The 16 best joggers for women, tested for comfort

Pros: Super soft, moisture-wicking, sustainable fabric, two inseam options

Cons: They may pill a bit

Vuori's viral Performance Joggers live up to all the hype. I own three pairs of these babies, and they're always the ones I reach for when I want to wear bottoms that are superiorly comfortable, but also look put together enough for a trip to the grocery store or the nail salon. 

The recycled polyester and elastane material is dubbed the Dreamknit fabric by the brand, and it feels exactly what it sounds like: buttery soft to the touch, stretchy but not flimsy, lightweight yet durable. Two front pockets and a contrast color drawstring waist add functional and stylish touches. They're intended to hit above the ankle. I'm 5'7", and I opted for the long inseam version for a full-length fit. 

I'm far from the only Vuori devotee on the Insider Reviews team: The Sunday Performance Joggers are best sweatpants for men, executive editor Sally Kaplan loves the Dreamknit fabric's "pajama-like feel," and former style and beauty editor Ashley Philips dubbed the joggers "a core part of my wardrobe."

To learn more, read my full review of Vuori's loungewear for travel.

Pros: Comfy faux jeans with a much more sophisticated look than your typical jogger

Cons: Expensive

As a full-time work-from-home girlie, I rarely wear jeans — and when I do so, it's begrudgingly. That's why I'm so obsessed with these Rag & Bone bottoms, which offer all the comfort of a pair of jogger sweatpants but are stealthily disguised to look like denim. It's not hard to see why the OG version (which is a wide-leg sweat) went viral with its realistic printed-on stitches and rivets. They even had my husband fooled, who insisted he "never would have guessed" that I was wearing sweats if I didn't tell him. He was astonished when I had him feel the supersoft cotton terry fabric and the stretchy elastic waistband.

Though I love wearing the machine-washable bottoms for comfy but cute lounging around the house, I get even more excited to wear them out. They accompanied me on a recent 6-hour road trip, keeping me super snug during the long drive but looking pulled together when we stopped at a restaurant for a mid-way lunch.

Pros: Eight pockets, lightweight and breathable fabric

Cons: Sizing runs a bit small

Whether you're going on a hike or getting on a plane, extra pockets can come in handy when you don't have easy access to all your regular comforts. In that way, cargo pants offer greater functionality than many of the best joggers for women, and this pair from Lululemon has pockets galore: two front hand pockets, a hidden zipper pocket, a card sleeve, back pockets, and two cargo pockets. 

Other highlights include a lightweight nylon-elastane fabric that's highly breathable, a comfy loose-fit silhouette, and a drawcord on the elastic waistband to better customize the fit.

Pros: Part of a matching set (sold separately), available in seven colors and two lengths

Cons: Expensive

These joggers — along with their matching crew sweatshirt — comprise my absolute favorite plane outfit. Cozy Earth's bamboo viscose material offers all the comfort of pajamas (which is a huge bonus for red-eye flights), but these pants are not at all flimsy. The medium-weight fabric keeps me warm in chilly plane cabins, yet doesn't make me sweat if I have to make a last-minute dash to the gate. I love the option for a tall inseam, which I found fits my 5'7" frame best.

Pros: Super lightweight, breathable, two inseam options

Cons: The fabric is a bit scratchy and makes a swishing noise when you walk

Workout joggers should keep you cool while you hustle but stay put as you stretch and squat. These high-rise bottoms from Abercrombie & Fitch are designed to be worn during physical activities, thanks to their very lightweight and stretchy material. If you feel a bit constricted while working out in leggings, you'll love this slightly baggy and drapey silhouette that's highly breathable. The ruched waistband and cuffs up the style, while the side pockets can stash away small essentials. 

Pros: Affordable luxury fabric, eight color options

Cons: They run small

Cashmere joggers may seem like an extravagant purchase, but thanks to Quince's direct-to-consumer model, their cashmere typically costs 50-80% less than traditional retail prices. At just under $100 a pair, these 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere bottoms are surprisingly luxurious considering their affordable price point. Plus, you can pair them with a matching cashmere hoodie to create the ultimate cozy sweatsuit to withstand frigid temperatures. We recommend sizing up if you're in between sizes. 

Read more on our favorite cashmere sweaters in our full Quince cashmere review. 

Pros: Elevated look, budget-friendly, great color selection

Cons: Non-stretch, non-ventilated fabric 

These glossy satin bottoms with a tassel drawstring waistband are fit for a stylish night out, perhaps moreso than any other pair on our list of the best joggers for women. Still, the elegant bottoms, which have an elastic waist and ankle-length cuffs, are comfortable enough to do yoga in. They come in 12 colors and can be styled equally well with the matching satin button-down shirt or a contrasting casual t-shirt.

Pros: Three inseam options, shrink-resistant, makes a set with this matching henley top

Cons: Best suited for casual wear

Named one of the best places to buy women's loungewear by our team, Tommy John delivers top-notch comfort in every one of its clothing pieces. Though many of our favorite joggers for women are equally suited for indoor and outdoor use, we recommend this pair as the ultimate choice that's reserved for lounging around the house. It's crafted from a super lightweight, almost tissuey material that will keep you cozy but not hot if you decide to slide under the covers and wear them as pajamas instead. Still, the innovative stretch fabric is designed to always keeps its shape and remain incredibly soft even after repeated washing.

Read more in our full Tommy John review. 

Pros: UV protection, inclusive sizing

Cons: Only one inseam length available

Whether you're waiting in the school pick-up line or store-hopping through the mall, you'll want a flexible pant that's designed to move with you. We consider this Beyond Yoga pair the top joggers for women with a long list of errands on the agenda. It's made from an ultra soft four-way stretch material, and meanwhile it's moisture-wicking in case you work up a bit of a sweat. A wide waistband adds comfort, while elastic ankle cuffs keep the pants in place or allow you to push them up on warmer days. 

Pros: Comes in 18 colors, affordable

Cons: The sizing varies slightly between color options

These lightweight, tapered bottoms have garnered over 18,000 glowing Amazon reviews. Among the pants' most-loved features: a highly elastic fabric, deep side pockets, and a wide waistband that has a smoothing effect on the tummy area. We love how compared to many of the top joggers for women, they come in a wider selection of colors and patterns, ranging from classics such as black and gray to an eye-catching hot pink.

Pros: Versatile for day-to-night use with functional deep pockets

Cons: Often out of stock in various colors and sizes

Universal Standard makes some of the best plus size clothing for women because it uses its own letter sizing system that equates a medium to a size 18 (the average size of a woman in the US). Also, its unique Fit Liberty program lets you exchange many items for a different size up to a year from your purchase date, no matter how used the clothing is.

If you're looking for an elevated jogger that you can even wear to the office and happy hour, this jersey cotton pair fits the bill. The sleek, simple design is classic and sophisticated, yet the pants have all the stretch you'd expect from the best joggers for women, and you'll just as happily wear them while you lounge around on the couch. The fabric is soft, breathable, and machine-washable.

Pros: Ultra soft fabric, with options for matching sweatshirts

Cons: Fabric may pill

Vuori's Boyfriend Jogger is made from the same heavenly Dreamknit fabric as the brand's ultra popular Performance Jogger (which we consider the most comfortable pick of the best joggers for women), but it has a looser-fitting, more cropped silhouette that gives off even more of a casual vibe. I love that these bottoms with a 26.5-inch inseam have a hidden drawstring in the elastic waistband, which you can choose to keep concealed for a more streamlined look — or you can flip the waistband to reveal the drawstring and shorten the above-the-ankle pants even further. The high-waisted joggers come in seven colors. 

Pros: Sustainable, heavyweight, warm

Cons: Limited color options

In the direct-to-consumer ecosystem, Everlane is second to none for improved-upon basic wardrobe staples. We love that the brand refuses to sacrifice comfort in favor of style, especially when it comes to the best workwear for women.

The ReTrack joggers are a sustainable pick among our favorite joggers for women, being that they're made from recycled cotton and recycled polyester certified by the Global Recycled Standard  The tapered pants with an elastic drawstring waistband and thick ankle cuffs are heavyweight and warm, so they're a great choice for running errands during the colder months. 

To learn more about our favorite Everlane styles, check out our full Everlane review.

Pros: Super warm, unique quilted puffer design, odor-resistant 

Cons: Expensive, lack of size options

Since the best joggers for women all have a similar silhouette, it can be tough to find unique design features that make a truly special style statement. Enter Alo Yoga's puffer-style moto joggers. Beyond being incredibly warm thanks to a puffer-like front panel, they offer interesting details in the form of a quilted front with knee panels. They come in a color blocked black-and-white version or a more subtle all-black style.

Pros: Inexpensive

Cons: Limited sizing, best suited for casual wear

Go ahead, take a nap in these couch-potato-approved sweats with plenty of breathing room. The material is unbelievably soft and reminiscent of your coziest pajamas. Still, the roomy bottoms aren't too warm and can easily be worn in the summer. A wide, elastic mid-rise waistband and broad ankle cuffs keep them in place while you toss and turn.

Pros: Four functional pockets, UPF 50+, comes in six neutral colors

Cons: Fabric is less flexible than other options

If you don't think you can get away with wearing sweatpants to the office, think again. I've done a deep dive into the best work pants that feel like sweatpants, and trust me, there are plenty of polished yet comfortable options out there. 

Case in point: These elevated joggers which get added sophistication and style in the form of pintuck pleats down the front of each leg. Of the six neutral hues available, each is designed to complement nearly any other piece in your wardrobe — whether you want to dress it down with a relaxed graphic tee or take it up a notch by draping an oversized blazer across your shoulders.