The 8 Best Athleisure Brands of 2026

Every frequent flier knows that athleisure is a key part of any versatile travel wardrobe. Straddling the line of athletic apparel and loungewear, athleisure is what we reach for when we’re heading to the airport or hotel gym, exploring a new city on foot, or working from home. I have a few pieces that have taken up near-permanent residency in my carry-on: cargo pants and tank tops cozy enough to sleep in on a long-haul flight, yet chic enough to wear out to dinner; moisture-wicking leggings and bike shorts that stay fresh and dry between yoga and grocery shopping.

As longtime athleisure aficionados, we’ve pulled together our top recommendations for brands that carry our favorite pieces. Travel + Leisure editors personally own several of the items included here, and highly recommend them after rigorously testing them for comfort, durability, performance, and overall value, both in our lab and during our real-life travels. Read on for a guide to the best athleisure brands for every sort of trip and traveler.

Our Top Picks

At Alo, you can shop by activity, whether that’s yoga, tennis, or our favorite—lounging. The cult-favorite brand always hits the mark when it comes to cozy pieces that look polished enough to wear out and about: we reach for the brand’s loungewear sets, sculpted leggings, and elevated essentials both at home and on the road.

Personally, I can’t get enough of Alo’s 7/8 High-waist Airlift Legging, which has superseded every other pair of leggings in my closet. The high-compression fabric is sculpting without digging into skin, and the generous waistband keeps everything in place during particularly bendy yoga classes. Best of all, the shorter length delivers a perfect ankle crop for my petite, 5-foot-2 frame (though the style comes in a full-length option, too).

We’re also big fans of the Muse Hoodie and matching Muse Sweatpants, which senior testing editor Jackie Cucco considers her “at-home uniform,” topped with the incredibly warm Oversized Sherpa Trench when she does need to leave. For busy travel days, the stretchy waistband and sleek fabric of Alo’s High-Waist Pursuit Trouser are ideal. Associate editor Anna Popp also swears by them for at-home lounging, adding, “I love that I can run out the door in a hurry looking cute and business casual.” The brand’s offerings have expanded to include more elevated pieces as well, like chic day-to-night dresses that you could rock on the tennis court or at the club.

Spanx is all about not-so-basic basics. The brand has expanded far beyond shapewear, and is a veritable treasure trove of elevated essentials, like easy slip dresses, stretchy-yet-stylish pants, and lightweight cardigans made for effortless layering. Most pieces are offered in neutral shades like black and gray, making it easy to mix and match them while on the go.

“Everything I’ve worn from Spanx—including leggings, bike shorts, sports bras, and jeggings—has been so high quality and comfortable,” raves updates editor Hillary Maglin. Her go-to is the Booty Boost Active Sculpting 7/8 Leggings, which she lauds as “some of the softest and smoothest leggings I own,” noting they’re great for workouts and also for everyday wear thanks to their sleek and sweat-wicking material. “I also love the tummy control and the fact that they’ve held up so well through 3-to-4 years of wear,” she adds.

We’re big fans of the brand’s AirEssentials collection as well, which manages to be lightweight, warm, and breathable all at once. “I love how the pieces feel like cozy loungewear, but they look luxe enough to wear out and about without anyone knowing how comfortable I actually am,” says Popp, who owns half a dozen pieces from the collection, including the Half Zip (great for casual outings or layering after the gym) and the Cardigan (perfect for when you need a bit more polish—just note the faux buttons).

Another day-to-night standout is the Ponte Slim Straight Pant, crafted from premium ponte fabric. Given their versatile length (they’re available in three different inseams), they work well with everything from heels to sneakers—a true wardrobe workhorse. If you’re looking for something more casual, we also love their smoothing Wide-leg Jean with the perfect amount of stretch.

Shorts that won’t ride up, fleeces that layer effortlessly over gym clothes, leggings that keep their shape over time without feeling like sausage casing—when it comes to quality workout wear, Athleta’s got you covered. The brand prizes performance fabrics with sweat-wicking, odor-repelling, quick-drying properties that make them ideal for sweaty workouts and busy travel days alike.

For the perfect pair of spandex shorts, multiple members of our team swear by the Salutation Stash Shorts – High Rise 5 Inch. I practically lived in them for a month while picking grapes during the wine harvest in France, as they were comfortable and supportive enough to wear all day long, featured side pockets deep enough to stash my phone and a granola bar, and stayed odor-free for a surprisingly long time.

We’re also big fans of the Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant, which make for a wrinkle-resistant and ultra-lightweight travel pant that’s chic enough to wear to the office yet sturdy enough (the fabric is breathable and abrasion-resistant) to wear on a hike. “These pants are so comfortable but look very put together,” says senior engagement editor Lydia Price. “They’re easy to throw on for work, events, or just running errands. They stay looking polished no matter how rough the wears get and how many times they’re washed,” she says, highlighting that they also come in petite-friendly sizing.

Other favorite pieces that take us from the gym to an afternoon of running errands include the featherweight High Rise Weekender Run Short, and the Forever Fleece 1/2 Zip Hoodie, which we throw on over our gym clothes for a cozy layer, or trips away like the fluffy-yet-compact Aire Puffer Jacket.

“I think Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye fabric is the most comfortable fabric for situations that could go from ath- to leisure and back again,” raves associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker. “It’s incredibly soft but still breathable so you can wear it walking around town but could also stay cozy on a flight.” Her all-time favorite piece? The Spacedye Keep Pace 5” Biker Shorts, which stay put as she moves and aren’t too long on her petite frame.

The super soft Spacedye fabric is also moisture-wicking and easy to toss in the wash, plus it boasts four-way stretch and UV protection. The Spacedye Icon Midi Dress and the Featherweight at the Ready Square Neck Dress are both versatile go-tos for trips, as they are stylish enough to wear for a night on town (we love a square neck!), yet cozy enough to pass for pajamas. The Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank is a great everyday essential, especially paired with matching Spacedye Out of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging.

Another stellar travel pick is the City Chic Wide Leg Cargo Pant, which editor Taylor Fox says “could almost pass as slacks, making these a great option for air travel where you want to look somewhat put together yet still stay as comfortable as if you were wearing yoga pants.”

A true everyday essential is a piece we feel like we could live in and wear on a variety of occasions, and that’s what we’ve come to expect from Vuori. We love how pieces like the Villa Wideleg Pant and Villa Trouser—which are comfy enough to wear in-flight, yet pack plenty of polish for the office or a night out—are both made from recycled materials equipped with four-way stretch and moisture-wicking properties.

“I love how stretchy and comfortable the pants and sweatshirts are—it makes it so easy to wear them all day long so I can go from working from home straight to the gym without having to change,” says Cucco, who owns the Daily Pocket Legging (which are also available in a shorter 22.5-inch inseam) and the Restore Half Zip Hoodie, brushed with super-soft French terry.

Popp is also a longtime fan of the brand, including the Performance Jogger. “From leggings for working out to cozy loungewear, everything I own from Vuori is made with super high-quality and long-lasting materials,” she says, noting her pieces have held up well after years of hiking, biking, skiing, and daily wear-and-tear.

Lululemon is essentially synonymous with athleisure; the brand has helped create and define the category. The brand has everything you could need as far as athleisure wear goes, from shirts and sports bras to jackets, leggings, sweats, and beyond for men and women. Several editors tout the Align High-Rise Pant with Pockets as favorites for traveling. The leggings, which are also available without pockets and in five different lengths, offer a barely-there feel and sweat-wicking fabric that also makes them ideal for long days or red-eye flights. Parker pairs them with the water-repellent Always Effortless Jacket whenever she’s traveling.

The brand offers a legging style designed for an enormous range of activities. For more active workouts, our editors reach for the Wunder Train High-rise Tight, which boast a secure and adjustable waistband plus ultra-quick-drying fabric to help you keep your cool during hot HIIT classes. For sculpted support (and a flattering booty lift) during your training sessions, there’s the Glow Up Super-high-rise Tight, which is available in three different lengths. In colder months, we reach for the Fast and Free High-rise Thermal Tight to stay warm without overly constrictive fabric.

This vintage-inspired line channels the glory days of 1970’s California surf culture, with each piece hand sewn in Los Angeles and featuring the brand’s instantly-recognizable patterns. “When I think of sweatpants specifically for athleisure, Aviator Nation is my go-to brand,” says Parker, who appreciates the variety of colors and prints on offer. She’s a fan of the 5 Stripe Sweatpants and Bolt Sweatpants, both of which she finds super soft and not too heavy or bulky. Best of all, they’re easy to mix and match with coordinating tank tops and zip ups to make a full set, like the ultra-cozy 5 Stripe Hoodie, which is also made of a cozy cotton-polyester blend, or the shorter 5 Stripe Crop Zipped Hoodie instead.

The unique-looking sweats and matching zip-ups go through a breaking-in process during design, so they feel lived-in from the very first wear. Breezy styles like the Essential Wide Leg Pocket Sweatpants come in a rainbow of juicy hues, from faded mocha to faded grape, or there are cute sets like the Heart Stitch Crewneck and matching Heart Stitch Sweatpants.  

If you’re looking to try out new trends without investing a fortune, or just stock up on durable wardrobe staples (like the always-classic Vintage T-Shirt or the oversized crop alternative), Old Navy is the place to go. We love that the brand offers most pieces in regular, petite, and tall sizing, all across an inclusive size-range (XS to 4X).

“I grew up in Old Navy and I love that as my style has changed, so has their collection,” says Fox. “Everything you get here is incredibly affordable, but the quality is still high, so you can refresh your wardrobe for the season without stressing out.” We love the versatility of pieces like the PowerSoft Athletic Dress and First-Layer Ribbed Scoop-Neck Tank Top, which could be worn throughout your trip and are crafted from lightweight, sweat-wicking materials.

“I’ve worn Old Navy leggings while hiking and rock climbing because I don’t want to worry about ripping or ruining my more expensive pairs, but they’ve never gotten ruined,” says Cucco, who notes that pilling does occasionally occur between the thighs on some pairs. While she’s tried a variety of styles—there are a huge range of rises, lengths, and materials to choose from—her favorite is the Extra High-waisted PowerSoft Sculpt 7/8 Leggings, which boasts a contoured waistband and moisture-wicking fabric.

Other Athleisure Brands We Like

We’ve tested athleisure wear from dozens of brands, and while these didn’t rank among our all-time favorites, they’re still reliable brands that we regularly wear and recommend—just with a few caveats regarding sizing and design.

Aerie: We love the overall affordability of Aerie (and the frequent sales!) for stocking up on soft, lightweight pieces like viral Real Me High Waisted Crossover Flare Legging. We only wish they offered more petite sizing, as even their “short” sizing often runs too long.

Halara: This budget-friendly brand lives up to the hype, with dresses, leggings, bodysuits and more pieces all designed for travel thanks to soft and breathable materials, thoughtful pockets, and a rainbow of styles available, like with the Softlyzero Crossover Pocket Plain Leggings with UPF 50+—just be sure to air dry everything to keep it in good shape.

Calia: We love how soft the pieces from Calia are, from the leggings to the Women’s Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger, which are comfortable and flattering but feature oddly-placed back pockets.

JoyLab: For trying out trendy new styles without breaking the bank, JoyLab is our go-to—and while we’ve had pieces last for years, we find that the seams can sometimes feel scratchy.

Our Testing Process

Our in-depth evaluation process for clothing starts on the surface, as we carefully inspect the garments’ stitching and materials before trying them on to evaluate the fit. We wear them for various activities and for hours at a time in order to get a feel for them in different situations, from yoga classes to long-haul flights. We rate clothing based on factors including fit, comfort, breathability, stretch, durability, care requirements, and overall value. We also prize pieces with travel-friendly features, such as pockets and wrinkle-resistant fabric. T+L team members personally tested multiple pieces from each brand included in this article, wearing them repeatedly at home and on our real-life travels in order to get a sense of how they perform over time.

Tips for Buying Athleisure

Consider your intended activities

Athleisure is versatile by nature — leggings, tank tops, zip-up hoodies, and T-shirts are typically designed with lightweight, breathable fabrics that can be worn while lounging around, sightseeing, flying overnight, or doing yoga. It’s important to consider how you intend to wear your pieces: if you’ll primarily wear them for workouts, you should prioritize supportive, stretchy fabrics that are sweat-wicking and odor-repelling. Loungewear can be looser and ultra soft, while pieces that you’ll want to be able to wear for both, like leggings, should always be breathable and lightweight.

Review each brand’s size measurements

Even within a brand, sizing can vary widely. Be sure to pay close attention to the fit guidelines on each brand’s site, as letter sizing (i.e. S, M, L) isn’t standardized among brands. It’s always a good idea to consider reading through customer reviews to get a well-rounded sense of how each piece will fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you workout in athleisure?

It depends. Typically, most athleisure is designed to be worn for low-impact workouts as well as leisure wear, with a focus on soft and breathable materials that may not provide ideal support for activities like running or training. Still, sweat-wicking and quick-drying materials ensure you usually can wear these pieces to workout as well as look pulled-together, which makes them ideal for trips when you need pieces with multiple functions.

How should you wash athleisure?

Most of the pieces on this list are machine washable for quick and easy care. In order to maximize the lifespan of each piece, it’s best to wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water, and to avoid using fabric softener which can trap odors. Whenever possible, it’s best to air dry athleisure in order to preserve the fabric’s elasticity and any performance properties, like moisture-wicking or odor-repellent fabric. As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so be sure to read each garment’s individual care instructions and wash them accordingly.

How can you dress up athleisure?

Athleisure is designed to walk the line between activewear and loungewear, with pieces packing enough versatility that they can be worn to the gym, the airport, the office, and even out to dinner—it all depends on how you accessorize them. It’s easy to elevate a pair of joggers with heels and a blazer, or transform your favorite travel trousers with a trendy scarf top and strappy sandals. In general, the right shoes and jewelry can go a long way towards making casual, laid-back pieces feel a bit more chic.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Sophie Dodd is a T+L writer specializing in travel, apparel, and luggage. She’s in and out of airports every month, and relies heavily on athleisure in order to travel and arrive at her destination in style and comfort. She owns pieces from several of the brands on this list, including Athleta, Alo, Lululemon, and Spanx, and is personally familiar with their quality, durability, and comfort features; she’s worn her favorites to work a wine harvest in France, fly from New York to Australia, and write articles like this one while cozied up at home. This list features brands vetted by our editors, who’ve tested and worn them repeatedly on trips around the world.

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