If your go-to work-from-home ensemble involves business casual on top and sweatpants on the bottom, you’re not alone. And we can’t exactly blame you for wanting to spend your days scrolling, Zooming, and lounging in a pair of extremely soft and comfortable pants. But the good news? There are many sweatpants and joggers that are actually excellent for working out in too.
Below, you’ll find our picks for the best sweatpants, joggers, and track pants for 2022. No matter where the world takes us in the year ahead, we know one thing for sure: We want to stay comfy. These six options, all winners in our 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards, will help you do just that, no matter the activity you have in mind.
What to Look for When Shopping for Joggers and Sweatpants
Experts recommend keeping an eye out for an adjustable waistband so that the pants will stay secure throughout any activity. Elastic waistbands, drawstrings, or other similar features can make a big difference. If you plan on layering underneath your pants, account for the extra roominess you may need when trying them on.
Consider what activity you’d like to use the pants for before you go shopping, as the ideal material will depend on that activity. All-weather pants should be wind-resistant, and pants for cardio or sweatier activities should be moisture-wicking and breathable, Nadia Ruiz, certified personal trainer and run coach, tells SELF. Of course, if your primary purpose for the pants is layering and comfort before or after activity, look for something cozy and warm, Lauren Leavell, certified personal trainer and barre instructor, says.
Pant tightness around your legs will depend on personal preference and activity. For activity that requires more agility and quick movement, you may want something with less slack fabric or something even tighter to the leg, akin to leggings. When layering, you’ll need extra room, so a wider leg is a safer option. You’ll also want to be sure that warmup pants are easy to take off quickly, smoothly, and efficiently, so notice how comfortable the pants are when taking them on and off.
How We Picked the Best Track Pants, Joggers, and Sweatpants
The joggers, sweatpants, and track pants considered for the 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards had to meet our submission guidelines, which you can read here. In addition to setting parameters around when items launched, we also introduced an inclusive sizing eligibility requirement. We eliminated products from brands that haven’t displayed a true commitment to size inclusivity, meaning all of our winning products are from companies that carry some or all of their inventory in at least a size 20 or above, with a few exceptions from maternity-wear brands. (This year, we worked to ensure maternity and/or postpartum winners were selected in each category as well.) For specific items that lack a full range of sizes, we’ve provided similar, more inclusive alternatives. We also considered a brand’s commitment to size inclusivity via its public messaging, as well as the concrete actions the brand has taken toward having a more inclusive product line.
Brands who met the above criteria were able to submit products for consideration. Of the 500-plus products submitted, our judges—a group of more than 40 people consisting of SELF staffers, fitness professionals, and influencers—tested over 300 products. Each product was tested against its respective SELF Certified criteria, which you can find summarized above and in greater detail here. Testers wrote extensive reviews and rated each product. Those who came out on top—all listed below—were awarded a SELF Certified seal.
See the six best joggers, track pants, and sweatpants for 2022 below, and check out the rest of our 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards here.
