Get Cozy and Stylish With 11 of the Best Sweatpants for Men

You used to have two options for sweatpants: the casual and the athletic, with nothing really in between and certainly nothing you could wear outside without feeling sloppy or judged.

But thanks to the rise of athleisure and the advent of joggers, sweatpants have transcended their humble roots to assume their rightful place as a distinctly modern and versatile piece of clothing. Far from being the uniform of couch potatoes, the best sweatpants for men are now a streetwear necessity.

With that change in perspective brought changes to the marketplace, and now you can buy sweatpants or joggers designed for every occasion: work, travel, sleep, play and more.

Even though most Americans are stuck in their homes right now, we won’t be stuck there forever. Whether you’re looking for cozy sweatpants to wear at home or technical sweats you can wear when the days of sweet freedom return, there are great options available.

We rounded up 11 of the best men’s sweatpants to get you through these hermetic times and beyond. And because the best sweatpants for you will depend on what you want to use them for, we’ve included pros and cons for each of our picks.

1. Mack Weldon Ace Sweatpant

Pros: These premium men’s sweatpants have a tailored fit, complete with back-ribbed ankle cuffs and are designed to be worn every day. Micro-sanded French terry cotton and a bit of stretch make these super comfortable. Plus, you can choose from over a dozen colors.

Cons: They are pretty pricey for sweatpants when you can pick up a pair of generic sweats for $12 at Walmart. They also have a drawstring waist, which looks less professional, making these sweats less versatile. They also don’t mention what material gives the pants their stretch, though it’s probably polyester, elastic or spandex.

2. Rhone Commuter Jogger

Pros: Rhone’s Commuter Joggers are posh enough for the super, super casual office yet comfortable enough for travel. They’re made from a Flexknit fabric with polyester, so they’ve got a nice bit of stretch.

Cons: Because they’re designed to resemble khakis, these joggers are pushing the definition of sweatpants and they certainly won’t feel as comfy as traditional, roomier sweatpants. Also, $128 is an objectively large amount of money for most people, especially when you consider spending it on what are basically cotton pants.

3. adidas Outline Sweat Pants

Pros: These sweatpants have a sharp, athletic look. That’s no surprise, as Adidas has been in the sweatpants game for decades, and the brand’s athletic styles of sweatpants remain as popular as ever. Like a lot of the best men’s sweatpants, these adidas Outline Sweat Pants offer a fresh take on a classic 90s look. They’re tapered in the legs for a slim look that’s fitted and sporty but not too tight. The ankles are also cuffed to help keep the cold out and the warmth in. In the warmer months, wear these sweats with no-show socks and your favorite sneakers.

Cons: These sweats are made from a blend of cotton and polyester fleece to keep you warm. The warmer your sweatpants are designed to be, the more likely you are to actually sweat, and sweat on fleece can feel sticky and unpleasant.

4. Bombas Men’s Cotton Sweatpants

Pros: Bombas Men’s Cotton Sweatpants are casual and versatile, perfect for hanging around the house or going for a walk or run. Reinforced stitching ensures durability and zip pockets will keep your worldly possessions safe from the dreaded no-man’s land between the couch cushions. The real kicker of these sweatpants though is the company’s signature promise to donate a pair for every pair purchased. So when you buy these sweatpants, you can feel good literally and figuratively, a true win-win.

Cons: If you like a bit of elasticity in your sweatpants, these are 100% cotton, so they’ll stretch a bit, but over time and washes, they might not retain their shape as well. Also, these sweatpants, coincidentally like Mack Weldon’s, cost $78, which again is nothing to sneeze at for sweatpants.

5. Champion Men’s Jersey Jogger

Pros: When you think of classic sweatpants brands, Champion cannot (or should not!) be far from your mind. Champion’s designs have stood the test of time because they continue to promise casual comfort at a great value. These Jersey Jogger sweatpants take Champion’s classic design and bring it into the modern era with a more tapered look. Whether you’re wearing ‘em to chill or to dunk on your friends in basketball, you’ll never go out of style in Champion and, dare I say, you’ll feel like a champion.

Cons: These are all-around great sweatpants, but you’re not getting much more beyond that. No zip pockets, no spandex or elastics for added flexibility, truly no bells and whistles. That’s a pro for some people, but definitely a con for others looking for a more sophisticated sweatpant.

6. Todd Snyder x Champion Slim Jogger Sweatpant

Pros: Thankfully, if you dig Champion’s sweatpants but wanted something on the fancier side, the Todd Snyder x Champion line of clothing is exactly what you’re looking for. These sweatpants take what’s great about Champion and mix in a few upgrades. These slim jogger sweatpants come in multiple colors and feature French terry cotton, elastic cuffs, a ribbed waist and interior chain-stitched seams for extra reinforcement and durability. These sweatpants are high-quality and stylish, and you’ll feel that when you walk around.

Cons: After a certain dollar value, a pair of sweatpants likely offers you everything you need, so the real question to ask is whether the price is worth it to you. For most people, $118 is too much to drop on a pair of sweats, even high-quality ones. But if you’ve got the coin, these are some of the best sweatpants for men available right now.

7. Amazon Essentials Men’s Fleece Sweatpants

Pros: These are cheap, fleece sweatpants from Amazon. They’ll keep you cozy and warm and won’t break the bank. Enough said.

Cons: Amazon calls this line of products “Essentials” for a reason. You get the essentials, and that’s it. If you’re looking for a modern taper or strategically placed features, these are the wrong sweatpants for you.

8. Starter Men’s Jogger Sweatpants

Pros: Starter has been making premium basic athletic clothing since 1971 and has stuck around for good reason. Sometimes you just can’t beat a basic item made with just a little more attention to detail. These jogger sweatpants feature ultra-soft fleece, tapered legs and ribbed cuffs for a more modern cut. But Starter also added a back pocket — the most underrated sweatpant feature — and put the drawcord inside the front waistband so it doesn’t dangle out front for your cat to play with.

Cons: Though these are probably among the best basic men’s sweatpants options out there, they’re not perfect for all occasions. You probably couldn’t get away with these in a professional setting, and anything made with fleece will pill over time.

9. GoodLife Micro Terry Slim Sweatpant

Pros: GoodLife’s Micro Terry Slim Sweatpants are weird in the good way. The legs are tapered but not cuffed at the ankle, and the pockets resemble those on traditional carpenter pants for a classic yet modern look all at the same time.

Cons: These typically sell for about $100 (currently on sale for $59, which is a bargain) and the unique styling may be a turnoff for some.

10. Nike Men’s Therma Dri-Fit Training Pants

Pros: No list of the best sweatpants would be complete without Nike. What can anyone say about Nike’s athletic wear? To start, Nike is one brand you can trust for proper athletic wear, and these Therma Dri-Fit Training Pants will keep your body warm during training no matter how cold it is outside. Therma fabrics keep the warmth in, and a gusset stitch in between the pant legs also keeps the wear and tear to a minimum so you’re not throwing these out with holes after a few months of hard exercise.

Cons: These pants are made of 100% polyester with training as the primary goal, and that means these pants might not be as comfortable as other offerings. Without zip pockets, it’ll also be a bit more difficult to hold on to your valuables if you’re strenuously exercising.

11. American Giant Classic Sweatpant

Pros: SPY loves to showcase products made in the United States when appropriate, and American Giant presented that opportunity with its Classic Sweatpant, made in Middlesex, North Carolina. These men’s sweatpants have ribbed ankle cuffs and the always valuable back sweatpants pocket and feature double-needle straddle-stitching with extra-strength thread for long-term durability.

Cons: It costs money to manufacture in the United States, so these sweatpants are on the pricier side. They’re also made of 100% cotton fleece, so though they’re comfortable, they won’t have the stretchiness of a mixed-material sweatpant.