Are Joggers Sweatpants? The Main Purpose Of Joggers

Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Chase Reiner

No, joggers are not sweatpants. Joggers are a type of athletic pants that are typically made from a lightweight, breathable material, such as polyester or spandex. They are often tapered at the ankle and have a drawstring waist.

Are Joggers Sweatpants?

1. Understanding the Basics: It’s crucial first to understand what joggers and sweatpants are before dissecting their differences or similarities. Sweatpants, as the name denotes, were initially designed to make perspiring, specifically during exercises, more manageable and comfortable. On the other hand, joggers are a more modern term, starting to appear in sportswear and casual wear vocabularies around the 2010s.
2. Design Characteristics: Sweatpants are often characterized by their loose fit, primarily around the legs, and elastic or drawstring waist. Joggers, in contrast, generally incorporate a more tailored fit, cinched-in, or cuffed ankles, and an equally flexible waistband for comfortable wearing.
3. Material Differences: While sweatpants are typically made from a heavyweight cotton jersey material to help induce and absorb sweat, joggers can be made from a variety of materials – from cotton and polyester blends to even more luxurious fabrics like cashmere.

	Sweatpants	Joggers
Design	Looser fit, baggy around the legs	Tailored fit, cinched in at the ankles
Material	Heavyweight cotton jersey	Variety of materials, including cotton and polyester blends, cashmere

4. Usage: Sweatpants are often used for lounging about or working out due to their comfort and functionality. Meanwhile, joggers have gained immense popularity in the fashion sector, donned for a plethora of occasions, from casual to somewhat formal events, making them a versatile piece in your wardrobe.

While both joggers and sweatpants share similarities in design intention and function, they are different. Simply put, not all joggers are sweatpants, and not all sweatpants can be classified as joggers considering their design distinction and material usage. They co-exist in the realm of comfort-focused wear, each suiting different needs and occasions.

What Is A Jogger Pant?  

Generally, jogger pants are pants that are regular pants whose bottoms are made of elastic. Joggers are traditional sports pants. They tend to be slightly fitting. They are not usually baggy. There are two types of jogger pants available in the market. 

1. Jeans  

2. Sweatpants 

Jeans

Regular pants with elastic bottoms. They come in various designs like khaki type, Hip Hop jogger, etc. 

Sweatpants

They are like sweatshirts, of which bottoms are precisely made like the sweatshirts. 

The Main Purpose Of Joggers

Jogger pants are used for several purposes like gym, running, and dancing. Besides, people use it as casual but for limited occasions. Jogger pants are made of thin fabric. So, they are very comfortable in hot weather. They come in several colors and are very stylish.  

What Are Sweatpants? 

Sweatpants are loose-fitting trousers, which are intended for various purposes. They are incredibly baggy. They are mainly used for comfort and flexibility. They are designed for athletes and people who are associated with sports. 

Main Purpose

Sweatpants are mainly for cold weather. People call it sweatpants because they trap the heat and make

 them sweat. As sweatpants are extraordinarily baggy and comfortable, you can use them at the time of exercise. They are super comfortable and relaxing. But people don’t use them frequently as a casual outfit. 

Differences Between Joggers And Sweatpants

Though both Joggers and sweatpants are used for comfort, they have fundamental differences. The principal dissimilarities between Joggers and sweatpants are-

Table 01. Differences Between Joggers And Sweatpants.

SL.	Joggers	Sweatpants
01.	Joggers are lighter than sweatpants. They are made of thin, lightweight material.	Sweatpants are heavier than joggers. They are made of a thick material like polyester.
02.	Joggers allow your legs to breathe.	Sweatpants do not allow your legs to breathe.
03.	Joggers are mainly for the hot weather.	Sweatpants are mainly for cold weather.
04.	Joggers come in various colors and designs.	Sweatpants are generally grey, black, or navy in color.
05.	Joggers are slightly tight with elastic bottoms.	Sweatpants are loose to wear.
06.	Joggers are comfortable too but not as baggy as sweatpants.	They are extremely baggy, relaxing, and comfortable.
07.	Joggers mostly indicate that there is an elastic cuff at the bottom.	Sweatpants may or may not contain the elastic cuff at the bottom.
08.	They are less constricting and more flattering than sweatpants.	They are more constricting and warmer.

Are Joggers Athletic Wear Or Casual?  

Joggers are mainly for jogging and running, as they allow your legs to breathe. The majority of jogger pants have such fabric, which is for athletic purposes. But, nowadays, people wear jogger pants for casual purposes too. You can wear jogger pants frequently for a minimal occasion like going out for a walk or a haircut. There are different types of joggers available in the market. They come in a variety of designs and colors. 

1. Cuffed joggers 

2. Non-cuffed joggers 

3. Chino jogger 

4. Hip Hop jogger 

5. Baggy pocket jogger 

6. Cargo jogger 

7. Zipper jogger 

8. Fleece jogger 

They all are quite stylish and come in very soft, breathable fabric. They are more flattering and less constricting, which makes them more comfortable than yoga pants and sweatpants.  

Which One Is Better? Joggers? Or Sweatpants? 

It depends on the task you are doing. Joggers and sweatpants are made with the same fiber. Their thickness is different. So, you have to choose either joggers or sweatpants, depending on the occasion. Here are some examples- 

1. Exercise

Joggers are now in the trend. They are specially made for jogging. You can use them while jogging or doing a simple exercise. But when you are doing cardiovascular exercise, or stretching exercise, you should choose sweatpants because you need to increase your body’s temperature.    

2. Weather

Joggers are made with thin, lightweight fiber. Their main advantage is that they allow the legs to breathe. So, joggers should be the main priority when the climate is hot. On the other hand, sweatpants are made with thick fiber to keep the legs warm. They make the legs sweat and do not allow breathing. So, when the weather is cold, you have to go in sweatpants.  

3. Daily Use

As joggers come in various designs and colors, they are more comfortable for casual use. When you are relaxing at home or going out for groceries, joggers can be your first choice. They will give you a great look with casual sneakers and T-shirts. Additionally, you can wear joggers with sweatshirts, track jackets, hoodies, denim jackets, biker jackets, blazers, polo shirts, and so on. 

Are Joggers Supposed To Be Tight Or Loose? 

There are both tight-fitting joggers and loose-fitting joggers in the market. It would help if you chose which fits you best. There is no right or wrong. Choose the one that gives you the most comfort. The best suggestion is to choose the fitting one while working or running. One of the easiest ways of wearing a jogger is with a casual outfit. For everyday use, loose-fitting joggers are preferable. Loose joggers look good with too-casual t-shirts. But with a jacket or watch, when you give a bit more effort on the casual side, go for the fitting one.  

FAQs

References:

https://www.uniqlo.com/in/en/news/topics/2021011401/
https://www.tommyjohn.com/blogs/news/joggers-vs-sweatpants