Look, we get it. There’s something about those ratty old college t-shirts and high school shorts that makes us come back to them training session after training session. While keeping a few pair around is fine for nostalgia’s sake (or for curating the ultimate cut-off lineup), fitness apparel has changed phenomenally over the past few years. Materials are better equipped to withstand the rigors of hard-nosed training, no matter your discipline. Fabrics accentuate your workouts with moisture-wicking, stench-busting perks. Logos and branding actually stay in-place after more than one trip through the wash cycle.
As impressive as the workout apparel sector is, though, narrowing it down to just a few picks is a task too difficult for even the most dedicated athletes (us included). So, rather than ignite a firestorm in the comments, we’ve decided to take a broader approach by identifying brands we think do the category justice.
How We Tested
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Ben Emminger
We’re constantly shuffling around our workout apparel rotation, and as such, have had experience with a ton of brands and clothing profiles. We also tend to test a variety of offerings from each brand to get a better understanding of its overall quality. The brands chosen for this comprehensive guide have shown dedication to the fitness realm with sleek offerings across a number of silhouettes like shirts, shorts, undergarments and more.
While we highlight one product in particular for each brand below, don’t hesitate to peruse each individual brand’s lineup to find products more suited to your individual needs. We intend to have this guide serve as a jumping off point for athletes where we supply the brands worth considering and let you, the athlete, choose your own adventure with which silhouettes you end up going for.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
Adidas
Adidas
The classic three stripe Adidas logo is a staple of athletic apparel — not to mention the timeless Adidas two-piece tracksuit. This German-based company originated when founder Adi Dassler started making shoes in his mother’s kitchen. Today, Adidas’ focus is on “Owning the Game,” as they call it, a customer-focused strategy aimed at producing the best sportswear for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Outside of the brand's long history in footwear, Adidas also makes worthwhile apparel to suit a number of fitness activities. Besides the below pick, we're also fans of the Condivo 20 Short, which is a great pick for rec sports and other intramural athletics.
Rooted in the practice of yoga and its transformative power, this LA-based yoga brand is particularly popular with celebrities. Designed to go from the yoga studio to the streets, Alo’s simple, print-free color palette is both stylish and functional. However, don’t be fooled by its simplistic look — Alo clothing is extremely high-end and long-lasting.
Alo's apparel, like its highly-ranked Co-Op Pant, is the focus at hand, but the brand also excels in other yoga must-haves like yoga blocks and yoga mats, too.
Okay, so being a multi-time champion in one of the toughest professional sports doesn’t automatically make your brand a contender for best workout apparel … but it does help. Thankfully, Tom Brady’s activewear brand carries the same emphasis on efficiency and performance as his playing career.
The below Run Short Sleeve is a standout in our books for a bevy of workout needs, but Brady also boasts an impressive assortment of performance and golf apparel, too, so there's no excuse to at least train like the GOAT himself wherever you take your workouts.
CXP has been a new discovery for us in training, and the comfort at hand has been unmatched. The brand’s lineup of compression-laden bottoms helps keep our lower body comfortable across a number of movements while still retaining placement without the constriction you’d typically experience in more well-to-do compression shorts. While not widely known, if you want to pair your gym shorts to a quality liner, consider CXP for your next training session.
Gymreapers first popped onto our radar as a worthwhile fitness equipment brand, but it’s also a damn fine apparel company, too. The silhouettes are minimalist in nature, lending themselves to focused workouts, but the textiles and attention to detail across all the silhouettes are a statement in themselves, proving that Gymreapers aims to supply fitness enthusiasts with the best gear possible, wardrobe-oriented or not.
This UK-based fitness brand exploded on social media a few years ago and boasts over 5.6 million Instagram followers today. Gymshark's straightforward, clean-looking workout apparel is both highly functional and comfortable, which gives merit to its pronounced internet clout. From tops, tanks, joggers and more, it can be easy to build an entire wardrobe full of Gymshark apparel and never feel as if you're repeating an aesthetic.
In addition to a minimalistic vibe across a number of apparel stables, Gymshark also isn't afraid to take the vintage route, as seen in its latest Legacy lineup of old-school-iron-inspired looks.
Ibex harnesses the power of merino wool in impeccable fashion. The brand’s stable of tops, bottoms and accessories unlock great possibilities for warm and cool training. While merino wool isn’t the cheapest material used in activewear, there’s few textiles that can match its quality. For us, this brand is one of the best examples of investing in apparel that’s here to stay rather than fade away.
Inov-8’s entire lineup screams in-training toughness, but the brand’s stable of Graphene-infused footwear is really its calling card. Despite the sneaker-centric reputation, though, the brand still has plenty of well-to-do apparel options that have quickly become favorites of ours. Seriously, if we had to choose between our stamina and Inov-8 gear on which would fail first in the gym, we’re always putting the money on the British brand … and we work out for a living!
Outside of the F-Lite Tee below, we also appreciate the Stormshell V2 Running Jacket that brings the brand's toughness to the upper body. This outer layer is prime for trail running and other intense outdoor endeavors thanks to a PFC-free DWR treatment.
Based out of Boston, Janji is a boutique running brand that strives to continually improve how they, “Treat people, planet and products." The brand’s clean-lined workout clothing and colorful prints and patterns are inspired by the countries Janji helps, such as Kenya, Peru, Nepal and Uganda.
Across the board, there's plenty of performance to boast about, even when it comes to headwear like the All-Weather Transit Tech Cap. The brand's All-Weather Transit Tech Pants are also a standout profile prime for taking on those rain-soaked running sessions.
Another brand that’s quickly garnered praise for both its style and performance, Legends brings a slew of silhouettes to the table that blur the line between activewear and athleisure. Designs are kept athletic through key cuts and seams, and there’s no shortage of vibrant, appealing colorways across the board. If you’re looking to take your training up a status, why not aim for “Legendary” with this impressive brand?
Take a glance at any gym floor and you’ll most certainly see plenty of Lululemon on men and women alike. What started as a small yoga brand out of a studio in Vancouver, Canada has grown into an international fitness icon. With a clean, straightforward design, every piece of clothing is cut to look good while functioning exceptionally well in the gym.
The brand has taken strides in performance apparel, as seen in the SenseKnit Long Sleeve listed below and the Nulu Balancer Tights, but don't disregard the timeless icons like the Pace Breaker 7-Inch Short, either.
If there was ever a brand that needed no introduction, Nike would most certainly be it. Founded as a running shoe brand in the 70s, Nike has grown to become a powerhouse sports brand. From golf to skateboarding, Nike makes some of the best and most fashionable workout clothes for men.
Seriously, from the simple profiles of the Everyday Crew Socks, to the intricate advancements of the Aerogami Jacket or Forward Hoodie, there's no shortage of performance across the entire stable ... and we're happy Nike's continually pushing the limits.
CrossFit athletes, you know what’s up. As the title sponsor of the CrossFit Games, Nobull is no stranger to putting in the work. Known widely for performance footwear, this Boston-based company prides itself on making gear without excuses. Maintain those intense circuits with the brand’s impressive apparel lineup designed with the no-frills, no-B.S. mindset you want when training hard.
Don’t think that this outdoor-oriented brand isn’t comfortable in the gym space, too. With a number of products and silhouettes designed to keep you moving, Patagonia is a fantastic brand to consider adding to your fitness wardrobe. Each piece is carefully designed to ensure it’s not only ready to perform, but ready to do good as well. Many of the brand’s products feature recycled content, so your workouts have less effect on the Earth and more on your overall health.
While we highlight our favorite running shorts below, Patagonia's Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is also a staple amongst our weekly workout wardrobes, especially when taking our training regimens into the wild for trail running or outdoor strength sessions.
Like most new runners, what started out as a hobby to stay in shape quickly became an obsession. After getting burnt out on road running, founder Scott Bailey discovered the joy and freedom of trail running. However, there was one problem: Bailey struggled to find a truly functional pair of running shorts with liners for all weather conditions and distances. Thus, the concept of the Path Projects’ linerless running shorts was born.
These days, Bailey has since expanded the lineup to include other running essentials ranging from lightweight hooded tops, to sleek running caps and, yes, even base liners.
Prana, in Sanskrit, is a word to describe breath. The company was founded in Carlsbad, California with an emphasis on creating sustainable yoga and climbing clothes. If comfortable, sustainable clothing is important to you, look no further.
Given the mindful nature of the brand itself, it's no surprise we favor Prana for yoga sessions. Sure, the Super Mojo Short IIs are a quality pick, but the Vaha Pants are also worthwhile for athletes wanting a little extra coverage in their asanas.
Reebok’s popularity has followed somewhat of a rocky road. During the height of the 80s, Reebok sales were booming. The Reebok Pump was the hottest shoe on the market. However, at the turn of the century, the tides changed for Reebok. Fast forward to today, and with support from parent company Adidas, Reebok is back as one of the hottest fitness brands. The brand has leveraged partnerships with CrossFit, Spartan and UFC to design athletic wear that’s tough, durable and highly functional.
One of the biggest perks to this foundational activewear brand, however, has been its commitment to approachable price points. The Training Tech T-Shirt, for example remains one of our favorite budget gym shirts, and Reebok's (possibly) most recognizable profile, the Nano X3 Training Shoe, is still within the range of other gym shoe silhouettes.
This Canada-based sportswear company has its roots in innovative excellence. Boasting a plethora of stylish garb fit for the gym and the streets, Reigning Champ has quickly become one of our favorite workout brands. Utilizing signature fabrics with an emphasis on rugged construction and unrivaled comfort, it’s easy to see why Asics, Prince, District Vision and more have teamed up with this sportswear company for a plethora of visually-pleasing, performance-ready goods.
Materials matter when it comes to performance workout clothes. While some activewear brands cut costs by sourcing cheaper fabrics, Rhone does not compromise. The brand’s premium-priced apparel features only the best carefully crafted textiles, never compromising on comfort, fit and durability. Every piece is as aesthetically good-looking as it is functional, including the Reign Short Sleeve. While the Mako Shorts are our recommended pick below, this stylish top still holds its own whether tackling a hard-nosed lifting session or chasing down new PRs along your favorite running routes.
This men’s only brand was founded to solve a problem very specific to men — how can you make a comfortable, supportive pair of underwear that minimizes moisture, friction and that uncomfortable clammy feeling down south during workouts? Their innovative BallPark Pouch technology is, “designed to reduce skin-against-skin friction,” using a “3D hammock-shaped pouch that keeps everything in place.
Outside of the brand's comfortable lineup of underwear and base layers, Saxx has also transferred its innovative tech into ful-fledged training bottoms, too, as seen in our recommended sihouette.
When the founders wanted to make socks that would enable them to ski longer without getting cold toes, they stumbled upon the power of merino wool. Considered nature’s high-performance fabric, merino wool outperforms just about every synthetic fabric out there in terms of regulating both hot and cold temperatures and wicking moisture while being naturally odor-neutralizing. Today, Smartwool carries a full lineup of performance apparel (even running jackets), all made mostly with merino wool.
Athletes aren’t made overnight. It takes grit, determination and perseverance, and Ten Thousand is a brand built on these principles. The brand believes every day is an opportunity to be better than yesterday, so the offered apparel embodies this gritty mantra by being able to withstand the toughest of workouts.
The Durable Shirt is a must-own for any dedicated gym rat, but don't this it's the only top-performing silhouette in the bunch. For example, it's hard for us to think of a week where we haven't donned this top along with a pair of Interval Shorts and our can't-train-without Midweight Tech Pullover Hoodie.
Ever since its inception as a small climbing and backpacking shop in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, The North Face has sought to provide the best outdoor apparel and gear to those who never stop exploring. The brand remains dedicated to serving those who continually push the boundaries of outdoor action sports.
Despite its outdoor roots, The North Face still holds its own in the confines of fitness, too. Not only is the Summit Series Superior FutureLight Jacket a favorite of ours for inclement training environments, but the Wander Short Sleeve is also a worthwhile top to consider when building out your mile-laden wardrobe.
Ever since Kevin Plank’s groundbreaking moisture-wicking compression shirt was worn under the pads of University of Maryland football players, Under Armour has been at the forefront of cutting-edge athletic apparel. Trusted by countless professional athletes and sports teams, Under Armour styles cover the gamut from weight training to golf gear.
We're typically drawn to the brand's in-gym options like the UA Tech 2.0 Short Sleeve and Tech Mesh 9-Inch Shorts, but don't box this impressive lot in — Under Armour offers plenty of footwear and sport-specific silhouettes to keep your fitness on the right track year-round.
With surf-styling undertones, Vuori is an activewear clothing company aimed at making high-quality apparel that blurs the line between performance workout wear and everyday threads. Vuori’s fabric selection is top-notch, too. Only the finest materials go into each piece of clothing. For those looking for soft, mobile workout gear with a hint of California style, Vuori has you covered.
In our time with the brand, we've come to appreciate the soft, cozy aesthetic of each piece, specifically the Kore Shorts and Kore Joggers. While the tops and outerwear are impressive in their own right, as seen in our below pick, it's the bottoms that drew us into Vuori from the start.
Pronounced “Two Times You,” 2XU started as a triathlon and running brand and has since grown to become a leader in compression wear across all sports. Using a proprietary PWX compression fabric, 2XU compression garments claim to increase peak power and blood flow while reducing injury and speeding up recovery. Get a better workout and bounce back faster by adding a pair of these comfortable, high-performance compression pants.
