Fitness Awards 2025: Best Workout Clothing
Upgrade Your Training Fit With the Best Workout Clothes & Shoes of 2025
The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.
Our annual AskMen Fitness Awards are back, and we’re proud to announce that this year’s competition was larger and fiercer than ever before, with a record number of brands participating.
In our most competitive categories, more than a dozen products vied for the top spot, while our panel of judges, encompassing current and former college athletes, weekend warriors and personal trainers, worked overtime to generate feedback and vote on winners.
In the category of Workout Clothing, encompassing shirts, shorts, shoes and accessories, judges were instructed to consider both performance and design as the most important criteria, reflecting the fact that athletic clothing has become a style category unto itself in recent years (hello, athleisure), and everyone wants to look good in the gym.
Read on to discover the year's best workout gear, from a wide variety of new and familiar brands.
Best Workout Shirt
Nike Dri-FIT Fitness T-Shirt
The Nike Dri-FIT is the OG of workout shirts, but that longevity is no accident. Over the years, Nike has refined the design and fit, with more than a dozen sizing options available for all body types, while the ultra-lightweight, sweat-wicking performance blend of cotton and polyester ups its performance to match your workout intensity, never pinching, bunching or chafing. Dial in your fit and we promise this is the last workout shirt you’ll ever need.
Best Long-Sleeve Workout Shirt
Reebok Long Sleeve Tech Shirt
If the temperatures drop and you need a long-sleeve shirt to train outdoors, Reebok has you covered. Their proprietary Speedwick fabric keeps you both warm and dry, while the fit (including thumbholes on the shirt sleeves) ensures that it can keep up with your most dynamic workouts. It’s available in nine different sizes as well, so you should have no trouble finding your fit.
Best Workout Hoodie
On Zipped Hoodie
Whether you’re running to the store or running laps, this zipped hoodie from On combines a flexible, lightweight fabric blend of polyester, lyocell and elastane with a relaxed fit and a generous array of pockets, resulting in a performance hoodie that can do double-duty in your everyday life.
Best Workout Tank
Lululemon Zeroed In Tank
If you want a workout tank, aka a sleeveless, two things matter above all: the quality of the fabric and the fit of the tank. The quality matters especially with tanks because your armpit sweat will stain lesser fabrics, and the fit matters because the difference between a well-fit tank and a bad-fitting one is the difference between you looking stylish or under-dressed. The Zeroed In Tank from Lululemon ticks all the boxes, with a soft, cotton-blend fabric that’s both stretchy and moisture-wicking, while the fit threads the needle between being too loose and too tight, offering a flattering structure you can be proud to train in.
Best Compression Shirt
2XU Core Compression Long Sleeve
If the Australian brand 2XU (pronounced “two times you”) isn’t already on your radar, trust us: it will be soon. They specialize in performance compression clothing, like their Core Compression Long Sleeve, which simultaneously promotes blood flow and body posture awareness while reducing the risk of injury. Strategically placed ventilation panels along the back and underarms help keep you cool when your workout pace picks up, while the flatlock seams ensure a smooth, comfortable fit all across your body.
Best Workout Pants
Under Armour UA Motion Tapered Pants
Whether you have to train in pants because of the cold, or choose to train in pants for aesthetic reasons, you’ll love the UA Motion Tapered Pants from Under Armour. The four-way stretch, moisture-wicking fabric, paired with the looser fit, ensures these pants never impede your movement, even during deep squats and lunges, while the elastic waistband and drawcord make it easy to make on-the-fly fit adjustments as needed.
Best Workout Joggers
Mack Weldon Atlas Jogger
Designed with movement in mind, the Atlas Joggers from Mack Weldon are stretchy, wrinkle-resistant and unbelievably soft, inside and out, while the moisture-wicking fabric keeps them from sticking to your legs, even as the workout ramps up. Add in conveniently placed zippered pockets and a drawstring waistband and you’ve got very functional pants you can live with on the daily.
Best Compression Tights
2XU Core Compression Tights
For intense leg workouts, sprinting at maximum speed, or playing a sport (especially on turf), compression tights are closer to a must-have than an optional luxury, and we promise you won’t disagree once you’ve tried the Core Compression Tights from 2XU. Boasting full-length, graduated compression to optimize circulation, as well as flatlock seams to eliminate friction points between the fabric and your skin, these compression tights simultaneously boost your performance and lower your risk of injury, all while looking incredibly stylish.
Best Workout Shorts
GORUCK USA Training Shorts
If your workouts involve dynamic, explosive movements like burpees, agility drills, power cleans or sprints, or if you have a tendency to wear down your workout shorts in no time at all, you’ll love GORUCK’s USA Training Shorts. Built to last, these performance shorts with a built-in liner offer the perfect combination of comfort and convenience, with a soft, lightweight and moisture-wicking fabric that won’t pill or tear, even when rubbing up against abrasive gym equipment like barbells and stiff bench pads. The 5” inseam and adjustable waistband make it easy to dial in your fit, while the deep front pockets offer convenient storage in a pinch.
Best Workout Underwear
Saxx Multi-Sport Mesh Performance Boxers
Good performance underwear is one of the most overlooked workout apparel necessities, but trust us when we say it can make all the difference. The Multi-Sport Mesh Performance Boxers from Saxx (sold in single, 2-pack, 3-pack and 5-pack options) delivers a comfortable fit thanks to its soft, stretchy fabric and dedicated “Ballpark Pouch” to keep your testicles separate from your legs and safe from being scrunched. Even more impressively, from an engineering perspective: the legs don’t ride up, even during kicking movements or leg raises.
$43 for 2 at SaxxUnderwear.com
Best Workout Socks
2XU Vectr Cushion Crew Socks
Foot problems are the leading cause of athletes missing games, so taking care of your feet with a proper athletic sock is a non-negotiable. We love the Vectr Cushion Crew Socks from 2XU for their built-in arch support and proprietary X-LOCK design that minimizes movement within your shoe, even during fast cuts and direction changes, helping to eliminate blisters and stave off the dreaded plantar fasciitis.
Best Workout Shoes
Reebok Nano X5
The latest iteration of Reebok’s ultra-popular Nano training shoe takes everything good and great about the originals and improves them across the board, offering a plusher collar, better heel lockdown, extra-tacky grip and a dual-density midsole that shields your joints from the shocks of dynamic workouts. And even in the launch colorways, these are absolute headturners in the gym, which we’re not too proud to admit matters a lot in our shoe selection.
Best Weightlifting Shoes
NOBULL Outwork Edge
NOBULL is no joke. This training-first brand has exploded in popularity in recent years, but success hasn’t dampened their commitment to performance one bit. The Outwork Edge combines a wide herringbone outsole offering multi-directional traction with a one-piece upper made of their ultra-durable SuperFabric and enough cushioning to withstand high-impact training without damaging your joints, resulting in a tough workout shoe suitable for every major lift. We especially love the molded, anatomical insole, which only got more comfortable over time, as well as the protective toe bumper, which saved our feet on more than one occasion.
Best Gym Gloves
RDX F6 Fitness Gym Gloves
Made from thin, stretchable Lycra and featuring a reinforced rubberized grip with 3MM cushioning to protect your hands from abrasive barbells and knurled bars, these gym gloves from RDX Sports are the best solution we’ve found to chapped, calloused gym hands. The dotted Nylon fabric even improves your grip on heavy weights, while the moisture-wicking materials keep your hands dry and your grip strong, even when you’re deep into your workout.
Best Weightlifting Belt
RDX 4-Inch Leather Weightlifting Belt
Made from authentic suede cowhide leather that’s both extremely durable and good looking, and padded with carbon fibre for extra cushioning, the RDX-4 weightlifting belt helps brace your back and abdomen during heavier lifts like squats and deadlifts, simultaneously allowing you to train harder and more safely. A sweat-wicking lining and dual-prong roller buckle, double-stitched for added durability, round out this top performing weightlifting belt.
Best Wrist Wraps
Iron Bull Wrist Wraps
If you consistently get sore wrists from training, or if you’re entering elite territory in the bench and overhead press, you’ll want to protect the delicate joint and small bones of your wrist, and these premium wrist wraps from Iron Bull are the way to do it. The woven cotton fabric is soft on your skin while still offering incredible support, while the extra-long design makes dialing in your fit seamless. And best of all, these are already pre-approved by major weightlifting organizations like the USPA and IPL, so you can safely use them even in competitive settings.
Best Gym Towel
Rumpl Everywhere Towel
Whether you’re a heavy sweater or just conscious about your hygiene, a gym towel is a great accessory to bring with you on your workouts, and we love the oversized, fast-drying Everywhere Towel from Rumpl. It boasts a hidden hang loop, so you can store it to dry or keep it in your gym locker when not in use, and it’s designed to roll up, so it stores easily in the average gym bag. Finally, its material is ultra-absorbent and quick-drying, which makes it pretty much ideal for quick wipe-downs between sets.
Best Gym Backpack
KNKG Conquer Backpack
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gym backpack, look no further. KNKG is a company dedicated to making functional, quality gym bags, and they’ve absolutely hit it out of the park with the Conquer backpack. It’s currently available in four colors and two sizes (19L and 28L), so it’s easy to find a design that suits your needs, but it’s the compartmentalized design, premium materials (YKK zippers and 500D nylon, for a start) and massive array of dedicated storage spaces that set this pack apart from the competition.
Best Gym Bag (Small)
Gymshark Active Gym Bag, Small
The Active duffel from Gymshark is pretty much the perfect gym bag for most people. It offers both an over-the-shoulder strap and top handles, so you can carry it how you please, while the external and internal slip pockets make it easy to separate your dry and clean clothes, or keep your gym essentials safely stowed. It’s also large enough to comfortably carry a pair of shoes, some bands and lifting straps, and a short foam roller, while still being small enough to be an easy carry.
Best Gym Bag (Large)
Lululemon 2-in-1 Travel Duffle
If you need to bring a lot of gear to your training sessions, and especially if you want to do it in style, pick up Lululemon’s 2-in-1 Travel Duffle. It boasts an amazing 45L of storage space, as well as a clever design that allows you to carry it by hand, over your shoulder, or even as a backpack. There’s plenty of storage as well, including a hidden key clip, a convenient water bottle pouch, and interior mesh pockets to separate your gear, shoes and supplements.
Best Yoga Bag
Hugger Mugger Journey Yoga Mat Bag
Whether you’re a dedicated yogi or just starting a practice, you’ll appreciate the convenience of the Journey Yoga Mat Bag from Hugger Mugger. There’s a zippered pocket at the bottom of the bag to store your rolled-up yoga mat, as well as an interior pocket for your wallet and keys, a dedicated water bottle holster, and an easy-access cell phone pocket. The straps are all nicely padded, and the bag itself is durable and easy to keep clean, no matter which color option you choose.
Best Yoga Hoodie
Lululemon Soft Jersey Pullover Hoodie
Lululemon’s relatively new soft jersey fabric has been a total gamechanger, offering comfort and stretch while still being easy to care for, and their Soft Jersey Pullover Hoodie will easily become your go-to hoodie, whether you’re stretching on a mat or doing groceries after a sweat session. It was deliberately designed with extra room in the chest and waist, to enable a wider range of motion, while a built-in kangaroo pocket keeps your phone safely stored.
Best Heated Hoodie
Ororo Heated Fleece Hoodie
Staying in shape isn’t a seasonal commitment, so keep warm when the temperatures drop with this heated hoodie from Ororo. It’s made from a breathable fleece fabric that already provides a base layer of warmth and wind resistance, but it’s the inclusion of three distinct heating zones in the chest and back that make this our go-to for cold weather training. As an added bonus, the heating elements operate on a long-lasting battery that’s also easy to re-charge.
Best Hiking Jacket
Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket
Designed for backpackers who prioritize a mix of warmth and comfort, this light down jacket from Decathlon boasts a water-repellant, abrasion-resistant fabric, two zippered side pockets, an extra-large hood that does an excellent job protecting your face from the wind, and a compact design enabling it to be folded away and easily stored when not in use.
Best Running Shirt
On Core-T
The ideal running shirt is lightweight and unobtrusive, moisture-wicking and stylish, which is why we were so enamored with On’s Core-T. It’s available in six colors and six sizes, all of which are made from a recycled polyester fabric that’s surprisingly strong despite being light enough that you’ll forget you’re even wearing it after the first mile.
Best Long-Sleeve Running Shirt
Rabbit Layer One
Niche running brand Rabbit has exploded in popularity recently, in large part thanks to quality-made products like the Layer One long-sleeve running shirt. The lightweight grid fleece material is light enough to work as a base layer and warm enough to wear solo, while also being stretchy and fast-drying. Flatlock seams and a tailored fit keep it comfortable and stylish, while practical touches like reinforced elbow patches and a locker loop at the rear make this shirt easy to live with.
Best Running Singlet
Gorewear Contest 2.0 Singlet
If you want a performance singlet to run your best times in, the Gorewear Contest 2.0 is your absolute best bet. Its profile is so slim, its build so light, and its fit so minimal, that you really will feel like you’re running without a shirt on. Laser-cut ventilation slats and a bonded collar all help to improve airflow and minimize friction, helping you run in total comfort, while strategically placed reflective elements keep you visible even on night runs.
Best Running Jacket
Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket
If you’re a dedicated runner, you’re hitting the pavement in sunshine and in rain, but that commitment to your craft doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable. The Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket from Gorewear is the ideal rainy-weather jacket for runners, offering comfort and weather protection without added bulk. Featuring their latest GORE-TEX membrane in a paneled design that strategically increases your range of motion during natural running movements, this jacket was designed to move with you. The secured hood even features a magnetic buckle to keep it firmly in place without restricting your visibility.
Best Running Hat
Ciele GOCap
Whether you want the style or the sun protection, or just need a way to keep your unruly hair out of your face, a good running hat is an essential accessory, and we fell in love with the GOCap from Ciele for its ultra-lightweight construction, reflective detailing, and integrated UPF +40 sun protection. The hat is even designed to fold down without damaging its structure, making it easy to travel with or pack away in a bag.
Best Running Sunglasses
KOO NOVA
Running in daylight for prolonged periods of time can take a toll on your eyes, which is why we love a lightweight pair of running sunglasses. The KOO NOVA employ a frameless, single-lens design and ultra-lightweight materials to shave off weight, resulting in glasses that weigh just 21 grams, while the Zeiss lens delivers complete clarity even when you’re running into the sun.
Best All-Around Running Shoes
Hoka Mach 6
Lightweight, versatile and above all responsive, the Hoka Mach 6 wowed us from the start. The super critical foam midsole managed to offer comfort and efficient energy transfer, cushioning our strides without slowing them down, while the streamlined collar and dual internal gusset ensured we never experienced any chafing. For mile after mile, on all variety of surfaces, these shoes were top performers.
Best Road Running Shoes
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3
If you mostly stick to the road for your running, you will love the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3. Bolstered by a carbon fibre PWRPLATE that both stabilizes the shoe and improves power transfer between your foot and the road, and encased in an ULTRAWEAVE upper that adds durability without sacrificing airflow, these shows offer premium performance for runners of all ability levels. Cushioning is also excellent, as you’d hope from a runner, with their proprietary NITROFOAM ELITE sparing your joints without slowing you down.
Best Marathon Running Shoes
Hoka Rocket X2
If you’re a distance runner, comfort and durability go way up on the list of shoe priorities, which is why we can’t recommend the Hoka Rocket X2 highly enough. Featuring a carbon fibre plate sandwiched between two layers of high-performance foam to maximize propulsion while still offering impact protection, as well as a synthetic mesh upper engineered to hug your feet, these shoes will go the distance with you.
Best Recovery Shoes
Kane Revive
If you take recovery seriously, you simply can’t neglect your feet, and that’s where Kane has been so successful. Their Revive shoes feature raised nodes all across the footbed, activating blood flow in key pressure points to help jump start the recovery process, while the perforated exterior allows your sweaty, hot feet to breath after being trapped inside performance shoes for a vigorous workout. We also love how easy these are to care for: give them a quick wash with soap and water and then let them air dry and they’re good as new.
Best Trail Running Shoes
Hoka Speedgoat 6
If you like to run trails (or create them), you need a durable shoe with exceptional lockdown, and the Speedgoat 6 from Hoka fits the bill. The ultra-aggressive traction helps you find a stable grip on dirt, mud, rocks and grass, while the dynamic vamp stretches in four directions, accommodating even your most uneven strides. The lug orientation was even inspired by the sure-footed goat, hence the shoe name. If you want to hit the trails with confidence in 2025, the Speedgoat is for you.
Best Track Running Shoes
On Cloudspike Amplius
Track shoes are a separate beast entirely, but if you’re a competitive runner, it’s worth investing in the right pair for race day. The limited-edition On Cloudspike Amplius are simply a work of art, pairing outer beauty with dynamic performance. The one-piece upper is both comfortable and weight-saving, while Helion HF hyper foam midsole offers incredible responsiveness on every stride. The stiffer midfoot design, paired with the maximum stack height, enhances stability while also aiding in propulsion, making these shoes every bit as fast on the track as they look.
Best Budget Running Shoes
Saucony Axon 3
There’s no shame in running on a budget, and there’s no need to spend a ton of money to find a pair of running shoes that perform well. The Saucony Axon 3 offer a phenomenal combination of traction, cushioning, performance and downright good looks for well under $100, which made them the hands-down winner in this category.
Best Cycling Jacket
PEARL iZUMi Expedition PRO Alpha Jacket
Comfortable, lightweight, stylish and above all sleek, the PEARL iZUMi Expedition PRO Alpha Jacket is the ultimate cycling jacket. Strategically placed insulation panels add warmth without adding bulk to the jacket’s silhouette, while their Premium Toray ultra-light woven fabric stretches with your body while still offering a fine balance between wind protection and breathability. The hems are also all elastic, to prevent them from riding up, while there are secured zipper pockets on the chest and back to keep your keys and phone safely within reach.
Best Cycling Shoes
TIEM Slipstream
If you prefer to get your exercise in a spin class, you’ll absolutely love the versatile Slipstream shoes from TIEM. At a glance, they look like performance sneakers, with a single-strap closure system instead of laces to offer a perfect lockdown every time, but they also feature a recessed SPD cleat assembly, giving you the option of attaching cleats and clipping into your spin bike. If you like to get a workout in before spin class, you’ll especially appreciate having one pair of shoes work perfectly in both settings.
Best Running Shorts
On Essential Shorts
Offering incredible range of motion and air flow, the Essential Shorts from On, currently available in six vibrant colors, were our favorite running shorts. The soft elastic waistband conforms to your body’s size with a firm but unobtrusive hold, while the inner lining adds security while taking away any possibility of friction between your underwear and the shorts. Side slits promote better air flow, keeping you cool even on hotter days, while the pockets add convenience for your essential carry items.
Best Compressions Shorts
Vuori Limitless Compression Shorts
Compression shorts are the underwear-of-choice for sports, dynamic workouts, running and cycling, not only for their superior comfort and moisture-wicking properties, but also because they help keep your junk safely in place. We fell in love with Vuori’s Limitless Compression shorts for their ultra-comfortable stretch knit fabric, flatlock seams and brushed waistband, all of which contribute to making these some of the most comfortable performance underwear we’ve ever tested.
Best Running Socks
Sockwell Pulse Micro
Lightweight, breathable and with a firm compression that helps prevent injuries and promote blood flow, the Sockwell Pulse Micro was our go-to sock for every pair of running shoes we tested, and it performed well across the board. We especially love the feeling of support they provide, as well as the raised heel lip to prevent chafing.
Best Running Accessory
Veo Strips
If you’re a heavy sweater, hats and headbands can only do so much to prevent sweat from entering your eyes, and constantly wiping at them is no solution either. On our hottest days, we reached for the Veo Strips to keep our eyes clear. As an added bonus, they pair incredibly well with sunglasses.
Best Walking Shoes
Teva Trailwinder Low
Walking is exercise. In fact, it’s among the best things you can do for your body, burning tons of calories while imposing almost no recovery cost, but you do need the right shoes. The Teva Trailwinder Low walking shoes prioritize comfort, offering a recycled mesh upper that dries quickly while offering tons of breathability, a reinforced toe cap and a tiered lug design for better traction. There’s even a convenient heel tab to make putting them on a breeze.
Best Slip On Sneaker
Kizik Lima
Slip-on sneakers have exploded in popularity lately, mainly due to their incredible convenience, and Kiziz has been responsible for a lot of that shine. Their Lima sneaker is both supremely comfortable and incredibly stylish, offering an elegant, understated design, an extra-breathable mesh upper, and of course their signature collapsing heel, allowing you to slip these on without even using your hands.
Best Insoles
Remind Insoles The Medic
Whether your current insoles are past their prime or just underperforming, you can get an instant footwear upgrade by putting The Medic insoles from Remind into your shoes. Made from a self-molding co-polymer that adapts to your foot over time, these insoles offer a custom fit that adds cushion, absorbs impact and reduces foot fatigue, helping you push your training limits while simultaneously reducing your injury risk or recovery time.
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