Quince vs Alo leggings: Are these affordable alternatives squat-proof?

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The phrase, "You get what you pay for" often rings true with activewear: Luxury brands with luxury price tags generally prove their worth with high-quality, high-performing clothing. But not everyone can (or wants to) pay top dollar for workout clothes, which is where brands like Quince come into play.

Quince has a reputation for selling quality essentials at "radically" low prices, and its activewear is no exception. It compares itself to best-selling pieces from upscale brands like Lululemon, Athleta, and, my go-to, Alo Yoga — but cost a fraction of their prices. I tested the Quince Ultra-Form High-Rise Leggings ($39.90) against my favorite Alo 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Leggings ($128) to determine whether these claims held true.

Comparing Materials and Specs

Quince Ultra-Form High-Rise Leggings

My initial thoughts when putting on the Quince Ultra-Form Leggings were that they felt like a second skin. The pair is lightweight and molds to the contours of your body, whereas the Alo Airlift Leggings are thicker and smoother. That said, while both leggings boast high waists but are designed with different compression and stretch levels, I didn't feel any constriction around the middle in either.

Alo ⅞ High-Waist Airlift Leggings

I'm a self-declared yogi and mat pilates princess, so I followed the same hybrid YouTube video to see how the performance of the Quince and Alo Airlift leggings measured up to one another in back-to-back sessions.

Performance-wise, these leggings were comparable during the low-impact movements included in the circuit. I felt comfortable throughout the flow and moved fluidly, without restriction. Both pairs of leggings rolled down around the middle as I moved, but I have yet to find a pair that doesn't.

The Quince leggings feel soft, but they're not squat-proof.

I don't advise squatting in the Quince leggings or wearing them with thick, lined underwear (try no-show underwear instead). The seams will show through, which I learned the hard way on a run to the grocery store post-workout. Alo's leggings, however, are totally squat-proof and opaque.

Comparing compression levels

Before you buy a workout set, it's good to remember that activewear with higher compression levels aid muscle recovery because of the extra support.

I did notice a difference in soreness post-workout when wearing my Alo Airlift leggings. They're made with a thicker fabric that created a layer of cushioning between myself, the mat, and the hardwood floor I was exercising on. Several members of our team had a similar impression, which you can read about in our full Alo Airlift leggings review.

With the Quince leggings, I instead felt my spine and lumbar region make contact with the floor, which it felt uncomfortable at times. This likely wouldn't have been an issue if I had carpet, though.

This led me to conclude that both pairs of leggings are comparable choices for low-impact workouts. However, the Quince leggings would likely not be great for high-impact routines.

The bottom line

The Quince Ultra-Form leggings are a great affordable alternative to Alo's pricier pair for low-impact workouts like yoga, pilates, lifting weights, and walking. But if you practice higher impact routines (think running, HIIT, burpees, etc.) Alo's Airlift leggings are the way to go.

That said, each pair are comfortable enough for everyday wear. So if you're just looking for a casual pair to throw on for aesthetic purposes, it simply depends on how much you're willing to spend.

Shop all leggings at Quince and Alo.