There’s something about the best tracksuits for men, comfortable as they may be, that just feels more purposeful than a sweatsuit. The fabric is denser and more structured, and there’s a jacket involved—one that you have to go to the trouble of putting on and zipping up, rather than just slipping over your head like a hoodie. And then there are all the baked-in associations. Tracksuits are uniforms for people who get shit done efficiently and ruthlessly: elite athletes, UK grime rappers, mall-walking senior citizens determined to stay in shape, tough guys stretching from the Polish section of Brighton Beach all the way to actual Poland. Oh, yeah, and they also look really, really dope—leisurely and relaxed, but still plenty smart and distinctive.
Tracksuits are so essential right now that literally every brand on the planet makes their own swishy, striking take. That might sound like a good thing, only the actual number of available options is so vast that it’s honestly sort of anxiety-inducing—and lord knows you don’t need any more of that at the moment. So we did you a solid and surveyed hundreds of versions, from the tiniest underground streetwear labels to the oldest luxury fashion houses to the biggest athletic conglomerates, and narrowed it down to these. Pick the one that’s right for you, get into it pronto, and give your tried-and-true sweats a well-earned break.
The Best Tracksuits, According to GQ
Best Tracksuit Overall: Adidas Essentials Warm-Up Tracksuitipes Track Top
What, were you really expecting something else? Since 1967, when Adidas debuted its first tracksuit on the lanky frame of German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer, there’s been no sportswear ensemble more omnipresent in our culture. From Run D.M.C. to Korn, Henry Hill to Chas Tenenbaum, the sheer simple cool of the three-striped zip jacket and matching stretchy pants hasn’t just endured across six decades—it’s snowballed. And the fact that you can get in on all that timeless style for less than $100 total means there’s no other place we could’ve put this icon besides the very top of the heap.
Best Velour Tracksuit: Needles
As if you didn’t need another excuse to rock a full velour look, A$AP Rocky raps: “My pants, velour” in “Praise the Lord (Da Shine).” He (obviously) must be referring to Needles, because the Japanese apparel brand might be the second brand you think of (after Adidas, of course) when thinking about tracksuits. Its buttery smooth construction is a far cry from the Juicy Couture set your high school crush wore, and it comes decked out in range of colors from bold (like this Barney purple) to lowkey (like boring black).
Best Retro Tracksuit: Reigning Champ Crinkle Nylon
The ‘90s were all about warm-up suits, which were loud and bold, because you just had to let other people know you were about to work up a sweat. Reigning Champ’s take on the tracksuit yielded this paneled number, which comes lined in mesh and made from water-repellent nylon that’ll keep you dry if you decide to go for a misty run.
Best Hooded Tracksuit: Ryoko Rain
Tracksuits usually opt for no hoods, but if you’re trying to throw on a hood like Batman’s cowl, then we really like this set from Ryoko Rain. But wait, are those shorts? No one said a tracksuit had to include pants, and the combo of this jacket and those shorts bring the total pocket count to a whopping eight.
Best Unbranded Tracksuit: Abercrombie & Fitch YPB motionTEK
Gone are the days of Abercrombie’s heavily branded graphic tees, and we’re absolutely giddy over it. From crop tops to wide-legged jeans, the mall brand is ready to dress a new generation of guys (and gals). The brand has a new-ish line of activewear, and we’re particularly chuffed by the tracksuit. It features a relaxed fit and retro piping details, and it’s got a bit of stretch as to not be restrictive if you actually do decide to get active in it.
More Tracksuits We Love
APC and Asics recently collaborated on a capsule collection of sporty clothing, from tracksuits to shoes. Its tracksuit is particularly great, combining the French brand’s focus on fit while leaning towards Asics’ athletic side. The waterproof construction keeps the rain off of your gym ‘fit as your huffing it to go do your workout, and it pairs exceptionally well with the co-branded gym bag.
Palmes’ playful take on tennis apparel is the reason why we think its tracksuit is so great. The green getup features a logo for a non-existent tennis club, while the yellow piping pays tribute to the tracksuits of yore. If Challengers weren’t so stylish already (and basically a feature film-length Loewe ad), then we’re pretty certain Art or Patrick would be decked out in this set.
Our Legacy’s tracksuit is like the fashion guy’s take on the typical mafia uniform, albeit way more stylish, better fitting, and overall just cooler. The full-zip jacket features a two-way zipper, while the track pants have zippered pockets to keep all your goods secure.
An ongoing collaboration between Wales Bonner and Adidas has brought the former brand to mass appeal, but if you’re looking to dive head first into why Wales Bonner has been one of our favorite new fashion brands for so long, then its Tide tracksuit is here to educate you. The slim jacket paired with the straight, somewhat wide pants create an interesting silhouette, which is made even better by the Adidas-esque side stripes and ribbed mockneck collar.
The Todd Snyder tracksuit asks the question: What if you wanted to wear a tracksuit to work. The wrinkle-resistant fabric and terry construction can easily trick people into thinking you’re wearing just another stylish matching set, but little do they know you’re wearing glorified pajamas to the office.
We gave you the stripes, now here’s the swoosh. Nike’s tracksuit is full ‘90s style, from the paneling to the contrast piping. Its elasticated cuffs—on the wrists and ankles—keep everything nice and tapered, while the lightweight fabric keeps you light on your feet.