lululemon’s ABC Joggers are wildly popular, and they’re near the top of my list of the best joggers a guy can get.
Well, my dog chewed the drawstrings up and I got paint all over my first pair when I moved into my new house about six months ago.
Missing that fresh jogger feeling, I decided to hit up lululemon again for a new pair and I was surprised at how many types of joggers they have now.
When I say surprised, I really mean confused. I thought there was only one kind of jogger? Wrong.
Doing what any normal person would do, I bought them all and compared them side-by-side so you can get a better idea of which lululemon joggers are best for you.
Why Should You Trust Me?
I bought the four most popular lululemon joggers and tested them against each other.
Joggers occupy a unique place in a man’s wardrobe: a lot of guys wear joggers exclusively for comfort around the house, some dudes wear them as their normal, everyday pants, and other guys wear them to the gym.
If you’re about to drop some cashola on lululemon joggers, you probably want something that can handle all three situations. That said, you’ll probably also be favoring your joggers for one of those use-cases.
For me, that’s going to the gym and post-gym. In any case, my biggest considerations when comparing lululemon joggers are, in order:
- Fit and style (no shame—they must look good)
- Comfort
- Secure pockets for holding stuff
- Breathability
My lululemon Jogger Recommendations
Most Versatile: ABC Jogger
The lululemon ABC Jogger is the OG of the lineup, and it was one of the first major men’s joggers that really made the whole “athleisure” thing popular.
If you didn’t already know, the word on the street is that ABC stands for “anti-ball crushing.” lulu doesn’t mention that any more, but it’s the truth: I’ve been wearing ABC joggers for years and have had exactly zero crushed balls.
In my opinion, the ABC Jogger is still the most versatile lululemon jogger you can get, and it’s one of the best joggers period.
lululemon does a fantastic job of offering a ton of different sizes and fits: you can get the ABC in size XS-XXXL, and in inseams 28”, 30”, and 32”. Plus there are tall 34” inseam versions and skinny fit versions. It’s insane.
So basically, no matter what your body type is, there’s an ABC Jogger for you. But beyond the variety, I like the ABC Jogger the best because it covers everything I want a jogger to do and it’s sort of a “middle of the road.” If I could only get one lulu jogger, it’d definitely be the ABC.
The fabric is relatively thick, so it looks crisp when styled for a casual get together, but it’s not heavy so you can also hit a workout in it without overheating.
To me, the ABC Jogger is your best choice if you want something you can relax in, workout in, and also style for a Saturday cookout.
What I Like
- The regular fit leaves room in the thigh and seat, but has a nice taper through the leg so they’re naturally slimming and make you look taller.
- The pockets are deep in front and there are a few zippers as well so you can secure wallets, keys, and phones easily.
- The amount of color, size, and fit options is easily the best across any brand I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot).
What I Don’t Like
- These are the generalists—there are lululemon joggers better for working out, and some better for lounging. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you have specific plans for your joggers, then you may want a different style.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers are using their ABC Joggers for all kinds of things: riding bikes, chilling on the couch, impressing their wives with their superb style. There are over 1,000 reviews you can read on the lululemon site, but to spare you the time, probably the biggest benefit that gets mentioned is that these don’t pill after dozens of washes like many other brands do.
The Verdict
If you’re just getting one pair of lululemon joggers and you want them to “do it all,” then get the ABC Joggers.
I’ve found the ABC Jogger to be a jack of all trades—it’s stylish, comfortable, and allows for a lot of venting and mobility during a workout.
That said, if you’re just getting joggers for relaxation, the At Ease Jogger is better suited for you. And if you’re only going to HIIT classes in your new joggers, something like the Surge Jogger is a good pick.
But if you want joggers because they look cool and are comfortable, then the ABC is my top recommendation.
These technical looking joggers are lightweight and comfortable, and the longer inseams make them a fantastic option for guys who are sick of hearing "hows the weather up there?"
Most Comfortable: At Ease Jogger
With a name like the At Ease Jogger, it’s no wonder these won my top pick for the most comfortable lululemon joggers.
If I was a man back in the 1950s, I would’ve been the kind of guy who always wore a suit. How do I know? I almost always wear jeans around the house and my wife thinks I’m weird. As I grow older and more mature, I’m understanding the power of a good lounge pant, however.
So I picked up the At Ease, mainly because I love the textured knit fabric. They have a sort of pebbled diamond pattern that drips with hygge (the Danish art of coziness—sweaters, hot coco…all that good stuff).
While I’m normally not a fan of wearing super casual clothes out and about, the At Ease looks fantastic for those weekend morning coffee runs.
The At Ease is made mostly with cotton, though there’s some polyester and elastane woven in the fabric to give it the classic lululemon 4-way stretch.
What I Like
- There’s one sneaky zipper pocket in the front right so you can keep your cards secure if you venture out in these.
- The textured pattern gives these a unique style.
- They have a slim-tapered fit, so even though they’re built for comfort, they still look great.
What I Don’t Like
- You can only get them with a 29” inseam. I’m 6’1” and the inseam length is good for me, but if you’re 6’4” or taller, you may want a longer inseam.
What Other Reviewers Say
A lot of reviewers claim to have picked up two, three, or even four pairs once they got their first shipment. I can see getting two pairs of these, but four? I don’t know about that. There’s only so much stylish lounging a person can do. Whichever way you slice it, it’s always a good sign when people are coming back for more.
The Verdict
If you’re getting joggers for a mix of style and comfort, then the At Ease Jogger is the way to go. I wouldn’t wear these working out, though, which is the main reason they don’t win my overall pick.
But I’m still absolutely pumped on my At Ease Joggers because the textured knit gives them a unique look that feels rich.
You definitely want to have higher end joggers when wearing them out in public to avoid just looking like you’re wearing pajamas. The At Ease Joggers hit that target.
If you’re getting joggers for a mix of style and comfort, then the At Ease Jogger is the way to go. I wouldn’t wear these working out, though, which is the main reason they don’t win my overall "most versatile" pick from Lululemon. But I’m still absolutely pumped on my At Ease Joggers because the textured knit gives them a unique look that feels rich.
Best for Workouts: Surge Jogger
Sometimes, after a long weekend, you have to get on an Assault Bike and sweat the demons out.
And I can’t think of a better jogger for that then the lululemon Surge.
These remind me a lot of the Public Rec Stadium Jogger, which I’ve loved for several years now. But the material feels more substantial, particularly around the waist band, and the ankle elastic is a bit stiffer (in a good way).
I picked up my Surge Joggers in the black and charcoal camo colorway so I can give off major alpha CrossFit vibes in the gym and I gotta say—I don’t think it’s working.
Jokes aside, these are my favorite joggers for working out. They have two fully zippered pockets in the front, which I love. I always start off with jump rope to get warmed up, and I often worry my phone is going to fly out, but it’s never going to happen with the Surge.
These are entirely nylon and elastane, so they’re super stretchy and very lightweight and breathable. They’re extremely comfortable, but they’re not the soft kind of fabric I’d typically want when deciding to take a three-hour nap on the couch.
What I Like
- The two zippered pockets in front make it easy to safely store your phone, even if you’re jumping rope.
- The zips along the ankle don’t come undone, and the elastic is nice and tight so they stay up if you want to wear them an inch or two up your leg (which I do).
- The high percentage of elastane (21%) gives the Surge more stretch than you’ll ever need.
What I Don’t Like
- There’s a lot of room in the hips and seat, which is great from a mobility and comfort perspective, but with my body type, they look a little big.
What Other Reviewers Say
A few reviewers said these run small, though I felt they actually run a bit large. So what gives? After reading through all the reviews, I’ve come to the conclusion that heftier guys shouldn’t get the Surge, at least from a style perspective. You’d be better suited with the ABC Jogger instead.
The Surge fabric is thinner and less structured, and it looks best on dudes with a slim frame (don’t worry, I don’t have a slim frame, either).
The Verdict
The Surge Jogger is the ultimate workout-focused option from lululemon. Because it has looser and thinner fabric (both of which make it excellent for pumping iron in), it can also look sloppier on bigger guys.
I’m about 200lbs at 6’1” and my athletic body type means my hips, thighs, and seat are on the larger side. For me, the fabric looseness is clutch for workouts, but I’m not so crazy about them for style purposes.
A lot of reviewers said they love the style, though. But something tells me that’s coming from slimmer dudes than myself.
So if you’re looking for a jogger specifically for working out, the Surge is your best option. But if you want to make sure you’re still stylish, and maybe want to do a few workouts a month in your new joggers, then get the ABC Joggers.
If you’re looking for a jogger specifically for working out, the Surge is your best option. But if you want to make sure you’re still stylish, and maybe want to do a few workouts a month in your new joggers, then get the ABC Joggers.
Best for Sunday Afternoon: City Sweat Jogger
A usual Sunday for me looks like going to my local cafe, getting a great cup of coffee and eating a fatty cinnamon roll, and then running my errands for the week ahead (which usually means just buying a ton of chicken).
For that kind of relaxed day, I want something that looks great, is comfortable, and has special pockets where I don’t have to worry about my wallet falling out.
This is where the City Sweat Jogger comes in.
Due to the high percentage of cotton woven into the fabric, these look a lot like your standard sweatpants, except they fit super well and actually look good.
The City Sweat is definitely on the chill side of the style spectrum. I wouldn’t wear them to a first date coffee meetup (though maybe the ABC or At Ease would do if she had major acai bowl vibes).
What I Like
- The high percentage of cotton makes these soft feel like sweats, without looking too much like a regular pair of sweats.
- A zippered back pocket allows for secure wallet storage.
- The front pockets are nice and deep.
What I Don’t Like
- They’re a bit wide in the thighs and seat.
What Other Reviewers Say
A lot of reviewers stated that they got the City Sweat as a winter jogger, which makes sense. They feature two layers, a synthetic core and a shell with cotton woven in. I can confirm these are nice and warm when the weather cools off.
The Verdict
If you want a pair of sweatpants without looking like you just rolled out of bed, get the lululemon City Sweat.
I still prefer the At Ease for true lounging, and I think the ABC is a better choice for an all-rounder, but the City Sweat has its charm and I’m glad I have it.
If you want a pair of sweatpants without looking like you just rolled out of bed, get the lululemon City Sweat. I still prefer the At Ease for true lounging, and I think the ABC is a better choice for an all-rounder, but the City Sweat has its charm and I’m glad I have it.
How Do lululemon Joggers Fit?
I’ve noticed there are two “types” of lululemon jogger fits. There’s a slim-all-the-way, and a tapered athletic type fit.
What do I mean by that?
Well, my ABC Joggers and my At Ease Joggers didn’t feel like they had too much loose fabric in the seat or thighs—particularly in the “upper leg” area near my crotch. They were neat and slim all the way through.
My Surge and City Sweat Joggers on the other hand are a bit loose and bulky in that area.
I still like the fit and think they look good, but the Surge and City Sweat don’t feel as trim and sharp as my ABC and At Ease.
If you’re in-between sizes, I think you could size up with the ABC and At Ease and they wouldn’t look too big. But for the Surge and City Sweat, err on the smaller side. Because those fabrics are thinner, they look better when there isn’t too much fabric to swim in.
Overall, compared to other brands, lululemon joggers are on the slimmer and more stylish side. I really like the look of them, and I think lululemon does an amazing job making their joggers actually cool looking.
How to Wash lululemon Joggers
I have a ton of athleisure wear and I’ve noticed that if I throw all my clothes in the washing machine at the same time, some of my synthetic fabric clothes (i.e. joggers) can fray and pill faster.
So for this batch of lululemon joggers, I make sure to turn my joggers inside out, wash them with cold water, and I only wash with other athleisure clothes. I think my jeans were giving my joggers the ol’ back-alley hustle when I wasn’t looking.
Also, make sure your zippers are zipped. The little teeth can catch when everything is mixed together and cause pilling faster or pull threads of fabric.
Last pro tip: use about half the amount of detergent you normally would for a full load of laundry. Synthetic fabrics like what you get on all Lululemon joggers don’t need nearly as much cleaning power as organic fibers like cotton. Plus, too much detergent can wear away the stain resistance that many of these joggers have.
Even if you get the City Sweat or the At Ease, which have around 50% cotton in their fabric blends, you still don’t need that full dose of detergent.
Which Is Right for You?
Let’s make lululemonade, am I right? Ok, moving on…
Overall, if I can only recommend one lululemon jogger, it’d be the ABC Joggers. They’re a perfect balance for everything I want from a jogger: stylish, comfortable, and down to pump iron.
These technical looking joggers are lightweight and comfortable, and the longer inseams make them a fantastic option for guys who are sick of hearing "hows the weather up there?"
My runner up is the At Ease, which is best for that “I woke up like this” type of attitude. They’re super cool looking and very comfortable.
If you’re getting joggers for a mix of style and comfort, then the At Ease Jogger is the way to go. I wouldn’t wear these working out, though, which is the main reason they don’t win my overall "most versatile" pick from Lululemon. But I’m still absolutely pumped on my At Ease Joggers because the textured knit gives them a unique look that feels rich.
The Surge is a fantastic jogger for working out, but I’d be cautious about them if you’re a big guy like me. I think from a style perspective, the fabric is a little loose and can make big dudes look bigger. But if you’re just working out in them, they’re also my favorite joggers for the gym.
So which ones are you getting?
FAQs
Are lululemon joggers worth it?
Yes,lululemon joggers are worth the money if you want a jogger that doubles well for style purposes. If you’re just hitting the gym or don’t care about how your pants look, then a pair of cheap gym shorts will do fine. And if you want something that’s just comfortable and you know your dog won’t judge, then cheap sweats will work. But if you want something stylish, comfortable, and up to a tough workout, lululemon joggers are great.
Can you alter lululemon joggers?
You probably could get lululemon joggers altered, but I don’t recommend it. If they don’t fit at first, exchange them for another size. They offer so many sizes and cuts that you’ll find something that works.
What brand is comparable to lululemon?
For pure style, I like Public Rec as another great athleisure brand for men. And if you’re more into fitness, definitely check out Vuori, which is my favorite sport and fitness brand.
