A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
From sporty joggers to lush cashmere pants, we've narrowed down the best sweatpants for women that will have you feeling cozy and looking cute.
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Whether you’re working from home, cozying up for a movie night or out and about running errands, sweatpants are a staple in any wardrobe. They aren’t all created equal though. To find the Goldilocks of sweatpants—not too hot, not too cold, just right—we scoured the internet for the best of the best sweatpants for women.
From lightweight joggers to fleece-lined ones to everything in between, we narrowed down our selections to the top-rated sweatpants for women that we love and know you will too. Pair them with warm socks and a matching sweatshirt to create a loungewear set, or head straight to bed and consider them pajamas. These sweatpants are so cozy, you might even give your favorite leggings (and your butt-lifting leggings!) a break.
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Sweatpants aren’t just for the dead of winter. Sometimes there’s nothing better than throwing on lightweight sweats in the summertime. This Outdoor Voices pair is perfect for that. They’re soft, stretchy and a no-brainer to wear all day, whether you’re out grabbing coffee, working from home or taking the dog for a walk.
Outdoor Voices’s CloudKnit fabric is a must-feel. You won’t believe how soft it is, and how you’ve lived this long without a pair (or two) of these mid-rise, drawstring sweatpants.
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Your colleagues don’t need to know that you’re wearing these couldn’t-be-more-comfortable fleece sweatpants to your Zoom meetings. (Although who cares if they did?) With an elastic waistband, relaxed fit, side pockets and seriously soft fleece fabric, you’ll likely end each virtual meeting showing them off anyway, insisting that everyone needs a pair.
Beyond Yoga takes the fit of its sweatpants seriously, wear-testing these on its in-house team to ensure a dependable fit for every size. Pair these with its matching Cropped Crew sweatshirt for a must-wear look all winter long.
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Curvy ladies, rejoice! These knit pants from Skims are cool, soft and available in sizes up to 4X/5X. The stretchy knit fabric molds to your exact shape, showing off your best assets. Plus, the wide waistband ensures it won’t uncomfortably dig in at the sides.
The bouclé yarn adds an upscale feel, so they’re more like chic lounge pants—ones appropriate for answering the door to sign for a package. Once you have the Cozy Knit Pant, something tells us that the full lounge set—complete with Skims’ other Cozy Collection items, like the bralette and tank—is in your future.
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Where have these Alo Yoga sweatpants been all our lives? Once you treat yourself to a pair, chances are you’ll want it in each color. (They come in four neutrals, as well as two limited-edition pink tones.) The extra-soft ribbed knit adds dimension and texture while the drawstring closure ensures a perfect fit in the waist.
This pick has gathered ankles to make sure no body heat escapes. Pair them with the matching hoodie or any of the loungewear already in your closet. With the goes-with-everything colors and easy silhouette, these sweatpants work well with anything from a simple white t-shirt to an oversized sweater to a turtleneck bodysuit.
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No more cuffing your sweatpants! Petite shoppers can nab a pair of these cropped joggers from Lululemon instead. With a high rise that sits at the natural waist and cropped length that ends above the ankles—or if you’re particularly short, at your ankles—you’ll never want to wear anything else.
The cotton-blend fleece fabric is both warm and lightweight, so they’re ideal to throw on while on the go in chilly weather.
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Having a pair of black or gray sweatpants is a must for every wardrobe, but don’t discount the versatility of a standout color. RicherPoorer carries a collection of exceptionally soft sweatpants in a range of cool tones, like vintage overdyed blue, red mahogany and sage. For a full loungy look, add one of the brand’s matching tops to your cart too.
As much as we love the unexpected color, the fit and feel of these sweatpants is what really earns their spot on this list. The gathered elastic waistband and leg openings create a classic shape. The recycled cotton that they’re made from is soft-to-the-touch—and each pair saves approximately 40 plastic bottles from landfills!
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Working out in sweatpants is not for the faint of heart—or for the easily overheated. This cropped pair from Outdoor Voices is ideal for medium-sweat activities though and has a relaxed fit. Think: hiking on a fall day or running around the park with kiddos.
They’re made with a durable stretch-woven RecTrek that stretches four ways, so they’ll mold to your shape. Walking the dog has never looked so good.
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If you don’t already own a pair of these classic Adidas pants, it’s time. They’re familiar and look just as trendy today as they did in the ’90s. There’s a reason they have been around for decades and will be a staple in your sweatpants drawer for years to come. They combine cool with cozy, and the three-stripe design is key to elongating the look of anyone’s legs.
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While sweatshorts go against the primary function of sweats—providing warmth!—they’re all about comfort. When the weather warms up and you’re not ready to let go of your sweatpants, ease into the higher temps with this stylish pair of high-rise sweatshorts from Brunette the Label.
They come in neutrals, including caramel, gray and black, as well as lively colors, like strawberry shortcake and violet, that let you lean into the fun of wearing a pair of sweatshorts. Select your normal size for a relaxed fit, or size up for an oversized look.
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Picture it: You’re boarding a transatlantic flight to Santorini, wearing these wide-leg cashmere sweatpants. You feel cozy, warm and polished—a rare combination for a travel outfit. The plane’s freezing temperature won’t bother you, and neither will jeans digging into your waistband.
These Lilysilk cashmere sweatpants are both thin and warm, as well as elegant and casual. Win/win.
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Take it from us—or take it from the 6,000-plus five-star Amazon ratings—these sweatpants are an easy add-to-cart decision. Not only are they affordable, but they’re lightweight too, which makes them an all-year-round pair of sweatpants. Choose from one of eight colorways, then reach for them day after day, whether you’re headed to yoga, the grocery store or brunch with the ladies.
At just $22, it’s worth getting a couple of pairs—if, for no other reason, than to push off laundry day, since you’re guaranteed to be wearing them often.
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Leave it to Target to design a simple and simply must-have pair of sweatpants for women and men—all for $22. This pair of unisex sweatpants are available from XXS to 4X with a relaxed cut that caters to a range of shapes and sizes.
Choose from the four classic neutrals, including beige, navy blue, black and heather gray, or the fun dark orange hue, then consider hiding them from your significant other. At this price point, you might as well get a pair for each of you.
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Nike knows what it’s doing when it comes to sports apparel, sweatpants included. This fleece pair has an oversized fit with a mid-rise waist and are easy to throw on anytime. Come winter, these are especially helpful to wear over a pair of leggings while commuting to the gym or over long underwear when the temperatures dip.
The cinched ankle detail traps body heat in, providing the cozy factor no matter where you are, what you’re doing or how cold it gets.
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Tall women know the pain of a too-short inseam. We’ve found your solution, at least as far as sweatpants are concerned. Meet these cotton sweats, which come with three inseam options: 28, 31 and 34 inches. Finally! You’ll be able to rock sweatpants without showing too much ankle.
There are other reasons to love these though. Take the hidden zipper pocket, for instance, and the moisture-wicking breathable material. Take our word for it, or listen to the 3,200-plus five-star ratings, many from tall women, as proof.
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If you’ve learned anything from this list, we hope it’s how many varieties of sweatpants are on the market. There are loose-fitting and lounge-worthy pairs. There are luxurious cashmere ones and lightweight joggers. Then there are these wide-leg sweatpants from Buck Mason, which are in a league of their own.
Chances are you’ll trick just about anyone into thinking these knit cotton jersey sweats, which were inspired by ’60s lounge sets, are trousers. How so? Take your pick of reasons. Maybe it’s the wide-leg design or the long inseam or the thick durable jersey construction.
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Most sweatpants come in an array of neutrals while some are also available in unexpected colors. Few are printed in fun patterns, but this pair of French terry joggers from Summersalt is. Choose between two sweet embroidered florals or a star design, then add the matching pullover to your cart too. Together, they make for an effortless set you’ll reach for time and time again this winter.
Reviewers rave that they’re buttery soft and retain their chic silhouette even after many wears.
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Leave it to Patagonia, the pioneering outdoor brand, to craft a pair of comfy casual sweatpants made from 100% recycled materials. Even the logo is made from post-consumer content. These Fair Trade-certified pants are eco-friendly and incredibly comfortable, available in four beautiful colorways.
Sweatpants come in various cuts, including joggers (loose, athletic fit), high-waisted (good for pear-shaped bodies), wide-leg (ideal for balancing wider hips) and slim-fit (universally flattering but snug). Choosing the right cut for your body type and preferences ensures comfort and style.
Sweatpants generally serve three purposes: lounging, running errands or exercising. Some sweatpants work for all three, while others are designed for a specific activity. Athletic sweatpants can be used for casual wear, but lounging sweats may not hold up to intense exercise.
Consider features like pockets, elastic waistbands, adjustable drawstrings and cuffed ankles. Athletic sweatpants may offer zippered pockets for security, while leisure sweatpants might have fewer functional details.
Most sweatpants are easy to care for and machine washable, but always follow the care instructions on the tag to maintain quality. Fabric and stitching quality significantly affect durability, making trusted brands a good choice.
Eco-conscious buyers should prioritize brands using sustainable or recycled materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Look for certifications like bluesign, which verify a fabric’s sustainability.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
With sweatpants being a staple in loungewear, we sifted through hundreds of options to create a carefully curated collection. We focused on trustworthy brands and highly-reviewed offerings, narrowing the selection based on fabric quality, pricing, features and customer feedback. Each pair of women’s sweatpants was chosen for its comfort, fit and overall performance, ensuring you avoid common issues like pinchy waistbands or flimsy construction. Our final list includes a range of styles, colors and price points, including budget-friendly options under $25—perfect for a cozy autumn and winter ahead.
Some of the best brands for sweatpants right now include Outdoor Voices, Skims, Nike, Adidas, Lilysilk, RicherPoorer and Girlfriend Collective. These brands are known for producing high-quality, comfortable sweatpants, especially popular during colder months.
Currently, menswear-inspired loose-fitting boyfriend-style sweatpants, often called “pump cover” sweatpants, are trending, likely influenced by fitness and gym influencers. These sweatpants are boxier and oversized, perfect for a relaxed, casual look.
“Joggers” refers to the cut of the pants, while “sweatpants” refers to the fabric. Joggers, popularized in the 1970s, typically have a drawstring or elastic waist, loose seat and legs and taper at the ankles. Originally designed for athletic wear, sweatpants are soft, thick pants now more associated with loungewear. Though often grouped with sweatpants, joggers are lighter, more breathable and ideal for light physical activity or casual wear. Made from cotton, fleece or polyester, joggers come in various styles and colors.
