Over the past few years, men’s joggers have become just as important to the men’s style portfolio as dark denim. They fit perfectly into the significant shift in men’s fashion toward a more casual, comfortable aesthetic that’s defined by the rise of streetwear and athleisure, as well as a general acceptance that everyone can find versatile personal style in all of their wardrobe choices.
What’s the Difference Between Joggers and Sweatpants?
Are all joggers sweatpants? Are all sweatpants joggers? Is this another “is a square a rectangle and vice versa” argument? And does it really matter? Both generally tend to be comfortable, loose-fitting garments often made with cotton. Both are intended for some sort of athletic performance. But joggers are often made of a more breathable material for activities and sweatpants being made of a heavier material for warmth. While this remains true in most cases, the lines are incredibly blurred these days.
There’s no hard and fast rule about what separates the best men’s sweatpants from the best joggers for men except that joggers tend to be cut more flatteringly and are far more acceptable to wear in public. There’s often a taper down the leg or at the ankle rather than the more boxy look of sweatpants. We’re not saying you should wear any pair of sweatpants–tapered joggers or otherwise–to date night, but there are ways to style men’s joggers to have them fit in more occasions than you might initially think.
How To Style Men’s Joggers
Style is highly personal. What may work for one person may be abhorrent to someone else. That said, there are a few different vibes that you’re going to give off depending on how you decide to style your joggers. What was once clearly stuck among couch attire now doesn’t seem all that out of place on a grocery store run, coffeeshop work session, or happy hour. It all just depends on the rest of your ensemble when you style men’s joggers. Just always remember the main fit rule: joggers should be slim-fitting but not too tight, and the length should fall just above the shoe.
- Pair joggers with a casual button-up shirt or a simple t-shirt for a relaxed yet put-together look.
- Layer a denim or leather jacket over a graphic t-shirt and joggers for a more edgy look.
- Dress up joggers by pairing them with a blazer, dress shirt, and dress shoes for a more formal look that doesn’t try too hard.
- Layer a hoodie or sweater over joggers and pair them with sneakers for a comfortable and casual look.
- Experiment with different fabrics and textures, like wool or corduroy joggers for a more unique-to-you look.
The Best Men’s Joggers
Champion Reverse Weave Joggers
When it comes to old-school athletic wear classics, it’s not a stretch to declare Champion one of the makers of the best sweatpants for men. These classic, track-inspired men’s joggers are made with a standard fit and ribbed cuffs from Champion’s legendary heavyweight Reverse Weave fleece for the perfect combination of softness, stretch, durability, and retro vibes.
Adidas Classics 3-Stripe Pants
There’s a chance you’ve been sliding into 3-Stripes workout apparel with Trefoil logos since you were a kid. The Adidas Classics 3-Stripe Pants with sustainable fleece cotton construction, traditional detailing, and secure zip pockets are an upgrade from the standard workout pants.
Bonobos The WFHQ Pants
Whether you’re talking suits, trousers, or denim, Bonobos has been a go-to menswear shop for the better part of a decade. The WFHQ Pants are one of the best garments they’ve ever produced. Equal parts perfectly worn chinos paired with jogger comfort and details, these zip-fly/drawstring-waist pants are perfect for working from home, errands, or even happy hour.
Nike Tech Fleece Joggers
Regardless of any style-focused attributes or performance-based features, joggers will still always be athletic apparel. When it comes to all things athletic apparel, there’s one name that is almost inarguably the greatest sports brand of all time: Nike. The Nike Tech Fleece Jogger Sweatpants are built with a relaxed comfort fit at the waist down through a taper below the knee (with a separate zippered side pocket) to create a pair of functional, warm, and stylish pants with just the right amount of Swoosh branding.
Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger
A true-to-form version of men’s joggers, the Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger is made with a special mid-weight premium technical knit fabric to keep you moving with little to no bulk around your ankles. They still have a hefty inseam and relaxed fit for comfort, along with the stereotypical tapered leg and cuff, but these are the kind of lightweight joggers you could actually wear for a jog, transition into a coffee run, get some business done, and then get with your better half without having to worry about looking sloppy or feeling sweaty. If you had one pair of joggers to get, this is the best option.
Mack Weldon Atlas Jogger
As with all things Mack Weldon, these might look like a stylish and simple pair of pants, but they’re so much more. Soft, naturally moisture-wicking comfortable construction. Sophisticated tailoring and premium fabric technology. Water and wrinkle resistance. Made from recycled plastic bottles. Added stretch and articulated knees. Expertly muted and classic black, navy, and heather gray colorways. Mack Weldon’s Atlas Jogger is the gold standard for men.
L.L.Bean Signature Heritage Cargo Sweatpants
For more than a century, L.L.Bean has been outfitting men across the world with the best of the best in outdoor gear. It should come as no surprise that their take on jogger sweatpants is made with a little something extra in the way of huge side pockets and some additional cargo pockets for good measure. Pair those details with a cotton/poly/spandex French terry construction for maximum comfort and ease of wear and you have the recipe for a pair of pants that will become part of your regular rotation.
Rhone Spar Jogger
Rhone’s Spar Jogger is made with soft, durable, and stretchy fabric. It has a full interior leg gusset, zippered back pocket and two hand pockets, a drawstring for adjustable waist, and three solid colorways that pair well with everything.
Lululemon ABC Jogger Warpstreme
Lululemon was at the forefront of athleisure, and it’s hard to talk about the category without at least some mention of the brand. And it’s for good reason: Lululemon makes some of the best athletic apparel options on the market. The Lululemon ABC Jogger Warpstreme is the perfect example. They’re comfortable, versatile, incredibly well-built, breathable, outfitted with hidden media/coin pockets along with a secure back pocket, and built with the kind of everyday performance that allows you to wear them multiple days in a row without having to worry about getting yelled at for doing just that.
