Hello, guest blogger Kerstyn here again!
Welcome to the second review for the Thick Thighs Project: POP Fit.
Some quick biometric data about myself I’ll put in every review to help you take what you need and leave the rest: my natural waist (above my bellybutton) is about 29″ and my usual “pants height waist” fluctuates from 30-33″ depending on bloat, lunar position, and food. My hip measurement is 39″ but I typically try to order for 40-41″ to allow for movement and thigh size. I can wear 28-30″ inseams depending on how the pants are cut. In street clothes I wear anything from 8-14 in women’s sizing (LOL) or a 32/33 by 30 in men’s sized pants.
Also: a reminder that this post is not sponsored, I spent my own money, any links are not affiliates and this review is entirely my own honest opinion.
POP Fit is one of the most commonly advertised brands I’ve seen on Instagram and I’ve read a good handful of positive customer testimonials in comments around the net. Their most common ads are a free pair of leggings (you pay S+H of course) and the comments section is usually full of people attesting that it’s real.
In today’s age of astroturfing and paid reviews though, my first order of business with this review was to see if I’d even receive a pair of leggings if I claimed a free pair from one of these ads. At time of writing, their main site splash page features models of many sizes, POCKETSSSS, and I believe even some un-airbrushed cellulite. Exciting stuff.
What I Ordered + Size Selection
I liked the Lily with Pockets in Dark Green and used the sizing guide on the item page to choose my size. (The exact model isn’t linked here because the site does not seem to use specific item pages; most information appears in a pop-up or frame on the main site page when you select something.)
The Medium size looked like the range for me which was cool because I frequently sit across two sizes and have to choose.
I’m not in danger of sizing out of these – they go up to a 3XL. I was indeed able to check out for only $14.99, although I initially mistyped my mailing address and I wasn’t able to back up – so you’ll want to mind your typing fingers carefully. I had to close out my cart and restart from the top.
Initial Impressions
Everything processed quickly and shipped really quickly, especially since I kind of expected “free, you pay shipping” to mean “very slow shipping”. When I opened them up I felt like off-the-bat the material was a bit rough – it almost reminded me of cheerleader uniform fabric more than anything.
It definitely had some stretch but was a bit scratchy and seemed to really be more inclined to keep its shape than fabrics with a higher spandex content. I put them in the wash (on cool/low heat) and hoped maybe they’d soften up a touch. I also noted that the waistband appeared to be an elastic (standard) with a single zigzag stitch done around the perimeter. This is a bit unusual but I figured it was a cost saving measure that likely explained the great deals – compared to stitching the top and bottom, this allows the waistband to exist and stretch with only one quick run through the sewing machine.
Stretching
Well…….here is where things get a little yikes.
A “pouring myself into vinyl pants with baby powder in the summer to go to a rock show” endeavor, if you will.
Basically, I had to lay back on my bed and yank HARD after carefully finagling my apparently Hobbit-sized feet through the ankle openings.
I thought maybe since it had been a bit since I ordered I had made an error in choosing sizing, but double checking the size chart reassured me I hadn’t. I started my routine hoping they’d loosen up as they warmed up. This did not happen.
After I realized I couldn’t bend my knee past about 90 degrees comfortably and that my leg flesh was about to compromise the integrity of the mesh panels, I peeled them off and I regret to inform you, wrote off the other two parts of this review as unachievable.
At least they have good pockets.
Yikes 2: the Yikening
I went back to the POP Fit site determined to absolve myself of the sizing issue and verified that the size chart I had snapshotted at order time was still the one on the site, which said I fit into Medium’s range. Then I tried Googling around about sizing or fit for the brand and that turned up this Legging Descriptions page.
It seems to indicate that all leggings should have more information regarding their fit and that many call for sizing up – but feel it’s important to note this was not mentioned or indicated on the item page. The Lily w/Pockets item had a Sizing Guide link, and it was to a series of images with inch and size indicators like the one above. The item page also didn’t seem to say anything like “ultra slim fit” – here is the text I pulled at time of writing from the item’s description under heading
Fit: “Athleisure Collection designed for all day wear and durability. Squat Test Approved. High-Waisted with Light Compression (reaches belly button).”
To me, this says I should use my natural waist measurement because it’ll be high rise, and that it’ll be about as tight as I typically expect workout leggings to fit. Frankly, I’m not sure how they squat -tested it, because they functioned like full leg knee sleeves on me preventing a full range of motion.
As an aside, they also offer a POP VIP monthly recurring plan that seems to be like a subscription service. I did not sign up for this despite some very tempting sign-up offers because I have commitment issues.
Overall Thoughts + Grade
These were a mega bummer for me, not least because I’m disappointed I couldn’t provide a more thorough review. My dedication is strong but the divots on my flesh from a ten minute wear were, uh, stronger, I guess. On one hand, I’m pleased to be able to illustrate that the brand DOES exist and you CAN most likely receive a pair of trendy workout leggings for $14.99.
On the other, I find it to be a pretty large issue to have seemingly inaccurate or, at best, outdated sizing charts – especially when there are no brick and mortar retails and a strict return policy with restocking fees. I could see these potentially for people with mostly more boring taste (no shade, this is me) who just want one pair of trendy Instagram workout pants for a low cost, but if you would like to do this I’d advise you to become familiar with their store policies and size up at least one, if not two, sizes from their measurements listed.
Since I wasn’t able to complete a full review or even my first activity due to the fit issue, POP Fit will currently sit with an F. I won’t rule out a second chance, but I have a list of other deserving candidates to try out first.
-Sandbag K
Kerstyn is a remote member of the Smash fam, residing in sunny vegetarian friendly California. When not pumping iron she works in computer security and also enjoys martial arts and trying new sports. She met Lis Smash in 2018 at the CrossFit South Cobb powerlifting camp that Lis coached. And then she moved across the country like a jerk. Follow her on Insta at @thescullyeffect.
