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As the defining chill pant of the 2010s and a loungewear staple that rode the pandemic boom, there was a time when jogger pants practically sold themselves. And while some are of the opinion that the category is, by now, tired and overdone, the utter practicality of the best joggers for men prove the style still has its place in a modern fella’s closet.
Quite simply, many people have the need for pants that split the difference between loungewear and activewear. After all, there are errands to run. Long-haul trips to brave. Kids to collect from school. And if you’re lucky, a healthy dose of calisthenics in between. In these cases, the joggers are a rewarding, indulgent option to throw on, not for mere aesthetic reasons, but for utilitarian ones, too.
Regardless of styling, joggers are characterized (and differentiated from plain ol’ sweatpants) by several telling points: They’re made of lightweight, sporty fabrics, often with a drawstring waistband, and feature a tapered fit that's neither skin-tight nor sloppily oversized. And all of them have a cinched elastic ankle, whether you’ve got kicks to show off or not.
To help you find the best joggers out there today, I took one for the team and tested over 25 pairs, wearing them to walk the dog around my neighborhood, on vacation, to my workouts, and beyond. In the end, seven styles broke away from the pack, for different reasons. So whether you're in the market for an ultrasoft pair to wear around the house, or some tech-y, moisture-wicking joints for the gym, there’s a just-right pick here for everyone.
The Best Men's Jogger Pants, According to GQ
- Best Joggers Overall: Reigning Champ Coach’s Classic Jogger, $155
- Best Everyday Joggers: Alo Takeaway Track Pant, $148
- Best Lightweight Joggers: The North Face Wander Joggers 2.0, $70
- Most Versatile Joggers: Lululemon Classic ABC Jogger, $128
- Most Comfortable Joggers: Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger, $98
- Best Golf Joggers: Adidas Ultimate 365 Sport Jogger,
$100$70 - Best Cashmere Joggers: Nadaam Off-Duty Cashmere Jogger, $168
Best Joggers Overall: Reigning Champ Coach’s Classic Jogger
Fit: Classic | Fabric: 52% polyester, 48% recycled polyester | Sizing: XS-XXL | Colorways: Black, Navy, Carbon, Desert
When the mood calls for a pair of jogger pants, they should be stretchy without looking sloppy, breathable, and roomy enough to be comfortable no matter the position you’re in. No one pair of joggers are perfect, but the Coach’s Classic Jogger—from the basics specialists at Reigning Champ—comes alarmingly close. The pants clock in as our top recommendation for their simple sporty look, thoughtful (and tough) construction, and subtle taper that’s a world away from the too-skinny, over-primped joggers of yore.
Reigning Champ deserves the flowers it gets for its high-quality basics (see: GQ’s guide to the best hoodies), so it’s no surprise to see them out-hustle the competition again here. The wrinkle-resistant four-way knit fabric, featured across the brand’s entire Coach Series collection, is sturdy and substantial but also exceedingly comfortable for all day wear, while the side panels and diamond gusset at the crotch makes them easy to stretch out in. All of which is to say that if joggers work hard, Reigning Champ’s joggers work harder.
Best Everyday Joggers: Alo Takeaway Track Pant
Fit: Classic | Fabric: 100% nylon | Sizing: S-XXL | Colorways: Black, Bone, Midnight Green
If you’re wary about wearing joggers in public, Alo Yoga’s stealthy Takeaway Track Pant could be the ones you’ve been looking for. Taking their design cues from contemporary fashion, these swishy pants have a lightly textured material and slightly boxier fit that you won’t find in other joggers in this guide. They’re made from 100% nylon, which feels great to exercise in, but the extra room throughout the leg means you can also throw a simple tee on top and call it a day. Even better, the adjustable bungee cuff means you can switch these from casual to sport mode in a moment’s notice.
It’s worth noting that I also tested Alo’s popular Co-Op Pant, which I categorize as a true gym jogger. The Co-Op pants held up well to my HIIT workouts, but were just too slim for me to fully endorse. If that’s something you prefer, they might be right up your alley. But for our money, the Alo jogger to get is the Takeaway Track Pant, which hits all the marks of what a casual, everyday jogger should be in 2024.
Best Lightweight Joggers: The NorthFace Wander Joggers 2.0
Fit: Classic | Fabric: 100% nylon | Sizing: XS-3XL | Colorways: Black, Navy, Khaki, Smoked Pearl
As always, The North Face gets all the basics right. Their lightweight Wander Joggers 2.0 are made with a durable, stretchy and moisture-wicking fabric, and come in at nearly half the price of our other recommended joggers. They were also truly one of the most comfortable pairs I tested, even during an out-and-back hike in upstate New York, thanks to their thin, lightweight fabric and roomy cut. The North Face offers them in three lengths, an inclusive gesture that’ll help you hone in on the perfect fit.
What’s stayed with me about these joggers is that they’re deceivingly simple. So simple that they’ll slot seamlessly into any wardrobe, while also serving as true performance pants that’ll keep you cool whether you’re scrambling up hilly terrain, crowded subway steps, or the stairs of your fifth-floor walkup. Unlike other outdoor-minded joggers (like the Patagonia Terrebonnes) these have a more open, flowy fit, which in my opinion makes them a little more flattering and versatile for everyday wear.
Most Versatile Joggers: Lululemon Classic ABC Jogger
Fit: Classic or Slim | Fabric: 52% recycled polyester, 48% elastomultiester | Sizing: XS-5XL | Colorways: Silver Drop, Oasis Blue, Obsidian, Black, Nomad
When you picture joggers, there’s a high probability you’re visualizing Lululemon’s Classic ABC Jogger. The design has been a core part of the brand’s long-running ABC line—ABC stands for *cringes* “anti-ball-crushing”— which also includes the specific stretchy five-pocket pant chosen time and again by a certain subset of office workers (read: finance dudes) who want to stay comfortable while they crush their Excel sheets.
While we don’t really endorse wearing the ABC joggers with anything more formal than your swankiest loungewear, there’s a reason you do see so many folks out there pairing them with dressier sweaters and jackets. The four-way stretch fabric is comfortable as all get out, and they look right at home when worn to and from the gym, but they’re also “nice enough” to wear to the airport (and the airport lounge). And one thing we do truly admire about these joggers is they have the largest size run out of all the pairs we tested, going up to 5XL.
Most Comfortable Joggers: Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger
Fit: Slim | Fabric: 88% recycled polyester, 12% elastane | Sizing: XS-3XL | Colorways: 10 colors available
If “gateway jogger” was ever a thing, the title would belong to Vuori’s Sunday Performance Jogger. For the uninitiated, Vuori’s activewear is noted for its excellent performance and affordable price point. (With all due respect, the brand has sort of been eating Lululemon’s lunch over the past few years.) And between the stretchy, ultra-soft fabric and cozy overall fit, their joggers are some of the most respectable (and comfortable!) house pants you’ll find for under $100. They excel at the only two things that ultimately matter for a jogger: Lounging and working out.
The working out part was especially impressive to me, given that a lot of guys only really wear Vuori to relax in. But these held up to my sweat sessions, and were more than stretchy enough to take on everything from lunges to sprawls. A notable drawback is that the fabric does have a sheen to it, which makes them stick out a little more. Though hey, there’s no shame in being into that.
Best Golf Joggers: Adidas Ultimate 365 Sport Jogger
Fit: Classic | Fabric: 100% polyester | Sizing: S-XXL | Colorways: Charcoal, Collegiate Navy
For anyone interested in golf’s big makeover and on the hunt for a pair of joggers that can pull double-duty on the links, Adidas’ Ultimate 365 Sport Jogger was designed with a golf-specific stretchy fabric, giving you a full range of motion that won’t compromise your game, and a design that can transition from the course to the clubhouse in a snap.
One more nice detail about these joggers is that long front zip pockets can actually be zipped down a little further to reveal an open-weave breathable mesh insert that gives your legs some extra space on the links. For a pair of roomy pants that look great and won’t impact your swing, look no further.
Best Cashmere Joggers: Nadaam Off-Duty Cashmere Jogger
Fit: Classic | Fabric: 100% cashmere | Sizing: XS-XL | Colorways: 11 colorways
These were hands down the most stupid-comfortable joggers I tested. Like a cashmere blanket for your legs, these joggers are thin and roomy while still being comfortable, breathable, and cozy. Basically? They’re the platonic ideal of a house pant, designed for professional loungers and frequent long-haul fliers alike. In short: Unadulterated luxury.
Cashmere does have its drawbacks. For one, the exorbitant price, which understandably is a stretch for many. Second: For all comfort that comes with the cashmere, the fabric isn’t particularly sturdy, and therefore the pants overall lack structure. Still, for many people this will all be something worth looking past for the sheer pleasure that comes with putting these on.
More Joggers We Love
What to Look for in Jogger Pants
Today’s joggers are every bit as versatile as you want them to be. When it comes to choosing the best pair for you, your decision should always come down to intended use—are you looking for a gym-to-car pair, or a couch-to-bedroom fit? To get it right, you’ll want to take into account the following:
- Material: Most joggers will be made out of nylon with some polyester elastane built into the fabric for stretch. (Materials like these help joggers pull double-duty at the gym.) You’ll also see joggers made from cotton or fleece, which brings them closer to sweatpant territory. That’s all fine and great, just know those are less workout-friendly.
- Cut and Fit: These days, joggers are usually designed to be baggier at the seat with a tapered leg, which means zeroing in on fit can be hit-or-miss. If you like your pants with a looser fit, consider sizing up—there’s usually a drawstring to adjust the waist accordingly.
- Special features: You should look for joggers that have features that accommodate your intended uses. For example, those made with moisture-wicking fabric and finished with a water-repellent coating would be great for hiking and camping, while pairs with drawstring waistbands and big open warm pockets would be good for general lounging. Zippered pockets, on the other hand, would be ideal for running.
How We Tested
GQ has been tracking the rise and fall (and rise again!) of jogger pants since the 2010s. For this guide, I spoke with GQ staffers to bring together an array of contenders of past favorites and new entrants, and whittled the list down by looking at material, fit, and style. I then tested over 25 pairs myself in a variety of settings—including a 20-hour international flight—taking into account everything from appearance to durability. I also worked out with as many joggers as I could, taking note of performance aspects such as stretch and moisture-wicking ability.