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Zubaz began as roomy workout pants for bodybuilders, not as wrestling gear. Their path into pro-wrestling culture ran through the Road Warriors: Hawk and Animal wore them on television, handed pairs to other wrestlers backstage, and helped make the pants’ loose shape and bold prints familiar across locker rooms. Retail deals and licensed sports merchandise then carried the look beyond wrestling.
Designed for bigger bodies in the gym
Zubaz dates its beginnings to the summer of 1988. The company identifies Minnesota gym owners Dan Stock and Bob Truax as its founders, and says the original pants were made for bodybuilders. Their loose cut and elastic waistband were practical features for men who wanted room to move and a comfortable fit.
In a WWE interview published July 29, 2013, Road Warrior Animal recalled that he and his partner Hawk had asked gym managers Stock and Truax to develop leisure and workout pants for larger men. Animal described the design brief this way: “We need to come up with an idea for pants that we can make for big guys for leisure, sporting events, working out or whatever.” He credited a seamstress named Diane with making the first prototype.
The accounts point to a collaboration rather than a single inventor: Zubaz credits Stock and Truax with founding the brand, while Animal’s recollection places the Road Warriors in the early design conversation as well as in the promotion that followed. Stock summed up the original customer in the WWE interview: “We were just doing it for the bigger guys in the gym.”
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#1 Best Overall
- ADULT WRESTLERS – Adults that wrestle or have kids that wrestle will adore these comfy black cotton blend wrestling joggers.
- HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL – Constructed with a premium cotton blend which reduces shrinking and enhances durability.
- WARM UP’s – Perfect to wear during warm-ups, jogging outside in the cold, or anywhere.
- BUY WITH CONFIDENCE - We are always committed to providing high-quality and the best service because customer satisfaction is our first priority. We stand behind our products and aim to make every interaction with our company as simple as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
How did Zubaz pants become popular with wrestlers?
The Road Warriors made the pants visible in the setting where their look could have the most impact: wrestling television. Animal recalled wearing Zubaz while the team wrestled for the NWA on TBS and at television tapings. “Every time we went to the ring or did a TV taping, we had our Zubaz on,” he said.
They also introduced the pants to fellow performers directly. According to the WWE interview, Hawk and Animal gave pairs away backstage. Stock called that informal promotion “a form of sponsorship.” Because the Road Warriors were prominent across multiple promotions, other wrestlers encountered the pants in locker rooms as well as on television. That combination helps explain why Zubaz became a recognizable part of the early-1990s wrestler wardrobe without implying that every wrestler wore them or that wrestling alone made the brand successful.
Rank #2
- Bold Two-Tone Zebra Print: Eye-catching contrast zebra stripes deliver signature Zubaz energy with a throwback twist
- Iconic Zubaz Heritage: A modern take on the original 1988 design - bringing back the bold with improved fit and finish
- Made for Comfort: Crafted from a soft, durable cotton-polyester blend with an elastic waistband and adjustable drawstring for all-day ease
- Available in a Range of Men's Sizing: Ranges from XS to 3XL to fit fans of all shapes and sizes. A go-to game day outfit and an easy football gift for men - great for tailgates, watch parties, and everyday fan wear.
- Care Instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not iron graphics
What made the look so recognizable?
The pants paired a relaxed, gym-oriented silhouette with prints and colors designed to stand out. Stock recalled that the company offered many patterns and colors, with zebra emerging as its most popular design. “The zebra print became the most iconic, most popular design that all the people liked,” he said in the WWE interview.
The loose shape made the garment distinct from close-fitting ring attire, while the high-contrast zebra pattern was easy to spot in photographs, promotional appearances, and everyday wear. Zubaz’s current About page also highlights the loose fit, elastic waist, and zebra stripes. The company describes its mission as “Dare to Be Different”; that is its own brand language, but it fits the visual logic of pants built to be noticed.
Rank #3
- WRESTLING LOUNGE PANTS - A black all over wrestling print with a bold Eat Sleep Wrestle leg graphic gives these wrestling sweatpants a standout look any wrestler or fan will want to live in from the locker room to the couch and everywhere wrestling life takes you
- YOUTH AND ADULT SIZES AVAILABLE - Available in youth and adult sizes for the whole wrestling family, an adjustable elastic waistband with drawstring dials in the fit so these wrestling sweatpants stay put whether you are lounging at home or heading out to an early morning practice
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE - Made from 100% performance polyester that breathes easy and moves with you, these wrestling pajama pants are comfortable enough for a post match cool down, a long bus ride to a weekend tournament, or a lazy Sunday between meets
- SIDE POCKETS AND ELASTIC ANKLE CUFFS - Convenient side pockets keep your phone, keys, and headgear straps close at hand while elastic ankle cuffs keep the hem of these pants out of the way so nothing catches when you are pulling on wrestling shoes or heading out the door to the mat
- WRESTLING GIFT FOR EVERY OCCASION - From birthdays and Christmas to end of season celebrations and team gifts, these wrestling lounge pants make a standout gift for any wrestler, wrestling mom, wrestling dad, coach, or fan who lives for the sport
How did the pants reach beyond wrestling?
Wrestling visibility was one part of a wider route into popular culture. Animal recalled a J.C. Penney deal that brought Zubaz into mainstream retail, followed by licensed NFL products. He also described a promotional poster featuring Dan Marino and said demand increased after the images circulated. Stock noted that the brand’s first two and a half years were not tied to sports leagues, suggesting that the original gym appeal came before league merchandise.
Animal offered a sense of the business’s scale in the 2013 interview, estimating that first-year sales were “about $14 million” and that sales reached “$28 million” a year or two later. Those are his approximate retrospective figures, not independently audited totals presented by the source. The more defensible historical point is the sequence: a product for gym-goers found a prominent wrestling audience, then retail and licensed sports products broadened its reach.
Rank #4
- WRESTLING SWEATPANTS - A sport-specific fleece sweatpant featuring the classic Wrestling design down the leg, built for wrestlers who keep it clean and let the sport speak for itself. The perfect warm and comfortable wrestling clothing choice for post-practice recovery, travel days, tournament weekends, and everything in between
- YOUTH AND ADULT SIZES WITH SPORT-SPECIFIC FIT - Available in youth and adult sizes with a roomy unisex cut built for comfort. Adult sizes feature open bottom legs and a drawstring waistband. Youth sizes feature tapered bottom cuffs and no drawstring. A size chart is available on the product page to help you find the perfect fit
- SOFT WARM FLEECE BUILT FOR ALL DAY COMFORT - Made from a 50% cotton and 50% polyester fleece blend that is soft, warm, and built to stay that way. No-pill performance material means this wrestling clothing holds up through the full wrestling season, wash after wash, without losing its shape or softness
- SIDE POCKETS AND COVERED ELASTIC WAISTBAND - Convenient side pockets keep essentials close during travel days and tournament weekends, while the covered elastic waistband delivers a clean, comfortable fit. Machine wash cold inside out with like colors, tumble dry low, do not iron
- THE PERFECT WRESTLING GIFT - For the wrestler who lives for every takedown on the mat, the coach who builds champions at every dual meet, or any wrestling parent who never misses a match. A great gift for birthdays, holidays, end of season banquets, tournament send-offs, and team gifts for the whole roster
What does Zubaz sell today?
Zubaz’s current site lists Original Pants and describes licensed NFL, NCAA, and NLL team apparel. Those categories show that the garment and sports-licensed line remain part of the brand’s present catalog; the specific assortment may change. The pants’ place in wrestling history, however, rests on their early combination of function and visibility: a comfortable cut suited to larger bodies, a striking print, and influential wrestlers who wore and shared them.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bold Zebra Team Colors - Eye-catching allover zebra print in vibrant team colors makes these pants a fun and spirited way for kids to show their pride.
- Embroidered NFL Team Logo - Features a high-quality embroidered team logo on the left hip for an authentic and sporty look.
- Comfy All-Day Fabric - Made from a soft and durable 60% cotton, 40% polyester blend that's perfect for school, playtime, or game day.
- Kid-Friendly Design - Includes two side pockets for essentials and an easy, pull-on elastic waistband for all-day comfort and mobility.
- Unisex Sizing for Boys & Girls - Designed for a versatile fit across youth sizes 4-18; officially licensed NFL product with trusted quality. A go-to game day outfit and an easy football gift for young fans - great for tailgates, watch parties, and everyday fan wear.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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