If you’re new to lululemon leggings or new to running and wondering what the best lululemon leggings are for running in, then this buyer’s guide is here to help! lululemon offers a range of different style running leggings and it can be difficult to know which are the best pair to choose.
I’ve been running in lululemon leggings for the past 10 years and so you could say I’m somewhat of an expert when it comes to their running apparel.
That said, lululemon is known for frequently changing its color offerings and offering limited editions of some of their styles.
This post covers the most popular and bestselling lululemon running tights and can be used as a guide to understanding the key features and different types of fabric they’re made from, which should be particularly helpful if you’re shopping online and unable to see the products first-hand in a lululemon store near you.
If you’re curious about other lululemon running gear, this post recommends other lululemon gear that would make great gifts for yourself or another runner in your life, and you can learn more about the different women’s lululemon athletic shoes in our lululemon shoes comparison guide.
READ NEXT: Lululemon Running Shoe Review – How The Women’s Blissfeel Shoe Stacks Up
Why choose lululemon leggings for running
Before going into the specific styles and lengths of leggings that you can choose from, it’s useful to understand the similarities between the different styles of running tights they offer, as these features are, first and foremost, what make lululemon running tights so worth the money, whichever style or color you choose.
Fabric properties
Like Lululemon’s women’s running shorts, the fabric used to make these running tights is breathable, sweat-wicking and has four-way stretch.
It retains its shape wear after wear, wash after wash, and it passes the ‘squat test’ – it’s not going to go see-through or gape when you squat or bend over.
Unlike softer, brushed leggings fabric, it doesn’t pill or attract pet hair.
I still have pairs of lululemon running leggings from 10 years ago that look and feel NEW. You simply don’t get this with cheap running tights that may last for a season or year and then need replacing.
Running tights that won’t fall or roll down
All these lululemon leggings have a continuous drawcord around the waist that won’t get lost in the wash, and which (together with the elasticity of the fabric) ensures they stay put and don’t move around or slip down when you run.
Well-designed pockets for essentials
The pockets are in specific locations on your back (and legs, if the tights have them) which means the contents shouldn’t move around as you run – I can run in any of these tights and not even know my phone and keys are in the pockets, for example.
This is so important when running, second only to having the tights stay put and not slip or roll down!
High-rise waist fit
They’re all offered in high-rise waists. What this really means, for most body shapes, is that they go up to your waist, rather than just above your hips.
Wearing high-rise tights for running in is (at least, for me) very comfortable. It holds you in, avoids any muffin-top silhouettes and ensures the tights stay while still allowing you to breathe deeply and move freely.
Thoughtful seams and construction
I’ve run ultramarathons in lululemon running tights and not experienced an ounce of chafe.
This is on account of the thoughtful, well-constructed seams and the fact that the tights don’t move around as you run.
Color and pattern options
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You can always find a great pair of black leggings from lululemon, which is a tried and proven option.
However, they’re also great at offering some really vibrant solid and patterned fabric designs, especially bright colors such as pink, blue and green, and patterns such as camo, floral and animal prints.
If you need to be cheered up and inspired to run even on the drabbest of days, there’s nothing quite like a jazzy pair of flattering running tights screaming ‘run in me!’ to get you out the door.
What are the best lululemon leggings for running?
The most popular lululemon leggings for running are the following styles, in high-rise waists:
Here are the key features and differences between the three styles of running tights.
1. Fast and Free High-Rise Tight
Best All-Round – I consider the Fast and Free women’s running tights to be the best lululemon leggings for all-season running.
They’re made from a flattering, lightweight no-show fabric (‘Nulux’), have side leg pockets on the tight, plus five smaller waistband pockets.
This fabric is cool enough for summer running, and provides enough coverage for other seasons, including mild winter days. They also feature the reflective lululemon logo on the back of the left leg.
These running tights are available in 23, 25 and 28-inch lengths and cost $120-$130.
Learn more in my lululemon Fast and Free running tight review.
2. Swift Speed High-Rise Tight
Great for long or intense runs – The Swift Speed running leggings are my go-to favorite running tights for longer runs, colder weather, and occasions when I want a more secure, zip-up back pocket.
The main difference between the Swift Speed and Fast and Free tights is that the Swift Speed tight is in a slightly thicker, more supportive fabric, ‘Luxtreme’.
The leggings offer a light level of compression, which I find helpful for those tougher long or intense training runs.
Like the Fast and Free tights, the Swift Speed tights have side leg pockets, but they also have a zippered (rather than slip-in) pocket in the small of your back. This is great for securely stashing valuables like your phone or key.
It also offers reflective detail on the back of the lower legs, as well as the reflective lululemon logo on the left leg.
These leggings also come in 25 and 28 inch lengths and cost around $120-$130.
3. Base Pace High-Rise Tight
More Minimal, Lightweight Option – If you’re after a more minimal pair of lululemon running leggings without the leg pockets then the Base Pace High Rise Tight is probably what you’re looking for.
These tights are similar to the Fast and Free tights – they’re made from the same fabric, have the reflective lululemon logo, but only feature the back pocket.
These lulu running tights are available in 25, 28 and 31 inch lengths, and cost around $30 less than the Fast and Free and Swift Speed tights, at around $90-$100 depending on the edition.
Other useful information for choosing lululemon running leggings
What length should you choose?
lululemon running tights generally come in at least two, sometimes three lengths.
The most popular lengths are the 25 and 28-inch lengths, but you can also find certain styles in 31-inch lengths.
The 25-inch lululemon leggings are intended to sit above your ankle. The 28-inch length is intended to sit at your ankle. 31-inch length leggings are intended to sit at your ankle if you’re taller and have longer legs.
It’s also worth noting that these tights are often made in 19, 21 and 23-inch crop versions, and sometimes also 17-inch crops.
I personally like the 23-inch crop, as it sits a bit shorter than the 25-inch leggings but keeps my ankles and lower legs uncovered, which is nice on warmer days.
How do you choose the right size?
I generally find the sizing between the different styles of leggings to be consistent. So once I know my size, I can pretty reliably buy other styles in the same size and know they’ll fit me well.
Each product page has a size chart, which shows the hip and waist measurements for each size option. Most of their running tights are available in sizes 0 to 20.
I choose the same sizes as I do with other apparel. In my experience, there’s no need to size up or size down compared to other brands I wear, and it’s important to choose the right size so it’s not too small and hard to get on, or too large where I won’t benefit from the intended fit and level of compression.
How much do lululemon leggings cost to buy?
Within the product details above I’ve included pricing details, and you’ll see from that that generally, these lululemon leggings cost between $90 and $130.
Trust me, it’s worth it – on a price-per-wear and also enjoyment-factor scale, you get value for money.
But, if you’re looking for cheaper lululemon leggings you may get lucky and find some in your size on sale.
While lululemon rarely does actual sales, they do have ‘We made too much‘ clearance offers, where older styles or colors are discounted.
This is a great place to look, especially if you aren’t too fussed about what color or length you want. I’ve seen $90 tights offered at close to $50 in these sales, so you can sometimes find a bargain!
Even better than We Made To Much is their ‘Like New‘ offering, which is where lululemon re-sells pre-owned men’s and women’s lululemon apparel at a significant discount compared to full price.
This is a great environmentally-friendly way to not only get your hands on discounted running tights but also to look for colors and styles that are no longer sold on the main website but are being re-sold here.
Like New gear is now available nationwide across the US – read my tips on how to get the best deals at lululemon’s Like New online store in this post, or visit the shop using the button below!
How to wash lululemon leggings
It’s always best to check your leggings’ specific washing instructions, but in general, I wash all my running gear at a low temperature and hang them out to dry indoors.
As they’re made from quick-drying, wicking fabric, they don’t take long to dry in this way and this avoids any damage to the fabric that may come from the tumbling or heat of a dryer.
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