While the similarities are striking, the prices for the two are vastly different.
A member of the warehouse retail giant went viral after posting the product they found, a pair of Kirkland Signature Men’s 5-Pocket Performance Pants, on Reddit.
They noticed that the slacks immediately reminded them of the Lululemon ABC 5-Pocket Pants they had in their closet.
“Was looking for some inexpensive black pants at Costco and picked up this pair and thought it seemed similar to my lulu Commission pants,” the incredulous consumer wrote.
“Took it home to compare and they are CRAZY similar.”
“The zippered pocket placement and style remain the same, as do the rear pocket buttons. “Very similar main button/stitching (although Costco also includes a second button),” they added.
“Even the same stitching on the fly and pockets!”
A photo of the two pairs of pants side by side was included, and they were nearly identical.
MONEY MOVE
The Costco customer also emphasised that the Kirkland Signature Men’s 5-Pocket Performance Pants cost about $20, which was a small percentage of the total cost of the Lululemon ABC 5-Pocket Pants.
The ABC 5-Pocket Pants are currently listed on Lululemon’s website for $128.
Those who choose the Costco dupe instead will save more than $100, or approximately 84%.
Prices will vary from store to store.
A few other customers were astounded by the comparison.
“Oh, that is interesting. I will look into it the next time I go to Costco,” one enthusiastic Redditor wrote.
Another described the find as “amazing.”
COMPARISON BREAKDOWN
Wirecutter recently published a more in-depth analysis comparing the pants.
Similarities of note were the gusseted crotch, a “diamond-shaped patch in place of a traditional crotch seam” that allows for more range of motion and comfort.
Each pair of pants has approximately 11 or 12 seam stitches, reinforced buttons, zippered back pockets, and other features.
However, there were some significant differences.
For example, the Kirkland pants have an exposed elastic waistband, whereas the Lululemon pants have a double-lined waistband with extra fabric from the same material used elsewhere in the design.
According to Wirecutter, the buttons differ, with Lululemon’s anodized and Kirkland’s painted.
There are no loose threads on Lululemon’s design, and the stitching is finer and more carefully placed.
However, the fabric type was the primary differentiator.
Lululemon’s ABC 5-Pocket Pants are made of 53% elastomultiester and 47% recycled polyester, whereas Kirkland’s Signature Men’s 5-Pocket Performance Pants are 74% polyester and 26% elastomultiester.
Overall, the Lululemon version is higher quality and will likely last longer than Kirkland’s.
The choice between the two pants will ultimately be down to shoppers’ budgets and personal preferences.
A Costco shopper recently got a dinner for only 16 cents.
A limited-time dessert is also available for $12.99 and is a collaboration between two favourite brands.