Budget Stretching Pants Series - Amazon Colorfullkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging

Author's Rating - 9.5 /  10

PROS / Made with the ultra soft fabric, Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging is four-way stretch, moisture wicking and fast dry. The comfortable fit along with the silky soft material gives a next-to-nothing sensation (similar to Lululemon Nulu fabric) and the high waistband keeps my tummy tucked in. 

CONS / Lint balls forms when rubbing the fabric back and forth with my hands (not the same as pilling). The 29" inseam is too long for my height. 
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BOTTOM LINE / Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging is one of the best budget friendly yoga pants. Its performance, quality, fit and comfort are above average and exceeds my expectations. The legging brings me comfort and confident in my practice. For under $30, it has me covered in yoga and more. ​

About Colorfulkoala -

There is very limited information I can find online about the brand. I didn't know Colorfulkoala has its own website until today. I thought it was solely sold on Amazon. 

Colorfulkoala is a female activewear brand, founded in 2018. The company is committed to bringing comfortable and high quality  workout gears at affordable prices. They currently sell workout pants from full length, 7/8 length leggings to capris and shorts. 

Details of Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging -

More isn't always better. Eating too much food can result in obesity. Working out too much can cause body fatigue and injuries. So, here is the question. Are expensive yoga pants always better? 
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Top: Zella Seamless Sports Bra, Red Velvet, S (true to size; I am between 32-34B).
​Bottom: Amazon Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging, Beige Leopard, XS (true to size).

I've tried quite a few leggings priced at mid hundred and above and they suck. The word suck may be too strong a word, but they simply do not meet the expectations. Often time, they over emphasize fashion over function. I am getting tired of paying over $100 for a pair of leggings for nothing. I start searching for alternatives that are budget friendly yet high performance. In the next few reviews, I will share various budget friendly, high performance yoga leggings, called Budget Stretching Pants Series. You can find many highly rated leggings on Amazon. Some popular brands include 90 Degree by Reflex, Yogalicious, The Gym People, RBX and ODODOS, all of which are below $25. There is another brand Yvette, I collaborated with in the past. I love their products a lot and will share their new leggings in Budget Stretching Pants Series as well. By the way, I am taking the scuba open water diver certification course these few weekends and I won't have much time to work on blogs before X'mas. That said, I will try to share one more review before the new year. Stay tune!
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Budge Stretching Pants Series, Review 1 -
I'd like to open Budge Stretching Pants Series with Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Leggings this week. They are highly rated on Amazon with a nearly perfect (five star) rating. 

1. Size – It is true to size. XS fits me comfortably (I'm Lululemon size 4). Size down if you are between sizes.

2. Style – Full length legging. 

3. Inseam –  29" long, which is way too long for me.

4. Front Rise – 12-1/4" high rise.

​5. Waistband – 5" flat waistband with a stash pocket inside.

​​6. Fabric – 75% Polyester and 25% Spandex.
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7. Design for – Any type of yoga and movement that do not require tons of muscles support. 

​8. Cost – Retail price is $29.99, which is what I paid + tax.

9. Stitch Seam – Flatlocking seams.

10. Crotch Seam​ – A panel extended down to the mid calf, which is identical to Lululemon Align Pants. Note that the gusset is not lined.

It is made in China.
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Performance - 
This is my first pair of yoga pants from the brand on Amazon. I am impressed by its performance. Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging is made with the ultra soft and low compression fabric, similar to Lululemon Align Pants. It is four-way stretch, breathable and sweat wicking. It is perfect for yoga, including heated, non-heated, power and gentle yoga. It is suitable for any movement that doesn't require much muscles support. The flat waistband stays in place during my yoga practice. Thanks to the leopard pattern, it masks and hides sweat stains.
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​Quality - 
The legging is made with the buttery soft fabric and sewn with flatlocking seams. The gusset design is the same as Lululemon Align Pants with a panel extended down to the mid calf. Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging (Beige Leopard) is the least see-through light color legging I've ever tried. Unless wearing a black underwear, it is completely opaque including dark purple and navy panties. On the flip side, there are some lint balls (see the picture below where arrows point at) when rubbing the legging with my hands. They are not the same as pilling and they come right off the fabric. Having fuzzballs is unavoidable as the body is constantly in contact with (rubbing) the legging in yoga, especially in bound poses. It is not a deal breaker, but there is certainly room for improvement. 
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There is a stash pocket on the inner side of the flat waistband. I never use it, but it can be handy for some of you to store the key, studio or gym card and credit card.
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Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Legging is a cheap version of Lululemon Align Pant, aka Lululemon Align Dupe. They are almost identical from the naked-sensation feel to the design, including the paneled gusset, stash pocket location and high rise, flat waistband. 

Fit - 
It is true to size but on the larger side. If you are between sizes, I recommend to size down. I am Lululemon size 4, and the XS fits me comfortably (not snug). I love the high waistband. It keeps the belly tucked in. The legging is quite long, 29" inseam. Colorfulkoala offers 7/8 length leggings and capris; however, the leopard print is only available in full length. Since it is made with the low compression fabric, the legging doesn't hug and sculpt the body as well as high compression ones, i.e., CVG Sangria Leggings. That said, it still gives a flattering look.
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​​Comfort - 
The fabric is ultra soft. It can rival Lululemon Nulu fabric for the comfort and the next to nothing, naked sensation. The flat waistband doesn't dig or pinch the skin. It is the legging that I would wear not only for yoga but also for lounging at home.

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For under $30, I can't be happier with the performance and fit of Colorfulkoala High Waisted Patterned Leggings. It covers all performance needs in yoga including four-way stretch, moisture wicking and fast dry properties. It is flattering though it doesn't sculpt body curvatures as well as high compression leggings. The high rise, flat waistband is pinch-free. It keeps everything tucked in and stays put through the practice (yoga). I notice lint balls formation when rubbing the leggings. Although it is not pilling, it is a concern for me. Overall, it is a great Lululemon Align Dupe.

Practice Journal -

Burnout is real. More isn't always better. I am struggling to find the balance between work, yoga practice, workout, teach and blog, all the things I love (besides working). I have a lot on my plate and I feel burnout. Besides posting the review on Saturday, weekends are my resting days and I don't do anything and go anywhere. Last year, I was teaching as many as five classes a week in addition to my day job. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I cut it down to three classes a week this year and it's down to two class starting this month. I love teaching. I love sharing my practice and experience with the community, but it is too much for me to handle. I could stop blogging, which would allow me to teach more; however, I've learned many skills here and connected with people in different ways. I don't want to quit. After striking a balance between the two, I decided to give up one class that I had been teaching over four years. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I have no regret. 

Moderation is part of the practice in yoga. Knowing when to push forward and when to scale back are as important as a constant practice. Due to my neck pain, I have skipped all poses putting pressure on the neck, including salamba sarvangasana, halasana, karnapidasana, urdhva padmasana, pindasana and sirsasana. My ego wants me to do all the poses, but the rational mind tells me not to until the neck feels better. Yoga isn't a competition. I have no one to compete with, especially I practice at home Alone. 

Ashtanga is known for pushing students beyond their boundaries, aka deep in to postures. I appreciate teachers who listen to students' needs and honor them spaces. I was able to practice in the Mysore room on Thanksgiving at Downtown Yoga Shala. The teacher, Meghan, is awesome. She always asks for my permission to assist me though she knows my body well. She never takes me to the place that I am not ready for. That said, I always learn new things that I can take home to practice from her. As a home practitioner, it's important to practice with teachers regularly because they see things I don't see.

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