Public Rec Review | 4+ Years in the making

The Public Rec Brand all over our Instagram feeds. Over 4 years ago, before we started We Tried It, Public Rec caught our eye and we finally did a Public Rec All Day Everyday Pant Review (I’m actually wearing them right now!).

But what about the rest of Public Rec clothes? Are they any good? Or are they the equivalent of a one-hit-wonder?

Keep reading our honest Public Rec Review to find out about several of their most popular styles.

Of course, Public Rec changed all the names of their pants. Check out our Public Rec Pants Review to learn everything

Public Rec Review: what’s the big idea?

Public Rec was founded Zach Goldstein, a former investment banker. They make a wide variety of men and women’s clothing.

They started with the ADED Pant (a pair of Public Rec pants that go far beyond your typical pair of sweatpants). Public Rec’s Clothing may look basic, but it goes far beyond other athleisure brands.

We love how incredibly comfortable their clothing is – and how it lacks branding.

Keep reading our Public Rec review to find out how the whole brand shapes up and how it fits (or doesn’t) in your day to day life.

Public Rec Pants Review

The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Public Rec is their pants. We’ve done a Public Rec Pants Review before.

Check out the All Day Day Every Pants Review and the Workday Pants Review.

Public Rec Pants have become our go to in a variety of options.

The All Day Every Day Pants Rapid Review

It’s hard to believe that it has been 4+ years since we first got our hands on the Public Rec All Day Every Day pants – even harder than believing we haven’t stopped giving you an honest review.

We finally did and you can watch the whole 10+ minute YouTube Review here:

Do you want to not read the whole thing (or watch it, in this case)? In short: The ADED Pants can’t replace your slacks or jeans.

However, if you want an extremely comfortable pair of pants that are super versatile, we’d recommend that you check out Public Rec’s All Day Every Day Pants.

After wearing these pants for the first time, I was hoping they would be a replacement to jeans but found out that is not quite true. They look slightly more like sweatpants.

In fact, I’d call these “leggings for men” – in this best way possible. It’s not because they are “meggings” (leggings for men), but something much more.

No one will mistake these for slacks

Here’s why: no one is going to mistake them for slacks or jeans, but they are 100% more acceptable than crappy sweats.

I could see these as the perfect airport pants – wear them on the plane, and then out and about when you land.

They’re also fantastic for days when you want to be comfy yet not appear as if you just rolled out of bed. However, a pair of pants costing $98 might seem a little excessive.

Even at $98, they are expensive, but Public Rec’s All Day Every Day Pants have saved me money because I don’t have to buy new pants every time I lose my phone or break my iPhone screen. And I don’t have to look like a slob while doing it.

Public Rec Workday Pant Review

These were recently updated to their 2.0 version – a more comfortable and durable fabric that is better suited for year-round temperatures.

The Workday Pant is also water and wind-resistant.

The Public Rec team definitely put some thought into these pants because they have quickly become one of our favorite pieces in our athleisure arsenal.

After trying on the Public Rec Workday Pant, we found that the brand added room in the seat and thighs for added comfort and flexibility – a much-needed update, especially when you’re spending long hours at your desk or on your feet.

At first, I thought these pants were going to be made from a similar material as the All Day Every Day Pants – and they are not.

The Workday Pants are 100% Polyester. The All Day Every Day Pants 88% Nylon & 12% Spandex. Don’t think polyester like your grandma’s couch. These pants are very soft and comfortable, not the least bit scratchy.

Think of the ADED Pants as more like Sweat Pants and the Workday Pants as more like lightweight dress pants.

The Workday Pants have deep side pockets and a back pocket with a zipper. I really like this because it makes the pants look more professional and less like you’re just trying to lounge around all day.

I can see these as being great for work, travel, or any activity where you need something a little more dressed up than sweats but don’t want to be uncomfortable.

Let’s talk about the price of these pants

At $128, they are considerably more expensive than the ADED Pants and other pants, but if you’re looking for the lightest weight chino alternatives, check these out!

The Public Rec team really put some thought into these pants, and I can see why they are quickly becoming one a top seller of this athleisure brand.

Workday Pants: The Material

These pants are made of a 100% Polyester material, but don’t think polyester like your grandma’s couch because this material is very soft and comfortable.

The Workday Pants are dressier. The All Day Every Day Pants are more like sweats.

Public Rec makes deep side pockets and a back pocket with a zipper that make these pants look more professional.

At $128, these pants are considerably more expensive than Public Rec All Day Every Day Pants, but if you’re looking for the lightest weight chino alternatives, check these out!

The Public Rec team put a lot of thought into these pants and I can see why they are quickly becoming one top seller of this athleisure brand. Check them out for yourself to see if the hype is real!

Public Rec All Day Every Day Jogger

The All Day Every Day Jogger is made from the same material as the ADED Pants, but with a slightly different silhouette. These pants come with cuffed hems for a smart finish.

They have all the other things we love about the ADED Pants: the amazing fabric, the zippered pockets and super soft-ness, but they look a little more polished.

Dressier than sweats?

You can be the judge if Joggers are more or less dressy than sweats.

But, if you’re looking for a little more polished look than Public Rec’s All Day Every Day Pant, Public Rec has just introduced their Public Rec All Day Every Day Joggers.

These pants are made from the same 88% Nylon and 12% Spandex material as the Public Rec All Day Every Pants but with a slightly different silhouette.

You can be judge if Joggers are more or less dressy than sweats. Check them out here.

Public Rec Stadium Joggers

The Stadium Joggers are a lightweight jogger for workout and weekend recovery.

They are 81% Nylon & 19% Spandex, for a lot of stretch and very lightweight.

We honestly haven’t had the chance to test these pants personally but they look like they would be great for workouts and weekend recoveries.

They are made of a 81% Nylon and 19% Spandex material for a lot of stretch and very lightweight.

We haven’t had the chance to test these pants personally, but they look like they would be great for hitting the gym and recovering on the weekends. Check them out here!

Public Rec Shorts Review

We could write hundreds of words about the ADED Shorts (oh wait, we already did in the ADED Shorts Review), but these are simply short versions of the ADED Pants.

They feature the same great pockets and awesome elastic waistband found on the Pants (and other the other same attributes), but lets your puppies breath a little bit more.

Check out the ADED Shorts. They are one of the Best Work From Home Shorts we’ve tested.

Public Rec Shirts Review

We’ve also had the chance to personally review some of the great Public Rec Shirts.

Public Rec Polo Shirts Review

We wear polo shirts all the time and are always looking for a new polo to add to the rotation.

As we’ve mentioned a lot, in this work from home environment, Mr. We Tried it is typically in a pair of shorts (see our best Work From Home Shorts Review) and a polo shirt.

When we had to a chance to test the Elevate Long Sleeve Polo, we had to put it to the test.

Long sleeve polos are tough because 95% of the time, the sleeves are rolled up, at least for us.

We really thought this polo was the best of all the worlds: a little fancier than a henley shirt, super comfortable but looked a little more dressy than a regular polo shirt.

Who’s this shirt for? This Public Rec Elevate Long Sleeve Polo is for you if you want a little more dressed up while staying casual – at least to yourself.

This polo was the perfect fit in all the right areas. Just the right amount of stretch and details. We got the Elevated Polo in Steel and it features a great stitch pattern over the chest.

A hidden benefit

This is actually perfect if you have – ahem – a little bit of chest hair. Let me explain: some smooth polos in a lighter color show anything, and we mean anything, underneath the polo. Lighter colors tend to show any chest hair poking through a light-colored polo.

I know that’s too much information but, Public Rec, you’ve forced my hand. This shirt is perfect for the man who wants a little more dressed up while staying casual – at least to himself.

The Elevate Polo is also available in three other colors: white (technically “oat”), navy and grey.

It’s made from 87% PROTX2™ Polyester, 13% Spandex. PROTX2® is a unique breakthrough eco-friendly zinc-based technology that provides antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-mold, anti-mildew, and anti-odor protection.

You can find it here.

Public Rec Button-Down Review

We haven’t tested the Public Rec Button-Down, personally, just because it isn’t 100% our style.

That’s OK. But a lot of people love this Thermal Button-Down.

In fact, it has a 4.7/5 Star Review from folks that have tried this shirt.

This shirt just was a little thick for what we would typically wear.

Public Rec Outerwear Review

Public Rec has started to make some great outerwear these days. We’ve had the chance to give a couple items from their Men’s Outerwear to the test.

Better than Down Vest Review + Better than Down Jacket

Down is awesome.

Down is a really warm fabric that other brands use in some of their jackets.

If you’re looking for warmth, Public Rec does it better than down with the Public Rec Better than Down Vest and Public Rec Better than Down Jacket.

What is Down?

Down is a fantastic insulator as it’s loft (or fluffiness) creates thousands of tiny air pockets which trap warm weather and retain heat. This means that the wearer will stay very cozy during cold winter months!

A down-filled coat or vest will be made out of either goose, duck, or a mix of the two. All down jackets with any of these feathers will keep you warm, and duck or a combination of duck and geese feathers are frequently less expensive.

Back to the Better than Down Vest and Better Than Down Jacket

These jackets are awesome! It is the perfect, water-repellent, fall-to-spring vest made better by 3M™ Thinsulate™. This is an eco-friendly alternative to down.

Mizzen + Main turned me into a vest guy (read my Mizzen + Main Vest Review), but this is a much heartier option.

We really like how well the jacket and vest were made and how warm and versatile they were.

Thinsulate is great at keeping warmth in and cool away from your body.

I really like to wear vests because I always seem to run hot. Vests seem to be a good balance of keeping me warm without necessarily making me sweat.

Public Rec Go To Tee

I’ve got tees from almost every possible company (check out our Fresh Clean Tees Review and Buck Mason Tee Review for our two favorites).

Our Go To Tee Limit

$20 is about our max for t-shirts, so the Go To Tee is out of the question for me (it costs $54). It’s packed with features like being moisture-wicking, but it’s tough for me to spend that much on a t-shirt.

Public Rec claims this shirt is highly breathable and wrinkle resistant, which I believe. But am I the only one who would hardly every wear a $50+ t-shirt? Maybe I’m odd like that. But it would never be my go to tee (yes, pun intended).

Public Rec Back Pack

Public Rec has also ventured into the world of backpacks and duffel bags.

While we haven’t had a chance to formally review one of these unique offerings they are packed with features and options. We look forward to being able to try them very soon!

Women’s Public Rec review

Mrs. We Tried It is very picky with her athletic clothing.

You will have to pry her Vuori Joggers off her dead body, she loves them so much (ready our full Vuori Jogger Review).

She hopes to try the joggers very shortly and we’ll keep this page updated when we do.

Public Rec Review: The final verdict

While we haven’t tried every single piece of clothing from Public Rec, we’ve got a good sampling of their overall brand.

What we love about Public Rec:

• Simple designs
• Little to no branding on their clothes
• Overall Comfort – everything is super comfortable!
• Easy to understand technology
• Great zippered back pocket and side pockets (on some pieces)

What we don’t love about Public rec clothing:

• Price: some of their items are expensive, but they are incredibly well made
• Hard to tell if clothes, like the all day pants, are dressy or not in the photo (they aren’t, check out the Workday pant for nicer pants)
• ADED Pants are a big baggy

Public Rec isn’t going to take over our closet by any stretch of the imagination. However, they do make incredibly functional, comfortable, long-lasting clothes. If you are on the fence about trying Public Rec Clothing – give them a shot.

They offer free returns and free shipping. Here’s where we’ve found you can get the best deal.