Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Men’s Activewear Review: Stylish Apparel that Won’t Break the Bank

mens-activewear-grid
Image used with permission by copyright holder
So much of today’s men’s activewear is abysmal when it comes to appearance. Cheap cuts and even cheaper fabric have relegated men’s gym wear into the realm of fashion’s ugly step-sister. But fear not, designers are now taking the time to blend functionality and fashion-forwardness. Let our men’s activewear review upgrade your gear with these six stylish pieces that won’t be a weight on your wallet.

Nike Dri-Fit Training T-Shirt $25

Nike-Dri-Fit-Training-T-Shirt
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ditch your plain white tee for this activewear upgrade. Made with Nike’s own Dri-FIT, sweat-wicking fabric that keeps you cool while you conquer the concrete. With a simple design and a wide selection of hues, this workout shirt should be a given in any gym bag.

UnderArmour CoolSwitch Baselayer Shorts $26

UnderArmour-CoolSwitch--Baselayer-Shorts
Image used with permission by copyright holder

No man enjoys his junk swinging around his trunk. UnderArmour’s Coolswitch Baselayer Shorts keep your nethers cool all while holding your family jewels firmly in place. Slap these on under your shorts and take to the track, free of life’s uncomfortable jumbles.

GAP Soft Brushed Jersey Hoodie $45

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Don’t let a little summer wind or rain dampen your efforts to get swoll. Cut from breathable brushed jersey made with moisture-wicking technology and designed with thoughtful thumb-holes and nearly no-feel seams, this hoodie from GAP is a perfect outer layer for outdoor late-evening exercise.

Old Navy Active Run Short $17

Old-Navy-Active-Run-Short
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Manual’s Editor-in-Chief took these bad boys to yoga and couldn’t stop singing their praises. Featuring side vents along the legs and a stretchy outer-shell, these Active Run shorts definitely held their own during a few downward dogs. And pockets—a rarity in running shorts—let you keep your keys and credit card at the ready for that post-workout refuel.

Silvertech No-Show Socks by Rhone $14/pair

Silvertech-No-Show-Socks-by-Rhone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sweat-soaked and smelly socks have no place in a gentleman’s gym bag. Rhone’s Silvertech no-show socks, made with a silver-threaded fabric, claim to oust odors without washing. But please, wash them anyway.

Kit Culture Influencer Stretch Twill Pants $79

Kit Culture Influencer Stretch Twill Pants
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Anyone who makes time for an active lifestyle knows that it occasionally entails running (maybe literally) between work, play and social engagements. With these lightweight cotton pants with a 5 percent stretch, you may be able to wear them all day, no matter what’s on the schedule.

Mack Weldon AIRKNITx Boxer Briefs $28

Mack Weldon AIRKNITx Boxer Briefs
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For its first ever active wear line, Mack Weldon teamed up with gym chain Equinox to make performance underwear and socks. These microfiber boxers feature 4-way stretch, a no-fly design for seamless comfort, and a smooth waistband.

Olivers Apparel All Over Short with Liner $88

AOS_Lined_Graphite_Shorts
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Olivers recently rebooted one of the brand’s best sellers — and one of the most successsful crowdfunded clothing campaigns ever — the All Over Short. Known for its breathable polyester blend liner, these 4-way stretch shorts are water repellent, ridiculously comfortable and better looking than pretty much every other gym short out there.

Chase McPeak
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chase McPeak is the former Lifestyle Editor. Chase regularly appeared on Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast where…
The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Read more
This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts
The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

Read more
Reacher season 3: Everything we know so far
Get up to date on Reacher season 3!
Alan Ritchson in Reacher.

The era of Jack Ryan may be over, but Reacher is carrying on as one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. This action thriller is based upon Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, which previously featured Tom Cruise in the leading role of two different movies. But for Prime Video, Alan Ritchson has stepped into the role of Jack Reacher, a former member of the United States Army Military Police Corps who drifts from town to town and takes justice into his own hands when the local law enforcement isn't enough.

Prime Video didn't waste any time before renewing Reacher for a third season last year. And while new episodes are still several months away, we're sharing everything we know about Reacher season 3.
Which Reacher novel will season 3 be based on?

Read more