Buying guide for Best lounge pants for men
Hanging out at home? When you kick back and relax, make sure you’re wearing a comfortable pair of lounge pants.
All things considered, lounge pants aren’t exactly a stressful purchase. If anything, they tend to have the opposite effect on wearers. With that said, choosing the right pair can affect your comfort level. To find the perfect pair, it’s important to think about materials. If you’re looking for a lightweight, breathable pair of lounge pants, cotton is your best bet. For a pair that will keep you warm when temperatures drop, reach for flannel or fleece. Not sold on the idea of full-length lounge pants? Choose a pair of comfortable shorts.
As you can see, there are many styles to choose from when it comes to lounge pants for men. To help you find the best pair in time for your next day off, we’re sharing this buying guide to point you in the right direction.
Key considerations
Styles
Shorts: Shorts are a popular choice for lounging, especially during warm weather. They’re also incredibly versatile because many of these styles can be worn for exercise, too. Some men use shorts as a base layer during cooler temperatures and opt to wear them under sweatpants or track pants.
On the downside, according to many men, finding shorts with the ideal inseam is challenging. As a result, fit can be extremely hit or miss with lounge shorts.
Full-length pants: These lounge pants are ideal for men who prefer a moderate amount of coverage while they relax. There are countless styles in this category, including pajama bottoms, track pants, sweatpants, and flannel pants, just to name a few. It’s more common to find pockets in these pants than in other types of lounge pants.
On the downside, some full-length lounge pants have an uncomfortable cut. Certain styles are too narrow and restrictive while others are too bulky with excess material. Many men of shorter stature find the inseam in full-length styles is too long.
Sweatpants: While sweatpants are technically full-length lounge pants, their diversity earns them a category of their own. Unlike shorts and full-length pants, sweatpants are available in a wide variety of cuff styles to suit different wearers. Joggers, for example, have ribbed cuffs, and sweatpants have elasticized or open hems.
On the downside, sweatpant loungers aren’t ideal for warm weather wear because most styles tend to be thick or bulky.
Lounge pants make a great gift. If you aren’t sure of the recipient’s size, it’s recommended that you err on the side of caution and go with the larger size you’re considering.
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Features
Materials
Popular materials for lounge pants include cotton, cotton blends, polyester, flannel, and fleece.
Cotton and cotton blends tend to be the most lightweight and breathable options, though some polyester pants share these attributes. Flannel and fleece are soft and excel at retaining body heat, though after a few washes the colors can fade and they may start to look shabby.
One thing to keep in mind when comparing materials is how well they stand up to washing. With the exception of most types of polyester, all these materials are prone to shrinking even when washed in cool water and dried on the lowest heat setting. For that reason, you might want to buy a size larger than you normally wear.
Waistband
You’ll find two types of waistbands on lounge pants: elastic and drawstring. There are also hybrid waistbands that incorporate both.
Elastic waistband: These lounge pants can be pulled on and off with ease, plus the waistband allows wearers extra breathing room. Since they’re flexible by design, they won’t cut into the belly when you lie down, stretch, or sit cross-legged. A pitfall of elastic waistbands is that the elastic eventually deteriorates and stretches out.
Drawstring waistband: This offers an adjustable fit. For that reason, it’s an ideal choice if your weight fluctuates. The adjustability also means that in cooler temperatures you can loosen the pants to make room for base layers like T-shirts or compression leggings. Unfortunately, the drawstring is prone to slipping out or getting caught in the washing machine’s agitator.
Fly
If a button or open fly is a must-have feature on your lounge pants, you might be surprised that it’s harder to find than you think. It’s common for lounge pants and some shorts to have a fly, but it’s not found on sweatpants or other athleisure options for sweatpants.
Pockets
Many styles of lounge pants for men have side or back pockets. How functional they are is another story. Generally speaking, lounge pants are lightweight and don’t have as much structural integrity as jeans or trousers. That means that the added weight of keys or a phone in the pocket of lounge pants will weigh down the pants.
To prevent the drawstring of lounge pants from slipping out of the waistband, it’s a good idea to either double-knot the ends or sew buttons on the ends.
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Accessories
Slippers: RockDove Original Two-Tone Slippers
It’s easy to kick back and relax wearing these cozy memory foam slippers. They have an ultra-soft waffle-knit shell and a soft fleece lining. The slippers also have a textured rubber sole that makes them suitable for outdoor wear.
T-shirt: Champion Classic Jersey Script T-Shirt
Pair your lounge pants with this laid-back crewneck tee by Champion. Made from 100% cotton, it’s soft and breathable. The oversize logo gives the shirt a sporty throwback vibe.
Hoodie: Carhartt Sleeve Logo Hoodie
An essential piece of every loungewear look includes a comfortable hoodie like this one made with a cotton/polyester blend. Its medium-weight design makes it versatile enough for all-season wear.
Lounge pants for men prices
Lounge pants for men range in price from $12 to $65. While quality certainly plays a role in the price, the manufacturer's name recognition also has an impact.
Inexpensive: Basic cotton and cotton-blend lounge pants cost $20 or less. Some designs in this category have decent quality, though others are poorly made with low-quality materials. You get what you pay for in this bracket.
Mid-range: These lounge pants cost between $25 and $40 and include many designs made by reputable manufacturers that use high-quality materials. These pants can withstand multiple washings and offer the most bang for your buck.
Expensive: The most expensive lounge pants cost $50 or more. This bracket includes top-quality designs made with premium materials. With that said, many of these lounge pants are rather basic. More than anything, you’ll pay a higher price just because of the brand name.
If your lounge pants are a few inches longer than you’d like, consider rolling the waistband to raise the hem by an inch or two. In some cases, this eliminates the need to get the pants altered.
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Tips
- Buy multiple colors. If you’re a big fan of a specific style of lounge pants, invest in more than one pair so you never have to compromise on comfort even when you wear out your favorites.
- Check for spare buttons. If your lounge pants have a button fly, you might be surprised to find a spare button sewn inside the pants. It’s common to find one attached to the tag or a seam.
- Examine the flannel pattern. An easy way to assess quality in flannel lounge pants is to inspect the pattern. If it looks crooked or off-center, it’s a sign that the pants are poorly made.
FAQ
Q. What’s the best way to wash lounge pants to prevent shrinking?
A. As always, first refer to the care instruction on the tag before tweaking your laundry routine. To preserve the material and colors, it’s a good idea to wash lounge pants with a color-safe detergent. Depending on the material, you might need to forgo the fabric softener because it can deteriorate polyester, flannel, and fleece.
Q. What does it mean if lounge pants are advertised as having “no pill” materials?
A. If a material is marked as “no pill,” it means it’s less prone to ending up with tiny round fibers as they pull away from the material. Not only does pilling make a garment look worn out, it also gives it a rough, grainy texture. While pilling is inevitable, no-pill materials certainly help to keep it at bay.
Q. How long do lounge pants last?
A. If you intend to wear them frequently, such as a few times a week, there’s a good chance you’ll end up replacing them within a couple of years. On the other hand, if you intend to wear them less often or only seasonally, lounge pants can last for several years.
