It’s right about that time of year when the spring bin gets cracked open and reality hits—some things don’t fit quite right anymore, some feel a little dated, and some…well, some have simply lived too many miles. You know the smell. The one that no amount of washing quite fixes.
So yeah, it might be time.
We recently had a chance to check out some new gear from BetterMe, a brand that—up to this point—has leaned more heavily into the women’s side of the rack. Their new men’s collection, at least for now, feels a bit more dialed back. Less experimental and “fashion-show athleisure”, more straightforward.
I know that BetterMe’s aesthetic is sort of around good-looking people looking amazing in good-looking gear. But there’s marketing and then there’s actually making something quality and functional – basics that don’t try too hard but still work great. And that’s where BetterMe’s men’s lineup smartly (and perhaps a bit surprisingly to me) lands: dependable, clean, and quietly sharp without needing to shout.
The spring running vibes start with the Track T-Shirt and the Athletic Mid-Thigh Shorts—and honestly, this is a strong place to begin. These, along with all the BetterMe pieces we tested, are almost completely free of branding. There’s a tiny “BTTRM” hit on the back of the tee and at the bottom of the shorts, but that’s it. No loud logos, no in-your-face graphics—just clean, simple design that lets the gear speak for itself.
Material-wise, this isn’t that paper-thin, barely-there fabric. Instead, it lands in a really nice middle ground—substantial enough to feel durable, but still plenty breathable when the pace picks up. The shorts come equipped with a zippered pocket on the rear waistband for essentials, along with a built-in brief liner.
Functionally, everything checks out. Sizing felt true to form too, which—if you’ve rolled the dice on more boutique-leaning brands before—you know isn’t always a guarantee. No weird tapering, no unexpectedly snug fit…just straightforward, dialed-in sizing.
From there, BetterMe branches into a few pieces that blur the line between run-specific and everyday wear.
The Everyday T-Shirt lives up to its name. It leans a bit heavier in construction, but in a good way—it feels substantial without being restrictive. The fit is slightly more relaxed through the midsection (intentionally so), with longer sleeves that give it a more casual profile.
This isn’t your race-day top, but it’s the one you’ll reach for constantly when you’re not running—and maybe even when you are, if you’re just heading out for an easy cruise.
The Zip-Up Hoodie is the standout here for pre- and post-run wear. And honestly, this is where things got surprisingly dialed. At 6’2”, around 200 lbs, with longer arms and a build that’s more “dad-bod fit” than “fitness model,” finding the right fit can be a challenge.
Too often it’s a tradeoff—get the sleeve length right and the midsection feels painted on, or get the torso comfortable and end up with sleeves that ride halfway up your forearms.
That’s not the case here.
This hoodie fit right out of the box. Sleeve length is spot on, there’s enough room through the midsection to be comfortable without drifting into boxy territory, and the overall cut just works. The full zip rides up nice and high (always appreciated on cooler mornings), and the two zippered pockets round things out from a functionality standpoint.
There’s always a bit of hesitation when a brand steps into a new category—especially when it’s a women-focused company expanding into men’s gear. But BetterMe’s first pass here feels anything but tentative. The takeaway is pretty simple: this is clean, well-fitting, comfortable apparel that doesn’t try to overcomplicate things. It leans more toward the accessible side of the spectrum—both in style and fit—but that’s exactly what makes it work.
