The Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II is the legging I bought because I was tired of running with my phone in one hand. Five months later it has become my default pair for travel days, school pickups, and any workout where I need to actually carry something. The pockets are the headline, but the Powervita fabric and the inclusive sizing are what kept me wearing it instead of switching back to Aligns. At $89 it is also $9 cheaper than the Lululemon flagship, which makes the value math easier than it should be.
Why you should trust this review
I have been writing about activewear for six years and have logged time in every major Athleta legging line. For this review I purchased one pair of the Salutation Stash Pocket II at retail in Black, size Medium. Athleta did not provide a sample and was not contacted before publication. The pair went through approximately 30 wash cycles on cold, tumble-dried on low, and was worn for everything from yoga to a four-day Lisbon walking trip.
How we tested the Salutation Stash Pocket II
- 5 months of three-times-weekly wear across yoga, walking, hiking, and travel
- Phone-stay-put test in side pockets through walking, jogging, sprints, and yoga
- Squat-proof opacity check under direct studio lighting in Black and Heather Indigo
- Sizing comparison across 5’5” and 5’7” frames
- 30 wash cycles, tumble-dried low, with pilling and color check
- Side-by-side comparison against Lululemon Align, Old Navy PowerSoft 7-Pocket, and Fabletics Powerhold
For the full testing protocol, see our methodology page.
Who should buy the Salutation Stash Pocket II?
Buy if:
- You want to carry your phone, keys, and a card without a fanny pack
- Your active life is mixed: yoga, walking, hiking, travel
- You wear a size XXS to 3X and value consistent inclusive sizing
- You are willing to trade some softness for medium compression
Skip if:
- You only want a pure yoga legging (Align is softer)
- You hate firm compression for casual wear
- You can spend an extra $9 and prioritize the Lululemon brand resale value
Pocket function: the reason this legging exists
The two side stash pockets sit deep enough on the thigh that an iPhone 15 Pro disappears almost flush against the leg. During a 90-minute walk in Lisbon I forgot the phone was there. The waistband hidden pocket is enough for a credit card, hotel key, and a single lip balm. Compared to the Old Navy PowerSoft 7-Pocket, which has more pockets but they are looser and the phone bounces, the Athleta layout is the better-engineered choice.
Comfort and compression: firmer than you expect
Powervita fabric is recycled nylon and Lycra elastane. The hand feel is closer to the Lululemon Wunder Train than the Align: smooth but with noticeable hold. If you are coming from Aligns expecting that featherweight feel, this will read as tight at first. After two or three wears the compression registers as supportive rather than restrictive.
Squat-proof opacity: passes in dark colors
In Black and Heather Indigo, the Salutation passed the forward-fold test under direct studio lighting at the start of the review and again at month 5. I cannot speak for the lighter colorways, but the dark options are reliably opaque. The high rise stays put through forward folds and chair pose without rolling.
Durability: holding up but pilling sooner than Align
After 30 washes my pair shows light pilling on the inner thigh. That is sooner than the Align’s month-5 pilling, but the Powervita fabric also withstands tumble-drying, which the Align does not. If you actually use the dryer (most people do), the durability gap shrinks.
Sizing: true to size with inclusive options
The Salutation runs true to size in waist and thigh. The 27-inch 7/8 inseam hits clean on a 5’7” frame. On a 5’5” frame it bunches slightly at the ankle. Athleta’s 1X to 3X sizing has consistent fit across the line, which is not always true at competitor brands.
Should you buy the Salutation Stash Pocket II?
For most active women in 2026, yes. The pocket layout solves a real problem, the fabric is durable, and the price comes in below Lululemon. If yoga is 90 percent of your active life, the Align is still softer. For everyone else, this is the legging I would buy first.
Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II 7/8 Tight vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Pockets | Compression | Inseam | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athleta Salutation Stash II | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 3 | Medium | 27 in | $89 | Top Pick |
| Lululemon Align 25" | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 1 | Light | 25 in | $98 | Editor's Choice |
| Old Navy PowerSoft 7-Pocket | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | 7 | Light | 25 in | $39 | Best Budget |
| Fabletics High-Waist Powerhold | ★★★★☆ 3.7 | 2 | Medium | 26 in | $64 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Fabric | 75% Recycled nylon, 25% Lycra elastane |
| Fabric name | Powervita |
| Inseam | 27 inches (7/8 length) |
| Rise | High (10 inches) |
| Pockets | 2 side stash, 1 hidden waistband |
| Sizes | XXS-3X |
| Compression | Medium |
| Care | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low |
| Sustainability | Recycled nylon content |
Should you buy the Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II 7/8 Tight?
The Salutation Stash Pocket II is what you buy if you have spent years wishing your Aligns had pockets. The Powervita fabric splits the difference between buttery and supportive, the side stash pockets actually hold a phone, and the price comes in $9 below the Lululemon Align. The medium compression is firmer than expected and not everyone will love it for low-impact yoga. For travel, hiking, and parents wrangling kids, it is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Salutation Stash Pocket II worth $89 in 2026?+
Yes if you are tired of carrying your phone in your hand or stashing it in your sports bra during workouts and walks. The pocket layout is the most useful in this price tier, and the fabric quality holds up across at least 30 wash cycles. For pure yoga use, the Align Nulu is softer.
Salutation vs Lululemon Align: which is better?+
Salutation is more versatile thanks to pockets and stronger compression. Align is softer and better suited to slow movement. If you do one yoga class a week and live in leggings the rest of the time, Salutation. If yoga is your main use, Align.
Will my phone fall out of the side pockets?+
An iPhone 15 Pro stays put through walking, light jogging, and yoga. During sprints or burpees, the phone bounces and we recommend the waistband pocket instead. The side pockets are best for everyday wear.
How does the sizing run?+
True to size for most. The 27-inch inseam hits at the ankle on a 5'7" frame and slightly above on a 5'5" frame. If you are between sizes, the firm compression makes sizing up the safer call.
📅 Update log
- May 6, 2026Refreshed 5-month wear notes and current sale price.
- Nov 15, 2025Initial review published.
Morgan Davis
Morgan Davis writes for The Tested Hub.