I tested Lululemon's comfy $64 Align High-Rise Shorts against a $25 Quince pair

CNN

2 days ago

Lululemon has a long-standing reputation for its high-quality, buttery-soft activewear, which is why so many CNN Underscored staffers love the brand's clothing. One of Lululemon's most popular items is its Align leggings, but now that it's summer, I decided to try one of its bestselling shorts instead: the Align High-Rise Shorts. Made from the brand's iconic Nulu material, they come with a steep $64 price tag. That's why I was curious to see if Quince, which is one of my go-tos for high-quality products at a fraction of the price, had a similar, more budget-friendly option. At $25, Quince's Ultra-Form Bike Shorts are nearly $40 less than the Lululemon shorts but offer a very similar look. To see how the two shorts stack up to one another, I tested them both to find out.
Quince Ultra-Form Bike Shorts
These figure-hugging shorts aren't restrictive and are ideal for everything from yoga to working at home. They come in sizes XS to XL and in two colors: navy and green (my black pair is currently sold out). The shorts are also available in multiple inseams.
Lululemon Align High-Rise Shorts
These stretchy shorts made from the brand's popular Nulu fabric are comfortable to wear and available in a wider size range (0 to 20). The shorts come in four different inseams and a rotating color selection. Currently, there are more than 10 colors, including a soft bubblegum pink and summer white.
Nulu (81% Nylon and 19% Lycra Elastane)
78% Nylon and 22% Spandex
0 to 20
XS (0 to 2) to XL (16)
2', 4', 6', 8'
4', 7'
17 (varies by season)
2
Yes
Yes
Low-impact, Casual
Low-impact, Casual
A post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) I thought both shorts were incredibly comfortable to wear. In addition to being lightweight, breathable and easy to slip on, they're figure-hugging (but don't dig in) and have a barely-there fit that keeps them from being a distraction during low-impact activities and makes them ideal for layering under short dresses or skirts in the summer.
True to their website descriptions, they have a soft feel that makes them a dream to wear. Lululemon's pair is made from its popular ultra-stretchy and breathable Nulu material, which is a nylon and elastane blend, while Quince's is made from nylon and spandex. The Lululemon Align shorts have 19% elastane in the body, which offers slightly less stretch compared to Quince's pair, which has 22% spandex.
The material of the Lululemon shorts also feels slightly thicker than Quince's too, which gives them a higher-quality feel. Since both pairs are moisture-wicking (Quince's is also anti-microbial), I was able to finish my workouts relatively dry and I didn't notice any obvious sweat marks after working out in them. They've also both held up well in multiple washes, so far.
If you're looking for athleisure made for low-impact activities and for casual wear, either of these will do the job thanks to their minimal compression. They were perfect for wearing around the house and comfortable to wear during multiple yoga sessions and treadmill workouts. If you're looking for shorts that will work for high-impact activities, like running or HIIT workouts, these shorts are probably not the best option.
As someone who owns and has tested a decent amount of athleisure, I always look for bottoms that have wide, stretchy waistbands that aren't restrictive and don't roll or dig in. Thankfully, the waistbands on both shorts check those boxes and stayed in place as I made my way through different yoga positions on the mat. It's also worth noting that neither pair has built-in leg grippers, so the shorts did ride up a bit when I was doing yoga, though it was never to the point where I felt I had to adjust them constantly.
Both of these shorts are high-waisted and cover the belly button, making them a great option for those who like a bit more coverage. They're also both designed with wider, non-restrictive waistbands.
Compared with the Quince shorts, which run from an XS (0 to 2) through XL (16), the Lululemon shorts have a larger size range (0 to 20). I have the Lululemon shorts in a size 8 and the Quince shorts in a size medium (8 to 10) and they both fit well, so I'd say the shorts run true to size for both brands.
With the Quince shorts, though, I noticed some slight gaping at the back that I didn't notice when I had the Lululemon shorts on. This is probably because the Quince shorts don't have a curved seam to reduce gaping in the waistband like the Lululemon shorts do.
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The color options for the Quince shorts — which come in three colors (right now, they're almost entirely sold out in every color) — are very limited compared to the current 13 color options for the Lululemon shorts. Between trending colors, like Lavender Frost and Washed Denim, there are plenty of options to suit different aesthetics and work with different outfit combos.
Although both shorts are pretty similar in terms of design, I liked that the Lululemon shorts have a handy hidden waistband pocket that you're able to tuck your ID, a key or money into.
Both the Quince and Lululemon shorts are solid options for anyone looking for a comfortable pair of workout shorts. If you're looking to save money and don't mind more limited options for color, size and inseam, I would opt for Quince's. But if you're fine with spending a bit more, I would recommend buying the Lululemon ones since they fit slightly better, have a higher quality feel and come in a wider range of colors.
Which brand makes more durable shorts, Lululemon Align or Quince?
Which brand makes more durable shorts, Lululemon Align or Quince?
While I can't fully speak to the longevity of the Lululemon or Quince shorts because I've only had them for a few weeks, both pairs have held up well through multiple workouts and laundry cycles so far. I haven't noticed pilling on either pair of shorts or anything else to suggest that one pair will outlast the other.
Do Lululemon or Quince sell plus-sized shorts?
Do Lululemon or Quince sell plus-sized shorts?
Yes, Lululemon sells plus-sized shorts. Typically, size 18 and above is considered plus-size. The shorts from Quince go up to a size 16, while the shorts from Lululemon go up to a size 20.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Rachel Dennis tested the Quince Ultra-Form Bike Shorts and the Lululemon Align High-Rise Shorts to see how they compare.