Let’s be real—dropping over $100 on a single pair of pants isn’t something most of us look forward to.

So when shoppers discovered a seriously convincing dupe for Lululemon’s cult-favorite ABC 5-Pocket Pants at Costco for just $20, it wasn’t long before word spread like wildfire.

The pants in question? Kirkland Signature Men’s 5-Pocket Performance Pants—and yes, they’re turning heads for all the right reasons.

Lululemon Style Without the Lululemon Price Tag

Lululemon’s ABC pants are undeniably popular. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and fans love them for their sleek design and comfy fit. But they’ll also set you back a steep $128 a pair.

That’s where Costco comes in. Their Kirkland version isn’t just cheap—it’s impressively similar in both look and feel.

The $20 alternative also comes in different colors like black, blue, and grey, and shoppers say they’re super comfortable and stylish for everyday wear.

A Side-by-Side Comparison from a Fashion Detective

New York Times contributor Alexander Aciman took on the challenge of comparing the two pairs of pants in serious detail. And his findings? Surprisingly close.

From a distance, Aciman said the construction of the pants looked “almost identical.”

That includes the small but telling features like the YKK zippers, reinforced buttons, and high-stitch-count seams (about 11 to 12 per inch, for the curious).

He also noticed that both pants include a gusseted crotch—a subtle design tweak that replaces the standard crotch seam with a diamond-shaped panel.

It’s the kind of thing you might not think about, but it offers more comfort and freedom of movement—especially if you’re flying, commuting, or standing all day.

The Secret’s in the Crotch (No, Seriously)

According to Aciman, the crotch design is actually a key feature in the Lululemon pants.

In fact, ABC stands for Anti–Ball Crushing—yes, really.

He noted that the earlier version of Kirkland’s pants didn’t have this detail, but the updated ones now do.

So if you’re big on comfort below the belt, both brands check that box.

Where the Two Pants Finally Start to Differ

While they might be twinning in design, the fabrics are where the story starts to split.

Lululemon uses a proprietary fabric called Warpstreme, made with a blend of elastomultiester and recycled polyester.

Kirkland’s version is mostly polyester with a smaller dose of elastomultiester.

Aciman admitted that although the fit and design are nearly spot-on, the feel of the fabric gives Lululemon the edge.

He said the Kirkland pants “swished like old-school gym shorts”—not a dealbreaker, but not quite the same sleek vibe either.

The Design Might Be Great, But the Fit Is Debatable

Even though Aciman gave Kirkland points for their overall look and construction, he couldn’t help but admit that the pants made him “feel more like a schlub.” Ouch.

As someone who lives for a good deal—and even enjoys digging into which factories might be secretly making high-end clothes—he wanted the dupe to win.

But ultimately, the high-end feel of Lululemon still held the crown.

Reddit Chimes In: Which Pair Wins?

This debate hasn’t just stayed in fashion columns—it’s all over Reddit, too.

In dedicated threads, users have been sharing their own thoughts on the Costco vs. Lululemon showdown.

One Redditor said, “Honestly thought the Kirklands were the Lulus at first.”

Another added, “It just looks a lot tighter and uncomfortable in the crotch area.”

Some praised the affordability and solid quality of Costco’s pants, but many agreed that the small design details and better tailoring made Lululemon worth the splurge—at least for them.

The Verdict? Close, But Not Quite the Same

In the end, the Kirkland pants offer serious value and an impressively close lookalike design.

They’re stylish, functional, and miles more affordable.

But when it comes to fabric feel and that refined, luxury fit, Lululemon still wins by a slim margin.

So if you’re ballin’ on a budget and love a good dupe? Costco’s your guy.

But if you want to feel a little more put-together and can handle the $128 hit? Lululemon is still holding strong.