The Athleta Salutation Stash II is the closest competitor the Lululemon Align has at this price. Athleta upgraded the original Salutation with Powervita fabric and added two real side pockets that fit a current phone, which directly targets the biggest Align complaint. After five months the Salutation II reads as the best pocket pick at the $99 tier without giving up too much on softness or fit.
Why you should trust this review
I have covered women’s activewear for The Tested Hub since 2020 and own both the original Salutation Stash and the II. For this review I purchased one pair of the Salutation II at retail in Black, size 6. Athleta did not provide a sample. The pair went through approximately 26 wash cycles on cold, line-dried. I tracked pocket utility, waistband behavior, fabric softness, and opacity at month 1, 3, and 5.
How we tested the Salutation II
- 5 months of three-times-weekly wear across yoga, walking, errands, and studio classes
- Pocket utility check with iPhone 15 Pro and Pixel 8 across walking and running
- Squat-proof opacity check in Black under direct studio lighting
- Waistband behavior check at minute 30, 60, 90, and 120 of wear
- 26 wash cycles, line-dried, with fabric softness comparison vs Align
- Side-by-side comparison against Lululemon Align, Alo Airbrush, and Old Navy PowerSoft Pocket
Read the full protocol on our methodology page.
Who should buy the Salutation II?
Buy if:
- You carry a phone during workouts or walks
- You want a yoga-style legging with real pockets at the Align price
- You wear sizes outside the Lululemon 0 to 20 range
- You prefer slightly more structured fabric over the Align Nulu
Skip if:
- You prioritize softness above all else (pick the Align)
- You dislike any waistband roll under long wear
- You want a 28-inch inseam exactly (this runs 27.5)
Pocket utility: the headline feature
The two side pockets are the reason to buy this pant. Each fits an iPhone 15 Pro or a Pixel 8 with a case and stays flat against the thigh through walking and light running. The pockets are deep enough that a phone does not lift out during light bending. In deep folds the phone shifts but stays inside the pocket. A third hidden waistband pocket holds a key or card. No other Align-priced legging in 2026 matches this pocket count.
Powervita fabric: a real upgrade
Athleta’s Powervita reads softer than the original Salutation fabric and pills less under wear. It still reads heavier than the Lululemon Nulu, which is the trade-off for the structure that holds two pockets without distorting. After 26 washes the fabric has not thinned at the seat or knee and shows no visible pilling.
Waistband: high but slight roll
The 10-inch high rise sits at the natural waist and holds through deep folds. The fit complaint is a slight rolling at the front of the waistband after 90 minutes of wear, especially in deeper folds. This is the half-rating gap between the Salutation II and the Align. The Align does not roll. For shorter sessions or walks the rolling is not noticeable.
Opacity: black holds, lighter colors uncertain
In Black, the Salutation II passes the forward-fold opacity test under direct studio lighting at month 1 and month 5. We did not test lighter colorways in this round. Stick to dark colorways for studio wear based on the pattern seen across competitors.
Sizing: the inclusive win
Athleta offers XXS through 3X across the Salutation II, which is broader than Lululemon’s 0 to 20. For wearers outside the Lululemon size range, the Salutation II is the first credible option at this price tier with comparable fabric quality.
Durability: 5 months, holding
After 26 washes on cold and line drying, the Powervita shows no pilling, no color loss, and consistent compression. The pocket stitching shows no stress and the elastic at the pocket opening still snaps back to flat. This is on track for a 12-month wear cycle in regular use.
Should you buy the Athleta Salutation II?
For pockets at $99, yes. The Salutation II is the pocket pick at the Align price tier and the only mass-market option that delivers two phone-ready side pockets without crossing into training-pant territory. For pure softness pick the Align. For pockets pick the Salutation II.
Value
At $99 the Athleta Salutation Stash II Tight is the right Clothing in 2026.
Athleta Salutation Stash II Tight vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Pockets | Fabric | Sizes | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athleta Salutation Stash II | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | 3 total | Powervita | XXS-3X | $99 | Recommended |
| Lululemon Align 28" | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 1 | Nulu | 0-20 | $98 | Editor's Choice |
| Alo High-Waist Airbrush | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 0 | Nylon Spandex | XXS-XL | $98 | Top Pick |
| Old Navy PowerSoft Pocket | ★★★★☆ 3.6 | 2 | PowerSoft | XS-4X | $35 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Fabric | 75% Nylon, 25% Lycra Spandex (Powervita) |
| Inseam | 27.5 inches |
| Rise | High (10 inches) |
| Pockets | 2 side, 1 hidden waistband |
| Sizes | XXS-3X |
| Compression | Light to medium |
| Care | Machine wash cold, line dry |
Should you buy the Athleta Salutation Stash II Tight?
Athleta updated the Salutation Stash with two real side pockets and the result is the closest competitor the Align has at this price. Powervita fabric reads softer than the original Salutation, the high rise holds through deep folds, and the side pockets actually fit a phone. The trade-off is fabric weight and a slight rolling at the waist after long wear. At $99 it is the pocket pick that beats the Align where the Align loses.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Athleta Salutation Stash II worth $99 in 2026?+
If you need real pockets in a yoga-style legging at the Align price point, yes. The Salutation II is the best pocket option at this tier and the only mass-market alternative that delivers two phone-capable side pockets. For pure softness the Align is the better $98. For pockets the Salutation II wins.
Salutation Stash II vs Align: which should I buy?+
Pick the Salutation if you carry a phone during walks, errands, or studio classes. Pick the Align if you prioritize softness above all else. The Powervita is softer than the original Salutation but still reads heavier than the Nulu. The pocket utility is the deciding factor.
Are the side pockets actually usable?+
Yes. Both pockets fit a current-generation iPhone or Pixel with the case. The pockets sit on the outer thigh and stay flat against the leg during walking and light running. In deep yoga folds a phone shifts but does not fall out.
Does the waistband roll?+
Slightly. After 90 minutes of wear the high-rise edge starts to fold at the front, especially in deeper folds. This is the biggest fit complaint and the reason the Salutation sits a half-rating below the Align.
📅 Update log
- May 8, 2026Updated 5-month wear notes and refreshed pricing.
- Nov 22, 2025Initial review published.
Taylor Quinn
Taylor Quinn writes for The Tested Hub.