Athleta Review: Ultra High Rise​ Elation Tight In Powervita

I love Athleta for many reasons: 1) they’re an inclusive brand 2) they’re dedicated to women empowerment 3) they make great quality and versatile activewear that you can wear to work, workout, or just do life!

A month ago, I got the Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation tight in the buttery soft Powervita fabric, and it seems someone may have to peel them off of me soon. 

I see why the Athleta Elation tight is often compared to the Lululemon Align Pant– both so soft and flexible you want to live in them. Plus, with over 1500 reviews on the Elation tight, these two leggings are close contenders when it comes to popularity.

So if you’re trying to figure out where to get your next pair of buttery soft leggings, here’s my review of the Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight to help!

Details

• Size: XXS-XL
• Fabric: Powervita™ – Nylon/Elastane
• Care: Machine wash cold, no tumble drying, no bleaching, no ironing
• Features: Quick-drying, moisture-wicking, UPF50+ protection
• Price: $89

Description

Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight Review

The Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight is a full length, high-waisted legging designed for yoga and everyday wear.

Fabric & Fit

The Powervita fabric is a buttery soft and stretchy with a low compression feel. They feel like Lululemon Aligns but the fabric is a bit thicker and sturdier as a result.

Support

The Athleta Elation tight waistband is double-layered, that is, it’s twice as thick as the body of the leggings.

There’s a 6″ deep hidden pocket in the waistband that fully fits my iPhone 7 plus, although the waistband may slip a bit because of the low compression fit.

Coverage

The Athleta Elation tight is as squatproof as they come. Although they’re designed for yoga and everyday wear, they are awesome for weight-lifting too because of the high coverage. 

If you’ve seen any of my previous activewear reviews, you’ll find that panty lines and crotch sweat are the banes of my existence.

The Elation tight fabric is on the thicker side and does a decent job of hiding panty lines but I would still go for seamless underwear. 

Also, these leggings have moisture-absorbing lined gusset, which means you can go commando in your leggings to avoid panty lines altogether!

Quality

“The Athleta Elation tight feels like money. It’s well constructed inside and out- no loose stitches, no fabric pilling, and no-fuss design. These leggings will last you years as long as you take good care of them!”

Athleta Sizing Review

For reference, I’m a 26″ waist, 32″ bust (DD cup), 38″ hip, 5’8″ tall, and US clothing size 4. I bought the Elation tights in size S according to the size chart.

What I loved

Here’s what I loved about the Athleta Elation Tight:

1. Fabric & Design

   The Powervita fabric is amazing! It’s super soft yet sturdy, smooth to touch, and can stretch for days. 

2. Design 

   The minimal design makes these leggings super versatile and easy to dress up or down.

   It’s the little details that make these leggings worth the money: the back pocket that can fit a phone; the lined gusset that absorbs moisture; and the v-shaped waistband that gives you a flattering silhouette. 

What I’d Improve

My one issue with the Athleta Elation tight:

1. Waistband Fit

   The waistband double-layered for support, which is great. Except, if you have a smaller waist, you may notice a gap in the waistband and will not benefit from this extra layer of support.

   You can try sizing down for a more compressive waist fit, as long as you are still within 2″ of your true size.

For example, if you’re 46″ waist and 56″ hip, I don’t recommend sizing down to 2X because the 2X waist measurement would be too far from your true measurement.

Should You Buy Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight?

Absolutely. These leggings are now a staple in my life! If you’re worried about length, they also make the Elation tight in 7/8 length as well as high-rise (not ultra) versions.

The Athleta Elation Tights are…

• Perfect for low to high impact activities.
• Great for yoga, pilates, and lounging.
• Perfect for everyday wear.
• Not for the active girl on a budget. I don’t buy anything full price from Athleta because it’s not budget-friendly.

You can 1) wait for a holiday sale, 2) search for a discount/promo code, or 3) sign up for their newsletter to get 20% off one regular-priced item.

I usually combine 1 & 2 to get the best deals. See affordable activewear brands here.

Also, I’ve paired these leggings with the Athleta Printed Exhale bra. Keep going to see the review!

How To Care For Your Athleta Activewear

Avoid excess heat from washing in hot water, tumble-drying, or ironing as this can affect the strength of the fibers and degrade the fabric features. Instead, wash your leggings in cold water, and use a drying rack.

Also, avoid using fabric softener since it can seal the fabric, causing the fabric to become less breathable.

Place your Athleta Elation leggings in a mesh bag before throwing them in the washer. This will ensure that the soft fabric doesn’t get snagged by parts from other clothing.

Follow these steps to keep your Athleta activewear in pristine condition.

Where To Buy Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Tight

You can find these Athleta leggings in Iron blue and four more colors on the brand’s website.

See More Athleta Reviews