The 22 Best Gym Shorts for Men

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Gym shorts have a small but mighty place in the world of your workout. They have one job: don't get in the way. In other words, don't make the workout harder than it needs to be by riding up, sliding down, or bunching. There are a few details that tend to vary: inseam length, fabrication, and lining. You might prefer different short styles for different workout styles. The world is yours, my friend.

The inseam length is simple and personal. Most range from five to eleven inches. Lining is straightforward, too, with options either lined or unlined. Some lined options are compressive, while others are more forgiving. The fabric makeup is really what makes the difference here. For high-sweat activities, you might prefer the moisture-wicking properties of nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. For more lifting-heavy endeavors, you might prefer natural fibers, like jersey or cotton mesh.

When it comes to workout shorts for the gym, there are options aplenty. And to help you narrow down your search, we compiled a selection so you can get back into your routine ASAP. Or, you know, whenever the vibe is right. Here are 22 of the best.

High Stride Shorts

Outdoor Voices shorts are a solid option for most medium-intensity workouts and also for workouts that are followed by social activities (work hard, play hard, amirite?). They wick sweat quickly and don't scream squat rack—so they're truly the best of both worlds.

Session Shorts

If you miss the vibe of old-school, no-frills gym shorts, these are the high-end version. They feel as soft as underwear, but they don't look like you are for some reason wearing underwear in the gym (that'll probably get your membership revoked). The shorts are breathable, moisture-wicking, and UV-protective, and won't budge no matter how far or fast you go.

The Fundamental Shorts

Fabletics shorts are just fun. Come here for a stretchy fabric (that also has anti-stink and anti-static technology) that comes in an ever-evolving range of colors and patterns.

License to Train Shorts

Lululemon is ubiquitous for a reason. The brand knows how to do workout clothes well, especially when it comes to shorts and pants. These shorts are made with an abrasion-resistant fabric and have a fit streamlined beyond what most shorts are capable of. They're a hardworking bottom that will last beyond your final rep.

The ReNew Swim Shorts

Everlane's shorts are fit for any kind of activity but are especially good for ones that might involve water. Use them to swim, jump in the pool after a run, or hit an easy trail when it might get misty. Made with water-repellent active stretch fabric and a supportive mesh liner, they'll become your new go-to for days spent on land and in the sea.

Kore Shorts

Vuori is known for its super soft, stretchy fabric that is lightweight and breathable, and this short can be used for just about every sport. They have a boxer brief liner and a roomy 7.5-in inseam, allowing you to go commando (if you're confident enough), and have a classic athletic fit for all-day versatility.

Mako Shorts

Rhone's Mako shorts have that classic four-way stretch and are made with the brand's anti-odor fabrication. Get them in all of your staple colors, and wear them casually or during your toughest workout.

Repetition Shorts

Alo's stuff is versatile. These shorts are good for nearly any type of workout with their moisture-wicking fabric, but they also look damn good as just everyday shorts. Comfortable, flattering, and stylish, they're great for all body types.

Designed for Training Shorts

These adidas shorts are meant to power you through any strength workout without getting all up in the way. They are stretchy, heavily ventilated, and have a small slit in the sides so your quads don't get trapped. Made with lightweight, woven fabric, they're designed to keep you dry through intense sweat sessions and cardio reps.

Shorts

On-running's shorts are the best option for cardio-heavy days at the gym. They are lightweight and stretchy, and they are about as high-quality as we have known a workout short to be. An added bonus? You can wear them on your "off" days and still look sleek and put-together.

Stratus Shorts

If you want to feel locked into your shorts (and therefore maybe the workout?) and prefer the security of compression, these Mack Weldon guys have a compression lining built right in. Your neighbor on the leg lift next door will thank you for keeping your "bare-bells" in place.

HIIT Woven Shorts

HIIT workouts often require lots of movement in every plane of motion. These are stretchy enough to get you into and out of those moves and wick sweat just as quickly. Plus, the 4-way stretch material lets you easily change positions.

Sports Shorts

You're not going to get the absolute best fit or fabrication from H&M, but in a pinch or on a budget, these sports shorts will do. They're moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and can be easily thrown into any gym bag on-the-go.

Power Washed Shorts

A lot of newer workout fabrics emphasize lighter weights, but that's not for everyone. These old-school, heavyweight shorts are secure and substantial. Welcome back to the golden era of gym shorts.

Jersey Gym Shorts

Not into the fancy new fabrics? Stick with cotton—Hanes does it best. This basic short is far from basic, though and is designed with multiple pockets, an elastic waistband, and is made for every type of guy.

Eversoft Cotton Shorts

For gym shorts that are forgiving on the wallet, this Fruit of the Loom two-pack is stretchy, soft, and easy to wear. They fit more relaxed if you're anti-constriction, and have 20+ UPF protection to shade you from the sun's harsh rays.

Workout Shorts

CRZ YOGA has gotten popular over the past few years (if you're on TikTok, you know exactly what we're talking about) for making workout clothes with the feel of something higher-end but the price of something a little less so. Just keep in mind these are hand wash only if you're the type of guy who doesn't like to do his laundry.

Drawstring Walk Shorts

For lower-intensity workouts, these Amazon shorts are an easy option to throw on. They come in a wide range of colors and sizes, and have a relaxed fit through the hips, thighs, and legs.

Dri Fit Shorts

For the lightest feel possible, Nike's Dri-Fit shorts are not only comfortable, but they're also perforated for optimal airflow. They have an exaggerated gusset for plenty of leg movement, and are perfect for the days when you need to shake up your exercise routine.

Interval Shorts

Ten Thousand's gym shorts were built to take a beating. The outer shell can withstand extended workout sessions over a long period of time, and the fit lies flat, comfortably, and out of the way.

The One Shorts

For a short, easy option, Fair Harbor's bottoms are a no-brainer. They're flexible, with a thick, stretchy waistband for all-day comfort. Plus, they're made from 11 recycled plastic bottles, so you can feel good about your purchase.

Tetra-Lite Shorts

These shorts feature a built-in liner with two media pockets for bounce-free storage, mesh panels for ventilation, and special anti-odor technology. Plus, they have a utility loop for a shirt or towel and a horizontal back waist pocket, so you always have a place to store your shit.

How To Choose

As you can see, there are a lot of options to pick from. So, whether you’re a budding bodybuilder or just want to replace your old basketball shorts, how do you choose the right option?

Material: During your workouts, you’re going to sweat (and if you don’t, what the hell is your secret?). So, when it comes to choosing a material that can handle your fitness regimen, you’ll want to stay away from dense fabrics like cotton and instead choose a lightweight and breathable material like polyester, spandex, or elastane. Each of these options is moisture-wicking, offers a 4-way stretch, and will move comfortably with you.

Liner: As you’ve seen throughout this list, we’ve included a mix of bottoms with and without lining. But to line or not to line? That is the question. What you choose all depends on the type of workouts you do. If you’re the kind of guy who is participating in high-intensity exercises, then lined shorts will provide you additional support and comfort. But if you’re looking for a casual style that still lets you move easily, unlined shorts are the way to go.

Inseam: Fun fact of the day—inseam measures the length of the inside of the leg, from the bottom up to the groin or crutch area, and when looking for the right one, you want to consider how much coverage your workouts require. If you're doing casual reps and want more flexibility, find an inseam between 5"-7", but if you want all of the support you can get, buy a short with an inseam between 8"-11".

How We Chose

Here at Esquire, we're a mix of everything—some of us are gym rats, some of us love a daily after-work run, and some of us have never lifted a weight in our lives (oops).

So, when choosing the best workout shorts for this list, we tried and tested hundreds of different options to give you the most comprehensive guide. We evaluated not only the material, inseam, liner, and style of each option, but also judged based on the type of activity each short can be used for.

We asked questions like, "Can these shorts be worn to do leg lifts? Will they be able to carry someone across a marathon finish line? Can they stand up to even the toughest of terrains?" That's why every style here has our stamp of approval for a variety of fitness activities.

Why You Should Trust Us

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to gym shorts, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these gym shorts are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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