I remember when "Scuba" just meant that one specific, slightly stiff hoodie we all wore in middle school. You know the one—the thumbholes, the giant hood, the logo on the back. Well, things changed. Lululemon took that DNA and put it into a bottom that somehow makes me feel like a functioning adult while I’m actually just wearing glorified pajamas. Honestly, the lululemon scuba mid rise wide leg pant is a bit of a weird beast on paper. Mid-rise in a high-rise world? Wide leg when we just got used to flares? It shouldn't work. But it does.
The magic is in the Cotton Fleece.
It’s heavy. Not heavy like "I’m sweating in the grocery store" heavy, but heavy like "this fabric actually hides the fact that I haven't been to the gym in three weeks." Most joggers show every lump and bump. These don't. They hang. They have weight. That weight is what gives the wide leg its shape instead of just looking like a baggy mess.
Let's talk about that mid-rise fit
Most people are terrified of mid-rise because we all have trauma from the early 2000s. Rest easy. The lululemon scuba mid rise wide leg pant isn't a "Britney Spears at the VMAs" low-rise. It sits right around the belly button for most people, maybe a hair lower depending on your torso length.
Why does this matter? Because the Scuba fabric is thick. If these were high-rise, you’d have a massive amount of thick fleece covering your entire stomach, which can feel bulky and, frankly, a bit suffocating when you're sitting down. By dropping it to a mid-rise, Lululemon cut out the "tummy shelf" effect. It feels more breathable. It feels athletic. It feels like you can actually breathe after a big lunch.
The "Wide Leg" problem (and the solution)
Wide legs can be tricky. If they're too wide, you look like you're wearing a bell. If they're too narrow, they just look like poorly fitted straight-leg pants. Lululemon nailed the proportions here, but there is a massive caveat: the length.
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If you are 5'4" or under, these are going to be long. Like, dragging-on-the-ground, soaking-up-puddles long.
Lululemon offers different inseams, usually a "Short" (around 28") and a "Regular" (around 31"). Even then, you might need to take advantage of their free hemming service. I’ve seen so many people return these because they didn't realize how much the "wide" part of the leg amplifies the "long" part of the leg. When a wide-leg pant is too long, it loses its structure and just looks sloppy. If you get the length right, though? It elongates your legs in a way that regular leggings just can't.
Cotton Fleece vs. Smooth Spacer
Don't confuse these with the AirStretch or the SmoothSpacer versions. The lululemon scuba mid rise wide leg pant is made of the classic Scuba fabric—mainly cotton and polyester with a dash of elastane for stretch.
- Breathability: It’s okay, but it's thick.
- Durability: High. This stuff lasts forever if you treat it right.
- Structure: This is the big winner. It holds the wide-leg shape.
- Softness: It gets softer the more you wash it.
I’ve noticed some people complain about "knee bagging." That’s when the knees stretch out and stay poofed out even when you're standing. Because this is a high-cotton blend, it’s going to happen a little bit. That’s just physics. If you want zero knee bagging, you have to go for a fully synthetic pant, but then you lose that cozy, matte fleece feel. Personally? I’ll take the minor bagging for the comfort.
How people are actually styling them
I see two main camps.
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First, there’s the "Full Scuba." This is the matching Scuba Oversized Half-Zip with the pants. It’s a Look. It’s very "I just hopped off a private jet" even if you're just hopping out of a Honda Civic. It's easy. No thinking required.
The second camp—which I prefer—is the "Balanced Silhouette." Since the pants are wide and heavy, you wear something tiny on top. A tight Ebb to Street tank or a cropped Align shirt. This prevents you from looking like a giant marshmallow.
The pocket situation
They have pockets. Real ones. Not those tiny "coin pockets" that Lululemon likes to hide in waistbands. These are deep enough for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, though be warned: the weight of a heavy phone will pull the pants down a bit because the waistband is a soft ribbing, not a compressive elastic.
What most people get wrong about the sizing
Listen closely: do not just buy your Align size.
Aligns are made of Nulu, which is basically air and magic. Scuba fabric has significantly less "give." If you carry your weight in your hips or glutes, you might want to size up. I’ve seen people squeeze into their "true size" only to find the mid-rise waistband digging in uncomfortably when they sit down.
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Also, consider the shrink factor. Even though Lululemon says their gear is pre-shrunk, 70% cotton is still 70% cotton. If you blast these in a hot dryer, they will get shorter. I always air-dry my Scubas. It keeps the fleece from getting that "crunchy" feeling and ensures my wide legs don't turn into high-waters overnight.
Is it actually worth the price tag?
$118 is a lot for sweatpants. Let's be real.
You can go to Target or H&M and find wide-leg joggers for $25. I’ve tried them. The difference is usually in the weight of the fabric and the waistband construction. Cheap fleece is light; it blows in the wind and shows every underwear line. The lululemon scuba mid rise wide leg pant feels substantial. It feels like a piece of clothing, not just a layer of fluff.
The resale value is also weirdly high. If you take care of them, you can sell them on Poshmark or Depop for 60-70% of what you paid. You can't do that with fast fashion.
A quick note on colors
Lululemon drops new colors every Tuesday. Core colors like Black, Bone, and True Navy are always around. But the "seasonal" colors like Meadowsweet Pink or Belgian Blue? If you see them and you want them, buy them. They vanish. Then they show up on Resell sites for $200. It’s annoying, but it’s the reality of the Scuba cult.
Actionable Steps for your first pair
If you're ready to pull the trigger on the lululemon scuba mid rise wide leg pant, do these three things first to avoid a return:
- Check your inseam: Measure from your crotch to your ankle. If you’re under 5'5", look specifically for the "Short" length online—it’s often an online exclusive and rarely in stores.
- The Sit Test: When you try them on, don't just stand in front of a mirror. Sit down. If the mid-rise waistband pinches your stomach or feels like it's sliding down your hips, go up one size.
- Wash Cold, Hang Dry: To keep the "wide leg" looking crisp and not "frayed and fuzzy," keep them out of the dryer. Use a gentle detergent and avoid fabric softener, which can actually gunk up the fibers and make them less breathable over time.
These aren't just gym clothes. They’re "I have to go to the doctor, then the grocery store, then pick up the kids, and I don't want to look like I gave up" clothes. That’s why they’re always sold out. They bridge the gap between "I'm cozy" and "I'm put together" better than almost anything else in the lineup.