The best workout clothes for men in 2023

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable workout gear that's built for a wide range of workouts and use cases

Cons: Pockets can be too small to hold much else besides keys or credit cards, sizing in the shirt can run small

To say Ten Thousand puts its workout clothes through its paces is an understatement — the brand quite literally pushes its gear to the limit by throwing it on wear-testers that do just about any form of exercise imaginable. There's HIIT and powerlifting, strength training and functional fitness, and, of course, running. They even throw a little yoga in the mix to show off its comfort and versatility. 

But just because there's a large variety in the types of workouts the gear can handle doesn't mean there's page after page of a specific short or top fit for an exact routine. Quite the opposite, actually, and the simplicity of what it offers is what makes Ten Thousand even more appealing.

The brand's lineup is simple yet effective. There's a varied lineup of shorts that range from pairs designed for running or weight lifting to others intended for martial arts fighters. Its shirts feature a similar variety, too; there are tank tops, shirts made with Merino, standard moisture-wicking, quick-dry options, and even a rash guard. 

After spending many a workout decked out in Ten Thousand's gear, the performance of each piece is as impressive as its field testing. 

No matter what I chose to do, the apparel felt comfortable and functional and was always fit to hold up to whatever I threw at it. Maybe I'd wear the Tactical Short for a 20-mile bike ride after doing a resistance band workout in my apartment. Perhaps it was a 45-minute yoga session followed by a quick jog around my neighborhood in the Lightweight Shirt. Regardless of what it was, the gear held up and never felt out of place.

Even the prices aren't shocking to stomach. The shorts range from $58 up to $72 while the tees are in the $50 range (which is what you should expect to pay for premium workout apparel). 

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

The Encinitas, California-based Vuori takes its inspiration from the beach and much of its gear features a comfortable, lightweight fit. It all functions well as workout clothing but excels as athleisure apparel. 

In particular, I love the Trail Short, 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. They also come with front pockets and a back zip pocket, as well as a smartphone holder in the liner.

Also beloved in the Vuori line are the Tradewind Performance shirt and the company's perennially popular Kore Jogger.

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.

The Kore Joggers are the perfect mix of functional and comfortable. I can wear them when the weather is a little colder for something like a run or bike ride, or I can slip them on during some downtime (or when I'm working from home). They're highly versatile, and that's what makes them so great.

Another favorite Vuori piece of mine, especially during the winter months, is its Outdoor Trainer Shell. This jacket is both moisture-wicking and water-resistant, features reflective design details, and has a four-way stretch which adds to its overall comfort. 

Pros: High-quality apparel for runners, most pieces feature quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric, and are extremely comfortable

Cons: Can be spendy depending on the piece

Attaching superlative terms to workout gear often comes down to personal preference (and moderate exaggeration) but in the case of Janji, and the brand's extremely high-quality running clothes, calling it the best isn't an overstatement — it legitimately makes some of the finest gear on the market.

From running shorts and caps to tees, tanks, and weather-resistant tops, Janji covers the running basics in its signature style. 

I've been running in Janji gear for some time now and keep coming back to it no matter the season. Its shorts are extremely comfortable, no matter how many miles I intend to run, and its tops and caps keep me protected and cool. The brand's selection of fun prints is a nice added touch, too.

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

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

Rhone has long been one of our favorite makers of men's workout gear. 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.

Two solid choices from the Rhone GoldFusion line include the 6-inch Swift Lined short and the Swift 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 Swift Tank, this workout shirt features a quick-drying, odor-repelling perforated fabric that keeps you cool as you break a 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 lightweight, four-way stretch fabric with plenty of pockets so you can wear them at the gym or anywhere else, too.

Pros: Wide selection of versatile workout clothing including casual apparel to technical gear, variety of sizing and lengths to fit different personal style, its tri-blend shirts are especially comfortable

Cons: Some t-shirt sizing seems to vary across different styles

If it's versatility you're after, look no further than Hylete's line of active apparel (available in both men's and women's sizing). It offers a varied selection of tees, tanks, polos, pullovers, and hoodies, all designed with athletes in mind.

And not just for your typical weight-lifter-slash-runner, either. I've been wearing Hylete's gear for several months now and use it for everything from boxing and resistance band workouts to longer cycling outings on the weekends (I also lift weights and run in them). 

The brand's clothing is functional for a variety of workouts but I have found myself just wearing its tees when I'm not working out — sometimes as something casual to wear while working from home or while running errands. 

A few favorites of mine are its Icon II Quad-Blend Tee and the Fuse Short. The shirt features a flattering athletic cut and its blend of fabric keeps it comfortable no matter how active I am (and stays comfortable even if I'm doing a workout that makes me particularly sweaty). 

The Fuse Short is the epitome of the brand's versatility, too. Available not just in sizes ranging from XS to XXL, Hylete also offers them in regular, above-knee, or quad-cut lengths, allowing people to customize the specific fit based on their workout style and fitness preference. I wear the quad cut, myself, and find them to work well for running, lifting weights, cycling, or HIIT and boxing workouts. 

Hylete's pricing is fairly modest, too, with the Icon II Quad-Blend Tee costing $48 and the Fuse Short $74 — both are prices that fall squarely in the middle of most athletic apparel worth spending money on. The gear is durable, well-built, and ready for a variety of workouts, so it's well worth the investment. 

Pros: Wide selection of quality gear that doesn't have a high-end sticker price, the line features both athletic apparel and active commuter gear, features hallmarks like stretch fabric, moisture-wicking technology, and anti-odor treatment

Cons: Basic designs and styles

Dick's Sporting Goods, a retailer of all things sports apparel and equipment, launched VRST in 2021, and I was immediately drawn to both its reasonable price point and seemingly premium quality. Once I started testing the gear, that idea that it was premium moved from seeming to confirmed — VRST's line of active apparel is impressive.

Though the selection doesn't exactly wow you in terms of flashy styling, the gear is impressively functional. It features everything from running shorts and tops to commuter pants, zip-up active tops, joggers, tanks, and sweatshirts —  the line is essentially a collection of workout basics.

Some highlights I've enjoyed testing were the Run T-Shirt and the Printed Lined Woven Shorts, each of which held up well across runs through my neighborhood and at-home workouts. 

Specifically, the shirt stayed comfortable (even during a few incredibly humid NYC runs) and didn't seem to feel heavy or bog me down if I started to sweat. This is due to its baked-in moisture-wicking technology, which also should cool as you wear the shirt, though this is a little harder to judge if it works correctly. 

I also found the shorts to be quite versatile and I was able to use them for HIIT workouts, runs, bike rides, and weight-lifting sessions — and they stayed comfortable through it all. The four-way stretch design complemented whatever movement I was doing and its internal compression liner provided plenty of support where I needed it. 

But VRST's best feature is its price point. For prices consistently lower than what you'd find elsewhere, it's an excellent budget pick that doesn't sacrifice performance or quality. It may not stand toe-to-toe with more premium brands in terms of advanced technical features or style variety, but if it's quality workout gear you need at a reasonable price, VRST is it. 

Pros: You can hardly feel the added weight while wearing, doesn't hinder your movement, you can truly feel the increase in workout effectiveness

Cons: Expensive, the shirt can ride up a little

Wearing something like a weighted vest while working out has proven to help people increase their strength, improve their endurance, and dramatically ratchet up the intensity of their workouts. But they're not always the easiest things to wear and move around in. 

Enter Omorpho, a new fitness brand founded by a former Nike exec that's combined the concept of a weighted vest with workout apparel. Instead of throwing on a bulky vest outfit with some combination of weighted plates, Omorpho apparel has weight built directly into something like a workout top or a pair of shorts. Since it's distributed across the piece, it hardly even feels like you're wearing something heavier than a typical workout shirt at all. 

When I first tried on the brand's 2-in-1 G-Short and the G-Top Short Sleeve, I was skeptical. Holding each piece in my hand felt as if there'd be no way I wouldn't notice something that heavy on my body while working out. However, my tune quickly changed once I put them on. I could certainly still feel the weight but it wasn't as significant as I'd thought. 

To test the gear, I wore it for three weeks straight, using it for every combination of workouts I typically do. This includes cycling, boxing, resistance training, strength training, running, and so on. Though it's hard to pinpoint its exact impact on my training, one thing I did notice was how much lighter I felt on runs when I wasn't wearing it. I logged faster mile times and was able to run longer and further.

Although I don't wear the apparel for every workout now as I did when I was exhaustively testing it, I do make sure it's in my wardrobe at least three times a week (and I switch up what kinds of workouts I use it for often). It's a unique take on adding resistance to your workouts, and one that's a bit more versatile than throwing on a weighted vest. 

Pros: Versatile clothing for a variety of workout types, a huge range of sizes and styles for all body types, also offers accessories like gym bags, cross-training shoes, headbands, and towels, moderate prices, durable

Cons: Sizing can run small in some pieces

If you're the kind of person who likes to keep active in a variety of ways, be it running, cycling, lifting weights, or even doing CrossFit, then the workout apparel from NoBull is one to pay attention to. From its shorts and workout tops to its shoes, gym bags, and casual wear, NoBull has something for everyone. 

As someone who keeps active every day, and who tries to do something different as often as possible, I was excited to try the gear from NoBull. I'd seen ads on Instagram for the brand for some time but had chalked it up to just that: a social media-promoted athletic brand that was just like any of the others. 

But oh was I wrong. The gear I received from NoBull to test quickly changed my perspective. Not only did I find the apparel to be among the most comfortable in terms of fit, but the styles were all versatile enough that it didn't matter if I was running, doing a resistance band workout, or boxing. That is to say that aside from just being comfortable, they also wick sweat incredibly well and are stretchy enough for a variety of movements. 

I also tried out a pair of NoBull's running shoes which aside from using them to work out, became one of my go-to travel shoes (they're incredibly comfortable if that wasn't already clear). 

One tiny nitpick to point out is the sizing can be a little small, so if you're in between sizes, go for the next one up just to be safe. The site does have a size guide for each piece, so I recommend referencing that before buying, too. 

Each of the pieces of workout clothing highlighted in this guide went through a series of tests to see how well it performed across these four categories: Fit, function, durability, and value. Here's how each category specifically factored into which athletic wear ultimately made this guide:

Fit: Fit. Comfort. This category could've been called either but we went with "fit" specifically because a well-fitting piece of workout clothing will almost always, in turn, be comfortable. Fit is also more than just making sure you select the right size but is also about how it feels while working out. The rise of stretch fabrics has helped this category significantly.

Function: The basic function of workout clothing should be to keep you comfortable, move along with how you work out, and maybe even wick some sweat. Thankfully, today's selection of workout gear does it all. When testing, I looked at how well a brand's sweat-wicking tech worked, whether it repelled odors, and if the four-way stretch fabric was able to stretch in all directions. Other functions I assessed were the comfort of built-in short liners and the effectiveness of other materials (like Merino).

Durability: Premium workout clothing (i.e. the gear that's worth your money) should last longer than a few months of heavy use and heavy cleaning. This means it should keep its fit and still offer whatever suite of extra features long after you purchase it and wear it for the first time. This category is best served as a long-term assessment, and we've included updated insight on some pieces where we're able.

Value: As mentioned above, the best workout gear won't always be entirely cheap. Though we've included a budget brand in this guide (and one we stand behind), it's oftentimes worth it to spend a little more on workout clothing that's designed to last (as opposed to spending less on something you'll have to replace over and over again). 

What should I consider when shopping for workout clothes?

You'll first want to think about the type of exercise you do most often. Clothing is just another tool to help or hinder you, so be sure you're buying the right gear for the right activity.

A piece of clothing's ability to withstand cycles in the washing machine is also a key quality. You'll likely 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 much more often.

Consider how multi-purpose you need your gear to be, too. Are you only going to wear those joggers to the gym, or are they also for lounging around? Is that long-sleeved tee just as good for your run as it is for running errands on the weekend? The workout clothing you wear doesn't have to cover a range of use cases but some are designed for more than just running or lifting weights (and can make your investment stretch a little further).   

What are the differences between men's and women's workout clothes?

Brands differentiate men's and women's workout clothing both in terms of specific design choices, as well as colorways and style. Men's workout shirts tend to be cut to fit broader shoulders while men's shorts offer more leg coverage (though this isn't always the case) and added space in the crotch. 

Women's workout shirts are often narrower and form-fitting, have shorter sleeves, and are sometimes designed to fit tighter around the arms. Shorts designed for women tend to feature a cut that accommodates rounder hips, are void of any added space in the crotch, and may also have a wider waistband.

Despite these differences, finding the "right" workout clothing comes down to what fits you best and what feels comfortable while you work out. Although this piece focuses specifically on workout clothing designed for cisgender men, we also have another gear guide that features apparel more closely associated with the design and fit tendencies found in women's workout clothing.