Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging Review

Overall Rating - 8.4 / 10

PROS / Made with the silk-like compression fabric, Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging is engineered to sculpt and hold the shape of the body. The legging covers everything I need for gym workouts. Thanks to the unique seamless front rise design, the legging is camel-toe free. 

CONS / The waistband is an exposed elastic. It is slightly scratchy and it leaves red marks on the waist. Some people may appreciate the built-in underwear (shapewear), but it's not for me. It rides up and causes discomfort (doesn't matter I wear a underwear or not).

BOTTOM LINE / Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging doesn't work for me regardless how expensive and popular it is. I like its silky soft, high compression fabric. It is stretchy, breathable and fast dry; however, the exposed elastic band causes the skin irritation. I would wear it for 30 minute gym workouts, but not for over an over hour long yoga.  

About Ultracor -

Top: Niyama Sol The X-Back Sports Bra, Black, S (run small).
​Bottom: Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging, S (run small).

Founded in 2014 and based in Los Angeles, Ultracor is a performance driven luxury fashion line created from the finest technical fabrics, utilizing patented engineering to provide fit like never before.

​LUXURY! Ultracor is one of the most expensive activewear lines that I've ever purchased. Their leggings are priced from $180 up to $360. A legging costs more than my monthly internet, water & garbage and PG&E bills combined. It is insane. If you think Lululemon is overpriced, you will be shocked by the hefty price tag of Ultracor. That said, Ultracor leggings are popular and highly rated. People are bragging about their premium performance fabric and anti-camel toe technology. In order to prove other reviews are right, I decide to give it a try.

Details of Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging -

There were lots of leggings including ones from Ultracor on sale during the holiday season. That's the best time for yoga pants shopping! I had my eyes on Ultracor Lux Knockout Print Leggings first, but it was nearly impossible to get one on sale in my size as it was one of the most popular prints of Ultracor. Then I saw a great deal of Bandier exclusive print, Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging, I decided to get it instead of paying the full price for the Lux Knockout Print Legging.

Let me share my takes on Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging. Does it really worth the hefty price?
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1. Size – It runs small and I size up. I normally wear Lululemon size 4, and the small fits me well.

2. Style – Full length legging.

3. Inseam –  25" long, a perfect full length legging for me. 

4. Front Rise – 11.5" high rise. 
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​5. Waistband – 1-7/8" exposed elastic.

​​6. Fabric – 43% Polyester, 43% Nylon and 14% Lycra. The lining (build-in underwear) is made with 65% Nylon and 35% Lycra.

7. Design for – More suitable for gym workouts than yoga.
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​8. Cost – Retail price is $198. I paid $99. It is currently on sale for $139 at Bandier. 

9. Stitch Seam – Flatlocking seams.

10. Crotch Seam​ – No gusset. It's just a "+" seam and a built-in shapewear (see pictures below).

The legging is made in USA. 
​

Performance - 
The silky soft fabric is what I like the most of the legging. Ultracor ​is known for the high performance fabric. It is high compression, which provides great muscles support and body sculpt. It covers all the needs, i.e., sweat wicking and fast dry properties, for various workouts. Since the fabric is high compression, I find it less ideal for yoga though it is stretchy enough for a wide range of movement. 

​Quality- 
The legging is completely opaque. It is mostly constructed with flatlocking seams except for the waistband. I was skeptical of the raw hem and unfinished edges of the built-in underwear, but they seem to be very durable. The only issue I have is that the edge of the built-in curls outward easily. Since I always wear a panty during the workout, the built-in is unnecessary and it rides up with movement, especially during the yoga practice.
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The velvet strip is firmly bonded to the side of the legging. Without additional stitches to sew the strip on to the pant, it gives a clean and seamless look. 

Fit - 
Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging runs small and I wear one size up, which is a perfect compression fit. It would have been too tight if I went with my regular size. As to the inseam, it's a perfect ankle length for me (I'm 5'2"). Ultracor advertises their leggings for body sculpting and lifting, but I am not very impressed. I own many leggings that enhance body curvatures way better than this one. The camel-toe free design (no front seam) is similar to K-Deer Leggings. It is different to most leggings, but it is not extraordinary. Overall, it is not the most flattering leggings I've ever tried.
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Comfort - 
The fabric is silky soft (smoothest material I've ever experienced); however, Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging as a whole isn't very comfortable. I definitely wouldn't wear it for lounging at home. First of all, the exposed elastic irritates my skin. It is scratchy. It makes my skin turn red and digs into my waist. It reminds me of Nimble Classic Run 3/4 Tight Ombre Fan, which also has an exposed elastic waistband. While the built-in underwear can be a great feature for some people, it doesn't work for me. I tried the legging with and without wearing a panty. Either way, the built-in underwear rides up and causes discomfort around the groin (more so when doing yoga than working out).

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I would not spend $198 for Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging, not even $99 that I paid for. The silky-like compression fabric is soft, breathable, fast dry and sweat wicking, but that's the only thing I like about the legging in addition to the houndstooth print. Neither the exposed elastic band nor the built-in underwear works for me. The elastic irritates the skin and pinches the waist, and the underwear rides up especially in yoga. In my opinion, it is overrated and overpriced.

Where to Buy -

Ultracor Ultra Velvet Houndstooth Legging is only available at Bandier. You can find more Ultracor clothes at Amazon, Barneys, Carbon38, Evolve, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Revolve, Shopbop, Ultracor and Zappos, 

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