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The best shorts for men to look cool on those sweltering hot days

Pick up the best shorts to make your legs look great this summer

Chubbies The Armadas 5.5 inch Shorts
Chubbies The Armadas Shorts
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J.Crew Dock Short
J.Crew Dock Shorts
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Faherty 7 inch All Day Shorts
Faherty All Day Shorts
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Buck Mason 6-Inch Deck Shorts
Buck Mason 6-Inch Deck Shorts
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Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Mesh Shorts
Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Mesh Shorts
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Fabletics The One Short
Fabletics The One Short
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New Balance Accelerate 5 inch Shorts
New Balance Accelerate 5-Inch Shorts
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Vuori Kore Short
Vuori Kore Short
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UNTUCKit x David Hart Montauk Drawstring Short
UNTUCKit x David Hart Montauk Drawstring Short
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Travis Mathew Beck Short
Travis Mathew Beck Short
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The weather is changing. As the summer approaches and the sun begins cooking you on the sidewalks and in the parks, you will start to ditch the jeans and chinos in favor of shorts. There are dozens of options when you start to shop for new and better styles for your wardrobe. Whether you are looking for the longer golf shorts or the Magnum P.I. length thigh displayers, we have a collection of the best shorts for men.

The collection offers a range of inseams, but they all sit above the knee, which is a good rule to follow. Today's best men's shorts are slim but not constricting, thanks to lightweight and flexible materials. So don't be afraid to show off more skin this year. Just be careful to avoid uncomfortable burns by applying extra sunscreen; remember, your legs haven't seen the sun for months.

Man in Chubbies Shorts laying on the hood of a car while holding a grape over his mouth.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Chubbies The Armadas Shorts

Chubbies didn't invent short-shorts, but they kept the trend alive for years. If you wanted an inseam shorter than 9 inches before 2015, Chubbies were your best bet. They still make some of the most stylish and comfortable shorts around, with inseams ranging from 4 to 7 inches.

Chubbies The Armadas 5.5 inch Shorts
Chubbies The Armadas Shorts
The J.Crew Stretch Chino Dock Short in Nantucket Red.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

J.Crew Dock Shorts

J.Crew offers vintage preppy style with heritage to back it up. Drawstring chino shorts are definitively as 1980s preppy as it gets. Bonus points if you get them in Nantucket Red. Then all you'll need is a navy polo, boat shoes, and a pair of club masters.

J.Crew Dock Short
J.Crew Dock Shorts
A Faherty All Day Short in 7 inch inseam on a model.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Faherty All Day Shorts

Faherty is the eponymous brand of two brothers who grew up surfing at the Jersey shore. They designed their signature All Day Shorts to meet the needs of a long day at the beach that melts casually into a long night at the beach with no time or need to change your shorts. They're comfortable enough to lounge in, functional enough to surf in, and stylish enough to dress up.

Faherty 7 inch All Day Shorts
Faherty All Day Shorts
A Buck Mason 6-inch deck shorts in light gray.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Buck Mason 6-Inch Deck Shorts

These quick-drying shorts by Buck Mason are cut from blended cotton with four-way stretch with a 6-inch inseam that's perfect no matter what the weather is. These shorts have an elastic waist, a drawstring, and a drainage hole in the back pocket for those times you just need to jump in the lake.

Buck Mason 6-Inch Deck Shorts
Buck Mason 6-Inch Deck Shorts
A pair of red Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Shorts on gray background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Mesh Shorts

Tracksmith is known for its running shorts, but these mesh shorts are great at setting up that classic varsity-prep styling found on university campuses in the 1960s. These antimicrobial shorts are lightweight, hit the sweet spot in inseam length, and are stitched together in three different panels for added comfort. You have worked hard building those legs in the gym all winter. Now it is time to show them off.

Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Mesh Shorts
Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Mesh Shorts
A Fabletics The One short on shirtless model.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fabletics The One Short

These are some of the most versatile shorts. The One Short allows you to train, swim, and live your best life because of the lightweight material. Fabletics has created a streamlined fit that is quick to dry and has anti-stink technology. Whether you are out for a run or at the gym, the built-in secure zippered pocket will hold your keys, so you don't drop them on the running path or accidentally leave them next to a machine.

Fabletics The One Short
Fabletics The One Short
A New Balance Accelerate Shorts in navy on gray background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

New Balance Accelerate 5-Inch Shorts

Runners love 5-inch inseams because there's less restriction of movement. Running is inherently minimalistic, requiring hardly any gear. These New Balance shorts serve their purpose well, and they do simple style well, too.

New Balance Accelerate 5 inch Shorts
New Balance Accelerate 5-Inch Shorts
A Vuori Camo Short against blank background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Vuori Kore Short

The Vuori Kore short is an excellent classic athletic fit short that falls just around the knee. They are available in a variety of colors, all with moisture-wicking anti-odor material. We don't technically recommend going commando, but if you must, you can because of the breathable boxer brief liner. With these kinds of colors available, there are dozens of style options to pair with your wardrobe.

Vuori Kore Short
Vuori Kore Short
UNTUCKit x David Hart Drawstring Short
Image used with permission by copyright holder

UNTUCKit x David Hart Montauk Drawstring Short

Very few people in the public eye made the nautical look as cool as John F. Kennedy. And nothing screams JFK coolness like a trip to Montauk, the coastal end of Long Island. If you want to emulate the coolness of New York's favorite nautical Commander-in-chief, then grab yourself these David Hart-designed drawstring shorts from UNTUCKit.

UNTUCKit x David Hart Montauk Drawstring Short
UNTUCKit x David Hart Montauk Drawstring Short
Travis Mathew Beck Short
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Travis Mathew Beck Short

When you want to find yourself some comfortable clothes that are as equally fashionable as they are functional, golf apparel companies are a hidden gem. Travis Mathew is one of the tops in the game, and these Beck shorts are going to be one of your favorite and most comfortable thanks to their 4-way stretch fabric.

Travis Mathew Beck Short
Travis Mathew Beck Short

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Wear with Athletic Wear?

When wearing athletic or athleisure clothing, keep in mind the activity you will be doing. Your main running or workout attire should include a well-fitting shirt, shorts, socks, and appropriate trainers or sneakers.

When choosing a running shirt, you have several options. You can wear a short-sleeved shirt with moisture-wicking material for quick drying; you can wear loose-fitting tank tops or loose-fitting athletic t-shirts. You should wear a pair of synthetic socks or something like Merino wool to help absorb sweat. Cotton socks are typically reserved for light workouts. Your shoes should have a proper toe fit of about a thumb's width of space between your toe and shoe. Your foot arch and heel should feel snug and tight enough.

What Do You Wear with Casual Shorts?

Depending on the shorts, you can wear a long-sleeved button-down or a short-sleeve shirt, a polo shirt, and even some t-shirts will work. No matter what type of top you go with, you must ensure the shirt fits well and is an appropriate length.

Regarding footwear and men's shorts, you should stick with boat shoes, loafers, sandals, flip-flops, and even leather, suede, or canvas sneakers. Try to avoid wearing your tennis shoes with your casual shorts; those should be reserved for running or workouts.

Shorts are arguably the most essential item for your summer wardrobe. You can choose longer shorts, shorter shorts, bright colors, dark colors, or anything in between. But no matter what, you can simply use this list to ensure you are always stylish, even while staying cool.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark McKee
Contributor
Mark is a full-time freelance writer and men's coach. He spent time as a style consultant and bespoke suit salesman before…
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