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The best workout clothes for men in 2024
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable workout gear that's built for a wide range of workouts and use cases
Cons: Pockets can be too small to hold much else besides keys or credit cards, sizing in the shirt can run small
To say Ten Thousand puts its workout clothes through its paces is an understatement — the brand quite literally pushes its gear to the limit by throwing it on wear-testers that do just about any form of exercise imaginable. There's HIIT and powerlifting, strength training and functional fitness, and, of course, running. They even throw a little yoga in the mix to show off its comfort and versatility.
The brand's lineup is simple yet effective. There's a varied lineup of shorts that range from pairs designed for running or weight lifting to others intended for martial arts fighters. Its shirts feature a similar variety, too. There are tank tops, shirts made with Merino, standard moisture-wicking, quick-dry options, and even a rash guard.
After spending many a workout decked out in Ten Thousand's gear, the performance of each piece is as impressive as its field testing.
No matter what I chose to do, the apparel felt comfortable and functional and was always fit to hold up to whatever I threw at it. Maybe I'd wear the Tactical Short for a 20-mile bike ride after doing a resistance band workout in my apartment. Perhaps it was a 45-minute yoga session followed by a quick jog around my neighborhood in the Lightweight Shirt. Regardless of what it was, the gear held up and never felt out of place.
Even the prices aren't shocking to stomach. The shorts range from $58 up to $72 while the tees are in the $50 range (which is what you should expect to pay for premium workout apparel).
What we recommend:
Pros: Supreme comfort, quick-drying material, great for a wide variety of workouts
Cons: Some customers found that the shorts could be a bit restrictive due to narrow leg holes
The Encinitas, California-based Vuori takes its inspiration from the beach and much of its gear features a comfortable, lightweight fit. It all functions well as workout clothing but excels as athleisure apparel.
I love the Trail Short in particular, which are the lightest weight all-purpose pair of shorts from Vuori. The shorts have an elastic waist, supportive anti-odor liner, and an athletic fit. They also come with front pockets and a back zip pocket, as well as a smartphone holder in the liner.
Other Vuori gear I like are the Tradewind Performance shirt and the company's perennially popular Kore Jogger.
The Tradewind Tee is the company's most technical in the lineup, featuring micro-perforation for ventilation, flatlock seams, and a front chest pocket. The shirt promises to wick moisture and dry quickly, making it perfect for a run, a hot yoga session, or anything in between.
The Kore Joggers are the perfect mix of functional and comfortable. I can wear them when the weather is a little colder for something like a run or bike ride, or I can slip them on during some downtime (or when I'm working from home). They're highly versatile, and that's what makes them so great.
Another favorite Vuori piece of mine, especially during the winter months, is its Outdoor Trainer Shell. This jacket is both moisture-wicking and water-resistant, features reflective design details, and has a four-way stretch which adds to its overall comfort.
What we recommend:
Pros: High-quality apparel for runners, most pieces feature quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric, and are extremely comfortable
Cons: Can be spendy depending on the piece
Attaching superlative terms to workout gear often comes down to personal preference (and moderate exaggeration) but in the case of Janji, and the brand's extremely high-quality running clothes, calling it the best isn't an overstatement — it legitimately makes some of the finest running gear on the market.
From running shorts and caps to tees, tanks, and weather-resistant tops, Janji covers the running basics in its signature style.
I've been running in Janji gear for some time now and keep returning to it, no matter the season. Its shorts are extremely comfortable, no matter how many miles I intend to run, and its tops and caps keep me protected and cool. The brand's selection of fun prints is a nice added touch, too.
What we recommend:
Pros: Uses silver threads—proven to tamp down odor—and Zinc in its clothes so you can sweat without worrying about your stink. And while you do need to (and should) wash the clothes, Lululemon says they're good for a couple of wears.
Cons: It's expensive, and some of Lululemon's clothes can cling
Lululemon is a market leader in the athleisure category; some would say they popularized it. Today, the brand once (and still) known for its yoga pants has a line of tanks, joggers, shorts, shirts, and even shoes. Lulu could own any handful of the other categories on this list—its clothes are quality and always look fresh—but its use of anti-microbial bacteria and stink-free tech earned it our "best odor-resistant designation."
I don't personally own any of the items listed below, but I own a few pairs of Lululemon ABC pants and a Metal Vent Tech polo, so I can speak to the brand's material quality. Everything I own by Lululemon fits well and absorbs sweat really well. I played eight holes of golf in 90-degree weather wearing the polo recently and felt cool for hours. One thing to note and one hang-up: The Metal Tech material is really thin, which felt odd to me at first. I don't mind it now but definitely try the shirt on first to ensure you're comfortable in it. Also, the fabric will cling to your body—sweaty or not—so keep that in mind if you prefer looser-fitting clothes.
As for the odor-free claim, lululemon's "Anti-Stink" filter on its site will pull up a bunch of clothes that incorporate materials like silver threads ("Silverescent") and zinc ("No-Stink Zinc"). Lululemon claims you can wear its clothes for a couple of training sessions in a row.
What we recommend:
Pros: Wide selection of versatile workout clothing including casual apparel to technical gear, variety of sizing and lengths to fit different personal style, its tri-blend shirts are especially comfortable
Cons: Some t-shirt sizing seems to vary across different styles
If it's versatility you're after, look no further than Hylete's line of active apparel (available in both men's and women's sizing). It offers a varied selection of tees, tanks, polos, pullovers, and hoodies, all designed with athletes in mind.
I've been wearing Hylete's gear for a couple of years now and use it for everything from boxing and resistance band workouts to longer cycling outings on the weekends (I also lift weights and run in them).
The brand's clothing is functional for a variety of workouts but I have also found myself wearing its tees when I'm not working out — sometimes as something casual to wear while working from home or while running errands.
A few favorites of mine are its Icon II Quad-Blend Tee and the Fuse Short. The shirt features a flattering athletic cut and its blend of fabric keeps it comfortable no matter how active I am (and stays comfortable even if I'm doing a workout that makes me particularly sweaty).
The Fuse Short is the epitome of the brand's versatility, too. Available not just in sizes ranging from XS to XXL, Hylete also offers them in regular, above-knee, or quad-cut lengths, allowing people to customize the specific fit based on their workout style and fitness preference. I wear the quad cut, myself, and find them to work well for running, lifting weights, cycling, or HIIT and boxing workouts.
Hylete's pricing is fairly modest, too, with the Icon II Quad-Blend Tee costing $48 and the Fuse Short $74 — both are prices that fall squarely in the middle of most athletic apparel worth spending money on. The gear is durable, well-built, and ready for a variety of workouts, so it's well worth the investment.
What we recommend:
Pros: affordable, large selection of styles
Cons: Not as durable as more premium brands
As if you needed another reason to run to Target, its All In Motion active apparel has become my go-to choice for workout gear. The clothes aren't trendy or made with premium materials, but All In Motion checks the right boxes for me: fit, functionality, and color options. But mostly, I find it hard to justify buying other brands for the price point.
All In Motion (AIM) has a fairly large selection of styles in five categories: shirts, pants, shorts, sweatshirts & jackets, and shoes. I've been buying Target brand workout clothes for over two years, and I currently own three different types of shorts and two varieties of shirts from AIM. My favorite shorts are the Unlined Run Shorts (with a seven-inch inseam) and the Short Sleeve Performance T-Shirt.
The shorts are basic but functional, with two zippered pockets, an elastic waistband, and leg vents. They're the lightest shorts I own, which is primarily why I love them, and they sit comfortably on my waist. You probably won't see them featured in any fashion blog, but the shorts are stylish enough to wear in and out of the gym. Sometimes, when I'm running errands around town, I'll pair the Wild Boysenberry color with a white t-shirt, crew socks, and a forest green puffer vest on a warm fall day. If you're between sizes or have wider hips and thighs, go a size up, as the shorts can feel snug in these areas. This is especially true for the Hybrid Shorts.
At 5'11 and 175 pounds, I wear a medium, and no shirt fits better than the Performance T-Shirt. The sleeves hug my arms just right, and the bottom half gives me enough room to never want to pull it away from my stomach. Plus, it's long enough to avoid showing my stomach when I lift my arms, which is a pet peeve of mine. The colorways are extensive but plain, which some folks may find boring, but I don't mind this since the shirts look good whether I'm in the gym or, say, at a bar. The shirt absorbs sweat reasonably well, but the armpits of my darker-colored Performance Tees discolored quicker than expected.
Of course, being that this is our best budget pick, we can't ignore the price. The All In Motion shorts range from $17-24, and the shirts from $12-20. The shorts alone are between $30 and $60 cheaper than some other picks on this list. After a couple of years, I have yet to replace any of my All In Motion gear, but it's safe to say the quality won't hold up to premium brands. Still, for significantly less money, you're walking away with (more like in) a set of comfortable and versatile activewear.
What we recommend:
Pros: You can hardly feel the added weight while wearing, doesn't hinder your movement, you can truly feel the increase in workout effectiveness
Cons: Expensive, the shirt can ride up a little
Wearing something like a weighted vest while working out has proven to help people increase their strength, improve their endurance, and dramatically ratchet up the intensity of their workouts. But they're not always the easiest things to wear and move around in.
Enter Omorpho, a relatively new fitness brand founded by a former Nike exec that's combined the concept of a weighted vest with workout apparel. Instead of throwing on a bulky vest packed with weighted plates, Omorpho apparel has weight built directly into something like a workout top or a pair of shorts. Since it's distributed across the piece, it hardly feels like you're wearing something heavier than a typical workout shirt.
When I first tried on the brand's 2-in-1 G-Short and the G-Top Short Sleeve, I was skeptical. Holding each piece in my hand felt as if there'd be no way I wouldn't notice something that heavy on my body while working out. However, my opinion changed as soon as I put them on. I could still feel the weight but it wasn't as significant as I'd thought.
To test the gear, I wore it for three weeks straight, using it for every combination of workouts I typically do. This includes cycling, boxing, resistance training, strength training, running, and so on. Though it's hard to pinpoint its exact impact on my training, one thing I did notice was how much lighter I felt on runs when I wasn't wearing it. I logged faster mile times and was able to run longer and further.
Although I don't wear the apparel for every workout now as I did when I was exhaustively testing it, I do make sure it's in my wardrobe at least three times a week (and I switch up what kinds of workouts I use it for often). It's a unique take on adding resistance to your workouts, and one that's a bit more versatile than throwing on a weighted vest.
What we recommend:
Pros: Versatile clothing for a variety of workout types, a huge range of sizes and styles for all body types, also offers accessories like gym bags, cross-training shoes, headbands, and towels, moderate prices, durable
Cons: Sizing can run small in some pieces
If you're the kind of person who likes to keep active in a variety of ways, be it running, cycling, lifting weights, or even doing CrossFit, then the workout apparel from NoBull is one to pay attention to. From its shorts and workout tops to its shoes, gym bags, and casual wear, NoBull has something for everyone.
As someone who keeps active every day, and who tries to do something different as often as possible, I was excited to try NoBull's gear. I'd seen ads on Instagram for the brand for some time but had chalked it up to just that: a social media-promoted athletic brand that was just like any of the others.
But oh was I wrong. The gear I received from NoBull quickly changed my perspective. Not only did I find the apparel to be among the most comfortable in terms of fit, but the styles were all versatile enough that it didn't matter if I was running, doing a resistance band workout, or boxing. Aside from being comfortable, they also wick sweat incredibly well and are stretchy enough for a variety of movements.
I also tried out a pair of NoBull's running shoes which in addition to using them to work out, they became one of my go-to travel shoes (they're incredibly comfortable if that wasn't already clear).
One tiny nitpick to point out is the sizing can run small. If you're in between sizes, go for the next one up just to be safe. The site does have a size guide for each piece, so I recommend referencing that before buying, too.
What we recommend:
Pros: Versatile clothing selection, affordable, great compression
Cons: None
In the early 2000s, Under Armour was the athletic wear brand. It had hype commercials, massive athlete endorsements, and, of course, that iconic slogan: Protect This House. While the brand's popularity doesn't carry the same oomph, Under Armour's compression gear—its flagship product—is still best-in-class.
UA primarily offers two types of compression gear, HeatGear and ColdGear, which help users stay cool or warm, respectively, during any workout. Depending on the season and type of workout, compression gear can be worn under looser-fitting clothes or on its own. For example, I typically wear leggings and a compression rash guard during my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing classes because I feel more mobile in tight clothing, and they don't cling to my body when I sweat.
A t-shirt, leggings, and hoodie will cover your bases during most seasons. The shirt and leggings can be worn on their own or layered during colder months for extra warmth with minimal bulk. If you're not used to compression gear, buy one piece to start. Wearing skin-tight clothing takes some getting used to, and the tactile experience isn't for everyone. You may find yourself repeatedly pulling on certain spots of your leggings or shirt. Or, sometimes, the compression gear rides up, which is uncomfortable. The hoodie is a prime pick for runs since it'll provide warmth with a slim profile.
What we recommend:
Pros: Uses premium materials to craft trendy and comfortable clothing ranging from medium to 8XL.
Cons: Because One Bone isn't exclusively a fitness brand, the selection of workout clothes is limited.
One Bone's slogan is, "Size doesn't matter. Fit does." This apparel company, made "for the big man, by the big man," produces fashion-forward clothes for larger bodies. Hop on its website, and you'll notice a few ways One Bone offers a more inclusive shopping experience. First, it stocks a range of sizes from medium to 8XL. They also rebranded the standard sizing model to avoid using the word "extra." Instead, you'll find a numbered system, with -2 being a medium and 7 being an 8XL. Lastly, One Bone employs a variety of models to highlight how different sizes look on different body types.
Its workout line is limited but includes all the staple pieces you need to hit the gym—tank tops, hoodies, pullovers, and shorts. The fabric depends on which product you purchase. Some One Bone pieces use mostly cotton, while others are predominantly polyester, and they suggest you wash the items on cold and hang dry. While the care instructions might require a bit more effort, it's worth it to maintain the fit and fabric quality over time. We especially like the Everywear Short V2, French Terry Short Sleeve Hoodie, and Bullet Tank (which features a waffle pattern for an elevated look).
The prices are in line with most other brands on this list. Tanks cost about $45, shorts about $80, and hoodies and pullovers range from $55 to $135. None of these prices are certifiably outrageous, but you are paying a premium price for premium quality.
What we recommend:
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.