I’ve been lifting weights lately: 3 times per week, and I’m not just boppin’ around with some 3 lb dumbbells, either – my deadlift is now up to 105 lbs (I’m going higher next week), and my last squat session was 85 lb reps. I’m feeling good! Which is exactly why I refuse to get derailed by a long, hot summer – and why I’ve spent weeks testing lightweight summer workout pants that aren’t leggings or shorts. I was inspired by Laurel, who has been trying to get women over 40 to lift heavy weights, and, after a solid year of consistent work…she’s right. Weight-lifting has made a major difference in how I feel (and look!!), going into menopause.
But figuring out what to wear to the gym – when it’s 90 degrees outside!! – is proving to be…a challenge.
I haven’t wanted to workout in leggings for a long time now, so they’re especially off the table in the hot summer months. And while I love some shorty shorts for running…I just feel…uh…oddly exposed while lifting weights in shorts. And I definitely feel some kind of way about my bare knees actually touching those gross gym mats.
Lightweight Summer Workout Pants (No Leggings, No Shorts): The 7 Best I’ve Found
So I’ve been on something of a quest, trying to find workout pants that are light enough for the hottest months of the summer…yet soft and comfortable enough that I don’t mind putting them on first thing in the morning.
After trying many, many pairs (like, more than 20) there’s actually only a small handful of lightweight summer workout pants I’d actually recommend. (Shockingly, none of Athleta’s pants worked – let me know if there’s any you swear by, because I usually LOVE that brand.)
Let’s get into it.
1. Best All Around: Lululemon Groove Low-Rise Relaxed Cinch Pant
Fabric: “Buttery soft & weightless” Nulu Fabric (81% Nylon, 19% Lycra Elastane)
These are made from the same soft fabric as the pair above, but with a drawcord at the bottom so they can be worn as joggers OR as straight-leg pants. That little detail means that they’re a better all-around pant because you won’t have to worry about the wider legs flapping as you’re doing plyo.
I know Lululemon calls these pants “low rise”…and while they’re not as high as the navy pair…they’re hardly low rise.
2. Best For Cropped Tops: Lululemon Groove High-Rise, Wide-Leg Pant
tank (6) | pants (6, 30″ inseam)
Fabric: “Buttery soft & weightless” Nulu Fabric (81% Nylon, 19% Lycra Elastane)
Lululemon’s Groove Wide-Leg pants are great. The fabric reminds me of Lululemon’s super soft Align leggings, but these pants are loose and flowy. The waistband has a tie – like Vuori’s Daily Leggings – but isn’t as snug around my middle (which I greatly prefer), and they stay up nicely through my workout. Because the waist is similar to high-rise leggings, all of my cropped workout tops – the ones I typically only wear with high-rise leggings – can be worn with these pants, too.
These pants are available in three different inseams, and sizes 0 – 14.
3. Best Trendy Pair: Free People Hot Mesh Capri Pants
Fabric: Mesh outer, cotton lining (94% Cotton, 6% Elastane)
Free People’s mesh capri pants are so freaking fun to wear. They’re lined in cotton (with a bit of stretch), so if you don’t like the feeling of mesh against your skin (I don’t!!) you’re totally covered. They’re just long enough to cover my knees if I need to do a half-kneeling anything, and they’re also realllllly easy to dress up as real clothes, too.
4. Best Old-School Cool: FreeCity 100% Cotton Sweatpants
Fabric: 100% cotton
These 100% cotton sweatpants are made in LA, hand-dyed, and are incredibly lightweight…but in that all-natural-materials kind of way. These won’t feel like Vuori sweatpants – the vibe is definitely old school, with a slightly oversized, slouchy fit. But the biggest difference between these and, say, classic Champion sweatpants? Freecity’s sweatpants are made from a THIN terry cotton. Not everyone will like them, but they do have a cult following because those who love Freecity sweatpants…REALLY FREAKING LOVE THEM. These have long been my go-tos for working out in the summer. But because they are 100% cotton, there’s no wicking ability. So while they’re comfy enough during the work out, once I’m done getting sweaty, I want them OFF. These are not my Let’s-Go-Get-Coffee-After workout pants.
Honorable Mentions (Pants I Liked…But Didn’t Love)
There’s a few additional pairs that I didn’t love…but are still good enough to mention!
5. Free People Take It Easy Capri Workout Pants
Free People Take It Easy Pants (size small, but should’ve sized up)
Fabric: 80% Polyester, 20% Elastane
So….I LOVED these pants! They are *almost* perfect. They’re lightweight, soft, and made from a legging-like material (similar to Lululemon’s pants). These pants had only two downsides: one, the waistband was too tight – fixable, I can simply size up – and two, when wearing them…I ended up feeling a bit like a pirate. This second issue proved to be the breaking point.
Do with that what you will. Ahoy!
6. Beyond Yoga Peak Pants
Beyond Yoga Peak Pant (med)
Fabric: 90% Nylon, 10% Elastane
Linz loves these pants – they’ve been her answer to summer workout pants. And while I get why she likes them (the hems can be cinched or worn straight, they are fairly lightweight and really cute on)….I like them, but I don’t love them. I found the fabric a little too scratchy (windbreaker-y?) for my preference and these pants are so high-waisted that I felt enveloped in material. Ultimately, they weren’t as good in hot weather as I wanted them to be.
On the upside, the waistband does flip over nicely if you’d rather wear them low. This did help with the “enveloped in material” feeling.
Beyond Yoga Peak Pant (med)
7. Free People Retreat Yoga Retreat Pants
Free People Yoga Retreat Pants (small)
Fabric: 20% Elastane, 80% Polyester
Gang, people LOOOOOVE these pants. And I, too, wanted to looooove these pants. They’re lightweight and super comfortable – the material feels more cottony than legging-like – and, from the front, they look so cool.
However, I carry my weight in my middle, so I found the side-view, ummmmm….let’s go with disappointing.
Free People Yoga Retreat Pants (small)
And then, when I realized that I would be doing squats in these, the side-view turned into an ohmygoshnothankyou*.
*the polite version
Free People Yoga Retreat Pants (small)
Honestly, these pants are still so cute online (the colors!!) that I’m tempted to rebuy them…and maybe tie them…differently?? Ugh – I don’t need this kind of complication in my life.
Lightweight Workout Pants For Summer FAQs
Yup! The only thing to watch is the leg width: a super wide, flowy leg can flap around – and I’d hate to step on the hem when doing plyo or lunges (or even squats with that heavy barbell!!). Which is why my top pick is the Lululemon Groove Pants – the drawstring at the hem lets you cinch the leg into a jogger silhouette for lifting, then shake it back out to straight-leg after. In general, tho, I’m finding that loose pants are MORE comfortable than leggings for weightlifting – I may never go back. 🙂
Sort of? They’re incredibly lightweight and breathable during the workout – I’ve worn my FreeCity cotton sweats for years – but 100% cotton has zero wicking ability so once I’m done working out…they feel a little soggy. If you need a pant that lets you do errands after your workout, stick with synthetic-blends instead.
For all-around hot-weather wear, the Lululemon Groove pants (both the high-rise and lower-rise versions) are the big winners for me. They have that really breathable, soft, and wearing-nothing feel as Lululemon’s Align leggings, but are loose and flowy.
Capris are back in style so hard this summer, which is perfect because they’re ALSO fantastic for working out in the heat! If you’re a legging die-hard, you could try capri leggings, but I find the loose capris are much more comfortable for workouts. And because there’s so much airflow already, you don’t need to worry about fancy technical fabrics *quite* as much. Free People’s Hot Mesh capris are my fun pick: cotton-lined so the mesh never touches your skin, and just long enough to cover your knees for any half-kneeling work.
Personal preference, but I’m team pants – even in summer! Shorts make me feel oddly exposed when I’m lifting (and I don’t want to have bare knees on the gym mats during half-kneeling shoulder presses). A lightweight, breathable pant keeps me just as cool without any worries. That said, shorts are still the best for running in the heat (and then I like ’em pretty darn short – airflow over coverage, haha). Bottom line? Pants for lifting and strength days, shorts for running.
xo,
S
Once again I’m laughing my A** off. Love your humor. And I love both of those Lululemon pants.