A solid pair of joggers are essential to any loungewear collection. These slimmer, more form-fitting sweatpants can be identified by a tapered silhouette that cinches at the ankles. The very best joggers for women we’ve tested are not only uniquely comfortable, but versatile enough to style with any day-off outfit.
Most comfortable: Vuori Performance Jogger
Vuori’s viral Performance Joggers live up to all the hype. I own three pairs of these babies, and they’re always the ones I reach for when I want to wear bottoms that are superiorly comfortable, but also look put together enough for a trip to the grocery store or the nail salon.
The recycled polyester and elastane material is dubbed the Dreamknit fabric by the brand, and it feels exactly what it sounds like: buttery soft to the touch, stretchy but not flimsy, lightweight yet durable. Two front pockets and a contrast color drawstring waist add functional and stylish touches. They’re intended to hit above the ankle. I’m 5’7″, and I opted for the long inseam version for a full-length fit.
I’m far from the only Vuori devotee on the Insider Reviews team: The Sunday Performance Joggers are best sweatpants for men, executive editor Sally Kaplan loves the Dreamknit fabric’s “pajama-like feel,” and former style and beauty editor Ashley Philips dubbed the joggers “a core part of my wardrobe.”
Best trendy: Rag & Bone Miramar Jogger
As a full-time work-from-home girlie, I rarely wear jeans — and when I do so, it’s begrudgingly. That’s why I’m so obsessed with these Rag & Bone bottoms, which offer all the comfort of a pair of jogger sweatpants but are stealthily disguised to look like denim. It’s not hard to see why the OG version (which is a wide-leg sweat) went viral with its realistic printed-on stitches and rivets. They even had my husband fooled, who insisted he “never would have guessed” that I was wearing sweats if I didn’t tell him. He was astonished when I had him feel the supersoft cotton terry fabric and the stretchy elastic waistband.
Though I love wearing the machine-washable bottoms for comfy but cute lounging around the house, I get even more excited to wear them out. They accompanied me on a recent 6-hour road trip, keeping me super snug during the long drive but looking pulled together when we stopped at a restaurant for a mid-way lunch.
Best cargo: Lululemon Dance Studio Cargo Jogger
Whether you’re going on a hike or getting on a plane, extra pockets can come in handy when you don’t have easy access to all your regular comforts. In that way, cargo pants offer greater functionality than many of the best joggers for women, and this pair from Lululemon has pockets galore: two front hand pockets, a hidden zipper pocket, a card sleeve, back pockets, and two cargo pockets.
Other highlights include a lightweight nylon-elastane fabric that’s highly breathable, a comfy loose-fit silhouette, and a drawcord on the elastic waistband to better customize the fit.
Best for travel: Cozy Earth Bamboo Jogger Pant
These joggers — along with their matching crew sweatshirt — comprise my absolute favorite plane outfit. Cozy Earth’s bamboo viscose material offers all the comfort of pajamas (which is a huge bonus for red-eye flights), but these pants are not at all flimsy. The medium-weight fabric keeps me warm in chilly plane cabins, yet doesn’t make me sweat if I have to make a last-minute dash to the gate. I love the option for a tall inseam, which I found fits my 5’7″ frame best.
Best for exercise: Abercrombie & Fitch YPB motionTEK Jogger
Workout joggers should keep you cool while you hustle but stay put as you stretch and squat. These high-rise bottoms from Abercrombie & Fitch are designed to be worn during physical activities, thanks to their very lightweight and stretchy material. If you feel a bit constricted while working out in leggings, you’ll love this slightly baggy and drapey silhouette that’s highly breathable. The ruched waistband and cuffs up the style, while the side pockets can stash away small essentials.
