The 17 Best Gym Shorts for Men, Worn and Tested by Fitness Experts

For years, Rhone has been making high-tech workout gear that looks and feels amazing. Its signature versatile Mako short is a favorite of fit-fluencer and online coach Jason Pak. “It’s stylish and also has a durable four-way stretch fabric that is comfortable enough to lounge around in, and tough enough to withstand the most challenging of workouts.”

Personally, in the last two years of wearing Rhone’s Mako shorts, I always like to sport the unlined option on days I don’t need the extra support. The versatility of these shorts comes from their durable four-way stretch and lightweight fabric. I felt that the lined option offered great underwear-like support for more active leg days.

Outside of the gym, however, I’ve worn the unlined Mako to weekend hangs quite a few times, too. These shorts look incredibly subtle ad elevated—in short, it’s the jack of all trades.

When it comes to gym shorts, it’s hard to beat Nike. And its Dri-Fit style is a go-to for fitness coach Faris Khan, C.S.C.S., “They offer an unbeatable combination of comfort and flexibility, making them perfect for everything from jogging to lifting weights.” In a perfect length and fit that allows you to lunge, squat, jump, and run with ease, the Dri-Fit fabric wicks away sweat and keeps your body cool while feeling smooth like butter.

Made from sustainable materials, these shorts meet Khan’s bar for comfortable gym shorts: “Unlined, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and allow for complete freedom of movement.” At just $35, it’s a steal.

Ten Thousand works with a team of athletes to test all of its products, so you know you’re in good hands. Its Interval Short is even a favorite of 5x Ironman and endurance athlete Eric Hinman. “The Interval Short is without a doubt the most versatile training short on the market. I’ve used them for everything—from tough lifting sessions and runs to high-output conditioning work and even recovering in the ice bath and sauna.”

Available in lined or unlined, and in three sensible lengths, the Interval has a fabric that in our testing showed a maximum range of motion and quick sweat-wicking quality. We also love the athletic fit that lets our thighs breathe. All in all, it’s a short that can keep up with the most intense exercise. “If you train hard and live an active lifestyle, this is the one short you absolutely need to have in your rotation,” says Hinman.

In my experience of wearing the Stratus to each and every leg day since 2022, I have bid adieu to chafe, bunching, and any sort of discomfort while doing heavy squatting or lunges, because these shorts are engineered to combat all the ickiness one might feel, you know, down there. The lined option, which is the one I own, provides excellent support while allowing me to move and stretch more freely, whether I’m bending or just stretching my legs—these really do feel like wearing a pair of supportive boxer briefs.

My absolute favorite part from testing the Stratus for over a year is the fact that my thighs have never gotten clammy or felt hot one time. That is all thanks to the ventilation panels in the outer shell designed to keep the skin cool and dry at regular body temperature.

Sweat shorts are great for casual workouts that won’t have you sweating like a pig, and thanks to their softness, they look just as good being worn around the house as they do at the gym. Vuori’s Ponto shorts, however, also bring performance to the table according to fitness coach Ideen Chelengar, C.S.C.S.. “My favorite shorts, all around, are Vuori Ponto shorts. They have the softest material I’ve ever felt; they stretch, have 2 zipper pockets, and… a more casual finish to the material for versatility.”

Personally, I’ve worn the Ponto shorts to lounge or workout since 2021, and the soft fabric, which is lightweight and smooth, has never gotten sweat-stained (like cotton does) when I do sweat, thanks to the polyester which wicks away moisture while keeping the odor away.

In the two years that I’ve been wearing the Pace Breaker and testing it out at the gym, I’m never not amazed by how relaxing and cooling it feels whenever I put it on; and post-workout, it’s always just as fresh as before. That is all thanks to Lululemon’s zero-distraction build for these shorts: Lightweight, no lining, four-way stretch with more than enough room for my beefy thighs, and a back mesh panel that keeps the air coming in.

As such, it is also a favorite for Andy Stern, trainer and co-creator at NYC gym Rumble Boxing. “I like that they are lightweight and have no liner for easy movement.” Influencer and fitness enthusiast Steven Fingar also likes to wear these shorts since they “have the tech of Lululemon’s product to provide an elevated feel to the shorts.”

Pros

• An all-in-one package
• Convenient shirt loop for hanging towel

The Instagram-favorite activewear brand makes workout shorts that look like they come straight out of the cyberpunk future—and work like a pair of gym shorts upgraded with futuristic performance too. In fact, they’re approved by fitness influencer and online training coach Davis Diley. “Shorts by the company ASRV are my favorites—bar none. The fit and durability are immaculate. They are the absolute top-of-the-line in every way.”

This lined option has everything you’d want out of a running short in spades: The lightweight material, comfortable stretchy liner, big pockets, a built-in anti-odor tech that makes sure the fabric stays fresh, mesh panels that breathe, and even chafe-less seams. But our favorite part is the shirt loop on the back for hanging a towel—which can come in handy when you’ve no place to rest it. “Truly the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the athletic clothing world,” says Diley.

Gym shorts that don’t cost over $50 and meet all the performance standards you will need in moderate workouts? Sign us up. And if you prioritize comfort and coolness, then these Gym Shark shorts offer them handsomely, according to Michael Hamlin, NSCA, C.S.C.S. “They have many different lengths of these shorts, and they are lightweight and have sweat-wicking properties in them,” he says. We also love that the leg openings offer enough room for ventilation, which means that even though the poly fabric isn’t breathable, air can still flow in to keep your thighs dry.

The simple, effective look is also a standout to Hamlin: “If you want to get a pair of men’s shorts that looks good, you should look for companies that prioritize the look first. Gym Shark definitely is in this category.”

Here’s another pair of gym shorts that can do it all, according to full-time personal trainer Dimitrios Kokkinellis. “These shorts provide comfort, versatility, and durability, making them perfect for a wide range of workouts,” he says, in addition to the four-way stretch, moisture-wicking, and added ventilation for breathing.

What we love most is the hidden gem of these shorts: A center-front waistband pocket that lets you store even your phone. “The expandable, water-resistant Speedpocket ensures your essentials stay secure and dry during your training sessions,” says Kokkinellis. Lastly, the built-in brief which works as a liner doesn’t show, meaning you can easily wear these as your everyday shorts.

Senior Editor, Brett Williams, NASM, has used these running shorts for over a year, and couldn’t stop singing praises about their performance off the treadmill. “These running shorts are my go-to when I’m jogging or even going to the gym for lightweight performance.” They’re breathable, moisture-wicking nylon blend stretches like no other, courtesy of the 29% spandex (!) that lets you really move your thighs 360 degrees—if that’s possible at all.

Hence, whether you’re running, doing HIIT, hitting hardcore cardio exercises, or just going for a light jog on the treadmill after your weight training, these shorts are up for the task. “There’s a handy pocket for keys, cards, and my phone, and the drawstring waistband sits just right,” adds Williams.

Pros

• Liner really moves with the thighs without tightening or restricting
• Roomy fit for breathability

Pros

• Shorts for swimming, running, and working out
• Compression liner feels smooth, barely-there, and supportive

Swim trunks make the best pair of gym shorts. Why? Because they’re designed with water in mind, meaning they’re quick-drying, water-repellent, and provide a level of stretch that allows your legs to move. This option, however, also features a liner that supports your boys, dries in a heartbeat, and doesn’t irritate the skin.

With nylon as its main material, its breathability is also unquestionable. The holy trinity of stretch, anti-sweat performance, and ventilation makes Tracksmith’s shorts a burly runner as well, meaning you can work out a sweat at the gym, then run to the pool, and swim a few laps all in these shorts—no changing required.

Lightweight and under $50, these shorts can somehow handle intense workouts and heavy weightlifting just as well as some shorts double the price. In fact, they’re designed for endurance activities, whether it’s rowing, jumping ropes, or burpees. The fabric is built to last as long as you do while drying you, and keeps you cool with back mesh panels that breathe in the air as you heat up.

What we love most is its relaxed fit, which, coupled with a high-stretch blend, lets you move your legs however you want to. So, if you’re a gym goer who likes to squeeze in all your muscle groups in one day, these gym shorts will push you through the last rep.

YPB MotionTEK 7 Inch Lined Training Short

Alo Yoga Ripstop 7” On-Set Short

Vitality Prime Train Short

Athletegy Quad Short 2.0

“With multiple options of men’s athletic shorts on the market, the lining, length, and material needs differ depending on the activity, personal style, and fit preference,” says Joe Kudla, founder of Vuori.

Material: Folks, leave cotton out of this one and go for synthetic fabric that actually can handle the sweat and the stretch. Because gym shorts are designed for you to move in and perspire in, a blend of polyester (which is moisture-wicking and quick-drying) and spandex or elastane (both offer a four-way stretch) is often a sure bet. On the other hand, a nylon stretch blend is also popular because nylon is breathable, unlike polyester, for combatting the summer heat.

Liner: “Unlined shorts offer more versatility for layering, while lined shorts provide additional support and comfort for high-impact activities,” says Michael Hamlin, NSCA, CSCS. I.e., the higher intensity your exercise demands, the more likely you’ll need a pair of gym shorts with liner since, besides support, the liner also directly wicks away sweat. Otherwise, you can opt for unlined shots since they let you move easily, and are thus great for moderate workouts.

Inseam: Inseam measures the length on the inside of the leg, from the bottom up to the groin or crutch area, and personal trainer Dimitrios Kokkinellis recommends considering the right length and coverage for your workouts. “Shorter inseams (5-7 inches) allow for greater mobility, while longer inseams (9-11inches) provide extra coverage and support,” he says.

Pockets: “I also say pockets are a must for me and extra bonus if they zip. Not a pocket in the back of my waist that I can barely reach but pockets on the front sides,” says Andy Stern from Rumble Boxing.

All in all, a pair of ideal, versatile gym shorts is described by Bear Handlon, former CrossFit Games athlete and founder of activewear brand Born Primitive, as one with “built-in compression liners, an elastic waistband with drawstring, overall elasticity to allow mobility, lightweight material that’s quick-drying, and convenient pockets throughout for your cell phone and keys.”

To find the best gym shorts for men, our style and fitness editors have personally tried on a variety of workout shorts and put them to the test in the gym. For instance, we’ve worn Mack Weldon’s Stratus shorts to do heavy squats, finished chest and back days in Lululemon’s Pace Breaker, run in Wolaco’s versatile shorts, and traveled in Mack Weldon’s Rhone shorts before hitting the weights in them too. From there, we evaluated these gym shorts based on their comfort, performance (moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathability, etc.), type (lined or unlined), and durability to make the final top picks. We also considered workout shorts that were tested for our Fitness Awards.

Specifically, we’re looking for men’s gym shorts that are not trendy or trend-chasing; instead, our picks of the best workout for men all fit and work great even on buff athletic guys who perform intense training on a regular basis, provide a ton of value at reasonable price points, and come in designs that will look great years from now.