Ankle Closure: “Some designs come with a cuffed ankle and some with elasticized ankles,” says Reuven. “Consider which one fits your style the best. I recommend the cuffed ankle; it’s comfortable and gives a stylish look.” Mirosh adds that “elasticated ankle cuffs keep the joggers in place and create a tapered look”. Just make sure the cuffs are snug but not too tight and hit just above the ankle. Fit: Sweatpants tend to have a looser fit throughout the leg, while joggers feature a more tailored or tapered fit. This means the legs of joggers will often touch your skin and feel a bit tight if you’ve got beefy calves. Ankle: Joggers have ribbed cuffs at the ankles and a sportier appearance compared to the relaxed vibe of traditional sweatpants, whereas sweatpants can have either an open design or ribbed cuffs.

Joggers should fit loosely around your hips, taper around your ankle, and end just above your shoes. The cuff should be tight at the ankle and a slim fit will look more flattering on your legs for a slimmer silhouette. The more streamlined the taper, the more natural and complementary it will be on most body types and heights. Durability Test: To see if the joggers could last and withstand wear and tear over time, we put each jogger through at least six cycles of wash and dry cycle, wear-tested for at least six hours per day over a duration of two weeks, as well as examined the stitching and overall construction to ensure their durability. Weight: “Look at the weight of the fabric and the way it drapes,” says Kimberley Acevedo, Head of Design and Merchandising at State of Matter. “If you're buying something to lay around in the house, go heavier and softer. If you’re looking for something you can dress up and down, go for joggers with a fabric that drapes well and is lighter weight to move between environments.” When dressing up, make sure to put on fashion joggers while casual designs are ideal for lounging and relaxed days. You’ll want to put on simple t-shirts to balance out statement fashion joggers boasting trendy patterns, textures or constructions. These combinations will create bold yet well-composed outfits. Guys can also do this the other way around with basic joggers and daring t-shirts in statement colors or patterns. Try neutral-colored pants and then experiment with tops like Fendi’s logo-patterned cotton-jersey t-shirt, Balenciaga’s oversized camo t-shirt or Comme des Garcons’ polka dot shirt.

Fit Test: To see if the joggers are true to size and will fit well on big thighs, we paid attention to the seat and thigh areas to see if they’re roomy enough, and wear-tested each jogger to see how the tapered leg fits as well. In addition, we examined the elastic waistband and drawcord to see if they were able to help ensure a personalized, secure fit.

While t-shirts are universally easy and comfortable, guys can wear different types of shirts with joggers to create stylish casual and smart outfits. You can style a polo shirt with your fashionable sweatpants for a preppy athletic look. Whether you want a top with short or long sleeves, a button-up shirt will add more structure and help strike a professional tone with dark-colored jogger pants. Fashion-forward guys often incorporate joggers into their smart casual outfits for a cool look. For a masculine and sexy combination, pair your fashion joggers with a tailored button-up shirt. You may neatly fold the sleeves up just below your elbows to show off a stainless-steel sports watch. You can wear this fresh outfit with leather dress sneakers or loafers for a handsome and charming combination. Sure, most of 'em come with an elastic waistband, or maybe a drawstring closure. And plenty of 'em come in the same super soft French terry or brushed fleece as your favorite sweats. But at their core, joggers remain a separate category of loungewear, a powerful sub-genre of athleisure unto themselves. Consider the jogger a close cousin of the sweatpant—the familial resemblances are there (those telltale ankle cuffs, the relaxed fit), but the differences remain. Most important among them? Joggers can be worn less casually than their relatives, especially when they're made of fabrics that lean more chinos than sweats. (Though, in full transparency, we'd strongly advise against pairing them with anything more formal than your swankiest lounging gear.) To dress up your look, start by pairing champagne-hued or light-colored khaki pants with a knitted shawl cardigan and a button-up. Fashionable khaki joggers can add another dimension to a man’s wardrobe, allowing him to ride the athleisure trend with style.Gary Lenett, founder and CEO of clothing brand DUER, defines jogger as a more “versatile and casual alternative” to chinos but also a more elevated option than sweatpants. “Joggers are athletic-inspired pants, often made from lightweight, high-stretch fabrics,” he adds. The signature details of joggers include “an elasticated waistband, a drawcord at the waist, and a cinched jogger cuff”, according to Lenett. "The defining feature of joggers is a tapered, and typically elastic, cuff at the ankle," adds Robert Felder, Founder of Bearbottom Clothing. When it comes to footwear, there are many different types of shoes to wear with joggers that can help you pull off a casual or smart casual look. From athletic outfits to urban styles, sneakers and high tops are stylish choices that go well with joggers. Low-profile leather shoes are the best option for a trendy vibe, while Nike and Adidas trainers are great for a sporty aesthetic. Which Brands Make the Best Joggers for Men?Our favorite joggers come from menswear brands Vuori, Lululemon, and our collab with Cozy Earth. They're all light and comfortable. They have that slimming look that comes from a jogger's tapered leg. All three of them work just well as in the gym as they do in living your everyday life. However, there are plenty of other brands making great joggers right now. A big up-side to how popular joggers have become is that so many brands have put a lot of thought and effort into making new and innovative designs. Now, our legs are reaping the benefits. This list has a jogger for every use and style preference, so the best brand really comes down to what you're looking for out of your joggers. To create a smart casual outfit with a silhouette similar to skinny jeans, you’ll want to choose between dress sneakers and sleek Chelsea or chukka boots. Lace-up boots are more casual and make a bold statement.

Leg: Most joggers have a tapered leg below the knees and roomy seat and thigh areas above the knee. “Pretty much all of the most popular options for men's joggers right now have the tapered pant leg, which is both flattering and practical,” says LaGrone.If you’re going for semi-formal attire, you can pair your fashion joggers with dress shoes and a classy top such as a cashmere sweater or button-down shirt. To balance between casual and formal styles, you’ll want to wear bit loafers and leather tassel slip-ons. Function: Joggers are versatile for both athletic and casual wear, while sweatpants are primarily associated with casual lounging and relaxation. If you want to elevate your outfit, khaki joggers are an excellent option and offer an elegant style guys can match with many fashionable pieces. Guys can wear khaki joggers with sweaters and dressy sneakers, t-shirts and high-tops or button-down shirts with loafers. As one of the most popular jogger outfits, you can pair khaki joggers with a white shirt and clean white sneakers. Okay, you got us: the best joggers for men are basically just gussied-up sweatpants. It's true. Guilty as charged. But "basically" is the operative word here, and in that single, seemingly straightforward term lies a world of abstraction. Because joggers aren't just sweatpants, at least not really.