I’ll Be Buying My Leggings From Quince Now
Over the past couple of years, we’ve tested all kinds of categories at Quince, from its puffer coats and bags to its bedding and kitchenware. I’ve personally reported on its summer dresses and wellness supplements. But as our resident fitness writer, I started to wonder why we haven’t tried best sellers from its activewear collection, which has plenty of practical-looking pieces that are cheaper alternatives to ones from brands like Lululemon, Alo Yoga, and Beyond Yoga. Some are even pretty close matches: The Ultra-Form Contour Jacket looks similar to Lululemon’s Define Jacket, and the Flowknit Wide Leg Pants remind me of Vuori’s Halo Essential Wideleg Pant. So I set out to try an assortment of Quince’s activewear and find out how the brand’s different fabrics hold up during actual workouts. Below, you’ll find high-rise leggings, merino-wool base layers, and the pants I haven’t wanted to take off for weeks.
My top picks
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Leggings you can comfortably wear all day, since they are plenty stretchy with cottonlike softness.
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A lightweight non-synthetic workout layer.
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This jacket basically inspired this story because I’ve purchased several of Lululemon’s waist-snatching Define Jackets over the years, which isn’t so great for my bank account. Quince’s Contour Jacket is 50 bucks, less than half the price of the Lululemon. They both have a sturdy center zipper and thumb holes at the cuff, which anchors the fabric and prevents the sleeves from shifting when I’m on a run or walk. As for the fabric, Quince’s Ultra-Form is very stretchy and buttery, and it seems technical enough that pilling wouldn’t be an issue. I was impressed with how flexible yet durable it felt during Pilates and slow-paced strength-style workouts. I picked a size S since I’m usually a 4 or 6 in Lululemon, and the fit was perfect for my broad shoulders.
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I decided to try these leggings and the Power-Up bra below to match my Contour Jacket. As I mentioned, the Ultra-Form material has a performance feel that’s moisture-wicking and has antimicrobial properties. I picked the Ultra-Form leggings in my usual size S (I’m a size 4 in all my Lululemon leggings), and I do think I could have sized down to an XS since these were very high-waisted on my five-foot-five frame and I prefer a tighter legging. They were also a smidge loose in the waist (almost to the point of gapping). I decided to stick with the size S, and they’ve been my favorite for heated mat Pilates classes thanks to their weightless feel. I think I could also wear these on runs, but I might opt for the XS to make sure there’s no shifting.
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Compared to Ultra-Form, Power-Up is a medium-to-high compression fabric, which worked well in the longline sports-bra silhouette I tested since it kept my chest secure. The thick straps and criss-cross back also provide nice support and lift, whether I’m doing a treadmill run or stretching my calves in a downward-facing dog.
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The Ultra-Soft fabric is made for low-impact activities like yoga or Pilates, but it was also my favorite to lounge in. These are my pick if you’re looking for a pair of leggings you can comfortably wear all day, since they are plenty stretchy but also have a brushed, cottonlike softness. The extra-thick waistband stays in place nicely, doesn’t dig into my hips, and keeps everything sucked in. The V-Neck Cropped Tank is also incredibly comfortable. It doesn’t have cups, but I love wearing it under a sweater or hoodie, almost in place of a bralette.
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Quince’s Flowknit reminded me of Vuori’s signature DreamKnit material, which is a staple in my closet (I own a number of DreamKnit joggers, cardigans, and more). The Quince fabric has a lightweight drape and solid breathability, but I don’t think it’s quite as buttery or sueded as the Vuori. Regardless, the wide-leg pants — which, might I add, are under $50 — have become my favorite work-from-home pants because I don’t feel like I have to be overly precious with them: I’ve cleaned my house while wearing them, I’ve snuggled up to my shedding (and slobbering) dogs, I’ve run errands in them, and I’ve even worn these wide-legs to bed a few times on chillier nights. The pull-on style has a drawstring waistband that makes them easy to adjust, and the only real drawback I see is the lack of pockets. Combined with the pullover crew, I feel much more put-together than when I’m wearing actual sweats around the house.
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I’ve been wanting a lightweight and fast-drying all-merino-wool top for cool fall runs, and this more than met my expectations. The thickness is perfect for keeping my arms warm, and then it’s easy to shed the layer a few miles into my run as I heat up and tie the long-sleeve around my waist. For under $50, it’s a steal considering similar options from Smartwool and the North Face go for well over $100. Made with 100 percent Australian merino wool, I absolutely love that it doesn’t contain any plastics and it’s something I can wear during a range of workouts or even just daily errands. And because the fiber naturally resists bacteria and moisture buildup, it won’t hold onto odors like other gym clothes. The base-layer tee is next on my list.
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The Satin-Sculpt fabric is newer and has the slickest texture of all the Quince activewear fabrics I tested. It has a cool-to-the-touch feel, and like the name says, there’s a clear satinlike sheen, which actually made them appear dressier when I first unboxed them. These also had the strongest compression of the pieces I tried; I would compare them to Alo’s sculpting Airlift leggings. I love compressive bottoms that offer a held-in sensation when I’m working out, so these were a big win. Again, I’m usually a size 4 in Lululemon leggings, so I went for a size S in these. At first, I was hesitant about the fit — I think a size XS could have worked for me, too — but it seems like these give me some wiggle room, which is nice in a legging with sturdier fabric. And with these being super high-rise, I’ll be interested to see if they hold their shape over time or begin to stretch out after more regular machine washes. So far, they’ve washed well — I hang-dry all of my exercise gear — and don’t roll down or budge during my lifting routine. On runs, there is some minor shifting due to the slipperiness of the material, but nothing too major.
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
