The best men's workout clothes you can buy

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The best men's workout clothes you can buy

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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best mens workout clothes

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  • The right workout clothes may just convince you to hit the gym more often.
  • Vuori makes our favorite workout gear for men that is not only high performance but very comfortable, too.

The ladies aren't the only ones who need workout clothes that are comfortable, functional, and look good at both the gym and on the go. After all, how's a guy supposed to impress a date either at spin class or out on the town without a nice pair of shorts and a well-fitted tee? If part of your strategy in selecting workout gear is as much fashion as it is function, there are plenty of options these days that will help you look good at the gym.

Some of our favorite men's workout gear is capable of taking guys on a wide range of activities. After all, your exercise regimen isn't one-dimensional (and neither are you) so why should your clothes be any different?

We've come a long way from our high school gym rooms, and so too have the wardrobe options available to us. The new wave of men's workout gear wants to help you perform your best by keeping you cool and comfortable. And while your gym clothes certainly ought to be ready for even the most strenuous of exercise regimens, they also need to be presentable enough for you to wear outside of your workout environment.

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When determining what kind of workout gear you need to accommodate your lifestyle, you'll need to consider the type of exercise you do most often. Clothes, after all, are just another tool that can either help or hinder you, so be sure you're buying the right gear for the right activity.

Ability to withstand cycles in the washing machine will also be key to quality in terms of workout gear. Chances are, you'll be sweating through these clothes a lot, and (hopefully), putting them in the laundry quite often. If you're buying flimsily made clothing, you'll have to replace them a lot more often.

Finally, you might want to consider how multi-purpose you want your clothes to be. Are you only going to wear those joggers to the gym, or are they also for lounging around? Is that long sleeve tee just as good for your run as it is for running errands on the weekend?

Today's active gear ought to double as gear for an active lifestyle, so be sure that whatever you're buying is capable of as many reps as you are. That said, regardless of what workout gear you choose from the following options, you'll be in good hands.

Here are the best men's workout clothes you can buy:

  • Best men's workout clothes overall: Vuori
  • Best men's workout clothes for runners: Wolaco
  • Best men's workout clothes on a budget: MPG
  • Best men's workout clothes for dispelling odors: Rhone
  • Best men's workout clothes for comfort: Olivers

Updated on 01/07/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Updated prices and formatting.

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Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

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The best workout gear overall

The best workout gear overall
Why you'll love it: Vuori’s clothing is both lightweight and comfortable, which makes it a breeze to work out inside or outside during summer.

It’s obvious that Vuori takes its inspiration from the beach that’s just a stone’s throw away from its headquarters in Encinitas, California. The workout gear from this company may just make you think that you’re on the West Coast, what with its comfortable, lightweight fit.

In particular, we (which is to say my boyfriend, who served as my guinea pig for testing the shorts, and I) loved the Trail Short, an opinion that appears to be quite widely held by folks across the web and happy customers.

The Trail Short is the lightest weight all-purpose pair of shorts from Vuori. The shorts have an elastic waist, supportive Coolmax anti-odor liner, and an athletic fit. The shorts also come with front pockets and a back zip pocket, as well as an iPhone holder in the liner.

Running NW noted that the “fit and cut are definitely made by athletes,” pointing to the “construction and wear of [the] trail short” as evidence. Indeed, these did seem to be comfortable shorts to run in, as the soft material didn’t give way to chafing or any other unpleasantness. Reviewers on Vuori's website called the shorts “all around great,” and one went so far as to say that they were “hands down the best running shorts I’ve ever worn.”

Also beloved in the Vuori line are the Tradewind Performance shirt and the company’s perennially popular joggers. The Tradewind Tee is the company’s “most technical” in the lineup, featuring micro perforation for ventilation, flatlock seams, and a front chest pocket. The shirt promises to wick moisture and dry quickly, making it perfect for a run, a hot yoga session, or anything in between.

Delta Grade noted that the fit is “flattering” without being too “form-fitting,” and calls it a “very comfortable and subtle activewear shirt that can be worn to the gym or on any casual day.”

Pros: Supreme comfort, quick drying material, great for a wide variety of workouts

Cons: Some customers found that the shorts could be a bit restrictive due to narrow leg holes

Buy the Trail Short for $68 Buy the Tradewind Performance Tee for $48 Shop Vuori workout clothes

The best workout gear for runners

The best workout gear for runners
Why you'll love it: If you’re a runner or into tight workout gear, it doesn't get much better than Wolaco.

While guys hitting the gym may want easy, breezy shorts with plenty of room, the same can’t be said for distance runners. And that’s where Wolaco comes in. The brand has long been a crowd favorite — it did, after all, get its start from the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Wolaco ultimately raised more than $120,000 from 1,465 backers and has since become a mainstay in the compression wear game.

Now, just three years later, Wolaco's clothes are available at the luxury gym Equinox. Its availability in gyms also gives people the opportunity to feel the fabric and check out the design firsthand, rather than relying on photos and testimonials.

Speaking of testimonials, we can’t sing Wolaco’s praises enough. Multiple Business Insider folks have tried and loved these compression shorts and pants, lauding both the availability of pockets and the durability of the material. And aesthetically, I have to say that the Wolaco compression shorts and tights alike look pretty damn good. They’re by no means obscenely tight, but do exactly what compression wear is supposed to do — keep everything in place while you get your exercise on.

Happy buyers have noted that the “quality of the materials and the workmanship [are] excellent.” And the folks over at Confessions of an Amateur Athlete noted that they “loved the color, fit, and even more, the convenient pockets.”

Wolaco offers its compression wear in four lengths: the North Moore short in a 6- or 9-inch inseam, or the Fulton pant in three-quarters or full length. If you’re looking to cover up even more, the High Line Hood is an excellent option. Supremely comfortable and clearly designed for running on cold days, this hooded long-sleeve shirt boasts 4-way-stretch as well as water, wind, and sweat-repellent construction.

Pros: Great for runners, durable fabric, moisture-wicking and fast-drying design

Cons: Some users reported fit issues, so be careful when reading the sizing guides

Buy the High Line Hood for $98, the North Moore Shorts for $50, and the Fulton pant starting at $75 Shop Wolaco workout clothes
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The best budget-friendly workout gear

The best budget-friendly workout gear
Why you'll love it: MPG Sport understands that working out shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg, and is creating gear that helps you live a financially responsible lifestyle.

Your gym membership is expensive enough, so your gym clothes don’t have to be. Luckily, MPG Sport agrees. Short for Mondetta Performance Gear, MPG offers a wide range of clothing and workout gear that won’t break the bank.

Take, for instance, the Defender Performance Cashmere Shirt. Currently on sale for about $46 (try finding cashmere at a cheaper price), this shirt feels like luxury without the luxury price tag. But it’s not just the softness of the shirt that’s important — It's the benefits it gives you during your workout.

The mix of tencel, a recyclable and environmentally-friendly material derived from wood pulp, and cashmere helps you adapt to different temperatures. That means that you’ll be warm in the winter but remain cool and dry in the summer. Plus, with colors like Port and Navy Sky, this shirt can transition well from the gym to just about anywhere else.

Also noteworthy is the Premier 1/4 Zip Stink-Free Seamless Pullover, which is made from NILIT fibers to protect against bacteria build-up and sweat stench. Well-fitted and nicely tailored, this was another piece that looks great. And the best part? It’s on sale for $24.

If you’re looking for shorts or pants, MPG has you covered as well. The Hype 3.0 Essential 7-inch Short promises plenty of flexibility as well as moisture-wicking properties. A recent happy buyer noted that he loved the length “and how they fit for hard run workouts [and] gym leg workouts.”

Alternatively, if you need something a bit longer, you might consider the Industry Essential Fleece Joggers, which are surprisingly warm given how light they are. A happy customer noted, “When I look at my leisure wear I require two things: comfort and fit. These check both boxes. Great for heading into town; just as awesome for laying on the couch.”

Pros: Affordable prices, wide selection of products, fabric that is soft yet ready for a hard workout

Cons: The sheer amount of product might be overwhelming for someone shopping online

Shop MPG workout clothes for men

The best workout gear for the sweaty workout

The best workout gear for the sweaty workout
Why you'll love it: It’s all about the GoldFusion technology with Rhone, which makes good on its promise to keep you stink-free.

Back in 2016, Rhone managed to raise nearly $113,000 to bring its GoldFusion technology to its line of activewear. And now, that proprietary formula can be found in a wide range of activewear.

Rhone has long been one of my favorite makers of men’s workout gear (again, it’s great to look at). And judging from the reactions of the men in my life, they’re huge fans, too. Much of it is indeed due to the company’s GoldFusion technology, a proprietary, eco-friendly fabric treatment that leverages real gold particles to help fabrics dry up to three times faster. In addition, it’s UV protective, and promises to permanently control odor.

These claims have been put to the test by folks like David Mason of DFit Junkie, who noted that “even after five consecutive workouts and washes, the GoldFusion Technology continues to live up to the hype.” Mason reported no body odor despite his intense workout regimen, and I can attest to the same results. While I generally don’t want to be around men right after they’ve hit the gym, there’s no such issue for folks wearing a Rhone GoldFusion shirt.

Two new additions to the Rhone GoldFusion line include the 7-inch Swift Lined short and the Glacier Delta tank. The shorts, meant for running, feature a perforated venting system for cooling, as well as two side zipper pockets to hold essentials during a jog. Plus, a soft performance liner promises exceptional fit. As for the Glacier Delta tank, this workout shirt features an evaporative cooling Polartec fabric that helps you cool down as you sweat.

Of course, Rhone also has pieces that don’t necessarily have precious metals embedded into them, but are no less effective at getting the job done. Take, for instance, the new Mako Unlined short. Available in both 7- and 9-inch lengths, this short is made of a lightweight, four-way stretch fabric with plenty of pockets so you can wear them at the gym or anywhere else, too.

Forbes lauds Rhone workout gear for combining “classic cuts and designs with elevated technology,” while happy customers note that they wear Rhone gear “more than any...I have.”

Pros: Stink-free technology, comfortable fabric, and great fit

Cons: Some reviewers note that the shirts can be a bit longer than anticipated

Buy the Swift Short for $88, the Mako Unlined Short for $68, and the Glacier Delta Tank for $54 Shop Rhone workout clothes
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The best workout gear for all day wear

The best workout gear for all day wear
Why you'll love it: Workout clothes don’t have to feel like workout clothes, and that’s why Olivers has created some of its gear with merino wool.

Merino wool is unlikely to be the first material that comes to mind when you think of workout gear, but that’s just the sort of innovative thinking that makes Olivers’ clothes so comfortable. Dubbed “one of the most comfortable gym shirts” by Men’s Fitness, the highly breathable gear from Olivers is so comfortable that you may never want to take it off.

While Olivers’ first well-known article of clothing was the All Over Short, the brand has proven that it’s capable of creating a wide range of comfortable, functional gear. The Terminal Tech Tee is a favorite of mine and the Business Insider team’s. The merino tech mesh tee not only keeps you cool and dry, but also fits well. As Insider Picks' Amir Ismael noted, “the Terminal Tech Tee..fits exactly as a T-shirt should.”

While you can certainly work out in the naturally odor resistant shirt, it’s also just as appropriate for a day full of errands or a casual date night.

GQ has called Olivers’ clothes “subtle” yet “premium,” and has, of course, lauded the All Over Short, made of a lightweight nylon spandex blend whose 4-way stretch and water repellent qualities make it ideal for all scenarios. Plus, the shorts have an inner pocket for you to securely stow and carry keys, phones, and other essentials. Men’s Journal is also a fan of this short, lauding the “techy material in a simple design.”

Olivers is also particularly noteworthy for its plethora of good reviews. If you check out the company website, the vast majority of its products boast five-star ratings from happy buyers (which certainly isn’t always the case).

And if you don’t believe reviews on Olivers’ website, you can also check out the consensus on Amazon, where the Terminal Tech Long Sleeve Tee also boasts five stars. Buyers note that it may just be the “last moisture wicking long sleeve shirt you'll ever buy.”

Oh, and by the way, Olivers promises that your clothes will last for at least a year with its Olivers guarantee. The company will replace or repair any product “with a fault outside of normal wear and tear for up to 12 months” after your initial purchase.

Pros: Superior comfort, great fit, great style without being ostentatious

Cons: Some reviewers noted that the sizing could be a bit different from the website’s suggestions.

Buy the All Over Short for $68 and the Terminal Tech Tee for $68 Shop Olivers workout clothes
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