IT'S DIFFICULT to recall life before athleisure, when gym clothes consisted of old, ratty t-shirts from your college glory days and ill-fitting shorts you wouldn’t dare wear out in the real world. Today, athleisure is the essential urban uniform, appropriate for just about any setting: from running errands to running a 5k. Modern athleisurewear is as comfortable as it is chic, and the best men’s athleisure brands marry function and style together to create high fashion-inspired utilitarian pieces that you can wear anywhere and everywhere.
And now that it's practically acceptable to wear performance-based clothing just about anywhere that's not a black tie event, there's never been a better time to invest in dressy joggers, hoodies, and jackets. To help upgrade your wardrobe to new levels of comfort and style, we’ve rounded up some of the best men’s athleisure brands below, featuring sweatpants, T-shirts, and more duds that you can take from the gym to your work-from-home office.
Lululemon was one of the first fitness brands to make the crossover into athleisurewear with the popularity of their women’s compression pants. In the years since Lululemon exploded onto the scene, the men’s apparel has reached a similar cult-like status. Guys love the clean, straightforward design and performance that truly exceeds the hype.
The California-based athleisure brand’s minimalist, versatile designs are a hit with guys who want to rock the uncomplicated-yet-effortlessly cool look. Made from ultra-premium sustainable fabrics, Vuori gets top marks in fit and style, as well as softness and support. The Ponto Performance Pant is our top recommendation for its utility and comfort.
Originating from France, Hoka (aka the King of cushion) is known for producing some of the most comfortable and highly praised running shoes on the market. The brand’s line of apparel also excels when it comes to comfort, fit, and features, with plenty of pockets for storage. Built for speed and comfort, Hoka’s attention to detail and use of high-quality materials definitely shows.
Champion is a classic American sportswear brand known for its mega-soft sweatshirts, crewnecks and hoodies. The brand’s retro-inspired aesthetic never goes out of fashion and is universally appealing across age, gender, and personal style. As one of the patriarchs of streetwear, Champion makes beloved basics that somehow get even better with age.
Premium men’s activewear brand Rhone is not messing around when it comes to quality. The brand boasts that they spend “up to four times more on fabrics than the big box brands,” and after trying on a Rhone’s Delta Pique Polo, you can tell. Made from a brushed stretch woven fabric that's moisture and stink-repellent, this shirt is a must-have for your everyday uniform. Plus, you really can wear this to the gym if you want to cut down on laundry.
Swiss brand On has exploded in recent years as a go-to shoe for running and everyday wear. The company’s proprietary Cloud elements—circular pods that form the foundation of every shoe in its lineup—are its hallmark trait. By combining clever use of geometry with traditional foam materials, Cloud pods collapse for maximum cushioning when you land and immediately bounce back for more explosive takeoffs. Plus, they look great on and off the race track.
Classic, modern, and stylish, Olivers Apparel makes everyday staples that you can truly wear anytime, anywhere. The Bradbury Jogger has a tailored fit that moves with you, making it one of the perfect men's pants to wear on a hike or running errands on the weekend.
Peak Velocity is an athleisure brand brought to you by Amazon, which means you know it’s going to be affordable and comparable in terms of quality to more expensive brands. Peak Velocity isn’t reinventing the wheel–they offer comfortable fleece hoodies, athletic joggers, and quick-drying performance t-shirts that won’t break the bank. We recommend stocking up on the basics, like long-sleeved shirts and pants, which are both breathable and versatile.
Outdoor Voices puts the fun in athleisure. Between the bold color blocking and fun patterns, OV makes wardrobe staples that reflect your own unique personal style. The Rectrek 7" gym short comes in a variety of colors and is versatile enough to wear to work out, lounge, or run around in.
Reigning Champ was recently acquired by Canadian luxury boutique retailer Aritzia, if that’s any indication of the brand’s cool factor. Reigning Champ’s timeless, sensible sense of style fits the vibe of just about any occasion, from coffee shop to CrossFit. The comfort of the pullover hoodies are unmatched and a must-have for the winter season.
Yeah, the Swoosh has been a go-to label for the world's best athletes, but Nike also makes some fashion forward athleisure that's sported by guys with great taste. Think: aerodynamic jackets that's emblazoned with stylish patch work, and bold tracksuits made for tunnel fashion, or making an entrance.
Ten Thousand’s goal is to create gear worthy of the world’s top athletes, so you can trust these pieces to perform well in whatever high-intensity workout you’re into lately. The line is pared down to just the essentials, perfectly designed for different types of training. Ten Thousand definitely leans more athletic than leisure, but that doesn't mean you can’t get away with wearing these versatile shorts outside of the gym.
Fourlaps is a high-performance athleisure brand that you can comfortably wear all day without feeling like you’re encased in a spandex suit. The brand’s fashion sensibility can be best described as understated, which is why you’ll never see any tacky logos on any of the items they sell. Sweat and odor-resistant, Fourlaps makes performance wear that helps you look good and move better.
Guys love Public Rec for their crazy comfortable everyday essentials, like the All Day Every Day Pant, which truly lives up to its name. With pant waist and inseam sizes, the brand upholds the tenets of fit and style as well as comfort. Public Rec is made for athletes and amateurs alike, off the track and in the streets.
Dick's Sporting Goods' in-house athleisure line delivers the goods (sorry). A slightly more affordable alternative to Lululemon, VRST churns out reliable lifestyle pieces that breathes well and looks great. Some of our favorites: stretchy khakis, beautifully-fitted tees, and this moisture-wicking half-zip sweater for cold weather runs or all-day lounging.
Todd Snyder makes timeless high fashion designs that function like gear for the serious athlete. The brand’s collaboration with Champion is classic Americana athleisure style elevated for the 21st century. You can’t get any more classic than the pocket sweatshirt, which you can dress up or down depending on the look you’re going for. These make for one of the best gifts for men.
Adidas athleisure drip is unmatched, in our humble opinion. The three-stripe design automatically signals style and performance. Since 1949, the German-based brand has been making the best sportswear that looks just as good at the gym as it does in the streets. The tracksuit is a classic look, but if we had to choose just one, you can’t go wrong with the Adicolor Classics 3-Stripes Pants.
Y-3 has quickly become one of the most fashion-forward athleisure brands on the market. The avant-garde Japanese aesthetic is designed to be seen, and after looking at the price, you may think twice about sweating in any of these cutting-edge basics.
Alo Yoga is a popular LA-based athleisure brand praised for its stylish and functional basics. While the leggings are a hit with yogis, we’re also big fans of the long sleeve shirts, which come with 4-way stretch fabric and are highly breathable. Made to last, Alo Yoga is made from premium, cutting-edge fabrics and is highly regarded for its impeccable quality.
This Japanese American luxury activewear brand is hand-made out of Huntington Beach, California. Each garment is carefully crafted by Jonathan Oe and his team of artisans, and the attention to detail absolutely shows. The Palisade Miami Jacket is made from the brand’s proprietary micro-fiber poly-spandex blended fabric, which offers superior comfort in a tailored fit.
Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture. Her work has appeared in Very Good Light, BRIDES, Elite Daily, among others.
As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.