Alo Yoga Review: How Does This Activewear Brand Stand Out from the Rest?

As a former personal trainer, I own a lot of activewear. 

And I’ll be honest, all of it can get me through a workout—that’s generally not the area where activewear has trouble.

Where this genre of clothing could use a boost, in my eyes, is in the styling. And I’m not talking about French Terry athleisure wear, I want something that can stand up to snatch-grip high pulls and prowler pushes while still looking great for running errands or a lunch hangout.

What better brand to serve this purpose than a brand with “yoga” in the name?

I want to say up front that I have absolutely no beef with yoga, I think it can be extremely beneficial. I’m simply a big nerd about calisthenics and resistance training, and that’s what I devote my fitness time to.

With that out of the way, Alo Yoga is an activewear brand that offers performance and a comfortable cut while also showing a dedication to style. 

But do their clothes live up to delivering both function and style? Read my Alo Yoga review below to find out.

What Is Alo Yoga?

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Alo Yoga is a Los Angeles-based activewear brand that focuses on providing stylish looks that perform well in the studio. Their dedication is to yoga, but any garment that can survive a bout of hot yoga is going to do just fine in a HIIT circuit.

They use a luxury approach to designing clothes and design them as much for the yogis that teach at their headquarters as the hypebeasts and street fashion enthusiasts who rock their looks with Balenciaga high tops.

Every Alo collection “starts with fashion,” as they describe on their website, making them stand out from other, sports-centric athletic brands. Their looks are frequently donned by celebs, and they offer a wide range of styles and colorways that put forth a fashion-forward aesthetic.

Things to Consider Before Buying Clothing from Alo Yoga

It seems that these days, it’s tough to have a conversation about fashion or putting together a wardrobe without activewear popping up. Because of this, there are countless brands popping up with the promise of delivering stylish clothes that perform in the gym.

Where does Alo Yoga fit in?

Because they’re such a fashion-focused brand, the price is higher than what you’d find with brands that are mostly made to stay in the gym or on the pitch.

When shopping from Alo Yoga, it’s important to keep in mind exactly what it is you’re looking for. If you’re looking for something you can change into for a workout, then change back and go about the rest of your day, you may be better served by a more affordable brand.

However, if you’re looking for stylish outfits that are just as effective in a streetwear look as in the gym, the looks offered by Alo Yoga are definitely worth checking out.

Alo Yoga Review

Cargo Division Field Pant

The first item we’ll take a look at is the Division Field Pant.

While cargo pants may not be the first thing to pop into your mind when you think of fashion, they’re back. Along with the rest of the 90s.

However, while these pants have the trademark pockets, they’re nothing like the cargo pants you were wearing when Linkin Park’s first album dropped.

Featuring a slim fit and fabric that’s stretchy and water-repellent, these pants fit like joggers should: fitted through the thigh tapering down to the ankle without being too loose or cutting off circulation in your calves.

The fit on these pants is great. They’re flattering and fitted in all the right places, and the recycled fabric provides an interesting texture that makes them look higher quality than your run-of-the-mill joggers. 

Some details that further set these pants apart from other activewear pants are the zip pockets (on both sides and one in the back) and heavy-duty snaps on the cargo packets that feel like they’ll hold up to some abuse. 

I don’t see myself using the back pocket very much, but the side pockets are satisfyingly deep, so you won’t have to worry about your phone sticking out while you’re walking around.

Overall, I’m a big fan of these pants. They got me through a circuit workout with ease, the fabric feels great, they have a stylish look, and the cargo pockets give you plenty of room for essentials. Or snacks.

Idol Performance Tee

Next up for Alo Yoga is their Idol Performance Tee. And among all the products I tried out from them, this was my favorite.

This tee is one of the most flattering shirts I’ve ever worn. The neckline has reinforced fabric and the arm openings have elastic inserts that provide a great fit on your arms. The cut of this shirt accentuates your chest and leaves a bit of room in the stomach, making it great for any build.

The nylon/elastic fabric is also completely unique, and it has a much smoother, more pleasant feel than most of the other performance tees I’ve worn. 

The “Varsity Cardinal” color also adds a stylish accent to any outfit without the loud patterns or highlighter colors of some other activewear. I’d just as soon wear this shirt to the gym as to run errands downtown or grab a quick bite.

One point of caution with this shirt, as much as I love it, is that the fit in the arms may not work for more muscular guys. I’m by no means a beefcake, and the shirt is already a bit tight on my upper arms. The sleeves can be rolled, but that elastic insert in the cuff will still be there.

At the end of the day, this shirt is stellar. It’s not the cheapest performance tee out there, but it’s also honestly my new favorite active tee. If you’re stepping up your gym wear or looking to get more out of your performance clothing, this shirt is an excellent option.

Base Sweatshirt

Sweaters and hoodies are both essentials, and they both have pretty defined characteristics. The Base Sweatshirt from Alo Yoga is both. Or neither. Let me explain.

This sweatshirt is essentially a hoodie without a hood—considering it a sweater with hoodie pockets is the wrong move, and it’s why this sweatshirt took some warming up to.

You can generally wear sweaters without a shirt underneath and they’re still comfortable. The Base Sweatshirt doesn’t really offer that, and the culprit is the large hoodie pocket. The fabric is quite stiff, so any sort of bending or twisting causes it to bunch up on your stomach. This sweater is great for wearing out or around the house, but I couldn’t imagine getting through a yoga class in it.

However, once I threw a shirt on under this sweatshirt and started treating it like outerwear, I loved it. It has a stylish, structured look and the fleece construction is plenty warm to get you through the autumn or to layer up in the winter.

If you’re looking for a sweater you can wear to the gym or during yoga, the construction of the Base Sweatshirt doesn’t make it a fantastic choice. However, if you’re looking for something warm and stylish that you can easily layer, dress up, or dress down, it’s definitely a top contender.

Off Duty Cap

What street style look is complete without a ball cap?

I picked up this hat with no real expectations, and I happen to be extremely picky when it comes to hats. I think it’s for this reason that I wasn’t completely in love with it.

No performance claims, no water-repellent fabric, no bells, no whistles. Just a good ol’ fashion hat with a velcro strap and a contrast logo.

This hat would look great and be a great outfit tie-in on the right head. Unfortunately, that head is not mine. I had no trouble rocking it backward, but when I tried to wear it facing the intended way, it was a little too short. 

What I found was that the inside of the hat lacked some room, and it fit more like a cyclist’s skull cap (or casquette, if we’re being nitpicky). If you’re used to conventional baseball-style caps, you may get a something’s-off-but-I-don’t-know-what feeling from this hat.

The hat has great style, and could certainly work in a casual look with some of their other offerings, but it missed the mark for me on fit.

Co-Op 7/8 Pant

Stretchy pants.

I’ve got ‘em. You’ve got ‘em. And they are what they are, for the most part.

The Co-Op 7/8 Pant offers a bit more.

The first thing that stands out to me about these pants is the fabric. The recycled, water-repellent nylon blend feels unique, performs well in the gym, and looks great. Zipper pockets on the sides and back provide extra security, and the pockets are plenty deep enough to be comfortably functional.

I opted for the “Dark Cactus” color, and I don’t think I’d have any issue throwing them on with a tee for a cool, casual look. The cropped leg also makes a pair of nice sneakers pop.

Little details like the high-quality cuffs also make a big difference in how these pants feel, as we all know the feeling of loose elastic cuffs on joggers or other athletic pants. And it’s not a good one. The cuffs on these keep their elasticity throughout the whole day, keeping your look a little bit tidier.

One thing to pay attention to with these pants, however, is wrinkles. Make sure to hang these 

after washing if you pick these up in lighter colors, as wrinkles settle in quickly if they’re folded.

All things considered, I can easily recommend these for someone looking to add some functional style to their wardrobe. The wide range of colors also makes them great for stocking up if you fall in love with your first pair.

What do Other Reviewers Say About Alo Yoga? 

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The reviews for Alo Yoga outside of the reviews on their website are more geared towards women, so I’ll be focusing on their individual product reviews for their menswear.

Overall, the reviews for their clothing are pretty glowing. Shoppers love the details, the fabrics, and how the clothing fits. The only gripes I tracked down shared some of the same concerns I outlined, namely the tighter sleeve openings on the Idol Performance Tee.

My Thoughts Overall On Alo Yoga

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