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Sports & Fitness Fitness Equipment

Best Athletic Shorts for Men

Updated June 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Under Armour Raid 10-Inch Workout Shorts
Under Armour
Raid 10-Inch Workout Shorts
Trusted Brand

A best-selling pair that our fitness expert personally attests to.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A best-selling pair that our fitness expert personally attests to.

Pros

Made with soft HeatGear material that wicks away moisture and has a UPF 30 rating. Inseam is the perfect length according to wearers of all heights. Holds up well to extreme wear and repeated washing.

Cons

Material is extremely thin and somewhat sheer, especially in direct sunlight.

Best Bang for the Buck
DSG Men's 8'' Agility Woven Shorts
DSG
Men's 8'' Agility Woven Shorts
Well-Made Value

Our expert recommends these inexpensive and well-made shorts his clients love.

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Well-Made Value
Bottom Line

Our expert recommends these inexpensive and well-made shorts his clients love.

Pros

Lightweight polyester/spandex blend fabric feels soft and airy. Has sweat-wicking properties. Comfortable 8-inch inseam is neither too long nor too short. Drawstring waist for secure hold. Two side pockets.

Cons

Some feel the sizes run a little small especially for more muscular legs.

Adidas Designed 2 Move 3-Stripe Shorts
Adidas
Designed 2 Move 3-Stripe Shorts
Great for Outdoor Wear

Popular design that is well-made, very durable, and stylish, according to our expert.

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Great for Outdoor Wear
Bottom Line

Popular design that is well-made, very durable, and stylish, according to our expert.

Pros

Shorts have a lightweight, airy feel without appearing or feeling flimsy. Silky-smooth finish. Ventilated design manages heat and moisture effectively, especially in warmer climates. Available in several colors.

Cons

Pockets are much smaller than expected and won't fit larger phones.

Nike Dry Training Shorts
Nike
Dry Training Shorts
Sweat Management

This pair uses Nike's much-loved Dri-Fit technology to keep you cool; our expert owns several pairs of these.

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Sweat Management
Bottom Line

This pair uses Nike's much-loved Dri-Fit technology to keep you cool; our expert owns several pairs of these.

Pros

Wick-away material is soft, lightweight, and allows for non-restricted movement. Won't bunch up while you walk or engage in activity. Wearers are big fans of the 9-inch inseam. Extensive size range that includes big and tall sizes.

Cons

Some wearers felt the shorts ran or were cut small compared to other Nike shorts.

Russell Athletic Cotton Shorts with Pockets
Russell Athletic
Cotton Shorts with Pockets
Relaxed Fit

Our expert notes that it's hard to beat Russell Athletic's value and their shorts hold up very well.

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Relaxed Fit
Bottom Line

Our expert notes that it's hard to beat Russell Athletic's value and their shorts hold up very well.

Pros

Generously cut all-cotton shorts that are soft and breathable. Many wearers say they're ideal for yoga or low-impact training. Since they're affordable, many wearers invested in several pairs as their go-to shorts.

Cons

Thin material and single-stitch seams.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
September 27, 2021
30
Models
considered
14
Hours
researched
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The team that worked on this review
Our Top Picks
Under Armour
Best of the Best
Under Armour
Raid 10-Inch Workout Shorts
Bottom Line
A best-selling pair that our fitness expert personally attests to.
Shop Now
DSG
Best Bang for the Buck
DSG
Men's 8'' Agility Woven Shorts
Bottom Line
Our expert recommends these inexpensive and well-made shorts his clients love.
Shop Now
Adidas
Top Pick
Adidas
Designed 2 Move 3-Stripe Shorts
Bottom Line
Popular design that is well-made, very durable, and stylish, according to our expert.
Shop Now
Nike
Top Pick
Nike
Dry Training Shorts
Bottom Line
This pair uses Nike's much-loved Dri-Fit technology to keep you cool; our expert owns several pairs of these.
Shop Now
Russell Athletic
Top Pick
Russell Athletic
Cotton Shorts with Pockets
Bottom Line
Our expert notes that it's hard to beat Russell Athletic's value and their shorts hold up very well.
Shop Now
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