Athleisure swept the runways a couple of years ago. Today, sporting athleisure is the standard, and most of us have come to appreciate living and working in hoodies, sweatpants, and leggings. Best of all, these top clothing brands highlight garments with style and comfort in mind for versatility that makes them perfect for lounging about the house, outdoor workouts, and grocery store errands. If you want clothes you can wear for almost any scenario, then you can’t go wrong with athleisure tops and bottoms.
Here are some of the best men’s athleisure brands, and you can also check out some of the best clothing brands for more options.
Aarmy
Model-turned-fitness-guru Akin Akman grew a massive following at SoulCycle. Now, he has branched out to develop his own workout empire, which includes a training app, pop-up boot camp classes throughout New York City, and a sleek merch line of sweats, tanks, and more. His most recent collection was a partnership with streetwear label Fear of God.
Champion
Champion has been around for over a century as one of the best workout brands, and there are plenty of reasons for its longevity: It makes timeless sweats in plush fabrics at extremely affordable price points, so much so that it has been a go-to maker of some of the best college paraphernalia. We love the no-frills sweatpants, which will look just as great years after your impulse purchase.
Daniel Patrick
Think of Daniel Patrick as posh sportswear. The Los Angeles brand was launched in 2012 by its namesake, an Aussie rugby player turned designer, whose collections take cues from ’90s hip-hop and west coast outerwear (for example, tie-dye batting jackets, hot pink hiking pants, and red-bottom hightops). It’s become a go-to label for guys like Chris Brown, James Harden, and Justin Bieber.
Eysom
Sure, the name Eysom is a bit overwrought (standing as it does for Exercise Your State Of Mind), but there’s no denying the brand makes some excellent athleisure wear. For now, the Los Angeles company is selling just tops and bottoms, though there’s a nice selection within each of those broad categories. If you’re looking to stock up on some fashionable basics (and don’t mind spending a slightly-pretty penny), this could be a great brand for you to explore.
Fourlaps
Fourlaps has more than made its mark with its high-performance workout wear. Though the collection is certainly geared toward serious athletes, novices will also find a lot to love in its wide selection of tops, bottoms, and accessories. If you’re looking for a taste of what this brand has to offer, we suggest starting with the moisture-wicking Rush hoodie.
Hoka
Forget those normcore, minimalist runners. Hoka is all about producing vibrant, uber-wearable running shoes that feel and look great. The French brand’s runners incorporate a wider midsole and a propriety rubber cushion for maximum comfort, and they work surprisingly well on rugged trails — and on the track. Their recent partnership with Opening Ceremony is one of our favorite athleisure collaborations this year.
Lululemon
Way before athleisure was a thing, Lululemon was already making a name in the sportswear scene. The Canada-based brand provides high-quality yoga pants and athleisure wear that you can pull off on a daily basis. Although they are known first for their women’s wear, their men’s wear is packed with essentials like joggers and running jackets that are comfortable and sleek. Each garment is perfect for whatever task you have to do, wherever you are.
Olivers Apparel
Olivers has you covered from head to toe with gear that’s comfortable, performance-ready, and adequately modern. We love the Convoy Henley (seen above) and the All Over Short, two extremely well-made picks perfect to snap up for this season.
Outdoor Voices
Featuring a bevy of bold and quirky everyday essentials, Outdoor Voices is a great go-to brand for guys looking to bring some play into their wardrobes. Truly, where else on the internet can you buy a pair of heather gray sweatpants, a multicolored plastic watch, and a bright baseball cap in one fell swoop? Not too many, and the sheer versatility is what sets OV apart.
Path Projects
If it’s versatility you seek — trail-ready shorts that still look sharp or a raglan tee you can wear to the bar after a hike — we recommend Path Projects. The brand has got you covered when it comes to your headwear and base layers, both essentials for the guy on the go.
Peak Velocity
When Amazon launched Peak Velocity in 2018, it became official: Athleisure had entered the mainstream. Here, you’ll find many of the same styles you’d see in more expensive brands (cuffed joggers, french terry hoodies, and moisture-wicking tops), but at a fraction of the price. We especially like the line’s pants, which are breathable, stylish, and affordable.
Public Rec
Of all the options on this list, Public Relic is probably the best suited for those guys aiming to sport their technical leisure apparel across a variety of different spaces, while the brand’s vast assortment of ultra-comfortable pullovers, sweatpants, and T-shirts make for fantastic loungewear sets.
Reigning Champ
One of the more consistent purveyors of athleisure out there is Reigning Champ. In fact, this Canadian brand defies trends and continues to make some of the best gym and lifestyle gear around. We love the classic crew-neck sweaters and pullover hoodies, both made with quality fabrics in neutral, easy-to-style colors.
Rhone
Rhone has long been a favorite among athletic-minded shoppers. Its collection is expansive, affordable, and uber-functional. Whether you’re in need of a T-shirt, pullover, pants, shorts, or anything in between, Rhone has more than got you covered. Better yet, the brand’s garments are long-lasting and built for optimized performance.
Ten Thousand
If you’re more concerned with use than style, Ten Thousand may be the brand for you. This company’s been churning out quality products for a couple of years now, and it puts a tight focus on function. That’s not to say the pieces don’t look good — they do! — but they’re built with performance in mind. We especially like their trio of activewear shorts, which range from the lightweight Session to the ultra-durable Foundation.
Todd Snyder
Why compromise style for comfort when you can have both? Todd Snyder is a brand that offers high-end fashion. Its collaboration with Champion is the very definition of athleisure at its best. Together, you get a collection of eye-catching clothing and classic sportswear all in one place. These pieces are perfect for almost anything you plan to do in a day. Whether you’re working from home, working out, or taking a casual stroll, this brand has definitely got your back.
Vuori
Vuori provides a lightweight and comfortable clothing line that you can wear as you go about your daily grind. Founder Joe Kudla labels the brand as “coastal California performance clothing.” Vuori’s collection is inspired by the California beach life where all the action happens. The moisture-wicking fabrics are perfect for working out, lounging, or simply dressing casually. If you don’t know what to get first, you can start with their bestselling Ponto Performance Pant, which can seamlessly adapt to different environments.
Y-3
Activewear meets high fashion in the Y-3 collection, which boasts an assortment of avant-garde streetwear pieces. Though the upscale designs do come with upscale prices, it’s nice to see a brand doing more with athleisure than just making basic T-shirts. None of this is too surprising, considering that Y-3 is the brainchild of master tailor Yohji Yamamoto, who has spent decades elevating the everyday into something extraordinary.
Is Athleisure Still in Style?
Athleisure has been gradually rising in popularity over a half-decade, and it’s still very much in style (especially in these ever-casual days spent at home or traveling by means that require comfortable gear). The best athleisure brands are beloved by athletes, celebrities, and stylish guys like yourself, often providing the same level of style as sturdier standby staples like chinos and jeans.
Athleisure is perfect for the guy on the go, especially if you want to show off modern sneakers (check out many of the slim technical pants and joggers shown above). And many of the best athleisure brands make surprisingly sleek items, be it T-shirts, outerwear, or sweatpants, in minimal colors that resemble the sort of style staples you’d wear every day.
Plus, can you ever go wrong with a well-fitted tee and slim joggers on a casual weekend? We’d say no, you certainly can’t, and that’s why athleisure is still very much in style.
What Does “Athleisure” Mean?
Athleisure blends “athletic” and “leisure” — athletic gear that’s also designed and worn for leisure (or day-to-day) activities. Think gym gear that you wouldn’t necessarily wear to the gym but instead in a casual-style scenario. However — and here’s the kicker — athleisure gear frequently uses the same fabrics, performance materials, and moisture-wicking properties as regular athletic gear. And yet, athleisure often removes the typical athletic logos and uses slimmer fits and neutral colors (think navy or black as opposed to a highlighter yellow pullover made for running).
Keep in mind that athleisure still includes styles like the best tank tops for men. It also covers stylish, comfortable sweatpants you can easily wear at home with the best men’s slippers, for example. Start your gear with a pair of the best pouched underwear, and get ready to move around on the go in style.
This versatility, and the ability to look both athletic and yet stylish, is what makes athleisure so popular. And it’s also what makes joggers (tapered sweatpants) an ideal pair of pants to wear if you want to show off your lifestyle sneakers — away from the gym and out on weekend errands, perhaps.
What Men’s Pants are Similar to Lululemon?
If you’re looking for brands like Lululemon, you’re in luck because it seems the world of athleisure is ever-expanding and targeted toward those who appreciate form as much as function. From our favorite athleisure brands on this list, you’re going to want to check out Vuori and Public Rec for well-fitting technical pants that blend comfort and style.
Each brand’s lounge pants and sweatpants are also fine substitutes for Lululemon pants, and if you want stylish athleisure for men, getting a great deal should be top of mind.
If you are looking to do some online shopping, check out our article on the best online clothing stores for men.
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