When it comes to leggings, there are two brands that tend to dominate the market: Public Rec and Lululemon. Both brands have their fans and their detractors, but which one is really the better option?
Both brands use the same material to make their leggings but the key difference between them is that lululemon adds a lycra fiber to their leggings which lets them stay in shape for a long time.
I’ll be going briefly into their histories, and going deeply into comparison to decide which brand of leggings is the best for you.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the two brands and see how they compare.
History of Public Rec
Public Rec is a leggings brand that was founded in 2015. The brand’s mission is to provide high-quality, comfortable, and stylish leggings for everyday wear.
Public Rec has a strong commitment to social responsibility, and all of its products are made in factories that adhere to fair labor practices. The brand has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Glamour, and Elle.
The public rec company was founded by Zach Goldstein. His goal was to create a line of athletic wear that is comfortable and stylish, while also being durable and functional.
Public Rec began with a simple idea: to sell clothing and gear for outdoor enthusiasts. They were inspired by the outdoor industry and wanted to bring it into their own stores.
Surprisingly, Zach Goldstein runs his company solo and he released his first apparel last summer on Kickstarter, The all-day every day pant which sold over 2000 pairs.
His brand was birthed on the idea of making tailored sweatpants for men and his brand has grown into making joggers, underwear, T-shirts, and Polos for men and women alike.
History of Lululemon
Lululemon Athletica Inc. is a Canadian athletic apparel retailer. The company was founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Yoga-inspired company makes athletic pieces of clothing for everyone. The clothing items include pants, shorts, shirts, and tanks. They also sell accessories and shoes.
The company’s name is derived from the Hawaiian word for “runner.”
Wilson, who had been working as a vice president at Gap Inc., left his job to pursue his passion for running and yoga. He convinced his then-wife and business partner to join him in starting a new company based on their shared love of exercise clothes.
In 2001, Lululemon opened its first store in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2003, Lululemon expanded its product line to include women’s activewear with a focus on yoga pants and leggings.
The following year saw the introduction of men’s activewear as well as running shoes and sportswear for children.
In 2005, Lululemon expanded its retail locations to include New York City and Boston; these locations were followed by additional stores in California and Texas in 2008.
In 2009 Lululemon opened its first store outside of Canada at Fashion Week in New York City. In 2012 the company launched its first retail outlet located in London’s West End at Selfridges department store.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Let’s Compare
| Features | Public Rec | Lululemon |
| Comfort and fit | Fairly tight around hips, not as comfortable as Lululemon | Much more comfortable with added stretch in the material |
| Material and feel | Nylon and spandex blend feels like silk | Nylon and spandex blend feels like silk with added stretch |
| Overall style | Relaxed and comfortable | Sophisticated, high fashion |
| Design | Similar design with signature logo on leggings | Similar design with signature logo on leggings |
| Build quality | Material feels nice against the skin, washes faster than lululemon | Material feels nice against the skin, |
| Durability | Lasts long, but is not as durable as Lululemon | Lycra fiber gives it extra durability and protection than Public Rec |
| Length | They are made with lengths for different heights, but they generally reach your ankle | They are generally to reach your mid-knee |
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Comfort and fit
Lululemon is much better than the Public Rec in terms of comfortability and fit. They feel more comfortable, but the material is not quite as soft as the Public Rec ones.
The Public Rec ones have a bit more stretch, which is good because it means you can wear them without having to worry about them getting too tight around your knees or ankles.
The public rec leggings fit perfectly in length, but they seem to be fairly tight around hips and thighs
The material on both pairs is very similar – both are made from some kind of stretchy fabric that feels soft against the skin and doesn’t chafe or irritate at all during activity.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Material and feel
The material of the Lululemon leggings and the Public Rec leggings are very similar in thickness and weight. They are both made from a nylon and spandex blend.
The feel is also very similar between the two. The feel of the Lululemon leggings is soft, smooth, and durable. The material has a smooth texture that feels like silk against your skin.
The Public Rec leggings are also very similar in terms of material, feel, and durability. They both have a fabric that feels like silk against your skin but has a slightly rougher texture than the Lululemon leggings.
Both materials have a slight stretch to them with lululemon having a better stretch due to its lycra fiber, this makes them easy to move in while still feeling comfortable on your body.
Lululemon leggings have a lot more stretch in them than Public Rec does, which makes them very comfortable to wear all day long.
I like how they are not too thick or thick at all, but they are still warm enough to keep you warm when needed.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Overall style
Public Rec is known for its relaxed and comfortable style, while Lululemon is known for having a more sophisticated, high-fashion feel.
The overall styles of both companies are very similar. Both Public Rec and Lululemon leggings have a tight fit.
They both have a higher waistline than their waistband, which makes them look like more of a stylish piece than most leggings would be.
The only difference between the two comes in the design itself. Where Public Rec’s leggings have more texture, Lululemon’s leggings are smooth and simple.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Design
The design of both companies’ leggings is fairly similar. They have a slim fit with a high waistband and very thin fabric that doesn’t stretch much or feel too tight or bulky.
Both companies use their signature reflective logos on the front of their leggings – Public Rec uses its logo as part of its branding, a “P”(see in the image below) while Lululemon uses its signature logo( see in the image below) on its leggings.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Build quality
The build quality of Lululemon leggings is amazing. They are thick, soft, and stretchy. They are also very long-lasting.
The thickness makes them very durable in the wash and over time they will become softer and softer.
The build quality of Public Rec leggings is great as well. The material feels nice against the skin and it’s stretchy enough to keep you comfortable without being too tight.
It’s also not thick like Lululemon leggings which means it will shrink in the wash as well as wear out faster than Lululemon leggings.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Durability
Lululemon is known for its durability, and the brand does not disappoint in this area. The company adds a special fabric called Lycra for its leggings, together with a blend of nylon and spandex.
The material is one of the most durable fabrics on the market today due to its high elasticity and resistance to abrasion (i.e. stretching).
It can withstand high-impact forces without tearing or breaking, making it ideal for protecting your legs during intense workouts.
In contrast, Public Rec’s leggings are made from only nylon and spandex while Lululemon’s pants use a combination of nylon and spandex plus lycra fiber.
Nylon offers excellent breathability but lacks durability; it has been known to wrinkle easily when wet or dry after several washes.
Conversely, spandex resists wrinkles but isn’t as durable as lycra; it also loses its elasticity over time as well as being susceptible to dyes fading due to poor wash care or improper cleaning techniques.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Length
The length of Public Rec leggings is around the ankle, while Lululemon leggings are mid-knee but they have some leggings which also reach your ankles like the LULULEMON Wunder Under leggings. The Public Rec inseam measures 30” while Lululemon measures 28”
Lululemon leggings have a lot of stretch to them, so they will only go up to a certain point on your leg. This allows them to be comfortable and not make you feel constricted or uncomfortable when you wear them.
Public Rec vs Lululemon: Overall Verdict
After careful consideration and comparison, here is my final verdict. Lululemon leggings are better than Public Rec leggings and here are my reasons:
- Lululemon leggings are made from the highest quality materials. The lycra fiber makes it much better as it gives it more stretch and durability
- The waistband is made of the most durable material, which keeps its shape after washing
- The fabric is so soft that it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all
- Lululemon leggings are designed with a lot of stretch than Public Rec, so you can move freely while wearing them
Conclusion
I hope you agree with my opinion that lululemon leggings are a better brand of leggings than Public Rec due to their superior fabric strength and stretch.
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