lululemon Has Been Hiding the Best-Kept Secret for Every Man in Your Life (& It’s the Perfect Gift)
The upgrade his wardrobe needs
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When a wide range of men all react to a product with a whiplash attention, I take note. Case in point: There are several guys Purewow staffers personally know who have dubbed the lululemon ABC Pant ($128) their absolute go-to.
“My husband said he didn’t realize what ABC stood for [Ed. note: It’s shorthand for “anti-ball crushing”], but it makes sense given his pants are so loose and comfortable,” says Dabee Kaye, former VP of Brand Partnerships at Gallery Media Group.
“My husband is obsessed with these joggers (he has multiple pairs),” says Gallery Media Group’s Director of Design, Victoria Parrotta. “He wears them to the gym but also casual events.”
“I like wearing these as a more upscale jogger when I’m going out and about,” reports the husband of former PureWow Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak. “I really don’t love to wear them for working out because they’re so expensive I’m worried they’ll get snagged or something.” He adds that they’re definitely the most put-together looking joggers he owns.
Apparently, the comfort level of the pants is off the charts, due to the tech fabrics like Warpstreme, a Japanese-loomed polyester that stretches like yoga pants but looks like nice heavy cotton, and Utilitech, a poly-cotton stretch blend. Fans say the pants look great and wash up without fading or pilling. Seriously, one friend even wears these to business meetings because the pants are also available as trousers. (Psst: There’s a jogger style, too.) So we offer as tribute—for the perfect holiday gift or general excuse to upgrade someone’s wardrobe—this trouser as the best buy for your favorite everyman.
Retailing for $128, they come in a plethora of colors (like black, tan and navy), lengths (28- to 37-inch inseams) and waist sizes (26 to 48). Did I mention they’re also quick-drying, moisture wicking, timeless and ultra-comfy? I’ve chosen a few of my favorite styles and colors here, with some reviews from editors and ABC pant fanatics.
The Best lululemon ABC Pants at a Glance
1
The All-Around Pick
lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Pant
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2
The Adventure Pants
lululemon ABC Utilitech Pant
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3
For the Office
lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Trouser
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4
The Everyday Pant
lululemon ABC Jogger
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5
The Wear-It-Everywhere Pants
lululemon ABC Warpstreme Pant
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How I Chose the Best lululemon ABC Pants
These pants first came to my attention after a PureWow editor shared that both her father and husband were raving about the same style. After I asked around the office, it was confirmed: The ABC pants have earned their reputation. My five picks below include editor faves and popular, well-loved (and reviewed) styles.
The All-Around Pick
What We Like
- wrinkle resistant
- lots of color options
- breathable
What We Don’t Like
- some say it feels loose in the ankles
lululemon
“The greatest pants for any event,” says Team GaryVee Senior Content Producer Brandon Shamy. “Goes well with a nice dress shirt but looks clean with a plain white tee. Has the best pockets out of all of my pants. Very flexible, range of motion is limitless.” Globetrotting Adam Lovick, who runs the Instagram account FirstClassJerk, touts these as his favorite travel pants. “You can always rely on planes being a bit chilly, and these pants will keep you warm on cooler days while ensuring you stay cool on warmer ones. The best part? They don’t wrinkle, so you can easily wear them for the return flight as well.”
I don’t doubt it. The brand’s trademark Warpstreme fabric promises to be breathable, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant and smooth while keeping its shape. The pants come in 12 neutral colors, including obsidian, trench, iron blue and bone, making them as versatile as they are comfy.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: 26 to 48
- Materials: recycled polyester, elastomultiester
- Colors Available: 12
The Adventure Pants
What We Like
- abrasion resistant
- maintains fabric stretch
- flattering, tapered fit for all body types
What We Don’t Like
- fewer colors than other ABC models
lululemon
Don’t be fooled by their name. The slim-fit silhouette of these pants can work for most any build and body type. Another major selling point: The Utilitech fabric is abrasion-resistant and sturdy while maintaining the four-way stretch for ultimate comfort. “Even though I’m a little overweight, I wear the slim fit and they look and feel really good,” says one ABC wearer. “I wear them to work and as golf pants.” These pants look like classic jeans—but better. We’re looking at you, five pockets and eight stylish colors.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: 28 to 46
- Materials: recycled polyester, elastomultiester, cotton, elastane
- Colors Available: 8
For the Office
What We Like
- can wear to office
- hidden zip pockets
- breathable and wrinkle resistant
What We Don’t Like
- some find the material thinner and thus less insulating
lululemon
Comfortable does not have to mean sloppy, especially since lululemon has equipped these made-for-the-office trousers with moveable, breathable and wrinkle-battling Warpstreme. A spin on the ABC Classic-Fit pants, these trousers are 100 percent office acceptable, with a timeless, streamlined look. Details, like the hidden zip pockets and back welt pockets, take the dressed-up design to the next level. This style is available in ten colors, ranging from black to navy and forest green.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: 28 to 46
- Materials: recycled polyester, elastomultiester
- Colors Available: 10
The Everyday Pant
What We Like
- streamlined look gives elevated feel
- sweat wicking
- drawstring waist
What We Don’t Like
- some shoppers note inconsistent sizing
lululemon
“I like wearing these as a more upscale jogger when I’m going out and about,” says Dubyak’s husband. “They’re comfortable [and] definitely the most put-together looking.” These tapered joggers may feature a stretchy drawstring waist, but their streamlined design keeps them from looking *too* casual. The sturdy, shape-retaining fabric is also surprisingly lightweight while being sweat-wicking, quick-drying, wrinkle resistant and smooth.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: XS to XXXL
- Materials: recycled polyester, nylon, Lycra elastane
- Colors Available: 11
The Wear-It-Everywhere Pants
What We Like
- versatile
- quick-drying fabric
- plenty of pockets
What We Don’t Like
- some buyers have noted the style is a little loose
lululemon
“The ABC pant is a must-have,” according to one fan. “Great design, perfect for the office or the golf course. ABC tech is exactly as described, and materials are comfortable and largely wrinkle free.” Yep, you can thank the four-way stretch Warpstreme fabric for that. FYI: The material is also quick-drying, so if your guy breaks a sweat or gets caught in the rain, he’s covered (and then some). This tapered design is available in 12 colors, including sage, silver and black.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: 28 to 40
- Materials: recycled polyester, elastomultiester
- Colors Available: 12
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does ABC Stand for in lululemon Men’s Pants?
The ABC stands for (not joking here) “anti-ball-crushing,” or in the words of the brand, “ABC technology uses an ergonomic gusset to remove tension from the crotch of our pants.” While too-restrictive trousers have been an issue for men since time immemorial, I trace the more widespread (!) discussion of the hazard for men to the great New York City “anti-manspreading campaign” of 2015. Luckily, at the end of the previous year, lululemon had introduced these trousers, which help keep a fellow’s junk from getting smushed without the gentleman having to keep his legs wide open.
What Replaced the Commission Pants?
In Summer 2023, lululemon replaced its long-selling Commission Pants with ABC pants, which had been gaining in popularity since their introduction in 2014. However, in 2024, lululemon reversed its reversal—likely due to online and in-store customer calls to bring back their old Commission style—and reintroduced the style. The new iteration of the Commission pant features a small upgrade from its previous make—designers eliminated its telltale back knee seam.
What’s the Difference Between Commission and ABC lululemon Pants?
If you need a shorthand way to distinguish the two, think of the ABC as more of a jeans style, while Commission is more of a slacks style. Both come in a range of materials and slim, classic and relaxed silhouettes, with fans of both pants summing up the distinction as Redditor NerdyDan did: “Commission is narrower around the quads, [while] ABC trousers are for built dudes.” Commission pants have front and back pockets similar to those on dress pants (slash pockets in the front, sleek horizontal pockets in the back) compared to the ABC front and back pockets which are more like jeans pockets (for example, the back are sewed on the exterior with visible stitching).
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