Buying men’s activewear for year-round use

Picking out clothing for your next workout can be a daunting task. Many manufacturers now sew activewear with specialized synthetic fabrics. These fabrics typically dry very quickly. Some fabrics now have germ fighting elements woven into the fabric to cut down on unpleasant odors. For clothing you wear next to your skin, look for flat sewn seams to reduce the possibility of chafing or skin irritation. Zippered key pockets on shirts or shorts give peace of mind while being active. Your choice of active wear will depend on your intended use. We’ll take a look at suggestions and considerations for gym wear, as well as suggestions for warm, cool, and cold weather outdoors.

Gym wear

If you want to look like your favorite athlete, look no further than Nike Pro Fitted t-shirts or Under Armour shirts. These shirts are popular because they combine a sleek look with high tech fabrics that will let you worry more about your form and less about your sweat.

Some Under Armour options

Other search suggestions for tops include the Adidas adiSTAR and adiPURE jerseys. Both feature ventilated, fast drying ClimaCool fabric to keep you comfortable, and both are stitched with flat seams. Consider matching your choice of top with a pair of Adidas gym shorts with your favorite teams’ logo. Champion gym shorts are an easy, inexpensive choice that never goes out of style. Many people prefer the longer cut of basketball shorts such as those offered by Reebok and Nike.

Some Men's Basketball Shorts

Some people suggest that compression shorts may be an aid to athletic performance. Try searching for compression shorts from Nike Core and Adams for that extra edge.

Some Compression shorts

Warm weather

In many climates, the same clothing for the gym works for exercising outside. However, shoppers in higher latitudes will appreciate the benefits of activity specific clothing. Being comfortable while active no longer requires looking like you just stepped out of the gym. Oakley’s line of clothing, such as the Oakley Long Drive polo shirt, combines premium performance fabrics with styles that fit from casual Friday to the driving range. Golf fans are also likely familiar with Nike polo shirts sported by red hot Tiger Woods.

Some Nike Men's Polo Shirts

Patagonia offers a line of shirts with their proprietary Capilene fabric. The shirts come in a variety of weights, cuts and colors for every person. Taller men will appreciate the wide size range they offer. Many hikers, paddlers, campers, and travelers are clamoring for button up shirts made with smart synthetic fabrics. Shirts like the Mountain Hardwear Canyon shirt or ExOfficio Airstrip Lite shirt offer cell phone pockets, zippered passport pockets, and roll up sleeves. Additionally, they are sewn with wrinkle resistant fabrics that dry fast.

Some Men's Mountain Hardware Canyon Options

Style conscious cyclists no longer have to embrace the spandex look of yesteryear. Baggy shorts from Oakley and Cannondale provide comfort for hours on the bike but could pass for a pair of surf shorts off the bike. Extras like key clips and cell phone pockets keep your important item secure during epic rides.

Some Baggy Bike Shorts

For a more retro look, try the Sugoi Wallaroo classic jersey made with super soft Merino wool.

Cool weather

As temperatures drop, you will start looking to long sleeve shirts and pants to keep you warm during your workout. Again, modern synthetics are the fibers of choice because they help regulate your body temperature after you start to sweat. Consider combining several light layers instead of one heavy layer so you can remove clothing as you warm up. The aforementioned Nike Pro Fitted shirts also come in long sleeve versions, as do Under Armour compression shirts. In fact, the Under Armour tops and bottoms come in different thicknesses to match to your climate. Under Armour Escape shirts offer the same advanced fabrics in a looser fit that is ideal for layering. Extra features on a shirt can help you stay at the perfect temperature. A long zip on the neck like the North Face Glacier Quarter Zip can be opened to cool you down or zipped up high to keep cold breezes out. Some shirts have extra long sleeves with thumb loops so you can pull the sleeves down over or under your gloves and keep your wrists warm. Some heavier tops have wind proof fabrics in key areas like the shoulders and chest, or all over. If you are outside at night, look for shirts with reflective strips sewn on such as 3M Scotchlite strips. Bright colors also help catch drivers’ eyes. IllumiNITE makes several excellent performance tops lined with reflective piping. In daylight, the reflective material is barely noticeable, but in headlights, the material lights up in an eye catching manner.

Some IllumiNITE Options

The IllumiNITE Nocturnal thermaGARD top also includes a zippered pocket for an MP3 player and reinforced shoulders. To keep your legs warm, you can try layering Under Armour pants or Pearl Izumi ThermaFleece tights under your shorts. Track pants like the Adidas Supernova track pants or Russel Athletics warm up pants can be layered over shorts. As you warm up, ankle zips allow you to take them off without having to untie your shoes.

Some Pearl Izumi ThermaFleece Products

Cold weather

As the mercury continues to drop, you will want to add additional insulating layers and some sort of windproof shell. Columbia and North Face make excellent jackets with removable liners. The wearer can choose just the liner or just the shell or both to suit the weather. Columbia fleece jackets provide excellent wind protection without compromising breathability. Pearl Izumi makes several vests with wind blocking material that are perfect for temperatures that are too warm for a full jacket. Pearl Izumi Alpine pants and North Face Venture pants both offer water and wind resistant fabrics with a high degree of breathability. Reflective strips on the Pearl Izumi pants offer peace of mind on dark winter runs.

Good luck finding gear for wherever you decide to workout or venture!