I tested the Lululemon Define Jacket against this £37 Amazon alternative
If there's one item of clothing I know a thing or two about, it's running jackets. I avoid real clothes as much as I can and take any opportunity (whether I plan on exercising or not) to don a pair of leggings and a snugly fit workout jacket.
As a sucker for the athleisure aesthetic, I've accrued many jackets over the years from several of the UK's leading activewear brands, and consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur. But the jacket that gets me the most compliments may surprise you — it's a £37 Amazon alternative to the £118 Lululemon Define Jacket and I've been wearing it for four years.
Don't get me wrong, Lululemon will always be one of my favourite activewear brands. The quality is impeccable and the designs are always ahead of the trend.
That said, if you're on a budget and are looking for something similar, this jacket should be on your radar.
Clearly, the Amazon jacket has been heavily inspired by the Lululemon original. The waist-enhancing stitching on the front and back is nearly identical and they both have a flattering hip-skimming cut, thumbholes and plenty of pocket storage.
As you can see in my photos, to the naked eye these jackets are very similar. So, why is there an £80 difference in price?
Although the designs are similar, where Lululemon takes the cake is in the material. The Lululemon jacket is made using nylon and lycra, which means the fabric is far more breathable than the Amazon alternative.
The Amazon jacket has been made with fairly heavy fabric, which means it quickly makes me heat up. It's also not moisture-wicking, so if I sweat it feels even heavier and takes forever to dry.
Comparatively, I wore the Lululemon Define Jacket on a drizzly 30km training run recently and it felt light as air throughout. It was able to protect me from the elements without feeling stuffy, and although I was dripping with sweat, after I finished the jacket was almost dry by the time I walked home.
RW verdict
If you're looking for a high-quality running jacket and it's within your budget, I'd recommend going for the Lululemon Define jacket. It's great for long runs, dries quickly, and is super flattering.
However, if you're after something in a similar style that's less expensive and that you can wear to and from your workout class (rather than during), the Amazon option is a great alternative.
As I mentioned, I've been wearing this jacket for over four years now, and it's still in great nick. It's survived many holidays, hikes, and days exploring, and has held its shape through dozens of washes.
One final tip: Black Friday 2024 is fast approaching and Lululemon has confirmed that it will be holding its inaugural Black Friday sale. So, if you're hankering after that Define Jacket, it might be well worth holding out to score a deal.
Shop the Amazon Queenikie Jacket here
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