I’ve been stocking up on cold weather stuff lately. Going into this season, I only had a handful of full-length bottoms, so I wanted to diversify my wardrobe a little bit. Lululemon recently dropped two strong offerings in the rebel runner crops and toasty tech tights. Here’s a quick review on both.
Rebel runner crops
I was really excited when the rebel runner crops came back this fall. I have a pair in black grape from last fall’s release and really like them. The “crops” are the perfect full ankle length for a shorter lady like me, they’re not see-through, and the style just looks great overall. I ordered a pair in dark fuel, since I love the idea of a deep green as a fall/winter color. I have a hard time branching out from black/grey for full-length bottoms since many colors can seem like a bit too much, so a dark color like this one is a great compromise.
Rebel runner crops have a nice side pocket that blends in well with the seams. Some other details include the continuous drawstring at the waistband, and the zip accents at the ankles. The ankles are a hair loose on me, but nothing too bad.
Btw, don’t take the color too literally in all of these pics. I recently moved, and am still fighting with the lighting in the new place. I’ll be the first to admit that some of these pics are a little gnarly. Yellow walls don’t help.
These crops fit bang-on true to size in my opinion with moderate compression. The rise is slightly higher than, say, wunder under crops, but still sits a little bit below the belly button. They’re also totally opaque.
I really like these crops, so I went to go put them on for crossfit. And that’s when I saw it. The thing that I could not unsee:
This. WHY.
The butt panel on these crops is full-on luxtreme, which is generally a good thing, since it’s why they aren’t sheer (you can actually feel the extra thickness in the fabric). Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the full-on luxtreme seemed to take the dark fuel dye differently than the rest of the fabric. You can see in this pic that the shade of green on the butt panel is noticeably different from the rest of the pants–it’s more muted and less teal. I should note that my black grape rebel runners from last year have no discernible difference between panel colors, even though it uses the same fabric strategy at the bum.
As much as I like these crops, the two-tone issue is a bit too noticeable and is most likely a dealbreaker for me (thankfully, I noticed this before taking the tags off). I think it would bother me every time I wore them, which is such a shame because they’re great otherwise.
Toasty tech tights
I’ve been all about the thermal gear lately, so I was happy to see these toasty tech tights make a comeback. These were actually my first lulu tech fleece purchase.
As soon as I put these on I knew they were keepers. The fleecy inside is soft, but smooth and not lumpy like fleece can be. The outside feels like luxtreme, which is helpful to manage pilling and give it a more polished look. Although the outside is slick, the tights are overall quite thick and have a very cushy feel to them. Tech fleece is supposed to be the warmest fabric that lulu offers.
These fit true to size for me, and offered moderate compression. They are completely opaque. Again, the rise is a bit higher, which is the one less-than-ideal thing for me, since I’m a bit of a high rise hater. Of course, the higher rise is practical for staying put during runs, and the extra inch helps block the cold out from your core, so there are admittedly benefits, too. They’re also a bit long for me, but I’m hesitant to hem them since the one time I hemmed something from lulu (herringbone WUP), I regretted it forever. So, I’ll leave them be for now.
I love the side details, including the quilting and the zip reflective pocket. The zip pocket opens to a wee stripe liner, which is a thoughtful detail I love.
Overall, I’m very happy with these tights so far. These tights represent a lot of the things that I think lululemon does especially well: great fabric, great fit, functional design, and attention to detail.
Since the rebel runner were kind of a flop, I would consider getting these in dark fuel if that color comes to the US (they are currently available overseas). And if by some chance they get made in black grape, I’d almost certainly pick up a pair. I’m a very cold-natured person in a colder climate, so I think I could wear these 4-5 months out of the year. Yes, at $118, they are on the expensive side, but at least the price is better justified by the warmth factor.
Btw, if you want a somewhat cheaper alternative that still brings the warmth factor, consider Athleta’s power lift tights. I tried on a pair in stores, and they feel different, of course, but they’re still quite thick and warm, plus they’re compressive, opaque, and ring up for $89 instead (and there’s tons of last year’s pairs on ebay for about half that).
The verdict
if you live somewhere cold enough, I definitely recommend the toasty techs. They look and feel great, and will be very functional. The rebel runners are fantastic, but proceed with caution. If you find these in a store, make sure you pay close attention to the color of the back panel and make sure you’re ok with how it looks. If you find a pair with coloring that’s good for you, or if the mis-match just doesn’t bother you, they’re a great buy.
ADDING TO MY BASKET
Haha happy to enable. :)
Thank you for this review. I’ve just returned to my native NE after 7 years in south Texas and assessing my cold weather (everyday) clothing – and having great trepidation of the winter to come (despite the gorgeous warm fall in NYC)
I have a pair of black fleece tights from Patagonia that are literally 20 years old, and still functional tho worn
Yesterday I spent an hour or so shimmying in to a bunch of LLL tights trying to find some full length warm tights (despite the fact that I’m 5’5″ the 7/8ths tights leave my ankles bare tho boots would make up the coverage)
However I specifically wanted one pair of warm leggings and was given the toasty tech, the turn around, the brushed WU and lastly the speeds to try on
I was told the warmth factor began with the toasty tech, turn around, brushed WU and lastly the speeds
I was skeptical that the turn around and the speeds had the same warmth as the brushed WU and toasty tech
I almost bought the toasties but instead opted for the turn around because they are not solid black, tho I DID get the “black” and they have a bit of “style” with the rouching on the leg and also bought the brushed WU as I like the high rise (smoothing to my middle aged body ;) and don’t need the bells and whistles of the toasty (the speeds were slightly too much work to pull on. am between 120 & 125 lbs right now and carry must of it in my butt & thighs)
But I returned home to read the reviews. Everyone is pretty much raving about the toasty tech. And I have to admit that I did like them a lot!
If anyone out there has some input/review of the four tights I tried on, (for casual use only! Just trying to stay warm thru this first winter back east and comfortable. I’m disabled with a back injury and live in leggings. Much more attractive than sweatpants. Please don’t judge :) I’d greatly appreciate any feedback from places where the temps have dropped
And thank you AA for the timely review!
(Sorry for the lengthy comment :0)
I have an old version of toasty tech and brushed WUs and love them both!! I wish the brushed WUs were higher rise but I actually ordered the newer brushed higher rise and they are not as thick as my old ones so I returned them and will stick with the “not as flattering on me rise”. I also like the patterned WUs like herringbone and pique from a few years ago that I can wear to work with a skirt but keep me warmish with boots. For more casual wear I also have some old skinny wills that I like that have pockets and higher rise with drawstring. Good luck!!
Thank you, Vanessa! Last fall I bought the skinny wills. Love them (except for the slippage). Will have to dig out all my stored cold weather clothing to see what fits and assess. Thanks for the advice :)
One lengthy comment deserves another, hehe. :)
I would agree with what lulu said is the “hierarchy” for warmth–toasty techs are definitely going to be the warmest as far as leggings go. I wore them today (ok, still wearing them) and was really pleased with the warmth factor! While they are indeed geared toward running, they’re still pretty cute worn casually. Rulu is the second best, so the turn around tights were the perfect choice. :) I would avoid luxtreme altogether (like the speed tights), since luxtreme doesn’t ever feel as warm as luon and other such fabrics. Besides that, I’d also suggest checking out textures like pique, herringbone, and diamond jacquard space dye in wunder unders (or other bottoms). The fabric feels much thicker and warmer than regular solids and prints!
Also, when temperatures REALLY start dropping, there aren’t really any leggings that are going to cut it on their own without more layers. A lot of people in cold climates swear by lined dance studio pants. They’re definitely a different look (they don’t work for me personally), but they’re definitely cuter than sweats but just as comfortable, and you can layer them over leggings for maximum warmth. Might be worth a try!
Thank you for taking the time for the detailed reply! Yea, I know leggings alone won’t cut it when temps dip to freezing but am working on reassembling basic winter wardrobe for being back in the NE.
I only tried on the studio pants for the 1st time this summer. They were WAY TOO LONG & the drawstring was too fussy at the bottom.
I returned the TTT, regrettably because they were WARM but they too many angled seams cutting in to my not perfect legs ;)
BTW, was reading your current post, saw this review at the bottom & took another look. Hence my tardy reply.
But now I understand why you have seemingly random past topics posted. Smart woman, you are :)
Thank you again!
I am crazy for the tech tights. They’re one of my favorite fall purchases. I had been looking for brushed speed tights and the store didn’t have them yet, so reluctantly tried the techs instead. I love them! They are a nice, warm thickness, and I think they’re more comfortable than the brushed speed tights. I have taken them out to dinner with a dress boot and sweater, so I think they’re dress up-able. I have the black and bordueax, and they’ve been on heavy rotation. It’s a quality piece that reminds me why I like LL!
I think the toasties are lots better than the brushed speed tights anyway. :) Black is tempting, too, especially for the dress up factor you mentioned. I was trying on some booties today that I just got in the mail, and was surprised how nice they looked with the toasties.
I have the bordeaux rebel runner crops from last year, and I don’t notice any color difference on those either. Great crops, very flattering.
Yeah, it seems to be limited to just this year’s version. :
Ah – that explains it. I did not realize the butt panel of the rebel runners was full-on luxtreme. But when contemplating ordering the rebel runner crops this year off the website (I have two colors from last year), I noticed online that the pictures of the bordeaux color seemed to exhibit this two-tone affect where the butt part was darker than the back of the leg part. I didn’t notice that same issue on the pictures of the dark fuel color. I ordered both the bordeaux and the dark fuel and did notice the color discrepancy in person for the bordeaux pair but not really for the dark fuel pair (but maybe I just didn’t really look that closely). Either way it wasn’t enough to cause me to return them (but I completely understand how for others it might be as there have been many other situations where I haven’t been able to unsee something).
Hi folks, wondering if anyone has experience selling Lulu items through consignment that you could share with me (good or bad)?? I’m leaning towards Linda’s Closet, but maybe eBay valet or Loree’s Closet….
I just started fostering two kids and simply do not have time to list items I’m not using anymore on eBay myself like I used to and need to make more closet space for the kids quick!
Thanks so much for your feedback, love the blog AA! (I’m the gal that used to live at GRCA and Sedona but now in Cali but so much fun to reminisce when you post specific area hike posts, thank you!! And the recent pictures of you are great addition!!)
PS – I have old versions of both of these pants and love them both – yay for Lulu pockets and higher rises!!
Check out Poshmark. I’ve sold tons of my stuff there.
There’s also a service called We Buy Lulu (webuylulu.com) that you could look into. ThredUp and Threadflip are also sites that offer consignment services. Unfortunately, by and large I feel like consignment prices for lulu are VERY underwhelming. Most consignment services have no idea the true worth, so they end up lowballing you on top of the already low money you get for consignment in the first place. I don’t have any personal experience with them, but if your other option is $0, it might be better than nothing. :
Also, to second the other comment, Poshmark may be worth a try. I’ve found it’s MUCH quicker than selling on ebay (I can list in literally 1-2 minutes, and shipping is quick too), and lulu in particular sells extremely well there, especially if your prices are good.
Thank you Suzanne for the reviews! The toasties look awesome on you!
Thanks Saara!! :)
I got the gray striped rebel runners and didn’t notice any coloring issues on those, so maybe give those a try? I love them.
Yeah it doesn’t seem like the stripes have the coloring issue, I’m just not sure I love them as much. :(
Great reviews, and totally agree regarding the rebel runners. I also have the black grape from last year and love them. So, I may have to get the black this year since any oddball color differences in black don’t seem so noticeable/awkward as the green… Also, with regard to the toasty techs, do you recall if the tech fleece from last years flurry fighter pullover is the same as what is used on the current toasty tech pants? I have 2 of the flurry fighter tops and they seem to pill fairly easily, so would have to take extra care with pants… Thanks!
Thanks! I don’t own the flurry fighter, and I don’t remember exactly what the fabric felt like from when I tried it on. They’re both supposed to be tech fleece, so in theory I think it’s the same fabric. I’ll have to watch out for pilling, fingers crossed that doesn’t happen!
I really like your reviews and i saw you wearing the rebel runners from last year , i immediately ordered them in dark fuel.When i recieved them i had the same problem with you (plus they had some fabric scatches on them).Now that i’m reading your review, i am so relieved that i’m not the only one who had a problem with the different shades or color.I also find them too shiny (the luxteme fabric).
Sorry to hear the dark fuel disappointed you, too. :( I had such high hopes!
The dark fuel looks pretty different depending on the fabric. I got the reversible dark fuel WUPs and I LOVE the way the color looks on luon but it looks different on the rebel runners. I was going to order the Bordeaux rebel runners, I wonder if those have the same problem. Living in LA, I feel like I’m sitting out this whole season for Lulu.
Online pics show the color difference in the bordeaux ones! It’s pretty noticeable too (attached pic) The whole butt panel is so much lighter in color.
I empathize with you. Living in L.A. also we can skip pretty much the entire fall and winter line because we don’t get cold enough to wear fluff save for the one or two days we get an Alaskan storm come on through. :(
Yeah I noticed that on the wine berry pics too. At least with wine berry it looks like the same hue, just a different shade. What bugs me so much about the dark fuels is the the hue is so noticeably different. If it was simply darker or lighter, I wouldn’t care so much.
It just bugs me period. I have rebel runners from last year and they don’t have this. No reason this year should either except for a drop in quality/quality control or cheaper fabrics (IMO). Very frustrating and finding I don’t even want to walk into a store anymore – and haven’t. The stuff just isn’t the same anymore.
Very true, and I agree that the drop in quality vs last year is aggravating both on principle AND in practice. It’s frustrating that every dollar spent at lulu goes less far than it used to, both in terms of prices and in terms of the quality to cost ratio (if you will). Still, I can’t help but go back, since they still fit me consistently better than almost anything else. :
Yeah, the different fabrics definitely can vary wildly as far as how the color turns out–luon vs luxtreme especially.
OT, but I just received my down for a run vest, PO and jacket. I’m in love. at least after a try on. they all seem to be my favorite down items from the last 2 years. vest and PO in black, jacket in white. I especially like the PO
I got my usual jacket/scuba/forme size which is 8. crb size and most tops are 6. bras are 4 because I have itty bitty titties.
now if it would only stay cold in NC.
I live in NC as well and I was hoping that I would be able to use my new pullover more often than not. I bought a 6 which is my usual size but I’m curious how the 8 would fit.
the 8 is great. room for a layer or two, which is how you regulate temps anyway. yet it’s not too loose. I think the 6 would just barely fit with maybe room for a swiftly. but I don’t like things pulling on me and I want the option to have a base and a mid layer under these down tops. it usually doesn’t get that cold in NC but I travel a lot and camp so I want the option to layer up. would rather a little bit of extra room than body con :)
I thought I had talked myself out of ordering the jacket, but my resolve has worn down again… D: I actually wore my fluff off jacket ALL the time when I lived in NC (Chapel Hill), buuut I’m pretty cold natured so I guess that’s not that odd. :)
That’s too bad about the rebel runners. I have them in dark fuel as well and noticed the color difference after I took the tags off and wore them for a WOD. Oh well, at least it’s on my butt where I can’t see it so doesn’t bother me as much. :
I still have my pair and would have to sell since I missed the return window (ugh), so part of me is a little tempted to keep them. Just seems silly since there’s *sooo* much else I could be getting with the money right now. Like you said, at least it’s on the butt, haha. I just wish it was simply darker or lighter, not a totally different color… Dammit lulu…
Now I totally notice the color difference on my deep coal and black grape from last year. Not as noticeable as the dark fuel but I can see it now. lol
I just got the Rebel Runners in mini pop stripe. The material is super soft. I’m between sizes and went with my size down. They’re snug in the waist, but I can live with it. I didn’t notice a difference in the material like you did with the green. I also have the Toasty tech tights from last year in black, but would get another color if they make it to Canada in the green or bordeaux.
Yeah, the verdict seems to be that the pop stripe doesn’t have the same issue, so that’s good. :) Fingers are crossed for more toasty colors!
Curious what size the toasty techs are i think we would be the same size and i have to order them online thank u
Hi Serina! I wear a 2 in the toasty techs, the same size I wear in my other lululemon tights. It fits like a size XXS or US size 0/00.