Yogini's Closet High Performance Engineering (HPE) Oak 3/4 Curve Legging Review

High Performance Engineering (HPE) Oak 3/4 Curve Legging Review

6/10/2017

Author's Rating - 6.4 / 10

Yoginis Closet High Performance Engineering (HPE) Oak 3/4 Curve Yoga Legging Review

Top: Lululemon, Size 4 (true to size)
Bottom: HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging, Carbon, XS (true to size)

PROS / HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging is made with the soft and moisture wicking FRESHFIT ® fabric. The compression technology flatters curvatures and gives exceptional body-hugging fit.

CONS / The legging is see-through unless wearing a nude underwear. The waistband is narrower and the rise is lower than what I prefer.

BOTTOM LINE / HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging is more expensive than Lululemon. I do like how breathable the fabric is and how well it flatters my body. Although the waistband is not as wide as I like, the elastic band does not cause discomfort. It is a shame that the legging is see-through.

Overall 6.4 / 10

Quality / 30%

Performance / 30%

Comfort & Fit / 25%

Design & Style / 15%

Price: $ 115

About High Performance Engineering or HPE -

Top: Lululemon, Size 4 (true to size)
Bottom: HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging, Carbon, XS (true to size)

High Performance Engineering, or HPE, is a London based company. It was launched in July 2013 by Nicholas Harris, the CEO of the company as well as a human performance specialist. Nicholas has over 15 years of experiences working with champions from Formula 1, Olympians and Grand Slam winning tennis players to optimize their performances. He applies systems and science to sports apparel and creates HPE activewear brand for men and women. His vision is "to empower everyone to feel confident wearing HPE and to encourage movement, health and wellness."

YOGINI'S CLOSET UNFOLD -
HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging, Carbon, Review

HPE is one of the "new" brands that I find recently. When I say "new," I mean new to me, not necessary a new launched company. I first noticed HPE was from the Bandier website. HPE is mainly sold at high end luxury stores such as Shopbop and Saks fifth Avenue. Its crops are priced between $110-$115 and the leggings are $120-$130, which are > 20% more expensive than Lululemon's. After reading the company's profile and innovative technologies in fabric manufacturing, I decide to give its leggings a try. I also see some celebrities, such as Khloe Kardashian, being spotted wearing HPE leggings.

Let's see how HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging performs.

1. Size – I wear my regular size XS, which fits perfect. As a reference, I wear Lululemon size 4.

2. Style – Capri legging.

3. Inseam – 21" long, which is the same as Lululemon Wunder Under Crop. The bottom hem sits right below my calf (I am 5'2").

4. Front Rise – 7.5" standard rise. It is lower rise than what I prefer.

5. Waistband – 2" waistband. It is the narrowest among all my yoga pants.

The legging felt short on the support and coverage due standard rise with narrow waistband. I subconsciously want to pull the pant up during the workout.

6. Fabric – 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex, HPE signature FRESHFIT® fabric. It has silver technology, which prevents bacterial build up and keeps you fresh.

What is silver technology?
Probably many of you wonder what it is, just like me. It is an antibacterial technology that uses ionic silver (Ag+) to prevent bacteria from breeding. In this case, silver is bonded to the polymer (fabric). When we sweat, silver releases an unlimited supply of positively charged ions (Ag+). Ag+ ions penetrate negatively charged bacteria and disrupt the cell to prevent the leggings from smelling. The smell or odor is the result of bacteria feeding. While googling silver technology, I also find articles about its negative impact on the environment. I am not here to comment about it, but most of activewear today incorporates anti-odor or anti-bacteria technology.

7. Design for – Various exercises from yoga, gym workouts to spin and run. Its compression technology is excellent for high intensity workouts.

8. Cost – Retail price $115, which is $27 more than Lululemon Wunder Under Crop. I paid $48.3. I found couple coupons on the Memorial Weekend and received 58% off. The site allowed me to enter two coupon codes.

9. Stitch Seam – Comfortable flat locking seams.

10. Crotch Seam – Lined gusset.

You can see in the picture below (where turquoise arrow points at) that there is a seam on the waistband. The seam is off the side on the back. Most of yoga pants have two seams, one on each side, to bring two pieces of waistband together or one centered seam on the back.

The size, material, care instruction and manufacturing country of the legging are printed inside the waistband. This legging is made in China. The quality of seams is good. The only problem I have is the sheer fabric. For that reason, I give it a score 4 in quality.

The internal hidden pocket design is quite unique, different to other yoga pants I've seen. Typically, the pocket is embedded in the waistband. HPE has a pocket sewn on the waistband instead. I don't use the hidden pocket, so I can't provide input on its practicality.

Mesh have been the trend for couple years, and this year it is even more popular. Pretty much all the known activewear brands have mesh leggings. I don't particularly like the mesh because it can be rough and irritative to the skin. Gladly, the two side mesh panels are soft and the seams are comfortable.

Overall, the compression fit of HPE Oak 3/4 Curve Legging enhances body curvatures well without feeling restricted. The fabric is thin and helps to stay cool, but it is sheer. It is moisture wicking and four-way stretch. Although I like the fit and performance of the legging, I don't think I would buy a bottom from HPE again. For a dark color legging, I should not have to wear a nude underwear to prevent it from see-through.