A matter of a few years ago, sweatpants were confined to your loungewear roster, only worn on those days lazing around the crib or running the most mundane of errands like grocery shopping or dropping the kids at school. Fast forward to 2022, and the sartorial hangover of the athleisure boom and a little thing called COVID-19 has thrust sweatpants into our daily wardrobes.
The pandemic got us all used to wearing and feeling confident in comfier, softer, and more forgiving garb — something which was already rumbling down in the realms of streetwear from brands like Stussy, Supreme, Palace, and Noah. It was a recipe for a French terry revolution, a coup on hard pants – a new-found appreciation for the sweatpant and how we style them.
This has left many of us looking for high-quality sweatpants that will last, and not deteriorate aesthetically with regular washing and wearing. Basically, the sweatpant equivalent of a pair of high-quality selvedge denim jeans or chinos. We’ve all had those cheap mall-store lounge pants or Walmart sweatpants. They go bobbly, they shrink, and they just look like pajamas after a few wears. In our post-COVID world, we want heavyweight French terry, luscious loopbacks, and of course, loopwheeled sweatpants.
We’ve recently embarked on a new series of detailed, deep-diving, and thorough buying guides, and we’re continuing this with our guide to buying high-quality sweatpants in 2022. Far from a listical, we’ll be looking at the different types of sweatpants, how to style them, and providing you with a categorized list of high-quality goods, including 4 stellar options under $100.
Types of Hem
Elasticated
Elasticated hems are puckered up through a strip of elastic within the hem that tightens the opening, or by blending the cotton with spandex on this section to provide some elasticity (also applicable to the waistband). This type of hem opening is designed to sit above your footwear, or just on top of it with additional fabric stacking over it. You don’t want to try and stretch the hem over a certain type of footwear that’s too bulky for it, as it will likely spring off as you walk/move around.
Drawstring
Image via The Real McCoy’s
An older form of adjustable hem, drawstring hems have string or rope running through them which can be pulled and tied to tighten the hem opening. This is a great hem choice if you want the option to customize the size of your hem openings.
Ribbed Cuff
Image via Franklin & Poe
Ribbed hems are the same as those on a sweatshirt. This means that the hem will sit at, and grip to, your ankle — just like this type of cuff does to your wrists on a long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt.
Open
image via Lost & Found
Open hems have no finish applied to make the hem either smaller or adjustable. They are finished with a seam to keep the hem clean and durable but feature no additional materials. Open hems are great if you want to roll your sweatpants up as you would with other trousers, but they aren’t seen on my high-quality sweatpants.
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Styling Sweatpants
Heritage Athletic
The Real McCoys 10 Oz. Loopwheeled Sweatpants styled by Lost & Found and Denim Heads Prague
If you’re someone who prefers an early-to-mid-century look — i.e. wide-leg bue jeans, chambrays, and boots are your inform — you can easily carry this look over into your sweatpant styling. Simply pair some vintage-inspired or reproduction sweatpants with some Chucks or other classic gym sneak (like some Moonstars) and a matching or contrasting sweatshirt. The above images show some great examples of this styling, with major props going to Lost & Found for styling those McCoy’s sweatpants with a period-accurate Afterhood sweatshirt, also by The Real McCoy’s.
If you need some further inspiration for this kind of styling, just take a look at the below image. These guys may have been training for their next big football game, but they look effortlessly cool. The combination of heavyweight, high-quality sweats and gym sneakers will always be a classic.
Image via The Real McCoy’s London
Streetwear Style
Images via Cultizm & Calculus
Sweatpants have been a pillar of streetwear style since the 90s, and after a bit of a lull, they’ve made a big comeback conducted by streetwear tastemakers like Stussy and Supreme.
If you tend to lean into a streetwear look, wear a lot of sneakers, or simply like to mix streetwear pieces into your rotation, sweatpants are incredibly easy to style and probably already a part of your arsenal. Simply throw on a pair of sweatpants with some New Balance, Nike Airs, or even some Vans, and you’re halfway there. The images above show easy this kind of styling is.
The ‘Sweatpants Are Just Jersey Trousers’ Look
images via division Road
You get some people that are so deep into the sweatpant life that they style them out with everything, from leather boots and jackets to sneakers and blazers. I’ve even seen penny loafers rocked with sweatpants and it somehow looked good. This styling is for those of you that are willing to experiment and apply no boundaries to the garment. The following styling of some Real McCoy’s sweatpants by Standard & Strange is a great example of this attitude.
Products
Loopwheeled
The Real McCoy’s MC21107 Wool Loopwheel Sweatpant
New for FW22, The Real McCoy’s has bolstered its already-healthy sweatpant selection with these Wool Loopwheel Sweatpants. Loopwheeled cotton was good enough, but adding a measure of wool to the weaving process has added another echelon of quality that we didn’t need, but we certainly want.
Made in Japan like all of the McCoy’s roster, these are probably the most luxurious heritage-centric sweatpants on the market. The price tag matches that luxury, but with a perfectly straight leg, contrasting beige stitching and off-white drawstrings, and a gusseted crotch for elevated comfort, it would be hard to not fall in love with these.
Available for $301 from Lost & Found.
Buzz Rickson’s BR40973 Sweatpants
It feels like we’ve been harping on about Buzz Rickson’s products lately. But we’re in the business of bringing you well-made garments you’ll want to use forever, and pretty much that’s all Buzz makes. The Japanese label sits firmly under the Toyo Enterprise umbrella as one of the most important reproduction labels in the world, Buzz Rickson’s produces high-quality repros of iconic workwear, military, and athletic garb, and these BR40973 Loopwheel Sweatpants are just that.
Based on military-issue sweatpants handed out to would-be pilots in the U.S. Air Force Academy in WWII, Buzz elevated this silhouette with 100% cotton loopwheeled fleece, woven in Wakayama, Japan. Available in both heather grey and oatmeal colorways, these sweatpants are straight-legged with no taper,and feature a drawstring hem with robust string adjusters. The crutch is gusseted for extra maneuverability, and the whole pant is sewn up with flat seams that won’t get your goat whilst you’re rockin’ ’em.
Available for $95 from Hinoya
The Strike Gold SGC013 Loopwheeled Sweatpants
Well, well, well. Who knew The Strike Gold extended their revered loopwheel endeavors to sweatpants? Not me, at least until I gladly discovered them whilst conducting research for this article.
Unavailable outside of Japan, these sweatpants are a slim-to-straight fitting sweatpant made from the same pillowy-soft, insulating loopwheeled cotton fleece that has made waves in the heritage scene for years through TSG’s iconic sweatshirts. They’re made in Japan and come with drawstring hems, a comfy-looking ribbed waistband, gusseted crotch, and a branded woven label.
Available for $128 from Klaxon
The Real McCoy’s MC18116 12 oz. Sweatpants
Yes, there’s already a pair of The Real McCoy’s Sweatpants in this guide. Yes, they look similar to this pair, but this pair is over $85 cheaper and I can personally vouch for them as I have owned a pair for 2 years. And they slap.
I’ve worn these a lot, from errands, chilling and dog walking, to evenings out at the pub. Despite countless washes and even the odd trip to the tumble dryer to get them dry in a jiffy, they still look as good as new. They’re made from 100% cotton loopwheeled fleece and come in mid-grey and black colorways, both of which have a slim-straight fit with contrasting heavyweight cords at the hems and waistband. Simple, high quality, and perfect for daily wear.
Available for $217 from Lost & Found.
Other Cotton Fleece, Jersey and Terry
UES Sweat Pants Indigo
Indigo lovers may have struggled to find a fadeable sweatpant, but UES has fixed that problem with these jawns. Made from a premium 100% cotton sweat fabric, these sweatpants by Chuji Matsumoto’s Japanese brand come in a tapered fit that’s trim enough to be flattering and shapely, without being clingy and skin-tight.
As we’ve come to expect from UES, no stone has been left unturned when producing these indigo-dyed Sweatpants. They’re one-washed to reduce shrinkage and come with an adjustable waistband, a sexy branded label on one of the rear pockets, and check flannel pocket bags which are an unexpected but highly charming detail. The best part, though? These will fade with wear, revealing brighter indigo tones which are already evident in the close-up shots taken by Redcast. Take a look for yourself and imagine what these will look like after some hard wear.
Available for $227 from Redcast Heritage.
Reigning Champ Cuffed Sweatpant
You can’t talk about sweats without talking about Reigning Champ. We may shine a bright spotlight on loopwheeled products here at Heddels, but Canadian-made heavyweight cotton jersey is in the same realm of quality and character.
Ready for that champion walk-out into your lounge or local coffee bar, the Cuffed Sweatpant by Reigning Champ is made in Canada from a medium-weight terrycloth and constructed with flatlock seams for ever-lasting comfort. If you’re reading an article written by our very own Daniel Rockburn, chances are he was rocking a pair of these as he wrote it.
These have a ‘modern‘ fit that’s slim through the leg with an elasticated cuff, and goes with all manner of footwear. They’re also available in three colorways — including a sexy burnt orange ‘Sierra’ that’s perfect for autumnal get-ups — all of which come with soft, tactile jersey pocket bags.
Available for $127 from Division Road.
New Balance Made In USA Sweatpant
New Balance is one of the few remaining ‘big’ sportswear companies to still have a major production presence in places like the USA and England, allowing them to churn out higher-quality goods that are longer-lasting and ethically made. And whilst we know New Balance for their sneakers, they’ve also started producing apparel in the USA, too, like these Sweatpants.
Coming in heather, black, and oatmeal — the heritage athletic color trinity — these sweatpants are simple, well-made, and great-fitting. They’re roomy up top and tapered towards the hem, and made from a mid-to-heavyweight 440 gsm French Terry that looks super soft and comfy. As exhibited by styling images from Lost & Found, they look great with sneakers, and come with welt pockets, elasticated hems, and a hit of contrasting New Balance branding.
Available for $165 from Lost & Found.
Lady White Co. Panel Sweatpant Ash
Ah, Lady White. You want vintage-inspired athletic wear and basics? They got it. This goes for sweatpants, too.
The Panel Sweatpant is made in the USA and constructed from 13 oz. napped loopback fleece. They’re an elevated basic with a point of difference in form of a paneled construction with pronounced seams. Pair the relaxed-tapered fit of these American-made sweats with some pumps, sneakers, or slippers, and you’re good to go.
Available for$165 from Lost & Found.
Snow Peak Recycled Cotton Sweat Pants
If you’re looking for some more width and a generally relaxed fit with a heavyweight fabric to boot, these Snow Peak Sweatpants are your boys.
I don’t know the exact weight or gsm of this 100% recycled cotton melange, however, having felt them in reals at the Snow Peak store in London, I can say they’re pretty thicc. The relaxed fit with a gentle taper is perfect for those of you who want a baggier sweatpant that’s roomy without entering anti-fit territory. Most Snow Peak products are made in Japan, so I would imagine these are, too. Regardless, they look and feel like a great investment.
Available for $135 from Cultizm.
Unfil Vintage Cotton Fleece Sweatpants
While these ‘Vintage Cotton Fleece Sweatpants’ from Japanese imprint, Unfil, are among the priciest in this guide, they have a unique color and fit that makes them hard to ignore.
Made in Japan from soft and durable cotton fleece, they have a lovely muted brown-beige colorway that literally goes with everything. The fit is super wide and relaxed, reinforcing the laid-back aesthetic of these vintage-inspired sweatpants.
Available from Namu Shop for $255
American Trench Every Day Sweat Pant
An American sportswear classic like the sweatpant was always going to be on American Trench‘s radar, and low and behold, they’ve put out a pair of American-made sweatpants.
These are the skinniest sweatpants on this list, if that’s what you’re looking for, made in the USA from a mid-weight 100% cotton French terry that will keep you comfy for days. We like American Trench’s mantra on these sweats:
“Good luck going back to chinos – these sweatpants will stay in your rotation for seasons on end, in three versatile colors.” – American Trench
Available for $125 from American Trench.
Under $100
Camber Cross-Knit® Sweatpant
It seems that the world has cottoned onto Camber in the last couple of years. They’ve always been there, producing high-quality sweats designed as workwear for colder climes, but their classic silhouettes and high-quality, proprietary Cross-Knit® fabric has caught the attention of those looking to invest in quality sweats and t-shirts.
Camber’s signature Cross-Knit® is a 12 oz. 90% cotton/ 10% polyester fabric, thick, soft, and pillowy to the touch, perfect for sweatshirts and sweatpants. These sweatpants feature this fabric and a roomy-tapered fit with a tight elasticated hem, meaning they sit above your footwear and stack slightly.
Coming in under $100, these are great value and will likely last you for years, and thanks to Camber’s unchanged design process, they have a heritage edge to them that other, more affordable sweatpants don’t have.
Available for $125CAD (~$95USD) from Rhythmic Tones.
Bather Sweatpant
Bather produces some quality bathing suits and poolside gear, but turns out they make some nice sweatsuits, too. These Sweatpants are made in Canada from 340 GSM organic cotton French Terry, and are comparable to sweats from the like of Reigning Champ and House of Blanks.
They’re slightly lighter in weight than others on this list, which, when paired with a slim fit, makes these look more suitable for loungewear, but they’d also be good for someone on the West coast where it rarely gets genuinely cold.
Available for $92 from Lost & Found.
Calculus Heavy Fleece Sweatpant
Victoria-based Canadian retailer, Calculus, has an impressive and forward-thinking stockholding of high-quality goods, but they also design and produce their own clothing that is as affordable as it is handsome. Check out their proprietary sweatpants, made in the USA from a heavyweight 14 oz. cotton fleece that is robust, but still has a decent drape.
I’m impressed by these and seriously considering their garment-dyed rendition, especially as these clock in at around $80, which seems like insane value for money. Calculus has designed them with a wide, relaxed fit and elasticated hem, with no bells and whistles, just high-quality fleece sewn up into a versatile sweatpant for your laid-back looks. Winning.
Available in multiple colorways for $81 from Calculus.
Burgus Plus BP18303
Inspired by both vintage workwear and athletic wear, these sweatpants by Hinoya’s in-house label, Burgus Plus, are super interesting. Made in Japan from a unique cotton fleece slowly woven by vintage circular knitting machines, the BP18303 sweatpant is essentially pair of fleece trousers, with unique workwear-inspired detailing like the baker-style patch pockets and reinforced knees.
Yes, these will tick over the $100 mark factoring in shipping from Japan, but you can’t argue with this price point when it comes to unique and Japanese-made sweatpants that will set off any fall/winter fit. They’ve even got a gusseted crotch for comfort, and come in a slim-straight fit that’s versatile and flattering. We’re loving the pronounced welts on the patch pockets throughout, too.
Available for $93 from Hinoya.
