Reigning Champ vs American Giant: is the pricier sweatpant worth it?
The American Giant Classic Sweatpant runs $112; the Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Slim Sweatpant is $150 — about 1.3× the price ($38 more). Here's the side-by-side, and what that gap actually buys.
| American Giant | Reigning Champ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $112 | $150 |
| Material | Heavyweight cotton fleece, ~13–15oz, made in the USA with reinforced panels. | Premium midweight cotton terry, ~12oz, Canadian-made. |
| Fit | Athletic substantial fit, true to size; structured and warm. | Precise slim tapered fit, true to size; reads sharp. |
| Quality | Exceptional — dense reinforced fleece, durable waistband, built to last years of hard wear. | Among the best-made sweatpants — dense terry, reinforced construction, holds shape across years. |
| Best for | A buy-once heavyweight sweatpant, cold weather, and longevity over fashion. | Athletic-luxe outfits, a sharp tapered sweatpant, and anyone who'll pay for premium logo-free terry. |
| Care | Cold wash and tumble low; the heavyweight fleece softens slightly and holds shape for years. | Cold wash and tumble low or hang dry; the dense terry is durable but best out of high heat. |
American Giant's $112 Classic Sweatpant is 13–15oz reinforced US-made fleece; Reigning Champ's $150 slim sweatpant is ~12oz Canadian-made terry in a precisely tapered cut. The $38 gap buys a sharper silhouette and smoother fabric — not more material.
- The case for American Giant
- American Giant is the heavier, warmer pant (13–15oz vs ~12oz) with a reinforced waistband and panels, at $38 less.
- The case for Reigning Champ
- Reigning Champ's precise slim taper reads sharp enough to wear out of the house, in dense terry that holds its shape across years of washing.
The bottom lineIs the pricier one worth it?
Buy the American Giant if sweatpants are for warmth and home wear — heavier fabric, lower price, and a build meant to outlast cheaper fleece. Step up to Reigning Champ if you want sweatpants sharp enough to style as part of an outfit; the slim taper is the thing you are paying for. If the cut does not matter to you, the $38 will not either.
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.