Fitness Awards 2024: Best Workout Clothing

Nothing will make or break your confidence during a workout quite like clothes. There’s the aesthetic aspect, of course: These days, people are more conscious than ever before of being watched in the gym, so it’s nice to look nice, but more importantly, there’s the question of performance. If your idea of athletic clothing is baggy, beat-up, years-old or recycled, it might be time to step up your game. The entire fitness industry is hyper-competitive, resulting in companies constantly trying to innovate and one-up each other in their designs, materials and technologies. Today’s performance materials are lightweight, durable and breathable, with fits that aim to strike a balance between roomy enough to allow for maximum mobility and tight enough both to look good (and show off your physique, of course) and also prevent your clothes from snagging on exercise machines or workout equipment. To help you navigate the massive array of options, and maybe even discover some brands you weren’t already familiar with, we’ve picked out the best workout clothing across a massive variety of categories for this year's AskMen Fitness Awards. Weightlifters, runners, yoga & pilates enthusiasts — we’ve got something for you. Best Workout Clothing Best Workout T-Shirt Gymshark Crest T-Shirt The ideal workout T-shirt isn’t covered in flames or skulls or slogans; it just fits well, absorbs sweat and keeps your body cool even when the intensity ramps up. By those metrics, the Gymshark Crest T-Shirt is a clear winner. It’s made from 100% cotton, which makes it soft on the skin, and the construction, from the seams to the collar to the embedded logo, is all premium. This is a shirt you can train in day in and day out. $17.60 at Gymshark.com Best Long-Sleeve Workout Shirt License to Train Relaxed-Fit Long-Sleeve Shirt Lululemon’s entire License to Train line of workout gear deserves a shoutout, but it’s their long-sleeve workout shirt that most grabbed our attention this year. The fit, when you get the correct size, is perfect, neither so tight that you can’t move nor so loose that people can’t see the hard work you’ve put into shaping your body, while the materials wick sweat and resist odors like no other. There are also little, thoughtful details, such as the reinforced locker loop on the back of the shirt or the underarm gusset for greater arm mobility, that help to elevate this shirt above the competition. $88 at Lululemon.com Best Workout Hoodie NOBULL Blended Merino Wool Hoodie Whether you wear it just for warming up or keep it on to train in colder temperatures, the NOBULL Blended Merino Wool Hoodie should be your go-to training hoodie. It’s made from a composite fabric blending both wool and spandex, giving it amazing breathability and insulation without sacrificing stretch and durability, while key quality-of-life features like the underarm gusset, reflective branding and kangaroo pouch make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor workouts. $124 at NOBULL.com Best Workout Tank On Performance Tank When things get really intense, or you just need to shed some clothing weight and maximize breathability, reach for On’s Performance Tank. It’s made from a polyester-elastane blend that’s lightweight, breathable and quick-drying, so people who sweat a lot will definitely appreciate this tank, while the bonded hems eliminate the risk of chafing. If you’re a nighttime runner, you’ll also appreciate the shirt’s reflective elements, which help make you more visible to drivers. $69.99 at On.com Best Compression Vest LEORÊVER Sleeveless Balanced Compression Shirt LEORÊVER’s sleeveless compression shirt, made from their proprietary microfiber poly-spandex, is available in 11 different colors and six different sizes. Getting your size right is very important with compression clothing in particular, because the benefits — from improved circulation and reduced inflammation to better workout recovery — stem from a tighter fit. We love the tapered design of this shirt, freeing up the shoulders for greater range of motion while still showcasing all your hard work. $69 at LEOREVER.com Best Workout Pants Lululemon Knit Training Pant If you want the kind of versatility in style and performance that can take you from the office to the gym without a change of clothes, reach for the Knit Training Pant from Lululemon. The Lycra fiber is stretchy without sacrificing hold, while the pique fabric does a great job wicking sweat and resisting tears and abrasion. Zippered side pockets and a smaller, zippered seam pocket add practicality, while perforations at the rear of the pants add ventilation. The internal drawcord also helps tighten things up when you want to ramp up your training intensity. $148 at Lululemon.com Best Workout Joggers Lululemon Surge Joggers Lululemon has solved pants. We’re not sure if it’s the lightweight materials, or the stretchy fabrics, or the incredible, versatile fit, but the Surge Joggers manage to effortlessly keep up with whatever you’re doing, from grocery trips to wind sprints, while still looking incredibly stylish. It helps that they’re available in nine different waist sizes and three different seam lengths, because trust us: once you find the right fit for your body, you’ll never wear more comfortable pants. $118 at Lululemon.com Best Compression Tights Gymshark Control Baselayer Leggings Made from a blend of nylon, polyester and elastane, and featuring conveniently placed mesh panels to promote airflow, the Control Baselayer Leggings from Gymshark offer a tight, secure fit that makes cold-weather training a lot more bearable, while also encouraging blood flow and preventing muscle fatigue. If you’re doing any kind of explosive or dynamic work in the cold, these are a must. $40 at Gymshark.com Best Workout Shorts Chubbies The Secret Agent Shorts If you’ve heard of Chubbies, you probably associate them with poolside PBRs and beer pong, but it turns out they know shorts so well, they also make a great workout short. Their Secret Agent model, with a built-in liner, covert phone pocket and elastic waistband, stands up to the most intense workouts, offering all-day comfort, excellent moisture-wicking, and five total pockets for added practicality. We especially love the wide variety of colors, prints and styles available. From $79.50 at Chubbies.com Best Workout Underwear UA Performance Tech 6" Boxerjock When Under Armour was first introduced to the world, it was their sweat-wicking base layers that really made their name and sold them to college football programs around the world, and all these years later, they’re still among the best in the business when it comes to performance underwear. We love their Performance Tech Boxerjock not only for its stretchy, breathable fabric but also for its subdued styling. Sure, you can wear this to do a sprint workout, but you can also wear it on a night out. $22 at UnderArmour.com Best Workout Socks MACK WELDON AIRKNITˣ High Ankle Sock People sleep on the importance of good workout socks, but you only have to experience severe chafing or a hot spot one time during training to realize how necessary they really are. If you train with high intensity, the MACK WELDON AIRKNITˣ High Ankle Sock should be in your arsenal. They feature strategically placed breathable mesh panels, extra cushioning in the high-impact heel and toe areas, as well as a compression footbed to promote blood flow and an anti-odor material woven into the fabric to keep your feet smelling fresh. $22 at MackWeldon.com Best Workout Shoes Puma Fuse 3.0 If you train like an athlete, you need a shoe as dynamic as you are. In practice, that means a shoe that offers stability during heavy lifts, excellent lateral grip for explosive side-to-side movements, and a combination of comfort, breathability and durability to withstand the daily grind. The Puma Fuse 3.0 combines a lightweight mesh upper with a reinforced outsole TPU heel piece to create the highest performing workout shoe we tested this year. $120 at Puma.com Best Gym Gloves Under Armour Project Rock Training Gloves The collaboration between one of the premier sportswear companies in the world and the biggest action star on the planet was bound to produce something great, and while the entire collection is worthy of your attention, the gym gloves in particular stand out for us. The palm is finished in leather, for maximum durability and protection, while the rear of the glove is made from a stretchy spandex, while the thumbs are covered in a brushed fleece lining to help you brush away excess sweat. And those Rock logos — menacing! $45 at UnderArmour.com Best Weightlifting Belt Inzer Forever Lever Belt Inzer are famous in the lifting world for making some of the best weightlifting belts out there, so it’s no surprise that their Forever Lever Belt would earn top accolades this year. It’s available in seven sizes and 24 (!) color options, but each model is made from one solid piece of leather lock-stitched to high-density nylon, offering an unmatched tightness that gives you the core confidence you crave on heavy squats. The lever system makes adjustments quick and easy, while the fine suede finish just plain looks awesome, especially in the right light. $139 at Inzer.com Best Wrist Wraps Gymreapers 18” Wrist Wraps Once you reach a certain level of strength, pressing movements with heavy weights can really beat up your delicate wrist joints, which is when you know it’s time to reach for a solid pair of wrist wraps. We love this colorful pair from Gymreapers. They’re IPF-approved (that’s the International Powerlifting Federation), so you can use them in competition, but even if you’re more of an amateur lifter, their sturdy polyester-elastic construction and double-stitched design will offer all the protection you need to lift pain-free. $19.99 at Gymreapers.com Best Gym Bag King Kong Core Duffel Let’s face it: a gym bag needs to be more than just practical. We’re all at least a little bit vain, and we want our gear to look good. Thankfully, with the King Kong Cure Duffel, you don’t need to sacrifice style for space. This bag was built for lifters, from the ultra-durable construction to the generous interior space to the dedicated lifting belt attachment on the bag’s exterior. You’ll also get three color options and two size choices, making it easy to pick the bag for your gear needs. From $149.95 at KNKG.com Best Yoga Gear Best Yoga Bag Manduka Go Steady 3.0 Mat Carrier Manduka is to yoga what Nike is to basketball or Adidas to soccer, and their Go Steady 3.0 yoga bag gives us a good glimpse into why that is. Its stylish, compact design defines yoga chic, while the weather-resistant materials, premium stitching and breathable design make it easy to keep your yoga gear in tip-top shape both before and after a workout. Interior space is generous despite the small size, with more than enough room for a yoga mat, cellphone, spare clothes and hand towels. $70 at Manduka.com Best Yoga Hoodie Lululemon License to Train Hoodie Didn’t we say the License to Train line from Lululemon was gold? This ultra-lightweight hoodie fits perfectly, neither so billowy that it gets caught on equipment while you’re training nor so tight that it restricts your movement. An underarm gusset frees up arm movements for maximum range, while the sweat-wicking fabric handles heavy sweating with ease and dries quickly even after getting wet. $118 at Lululemon.com Best Outdoor Gear Best Heated Hoodie ORORO Men's Heated Hoodie You can’t let a little thing like winter interfere with your training, so it pays to have some gear to help you cope with the cold. The ORORO Heated Hoodie uses three strategically placed carbon fiber heating elements, powered by a USB-rechargeable battery, to keep you toasty when the temps drop, for up to 10 hours on a single charge. The base hoodie is no slouch either: it’s made from a relaxed-fit polyester that’s both breathable and pliable, making it very comfortable to train in, even with more dynamic movements. $247 at OROROWear.com Best Hiking Jacket Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Pro Serious hikers know that the right jacket can make or break a hike in bad weather, which is why you should minimize your exposure and pick up the Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Pro. The exterior is made from an ultra-tough, proprietary 20D ripstop fabric, while the interior is insulated with 80 grams of synthetic fiber with additional fleece inserts, for excellent cold-weather protection. This jacket is also incredibly practical, with multiple zippered pockets and an adjustable hem to help you lock in the right fit. $200 at Jack-Wolfskin.com Best Walking Shoes Merrell Alpine 83 Sneaker Whether you’re a dedicated dog walker or just love to go for strolls, you’ll want a pair of comfy, cushioned shoes. The Merrell Alpine 83 Sneaker, with its lightweight EVA foam midsole, microfiber lining and broad rubber outsole, fits the bill perfectly, and to assuage your conscience, many of the shoe’s materials are recycled, minimizing its environmental footprint. $70 at Merrell.com Best Slip-On Sneaker Kizik Athens If you’re prone to forcing your feet into your shoes rather than taking the time to unlace them, and if that habit tends to ruin your shoes over time, you need Kizik. Their entire brand is built around a reinforced heel that’s designed to snap back into place when you slide your feet into the shoe. The Athens, in particular, redefines casual comfort thanks not only to that clever heel design but also to full-length cushioning and Kizik’s own Rabbit Foam on the outsole, lifting the heel and reducing foot fatigue on longer walks. $130 at Kizik.com Best Running Gear Best Running Shirt Arc’teryx Cormac Crew If you’ve ever gone for a long run in the wrong shirt, you know the kind of pain you’re bringing on: chafed skin, rashes and maybe even bloody nipples (it’s a thing — look it up). Skip the unnecessary suffering and pick up the Cormac Crew from Arc’teryx. It’s available in 10 vibrant, high-visibility colors, each made from a high-performance, 100%-recycled synthetic fiber that’s not only lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking but also UV-resistant and durable enough to withstand all weather conditions. $70 at Arcteryx.com Best Long-Sleeve Running Shirt Brooks Run Visible Long Sleeve If you run in colder temperatures, and perhaps especially at night, you’ll love the Run Visible Long Sleeve from Brooks Running. It uses 89% recycled materials to create a breathable, quick-drying and comfortable top that’s also highly visible in low-light conditions thanks to the strategically placed reflective elements on the wrists, waist and collar. $90 at BrooksRunning.com Best Running Singlet Saucony Pinnacle Sleeveless Saucony knows running, so it’s no surprise that their Pinnacle running singlet is, well, a winner. The modal-polyester-elastane fabric blend does a phenomenal job wicking sweat away from the body and preventing the dreaded shirt cling that leads to chafing, while bonded hems and arm cutouts also smoothen possible hotspots. The end result is an extremely comfortable, performance-oriented singlet with bright, reflective elements that make night running, especially in cities, much safer. $65.95 at Saucony.com Best Running Jacket Tracksmith Franklin Fleece Jacket Running in fleece? Sounded blasphemous to us too, but after a few cold-weather runs in the Tracksmith Franklin Fleece Jacket, we were sold. The four-way stretch fleece fabric performs very well, even at higher intensities, while helping you keep up your core body temperature on colder night runs, and the design is immensely practical, with zippered hand pockets and a two-way enclosure zipper. $158 at Tracksmith.com Best Running Hat Fractel R-Series “Nomad” Edition Cap Lightweight, aerodynamic and fast-drying, the Fractel R-Series cap was the standout choice for runners looking to protect their domes from the wind and sun in 2024. We love that it’s made from 100% recycled yarn, while the sun protection, not only from the brim but also from the paneling, is among the best we tested. $61.94 at Fractel.us Best Running Sunglasses Smith Optics Reverb If you’re constantly chasing the sun on your runs, you’ll want to both protect your eyes from constant sun exposure and enhance your visibility, and the Smith Optics Reverb sunglasses do both magnificently well. The TR90 frame is lightweight enough not to bother you while running while also extremely durable, and the fit is secure even when you’re pushing the intensity thanks to the non-slip grip padding placed at the nose and temple. $219 at SmithOptics.com Best All-Around Running Shoes Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 If good looks and versatility are what you’re after in a running shoe, check out the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. Combining an S-curve carbon fiber plate for superior energy transfer from heel to toe, as well as an ultra-durable rubber outsole and soft, bouncy cushioning, these shoes are suitable for beginner to advanced runners looking to up their pace, though you’ll notice the high-end design more the more you push the tempo. $225 at Saucony.com Best Racing Running Shoes Nike Vaporfly 3 If you’re chasing speed and personal bests, if you train to race and want the ultimate race-day shoe, look no further than the Nike Vaporfly 3. Built for speed, this shoe is extremely lightweight without somehow sacrificing the cushioning and responsiveness you need to maximize energy transfer without harming your joints. The off-center lacing is one of the shoe’s more unique elements, but it works extremely well in practice too, allowing you to get excellent lockdown on foot without restricting blood flow. From $270 at Nike.com Best Marathon Running Shoes Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 If you’re a distance runner, you know few ordinary running shoes can withstand the sheer volume of miles required for training — let alone competing — in something like a marathon or half-marathon. Adidas purpose-built the Adizero Adios Pro 3 for runners like you, and that’s immediately obvious upon first wear. First of all, they’re light, weighing just 7.7 ounces, which helps reduce fatigue on long runs. Next, they have excellent energy transfer: carbon fiber rods inserted into the midsole help promote a long, energy-efficient stride, as well as a breathable upper that helps prevent heat buildup. Finally, there’s just enough cushion in the midsole to make these shoes comfortable even on steep hill descents without throwing off your stride or ruining the energy transfer. $200 at Adidas.com Best Recovery Running Shoes ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 If you’re coming off an injury, nursing a sore muscle or just want to give your body a break after a particularly strenuous training schedule, recovery shoes are there to help you get the cardio workout you crave without the joint and tissue damage you dread. Case in point: the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25. These shoes take a maximalist approach to cushioning, giving you the sensation of running on clouds, and while that’s less than ideal for speed or pace, it can do wonders for aching muscles. ASICS’ proprietary FF Blast+ Eco midsole foam manages to take the edge off of impact without sacrificing stability or energy transfer more than it absolutely has to, while the wide rubber outsole gives maximum grip in almost all running conditions. $119.95 at ASICS.com Best Trail Running Shoes Hoka Stinson 7 If you’re a trail runner, you’re going to want to have a lot of confidence in your shoes; your ankles and other joints literally depend on it. Thankfully, the Hoka Stinson 7 delivers. The stability comes from their patented H-Frame technology, that helps to counteract ankle rolls when you step on an unstable surface. Combine that with a higher-than-average cushioning bed (a high “stack height,” in runner’s lingo) and their sturdy Durabrasion outsole, and you’ve got a shoe that can take you off the beaten path in comfort and style. $170 at Hoka.com Best Track Running Shoes Puma evoSPEED Sprint 14 Compared to road and trail running, track running is a whole different beast, demanding its own special shoe design. Whether you’re practicing for a competitive run or just lucky enough to have regular access to a track for sprint or hurdle training, the Puma evoSPEED Sprint 14 are the best track shoes we tested this year, combining great value with a lightweight, aerodynamic design. Stability and traction comes from a Pebax track plate running three-quarters of the length of the shoe, while an EVA heel crash pad does a great job mitigating the jolts on high-impact sprints or hurdle jumps. $80 at Puma.com Best Budget Running Shoes Brooks Revel 6 If you’re a beginner to a sport or training activity, the high cost of equipment can be a bit intimidating, but good news: you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on quality running shoes, especially if you’re not aiming to compete at a high level. Case in point? The Brooks Revel 6, for just $100, combines amazing design with high performance. Comfort comes from the Green Rubber midsole (made from environmentally-friendly silica, too!), which manages to mitigate impact strain without sacrificing springiness, while the arrow-point traction pattern offers excellent grip even on rainy runs. $100 at BrooksRunning.com Best Running Shorts Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts The sheer sorcery of Patagonia, to create a lightweight, high-performance running short that still manages to fit five pockets into its design, for maximum practicality. Made from 90% recycled, quick-drying polyester, with a 5-inch inseam length and drawstring waist, the Strider Pro Shorts have been engineered to perfection, with bonded seams and built-in liner briefs to minimize skin irritation, as well as reflective elements to allow you to safely run at night. $85 at Patagonia.com Best Compressions Shorts McDavid Cross Compression Shorts If you want maximum compression and the feeling of security it brings, check out McDavid’s Cross Compression Shorts. The nylon-spandex fabric does a great job of wicking away moisture without restricting your skin’s ability to breathe, but it’s the cross-stitch design and six-thread, flat-lock technology at the seams that really makes these compression shorts stand above the competition. $49.99 at Amazon.com Best Running Socks Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab Don’t pair cheap socks with expensive running shoes and expect top performance. The Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab are the best low-profile running socks of the year, thanks to their built-in ankle support, strategically placed cushion at the heel and forefoot, excellent moisture wicking and proprietary GripDry Fiber that prevents in-shoe slippage, even on rainy runs. $19.99 at Switfwick.com Best Running Gloves Hestra Runners All Weather If you’re a trail runner or just tend to go off the beaten path on your runs, or if you live somewhere cold and need some added warmth, you’ll want a reliable pair of running gloves to protect your hands. These All Weather Gloves from Hestra are warm and wind-proof, with a pull tab on each glove to make putting them on easy. The palm has a tactile grip pattern, while the thumb and index finger are engineered to allow for smartphone use even through the material. $55 at HestraGloves.us Best Insoles Fulton The Athletic Insole Too often, people think their favorite athletic shoes are shot and need to be replaced, when it’s often easier — and cheaper — to simply replace the insole. The Athletic Insole from Fulton can revive your favorite running or athletic shoes thanks to its soft cork cushioning, which gradually molds itself to the contours of your own feet. High arches? No problem. Just make sure to wear them for at least 10 hours to allow for the perfect fit. $66 at WalkFulton.com You Might Also Dig: AskMen Fitness Awards 2024: Best SupplementsAskMen Fitness Awards 2024: Best Home Gym EquipmentAskMen Fitness Awards 2024: Best Fitness Tech