- The right workout clothes keep inconveniences like overheating, wet patches, and chafing at bay throughout an exercise.
- The best workout apparel brands are a combination of high-performance technical materials, smart engineering, and versatile style.
- We recommend Nike’s workout gear for women overall; it’s the best blend of price, performance, and variety. But, we also highly recommend the other brands on this list, some of which cater to individual needs better.
Working out often forces us to feel discomfort. We’re hot, sweaty, tired, and, though we’re not exactly sure, we think we’re beginning to feel the onset of shin splints.
But the right activewear gear makes all the difference. It inhibits nuisances like chafing, wet spots, heat-trapping, blisters, and sometimes injuries. At a baseline, it reduces the number of unnecessary challenges so we can focus on the task at hand. The right gear can make us feel and act lighter, faster, and more capable. Ideally, it helps us push ourselves a little further, and perform a little better. But, in general, it should simply make the act of moving a more enjoyable experience.
Below, we’ve ranked the best workout brands to shop based on Insider Reviews’ own testing. Each one excels in gear that’s functional, stylish, and performs well. The individual brands offer a variety of strengths: eco-friendly practices, comfortable athleisure, styles that can transition from yoga to the office, greater size ranges, and more inclusive options to name a few.
Here are the best workout clothes for women in 2020:
- Best workout clothes overall:Nike
- Best budget-friendly workout clothes: Athleta
- Best athleisure workout clothes: Patagonia
- Best size-inclusive workout clothes: Universal Standard
- Best workout clothes that you can wear all day: ADAY
- Best splurge-worthy workout clothes: Lululemon
- Best eco-friendly workout clothes: Girlfriend Collective
The best workout clothes overall
Shop workout gear at Nike
Nike has the best balance of price, performance, and variety in its workout gear. A pair of leggings can go for upwards of $70, but you can find plenty of $40-$60 options, and the site semi-frequently offers discounts. Nike items also have a good price-per-wear breakdown thanks to an expert handle on performance engineering and technical materials across categories.
There's something for athletes of pretty much every sport: running, golf, soccer, training/gym, tennis, basketball, softball, skateboarding, swim, and lacrosse - and all different types of gear, from women's running shoes to swimwear and compression layers. And they've expanded their activewear to have more inclusive sizes (from XS to 3X) and styles (for example, high-performance hijab options).
What to buy:
Read more about Nike:
The best budget-friendly workout gear
Shop workout gear at Athleta
Gap's Athleta is a great combination of affordability, style, and functionality, and we liked the company's leggings quite a bit during testing. It also has a wide variety of activewear. Currently, it stocks gear for the following activities: yoga/studio, hike, commute/travel, and run/train. And you may get lucky with frequent discounts, so it's always worth checking the sale section first.
However, head-to-head, Nike's products have a slight edge when it comes to performance and comfort in our experience. But, it's worth noting that they're both excellent options we shop at frequently, and Athleta is a B-Corp, so if a business's ethics and practices are factored into your decision, Athleta may win out over Nike.
What to buy:
Read more about Athleta:
- Athleta's bright new activewear line promises to withstand your toughest workouts - we put it to the test
- 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
- I tried popular activewear company Athleta's new line of women's performance underwear - and it makes a huge difference in comfort during workouts
- We asked 4 women to try Athleta's new sustainable swimsuits made from recycled nylon - here's what they thought
- B Corps are businesses committed to using their profit for good - these 14 are making some truly great products
The best athleisure workout gear
Shop Patagonia athleisure gear at REI
Patagonia makes a fantastic pair of athleisure leggings we've tested, as well as one of mainstream culture's crown jewels of comfort: the Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover. And whether you're a fan of the label and what it stands for or you couldn't care less, the brand's quality and comfort speak for itself.
We trust Patagonia as much for form as we do for function - and while its prices aren't the least (or most) expensive on the market, you'll get a wide variety of items, a product that's built to last, and the security of a generous return policy without a tight time limit. It's also a big perk that the company is a B Corp, has donated 1% of its profit to environmental organizations since the '80s, and won the UN's Champions of the Earth award for entrepreneurial vision.
You may get lucky with a seasonal Patagonia sale, but you'll probably only see discounts on its bestsellers - like the Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover - in select colorways.
What to buy:
Read more about Patagonia:
- 8 styles from Patagonia that we wear in our everyday lives - for both men and women
- 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
- Patagonia released a collection of fashion-forward outerwear that perfectly marries sustainability with street style - here's what the jackets are like to wear
- 3 women tried Patagonia's sustainable workout leggings - here are our reviews of everything from fit to function
- I never understood why Patagonia had such a cult following until I tried this sweater - now I'm a loyal fan
- B Corps are businesses committed to using their profit for good - these 14 are making some truly great products
Runner-up: Outdoor Voices
Shop workout gear at OutdoorVoices
OutdoorVoices makes a few of our favorite athleisure items, and they're another example of a company that does a great job of balancing form and function. Its gear transitions seamlessly from lounging on the couch to rushing through the airport.
But, we've had a few misses in the past with OV products (we're not super fans of the popular Spring Leggings), and its prices are comparable to Patagonia, with a less generous - but pretty standard - return policy.
What to buy:
Read more about OutdoorVoices:
- I worked out in a dress from Outdoor Voices, the startup behind the most Instagram-worthy exercise clothes - and no, it's not a gimmick
- 5 women tried Outdoor Voices' TechSweat leggings - we unanimously agreed that they're some of the best we've ever worn
The best size-inclusive workout clothes:
Shop workout gear at Universal Standard
Universal Standard is the place to go for cool, high-quality closet staples available in sizes 00-40. They also tend to offer items in regular, tall, and petite lengths. We love the company's clothes because they're comfortable and flattering - but we're equally invested in its commitment to making clothes for more people than the industry currently serves, especially since the average American woman is between size 16 to 18.
If you buy a piece from the core collection and, in the future, it no longer fits due to size fluctuation, the company has a Universal Fit Liberty policy that lets you replace it with your new size, within a year of purchase, free of charge.
However, Universal Standard doesn't have the most expansive selection, and sometimes stock can be limited in certain bestsellers.
What to buy:
Read more about Universal Standard:
- 7 women tried Universal Standard's size-inclusive line of jeans that goes from 00 to 40 - here's the verdict
- Women's clothing company Universal Standard has launched an inclusive line of basics offered in sizes 00 to 40
The best workout clothes that fit in at the office
Shop workout gear at ADAY
ADAY makes sleek, technical, multipurpose clothes and often with sustainable materials. Most ADAY materials include four-way stretch, water- and wrinkle-resistance, machine-washability, and, sometimes even UV protection. If you're looking for technical clothes than can transition to work, its Over In One wrap dress is a good place to start.
You can expect to pay $100-150 per item, but, in our experience, ADAY is worth the investment for its versatility, comfort, and the perks of innovative materials.
What to buy:
Read more about ADAY:
- The best leggings you can wear to work
- 9 companies you didn't know use recycled water bottles in their products - from little-known startups to giants like Nike and Adidas
Best splurge-worthy workout clothes
Shop workout gear at Lululemon
Lululemon is home to some of the best gear for yoga, running, training, and sweating. Its gear is pricey - a pair of plain black leggings can go for nearly $100 - but the comfort, utility, longevity, and style give it an edge that makes a higher upfront cost justifiable if you can comfortably make the splurge. We've found ourselves wearing every piece on repeat, bringing the cost per wear down to something far more manageable.
What to buy:
Read more about Lululemon:
- This lightweight down jacket is my go-to for winter workouts - plus it's just tailored enough to wear casually
- 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
Best eco-friendly workout clothes
Shop workout gear at Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective has some of the best leggings we've ever worn, and we appreciate the brand's color variety, relatively low price points, and inclusive size range.
We also like that Girlfriend Collective currently offers versatility in its colors - 14 total (five essential, and nine limited-edition) - and sizing (it's available in three inseam lengths and sizes XXS-6XL) in its bestselling leggings. However, we wouldn't recommend wearing these leggings to a hot yoga class or HIIT given their thickness.
Another perk is that the company prioritizes sustainability in its materials and processes. Its packaging is 100% recyclable, its compression leggings are made of 79% recycled polyester from 25 post-consumer water bottles, and its Cupro tees are made from 100% cupro, a fiber made from the waste of the cotton industry. The latter yarn is made in a zero-waste, zero-emission facility in Japan and then constructed at an SA8000-certified factory in Hanoi. And, while cupro saves a reported 682 gallons of water compared to cotton, the company also pledged to donate 10% of its net profits to Charity Water to offset any water usage that may occur during production. You can read more on the company's eco-friendly practices here.
However, slow fashion that's also in high demand can lead to stock outages, and Girlfriend Collective doesn't always have what we want available. We also wish it had a larger selection.
What to buy:
Read more about Girlfriend Collective:
- The internet can't stop talking about these leggings made of recycled water bottles - and now I understand why
- The athleisure startup that once gave away free leggings over the internet is now making the most comfortable workout shirts - they breathe like cotton but feel like silk
- 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
Brands we also considered
We also considered the following brands for this guide but, for the reasons listed below, didn't rank them officially. We still recommend them.
Tracksmith makes exceptional and versatile running gear - including some of the best temperature-regulating leggings and layers that I've tested. But, they tend to be pretty expensive (its Singlet is $65, and NDO Running Tights are $148), and their running-focused inventory isn't as diverse as other options on this list.
I count 2XU as the creator of the best and most breathable compressive running tights that I've ever found, but its prices are high across categories (the tights go for $120 on Amazon) with few sales, and the company has fewer categories and offerings than other generalist brands.
Janji also makes some of the best workout gear I've ever tested - in particular, its short-sleeve T-shirts and windbreaker running jacket. And while the company is running-specific, its gear transitions well to other activities. But this also means the company doesn't have a very diverse range of products. Still, I highly recommend shopping here. The company also has a social mission, and while prices on average are a little high, the price-per-wear has been great in our experience.
We loved Alo's Airlift Leggings in our testing, but we can't confidently say all of its pieces warrant their relatively high prices - though we've already found a handful of standouts. And the company carries less diverse inventory than most of the brands mentioned here.