You Probably Don't Have Enough Joggers In Your Wardrobe

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You’ve for sure dedicated some prime real estate to leggings in your workout drawer. But let’s not forget about joggers for women—an activewear MVP! First, they’re comfy, and TBH, no thanks to pants that aren’t. Second, they’re sporty but appear a bit more dressed-up than leggings or sweats. Most importantly, joggers come in all sorts of styles, from looser fits with a chilled-out vibe to moisture-wicking designs made to perform. For hiking? Yep. Running? As the name would imply! Boxing? Give us your best double jab-cross!

Knowing the diff between loungy and workout-y joggers is key when shopping for your ideal pair. [The latter] are usually thinner and come in performance fabrics, says Hearst executive fashion director Kristen Saladino. “They should feel like a second skin and be soft with some stretch.” Technically speaking, the cuff at the hem is the true calling card of a jogger,”

Sweatpant joggers, on the other hand, are cozy, comfy, and couch-bound with a relaxed fit and minimal construction, says Bandier’s SVP of design Ardith Singh. They’ll also typically come in thicker or bulky fabrics, per Saladino—something she does not recommend for workouts due to a lack of breathability and potential to restrict movement.

As for styling joggers? Wearers choice! A few of Saladino’s go-to ‘fits include cropped long sleeves and tees (bonus points for color coordination) and not-too-technical-looking sports bras. For a city-sleek vibe, she adds, “You can pair a satin bomber jacket or an evening jacket over joggers and wear them with heels for nighttime. Very Shay Mitchell.”

From lounge-worthy to workout-ready, ahead, the 15 best joggers ranked by Singh, Saladino, trainers, and the WH team. Plus, a few rave-reviewed pairs beloved by the shopping community.

In our opinion, the jogger is athleisure's best innovation, reigning as the sweet spot between leggings and sweatpants. They are the perfect choice when you’re looking to elevate your basic sweatpants, but don’t want to scream “I’m working out,” like the best leggings typically do. These versatile bottoms continue to seamlessly transition us from workout clothing to weekend lounging in a silhouette that feels universally flattering and comfortable to all.

When shopping for the best joggers for women, knowing the difference between lounge, workout, travel, or even dressy work-ready is key. Joggers for travel or workouts are usually thinner and come in performance fabrics, says WH executive fashion director Kristen Saladino. “They should feel like a second skin and be soft with some stretch."

Best Joggers For Women

What to consider

There are so many options when picking out joggers, so it’s important to consider where and when you plan to wear them to determine your level of dressiness, casualness, and fit. Additionally, keep these key points in mind while finding the perfect pair for you:

Fabric

Look for joggers made from breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton blends, polyester, or technical performance fabrics like spandex and nylon. These latter fabrics are engineered to be durable, lightweight, and less bulky, making them comfortable to wear and easy to pack for travel and outdoor adventures, especially when space and weight are a concern. If you’re looking for something a little more put-together, jersey and linen options are a great alternative and can be just as comfortable.

For those outdoor wearers, consider finding a pair that offers UV protection. Some technical fibers are treated with special coatings or have tightly woven fibers that block or absorb UV radiation, reducing your risk of skin damage and sunburn.

Fit

Waist and rise play an important role in determining the fit of your joggers. High-rise with a wide flat waistband can be a very flattering look and provide a more secure fit during movement. Additionally, your leg shape and length also play a role in determining how a particular pair of joggers looks on you. If you’re on the petite side and want a more elevated look, opt for a ⅞ length to avoid the excess bunching around your ankles.

Size also plays an important role in how your joggers fit. All options on this list have a large size range, so you have the options to size up if you want a baggier fit, or down for a tighter look.

How we chose

As Women's Health editors, we practically live in joggers. For this story, our editors combed through testing notes to find joggers that offered the best fit and were made with the best fabrics and materials. We also consulted with two style experts to determine what to look for in compression leggings. We also tapped our team of anonymous testers to share their feedback on our final picks. All the winners on this list have been vetted and tested by our editors and writers.

With so many ways to wear joggers, they're a no-brainer to add to your wardrobe. From lounge-worthy to workout-ready pieces, here are eight of the best joggers for women, according to style experts, editors, and testers.

Soft Jersey Classic-Fit Mid-Rise Jogger

If Lululemon’s Align leggings are your go-to, then it’s almost guaranteed you will love their soft jersey joggers just as much (or even more). While the sweat-wicking and quick-drying fabric means they can handle intense workouts, I prefer to wear them for low-intensity movements like casual walks, leisurely bike rides, and outdoor yoga. The fit is classic, meaning there’s plenty of room to breathe without being too baggy, and they sit mid-rise. For fellow petite ladies, there’s a 23-inch option, so we too can wear them at a ⅞ length. Lululemon thinks of it all.

Read more: Best Lululemon Leggings

Sonja Fleece Sweatpants

These simple fleece joggers feature a streamlined design that effortlessly transitions from the gym to the streets. They’re made with a relaxed fit and feature moisture-wicking and quick-drying technology that doesn't feel stiff or crinkly like other performance fabrics.

The inside feels like a warm blanket on a chilly day, making them a healthy cross between lounge and performance wear. Each color option features a contrast drawstring that creates the perfect blend of fashion and function. And with the tapered leg design and flattering fit, it maintains its sleek silhouette with an utterly cozy and pajama-like feel.

Sol Cotton Sweatpants

Do you have a variety of sweatpants but continue to wear, wash, and repeat one single pair because it just feels superior? That's what this pair is to me. I'm even wearing Spiritual Gangster's Sol Cotton sweats as I type this. It's a pair you'll never want to take off and will remain your top choice through well over a year of washing, even if they begin to pill a bit.

If that doesn't sell you, take note that they are roomy and ultra cozy with a lightweight fleece-lined inner. Plus, they have a flexible waistband that never digs in to your sides. I tend to fluctuate weight throughout a month, and these joggers remain flattering every single day.

Mixed Media Reinvention Jogger

The Alo Yoga Mixed Media joggers are a contemporary fusion of style and functionality that has totally redefined activewear. They will elevate your street style during a casual day out or even when running errands. Plus, they're spotted on numerous celebrities in paparazzi photos.

Even though the waist is not adjustable, I wear the jogger as a high- or low-waisted pant, and love how versatile it is in fit and and function, meaning it is performance ready in a stretchy, moveable material. Additionally, the bottom cuffs are modifiable and can be unbuttoned for a casual straight-leg feel. This pant immediately brings confidence and take any athleisure look to a whole new level.

Performance Joggers

If you own anything from Vuori, let it be its Performance Jogger. It is the epitome of jogger pants, striking the perfect balance of comfort and performance features. The brand is so confident in having the softest and dreamiest fabric, that it put a patent on it. Referred to "the pants you’ll never want to take off," it's made from premium four-way stretch material that’s 89 percent recycled. With thoughtful details like a drawstring waistband and pockets for added convenience, this mid-rise jogger is as practical as it is stylish.

I wear them at the gym, for sunset walks on the beach, and when napping on the couch. It features a slimmer low profile option that doesn't feel big, baggy, and relaxed.

Read more: Best Travel Pants For Women

Cascade Jogger

Joggers are the superior pants choice when it comes to outdoor activities, and this option from FP Movement brings all the technical features. From a rip stop fabric to an adjustable waistband, pockets, and four-way stretch, you can climb, move, and trek through the elements in this baby. Most importantly though, it is water resistant, so you'll remain dry if you get caught in the rain.

The ultra stretchy bottom accentuates your footwear and socks, while the silhouette is a slimmer fit to avoid slowing you down. It has a high-waisted fit and is in a neutral color to coordinate with just about anything.

Gary Yoga Pants

This pant is soft and comfortable, runs true-to-size, and flatters all body types. It is stretchy with a wide slimming waistband, and comes in a buttery lightweight material that's easy to move in. I found it held its shape even while in a downward dog, or a pigeon pose. With soft sweat-wicking material, you really don't need anything else in a quality pair of joggers.

WH assistant social media editor Isabel McMahon says this Sweaty Betty jogger is her favorite pair of sweats. "I wear it literally everywhere—grocery shopping, yoga, self-defense class, even on a casual night out with friends," she says." In fact, her friend stole it from her and refused to give it back because it was so darn comfortable, she notes. Another tester notes that she loved this jogger so much, she bought a second pair.

Meet the experts

• Desiree Miranda is an NYC-based stylist and owner of Miranda New York.

• Leena Alsulaiman is a stylist at Anthropologie.

Are joggers flattering?

As with nearly every piece of clothing, the key in determining whether or not joggers are flattering is how they're styled. “For most body types, joggers are a flattering style,” says Desiree Miranda, NYC-based stylist and owner of Miranda New York. “However, they typically work best on women with a 'straight' frame."

Curvier women can, of course, pull them off, too, but the cinched ankle details joggers have sometimes can shrink you.” For those curvier folks, Miranda suggests opting for a jogger style that is high-waisted and a little baggier.

What's the difference between joggers and sweatpants?

Joggers and sweatpants are similar in style and comfort but have subtle differences. Style coach and stylist at Anthropologie Leena Alsulaiman says that joggers tend to have a more tapered fit. They're loose, but may sometimes have a more cleaner look than sweatpants.

"Joggers have carved their niche in fashion as a stylish and contemporary alternative to traditional sweatpants," Alsulaiman says. "With their tapered fit, elasticized cuffs, and tailored aesthetic, joggers strike a balance between comfort and fashion-forwardness."

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