Yoga has seen a super trend in recent years, and that’s no surprise. Yoga helps you to focus and concentrate on your breathing. It focuses the mind and brings it in harmony with your body.
Yoga slows down your breathing and heart rate so that you enter a state of deep relaxation.
Much more than just a fad in men’s active workout, yoga has become a vital part in exercise routines with a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing.
This is what makes yoga such a popular mindfulness technique for everyone.
Particularly men have a tendency to ignore stress but yoga allows them to compress and de-stress. It is even a great antidote to depression and anxiety which has taken up epidemic proportions in the United States.
With all the great benefits of yoga, it should be part of your regular workout routine, where you need a good set of gear to ensure you can stretch comfortably.
But what do yoga pants need to be comfortable? And how do you pick a pair of pants which is right for you?
Navigating through endless lists of yoga pants for men is not an easy task. That’s why we put together a list with our top 10 men yoga pants, together with pros and cons.
OUR TOP PICK
The Willit Men’s Active Yoga pants are super soft and stretchy to give you the flexibility you need during your yoga workout.
The material wicks moisture allowing your skin to breathe so you don’t get too cool or warm whatever yoga position you are in.
The comfortable fabric allows you to stretch in whatever way you want. The fabric is breathable so keeps you dry even in these difficult yoga positions.
An elastic waistband allows for more flexibility and a secure fit. Two handy side pockets mean you can keep all your essentials close.
Pros
- Functional side pockets
- Stretchy and breathable fabric
- Elastic waistband
Cons
- Slightly too long so you may need to roll them up
EDITORS CHOICE
These Under Armour Training Pants for men are perfect for doing your down dog, tree pose and all your favorite yoga positions.
The fabric is moisture-wicking so keeps you dry during a lengthy workout. Similar to a pair of leggings, these durable yoga pants have flat seams to give you extra comfort.
They are super stretchy fitting close to your skin so that you can move confidently with all your stretches.
Pros
- Lightweight stretch fabric for best flexibility
- Secure zip pockets
- Flat seams for extra comfort
Cons
- Size is slightly on the large side
BEST VALUE
The iWoo cotton linen pants are extra soft and can be great for light, non-stretching yoga poses.
An elastic waistband at the top together with two practical pockets make this pair of casual pants comfortable to wear.
The lightweight linen fabric can absorb up to 20% of its own weight so it can keep you dry in hot weather.
Pros
- Soft cotton
- Elastic waistband for more comfort
- Lightweight
Cons
- Fabric is not elastic so only for non-stretchy yoga poses
- Do not tumble dry
RUNNER UP
With these high-performance yoga compression pants, you can take your yoga stretches to the next level.
With 92% polyester and 8% spandex, the fabric keeps its shape when washing and it also provides great support for your muscles and joints during your workout.
Moisture-wicking and super breathable, the MEETYOO pants absorb sweat and keep you dry in all poses. You can easily keep all your cards, keys and other essentials in the two side pockets.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Breathable and dries quickly
- Supports muscles and joints
- Reflective stripes
Cons
- Real size slightly larger
RUNNER UP
The SARJANA harem boho pants have a stylish bohemian look. These yoga pants are made with 100% cotton fabric which is lightweight and allow for maximum flexibility.
With a snug-fitting waistband at the top with a loose fit around the legs and a tighter fit around the ankles, the hareem baggy style of these pants gives your yoga workout an artsy feel.
Pros
- Loose fit around legs
- Machine washable in cold water
- Artsy feel and comfort
Cons
- Real size slightly larger
RUNNER UP
Ready for all your yoga poses, the TSLA workout pants are made of elastic fabric that supports your muscles and joints when holding difficult positions.
These practical yoga pants also wick moisture and release heat to make sure you stay cool and dry when sweating.
As these workout pants are so versatile, you can use them not just for indoor yoga but also outdoor activities, like running, football and other high-intensity training.
Pros
- Loose fit around legs
- Machine washable in cold water
- Artsy feel and comfort
Cons
- Real size slightly larger
RUNNER UP
The Pudolla yoga sweatpants have a straight leg and the cotton and spandex fabric make them extra comfortable.
They are used by yoga teachers and stretch flexibly so you can get deep into your poses and relax.
True to size, these sweatpants can also be worn for outdoor workout or just lounging around the house.
Pros
- Yoga teacher favorite
- Comfortable and form-fitting
- True to size
Cons
- Not machine washable
RUNNER UP
Perfect for winter, the DEVOPS men’s thermal yoga pants keep you warm in the cooler winter months, while also releasing heat so you don’t sweat.
The thermal fleece sits soft and snug on the skin, and stays in shape when you are working out.
These extra comfortable yoga pants are not just great for your yoga practice but also can be used as thermal underwear or base layer for other outdoor activities.
Pros
- Fleece provides extra warmth in winter
- Breathable fabric
- Compression design supports muscles and joints
Cons
- Size runs small
RUNNER UP
Suitable for all indoor activities, the LAFROI yoga tights give your muscles and joints extra support when going deep into your warrior yoga pose.
Flat seams and a tight fit make these pants perfect for stretches without chaffing or irritated skin. The moisture-absorbing fabric allows your skin to breathe and keeps you cool whatever you do.
They have also been tested in the water so you can use them as alternative to swimming trunks.
Pros
- Choice of different colors and design
- Lightweight and quick-drying
- UV sun protection
- Thin elastic waistband
Cons
- Size runs small
RUNNER UP
The Roadbox ¾ compression pants have a great elastic fit for plenty of flexibility to move in whatever way you want. They are thin and friction-free flat seems to make them comfortable to wear.
These pants sit tight around your legs. The polyester and spandex fabric blend make them quick-drying and ultra-breathable to avoid chafing your skin.
Two side pockets allow you to keep your phone or other valuables close to your skin.
Pros
- Not see-through
- Good size fit
- Supports muscles and joints
Cons
- More seams than other pants
Best Men Yoga Pants Buying Guide
Types Of Yoga Pants for men
Whether it is for indoors or outdoors activity, fabric is the key to good workout gear.
Particularly for exercises focused on mindfulness, like yoga, you want to make sure that the fabric feels comfortable and doesn’t irritate your skin.
Bamboo Yoga Pants
Bamboo has become more and more popular in recent years as the go-to fabric for all activities. Bamboo is a natural and organic material that allows yoga pants to be lightweight and breathable.
With its ability to release heat and wick moisture, it is perfect to prevent bad odor from sweat.
Bamboo fabrics are soft and gentle on your skin so that even those with sensitive skin can feel comfortable and dry in all seasons with a pair of bamboo yoga pants.
Cotton Yoga Pants
Cotton pants have the great benefit of being super soft and they are usually much cheaper.
Unfortunately, cotton fabrics are highly water absorbent so could cling to your skin during heavier workouts, which makes them only suitable for more gentle yoga stretches.
Synthetic yoga pants
Just as the name describes, synthetics are man-made fabrics such as nylon, polyester, spandex and some others.
Usually yoga pants have a blend of natural fiber, like cotton or bamboo, mixed together with synthetics. This is because synthetic materials have some great properties that are fantastic for activewear.
For example, polyester and nylon, are excellent at wicking moisture so they allow your skin to breathe and stay dry. This reduces sweat marks and bad odors.
Lycra, also usually known as spandex, is used to make your yoga pants more stretchy so the pants keep their shape for many years.
While synthetic yoga pants won’t feel as natural and soft as cotton or bamboo, they convince with their practical properties.
What You Should Look Out For When Buying Men’s Yoga Pants
Before you start buying yoga pants, there are a couple of things to consider, like the type of yoga you are doing.
The yoga style has an impact on how much you are likely to sweat, and how much moisture your yoga pants need to absorb.
Bikram or Hot yoga is a lot more active so you will sweat a lot more than with, for example, Hatha yoga. This means you need to look out for the type of fabric for your yoga pants.
What material are they made of, and are they breathable to keep you cool? You may also want to consider ¾ pants, shorts or other cropped options.
Ease Of Movement And Comfort
Whatever type of yoga you are doing, you want to feel comfortable and relaxed. You should make sure that your yoga pants fit well, especially when you do stretches.
You don’t want to adjust your pants every time you are in the middle of a pose. The yoga pants also should not drag you down in any of the postures and the fabric should feel good on your skin.
Ideally, you want to have lightweight yoga pants with flat seams so that you can move as easily as possible, even during more fast-paced yoga.
Performance Properties Of Yoga Pants
Depending on the kind of yoga you are doing and how active you are going to be, your yoga pants should have certain high-performance properties to make sure they match your heavy workout.
If you are doing a light yoga class with gentle poses then sweatpants are fine, but if you are deep into hot yoga, then your pants need to be stretchy and breathable.
Durability
With the stress and strain onto the fabric, it’s likely that no activewear pants will last a lifetime, but good quality yoga pants with the right fabric will serve you longer than others.
For example, nylon is one of the most durable synthetics and it is also very easy to wash. Similar to nylon, yoga pants made with natural fibers, like cotton or hemp, can also withstand many years of wear.
One thing to look out for that prolongs the life of your yoga pants is a gusset.
This is a small piece of fabric sewn into the crotch area, which evenly distributes the pressure around the crotch seams and ensures that there is less stress on the seams protecting them from tearing.
Fit And Design
There may be more designs out there for women’s yoga pants than for men at the moment but with the rising popularity of men’s yoga pants, there is an increase in better designs and much higher quality active gear for yoga lovers.
Whether you like leggings, loose-fitting yoga pants or bohemian hareem pants, the choice is yours.
Just bear in mind that your yoga pants should have the right length, they shouldn’t be too loose or too tight to restrict your poses in any way.
You are likely more comfortable in a pair of tight yoga pants with more active sessions because your clothes need to move with you.
Particularly compression pants and leggings are great for men because they support your muscles and joints, as well as your blood flow. This will help you balance your energy evenly throughout your body.
For more restorative and slow types of yoga, you may feel more cozy with loose yoga pants. Designs like baggy pants are also very versatile, so you can also use them outside of your yoga practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Yoga Pants The Same As Workout Pants?
The main difference between yoga pants and workout pants is their fabric and fit. Depending on what style of yoga you do, the type of yoga pants you want to wear may vary.
For more gentle yoga sessions you can wear cotton sweatpants or baggy pants to give you a more relaxed feel.
If you are more active and sweat a lot, then breathable and moisture-wicking pants designed as activewear are best.
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
- Ultimate Guide to Yoga Strap Stretching: 12 Poses for Flexibility - September 15, 2023
- Phalakasana or Kumbhakasana – Plank Pose - September 13, 2023
- All About Iyengar Poses: Beginner to Advanced Guide - September 11, 2023
