Carbon38 Leggings Review: High-End Activewear That Combines Performance and Style

If you‘re on the hunt for leggings that can keep up with your toughest workouts while also looking great for running errands or grabbing brunch, Carbon38 is a brand worth checking out. This premium activewear company burst onto the scene in 2012 with a mission to empower women through fitness and fashion. Over the past decade, Carbon38 has developed a cult following for its stylish yet functional leggings made from high-tech performance fabrics.

As someone who practically lives in leggings, I was eager to see if Carbon38 lived up to the hype. I tested several of the brand‘s most popular legging styles for fit, comfort, performance, and style. I also dug into hundreds of customer reviews and compared Carbon38 to other high-end activewear brands.

Here‘s everything you need to know to decide if Carbon38 leggings are right for you and your lifestyle:

About Carbon38

First, a little background on the brand. Carbon38 was founded by Katie Warner Johnson, a former professional ballet dancer and fitness instructor. Her goal was to create activewear that combined cutting-edge performance technology with high fashion that would take women from the gym to the street.

Over the years, Carbon38 has collaborated with top designers like Jonathan Simkhai and curated an impressive roster of niche activewear brands from around the world. The company is female-led and over 70% of the brands it carries are founded by women. In addition to its own in-house line, Carbon38 sells popular brands like Alo Yoga, Adidas by Stella McCartney, and P.E Nation.

The brand has gained a devoted following and celebrity fans like Jennifer Aniston, Hailey Bieber, and Oprah. Carbon38 has been featured extensively in the media in publications like Vogue, Well+Good, Women‘s Health, and more.

Overview of Carbon38 Leggings

Let‘s dive into the details on Carbon38‘s leggings. The brand offers an extensive range of legging styles for different activities, aesthetics, and body types. You‘ll find everything from sleek and simple black leggings to trendy prints and eye-catching metallic finishes.

The leggings are made from performance fabrics that are designed to wick sweat, block odors, and provide compression and support. Some popular fabric options include the Takara fabric, a glossy material that resembles leather, and CP Compress, Carbon38‘s signature compression fabric.

Most leggings come in the brand‘s full size range of XXS to 3X and inseams range from full-length to 7/8 crops. Prices are on the higher end, typically ranging from $98-$135, in line with other luxury activewear brands.

One thing I love is that Carbon38 categorizes its leggings by activity, like Run, Train, and Flow. This makes it easy to find the right pair for your preferred workouts. The product descriptions also provide helpful information about the fabric composition, opacity, amount of compression, pilling resistance, and more.

Carbon38 Legging Reviews

Now for the most important question – how do Carbon38 leggings actually perform? I tested three popular styles in different fabrics and fits. Here are my detailed thoughts:

Takara High-Rise 7/8 Legging Review

Carbon38‘s signature Takara fabric is a standout. Made from a nylon/spandex blend, it has a smooth, satin-like sheen that looks so luxe. I opted for the Takara High-Rise 7/8 Legging in the gorgeous Deep Sea hue.

The first thing I noticed when putting these on was the compression. They really hold you in and create a smoother, more sculpted look. The fabric provides substantial support without feeling too stiff or restrictive. I‘m typically between a small and medium and the medium fit me perfectly.

I wore these for a high-impact HIIT class and was impressed by how well they performed. Despite lots of jumping around, the leggings stayed put and I felt fully supported. The fabric wicks sweat well and I didn‘t overheat.

Aesthetically, these are showstoppers. The shiny Takara fabric elevates the classic black legging and I felt so confident wearing these. They‘re squat-proof and pass the bend-over test. After several washes, they still look great with no pilling. If you‘re looking for a legging that can take you from Barry‘s Bootcamp to bar hopping, this is it.

High-Rise Brushed Full-Length Legging

For a softer, cozier option, I tried the High-Rise Brushed Full-Length Legging. This pair is made from a brushed performance jersey that feels like your favorite lived-in sweatshirt. They‘re so comfortable you‘ll never want to take them off.

I love the fit of these – they‘re compressive enough to feel supportive during low-impact workouts but not so tight that they‘re uncomfortable for all-day wear. The high rise is perfect for tucking in your tummy and the full length makes them versatile for pairing with sneakers or boots.

I‘ve been living in these while working from home and running errands. They keep their shape well and don‘t bag out with wear. The fabric is fairly thick and opaque, though you may want to wear seamless underwear to avoid VPL.

My one complaint is that the fabric started to pill slightly between the thighs after a few wears. It‘s not super noticeable but I hope they hold up over time. At $98, these are pricey for lounge leggings but the quality is definitely a step above your average pair.

Crop Run Legging Review

Finally, I tested out Carbon38‘s Crop Run Legging on my daily jogs. These are made from the brand‘s lightest compression fabric that promises to be ultra-breathable, quick-drying, and chafe-resistant.

The first thing I noticed was how lightweight and airy these feel. The fabric is silky smooth and glides over your skin. I love the 7/8 length which hits right above the ankle and doesn‘t ride up as you move.

On my runs, these performed well. The compression is just right – supportive but not too tight. The fabric wicks sweat and dries quickly so you don‘t feel damp and clammy. I didn‘t experience any chafing, even on longer runs.

My only critique is that the fabric is quite thin and slightly sheer when you bend over. I would recommend wearing a longer top or these may not be the best for yoga. The lighter fabric also makes me a little concerned about snagging. But for the price ($115), the performance is solid for serious runners.

What Customers Are Saying

Of course, my experience is just one perspective. I combed through hundreds of customer reviews on Carbon38‘s website and third-party sites to get a broader view. Here are some key themes:

Fit: Most reviewers find that Carbon38‘s leggings fit true to size and appreciate the inclusive size range. Many note that the compression is substantial, so you may want to size up if you‘re between sizes or prefer a less tight fit.

Fabric: The Takara fabric is a clear favorite for its sleek look and cool feel. Customers also love the smoothing, supportive fit. A few reviewers note that lighter colors can be slightly see-through. The brushed fabrics get high marks for softness and coziness.

Performance: Carbon38 leggings get rave reviews for their performance during high and low impact workouts. Many customers appreciate the thoughtful designs like compressive waistbands that don‘t dig in, flat seams that prevent chafing, and pockets. A few reviewers had issues with some fabric pilling over time.

Style: If you want to look good while working out, Carbon38 delivers according to reviewers. Customers love the trend-forward designs, unique colorways, and special details like glossy or velvet finishes. Many say they get compliments whenever they wear Carbon38 leggings.

Price: There‘s no getting around the fact that Carbon38 leggings are expensive. Some reviewers note that the price is hard to stomach, especially for trendy printed pairs that may go out of style. But most say the quality and performance are worth the splurge, especially for the core black leggings you‘ll wear over and over.

How Carbon38 Compares to Other Legging Brands

If you‘re considering Carbon38 leggings, you may be wondering how they stack up to other popular activewear brands. Here‘s my take:

Lululemon: Carbon38 is often compared to Lululemon, and for good reason. Both are positioned as premium activewear brands and have similar pricing. In my experience, the quality and performance are comparable between the two. Carbon38 gets the edge for style and fashion-forward designs while Lululemon is known for its buttery soft Nulu fabric.

Athleta: If you‘re looking for high-quality leggings at a slightly lower price point, Athleta is a great alternative. Their Powervita fabric is similar to Carbon38‘s Takara in terms of compression and support. Athleta also offers a wider range of inseams for different heights. But Carbon38 definitely wins for luxe style and details.

Alo Yoga: Like Carbon38, Alo Yoga is known for its fashion-forward activewear and celebrity following. The two brands actually have a very similar aesthetic – sleek, minimalist designs with trendy details. From my experience, Alo Yoga leggings are equally high-performing but may be slightly less durable over time.

Girlfriend Collective: If sustainability is a priority for you, Girlfriend Collective‘s eco-friendly leggings are a great alternative to Carbon38. They‘re made from recycled plastic bottles and offer similar compression and support. The Girlfriend Collective leggings are also a bit more affordable. However, Carbon38 definitely has more options in terms of colors, prints, and inseams.

The Bottom Line

So, are Carbon38 leggings worth it? In my opinion, yes – if you‘re willing to splurge on high-end activewear that looks as good as it performs. The brand truly delivers on its promise of cutting-edge technical fabrics, figure-flattering fits, and styles you‘ll be excited to show off.

I was incredibly impressed by the performance of all the Carbon38 leggings I tried. They kept me cool, supported, and chafe-free through a range of workouts. I also love how confident I feel wearing them – the sleek, elevated designs are just so chic compared to typical activewear.

Of course, the price point is steep and won‘t be doable for everyone. If you‘re on a budget, you can definitely find high-quality leggings for less from brands like Athleta or Girlfriend Collective. Carbon38 is best for you if you appreciate designer-level style, have a flexible clothing budget, and want activewear that works as hard as you do.

My top picks would be the Takara leggings for a fashionable workout look, the Brushed leggings for athleisure, and the Crop Run leggings for serious runners. I would advise going with a core neutral color like black that you can wear frequently to get the most bang for your buck.

I also love that Carbon38 makes high-end activewear and empowers women through fitness. While expensive leggings are certainly not essential for a great workout, I appreciate that the brand is female-led and celebrates strength. Carbon38 is proof that when it comes to fitness fashion, you don‘t have to sacrifice performance for style.