I Found the 14 Best Pairs of Sweatpants, and My Top Pick Is Just $40

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Fabric:French terry |Materials:88% cotton, 12% polyester |Inseam:28.5-30 inches regular, 29.5-31 inches tall |Rear pocket:Yes |Hem:Ribbed |Drawstring:Interior

At $40 a pair, Uniqlo’s French-terry sweatpants might be one of the best values across all categories of men’s clothing. I’ve always thought this, but now I know it to be true after testing them against pretty much every available alternative. They are built to a higher standard than anything of comparable price, with all the same details you’d expect from pairs costing many times their price: spacious and shapely pockets, a wide and comfy waistband with a stitched-through drawstring, durable and tightly stitched seams, and a refined fit that tapers to the contours of your legs without feeling constrictive at any point. They come in sizes XS–3XL and are also available in a“tall” versionwith a 1-inch longer inseam at every size (29.5- to 31 inches instead of 28.5- to 30 inches for the regular pants). And I know from personal experience that they are built to last.

I got my first pair of Uniqlo sweats back in 2016, and over the past decade, neither I nor my laundromat’s wash-and-fold service have treated them gently. Through dozens of heavy-duty spin cycles and high-heat trips through the dryer, they have yet to develop any tears or noticeable wear — besides fading from their original navy to an attractive dusty denim and feeling softer than ever.

According to the tags, my older pair contained 90 percent cotton and 10 percent polyester compared to the current model’s 88 percent cotton, 12 percent polyester blend. Still, the material feels comparable: smooth and soft on the outside and tightly looped terry on the inside, which feels soft and drapes down the legs with a pleasing heft. They’re cozy on the couch yet don’t look schlubby when walking around town.

Fabric:French terry |Materials:47% polyester, 44% cotton, 9% rayon |Inseam:30 inches |Rear pocket:No |Hem:Ribbed |Drawstring:Interior

The lack of a rear pocket and the thinness of the material can be forgiven in a pair of pants that costs less than $20, especially when they fit as nicely as these Hanes joggers do. They have an attractively tapered cut and are made from a French-terry blend of polyester, cotton, and rayon that feel more durable than the simple poly-cotton blends of other pants in this price range. The result is silky and stretchy, more cooling than warming. They’re perfect for taking the edge off a brisk walk through nippy shoulder-season weather but can’t be relied upon for extra warmth in a cold house. They are available in five heathered shades and come in sizes S–XXL.

This pair is a variation on the sweatpants that celebrity stylistLaw Roachcan’t live without, which he has been wearing for over a decade and regularlyrequests as a gift for Christmas and birthdays.

Fabric:Fleece |Materials:77% cotton, 23% polyester |Inseam:30 inches regular, 32 inches tall|Rear pocket:Snap closure |Hem:Ribbed |Drawstring:Interior

Gap’s VintageSoft joggers aren’t just forCalifornia moms who love pink. The men’s line is just as impressive and comes in 12 colors. The brushed-fleece interior feels softer than anything I tried from Champion, Hanes, and other budget-friendly makers of sweats. The thick, internal-facing waistband drawstring is sewn firmly in place and never digs into my hips. And the pockets are deep enough to fit any kind of smartphone.

The VintageSoft joggers are as durable as they are comfortable. The elastic has stayed supple, though the 30-inch inseam shrank by two inches after its first trip through the dryer. It’s a bit cropped on my six-foot, two-inch frame, so I appreciate that the brand offers a tall version that’s two inches longer at the same price. Gap describes these pants as slim through the leg, but they’re much more relaxed than the truly slim-fitting Hanes French Terry joggers or the Mack Weldon Aces.

Likewith any Gap productthese days, pricing can be hard to pin down with all the various sales and coupons flying around. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them at their full retail price of $60, but expect to pay about $50, depending on size and color — anything less than that is cause for celebration.

Fabric:Fleece|Materials:50% cotton, 50% polyester |Inseam:30.5 inches |Rear pocket:Snap closure |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Interior

Unlike the other fleece pants I tested under $40, Champion’s Powerblend joggers didn’t feel like they’d already been washed threadbare when I first took them out of the bag. The 50-50 cotton-polyester fleece fabric feels more substantial than anything else in this price range, even if it can’t quite match the softness of pants that only cost a little more. While the exterior face of the heathered fabric is a bit scratchier than that of more expensive pants, the fleece inside is just as cozy. The pockets are a bit on the shallow side and difficult to trust with a larger phone, and they’re also made of a rougher jersey material that is noticeable on the thighs. However, I did appreciate the extra-wide drawstring, which is sewn in across the circumference of the waistband. This prevented it from digging into my hips when tightened.

Fabric:French terry |Materials:100% cotton |Inseam:30.5 inches |Rear pocket:Yes |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Exterior

Reigning Champ’s sweats represent a completely uncompromised approach to making French-terry sweatpants. The 100 percent cotton fabric is as soft as it is substantial (and doesn’t shrink in the wash), the tapered fit is flattering yet unrestrictive, and there’s not a single loose thread on any of the smooth, chafe-free flatlock seams used throughout. These pants also feature a crotch gusset that aids in movement and an extra-wide waistband with a sewn-in exterior drawstring that keeps the pants in place without a trace of digging. Finally, the pockets are deep and well shaped for keeping a phone in place while walking, and the rear pocket is handy for a wallet when I’m wearing them around town. The mid-weight standard-fit sweats I’m recommending are available in sizes XS–XXL in five different colors that rotate in and out — including a handsome crimson at this moment. Other colors may be available in therelaxedandslim cuts.

The price is admittedly high for a pair of sweatpants. But they do hold up extremely well over time. Senior writer Liza Corsillo wrote a prior version of this review and said, “As someone who owns several of the brand’s products and has given them as gifts, I don’t mind investing a bit of money for them because I know they will look great and last a really long time.” Similarly, Kevin Kafesu, senior menswear buyer atNorse Projects, told us that everything Reigning Champ makes is unbelievably durable.

Fabric:Fleece |Materials:100% cotton or 95% cotton, 5% polyester (for heather gray) |Inseam:28.5 inches |Rear pocket:Yes |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Exterior

American Giant’s Classic sweatpants looks like the brand-new version of that one pair of dad’s sweats that somehow managed to survive weekly washings through several decades without wearing out — and I mean that as a compliment. The pattern has been updated with afauxfly that keeps the front side looking presentable, deeper phone-friendly pockets (including one in the rear), and a tapered but still roomy fit. But the thickly bound outseams, extra-wide elastic (on both the hems and waist), and hefty material are all nods to the pants’ vintage roots, including the fact that they’re made in an old factory in Middlesex, North Carolina — a former textile hub in the heyday of American manufacturing.

It would be nice if there were a few more options for colors (black, blue, and heather gray — with one seasonal color) and sizing (S–XXL). And it would be nice if there was a tall inseam option, as the 28.5-inch standard inseam can feel quite cropped for taller people. While the heather-gray version I tested contains 5 percent polyester in order to achieve the desired patterning, the other colors are made of 100 percent American-farmed cotton, and all of them are thick, fluffy, and shrink resistant in the laundry.

Fabric:Fleece |Materials:86% cotton, 14% polyester |Inseam:31 inches |Rear pockets:2 welted |Hem:Open |Drawstring:interior

If your primary consideration for a pair of sweats is how they’ll look while out and about, wide-leg, open-hemmed pants will drape and move more elegantly, looking less like loungewear and more like you actually tried. Gap’s Heavyweight Relaxed Sweatpants check all these boxes at a reasonable price and even come in a few garment-dyed finishes — a rarity under $100. I also like that the symmetrical welted rear pockets look tidier and more balanced than the single patch pockets on most sweats. The 86 percent cotton-blend fleece fabric is noticeably thicker and heavier than the 77 percent cotton VintageSoft material, without being stiff. It’s not as fuzzy on the inside as the VintageSoft, but it still feels cozier than most of the other pants I tried.

Fabric:Jersey |Materials:67% polyester, 33% cotton |Inseam:28 inches |Rear pocket:Yes |Hem:Open |Drawstring:Interior

If you want a wide-leg look at a lower price, Uniqlo’s wide-leg sweats — part of its C-line, personally overseen by global creative director Clare Waight Keller — are a decent option. These 67 percent polyester, 33 percent cotton-blended jersey pants have a smooth texture that’s cool to the touch and a slight stiffness, reminiscent of a neoprene wetsuit. As a result, they aren’t as flowy in motion as the 100 percent cotton Lady Whites, and they don’t drape quite as elegantly over the legs, but they also only cost $40 and have been more consistently in stock than other sweatpants with similar styling. Thanks to Uniqlo’s scale, they’re available in unisex sizes XS–3XL.

Fabric:French terry |Materials:100% cotton (5% elastane in the ribs) |Inseam:28.5 inches |Rear pocket:Yes |Hem:Ribbed |Drawstring:Exterior

The British brand Sunspel is known for its luxurious cottonT-shirtsandboxer shorts, so it’s no surprise that its sweats would be similarly excellent. These are the pants that match the winner of contributor Leon Hedgepeth’s hunt for aperfect gray crewneck sweatshirt— and it’s easy to see why Sunspel’s sweats came out on top once you’ve felt the fabric. The French-terry interior is soft yet substantial, and the wide elastic waistband is the most comfortable, pressure-free design I’ve experienced in all my sweatpants testing so far. It’s more like a high-quality sweater than a sweatpant, which is exactly what you want in a slim-fitting design that’s in constant contact with your skin. It has good pockets (including a rear one) and tightly stitched seams throughout. It would be nice to have a longer option for tall people, as the 28.5-inch inseam is a bit short. But it didn’t shrink when I ran it through the dryer on low (which Sunspel advises against doing).

Fabric:Fleece |Materials:100% cotton |Inseam:29-31.1 inches |Rear pocket:Yes |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Interior

The Los Angeles Apparel16oz sweatpantsare like aweighted blanketfor your legs in the best way possible. This 100 percent cotton fleece is almost twice as dense as what you’d find in a typical pair of sweats. The plush fabric combines with a roomy fit and elastic cuff to make these the coziest pants I’ve ever worn — and the lack of polyester means my cats can warm my lap without fear of static shock. As a result, I can lounge comfortably on my couch with the thermostat set to an otherwise intolerable 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Out and about, they have a distinctively slouchy and oversize look that I find interesting when combined with the stiff and plush fabric, but some may find it a bit schlubby.

Fabric:French terry |Materials:95% cotton 5% Spandex |Inseam:28.5 inches |Rear pocket:Zippered |Hem:Ribbed |Drawstring:Exterior

Mack Weldon’s Ace sweats are the best I’ve found for exercising in because they’re superlight without feeling flimsy and have a ton of stretch to them. They even have a little zippered pouch beneath the right-hand pocket that’s the perfect size to both hold a set of keys and keep them from bouncing around too much. And they feature a decorative fly detail that keeps the front side looking tidy. These aren’t the pants I would reach for if I wanted to save money on my heating bill, but they offer enough warmth to take the edge off a nippy morning as you warm up for a jog. They would also be a good option for sun protection on warmer days, as the material is highly breathable.

Fabric:Fleece |Materials:100% recycled cotton |Inseam:31 inches |Rear pocket:None |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Interior

Many clothing brands bolster their ecofriendly bona fides by using polyester fibers made from recycled water bottles, but recycling cotton is a much taller order. Yet it’s been at the core of Everybody.World’s offerings since 2017. Its Trash fleece is made exclusively of fibers left over from the yarn-manufacturing process while they’re still long and continuous — before they’ve had a chance to be weakened through initial processing and subsequent recycling. But you would never be able to tell from the quality of the finished products, which are all sewn in Los Angeles.

The gender-neutral sweatpants have an intentionally loose fit that drapes nicely on a wide range of bodies. Strategist writer Erin Schwartz has basically lived in their pair since getting them in 2022 and especially loves how substantial and smooth the fabric feels compared to other recycled fabrics. “Sometimes recycled cotton can be more pill-prone or bumpy, but I haven’t found that to be the case with Trash’s,” they said. The pine-green pair I tested fit Schwartz’s description and arrived with a vintage-looking fade that looks striking in bright light. The fleece backing is not as cozy and fleecy as some of the poly-blend pants I’ve tested, but it is still soft and has the feeling of a fabric that breaks in rather than wearing out. “I’ve really put them through everything and they’re doing great, zero holes or pilling,” reports Schwartz of their three-year-old pair.

Fabric:Merino wool terry |Materials:100% merino |Inseam:28 to 30-inches depending on size |Rear pocket:yes |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Exterior

Cotton-polyester-blended fabrics have many desirable characteristics, but odor resistance and sweat wicking are not among them. While not as soft and cozy to the touch, merino wool is hard to beat for its funk-resistant warmth and moisture management. Among the pairs I tested in this category, Ridge Merino’s offering stands out for its heavyweight 100 percent merino-wool terry. Most competitors use a midweight jersey that feels more like long underwear than sweatpants. The Hyde Joggers’ fit isn’t particularly flattering, and the zippered side pockets are a bit too close together, which makes them feel unbalanced when full. But they’re well made and a great value overall, given the fabric’s quality and thickness.

Fabric:Jersey |Materials:58% polyester, 34% modal, 8% elastane |Inseam:28, 32, or 34 inches |Rear pocket:Zippered |Hem:Elastic |Drawstring:Interior

If you’re seeking smooth and silky sweatpants, modal is the material to look for. It is a type of synthetic rayon fiber derived from birch-tree pulp that’s prized for its softness. While many modal-blended pants end up looking like pajama bottoms because it has a tendency to stretch out,Lululemon’s Smooth Spacer joggersadd 58 percent recycled polyester to better maintain shape and structure, and 8 percent elastane to give it elasticity and rebound. The result is a smooth and cooling fabric that holds its shape through multiple washes without feeling too synthetic against the skin. They also have a decorative fly on the front that makes them look a little more like normal pants, especially if you get them with a longer inseam. Like many of Lululemon’s men’s bottoms, the Smooth Spacer is available in 28-, 32-, and 34-inch inseam configurations — perfect for taller folks.

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