Maybe Im just bad with change, but. . .
The material is great and theyre super fuzzy and warm without making me feel like im dying of heatstroke at the gym. Gotta love a cotton blend for that <3. That said, im 5'6 and a womans 12/14, so I bought an XL, and the fit is definitely different from the pair I have from ~10 years ago (which is understandable, styles change, but my concerns are listed below). For one, I do like the different waistand. It helps them feel more secure, but at the same time, its not nearly as adjustable/stretchy as the older versions, and I dont think Id wear these around the house for comfort. They'd just be too tight around the stomach, which, as someone who usually struggles with the waist on pants being too big, is unusual. Also, the leg has gotten slimmer, but at the same time there is either more or the same amount of room in the groin/hips as the older cut. The thigh is tight enough on these pants that between it and the waistband, I'd consider moving up a size, if not for the fact that the groin is already so large that I have to roll the band down once for them to sit comfortably at my hips without my legs touching above the seam, and twice if i want them to be a tight fit. A larger size wouldnt really be manageable. With the way they fits with no rolling, it seems like a strange attempt to make a sweatpant high-waisted without adjusting the cut properly. Without rolling the waistband, the pockets bulge out around your hip bones in a strange way; nothing about the groin or waist Looks right, and the fit definitely feels off and uncomfortable. Not to mention, If I roll the waistband down for comfort, and mobility, the hem becomes too short, something ive never had a problem with in champion sweats before. The tight leg also makes it a bit difficult to move properly during exercise, and while theyre fine for weight lifting, slow stretches, and biking, I wouldnt wear them to go for a long run, or to play baseball or soccer; they wouldnt be comfortable for a long distance run, and I'm concerned that any high-mobility sport would have the tightness on the leg pulling the waistband down, or tearing the pants on the groin or inseams. Im considering buying a second pair in a size up to see if I can deal with a super large upper portion of the pants if it means theres more room in the leg and a longer inseam, but at the price point (>$40 for a pair when we all know full well your employees are not well paid) it doesnt feel worth it for something I wear 2-3 times a week. Not to be blunt, but these were clearly made with the understanding that mens underwear stops their thighs from chafing, and the blind spot thats women's underwear does not. Oil and chafing stick/cream only go so far when theres a ball of serge-seamed fabric directly between the thickest parts of your legs. The crotch just has to come up higher. Im sure this cut fits average/slim sized men fine, but an option with a wider leg would be appreciated by women, shorter men, and bigger guys alike. An option with the older style waistbands, or a mid-rise waist would be great as well. Either option —mid-rise waist Or wide leg— would make these pants a 5-star for me. TL;DR: great for men, super soft and comfy, even with my sensory issues around polyester, but the fit is really weird for women and has to be modified for comfort and mobility.
