Review

    Tasc Performance Nola Crop, Audubon Racer Yoga Apparel

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    Nola Crop

    Nola Crop

    Earlier this summer, Tasc Performance sent me a set of yoga apparel to review for ActionHub. I practice at a studio three to six times a week and daily at home, so I’m always on the hunt for comfortable, affordable clothing to wear while on my mat. In slow flow classes, I can get away with wearing thicker running tights, but those definitely don’t work when I’m dripping in sweat after a power yoga class. I wanted breathable clothing that worked in all classes, as I try to keep it varied.

    I’m not one to typically go for high-price items, but rather search for discounted apparel that still hold many of the same features as the expensive stuff. Although Tasc’s products may still be considered high to some, they’re far less than the brands that offer pants for $100 per pair.

    I’ve been wearing the Nola Crop pants and the Audubon Racer at least once a week for the past two months and, overall, I’m impressed. Both are extremely lightweight and breathable, need little readjustment during class, are made of extremely soft materials, and look good too. A little background on the brand before I dive into the details of each piece—the company is based in New Orleans and is operated by the Andrews family, who have worked in the garment industry for more than 40 years. In 2009, they began searching for an alternative to polyester athletic apparel that left many people with skin irritations and a bad odor in the clothes after a workout.

    The company spent two years conducting natural fiber research and textile engineering. From it, the BamCo fabric finishing process was created. The fabric is moisture wicking, durable, is anti-odor, and is incredibly soft. While those claims are stated plainly on the website, I tend to agree with most of them. After a lengthy testing period, Tasc Performance was born in 2013.

    Nola Crop

    When I first put these pants on, I was worried everyone could see my underwear because of how lightweight they are. Fortunately, I grew to understand the lightweight, soft material was not see-through, but I have to admit that I don’t feel totally comfortable wearing them outside of class or at home. I still get the feeling like I have nothing on, which is actually a huge plus when it comes to the comfort of the material. They stick to your skin, but not in a bad way. Moisture easily wicks away, making these ideal for a Bikram class.

    An added feature was a lack of bad odor after they’ve been sitting unwashed after a sweaty class. I was able to re-wear the Nola Crops many times between washes, and the BamCo material eased any concerns I had of being the smelly kid in class. Also, they fit really well despite reviewing the wrong size. I ordered a large just to be safe, as I wear between a medium and a large—I should have gone with a medium. Overall, the apparel runs a bit large and I had the same problem with the shirt. However, a slight sizing issue didn’t leave me disappointed. The waistband was of medium thickness and needed little readjustment.

    The only other issue I had was the length. I’m 5’11” and the crop hit a bit below my knee, making them roll up and bunch quite often. I know this isn’t a problem most people will have, but if you’re taller, I’d go for the regular Nola Legging, which retails for $58. The Nola Crop retails for $50, which I consider to be a good price considering how comfortable they are, in addition to the high quality and comfort of the materials. I’m getting to the point in my life where I realize I must spend a bit more in order for my clothing to last years, however, I’d cap that at $50 for a pair of yoga pants.

    Audubon Racer in Sprout.

    Audubon Racer in Sprout.

    Audubon Racer

    Aside from the Sprout color option of lime green/yellow and hot pink that I wasn’t too crazy about, I loved this tank. I tend to stick to black or other earth tones, but I received a number of compliments on the style and color of this shirt (the pink band of color doesn’t come around to the front—more images can be viewed on the product page). The shirt is also available in Black or Watermelon (hot pink/bright blue), and retails for $32, but is currently on sale for $19. Price wise, I considered it to be on point, especially for how many great features it had.

    To note, I also ordered this in a large when I should have gotten a medium, so it was slightly big around my stomach and waist. This only caused problems during inversions, but I noticed the shirt has shrunk a bit with a few washes. I would order your normal size, as they run a bit big and tend to shrink some. It’s described as semi-fitted, which is important to pay attention to before purchasing. While the top of the shirt is fitted, the bottom hangs a bit. For yoga, I wanted something completely fitted that wouldn’t move around between poses. For running or weight lifting, I found the fit to be perfect. Tasc has a selection of completely form-fitted tanks, so I’d check those out instead for use in future yoga classes.

    Similar to the Nola Crop pants, I loved how lightweight and breathable the tank was, as well as the softness of the material. I was never overheating in class, and it almost felt like I had nothing on. I still had a large range of movement and didn’t feel restricted in any way. The Audubon Racer includes Bamboo Performance Technology, which is made for intense workouts. It also features Flowmesh insets that allow the body to breathe, and is made of 55 percent organic cotton, 50 percent viscose from bamboo, and five percent elastane. To note, I would hang dry the tank rather than put it in the dryer—you’ll notice slight pilling of the fabric otherwise.

    Overall, Tasc Performance has left me satisfied with their products, mainly because of how soft and breathable they are. I plan to purchase more apparel from them, specifically the Nola Legging and more tanks. In addition to yoga-specific clothing, the brand also offers apparel for a number of other fitness activities.

    Images courtesy of Tasc Performance