NIKE Is Quietly Killing the Athleisure Game

I’ve been stuck in my ways for quite some time.

When I find something I like, I stick with it. Seems reasonable, right?

That’s how I’ve felt for years with lululemon golf apparel. It’s been my go-to brand, more specifically for shorts and pants. I hadn’t found anything to rival the quality, fit and comfort of the lululemon ABC and Commission pants…

Until I tried NIKE’s new, very under-the-radar drop, the 24.7 collection.

It’s NIKE’s first real foray into the space dominated by the likes of the aforementioned lululemon, Vuori and Alo. The crossover between lifestyle and sport. Or, in more trendy verbiage, athleisure.

I know most of you don’t care, but I see this as a big step from the world’s no. 1 sportswear brand. While NIKE has historically dominated the sportswear category, it’s yet to find its footing in the gray area of athleisure wear.

After spending ample time in the 24.7 collection, I can’t understand why they waited so long.

NIKE 24.7 PerfectStretch Bottoms: The Perfect Bottom?

I wouldn’t quite call this pair the perfect bottom, but they’re pretty darn good. Ample stretch, a loop to hang your keys, and a few nice zipper pockets complete the utilitarian package.

They look polished, too. Nice enough to wear to the course, but casual enough that I can rock them around the house.

That can be said for the shorts. While I could probably use a little longer inseam (nobody wants to see these thunder thighs), the pockets are perfectly placed, the material is uber-stretchy, and they look nice, despite the sweatpant-like comfort.

The $125 Elephant

And, the big reveal that you’ve all been waiting for. The price? The pants start at $125. A far cry from what the weekend warrior is willing to pay, but more than reasonable for what I tend to spend on golf apparel. In the same vein, the lululemon pants that I’ll be replacing with these retail for $138 … so who’s the real winner here?

In all seriousness, golf apparel doesn’t have to be THIS expensive. And I’m not going to sit here and confidently say that you won’t get better value out of something from 32 Degrees, UNRL or even the clearance section at lululemon.

But what I can say is that for a brand snob such as I, these NIKE pants are better than any other I’ve tried from the brand, and are among the best pants in my overflowing closet of golf apparel, rivaling the likes of the best in the business.

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