When you’re shopping for workout shorts, you can easily get distracted by all the features—compression liners, anti-odor technology, performance stretch. Ultimately, the best workout shorts for men appeal to your style and comfort levels, the sports you’ll be doing and your spending budget.
The best workout shorts for men keep you moving comfortably and confidently. Men's T-Shirts
For the best workout shorts overall, we recommend the Vuori Kore Short, which is versatile for a variety of activities with an easygoing fit and excellent sweat-wicking qualities. If you’re looking for a no-fuss basic for gym and training sessions that won’t stretch your budget, Nike’s Totality Dri-Fit Versatile Shorts are our top affordable choice. Read on to see all of our picks for the best workout shorts for men. And for more gear, check out our stories on the best casual shoes for men and best polo shirts.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 15 total, including Shade and Ojai | Inseam length: 5, 7.5 and 9 inches | Lined: Both lined/unlined | Materials: Polyester, elastane
The Vuori Kore Short is a popular pick among athletes for a few reasons: It’s classic, easy cut and comfortable fit makes it versatile for the gym and outdoor sports. The anti-odor, moisture wicking fabric has elastane to create 4-way stretch and allow for a full range of motion without any tightness or bunching. This short also comes in lined and unlined options, making it an all-around top choice.
Sizes: XS to 4XL | Colors: 22 total, including Black and Royal Blue | Inseam length: 7 inches | Lined: No | Materials: Polyester
Nike’s Totality Dri-Fit is a no-frills, get-it-done workout short to keep you moving. Simply tailored with a relaxed fit and knitted fabric, these shorts can handle just about any sports or activity, from running to gym sessions to home workouts. Pockets let you keep essentials with you.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 8 total, including Misty blue and Stone | Inseam length: 7 inches | Lined: Yes | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Rhone’s Mako shorts are lined for comfort and also have a water repellent coating, which means soggy shorts from rain or sweat will not bring you down. The anti-odor treatment helps you get more workouts in between washes, and like the classic gym short, this pair has two open pockets at the hips, plus a zip pocket to stash small valuables like credit card or locker key, and a phone pocket.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 14 total, including Black and Light Grey | Inseam length: 5, 7, 9 inches | Lined: Both lined/unlined | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Ten Thousand’s ultra-breathable, ultra-lightweight shorts consistently get high reviews from trainers and athletes. The quick drying shell has 4-way stretch for no-cling performance, and a smooth, no-bunch waistband so you don’t get distracted from your routines. These shorts come in both lined and unlined version; the lined ones offer medium compression and a permanent silver ion anti-odor treatment.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 3 total, including Charcoal and Dove | Inseam length: 7 inches | Lined: No | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Outdoor Voices Sunday short is a throwback to classic days of working out in sweats–albeit with an upgrade in performance materials from those old-school cotton team sweats. The heathered material texture feels great on the skin, and works to wick sweat. The loose, comfortable fit and adjustable drawstring closure give you the freedom to move and stretch for easy weekend runs or team sports in the park.
Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: 10 in total, including White and Sport Red | Inseam length: 6 inches | Lined: Yes | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Lululemon’s workout shorts are known for their pared down designs and for having just enough features to allow you to perform your best. The Surge Short includes a quick-drying mesh liner and a no-bounce pocket for your phone with a headphone cord hole, and you have the ability to stow your shirt in the waistband loop on hot days.
Sizes: XS to 5XL | Colors: 39 total, including Black and Green | Inseam length: 9 inches | Lined: No | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Anyone who has ever worn workout clothes that don’t accommodate or stretch with big thighs and powerful quads knows it’s an issue that can really interfere with working out. Under Armour’s loose and stretchy training shorts don’t constrict movement or distract from the task at hand. Perforated fabric side panels and a water repellent coating mean they’re light and airy, and the stretchy waistband moves with you.
Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: 4 total, including Monument and True Navy | Inseam length: 7 inches | Lined: Both lined/unlined | Materials: Polyester, spandex
From men’s lifestyle brand Mack Weldon, these Stratus shorts are the company’s first foray into activewear. The clean-cut shorts have a sweat-wicking fabric that keeps you cooler and less sweaty in the first place and an anti-odor liner to round out the comfortable features. The style is simple and classic, which makes these shorts great for the gym or just running errands.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 12 total, including Grey and Mauve | Inseam length: 5, 7 inches | Lined: No | Materials: Recycled polyester (or organic cotton and hemp in select colors)
Patagonia knows outdoor sports—and their Baggies shorts are a long lasting, beloved, almost cult-item in which you can complete just about any type of workout–in the gym, pool or outdoor trails. Simply styled, these quick drying nylon shorts have a DWR water repellent coating, an elastic waistband and come in two inseam lengths.
Sizes: 30 to 42 | Colors: 14 total, including Walnut and Smoke | Inseam length: 8, 10 and 12 inches | Lined: No | Materials: Cotton, nylon and spandex
Hikers know that having shorts made from a thicker, abrasion resistant fabric that’s also breathable, moves with you, and offers slightly longer inseams hit some of the key requirements for great shorts. This tough pair of shorts can handle a bit of bushwhacking, overhanging branches, and lunches eaten on rocks, while allowing you to move fast and freely. It also sports seven pockets for stashing all the small necessities you’ll need during and post hike.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 8 total, including Black and Slate Green | Inseam length: 10 inches | Lined: No | Materials: Polyester, elastane
PrAna’s sleekly styled long shorts have a wide, elastic waistband for comfort and 4-way stretch for full-spectrum mobility whether you’re doing yoga, Pilates or mat-based exercises. Moisture-wicking, quick drying and outfitted with three pockets, this pair is also rated highly for everyday lounging.
Inseam is an important feature on shorts, and the wrong inseam length will sideline your new shorts quickly. What works best for each person depends on a few things: planned activity and your personal sense of style. For sports requiring a lot of mobility and repetitive motion, inseams around five inches can prevent the shorts from rubbing against your thighs for long periods of time—that’s why many serious runners are often in shorter designs. Some people may be uncomfortable with five inches, so a seven inch inseam with light, loose and stretchy fabric can be a good solution. For workouts that might involve a broad spectrum of movements, and even inversions like yoga, weight lighting or basketball, longer inseams might be preferable so your shorts aren’t riding or sliding up during activities.
If you’re doing outdoor sports like hiking, you’ll want thicker, more durable materials to protect against branches and other hazards, but for most activities in the gym, workout classes or around the track, light fabrics with some stretch and moisture-wicking properties are a great choice. You’ll want to choose synthetic materials that dry quickly. Certain designs, like super lightweight but durable polyester, sometimes with mesh, and perforated panels can help accelerate the drying process for summer sports or hot gyms and studios. Options that are stretchier with more fitted cuts are often preferable for activities like yoga or cycling. “Comfort and mobility are the key factors,” says Shoshana Kobrin, a veteran yoga instructor. “For most people that [involves] a little stretch so you don’t feel constrained, and enough coverage that you feel completely comfortable moving your body during workouts and classes.”
Another factor to keep in mind if odor is a concern: Workout shorts with odor-resistant technologies built into the fabric, such as the addition of gold or silver threads and ions, which actually do inhibit the growth of odor causing bacteria, but the efficacy can vary between individual brands.
Versatility is a key consideration for most people: shorts that aren’t confined to just one activity are always preferable in the athletic realm. Consider if you would like to just wear your shorts for sports, or, if you’d like to be able to wear them to and from the gym, maybe some errands, or to grab a coffee. In this case, the style as well as performance should be part of your decision. But luckily, most workout shorts today are meant to pull some double duty, with pockets for your phone, wallet and other essentials, combined with a stylish aesthetic, too.
Choosing lined versus unlined shorts is a personal decision, and most people tend to have a strong preference for one or the other, whether you want more support or more freedom. Liners usually sit tight to the skin, meaning they wick sweat well and offer good support, but some people find they are too hot, confining and make it tricky to get in and out of the shorts. Unlined shorts offer more flexibility for you to switch your undergarments at will, and you can wear them more times between washes.
When your gear gets wet from sweat or rain, it’s important to dry it as fast as possible (definitely do not leave damp shorts in your gym bag!). Some brands use special silver or gold ion and thread treatments, which help inhibit the growth of microbes–and the stink. But, since you’ll sweat and labor in these shorts, no matter how much anti-odor technology they have, the fabric will build up residue from sweat and skin. So you’ll still need to wash them more frequently than, say, your jeans. Wash them in cold water and hang dry for a clean, fresh finish that helps extend the life of the garment.
The lifespan of your shorts will depend on how much you use them, and how you take care of them. That said, you should expect a quality pair to last at least one year with high use, and longer if you use them infrequently. The first thing to go, however, is usually the stretch quality, so that’s where the cool water washes and skipping the dryer will help (dryers accelerate the breakdown of elastic fibers). The right amount to spend on a pair falls anywhere between about 30 to 80 dollars, depending on what you’re looking for as far as features and materials, and longevity of the garment.
I aim to help you save on taxes and money management costs. I graduated from Harvard in 1973, have been a journalist for 48 years, and was editor of Forbes magazine from 1999 to 2010. Tax law is a frequent subject in my articles. I have been an Enrolled Agent since 1979. Email me at williambaldwinfinance -- at -- gmail -- dot -- com.
I aim to help you save on taxes and money management costs. I graduated from Harvard in 1973, have been a journalist for 48 years, and was editor of Forbes magazine from 1999 to 2010. Tax law is a frequent subject in my articles. I have been an Enrolled Agent since 1979. Email me at williambaldwinfinance -- at -- gmail -- dot -- com.
I am a commerce editor for Forbes Vetted covering beauty, fashion, travel and home. Prior to joining Forbes, I held positions at BuzzFeed and Dotdash Meredith where I was responsible for curating lifestyle content and testing products for real-world insights. My work has appeared in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, BuzzFeed, Brit + Co, Everyday Health and more. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Creative Writing from Marist College and currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.
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I am a freelance writer with nearly a decade of writing and editing experience on topics ranging from parenting to beauty to kitchen gadgets. You can find my work in The Hill, Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, and Family Education, among other publications. I have a B.A. in Communication from Bethel University, where I also played soccer. Born and raised in Hawaii, I love the ocean and sun, which is where you’ll find me with a book in my hands whenever the weather is warm.
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