The 16 Best Running Pants For Men
When duty calls — when your next training session surely can’t wait — you need some quality running pants to go the extra mile. It really is that simple — the best men’s running pants can take your gear rotation from good to great, saving you from the elements while offering durability, protection and even a bit of streamlined style.
Plenty of brands you know and love are offering up running pants that blend innovative technology with sleek design, all the better for shaving seconds and minutes off your training runs — be it on a fast track or running through trails and rough terrain. The even better part has got to be the fact that so many of the best running pants are made by brands that also specialize in crafting premiere running shoes. Talk about a one-two combo that’s going to pay serious dividends when you see your time crossing the finish line at your next race.
And if you don’t yet have a goal race in mind? Picking up some of these excellent running pants — potentially your new favorite running pants, at that — is a great way to set a goal and get moving now that you’re properly equipped.
On Running Pants
Is it ever worth it to drop $150-plus on a pair of running pants? In the case of the On Running Pants, the answer is absolutely yes, and with the sort of materials and design to back it up, it’s a price you’ll be more than glad to pay. We love the sleek colorway (Shadow, to be specific) and the fact that they feature built-in UV protection is another bonus. Last but certainly not least, they feature tough DWR protection — it’s as if On Running has thought of everything, and to us … they surely have.
Brooks Spartan Pant
What’s the perfect pairing with your Brooks running shoes? That’s easy — the Brooks Spartan Pants fit the bill quite nicely, seeing as they’re a surprisingly innovative piece of gear from a heritage leader in quality running shoes. The Spartan Pants feature an ingenious relaxed fit for easy layering when it’s cold outside, and ankle zippers give you the ability to slide these on and off with ease after warming up (or after your run, for that matter).
Western Rise Spectrum Jogger
Western Rise specializes in the sort of adventure-ready, trail-minded, and performance-friendly gear that you can wear from sunrise to sunset. It’s all the better that you could outfit yourself for a jam-packed day of activities wearing only Western Rise, starting with the Spectrum Joggers to guide your morning run. You could of course keep your day rolling with a Western Rise merino shirt and stretch pants, but it all gets kicked off on the right foot with the Spectrum Joggers. Thanks to the breathable and moisture-wicking fabric — to go along with a tailored fit — the versatility of these is unmatched.
Lululemon ABC Jogger
The Lululemon ABC Pants are the perfect on-duty pants when it comes to business casual style, and it’s all the better that the Lululemon ABC Joggers give you that same trademark comfort in a run-ready pair of joggers. If you’ve previously slept on what Lululemon brings to the table when it comes to men’s athleisure gear, get ready to have your preconceived notions of the brand flipped on their head, because Lululemon now readily makes some of the best men’s running pants.
Mack Weldon Ace Sweatpant
The Mack Weldon Ace Sweatpants are yet another pair of running pants we think is well-suited for multiple pursuits, be it of the casual or more training-minded variety. Either way, they’re a perfect next addition to your performance and casual style rotations, thanks to the soft French terry fabric and classic color options. The tapered fit makes them ideal for speedy training sessions, too.
Janji Transit Pant
If your run takes you into inclement weather, you need a pair of running pants that are up to the challenge. That’s where the Transit Pants from Janji come into play. Plenty of stretch and a water-repellent finish make these running pants stand out (and run away) from the crowd, to say the least. With zippered pockets to keep your EDC secure and easy on/off elastic cuffs and waistband, the Transit Pant keeps your run comfortable, even when the weather gets disagreeable.
Tracksmith Session Pants
The buzz about Tracksmith has been building for years, and with good reason. The Boston-based brand is turning running and athletic gear into pieces that are stylish enough to wear off the road and away from the track. However, when you need to turn your training up to 11, the brand can deliver in that regard, too. The Tracksmith Session Pants are made with mesh panels for enhanced air flow and moisture wicking, while the nylon blend fabric should prove lightweight enough for year-round wear. When you need to rest and recover, you can also wear these comfortable, classically designed sweats.
Vuori Fleet Pant
With the Vuori Fleet Pant, nothing can slow you down. Made from an ultra-lightweight fabric, these pants are incredibly versatile and offer just enough stretch that you can play sports, hit the gym, or sprint stairs in comfort and style. The pants are also beautifully breathable, made to be both moisture-wicking and quick-drying. The combination of waistband and drawcord will keep them securely in place no matter what you carry in the extra-large pockets.
Under Armour Men’s UA OutRun the Storm Pants
Under Armour is the brand to beat for training clothing, so it’s no surprise the UA OutRun the Storm Pants earn a top spot on our list of the best running pants for men. These pants are super-water-resistant, and they’ll keep out the rain, sleet, and snow, protecting both your legs and whatever you’re carrying in the secure zippered pockets from getting wet. Forgot your armband at home? Don’t worry about it: the waistband itself can be expanded and turned into a convenient phone-carrying band that’s fully water-resistant and designed to keep your mobile device tucked snugly for hours.
Adidas Own The Run Astro Pants
Adidas takes a huge step toward sustainability with their Own The Run Astro Pants, which uses Primegreen, a blend of recycled materials specifically manufactured for maximum performance. The exterior is water-resistant while the interior is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, and the sweat-guard pocket helps to prevent excess body heat and moisture from damaging your phone. The combination of polyester and elastane makes the fabric durable, comfortable, and highly reliable. For nighttime runners, you’ll love the 360-degree reflectivity so you can always be safe on the roads after dark.
Ten Thousand Session Pant
The Ten Thousand Session Pant keeps things lightweight and ultra-mobile, exactly what you’re looking for in a pair of cool- and warm-weather running pants. They may not stand up to dead-of-winter cold, but they’re thick enough to shield your legs from the wind, stretchy enough for sprint training, and made using a highly breathable, odor-resistant, and moisture-wicking synthetic fabric. The front zip pockets offer you secure storage for all your extras, and your phone, keys will fit in the specially-designed “Every Session Carry” pockets. Thanks to the ankle zips, you can even pull them on without taking off your shoes.
Nike Dri-FIT Run Division Challenger
Just because the weather’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean you have to be. In Nike’s Dri-FIT Run Division Challenger, you’ll find you stay toasty warm even in on a blustery day. The polyester fabric is light but surprisingly resistant to wind, and will do an amazing job of wicking sweat and moisture away from your body so you don’t get bogged down as you run. To ensure your EDC items are safe, the pants include spacious pockets with snap closures. You’ll find the tapered fit and light weight make these a truly game-changing pair of running pants compatible with any and every workout.
Asics Men’s Tech Jogger
A great pair of running pants will be suitable for a short jog or a long-distance run (here’s looking at you, marathoners), and this Asics Tech Jogger is more than up for any workout you can throw at it. Made from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex, the pants are surprisingly lightweight and stretchy enough they’ll keep up with you in your hill sprints, sprint training, or sports drills. The fabric is wonderfully soft to the touch and won’t chafe on your legs. It’s also wrinkle-resistant so you’ll always look your best whether you’re getting out of bed in the morning or coming out of the gym. The zippered side pocket is particularly useful for runners who want to carry only the basics but don’t want to risk their phone, keys, or wallet bouncing out of their pockets as they run.
Rhone Extra Mile Pant
You’ll want to go the extra mile in these Rhone pants, because they’re just so darned comfortable. They may be light and feel cloud-soft against your skin, but they’re also built rugged and designed to handle even the worst weather. The recycled polyester fabric overlay panels have natural water resistance that will shrug off rain, sleet, and snow, and the dual-layered design ensures you’ve got proper insulation to keep your body heat in and the cold out. The elastic drawcord at the waist offers a snug fit and keeps the wind from seeping down your back as you run. And for runners who train after dark, you’ll be glad for the addition of high-visibility reflective details to keep you safe on city streets.
Reebok Classics Vector Track Pants
From your home to the track to the bar, these pants will be comfortable everywhere you wear them. The slim fit pairs perfectly with your favorite plain white sneakers, but they’ve got enough flex and movement to adapt to high-intensity training. The pants are made using significant recycled content that is both eco-friendly and beautifully sturdy. The exterior shell will offer wind-resistance, while the interior nylon woven layer ensures you stay warm all winter long. With the addition of Reebok’s classic Vector logo, it’s an eye-catching pair of running pants you’ll be proud to wear both in and out of the gym.
New Balance Impact Run Woven Pant
New Balance designed the Impact Run Woven Pant specifically for runners, a fact you’ll see reflected in every detail—from the zippered drop-in pockets sized big enough for running snacks and your smartphone, the loose cut in the hips and thighs, the warming woven fabric, the tapered knee and leg, the active stretch integrated into the polyester weave, and the built-in storage tunnel that lets you carry extra layers hands-free. Pair them with your favorite New Balance running shoes, and you’ve got the recipe for a longer, better, more comfortable run.
Nathan Men’s 365 Jogger
Hiking, running, camping, or lounging: these pants can do it all. They’re built tough and warm, with just enough elastane mixed into the polyester to make them ultra-flexible and supremely comfortable. Their innate quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties will prevent you from overheating and keep them from getting soggy even if you’re a heavy sweater. Plus, the midweight technical knit makes them warm enough for the cold months but still breathable enough to use when the days are warm. Add to that drop-in hand pockets, a zippered coin pocket, reflective details in the logo, and a tapered fit, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for maximum comfort and convenience on every run.
Ten Thousand Interval Pants
You won’t find a more versatile pair of running pants anywhere else. Not only are they made with four-way stretch performance fabric, but they come with integrated panels to maximize breathability, a permanent silver ion treatment that keeps odors at bay, a dual-wear drawcord system that can be worn either inside or outside the no-pinch waistband, sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties, gussets in the legs to increase your range of motion, and zipped cuffs that will fit over any pants or shoes. But my personal favorite is the Every Session Carry pocket system, which keeps all your items securely in place with zero bounce or shift as you run, jump, and train.
Disclosure: Clicking on these links and making a purchase may earn us a small referral fee, at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.