8 best sweatpants for women, tested by editors
Soft, stylish and tester-approved, these are the pairs that stood out based on more than 130 points of feedback.
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While your favorite sweatpants might have once been the shapeless gray pair you reserved for sick days or hiding out at home, no longer. Blame it on Gen Z for giving new life to the '00s tracksuit trend, or blame or the loungewear boom of 2020: Sweatpants aren't just for the confines of your house anymore. Warmer than the best leggings could ever hope to be, today's best sweats are soft and cozy enough for couch rotting yet tough enough to withstand years of washing; polished enough for errands and school pickup but comfy enough to wear to bed.
In this story
To find the best sweatpants for women, we enlisted 11 testers to rate 12 styles from nine brands, ranking each pair on fit, softness, durability and longevity. We put every single one through the wringer: our top picks have undergone thousands of washes over more than 17 years (!) of combined wear testing. Based on feedback from more than 130 questions answered, these are the sweatpants our testers reach for again and again.
Best sweatpants for women in 2026
Style:Jogger | Materials:77% cotton, 23% recycled polyester | Sizes:XXS-XXL; Petite, Regular, Tall | Colors:7
Why we love them:A favorite of multiple testers — including one expert evaluator who has bought them in more than 10(!) colors over the past two years — these ultra-soft, highly-wearable sweats are the ones to beat. They're budget-friendly, size- and height-inclusive and wearable with a comfortable fit that never skews toward sloppy. The result? A cozy, classic pair you'll reach for across any outing.
What testers say:“They are the comfiest, coziest sweats I've ever tried." said Director or Commerce & Growth Experiences Jeanine Edwards . Testers scored them 5/5 for durability, comfort, softness and longevity. "They wash well, the colors stay vibrant and they're warm in the winter but not too hot in the spring and early summer," added Edwards. And the fit is just right: "They are not overly baggy so you don't look like a schlub when you wear them, but they are not tight either." Testers also loved the relaxed version , which a slightly roomier fit and comes in 13 colors with the same fabrication and size range of these faves.
Keep in mind:"They will shrink if you dry them, warned Edwards. "I learned this the hard way." They're also not winning any fashion awards, she added. "They are not chic, but I dont expect any sweatpants to be. Instead, they're amazingly soft and comfortable, the waistband is stretchy and never digs in and they hold up so well over time. They're the perfect pants when you just want to be comfy and casual."
- Extremely soft and cozy interior
- Holds up well in the wash
- Wide range of colors
- More casual vibe
Style: Jogger (open) | Materials: 50% cotton, 50% polyester | Sizes: S–XXL; Regular, Petite | Colors: 6
Why we love them: A Yahoo editor- and reader-favorite, this wallet-friendly pair delivers on all the important fronts: Comfort, quality and value. In fact, Deals Editor Chris McGraw called the slimmer-fit version "way better than expected" in his Hanes EcoSmart hoodie and jogger review .
What testers say: "The fabric's softness was astonishing, and it has held up well after washing," said McGraw, who called the fit on these sweats "a baggier, more relaxed silhouette ... [with] a midweight fabric that is comfortable enough to wear almost year-round." He liked his Hanes sweats so much, he said, "this winter, I kept reaching for the Hanes so often that I sold my Patagonia sweatpants." And that's a glowing review if I've heard one.
Keep in mind:The thinner fabric and overall mid-range quality won't last you forever. "If you're looking for the last pair of sweats you'll ever have to buy, look elsewhere," said McGraw. The fabric is also not the best-suited for workouts. Instead, these sweats "feel like old-school, throw-on-in-the-morning sweats, not modern performance clothing I would wear while working out or running," said McGraw.
- Affordably priced
- "Astonishing" softness
- Oversized, comfortable fit
- Thinner fabric might not hold up over time
Style: Wide-leg | Materials: 75% cotton, 19% polyester, 6% spandex | Sizes: XXS–XXL; Short, Regular, Long | Colors: 9
Why we love them:Nearly half of our testers cited these wide-legged cozies by Aerie as their favorites; some to the tune of three pairs each. The wide-leg fit is quietly current without being over the top: "The silhouette is on trend without making me feel ridiculous," said Commerce Editor Saundra Latham . "The wide leg gives them a chic and stylish fit without looking too oversized," another tester agreed.
What testers say:All testers raved about this pair's softness and durability, rating them 5/5 for both. "The material is thick and feels high-quality, and the interior fleece is soft and cozy," said Home Editor Elizabeth Berry . "The quality is great," said another tester. "I've put them through the wash numerous times and the fleece is still soft and warm and the color hasn't faded." Latham similarly said, "they look just as nice as when I got them after about a year of wear."
Keep in mind: The wide-leg opening is a bit breezier than jogger styles. "Sometimes, because of the wide leg, they can get a bit cold unlike the jogger style wrapped around your ankle," said one tester. But the fabric makes up for it. "If anything, they're a bit too thick and warm for higher-impact exercise," said Latham. "But they're perfect for cold-weather walks," which, she added, makes them "one of the first pairs I choose on a cold day when I really just want to be as comfortable as possible."
- Subtle yet trendy wide-leg silhouette
- Top pick among multiple testers
- Perfect scores for softness, durability and quality
- Thick fabric might be too warm for balmier weather
Style:Wide-leg | Materials:79% cotton, 15% recycled polyester, 5% recycled cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes:XXS-XXL; Petite, Regular, Tall | Colors:6
Why we love them:For the days when you want all the polish of a pair of jeans with none of the discomfort or hard pants, these sweatpant jeans look convincingly like real denim yet feel like loungewear, with a soft, cotton-blend knit that moves easily. Best of all, they'll cost you about a third as much as other popular denim-lookalike brands.
What testers say: "I’ve worn and washed them more times than I can count," said writer Brigitt Earley. "The pockets are functional (nothing is printed on)," which puts them ahead of the competition yet again. And the waist is particularly comfortable. "The drawstring waist that never digs in," said Earley, and who also rated the comfort tops. She praised the "easy-breezy cotton-blend construction that moves with you, whether you’re sprinting down the terminal or sitting in an airplane seat for five hours."
Keep in mind:Testers reported slight shrinkage with prolonged laundering, so be careful to hang dry or size up. "At 5'7", I wish I had started with the tall version, and I will be doing that next time I buy another pair (an inevitable!)," confirmed Earley.
- 5-pocket, denim-effect design that looks like real jeans
- Comfortable, soft knit that moves with you
- Easy to dress up or down
- May shrink with laundering
Style: Wide-leg | Materials: 67% cotton, 31% recycled polyester, 2% spandex | Sizes: XXS–XXL; Short, Regular, Long | Colors: 9
Why we love them: If you're looking for ultra-soft, luxurious-feeling sweatpants for under $50, these live up to their name: "They feel like I'm wearing puffy little clouds," said Commerce Editor Janelle Randazza. Testers said they're the ideal mid-weight fabric for year-round wear too.
What testers say: "They're incredibly soft and plush without feeling constricting around my waist or ankles," said Randazza, who rated them 5/5 for fit, softness and comfort. "The waistband has thick elastic, but it's comfortably loose and has a drawstring so I can adjust the fit." Testers gave them perfect durability scores too: "They've survived countless washes," said Randazza. "They still look remarkably good, with no noticeable thinning or loss of shape."
Keep in mind: Our testers genuinely found these sweats perfect, but some reviewers found the leg shape to be a bit too wide for their preferences. Keep it in mind if you're new to the trend and want a more understated entry point.
- Perfect scores for comfort and softness
- Top score for fit
- Thick, adjustable waistband
- Wide-leg might be too exaggerated for some
Style:Wide leg | Materials:80% cotton, 20% polyester | Sizes:XS–XXL | Colors:2
Why we love them: For long-stemmed folks, finding sweats that are long enough to keep their ankles toasty and pair with sneakers can be a feat. But these comfy Under Armour sweats are the new go-to for Senior Health Editor and certified exercise physiologist Laura Williams , who's nearly 6'0", who marveled, "They're long enough!"
What testers say: Earning 5/5 for comfort and softness, "these are incredibly soft and comfy, and perfect for lounging," said Williams. They're versatile too: The wide-leg style is on trend and looks polished for errands, and they're "good to throw on over a pair of leggings to warm up or cool down before or after the gym."
Keep in mind:With a 4/5 fit score, testers found these run a bit large, so even if you're tall, there's no need to size up for length. "My 3-year-old was even like, 'they're too big,'" said Williams. "I don't mind," she said, but shorter folks may want to size down — especially since the long inseam doesn't come in multiple lengths.
- 5/5 scores for softness and comfort
- Trendy wide-leg style grazes sneakers even on tall folks
- Oversized fit is great for layering
- Run large; may be too long for some
Style: Oversized joggers | Materials: 78% cotton, 22% polyester | Sizes: XXS-XXL; Short, Regular, Long | Colors: 11
Why we love them: With inseams ranging from 28 to 31 inches, Aritzia's oversized joggers are a great inclusive pick, whether you're short and petite or tall. And because they're oversized, the joggers don't read too slim-fitting, making them versatile to wear regardless of what type of pants are trending.
What testers say: A 5'1" tester marveled, "They fit me! Aritzia's short option is the perfect length ... they don't pool up around the elastic cuffs." Writer I sabelle Paquette gave them a 5/5 softness score and said she loves "how soft they are." The inside fleece feels great, especially when it's cold."
Keep in mind:With a durability score of 4.5, testers said, "they do show signs of wear or stain easily." The quality is also a little lacking, earning 4/5. "I don't think these sweatpants are the most high-quality or long-lasting out there. I also think there are more comfortable options out there."
- Perfect score for softness
- Oversized, thick fabric for colder temps
- Wide range of sizes and inseams
- May not be the most high-quality or durable pair
Style: Joggers | Materials: 89% recycled polyester, 11% elastane | Sizes: XXS-XXL; Regular, Long | Colors: 9 |
Why we love them:If heavy, bulky sweats aren't your cup of tea, these slim-fitting, slightly cropped joggers will be the lightweight pair of your dreams. Testers gave them perfect scores across the board: "I'm so passionate about how amazing these pants are, I've even convinced my hairdresser and my esthetician to buy a pair," said one.
What testers say:"I LOVE these joggers," said Senior Health Writer Kelli McGrane. "They're buttery soft, aren't tight at all at the waist, thin enough I can wear them year-round, but thick enough that they're warm with zero underwear lines." She especially loves their versatility. "I wear them constantly: sleeping, yoga, working from home, lounging, traveling and even school drop-off." Testers ranked them 5/5 for durability. "I've worn my black pair multiple times [per] week for almost a year now, and they still look and feel as good as new. Despite washing them regularly, they're still as buttery soft as day one," confirmed McGrane.
Keep in mind:"They're expensive," warned McGrane. At more than $100, they're the most expensive pick on our list. "They're also not the top pick if you're looking for something super warm and cozy," she added, but they're perfect for lightweight, warm-weather needs.
- Perfect scores for durability and softness
- Lightweight, slim-fitting design
- Holds up well over time
- Expensive
How we test sweatpants
To find the best sweatpants for women, we enlisted 11 testers to rank 12 styles from nine brands. Our panel included people in their 20s to 50s, who wear sizes 0 to 18 and stand from a petite 5 feet to nearly 6 feet tall. Testers describe their body types as everything from straight and athletic to curvy, plus-size, thick-thighed, and everything in between.
Each tester filled out a survey, ranking each pair of sweatpants on factors including fit, comfort, softness, durability, quality and longevity, resulting in more than 130 data points, 72 scores and more than 17 years of wear.
What to consider when shopping for the best sweatpants
Material
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A synthetic fiber like polyester is strong, fast-drying and budget-friendly. It adds longevity and durability to your sweats without tacking on a bunch of added costs. The flip side: as the name suggests, synthetic fibers are entirely man-made, contribute to microplastic pollution and can feel less cozy than natural fibers like cotton.
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Semi-synthetic fiberslike rayon are derived from natural sources and undergo a chemical process to create fabrics known for their comfortable, soft and drapey feel. People love rayon's flowy, cooling feel, which makes it great for a pair of lightweight sweats.
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A natural fiber like cotton is known for its natural, familiar feel, which makes it a fan favorite for cozy loungewear like sweatpants. It's soft, breathable and comfortable, although it tends to be less strong and less sweat-wicking than synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers.
Style
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Joggersare slimmer-fitting styles with tapered legs that can have either an elasticized or an open cuff. Think of them as the skinny jeans of sweatpants: slightly closer-cropped and tighter with a slimmer leg opening. The upside is that the elastic closures can prevent cold from seeping in the bottom hem; the downside is that the style is a bit out of trend at the moment.
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Wide-legsweatpants have a leg opening that eases straight down from the knee for a more relaxed, free-moving style. Brands and designers run the gamut from subtle straight-leg fits, like Athleta, to more exaggerated styles, like Aerie. Wide-leg pants are trendy and look flattering on a range of body types since the added volume at the ankle adds length and balances proportions, but the swingy style can be a trip hazard and also feel less warm than joggers.
