I never used to wear sweatpants.
There are a lot of instances where I can say the phrase, “ignorance is bliss” is true, but sweatpants isn’t one of those instances.
My knowledge of sweatpants extended to the stretched-out, worn-down pairs I got as hand-me-downs from growing up with two older brothers. I grew up with a body resembling a corn stalk, so stretched-out sweatpants rarely fit and weren’t that comfortable, which led me to mentally write them off.
Decades later, my sweatpant-loving wife got around to showing me the joys of a good pair of sweats. Me thinking that they were only ever rough, baggy, and tattered couldn’t be further from the truth.
Wanting to make up for lost time, I went on a hunt to find the best sweatpants for men that money could buy.
I’ve unpacked the six best sweatpants for men below so you can avoid sweatpant ignorance and spend more time in luxurious, cozy comfort.
6 Best Men’s Sweatpants in 2023
Best Overall: Elwood Clothing Core Sweatpant

Elwood Clothing began as a skate brand in the ‘90s and has been evolving ever since. Inspired by the fabrics, washes and silhouettes of pieces from this time, their current mission is to create vintage-inspired clothing that stands the
Their Core Sweatpant is a great example of this. Made with a classic, loose fit and 100% organic cotton, these sweatpants take after the vintage look of sweatpants from the ‘90s and vamp up the classic style with premium construction materials.
The Core Sweatpant is also made with 12 ounce brushed terry fabric, which is lightweight enough to be breathable and is also super soft.
Elwood garment washes these sweats before selling them, which gives them a softer feel but also helps to ensure that they’ll keep their size and shape.
If you like color options when it comes to your sweats, Elwood is the right place for you. Besides four core, neutral colors, there are 3 new seasonal color releases every quarter.
Best of all, these premium, vintage-inspired sweatpants are only $65. Compared to a lot of competing sweatpants, that’s a bargain.
What I Like
- These sweats are inspired by vintage materials and construction processes, which gives them a timeless, streetwear look.
- They’re garment washed to make them extra soft and ensure that they’ll keep their size and shape.
- They come in a huge selection of colors and don’t cost as much as competing sweatpants.
- They are made from high-quality materials (100% organic cotton) so that they stand the test of time.
What I Don’t Like
- I wouldn’t mind if they offered a slimmer fit alongside their classic fit, but I understand that that’s not exactly vintage-inspired.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers overall have good things to say about how comfortable the sweats are and how detail-oriented the brand is. Several other happy customers said that they won’t be buying their sweatpants from anywhere else.
The only negative review I could find came from a guy who thought the sweats were slightly too baggy, but every other reviewer seemed to be happy with the fit.
The Verdict
With more sweatpant brands for men than ever, you want to be sure you’re getting high-quality for a great value, which is where Elwood shines. These garment-washed, vintage-inspired sweats are made with 100% organic cotton and brushed terry fabric that is soft and comfortable and will stand up to wear and tear.
If you’re in the market for quality sweatpants with a wide variety of colors and affordable pricing, Elwood’s Core Sweatpant is our top pick.
These garment-washed, vintage-inspired sweats are made with 100% organic cotton and brushed terry fabric that is soft and comfortable and will stand up to wear and tear. If you’re in the market for quality sweatpants with a wide variety of colors and affordable pricing, Elwood’s Core Sweatpant is our top pick.
Best Athletic: Vuori Balboa Pant
If you’re the kind of guy who prefers a tighter fit to your sweats but can’t find a pair that doesn’t look like shrink wrap on your thighs and glutes, I recommend Vuori’s Balboa Pants.
These sweats are made with extra room in the thighs and seat to accommodate dudes that didn’t skip leg day, or just have larger than average legs and glutes and appreciate the extra space.
Vuori constructs these sweats with peached cotton, which is a construction process that takes cotton-twill, brushes it, and then trims it to give a super soft, sueded touch, kind of like a peach.
They’re also constructed with elastane, which gives four-way stretch to the cotton and makes them great for dynamic movements that you might do while working out, or while flipping over on the couch during a nap.
What I Like
- They have extra room in the thighs and seat for guys with big legs who want the extra space.
- The peached cotton is super soft and feels luxurious.
- The fabric combination of cotton and elastane gives the sweats 4-way stretch, which makes them great for the gym and other athletic endeavors.
What I Don’t Like
- There are only two colors to choose from.
What Other Reviewers Say
These sweats are well-loved. Happy and comfortable customers loved the cut and how soft they are, and several others appreciated the 30” inseam, which is longer than lots of sweatpants.
Of the few negative reviews I could find, several mentioned that the sweats weren’t as durable as they would have hoped.
The Verdict
Between the peached cotton and elastane fabric and extra room in the legs, these sweatpants are made for comfort, whether that be lounging at home, running errands, or going to the gym.
If you’re looking for stretchy, roomy sweatpants that can handle some movement, Vuori’s Balboa Pants are a good place to start.
Between the peached cotton and elastane fabric and extra room in the legs, these sweatpants are made for comfort, whether that be lounging at home, running errands, or going to the gym. If you’re looking for stretchy, roomy sweatpants that can handle some movement, Vuori’s Balboa Pants are a good place to start.
Best Budget Pick: Amazon Essentials Fleece Sweatpant
If you’ve read this far and think that $65 for a pair of sweatpants as an affordable option is a ludicrous notion, Amazon’s Essentials brand has a pair of Fleece Sweatpants that are up your alley.
These bad boys come in at under $20 and offer classic sweatpant comfort through a blend of cotton and polyester fabric.
Unlike most classic sweatpants, these don’t have a cuffed hem and instead go straight down over the ankle. This makes them great for lounging, but this isn’t the most stylish sweatpant to wear out and about, like lots of people do these days.
The high polyester content in the fabric makes these pants stretch and breathe well, and they’re unlikely to lose their shape as a result.
Amazon offers 22 different color options for these, and since the price is so cheap, picking up multiple colors is easy on the wallet.
What I Like
- These are super affordable and don’t make me feel even an ounce of the guilt I might feel from splurging on a pricey pair of sweats.
- The cotton and polyester fabric blend is soft, stretchy, and breathable for all-day comfort.
- There are 22 colors to choose from, which means you don’t have to stick to the typical heather gray or black.
What I Don’t Like
- The straight leg construction without a cuff isn’t the most stylish look.
What Other Reviewers Say
These sweats have tons of positive reviews. Happy dudes love how well they fit, the color options, the fabric thickness, and how strong and durable the sweatpants are.
Several disappointed reviewers said that the pants stretched out after a few washes and that the pockets were too small to hold a phone and wallet well, but these reviews were few and far between.
The Verdict
While they don’t come in the most stylish of cuts, these basic sweats are friendly on your wallet and have ample comfort for all-day lounging.
If you’re on a budget and in need of a classic pair of comfy sweats with a ton of color options, Amazon Essentials’ Fleece Sweatpants offer a lot of bang for your buck.
While they don’t come in the most stylish of cuts, these basic sweats are friendly on your wallet and have ample comfort for all-day lounging. If you’re on a budget and in need of a classic pair of comfy sweats with a ton of color options, Amazon Essentials’ Fleece Sweatpants offer a lot of bang for your buck.
Best for Outside the House: Public Rec ADED Pant
There comes a time for everyone when you have to leave the house but don’t want to leave the comfort of your sweats, and that’s where the Public Rec All Day Every Day (ADED) Pant comes in.
From a construction style standpoint, these pants are nearly identical to sweatpants, but feature a faux fly in the front to make them look more like jeans or chinos. They’re made with a blend of nylon and spandex that drapes well and is super comfortable, but also looks neat enough to wear out and about without feeling like a bum.
Or, if you want to stay in all day and watch Netflix until your eyes melt, the blend of nylon and spandex is stretchy and breathable enough to keep you comfortable for all-day lounging.
The ADED Pants also come with two zippered front pockets, which will keep your phone and other valuables secure if you decide to go out while wearing them.
Although they command a hefty price tag, you’re paying for the versatility, all-day comfort, and ability to wear sweats to events you normally wouldn’t, like the local bar, new casual restaurant, and even some casual work environments.
What I Like
- These sweats look closer to jeans or chinos than sweatpants, but offer the same level of comfort.
- The nylon and spandex blend makes them stretchy and breathable, and also gives them a sharp, clean look.
- You can choose an inseam length up to 36 inches, which is great for tall guys.
What I Don’t Like
- The price might be too prohibitive if you’re on a budget.
- The back pockets make these look a little too much like sweatpants, in my opinion.
What Other Reviewers Say
Public Rec’s ADED Pants have rave reviews from guys who have made them their go-to pick for work, golf, and travel. Happy customers love how the pants fit, the sleek look, and the fact that they can wear sweatpants to work with no one noticing.
There are very few negative reviews, but of the ones I found several mentioned that the fit was more baggy than they expected it to be, and they wished that the pants were slightly slimmer.
The Verdict
It’s probably most guy’s dreams to wear sweatpants to work, and now you can. The smooth drape and sharp profile from the nylon and spandex fabric makes these pants nice enough to wear out and about while still offering the comfort of sweats.
If you’ve been looking for a pair of sweats that are socially-appropriate to wear out to nicer venues than the gym, I recommend Public Rec’s All Day Every Day Pant.
While its price places it at the premium end of the Leisurewear market, we think the All Day Every Day Pant justifies its price tag given its innovativeness, quality construction, and luxurious comfort.
Best Lightweight: lululemon City Sweat Jogger

Some dudes just run hot, like me.
My wife frequently refers to my body as a furnace—not because of any physical attributes, but because of the sheer amount of heat I put off while in a restful state. Because of this, I appreciate a lightweight pair of sweatpants, likelululemon’s City Sweat Joggers.
These pants are made with a breezy blend of polyester, cotton, and Lycra fabric, which helps the pants stretch and also maintain their shape. They’re cut to have a tapered fit, which is more slim through the leg but not tight.
Since these are joggers, they have a stretchy ankle cuff at the hem which adds to the overall taper of the pants.
The fabric blend makes these sweats naturally breathable, and also wicks away sweat and dries quickly if you decide to workout, go for a run, or just happen to sweat while having an intense binge session.
What I Like
- The fabric blend is lightweight, naturally breathable, and keeps me dry and cool during any activity.
- The Lycra fabric helps these pants keep their shape, which will prevent them from stretching out after a few washes.
- These come in a good selection of colors, and have a choice of inseam lengths up to 32 inches.
What I Don’t Like
- The tapered fit isn’t as slim as I would like for working out or running. It’s great for lounging around the house, but a little baggy for my preference when doing dynamic movements. That said, I don’t have massive legs so it might be just right if you’ve got legs like a horse.
What Other Reviewers Say
These sweatpants have great reviews overall. Happy customers love the lightweight, breathable material and fit, and many mentioned that they can be dressed up slightly for smart casual outfits.
I found a few negative reviews that mentioned the fabric pilled after minimal usage, but the majority of guys didn’t seem to have an issue with this.
The Verdict
These premium sweats are lightweight, breathable, stretchy, and great for lounging and working out alike. The Lycra fabric helps them to maintain their shape and not get deformed, and the lightweight polyester and cotton blend wicks moisture and has quick-dry properties.
If you’ve got some cash to drop and want a durable, breathable pair of lightweight sweatpants, I recommend lululemon’s City Sweat Joggers.
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.
Most Durable: Champion Reverse Weave Sweatpants
While you’d expect it from a pair of hand-me-down, tattered sweatpants like the ones I grew up with, lots of newer sweatpants tear, pill, and generally get ruined faster than they should.
If this has happened to you more times than you’d like, it’s high time to get a pair of durable sweats, like Champion’s Reverse Weave Sweatpants.
These sweats are made with a standard fit that runs on the slim side, and are constructed from a heavier blend of cotton and polyester that provides ample warmth.
Champion has been around for a while, and the recipe for making these pants has hardly changed in the last 80 years. This means that they still feature the hefty double-stitching that was originally used in the construction process, and which made them so durable in the first place.
The Reverse Weave Sweats are also constructed with a gusset in the crotch area, which lends extra strength to areas that typically tear and also provides additional range of motion.
You can usually pick these sweats up at the comfortable price point of $30, and you have 24 color options to pick from so you can lounge in style.
What I Like
- The double-stitching construction process makes these sweatpants super strong and unlikely to rip or tear.
- The gusset reinforces the crotch area, which is a frequent culprit for tears and rips, and also gives additional mobility and range of motion.
- They come in 24 different colors.
What I Don’t Like
- These sweats have a wide waistband, which I usually don’t find comfortable when sitting or lounging.
- They only come with a 30.5” inseam.
What Other Reviewers Say
These have great reviews. Satisfied customers said they love the reverse weave cotton material and appreciate how durable the construction is overall.
Although these pants are described to have a traditional, baggier fit, many reviewers said they’re a lot slimmer than expected. Many recommended ordering a size up for a more relaxed cut.
The Verdict
In a world full of flimsy sweats, it’s good to have a pair that you can rely on to stay durable for the long haul. The double-stitching construction process and gusset ensure that these pants won’t rip any time soon, and Champion doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg for quality sweats.
If you’re in need of some hefty sweatpants that won’t need to be thrown away after a few washes, give Champion’s Reverse Weave Sweatpants a look.
In a world full of flimsy sweats, it’s good to have a pair that you can rely on to stay durable for the long haul. The double-stitching construction process and gusset ensure that these pants won’t rip any time soon, and Champion doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg for quality sweats. If you’re in need of some hefty sweatpants that won’t need to be thrown away after a few washes, give these a look.
3 Key Things to Consider When Buying Sweatpants
1. Your Budget
Sweatpants can get surprisingly expensive, so many options can be ruled out quickly if you’re operating on a tight budget. That said, you can still find plenty of quality sweatpants for cheap, like Amazon Essentials’ Fleece Sweatpant and Champion’s Reverse Weave Sweats.
If you’ve got money to drop, though, the sweatpant world is your oyster. Elwood’s Core Sweatpant is a good middle-of-the-road option, and Public Rec and lululemon are great premium picks.
2. Your Use Case

There’s nothing I want to do in sweats besides lounging and being comfortable, but some guys like to take their sweats to the gym. If that sounds like you, get a lightweight pair of sweats that can breathe, wick moisture, and has some extra room in the seat and thighs.
If you’re like me and throw on a pair of sweats to be comfy around the house, go with thicker sweats that have a higher cotton composition. Elwood’s Core Sweatpant is a great choice here, which is made with 100% organic cotton and has a comfortable, relaxed fit.
3. The Fit

Like normal pants or jeans, sweatpants can either be skin tight or baggy to the extent that they barely stay up. This is a matter of preference, so choose your sweatpants accordingly.
Get Your Sweats
Between these six pairs of sweatpants, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a pair that works for your budget, your intended use cases, and your desired fit.
If you’re in the market for a go-to pair of sweats that’s constructed well, soft, stylish, and won’t punish your bank account, I recommend Elwood’s Core Sweatpants.
These garment-washed, vintage-inspired sweats are made with 100% organic cotton and brushed terry fabric that is soft and comfortable and will stand up to wear and tear. If you’re in the market for quality sweatpants with a wide variety of colors and affordable pricing, Elwood’s Core Sweatpant is our top pick.
Guys who have athletic legs, plan to hit the gym in sweats, or just want some extra room in the seat and thighs will be well-served by Vuori’s Balboa Pants.
If you’re on a budget but still want to indulge in comfort, Amazon Essentials’ Fleece Sweatpants are friendly on the wallet and a solid pair of basic sweats.
I’ve always wanted to be able to wear sweatpants to the office, and if that sounds like you too, check out Public Rec’s ADED Pants.
If you’re the type of guy who runs hot, plans to do some running, or just prefers lightweight sweats, lululemon’s City Sweat Joggers are a great choice.
Lastly, if you’re tired of flimsy sweats and want something with double-stitching and a reinforced gusset, go with Champion’s Reverse Weave Sweatpants.
Know a guy who’s been wearing the same stained, raggedy sweats for far too many years? Share this article with him! He’ll thank you when he’s more comfortable than he ever thought possible.
FAQs
What’s the difference between jogger sweatpants and regular sweatpants?
Joggers are typically made with a more lightweight material than regular sweatpants, and they also taper to an elastic, straight cuff at the hem.
What should guys wear with sweatpants?
It’s most common for guys to wear sweatpants with a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and sneakers, but if the sweatpants are nice enough you can wear them with nice leather sneakers, a premium t-shirt or polo, and a bomber jacket.
Should you wear sweatpants to the gym?
You can wear sweatpants to the gym, but as their name suggests, be prepared to sweat. Sweats are typically made from heavy, cotton fabric that doesn’t breathe very well, so once your blood gets pumping you’ll likely sweat profusely.