Despite Nike’s dominance in the athletic apparel industry, they do make clothes that aren’t geared toward performing heart-pumping physical feats. The Swoosh’s Standard Issue Dri-FIT Basketball pants are more like your classic fleece sweatpants than an aerodynamic pair track pants with four-way stretch. They’re made from a midweight French terry fabric comprised of cotton and polyester that feel like and look the sweats you’re used to wearing. But because it’s Nike, they’re imbued with Dri-FIT technology for moisture-wicking properties that allow you to rock them in a pickup game. Not only that, but they also come with the modern convenience of zippered pockets to keep your phones and earbuds secure.
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Your Sweatpants-Related FAQs, Answered
What’s the difference between sweatpants and joggers?
Glad you asked! The main difference generally boils down to silhouette and fabric. Sweatpants are usually made of heavier-weight knit material like fleece or French terry, and tend to come in a baggy or relaxed fit. Warmer sweatpants will not only use thicker fleece, but will also have a brushed interior to add insulation and a soft hand. (We dig sweatpants made from 100% cotton, but a tiny bit of stretch will go a long way if comfort is a top priority.)
Joggers, on the other hand, are more likely to be made of thinner, lightweight materials with a slim fit and tapered leg. That said, many of today’s sweatpants feature both a traditionally heavier fleece fabric with a tapered leg, making the distinction between the two increasingly hazy. (For more intel, check out our guide to the best joggers for men.)
What should you look for when buying sweatpants?
As with anything, really, it’s important to consider the quality of the fabric, the construction involved, and, most importantly, your personal taste. Some old-school sweats are designed without pockets—you might be wearing yours strictly for chilling, but having a pocket to hold your phone is probably a good idea.
Regardless of how they fit, though, sweatpants are also distinguished by their elastic waistbands—and the best of the bunch should come with a drawstring, too. Eventually, the elasticity of the fabric inside the waistband will deteriorate and lose its stretch, so that drawstring will help extend the life of your sweats.
Ideally, sweatpants should be sewn with flatlock stitching. In this kind of stitching, two pieces of fabric abut each other rather than overlap, and the stitching zig-zags across the two pieces. The result is a smoother, less bulky construction.
What are the best sweatpants made of?
Sweatpants come in a variety of fabrics like hoodies and pullover sweatshirts. These fabrics can range in materials, thickness, and weight.
Fleece. If you imagine a Patagonia fleece jacket, you’re not far off from what sweatpant fleece is. They’re practically the same thing, but on a slightly less chunky scale. Fleece is made by knitting fabric to have the fibers stand up. Those raised fibers are then shorn and brushed to produce a fuzzy texture which is super soft and warm.
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