Lululemon Align High Rise Pant - Review 2023

Lululemon Aligns are Worth the Hype

The quality at Lululemon is extremely consistent. You know what you’re getting every single time. The Aligns are a fantastic pair of yoga pants with only a couple of noteworthy issues.

The Nulu material used is extremely soft, so we were not at all surprised to find that they have a tendency to pill. That being said, the new fabric pills far less than that of the original Aligns, so Lululemon is heading in the right direction.

We were concerned about many customer reviews complaining about the falling waistband. After trying them out ourselves, we can confirm that it’s a bit of an issue. The last thing you want to think about while you’re working out is when you’ll have the chance to pull your pants up.

The light, breathable material provides ample coverage for both cellulite and the “squat test,” making them a perfect choice for hot yoga. These are also a decent option for pet owners, as they don’t really hold lint like some other yoga leggings. Everything comes clean in the wash, but it’s probably still a good idea to keep a lint roller around the house.

Features

Almost everything about these leggings could be considered a notable feature, even the fabric itself. These leggings are made up of 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane, or what they call “Nulu,” a fabric they have recently started using for the Aligns.

This fabric was designed to wick moisture, stretch with you, and feel like nothing. While there have been some complaints from fans of the old Aligns, it’s hard to deny the quality and performance of this new fabric.

The stitching and seamwork are noteworthy features as well, using “bonded seam technology” for a flat seam that doesn’t rub or dig into your skin. This is a particularly impressive feature on the gusset, as it prevents unnecessary chafing and minimizes fraying.

The leggings sport a hidden pocket on the inside of the waistband, big enough for a key or a credit card. It’s not big enough for a cell phone, so you may want to bring a bag if you need your phone handy.

Quality

Lululemon seems to be in endless pursuit of quality. Between reinventing their fabrics, engineering chafe-resistant seams, and adding additional lining, it is evident that quality is at the forefront of what they do.

Feeling these in your hands, the quality is tangible. The material feels thick and buttery soft. The Lululemon Aligns are extremely cellulite friendly, the material is already quite substantial, but they double-lined all of the lighter color options for additional coverage.

Many online reviews noted that the Aligns have evolved over the past few years. The fabric used to be a softer blend, reminiscent of the Yogalicious Nude Tech Leggings, but pilled very easily. The fabric they use now, “Nulu,” is far more durable and handles sweat and higher-intensity workouts without destroying the garment.

Comfort

While these aren’t as soft as, say, the Yogalicious Nude Tech Leggings or as smooth as the Manduka Evolves, these still sit near the top of our comfort scale. The gentle compression is like a nice hug but leaves you able to move freely. The Nulu fabric was engineered to be moisture-wicking, breathable, and worn like a second skin.

Another nice touch is the variety of three different inseams, which allows you to tailor the length – avoiding bunching or involuntary capris. While it may not be something that most women think about when shopping for pants, it makes a huge difference comfort-wise for those on the tall or shorter ends of the spectrum.

Performance 

In the product description for these, Lululemon claims they are best suited for yoga, pilates, and other low-intensity exercises, which is absolutely true. These leggings will stand the test of time if you reserve them for low-intensity workouts and if you are religious about hang-drying.

However, if you’re not afraid of a little pilling, these are far from the worst option when it comes to running or other high-intensity workouts.

With light as air compression and sweat-wicking technology, these are a decent option for runners and gym rats as much as they are for yogis. You will notice more pilling between the thighs because of the friction caused by running, but this is purely cosmetic.

Since the fabric is designed to be breathable and wick sweat, we highly recommend these for warmer climates. These leggings are definitely hot yoga approved, but for those living or exercising in colder climates, you might want something a little more substantial.

Something we noticed that also came up in several customer reviews was a tendency for the waist to slide down or bunch during movement. The Aligns missed out on a perfect performance score because of this bothersome issue.

Price/Quality

As we have already mentioned, the luxury price point is one of the only significant downsides to these leggings. While the quality guarantee does a decent job of softening the sticker shock, it is still a fairly steep price when there are so many other quality options out there at a more accessible price.

We think it is worth the investment if you find yourself going through yoga pants quickly because the Aligns really last. In the event that they don’t, Lululemon vows to replace them, so it really is a safe, sound investment.

Do We Recommend Them

We definitely recommend the Lululemon Align high rise pants. If you have the financial means to do so, we really recommend investing in gear that is going to last, keep up with your practice, and do its job so you never have to think about it. The Lululemon Align leggings check all the boxes for us, and we think they’re a great investment into your yoga journey.