Is Sweaty Betty worth the hype? Find out here

With swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles and leggings that promise the sculpted derriere of your dreams, Sweaty Betty ticks a lot of boxes.

Add in some inclusive marketing campaigns and squat-proof, moisture-wicking fabric and it’s not hard to see why the British-based brand is making so much noise in the trendy sportswear circles.

But beyond the hype, are Sweaty Betty pieces worth investing in? Is it really worth your hard-earned cash? Let’s review.

Read more: The fashionable and comfortable trainers you need now

Our top picks from Sweaty Betty

The Sweaty Betty story

Born in London’s Notting Hill in the late 1990s this, now iconic, brand was the brainchild of Tamara Hill-Norton. Harnessing her background in fashion and her husband’s business experience, the pair saw a gap in the market for high-quality, fashion-forward workout wear. And thus, Sweaty Betty was established.

“Back in 1998, it was a very bleak landscape for women’s activewear. It was all dark and boring and the sports industry just didn’t talk to women. Activewear was masculine and shapeless, and I thought it was time to create clothes that made active women feel beautiful and powerful,” writes Tamara on her website.

“20 years later, we’re on a mission to empower ALL women through fitness and beyond. We have stores in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore, with concessions across the US, Canada and the Middle East. And we’re not stopping there ...”

Sweaty Betty has seen incredible expansion over the last decade or so, and the range now comprises everything from underwear to loungewear-style dresses. The brand even offers a skiwear line and a huge variety of accessories, including yoga mats, winter wear and bags.

But the star of the show is undoubtedly the leggings. The sheer range of styles means there’s something to suit everyone, and the broad spectrum of sizes and activity types mean they’re big crowd-pleasers.

How many Sweaty Betty legging types are there?

There are eight different types of leggings on offer. They are:

As well as browsing the legging styles online, you can also shop by collection. There are four families (aka collections) to choose from, including;

• The Power Family (good for yoga, running and HIIT)

• The Athlete Family (good for heavy workouts and specialised sports)

• The Italian Fleece Family (soft fleece products)

• The Gary Family (comfortable loungewear)

Our favourite features of Sweaty Betty leggings

• Squat-resistant. No need to worry about tears or snags. These durable leggings are designed to take you through every type of workout. Look out for the percentage on the product description of each pair to determine just how stretchy they are.

• Bum-sculpting powers. Get some lift and shape before the workout’s even begun.

• Sweat-wicking. In addition to being an ultra-lightweight Italian fabric, these are also sweat-wicking to ensure no damp spots during or after your workout.

• High-compression. Compression workout wear can be effective in reducing symptoms of exercise-related muscle pains, as it increases oxygen flow to the area and can assist the lymphatic system in draining lactic acid that builds up after a heavy workout session.

How many sizes do the leggings come in?

It's time for a Sweaty Betty sizing review.

Most of the leggings come in seven sizes, ranging from XXS to XXL.

XXS is equivalent to a UK size 6, an S should fit a UK size 10, and XXL is equal to a UK size 18-20.

As well as fit size, you can also choose the leg length — from 7 / 8 length (just above the knee- 60 inches or 24 centimetres), capri (43 inches, 17 centimetres), crop (just below the knee, 50 inches or 17 centimetres) and full length (68 centimetres, 27 inches).

Should you size up or size down with the leggings?

Sweaty Betty leggings generally run true to size, so you shouldn’t size up or size down when picking out your pair. The leggings — and most of its workout wear — are designed to be quite snug and tight-fitting. However, if you’re on the fence or between sizes, we would recommend sizing down.

Is Sweaty Betty good quality?

Yes. It's a brand known for its top-tier quality across all products — and the leggings are no exception. From the waterproof to the bum-sculpting to the temperature-regulating, you can expect every product to feature durable, long-lasting, opaque and thick (yet not stifling) fabric.

Top tips for caring for Sweaty Betty products

• Wash inside out

• Don’t use fabric softener

• Only wash when absolutely needed

• Don’t use high temperatures

• Air dry as opposed to tumble dry

• Dry flat if possible

Does Sweaty Betty have sales?

The brand holds regular end-of-season sales, and sometimes the discounts can hang around for a while. Its Black Friday sales, Boxing Day sales, January sales and June and September season-end sales are a great way to save some money on its sportswear items — which are definitely on the pricier side. The reason it's expensive, though, is because of all the technology and research that goes into every garment.

Sweaty Betty vs Lululemon

Lululemon is another fan-favourite for gym gear, including leggings, yoga mats, accessories and other sports apparel. It's similar in terms of design and price point — and with both brands, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get a high-quality, long-lasting garment.

Some user reviews mention they find Lululemon to be a little more comfortable, particularly if you’re on the tall side and you’re looking for leggings with a flattering, high-rise waist. But Sweaty Betty seems to win out in terms of durability.

Sweaty Betty vs Gymshark

Gymshark is on the cheaper end of the spectrum and while the composition is similar to Sweaty Betty, reviewers claim that Sweaty Betty’s products, particularly the leggings, feel of higher quality than Gymshark.

Our top picks from Sweaty Betty

Power leggings are one of the most popular styles of Sweaty Betty leggings and with good reason; they’re 80-90 per cent squat-proof with bum-sculpting powers and sweat-wicking tech. A flattering seam, side pocket and back zip pocket seal the deal for us.

This on-trend sweater features a half-zip with funnel neck that makes it ideal for layering. We love the cropped hem with adjustable ties, thumb-loops and versatile charcoal grey colourway.

Equal parts fashion and function, this tote bag has a clean lines and the wide-handle silhouette gives it an elegant look and feel, making it easy to bring from the workplace to the workout.

You'll be the most stylish and comfortable on the slopes with this base layer. It’s been created for skiing, but its fashion-forward design means you can take it from the slopes to the apres-ski — it’s sweat-wicking and temperature-regulating, so versatility is guaranteed.

For anyone jogging when it’s dark, this reflective jacket is a must. It's pretty as well as practical, with a spot-print pattern and and breathable inner gilet, with a waterproof, windproof and breathable outer layer.

As well as leggings, this trendy brand is also known for its high-quality yoga mats. The soft, latex-free TPE fabric is recyclable and kind to the planet and this mat features different patterns on each side to cater to different grip levels.

We’re big fans of this fashion-focused jumpsuit — it strikes the perfect balance between loungewear and going-out wear, and we appreciate the level of detail in the keyhole back, and the relaxed fit of the wide legs.

If you’re after something a little less gym-focused, Sweaty Betty can cater to that, too. These trousers are smart, stylish and versatile enough to be worn for workdays and the weekend.

These sculpting, squat-proof leggings are an essential in every gym-goers wardrobe. We absolutely love this blue dapple print, but if that's not your style, there are tons to choose from. Like all of the Power leggings, these have two nifty little pockets.

Banish frosty fingers this winter with this pair of running gloves — if you’re not a jogger yourself, these would make a great Christmas gift. They’re made of sweat-wicking fabrics with high-grip palms to tackle everything that you throw at them.

Our editorial team are big fans of this comfy, medium-support bra. It’s great for workouts, but it also makes a good everyday bra thanks to its lightweight finish and snug fit. And this earns bonus points for its huge range of colours, too.

Our verdict

Sweaty Betty is an investment, that’s for sure.

There are some less pricey products, but most of the bestsellers start north of the £60 mark. We do love the inclusive sizing and range of products on offer though, and you can buy pretty much anything from Sweaty Betty, too – from hardcore sportswear and high-end skiwear to bras, bottoms and even footwear.

So if you’re looking for the ultimate luxury sportswear, look to Sweaty Betty.

If you’re looking to save your pennies, look elsewhere. The quality might not be the same, but you get what you pay for.

Prices updated on 06/12/2022. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

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