The 15 Best Workout Pants to Get You Moving

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Picture this: You set your alarm extra early to hit the gym before heading to the office, only to pull on your trusty pair of workout pants and find out that there's a giant tear down the back from your last barbell squat. It could be a problem, but we see it as a shopping opportunity. Maybe it was meant to happen because now you can get yourself pair that's made to workout in and made to last.

It's time to stop rolling up to Equinox in your ratty sweats. Instead, opt for a pair of workout pants that are sweat-wicking and breathable, but also flattering. Ariel Padilla, NYC-based spin instructor and personal trainer, gave us his expertise on how to pick the best pair for you. "The most important thing I look for in workout pants is weight. Lightweight and stretch is by far the most important to me," says Padilla.

He adds, "At the gym, I like to do my warmup in pants and then usually swap them for shorts. In the fall and winter, I love an outdoor run in Central Park in my favorite lightweight Dri-FIT pants." We've got more info on this particular pair below.

So now that you've decided to grow up and get a pair of real workout pants, we've got the 15 best ones for you to choose from. From Lululemon to Champion, our favorite brands are about to help you up your gym game.

Vital Workout Pants

If you like to run outside or play rec sports all fall long, these wind-resistant pants from Under Armour are a stellar pick. The mesh lining makes them breathable, and the ripstop fabric gives you movability.

Everyday Fitted Ankle Pants

These OG sweats from Champion are a closet staple. They might be a little bit thicker, but they are great for lifting due to their durability.

Surge Joggers

Naturally, Lululemon is going to be on the list. Take it from Padilla, who says, "I’m obsessed with the Lululemon Surge Hybrid Pant. I’ve got them in a few colors. They also transition into my day-to-day athleisure."

Joggers

Known for their lifting equipment, Rogue makes more than just plates and barbells. The ergonomic joggers have durable rubbing on the cuffs and waistband, with roomy pockets big enough to fit your phone.

High Stride Pants

Lightweight and tapered, these OV joggers are everything you need for a workout—and they're stylish enough to wear beyond the gym too.

Sunday Performance Joggers

If you haven't tried Vuori's clothing yet, well, that's about to change. The Sunday Performance joggers are soft and stretchy, designed with less bulk around your ankle.

Essentials Training Sweatpants

The no-frills design is giving you a steady and stable pant that you can rely on for any workout.

Co-Op Pants

Something about Alo's pants just look good. Like really good. And since looks aren't everything, they are also water-repellant and boast invisible pockets.

Ace Sweatpants

A micro-brushed French Terry meets a tailored silhouette in Mack Weldon's Ace pants.

Therma Pants

As the name states, these pants are for braving all the elements as you break a sweat. They are flexible and ventilated, with a super soft fleece lining to keep you insulated at all times.

Track Pants

One of our favorite running shoe brands also delivers high-quality sweatpants, in case you didn't know. Subtle pockets, a side zip, and adjustable elastic waist are only a few things that make these your new go-to style.

Track Pants

Maybe you want just a little bit of prep in your step. So choose this pair for when you want to hit the gym in a little bit of branded style.

Transit Tech Pants

With a five-year guarantee on any pair, Janji is promising you quality that will last. The recycled polyester gives a lightweight and stretch design to this pair, perfect for running, hitting the gym, or going about your day-to-life.

Blended Merino Wool Track Pants

No Bull means no bull. These temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, odor-resisting track pants are everything you could ask for and more.

Tiro 21 Pants

The iconic triple stripes aren't going anywhere anytime soon. You can never go wrong with a pair of Adidas sweats, and they are also going to last you for years to come.

What To Look For

You're going to want to listen to Ariel Padilla on this one—look for breathability, weight, and stretch when choosing workout pants.

Usually, styles with mesh are going to be a lot more breathable than, say, a ripstop polyester or fleece option. But if you're the kind of guy who likes to do your runs outdoors in the middle of winter, then, hey, maybe the thicker, the better. Factor in what your workouts are, as well as where they are; if you're indoors, shorts should be fine.

If you prefer a close-to-the-body fit, then somethingtapered is the right move, but if you want things to be as roomy as possible, opt for a baggier pair of pants. The most important thing is that you're comfortable during your workout, unencumbered by your workout gear.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not about writing how great things are if they aren’t actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups are carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to workout pants, 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 workouts, whether that includes running the NYC Marathon or hitting the gym during lunch. We've had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these workout pants 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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