How I Ranked the Best Gym Shorts

• Style: How do these look when worn? Do they match outfits easily? Do they look cool or lame?
• Comfort & Fit: Are they too short, too long, or too tight? Do I feel comfortable wearing them? Are they too loose, or do they fit just right?
• Value & Quality: This is a combination of several factors. Are they durable? Is the material high quality? And based on my style and comfort preferences, how much value do they provide relative to the price?

Best Overall: Lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Short 9″

I know these look pretty plain in the photo, but honestly, these are my favorite pair because they’re clean, simple, and go with everything. Some shorts have too much going on and can be hard to match with tops. I prefer my shorts to be more basic and let my shirts, shoes, and accessories stand out.

I also own another pair of Pace Breakers in a black carbon color that I love, so there are plenty of different options available if you want something with a little more personality.

It’s also very hard to find a good 9-inch inseam these days. I don’t think this picture does them justice, but 9 inches is perfect for me. You’re sitting, running, moving around, and I think 7 inches can be a little too short for that. Nine inches still looks athletic and sits above the knee. It’s not like you’re wearing basketball shorts.

Overall, I love this short. The fit is perfect, the comfort is there, the style is right up my alley, and the price is on par with most quality gym shorts.

Runner-Up: Legends Luka Short

My second favorite short goes to Legends and their Luka Short.

I’m a big fan of the style here. It’s clean and simple but still has some nice details, like the perforations on the back and the Legends logo on the left thigh. I also think Legends is a great brand, and a lot of pro athletes wear their gear.

The shorts fit well, have solid pockets, and include a zippered pocket on the back. Overall, the quality is excellent, and they are one of the most affordable options on this list. On top of that, we have a 20% Legends discount code available, making them an even better value.

Best for Runners: WOLACO Warren Short

If you’re a runner, this is probably the best short for you.

WOLACO is a brand built with runners in mind, and they also make some of the best compression shorts on the market. The Warren Short has a clean look, a great fit, an excellent waistband, and pockets specifically designed to keep your belongings secure while running.

My only complaint is that I wish the inseam were slightly longer. They’re also a little more expensive than some of the other options here, but the quality is outstanding and well worth the price.

Favorite Color: Lululemon Zeroed In Linerless Short 7″

This pair comes in my favorite color on the list: Downtown Tan.

I love beige and neutral colors, especially because I own a lot of black shirts. It’s a nice change from wearing black on black all the time.

There really isn’t much to complain about here. These are very close behind the shorts above in terms of style, comfort, and quality. Like some of the other pairs on this list, I would prefer a slightly longer inseam, but overall these are an excellent pair of shorts.

Favorite Material: Alo Conquer React Performance Short

I absolutely love the material on these shorts. They’re incredibly soft, stretchy, and comfortable. I also really like this Athletic Heather Grey color.

When I first bought them, I thought they were going to become my new favorite pair. They still could be if I had sized up.

For me, they fit a little too snug. I feel like they’re almost showing too much, and I probably should have gone with a size large. If you’re between sizes, I’d suggest sizing up. For reference, I’m 6’0″ and around 185 pounds.

The other issue is the pocket placement. It feels like the pockets sit slightly behind my hips instead of in front, making it a little awkward to get my phone in and out.

Other than that, I really like these shorts.

Vuori Banks Short Unlined 7″

I bought these a while ago, and they’ve held up very well over time.

While I like the style, I don’t love it quite as much as some of the other options on this list. Once again, my main issue is that they’re a little shorter than I prefer.

I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I also feel like they don’t pair as well with the shirts I typically wear. They’re still a good pair of shorts and remain one of my favorites, but when I’m choosing what to wear, they usually end up behind the options above.

Men’s Gym Shorts FAQs

What is the best inseam for gym shorts?

I’m a 9-inch inseam guy whenever possible. I think 8 inches is a great middle ground, and 7 inches is still perfectly fine. Personally, I wouldn’t go shorter than 7 inches or longer than 9 inches.

Should gym shorts have liners?

I personally prefer linerless gym shorts.

I wear compression shorts underneath, so I don’t really see the point of having an additional liner. Some people may prefer wearing liners without compression shorts, but that’s not for me. Most liners aren’t tight enough, and I prefer the support and compression that compression shorts provide.

Can you wear gym shorts casually?

You definitely can, but I typically only wear gym shorts when I’m working out.

If I’m going somewhere other than the gym, I’d usually rather wear a pair of linen shorts or cotton shorts because they look a little more put together.