⚠️ Eligibility Check: FREE RETURN + INSTANT REFUND.
Standard Alo Yoga returns take 10–14+ Days to process. While the return label is free, Alo does not offer direct online exchanges, meaning you must "Return & Rebuy," tying up your cash for weeks. However, select zip codes are now eligible for Fee-Free Drop-offs and Immediate Refunds via Closo. Check your status before you print a label.
There is a specific kind of "Wellness" confidence you buy into when you order a matching Alo Airlift set. You see the celebrities wearing it to get matcha, and you convince yourself that this is the outfit that will make you a morning person. You order the bra, the leggings, and maybe the oversized hoodie to complete the look.
But when the package arrives, the reality hits. The "High-Waist" leggings hit your ribcage weirdly. The bra straps dig in. The color "Bone" is a lot more sheer than you expected. You realize you need to swap sizes.
That was me last month. I had nearly $400 tied up in a set that didn't fit. I went to the site to swap the Medium for a Large, only to find that Alo does not offer direct exchanges. I had to return the items, wait for the refund, and buy the new sizes separately.
I didn't realize I had signed up for the "Double Pain." I had to spend another $400 to get the right sizes before they sold out, while my original $400 sat in logistical limbo for two weeks. I was effectively lending a luxury activewear brand nearly a grand just to get one outfit that fit.
If you are currently staring at a pair of leggings that are too long (and wondering does alo hem for free like Lululemon?), or trying to navigate the alo return policy for a gift, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve analyzed the fine print, the strict "30% Off" rule, and the logistics to help you get your money back without the headache.
How to return Alo items (The Slow & Costly Way)
Alo Yoga’s branding is all about flow and ease, but their return process can feel rigid. While they don't charge you for the label (a win), the "liquidity cost" of their return-and-rebuy model is a major friction point.
The Standard Mail-In Flow
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Start the Return: Go to the Alo Returns Portal. You’ll need your order number (starts with a number, usually) and email.
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Select Items: Choose the items you want to send back. You’ll notice there is no simple "Exchange Size" button that ships a new pair immediately. You are initiating a refund.
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Print the Label: They provide a prepaid UPS label. You need a printer.
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Pack the Bag: Reuse the sleek silver mailer if you didn't rip it open too aggressively.
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Drop It Off: Take it to a UPS Access Point.
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The Wait: The package travels via ground shipping to their distribution center (often in California). Once it arrives, it enters the inspection queue.
The Financial Reality: The label is free, but the "Cost" is Cash Flow. If you return $200 of gear and buy $200 of replacements, you are out $400 until the refund hits. Plus, if you bought the original items during a sale that has since ended, you might have to pay full price for the replacement unless you battle with customer service for a price match.
This is the old way: You pay with your cash flow, and you wait for the bank. But if you live in a "Fast Zone," you can skip the wait. Use the tool below to see if your zip code qualifies for a Free Return with Instant Refund.
Common issues shoppers face with Alo returns
I’ve analyzed hundreds of consumer reports regarding the alo yoga return policy, and the frustration usually stems from the gap between the premium price tag and the "basic" service policy.
1. The "Final Sale" Trap (30% Rule)
This is the number one complaint.
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The Rule: Any item discounted 30% or more is Final Sale.
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The Pain: During the "Aloversary" sale or Black Friday, almost everything hits this threshold. Shoppers buy a jacket thinking they can return it if it doesn't fit, only to realize the system blocks the return entirely. Check your receipt: if it says "Final Sale," you own it.
2. No Free Hemming
If you are used to Lululemon, this is a shock.
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The Question: Does alo hem for free?
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The Answer: No. Alo stores do not offer in-house alterations. If those leggings are 3 inches too long, you have to pay a local tailor to fix them. Do not bring them to the store expecting a seamstress; they will politely turn you away.
3. The "Return & Rebuy" Loop
Because there are no direct exchanges, you run the risk of inventory selling out.
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The Risk: You return the Medium. You wait 5 days for the refund. By the time you get the money to buy the Large, the Large is out of stock. You are left with nothing.
4. Holiday Delays
During the holidays, the alo holiday return policy usually extends the window (e.g., items bought in Nov/Dec can be returned until Jan), but the processing time slows to a crawl. Refunds can take up to 21 days in January.
Here’s where it gets interesting... some neighborhoods have unlocked a way to bypass these delays and the "Rebuy" cash crunch.
The New Standard: Free Returns & Instant Refunds
While the standard alo return policy relies on slow trucks and credit card holds, third-party innovations are changing the game.
This is where services like Closo come in.
Closo acts as a bridge between you and the retailer, removing the friction points of the "Double Negative" (Wait + Cash Tie-Up).
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No Labels: You don't need a printer.
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No Rebuy Stress: You get your money back instantly, so you can buy the correct size immediately without double-charging your account.
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$0 Fees: In eligible zones, the process is entirely free.
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Instant Money: The moment you drop the item off at a local kiosk or partner location, the refund is triggered instantly.
Why many shoppers prefer using Closo
It comes down to liquidity. When you return a $120 hoodie via mail, that is $120 missing from your budget for two weeks.
With the Closo model (the "Double Positive"), you retain the full value of your purchase immediately. You hand over the item, scan a QR code, and by the time you walk back to your car, the notification is on your phone: Refund Processed.
It transforms the return from a "financial hold" into a simple errand, similar to grabbing a coffee.
Are you eligible for Free & Instant Returns?
Because this involves physical logistics and partnerships with local drop-off points, this premium service isn't active in every zip code for Alo yet. You need to verify your location.
This premium service isn't active in every zip code for Alo yet. You need to verify your location.
If the tool says "Not Active," don't worry. Enter your email to Vote for your Zip Code. We prioritize launching in neighborhoods with the most requests. Plus, voters are entered into our monthly sweepstakes to have their standard return fees reimbursed while they wait.
3 "Secret" Hacks for the Alo Return Policy
If you aren't in a Closo zone yet, or if you are stuck with a "Final Sale" item, you need to know how to maneuver through the system. Here are three methods to hack the policy.
Hack #1: The In-Store "Instant Exchange"
While the website forces you to return and rebuy, the physical stores are different.
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The Hack: Alo return policy in store allows for direct exchanges.
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The Strategy: Take your online order to a store. They can swap the size right there at the register. The money effectively transfers from one item to the other instantly, saving you the 2-week wait.
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Note: Stores cannot refund "Online Exclusive" items (like certain colors) to your card easily; they may offer store credit instead.
Hack #2: The "Defective" Loophole (For Final Sale)
Did you buy a Final Sale item that arrived with a loose seam or a stain?
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The Hack: Final Sale only applies to "Buyer's Remorse" (fit/preference). It does not apply to damaged goods.
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The Strategy: Email customer service with photos of the defect immediately. They are legally required to refund you or provide a replacement, even if the item was 40% off.
Hack #3: The "Shop Now" Credit (Use with Caution)
Alo's return portal sometimes offers a "Shop Now" credit option.
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The Hack: This gives you instant credit to buy a new item before you ship the old one back.
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The Catch: If you don't ship the old item back within a set time (usually 14-21 days), they charge your card again. Only use this if you are organized and can drop off the package the next day.
FAQ: People always ask me...
"When does Alo restock?"
Answer: There is no set day. When does alo restock depends on the distribution center. However, new "Drops" typically happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are waiting for a core color (Black, White) to restock, check early in the morning (around 6 AM PT). Limited edition colors rarely restock once sold out.
"What is the Alo return policy after 30 days?"
Answer: It is strict. The alo return policy after 30 days usually results in a rejection of the return label request. If you bring it in-store, a manager might offer store credit at the current selling price, but this is entirely discretionary. Don't count on it.
"Can I return Alo Wholesale items?"
Answer: No. If you bought Alo items through a gym or studio (via alo wholesale accounts), you cannot return them to an Alo retail store or the Alo website. You must return them to the specific gym or studio where you bought them, subject to their return policy.
Conclusion
Navigating the alo return policy is a balance of managing "Final Sale" risks and cash flow. The 30-day window and free shipping are standard, but the lack of direct online exchanges means you are constantly floating money while you wait for refunds.
You have a choice. You can follow the old rules: mail it back, wait 14 days, and rebuy the item. Or, you can check your eligibility for the modern solution.
Check if you can skip the wait and get your money back today.
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Lululemon vs. Alo: Which Return Policy Wins?
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The Truth About Alo's "Airlift" vs. "Airbrush" Sizing
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