With Lululemon stores in major cities everywhere, what started as a brand specifically for womenโs yoga gear has become a worldwide fashion phenomenon.
![lululemon ABC Jogger Shorter Length](https://www.themodestman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/lululemon-ABC-Jogger-Shorter-Length.jpg)
But youโre probably wondering: โDoes the brandโs menโs gear stack up as well as its offerings for ladies?โ
Yes! And, since Iโve tried a little bit of pretty much everything from Lululemon, in this Lululemon review for men, Iโll give you my insider insights as to whatโs good, whatโs great, and what you might want to avoid.
About Lululemon
Founded in 1998 in Vancouver, Canada, Lululemon originally focused entirely on clothing for aspiring yogis.
But it wasnโt until the companyโs initial public offering in 2007 that Lululemon began to really pick up steam. Now fortified with investments, the brand branched out into every area of athleisure clothing โ and in the process, became all but synonymous with the style.
Now a well-established brand with over 500 brick-and-mortar stores, Lululemon continues to debut new and innovative materials and clothing styles for men and women.
My Build
For reference, Iโm 5โ6โ in shoes and about 125 lbs after dinner. I have a 35โ chest and almost always order XS tops.
My off-the-rack suit jacket size would be 34S, and my ideal pant size is usually 28ร28.
What I Tried
Iโve been wearing Lululemonโs clothing for years now and have collected quite a few pieces from their catalog.
Here are the pieces in this review:
- Commission Pants
- Commission Shorts
- Down For it All Vest
- Fast and Free T-Shirt
- Speed Tab Socks
- Always In Motion Boxer
- Surge Jogger (shorter length)
- ABC Joggers (shorter length)
- Engineered Warmth Joggers
- Balancer Shorts (similar)
- Surge Jogger (Ryan tried these)
- Surge Half Tight 10″ (Ryan tried these)
Letโs go through them one at a time, and Iโll give my verdict on whether each particular item is worth spending your money on โ because of all the things that Lululemon is, inexpensive is not one of them.
Note: TMM editor Ryan Hallstrom also has experience with lululemon. He’s added his thoughts to the end of this review.
Commission Pants
The Commission pants are one of Lululemonโs most popular items for guys, and with good reason: Theyโre pretty awesome.
I really like these pants. Theyโre basically a chino but made with a tech fabric thatโs lightweight and breezy. They fit just right on me, and there are a lot of sizes and lengths to choose from.
I would wear these to a more modern office, but theyโre probably a little too sporty for a traditional office wardrobe.
Commission Shorts
From the Commission Pants, we move to the Commission Shorts.
Theyโre very similar, of course, but I notice that the shorts are cut a little wider. Overall that makes them not bad, but I prefer a slimmer fit with smaller leg openings.
Again, these are made from a tech fabric thatโs lightweight and comfortable. The length is right on the money. I enjoy wearing these throughout the summer and when Iโm lounging around the house.
Down For it All Vest
The Down For it All Vest might be my favorite item Iโve picked up from Lululemon, even though itโs a little bit big on me.
Itโs super lightweight but provides so much warmth for how light it is. It feels like a real performance jacket but looks so much better than the purely technical vests youโll find for hiking and camping.
Lastly, the two-way zipper is a perfect touch here. That gives it versatile styling options and a comfortable fit no matter whether youโre sitting or standing.
Fast and Free T-Shirt
An extremely lightweight and somewhat fitted tee, the Fast and Free T-Shirt is one of my go-to workout shirts.
I like the length of these tees โ not too long, but not too short either. A lot of workout tees tend to be way too long for me, but this one is just right. Itโs just a really good workout shirt, and Iโve been wearing mine for years through a lot of sweat and a lot of wash cycles.
Speed Tab Socks
Hereโs an example of where I think Lululemon is missing the mark.
The Speed Tab Socks are cut pretty low. Theyโre decent for the price, but nothing to really write home about, you know?
Before you think about buying these โ because theyโre pretty expensive โ Iโd recommend checking out our no-show sock guide first. Youโll probably find a better option for a better price.
Always In Motion Boxer
So there are two main materials that you can choose from for Lululemonโs Always In Motion Boxer:
A cotton blend, and a mesh blend. Or at least, thatโs what was available when I was first trying these out โ now it looks like their Always In Motion underwear is made from a modal blend.
Similar to the socks above, these boxers and boxer briefs are just okay. For the price, you can honestly find a better pair for yourself in our boxer brief guide.
Surge Jogger Shorter Length
As a shorter guy, finding joggers that are just the right length is a challenge for me. But Lululemon got it perfect with their Surge Joggers, offered in a shorter length.
These feel like theyโre made for running. Theyโre really lightweight, with a flattering taper, cuffed ankles, and a zipper at the ankle for fine-tuning adjustments.
The Surge Joggers definitely get the Modest Man seal of approval.
ABC Jogger Shorter Length
Alright, so where the Surge Joggers above were just the right length, these ABC Joggers really miss the mark.
![lululemon ABC Jogger Shorter Length](https://www.themodestman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/lululemon-ABC-Jogger-Shorter-Length.jpg)
Theyโre easily two to three inches too long on me, even in their shorter length option.
And theyโre very tight around the waist and hips. I donโt know โ they might be good for guys who are tall and thin, but not anyone on the shorter side who works out.
Engineered Warmth Jogger
Looking for a pair of pants perfect for lounging in the wintertime? The Engineered Warmth Joggers will do the trick.
These are very fitted, with a length that matches up well with my proportions. Theyโre made with a waffle knit texture thatโs almost soft like wool, and theyโre very warm.
I like them a lot and can fully recommend them.
Balancer Short
Made specifically for yoga, the Balancer Shorts do a good job as an all-around workout short.
Theyโre made with a very soft and stretchy material and have a nice texture inside the side zip pockets.
Iโve been wearing these for a couple of years now, and you can see where theyโre starting to pill up.
Overall, theyโre pretty durable and comfortable shorts for the money. And the fit is just right for me.
Surge Jogger
Ryan: I have Lululemonโs Surge Jogger in size XS. These joggers are a tad too long, but I just roll over the waistband once or twice and that fixes the problem. Lululemon does have this item in a shorter length which probably wouldโve been better for me.
These joggers are super comfortable. Theyโre also functional because, unlike most joggers, I can actually comfortably run in these.
I donโt wear them running often, but if I was, for instance, getting ready for a cross-country race on a chilly fall morning these are what Iโd wear to warm up.
These sleek joggers can also be worn casually. In the summer I like pairing them with white minimal
Surge Half Tight 10″
Ryan: As a runner, Iโve tried out a lot of different styles of running shorts. These half-length Surge tights are very high quality. Even after many washes, theyโve retained their shape and color.
They are very comfortable to wear and are great for both speed workouts and long runs. While these can be worn underneath regular, looser-fitting running shorts, theyโre constructed in a way that they can also be worn on their own (though, Iโd recommend wearing a shirt thatโs on the long side if you do).
The shortsโ longer length, thicker fabric, pockets (thereโs a phone pocket on the right side and a small zippered pocket on the left for storing keys), and reflective accents are what distinguish them from compression short underwear.
What I Like, Summarized
So overall, I like a lot of what Lululemon makes for men. Here are some of the highlights:
- Their Commission Pants are really solid
- All of their workout gear is comfortable and reasonably durable
- Having shorter length options on their pants is a big plus
- Overall, the brandโs offerings are fashionable
I’d say they’re a solid brand.
What I Donโt Like, Summarized
There are a few things that Iโm not so keen on from Lululemon, though. Those include:
- The leg openings on their Commission Shorts could be more fitted
- Their Speed Tab Socks really donโt do it for me, especially for the price
- Not all of their joggers have the right length for me as a shorter guy
- Overall, the brand is fairly expensive.
Every brand has it’s cons.
Overall Impression
To sum things up: Lululemon is still the best in the game in the athleisure category. I wouldnโt necessarily buy all my workout clothes from them though, and some of their product categories can be pretty hit or miss.ย
If you have the chance, go try Lululemonโs clothes on in person at one of their stores before committing to buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
And before we go, here are some answers to the questions weโve heard guys asking about Lululemon.
Is Lululemon Popular for Men?
Though theyโre better known for womenโs clothes, Lululemon is becoming increasingly popular for menโs athleisure as well.
Can Men Wear Lululemon to Work?
You might be able to wear Lululemon clothes to work if youโre in a more modern office, but I wouldnโt recommend wearing them to a traditional office.
When Did Lululemon Start Making Menโs Clothes?
Lululemon debuted its first menโs clothing in 2014.
Why Is Lululemon So Popular?
Lululemon has become popular because of its wide range of fabric types and styles, as well as its distinct athleisure aesthetic.
Conclusion
So is Lululemon a good brand for men? Absolutely. Your mileage may vary on each individual item, but overall their quality is high and they have a very nice selection of fabrics and styles to choose from.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
Hi Brock,
Iโve also found that the Lululemon tech hoodie (available online and sometimes in store) is really a great hoodie. Itโs somehow lightweight but warm and feels solid. The XS size fits me perfectly (for reference, Iโm 5โ5โ, 140 lb.). Itโs a nice snug, but not tight fit, and the stretchy material makes it very comfortable to wear all day long. I donโt work out in it, but have used it a lot for everyday activities, and itโs held up really well after a few years of regular wear. Itโs actually my favorite hoodie to wear for cool but mild CA weather (eg, temps in 60s).
Mike Spivak