Top 10 Best Joggers for Women in the UK 2021 (Nike, French Connection and More)

What you need from this versatile item of clothing is going to vary massively depending on where you're going to wear your joggers and for what activity. Below, we'll go through all the major uses and qualities so you know you're buying the right pair. 

While the name 'joggers' would imply that these trousers have a sporting use, this is not always the case. Gym joggers are a great way of adding to your workout gear, but these comfy trousers also have lots more to offer.

If you work out but don't necessarily want to squeeze into incredibly tight-fitting leggings, gym joggers make for the perfect alternative. As the name suggests, they can be used for jogging, but they are also good for yoga, dancing and other gym workouts. 

Gym joggers need to be able to cope with the body heat and sweat you emit while exercising, so they should be made up mostly of light, synthetic materials like polyester. 

You can also look for added stretchy materials like elastane and spandex to give you flexibility so you can achieve your maximum range of motion. 

The most common use of joggers these days is not for jogging, quite the opposite in fact. Now, joggers are often worn to lounge around your home. Loungewear – including relaxed joggers – has grown hugely in popularity, particularly over recent months, and allows you to kick back and relax in the comfort of your own home without having to resort to pyjamas. 

These joggers tend to be made from a thicker fabric, one that includes a high level of cotton (or cotton-like polyester), making them soft and cushioned. To achieve maximum comfort, look for baggy and loose-fitting pairs with lots of wiggle room, but remember, as a result they probably won't look very smart. 

Thanks to the overall popularity of the jogger, designers have come up with ways that you can wear them in slightly more formal settings. Usually a more relaxed item of clothing, little adjustments like a tailored fit and more structured fabrics mean that they won't look out of place in the in workplace. 

For a really smart look, you can even find joggers that come with a matching blazer. These trousers are usually made from cotton or polyester, but in a thinner fabric than that used for loungewear joggers. 

They may include some elastane, although this is unlikely. Smart joggers are much more comfy than most work trousers out there, but don't get close in the comfort stakes to joggers that are designed to be lounge and gym wear. 

Just like other trousers and jeans, joggers come in many cuts, shapes and sizes. Different styles will suit different people, so here's a few of the main ones to look out for. 

Recently the wearing of oversized, tapered joggers has been a big trend. These loose-fitting trousers are super comfy and allow for lots of room when lounging. The oversized nature of these joggers also makes it easier to choose the right size. 

Tighter joggers, on the other hand, are better for working out as they are less likely to get in the way and can often look smarter. These joggers are often referred as having a straight leg or being semi-fitted.

While oversized joggers are more forgiving when it comes to sizing, it is still important to get the right pair for a good fit. The sizing for joggers can either be done in the usual numerical way for women's clothing, starting at around 8 and going up or, thanks to them being a looser item of clothing, they can be labelled as small, medium and large. 

You should be able to find how these sizes correspond to normal women's sizing in a size guide if you feel that would be helpful. Don't forget you can also look for joggers in petite, tall or other more specific ranges for the perfect fit. 

With so many uses and purposes, it's hard defining exactly what makes joggers joggers. One of the main features you'll see again and again is the elasticated waist, sometimes with a drawstring cord. 

A cord is a great feature to check for if you're intending on exercising in your joggers, as it'll keep them in place. Then, it can easily be loosened if you want to switch to wearing them for lounging. 

While other trousers might rely on a zip and button fastening, joggers steer clear of this and instead opt for a more adjustable method with more give. The elasticated drawstring waist is a big reason why joggers are the trousers of choice if you're looking for comfort. 

Ankle cuffs are another feature typical to joggers, but unlike an elasticated waistband, these don't appear on every pair. Joggers with ankle cuffs will be tighter at the bottom, and this has a number of advantages. 

The first of these is that they help to create the shape and fit of joggers, particularly those that are tapered. They also stop looser trousers from having too much material flapping around at the bottom which could get in the way. 

Being more informal, joggers are the perfect item of clothing for adding a pop of colour to your wardrobe. While many options, particularly gym joggers, only come in black, other more relaxed styles come in a rainbow of options. 

As far as smarter joggers are concerned, it's up to you how bright you want to go. They mostly come in muted colours like beige, mauve and grey, but it's possible to find a brighter shade that mixes up your work wardrobe.  

Joggers are one of the few items of women's clothing that, more often than not, have large pockets on both sides. This is great when you want to have items like your phone on you at all times.

Pockets can lead to joggers looking more bulky, especially around the hips, so it might be something you want to avoid if you're seeking a sleeker silhouette. 

Whatever you're looking for in your joggers, be that comfort, style or a mixture of the two, we have collected our top 10 that cover a range of shapes, styles and uses so you can find the pair for you. 

Whether you're wearing your joggers for sporting pursuits or for relaxing in front of the TV, we all need items to put on when mooching around the house, now more than ever. Check out our guides for comfortable clothing to find some items that you can feel fully at ease in. 

Relaxed clothing is in fashion, meaning comfort can take priority. Perhaps you need smarter trousers you can wear while you work from home, or maybe you're in the market for some looser gym attire. Either way, joggers are a viable option, so treat yourself to these soft bottoms and face the day looking fabulous and feeling serene. 

Author: Emma Cramp