Jacket look great while still offering moisture-wicking fabric and stretch. This versatility makes Rhone ideal for men with an active lifestyle.
- Commitment to Sustainability
Rhone aims to reduce its environmental impact by using sustainable fabrics like Repreve and Tencel. These fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles and wood pulp. Rhone also partners with organizations that promote conservation and economic development.
Lululemon Pros
Lululemon also offers compelling benefits that make it a popular brand.
- Innovative proprietary fabrics
Lululemon uses patented technical fabrics like Luon and Nulux which offer stretch, breathability, sweat-wicking and compression. This makes their leggings and tops ideal for yoga, running and training.
- Flattering, functional designs for women
Lululemon is the #1 womens athleisure brand thanks to its flattering and supportive sports bras, leggings, tanks and more. The fabrics sculpt and move with the body providing coverage and comfort.
- Expansive yoga-focused selection
No brand offers more variety for the yoga enthusiast than Lululemon. From yoga mats and props to slimming yoga pants, breathable tanks and supportive bras, their range is unparalleled.
- Standout brand ethos and community
Lululemon promotes goals like self-care, mindfulness, sweaty pursuits and living a life of purpose. This resonates powerfully with its community. Their brand ambassadors and local events deepen the lifestyle connection.
- Sustainability initiatives and ethical sourcing
Lululemon aims to use more sustainable materials in its products. This includes recycled polyester, nylon and Lyocell. They ensure ethical working conditions across their supply chain as well.
Both brands definitely have strengths that make them leaders in the athleisure category. But how do they stack up against each other? Let’s compare some key factors:
- Quality and Durability
Rhone and Lululemon both use high-end technical fabrics that stand up to repeated wear and exercise. However, Lululemon’s proprietary Luon fabric tends to pill more over time than Rhone’s smooth-finish materials. For long-term durability, Rhone may have a slight edge. But both brands offer high-quality apparel.
Also Read: Choose Between Gymshark And BuffBunny.
- Style and Fit
Lululemon dominates women’s activewear styles with slimming yoga pants and chic running gear. But Rhone offers far more versatility for men to transition from gym to street. Both brands run slim through the hips and waist. Lululemon offers more color choices while Rhone focuses on versatile neutral tones. For men, Rhone has the style advantage.
- Comfort and Functionality
Both brands construct clothing to move with you during workouts thanks to four-way stretch fabrics. Seams are minimized to prevent chafing and fabrics feel soft against the skin. For moisture-wicking performance, they are equal in comfort. Lululemon’s compression provides added support during yoga and training.
- Price
Lululemon commands premium pricing with leggings costing $100+ and most tops over $60. Rhone is more affordable with T-shirts starting at $38 and pants around $88. For budget-conscious shoppers, Rhone delivers better value. But Lululemon fans feel the quality and brand cachet justify the price.
- Product Range
Lululemon dominates women’s activewear, especially the yoga segment. But Rhone offers far more depth in men’s apparel including shorts, hoodies, polos, button-downs, and more. Lululemon’s accessories and lifestyle range is more expansive. So it depends which product range suits your needs.
- Brand Ethos
Both brands aim to inspire athletic high-performance and mindfulness. Lululemon has crafted a motivational manifesto and goal-setting tools to energize its community. Rhone takes a more understated approach focused on versataility and quality. So Lululemon has the edge for aspirational branding.
- Sustainability
Rhone and Lululemon both aim to use more sustainable materials and ethical production methods. Lululemon has more extensive sustainability reports and commitments to reduce footprint. But Rhone uses recycled fabrics across a wider range of products. Overall, Lululemon seems slightly ahead when it comes to sustainability initiatives.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Rhone manufactures high-quality athletic and activewear. They use premium technical fabrics that wick moisture, stretch, and stand up to repeated wear. Their clothes retain shape over time and many customers praise their durability.
Some brands that offer quality and technical performance rivaling Lululemon include:
Athleta
Outdoor Voices
Fabletics
Alo Yoga
Vuori
Sweaty Betty
Gymshark
These brands make comparable workout clothing for women and men using innovative fabrics. They offer compression, stretch and breathability on par with Lululemon.
Great alternatives to Lululemon offering similar quality at lower prices include:
Old Navy Active
90 Degree Reflex
CRZ YOGA
Teeki
Under Armour
The North Face
Prana
Beyond Yoga
These athletic brands sell stylish leggings, yoga pants, tops, shorts, and more for women and men at affordable prices.
Vuori clothes have a similar slim, tailored fit and silhouette to Lululemon gear. The technical fabric stretches and conforms to the body. Vuori men’s shorts have a comparable 7-inch inseam to Lululemon. For women, Vuori leggings provide a tight-to-the-skin compression fit much like Lululemon. Overall, the fit and feeling of wearing Vuori and Lululemon activewear is quite comparable.
Also Read: Is Fabletics Better Than Zyia?
Conclusion
In summary, for women seeking stylish yoga and athletic apparel, Lululemon is hard to beat. Their leggings and crop tops are flattering, functional and technical.
But for men wanting versatile activewear that transitions seamlessly from gym to street, Rhone is an excellent choice. Their shorts, pants, tops and hoodies combine performance with understated style.
Lululemon still dominates brand prestige and aspirational community. But Rhone delivers quality and innovation at a more affordable price point.
So, it truly depends on your specific needs and preferences. Active men and weekend warriors may prefer Rhone for its versatility and comfort. Devoted yogis and female runners are more likely to favor Lululemon for style, motivation and compression fit.
Both are excellent athletic brands. Try them out and see which resonates most with your personal lifestyle and sensibilities.