JBS Sweatpants – A Guide
Short answer: JBS of Denmark makes sweatpants that sit closer to ordinary trousers than to training wear. The cut is narrower, the waistband is flatter, and the fabric is heavier than in most other pairs. That makes them a pair you can stay in all day.
Who JBS is
JBS of Denmark is a Danish brand that has made underwear since 1939 and more recently homewear too. What repeats is fit rather than detail: few seams, no large logos and a waistband that holds.
The cut of their sweatpants
The legs are narrower than on classic sweatpants and often run straight down rather than gathering into a cuff. That gives a look closer to a soft trouser than to something you have trained in, and that is the whole difference between the two.
The waistband
The waistband is flat and wide, and the drawstring sits inside so it does not show under a T-shirt. That is the detail that lets a pair of JBS sweatpants be worn on an errand without looking like homewear.
The fabric
The fabric is heavier than in most bamboo sweatpants for men, and that is deliberate. The weight makes the trouser fall straight down instead of following the leg, and that is what gives the neat look.
Sizing
JBS generally runs slightly small over the hip. Check the size guide for JBS of Denmark for men rather than going by the size you take in other brands, because the difference is often a whole number.
For women
The women's models follow the same principle with a narrower leg and a flat waistband. See the size guide for JBS of Denmark for women and compare with the bamboo sweatpants for women you already own.
What they go with
A white T-shirt, a sweatshirt in the same colour, or a shirt if they need lifting. They work with trainers and with boots, but not with smart leather shoes, where the heavy fabric quickly ends up looking wrong on the leg.
Washing
Wash at 30 degrees and skip fabric softener, which settles into the heavy fabric and stiffens it. Air drying is best, because over time the tumble dryer pulls the legs up slightly and changes the length you chose.
How long they last
A pair of heavy sweatpants typically lasts three to five years with weekly wear. What gives up first is the elastic in the waistband, not the fabric, which is why washing them with the drawstring tied is worth it. See also size guide for bamboo clothing.
Frequently asked questions
Do JBS sweatpants run large or small?
Slightly small over the hip. Check the size guide rather than going by the size you take in other brands.
Can they be worn outside the home?
Yes. The narrow leg and flat waistband make them look like a soft trouser rather than training wear.
What wears out first?
The elastic in the waistband, not the fabric itself. Always wash them with the drawstring tied, so it does not pull at the elastic in the machine.
See our range of bamboo sweatpants for women.
