Our Top Athleisure Picks for 2022

Published June 5, 2022 04:30AM

The world is less formal these days. Almost anywhere in public—from the gym to the the store to the classroom—you’re likely to see folks leaning into the athleisure trend, which focuses on comfort and performance ahead of all else. Luckily, gone is the era of schlubby sweatsuits. Now you can look good and feel good all day long. These are some of our favorite picks from the booming category.

Adsum Classic Logo Sweatshirt ($165)

Your athleisure drawer would be understocked without a durable cotton sweatshirt. This heavy crew is beautifully simple, and the brushed-cotton interior made it cozy enough to keep on for an entire three-day weekend. (S–XL)

Fjällräven Abisko Tights ($175)

These don’t look out of place in any hip coffee shop, but they’re decidedly high-tech. A polyamide blend, plus reinforcements in the knees and rear, make the Abisko the only casual wear testers will be using for ski mountaineering come spring. (Women’s XXS–XXL, men’s XS–XXXL)

Rabbit Men’s EZ Tee Shirt ($45)

The EZ Tee was the plushest and highest-performing shirt we tested, thanks to its ridiculously supple and stretchy polyester-spandex fabric. Although it looks like a casual cotton tee, it kicked butt on runs over ten miles. (S–XXL)

Prana Women’s Electa Shorts ($59)

Deemed the best Lycra shorts reviewers tried this year, the Electa impressed with several features: an extra-wide waistband, a midthigh length, a pair of cleverly designed two-compartment pockets to stash various valuables, and a triangle gusset that facilitates deep yoga poses. (XS–XL)

Vuori Women’s Halo Performance Hoodie ($89)

As soft as a week-old puppy, the Halo delivers all the positives of a classic hoodie, minus the schlub factor. Testers loved how breathable and stretchy the polyester-elastane blend was beneath a shell. (XXS–XXL)

AllBirds R&R Sweatpants ($98)

AllBirds’ shoes are known for comfort, and these joggers follow suit. A magical amalgam of cotton, hemp, and Tencel moves like a synthetic but still has the feel and durability of natural materials. (XS–XXXL)

Coal Provo Hat ($32)

We had a hard time taking off this airy cap. Made with synthetic materials and a simple elastic adjustment system, it fits a variety of different head shapes.

Bömbas Black Hive Collection Quarter Socks ($12.50)

Thanks to elastic arch support, these socks didn’t slip during our longest runs, and the weight was just right: warm on cold mornings without feeling bulky. (S–XL)

Bn3th Men’s Entourage Underwear ($35)

Details like the wide waistband and chafe-free seam placement made the Entourage so comfortable that testers wore them to sleep, as well as for hours after their toughest workouts. (XXS–XXL)

NoBull Quilted Pullover ($98)

This sweater is the most aesthetic use of synthetic insulation we’ve seen in ages. The bumps of loft generate incredible warmth under a shell but are still breathable enough for kettlebell sessions. (Men’s S–XL, women’s XS–XL)