10 Best lululemon College Apparel: Leggings, Backpacks, and More

With buttery soft leggings and water-repellant accessories that are perfect for active (and clumsy!) lifestyles, there are few athleisure brands quite as popular as lululemon. And it’s safe to say that the brand has a ton of items perfect for college students. Originally touted as a yoga brand, the retailer consistently releases apparel and accessories perfect for everyday use, that are ideal for a full day of classes, training for a college athlete, or if students just want to feel extra cozy on their day off. 

We’ve rounded up the best lululemon items for college students based on personal experience, high-quality user reviews, and technical specs. From pants with strategically placed pockets to pillowy slides, here’s exactly what to add to your cart before the start of the semester. 

Our Top Picks:

1. Best Leggings: Align High Rise Pant – From $98 at lululemon
2. Best Fanny Pack: Everywhere Belt Bag – $38 at lululemon
3. Best Backpack: Everywhere Backpack – $78 at lululemon
4. Best Jacket: Define Jacket – $118 at lululemon
5. Best Men’s Shorts: Commission Classic-Fit Short – $98 at lululemon

Reviews of the Best lululemon Items for College Students

1. Best Leggings: Align High Rise Pants With Pockets

People cannot stop singing the praises of these leggings because they’re comfortable and flattering — exactly what you need for a long study session or packed class schedule. Made of the brand’s buttery-soft sweat-wicking Nulu material, they’re stretchy enough to provide ample range of motion whether they’re taking an after-school yoga session or tidying up the dorm. There’s also a hidden waistband pocket to store cards or room keys, and you can opt for the version with deep, discrete side pockets to store larger belongings like a phone. 

The compressive high waistband offers a comfortable tucked-in feeling without feeling too tight, and they come in the cutest colors that’ll be so fun to mix and match with other tops and hoodies. Additionally, they come in several different lengths for the perfect fit. 

2. Best Fanny Pack: Everywhere Belt Bag

Pretty much everyone loves the Everywhere Belt Bag, Gen Z included. lululemon’s fanny pack is popular for a reason: It’s made of waterproof fabric, has a one-liter capacity to stuff with essentials, features smaller interior pockets for extra organization, and it can be worn slung across the torso for a fashionable look. It is perfect to wear for running across campus for a club or sorority meeting or to use as an everyday go-to pouch when running errands. It’s so convenient students might just wear it regardless!

3. Best Backpack: Everywhere Backpack

For a new backpack that will help start the semester off right, opt for the Everywhere Backpack, which embodies the same idea as the Everywhere Belt Bag: they’ll want to wear it everywhere. It’s made with that same water-repellent fabric that’ll hold up well to everything from coffee spills to downpours (keeping homework safe!) and it features a 22-liter capacity that’ll fit school supplies, extra layers, and a lunch bag.

It comes with a spacious front-zippered pocket to separate smaller belongings, side pockets for quick access to a water bottle, and an interior padded pocket for a laptop. Available in three colors, blue, camel, and black, there’s an Everywhere Backpack for every type of student.

4. Best Jacket: Define Jacket

We define this as the best jacket available across the entire brand for its supportive and compressive fit that’ll help you feel put-together. It has trendy thumb holes to keep hands warm and sleeves stay rolled down and a sleek elevated collar that provides a turtleneck-like feel to block cold classroom A/C. There are secure zip front pockets to stash a few smaller items and there’s a back vent to promote airflow and prevent overheating.

It’s trendy enough to wear to class and also functions well as an extra layer for chilly outdoor workouts.

5. Best Men’s Shorts: Commission Classic-Fit Short

lululemon also has a large selection of men’s clothing that will make the college guy feel comfortable and stylish. For example, these classic-fit shorts are a classy way to keep cool in and out of class. They come in a few inseam lengths to work with different heights and are available in two colors. We also like that the fabric is breathable and quick-drying to offer extra ventilation in case it sits in their hamper for weeks. They’re best for everyday wear, but can still be worn for a quick game of hoops or on the golf course. 

6. Best Joggers: Scuba High-Rise Jogger

Joggers provide a socially acceptable excuse to wear pajamas to school, and these best-selling options are a great place to start for staying comfy during class. They come in two lengths, five colors like utility blue and heathered gray, and feature an adjustable drawstring at the high waist. The cotton-elastane blend fleece fabric is bound to feel like a soft cloud on chilly days, and the front pockets with a hidden card sleeve make them functional and convenient. 

7. Best Men’s Pants: ABC Classic-Fit Pant

For a tailored and sophisticated look that still feels like they’re wearing comfy athleisure, opt for one of lululemon’s most popular men’s pants. These classic-fit trousers look professional yet casual and are available in five inseams as well as 12 cool colorways from gray sage to true navy. With an everyday stretchy Warpstreme fabric that doesn’t wrinkle or lose its shape over time, it’s perfect for the guy who doesn’t own an iron. Plus, there are reflective details when the bottom hem is flipped up for nighttime visibility when classes end late.

8. Best Flare Leggings: Groove Super-High Rise Flared Pant

Flare pants are quite popular amongst Gen Z  bringing back a little ‘70s flare to so-called yoga pants. These high-rise Groove pants are made for lounging, studying, low-impact workouts, and everything in between. They come with a back waistband pocket for easy access to a card or keychain and come in so many cute colors it might be best to get one for every day of the school week. 

9. Best Hoodie: City Sweat Full Zip Hoodie

Hoodies are a college student staple, and the City Sweat Full Zip is our favorite for the following reasons. It comes with an easy zip closure, it has hidden phone and coin pockets to discreetly stow valuables, a classic hood, and it’s made of a soft and stretchy sweat-wicking and breathable terry fabric. It’s something a student will want to reach for every day. Designed with extra room at the chest and waist, this hoodie is also perfect for layering.

10. Best Slides: Restfeel Slide

Whether they’re rushing out the door and can’t be bothered with laces or need something comfy, these lululemon slides for just about anything the semester throws their way. They’re available in both men’s and women’s sizing, feature dual-density cushioning for ultimate comfort and support, and the strap won’t dig into skin and cause blisters. The heel-to-toe traction keeps feet stable in all types of terrain and slippery hallway flooring, making them a great choice for shower shoes as well!

Buy the Men’s Restfeel Slides:

Buy the Women’s Restfeel Slides:

Why You Can Trust Us

I’m Marissa Miller, a shopping writer and editor with several years of experience testing and researching the best products. I’m a contributing editor at CNN Underscored, CNN’s product review department. I’ve written about products for numerous outlets, including USA Today’s Reviewed, Good Housekeeping, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Women’s Health, and more. I cut through the marketing buzz to source tried-and-true products that readers — including yourself! — can genuinely benefit from.

As an expert on all things lululemon, I’ve written about and tested apparel and accessories all across the brand’s inventory, have been asked to serve as an expert across a range of media outlets to discuss the brand, and have since developed a deep understanding of which materials and cuts fare better than others. When selecting the best lululemon items to buy for college, I prioritized items I already use, love, and recommend in my practice as a certified personal trainer.

Beyond that, I looked at technical specs bound to enhance a college student’s experience and comfort from moisture-wicking properties to breathability and water-proof elements, as well as high-quality shopper reviews to determine the best picks.  

Prices were accurate at time of publication. 

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