These pants from Public Rec look like typical dress pants, but they're actually the closest you'll get to wearing sweatpants to work

If you asked me 10 years ago when I first entered the workforce if I thought performance workwear was essential, I'd say the attributes were a nice touch, but not fully necessary. Today, design features like comfort, stretch, and versatility are paramount for me (and most other men), and Public Rec is one of the few menswear brands that executes them to the tee.

The term "performance" is often associated with anything with a hint of stretch, but Public Rec is truly a pioneer in the category. The brand launched in 2015 after a widely successful Kickstarter campaign, which exceeded its goal by more than $160,000, thus birthing its bestselling style, the All Day Every Pant.

I tested the wildly popular pants back in 2018, but Public Rec has since renamed them the Gamechanger Pant, so I decided to re-test them to see if they still live up to the original hype. Spoiler alert: they did.

Public Rec Gamechanger Pant

Check price at Public Rec

The materials

Using a blend of nylon and spandex, the Gamechanger Pant is very soft, super stretchy, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant. You'd be hard pressed to find traditional dress pants with nearly as much stretch.

What they're like to wear

Simply put, the Public Rec Gamechanger Pants are like sweatpants you don't have to feel bad about wearing to the office. They look like chinos or dress pants but have all the key elements that make a great pair of sweatpants — stretchy material, a drawstring waist, zippered pockets, and no wrinkles.

What makes the Gamechanger Pant, well, a gamechanger is that they come in different waist and inseam sizes rather than alpha sizes like small, medium, and large. These pants fit exactly as you'd expect a pair of dress pants to fit with all of the comfort of sweats. You can wear them for a business casual look or more formal with a button-up shirt and dress shoes.

While most sweatpants have shallow front pockets and maybe one rear pocket, the Gamechanger Pant has two front pockets and two rear pockets — all of which are stretchy, allowing for ample space for your wallet, phone, keys, and other belongings.

The bottom line

Traditionally, I'd never wear sweatpants to work or with any outfit that involves dress shoes, but with the Public Rec Gamechanger Pant, it's completely possible. If you're looking for top-notch comfort without sacrificing your style, these aptly named pants are a game changer. They're versatile enough to wear to work during the week, to formal events, and to the gym — and that's not something that can be said about most pants.

Public Rec Gamechanger Pant

Check price at Public Rec

Amir Ismael

Editor, Reviews

Amir Ismael is an editor on Business Insider’s Reviews team specializing in men's style and grooming products. He joined the team (then called Insider Picks) in 2017, initially covering a wide range of subjects, including deals of the day, clothing, phone cases, headphones, and more, before leaning into his true passion — men’s style.ExperienceAmir began his journalism career at Complex Media in 2015, working as an intern and freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector. He joined Business Insider in July 2017. During his time on the Reviews team at BI, he’s covered all aspects of menswear and footwear, including the latest startups you should know about, brands focusing on sustainability, where to buy affordable work clothes for men, outerwear, watches, and more. He’s also continued to lead on style deal coverage for multiple key seasonal events each year, such as Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Why you can trust AmirAmir’s expertise in style is rooted in his personal love for collecting fashion, from vintage finds on eBay to new, innovative designs that spark his interest. Some of his favorite brands include Ralph Lauren, Timberland, The North Face, Nike, and Air Jordan. His enthusiasm focuses less on the materialistic side of consuming fashion, as he prefers delving into the stories behind them, be it their cultural significance, sports history, or impact on the outdoor/adventure space.Amir’s a passionate sneaker collector (and can tell you how to clean and restore them so you’re always looking your best), and he has you covered head-to-toe for everything you need to know in men’s style and grooming. He’s extensively tested glasses, wallets, watches, razors, skincare, and both casual and formal wear. For Amir, hunting for deals goes far beyond his coverage during shopping events like Black Friday. He prides himself on always being able to find great deals and attributes most of his personal collection to his deal-hunting prowess. If he says it’s a good deal, then it is!Expertise

• Men’s street fashion
• Footwear, including significant release dates, design history, construction, and materials
• Menswear staples, including workwear, casual clothes, underwear, T-shirts, and more
• Brand founder or designer interviews
• Men’s grooming and shaving products
• Prescription eyewear

EducationAmir graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in print journalism and public relations. Outside of workAmir has been a lifelong resident of New Jersey. When he’s not working, he enjoys working on and driving his small collection of classic BMWs.Say hello to Amir at aismael@businessinsider.com or on Instagram @amirjismael.

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