The 20 Best Joggers for Your Next Run. Or Not.

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Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what defines a jogger, as opposed to, say, a sweatpant? Is it the slimness of the fit? The type of hem? The fabric? In the pursuit of some form of working definition of a jogger that relies on a little more than just a feeling, man, let's try to establish what exactly we're talking about here.

Generally speaking, joggers are a happy medium between sweatpants and trousers. They're going to be slim fit. This is a style, after all, that originated because a lot of guys just couldn't get on board with the idea of wearing the more generously cut sweatpants they lounged in on the couch for pursuits that would take them, you know... outside. More often than not, joggers are going to have a flat hem as opposed to an internal elastic band. And a lot of the time, they're going to be made from fleece or a performance fabric, all the better to add to the jogger's overall sleekness.

There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part: joggers are a skinnier cut of loungewear, more casual than a trouser, more chic and ready for the world than sweats. Sounds perfect, right? Once you find the joggers that feel right to you, then all you need to do is buy and wear. With a camp shirt, a chore coat, and some slides to pick up coffee. With a T-shirt, a track jacket, and classic runners to walk the dog. With a different T-shirt and some slippers on the couch. You could even throw on some proper running shoes and a tank top and actually... jog in your joggers. Hey, it could happen! But before it does, you'll need to start shopping for your new jogger pants. Start with this list, and trust your instincts.

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Active Basic Jogger Pants

If you think you're going to beat this price, well...good luck out there, buddy. These fleece-lined joggers are the perfect everyday sweatpants—they're lightweight enough to wear while running errands but still comfortable enough to wear while kicking back at home. Plus, they have extra-big pockets on each side of the leg, so you'll never lose track of your shit.

What Do Buyers Say? "The best joggers I have ever owned! They feel very high quality and have super deep pockets. They fit exactly as expected, and I have already ordered more," says one amazon.com customer.

Fleece Jogger Pant

With a relaxed fit and tapered legs, these Amazon joggers are slim, sleek, and simple—enough said. Go ahead and stock up now before they sell out.

What Do Buyers Say? "Good value for basic two-pocket joggers with cuffs at the ankle. Fleece is soft and fairly thick, so it should be good for chilly days and nights," says one amazon.com customer.

Fleece Joggers

Remember that CrossFit class you promised yourself you'd get back to once the cold weather ended? Yeah, these joggers are perfect for that (and the hangout session afterward). Under Armour is known for creating versatile performance apparel, and this light and breathable style is no exception.

What Do Buyers Say? "I like everything about these. They’re very comfortable to work out in or just sit around and relax," says one amazon.com customer.

Ripstop Traveler Jogger

Prefer your joggers more on the casual side of things? We present to you this Vuori pair in lightweight ripstop. Crafted with an articulated knee for added mobility, they're coated with Teflon for increased fabric strength and stain resistance (but try to be more careful next time). Perfect for daily wear, they feel more like a classic pair of chinos than they do joggers.

Atlas Jogger

Mack Weldon is a virtual titan in the sweats arena, and this Atlas jogger—made of super soft, moisture-wicking, (mostly) sustainable fibers—proves it. Streamlined and adaptable, this pair is modern, weather-resistant, and ready to move with you.

What Do Buyers Say? "Great joggers! The material is lightweight and moves easily. The fit is perfect, and the length is exactly what I like," says one mackweldon.com customer.

Reverse Weave Jogger Pants

Champion, a brand that became popular with college students and sports stars in the early 90s, is no stranger to the athleisure game. In our testing, we found that their Reverse Weave Jogger Pants have all the comfort and durability of the company's beloved Reverse Weave fleece—and is just a slimmed-down and streamlined version!

What Do Buyers Say? “These are the perfect joggers. Fit is great, they look great, and they hold up in the wash for a long time,” says one amazon.com customer.

Heritage Brushed Rib-Knit Jogger Pant

In brushed, rib-knit cotton, these joggers expertly toe the line between leisure and luxury. They're soft, functional, and reliable, so whether you wear 'em to WFH or work out, you're going to be comfortable and cozy with no doubt.

Eversoft Fleece Joggers

You know those guys who make your favorite go-to underwear? And if you don't, we suggest you get on that ASAP. Yeah, they make some pretty damn good, cozy, pocketed joggers, too. Fruit of the Loom's Eversoft Fleece Joggers are moisture-wicking, breathable, and have an adjustable waist, and we can't emphasize enough just how comfortable they truly are.

What Do Buyers Say? “I love these pants. I love the pockets, I love the way they are cropped at the bottom, and they’re the only kind I ever want to wear,” says one walmart.com customer

Jogger Sweatpant with Pockets

At Esquire, we all agree that Hanes makes our favorite ultra-soft tee, so it only makes sense that the brand has an ultra-soft pair of joggers to match. Eco-smart and cozy, these joggers will become your new go-to for warming up, cooling down, or hanging back.

What Do Buyers Say? "These joggers are my absolute new favorite. Mid-weight, cozy, and warm, putting these on is the best feeling,” says one amazon.com customer.

Off-Duty Cashmere Jogger

Two words: treat yourself. Only the most luxurious of guys can handle these super soft, relaxed cashmere joggers. Crafted entirely from premium, sustainable cashmere, they can be worn just about anywhere and will give you an overall polished look.

What Do Buyers Say? "Perfect fit, love wearing these around the house or on errands," says one naadam.com customer.

Midweight Slim Joggers

From the certified purveyors of loungewear (Champion) and the certified purveyors of fresh, chic menswear (Todd Snyder) comes a collab we can't resist. These have the feel of joggers you want to wear inside, with the look of joggers you'd totally wear outside. In other words, you'll probably want to hit "add to cart" now.

Alpine Polartec 100 Pants

The North Face knows how to outfit you for cold weather. On those chilly, bitter days, you're going to want to reach for these—whether you actually make it out on your run or you end up on the couch is up in the air, though (and honestly, we don't blame you).

What Do Buyers Say? "Super soft, cozy, warm, and deep pockets. I love the color, too," says one northface.com customer.

Bamboo Jogger Pant

It's in the brand name, really: these are cozy AF. Made from bamboo-derived viscose, these joggers feel like pajamas that you just want to wear everywhere. Whether you're stepping out or staying in, they'll become your softest all-season staple.

What Do Buyers Say? "These pants are so comfortable you’ll want to wear them every day," says one cozyearth.com customer.

City Sweat Jogger

Quick-drying, sweat-wicking, and tapered to the nines, this jogger is great for runs in the city—and any environment, for that matter. They give your glutes and thighs room to breathe and even come with a hand pocket with a hidden phone sleeve.

What Do Buyers Say? "The city joggers are a staple in my closet. They look great with a pair of runners and have a great fit," says one lululemom.com customer.

Club Fleece Joggers

Of course, a roundup of joggers isn't complete without The Swoosh, a brand that pretty much dominates the athletic wear market. And it does so by offering up goods that are always up to snuff like this elevated pair.

Vintage Soft Joggers

Over the past year, Gap has leveled up its joggers, offering retro-inspired, cushy, super-comfortable options in nearly every color imaginable. Our experts had no notes on this pair and found them to be extra soft, supportive, and overall the perfect fit.

What Do Buyers Say? "These are a must-have in everyone's closet, quality is superior and the fit is true to size," says one gap.com customer.

AO Jogger

Durable and clean, these joggers double as streetwear. Designed with mobility and comfort in mind, you can't go wrong no matter where you decide to wear 'em.

What Do Buyers Say? "The joggers are my favorite pants to wear. They're great for everyday life and also dressy enough for meetings. Extremely comfortable. I just need to complete the rest of the colors," says one cutsclothing.com customer.

YPB motionTEK Training Jogger

Now these are some joggers for running in! With performance fabric, zip ankles, and a thin, flexible elastic waistband, they'll help you take your workout to the next level. They have almost everything: lightweight and stretchy material, pockets, and even laser-cut ventilation. The only thing they're missing is a running buddy (and that's you).

What Do Buyers Say? "Great material, feels good, and looks great," says one abercrombie.com customer.

Terry Pajama Joggers

UGG keeps it simple, and more importantly, they keep it warm 'n' cozy AF. Although these joggers are super-soft, they won't overheat you. Just pair them with fuzzy slippers and your favorite movie, and you'll never want to leave the house again.

What Do Buyers Say? "Super soft and comfy, and very warm without overheating. Plus, the drawstring waist is a nice feature," says one nordstrom.com customer.

Vances Joggers

Joggers you can wear to the office? Say less. This pair by Vance Jeans look as good in a professional setting as they do lounging on your couch, and are stretchy and comfortable enough to wear all day—from work to play.

What Do Buyers Say? "Best joggers I've ever owned," says one mugsyjeans.com customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between sweatpants and joggers?

Generally, joggers are thinner, slimmer, and more socially acceptable to wear out and about than sweatpants. Because they're crafted from a thinner material, joggers are more breathable and have better cooling effects than sweatpants, too. While both styles have a similar silhouette, you'll often see joggers tapered from the knee down, giving them a chic, versatile look.

Are joggers good for working out in?

Joggers are great for working out in. Because they're warm yet breathable, they can retain heat while allowing your skin to cool down, too, so outdoor runners especially will love 'em. Because they usually aren't too baggy and fit relatively close to the legs, they also don't get in the way for weight lifting.

Tips for Choosing

Consider the features, weight, and material of your joggers before you buy a pair. Not all joggers are made alike, as evidenced by the 20 listed here; some have pockets, some have adjustable waistbands, some have zippered ankles, and some don't! Depending on what you're wearing these for— the gym versus the couch, for example—you're going to want to prioritize having some features over others.

If you want something super soft and cozy, picks that have, say, brushed fleece will be fantastic. But maybe you want something lightweight, breathable, and flexible, better suited to an actual jog than to the jog you do between your fridge and your sofa while the commercial break is on.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to joggers, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear, whether that includes binge-watching a TV show or hitting the gym during lunch. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these joggers are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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