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Lululemon has plenty of fabrics: Luon, Luxtreme, Nulu, Nulux, Everlux, Everstreme…
To make it easier to understand what are the different Lululemon fabrics, please see the table below:
| Fabric | Feeling | Best for | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luon | soft | Low-intensity exercise | Yoga, weightlifting, Pilates |
| Luxtreme | smooth | High-intensity exercise | Running, CrossFit |
| Nulu | wearing almost nothing, breathable, ultra-soft, no compression | Leisure; Low-intensity | Yoga, weightlifting, Pilates |
| Nulux | stretchy, comfortable, silky to the touch, cool against the skin | High-intensity | Running, CrossFit, fitness, etc. |
| Everlux | smooth and soft, cool against the skin | Lots of sweating movement | Zumba, aerobics, weight lifting |
(Yoga pants are used more with Luon and Nulu.)
Luon
Built in 1998 at Lululemon, Luon was the only fabric offered for the first eight years. When the founder of Lululemon noticed the women in his yoga class back in the ’90s, he knew that people liked the feel of cotton and wanted a material that gave them something to move around in.
He created a solution: a new fabric called Luon, a proprietary open-loop knit blend of nylon and LYCRA, and Lululemon was born.
It has a cottony feel to it and can feel cozier against the skin compared to other athletic fabrics. All Luon is 4-way stretch and moisture-wicking, which means it can both breathe and sweat during a hot yoga class.
Looking for a soft, cotton-like knit for everyday activewear? Ask us about brushed nylon-Lycra blends when you send us your requirements.
Nulu
Nulu was introduced in 2015, it fits like a Barely-There Second Skin, and it was the best-selling fabric and loved by the masses.
It feels like you’re wearing nothing, the fabric has a buttery soft feel… It’s exquisite. However, it is best not to do strenuous exercise, because over time, and with high-intensity use, the fabric is more prone to natural pilling.
Planning a buttery-soft activewear line? Mention double-brushed fabric options when you reach out to us.
Luxtreme
Luxtreme is Lulu’s signature fabric for running. It feels much lighter than Luon and doesn’t feel like cotton. Instead, it feels smooth. It feels cool on the skin and is perfect for high sweats.
Need high-compression, moisture-wicking fabric for running gear? Let us know if custom nylon-spandex blends fit your project.
Nulux
Nulux is the running version of Nulu (suitable for high-intensity sports occasions). This kind of soft and smooth fabric has the same naked experience, and the tight feeling is stronger than Nulu when wearing, so it has a more shaping effect. Because it is positioned for occasions with a lot of sweating, compared with Nulu, it has more of a quick-drying characteristic.
Developing high-intensity performance wear? Ask about quick-drying, second-skin fabric options for your next order.
Everlux
The inner and outer layers of the fabric are made of different fibers. The double-layer ensures lightness and no transparency, the inner fibers allow the body to feel cool, while the outer layer feels buttery and smooth. In addition, the high Lycra fiber content gives this fabric four-way stretch, and it will not be easily deformed even for high-frequency use.
Need a double-layer knit for high-sweat, high-coverage designs? Reach out and our fabric development team will walk you through the options.
What is Lululemon Material Made Of? A Quick Fabric Guide
So what is Lululemon made of, exactly? Across all five fabrics above, the core material composition is fairly consistent: a nylon-and-Lycra (spandex) blend, knitted in different structures and finished with different face treatments to achieve different hand-feels.
If you’re wondering what material Lululemon uses in most of its bottoms, the short answer is: it’s not one single fabric, but a family of nylon/Lycra knits engineered for different compression levels, breathability, and surface texture. This is why “what is Lululemon made out of” doesn’t have one single answer — Luon leans cottony and soft, Luxtreme and Nulux lean smooth and cooling, Nulu prioritizes near-zero compression, and Everlux uses a dual-layer construction for a buttery outer feel with a cool inner layer.
In other words, the Lululemon fabric material guide really comes down to four adjustable variables: fiber blend ratio, knit structure, surface finish, and single vs. double-layer construction.
It’s worth noting that the exact yarns behind these fabrics are proprietary to the brand and not sold on the open market — which is also why any factory claiming to source “the exact same yarn” should be treated with caution. What’s actually achievable, and what buyers should be asking about, is how closely a factory can match the measurable specs (fiber ratio, GSM, knit density) and the resulting hand-feel and performance, using yarns that are commercially available or custom-developed in-house.
From Fabric Science to Factory Production
Once you break these five fabrics down, the underlying technology isn’t unique to one brand — it’s built on four measurable performance dimensions that show up across the premium activewear industry: 4-way stretch, moisture-wicking, fabric weight (GSM), and single- vs. multi-layer knit construction.
These four dimensions are exactly what buyers should ask about when sourcing leggings, regardless of which brand’s fabric they’re trying to match:
- Stretch & recovery — achieved through nylon-spandex or RPET-spandex blends knitted on circular machines
- Moisture-wicking — determined by yarn structure and finish, not just fiber content
- Fabric weight (GSM) — lighter GSM for high-intensity/running fabrics (like Luxtreme, Nulux), heavier GSM for compression and coverage (like Everlux)
- Layer construction — single-layer knits for everyday softness (Luon, Nulu-type feel), double-layer knits for sweat-heavy, high-coverage needs (Everlux-type feel)
At our own factory, we run these same four variables on Santoni SM8-TOP2V and TOP2 FAST seamless knitting machines (28-needle standard, 1,152 needles per cylinder), plus flatlock and coverstitch lines for cut-and-sew construction. This lets us adjust yarn blend, knit density, and layer structure to land in a specific stretch/breathability/hand-feel zone — the same zone that fabrics like Luon, Nulu, or Everlux occupy, without claiming to reproduce any single brand’s proprietary formula.
Seamless vs. cut-and-sew: two different paths to a comparable result
Because the tooling and yarn options differ between construction methods, we generally recommend two different approaches depending on the product type:
- Seamless knit products (leggings, bras, sets): our in-house technicians — with years of hands-on development experience — work by reverse-matching the target GSM, knit density, and fiber ratio using premium commercially-available and custom-blended yarns. For most seamless styles, this typically lands in the 80%–90% range of similarity in fabric spec, appearance, and hand-feel, with the finished garment performing at a comparable quality level for everyday and studio use.
- Cut-and-sew products (leggings, jackets, tops made from woven/knit panels): for these, we can also work with mid-to-high-grade fabrics already available on the general market that are designed to resemble premium activewear fabrics — a practical option when a fully custom-developed fabric isn’t necessary for the target price point.
We also work with GRS-certified RPET-spandex blends, GOTS-certified organic cotton (up to 280GSM), and bamboo fiber, depending on which performance profile a buyer is targeting.
→ [Learn about our seamless knitting & custom fabric development process]
Our Fabric & Construction Capabilities
| Construction Type | Stretch | Typical GSM Range | Certifications | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seamless knit (Santoni) | 4-way | 250–320 GSM (Adjustable via knit density) | GRS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 | Compression leggings, second-skin fit |
| Cut & sew (flatlock/coverstitch) | 4-way | Up to 280GSM (organic cotton) | GOTS, Amfori BSCI | Everyday softness, yoga, loungewear |
GSM breakdown by product type：
On Santoni seamless machines with 4-way stretch, GSM typically falls into three functional zones:
- Lightweight / lounge & yoga: 180–230 GSM — soft hand-feel, good drape, best for yoga, Pilates, and everyday wear.
- All-round training / studio: 230–260 GSM — balances comfort with moderate compression, suitable for most gym and studio workouts. This is the range most factories treat as their main production zone, balancing cost, hand-feel, and opacity.
- High-compression / squat-proof: 260–320 GSM (commonly concentrated at 280–300 GSM) — firmer support, minimal see-through under deep stretch in dark colors. Premium lines can go up to 300–320 GSM.
Actual GSM varies by yarn denier, knit structure (plain, rib, or reinforced zones), and finishing process — confirmed per order based on the target fabric weight.
On strategy: why “close enough” often beats “exact copy”
Given the yarn constraints above, we usually advise brands against chasing a byte-for-byte copy of any single premium fabric. Beyond the yarn availability issue, replicating an exact match at scale typically requires a very high MOQ, which erodes most of the cost advantage a buyer is sourcing for in the first place. A more practical route — and the one we recommend most often — is to lock in the performance and hand-feel target (stretch %, breathability, weight), then build a differentiated fabric around it at a MOQ and price point that actually works for your order size.
Not Aiming for a 100% Copy? Here’s a Smarter Approach
It’s worth noting: Lululemon’s brand premium and first-mover advantage in performance fabric mean an exact replica isn’t always the most cost-effective goal. In many cases, a better strategy is to focus on matching the hand-feel and performance metrics that matter most to your customers — moisture-wicking, stretch recovery, compression — while developing your own fabric identity within a controlled cost range. This often results in a product that performs just as well, at a more competitive price point, without chasing an impossible-to-replicate proprietary yarn.
Have a Specific Fabric in Mind? Send Us a Sample
Lululemon uses different fabrics across different styles, so “matching Lululemon” isn’t a single spec — it depends on which style you’re referencing.
If you have a specific garment or fabric swatch you’re trying to match, the most accurate way to get a real recommendation is to send us the physical sample. Our technicians — with 20 years of hands-on fabric development experience — can analyze the fiber composition and yarn structure directly, then recommend the closest available fabric option and construction method based on your target order quantity and price range.
Sample analysis fees apply and will be deducted from your bulk order once you move forward with production.
[Send us a sample for a 1-on-1 fabric analysis & recommendation →]
Understanding what Lululemon fabrics are made of is useful — but for brands and retailers, the more practical question is how to source leggings that hit similar performance benchmarks without the premium price tag. If you’re planning wholesale leggings for your own brand, matching fabric performance (stretch, breathability, weight) matters more than matching any single brand name.
That’s exactly where our factory comes in — from raw material selection to seamless and cut-and-sew production, we help brands build leggings that perform at a comparable level, at factory-direct pricing.
Get a Custom Fabric & Production Quote
What we can produce for your brand：
- Seamless knit leggings (Santoni SM8-TOP2V / TOP2 FAST) — MOQ 450–500 pcs/style
- Cut & sew leggings (flatlock/coverstitch) — MOQ 100–200 pcs/color
- Sampling lead time: 8–15 days
- Bulk lead time: 25–35 days (cut & sew) / 40–45 days (seamless)
- Certifications: Amfori BSCI, GRS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, GOTS
FAQ
What is Luon?
Luon is Lululemon’s original fabric, a nylon-Lycra blend with a cottony, soft feel, best suited to low-intensity activities like yoga and Pilates.
What is Nulu fabric?
Nulu is an ultra-soft, breathable, near-zero-compression fabric introduced in 2015. It feels barely-there against the skin but is more prone to pilling under high-intensity, repeated use.
What fabric does Lululemon use for running leggings?
Luxtreme and Nulux are the two fabrics most associated with running and high-intensity training, both prioritizing a smooth, cool, quick-drying feel over the cottony softness of Luon.
Can I get leggings with similar fabric performance made at a lower cost?
Yes — but be cautious of any factory promising a “100% exact match.” Premium brands typically use proprietary yarns that aren’t sold on the open market. What an experienced factory can realistically offer is a closely comparable hand-feel and performance profile, built through careful yarn selection, knit density, and finishing — at a fraction of the cost. [Talk to our fabric development team] to see real fabric swatches and compare for yourself.
【Disclaimer】
CFC Activewear is an independent activewear manufacturer and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or an official production partner of Lululemon Athletica Inc. All brand names and fabric names mentioned in this article are used solely for industry comparison and technical reference purposes. Luon®, Nulu®, Nulux®, Luxtreme®, and Everlux® are registered trademarks of Lululemon Athletica Inc.
