Staying motivated to workout is hard. One great way to stay on top of your fitness routine is to keep your workout clothes fresh and comfortable, particularly your shorts. The best workout shorts for men are moisture-wicking, flexible, durable, and stylish. Let’s not forget that the proper fit and length are essential when choosing the right workout shorts, as well. Pockets are a bonus, too — especially if they are zippered and spacious enough to hold your essentials while exercising.
Although there’s no shortage of options in the world, there are only a few pairs of workout shorts that can truly check all of these boxes. What’s great is you don’t have to search far and wide to find them, as we’ve put together a list of the best men’s workout shorts — all of which are pulled from the best workout clothing brands. Throw a pair of these guys into your gym bag and get ready to sweat this fall.
For the more run-heavy individual, Janji’s 3-inch inseam Split Shorts are recommended. They come with a built-in performance brief liner, and they’re cut with a deep side split to ensure full mobility when striding. Another great feature is the zippered back pocket that’s big enough to toss your phone in.
If you’re looking for ultra-comfortable shorts, whether to wear them at the gym or on the couch, you can’t go wrong with Champion, purveyor of some of the coziest jersey knits in the game. We’ve found more of the best athleisure brands like this one to browse as well.
Lululemon’s Pacebreaker short is pretty much the going standard for workout shorts these days. Simply put, they set a new level of expectations for what activewear should feel like. These come in a 7-inch inseam and feature a 3D pouched liner. Whether it be yoga, Peloton-ing, weightlifting, or even throwing the football, you’ll own a durable workout short for years to come.
Best for Monitoring Body Temp: Smartwool Merino Short
For those who want a versatile 5-inch inseam short, Smartwool has an answer. Made with their Merino Sport 150 material, these shorts will limit odor, regulate body temperature, and quick-dry like the best of them. And if you find the weather’s too nice to stay inside, the Merino Short is a solid choice for wearing out on a trail run.
Flex Stride is the sustainable choice for runners—they’re made with 100% recycled polyester. They feature a 5-inch inseam and a split hem on the side for a full range of motion. Not to mention they come in great colors like this mint green, for instance.
On Running is home to some of the best running gear and the Hybrid Short is a clear standout. Though slightly pricey, these shorts are incredibly breathable, durable, and mobile, built as they are to move with the person wearing them. What’s especially interesting about these running shorts is their two-in-one design, which means you can wear the breathable outer shell or the interior compression layer independent of one another.
Featuring an odor-free silver lining, temperature-regulating tech and reflective side details, the Active Short from Mack Weldon packs a serious punch. In addition to all these functional specs, the shorts also have a hidden pocket in the back for your cell phone or other essentials.
In this case, the name really says it all. Here, you’ll find a pair of incredibly versatile gym shorts designed with an adjustable interior waistband, zippered invisible pocket, and lightweight, quick-drying fabric exterior. Whether you’re getting your cardio on or making your way through leg day, these bad boys will definitely see you through.
Though known primarily as an outdoor clothing brand, Patagonia also sells some great gym clothes, like the Strider Running Short. Made from recycled polyester stretch material, these shorts are built to move with you, allowing for a wide range of motion that’s ideal for high-intensity workouts.
Luwell’s running shorts are among the top-rated workout duds on Amazon for their lightweight material, moisture-wicking features, and their myriad pockets for storage.
Ten Thousand has steadily made a name for itself in the athleisure sphere over the past few years for its uber-functional garments. Case in point: The brand’s new workout shorts that double as swimming trunks, and are tested by Navy Seals and marine rangers, so you know they’re the real deal.
We can’t stop raving about Vuori’s signature shorts. They feature a blend of moisture-wicking fabrics that also fend off odors, provide plenty of support for your family jewels, and give you ample pocket room for your phone or outdoor gear.
On top of being anti-odor and sweat-wicking, this was one of the few workout shorts we tried, and we found they provide plenty of secure pocket space that won’t let things fall out when you’re exercising, whether you’re carrying tennis balls, your keys, or other EDC.
When I was a groomsman in my twenties, I was too broke for gifts. The best I could offer was a thoughtful card and a colorful toast after the wine started flowing. Youthful charm more or less excused showing up empty-handed—along with overindulging in Champagne and making passes at bridesmaids. As I approach forty, however, it’s not quite as cute. Forgoing a gift is as tacky as staring at the bride’s décolletage.
Wedding gifts are often items for the couple: coffee makers, bedding, fancy soap dispensers. But leave such boring gewgaws to great-aunts, chums of the bride’s parents, or the family dentist no one expected actually to show up. As a groomsman, you have a duty to present your stalwart pal with loot he’ll cherish. A beautiful bottle of whiskey. A handsome watch. Perhaps some art for his (gentle)man cave.
Breitling’s new Miles Davis watch is also a preview of its upcoming social club
Long before influencer partnerships existed, Miles Davis was doing unpaid brand work for Breitling just by wearing his Navitimer on stage. The watchmaker is finally returning the favor with a 500-piece tribute marking the jazz legend’s centennial.
Davis famously wore a Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 Mk5 throughout the 1960s, and this new release is built to recreate the specifics of that exact watch rather than just gesture at the era.
Zenith’s most famous chronograph line just lost its chronograph
Can you even call something a Chronomaster if it doesn’t have a chronograph?! Zenith thinks so — the Swiss manufacturer’s new Chronomaster Solo Sport has, for the first time in the collection’s history, absolutely no chronograph function anywhere on it.
The Chronomaster line has existed to showcase El Primero, the automatic chronograph movement Zenith launched in 1969. Its famous for its 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) high-frequency beat and its ability to time down to a tenth of a second. Every Chronomaster before this one basically built its entire identity around that stopwatch function.
