15 Best Workout Shorts for Men of 2026: Ten Thousand, Vuori, Nike, and More

The Best Workout Shorts for Men Unlock Another GearThe shorter the shorts, the greater the gains. It's gym science.Yes, our forebears managed just fine in sweatpant cutoffs, but why settle? The best workout shorts for men can make every workout a little easier, keeping you focused on your reps instead of forever freeing your shorts from your cheeks or watching your phone flung across the room for the fifth time.Fitness has become a much bigger part of my life over the past few years, and between my own training and swapping notes with the rest of my colleagues, we've collectively tested countless of workout shorts from every major athletic brand. Whether you're after a thigh-baring 5-inch inseam or a roomier, hoop-ready fit, these are the pairs we recommend without hesitation.The Best Men's Workout Shorts, According to GQBest Workout Shorts OverallNike Unlimited Dri-Fit Unlined Versatile ShortsRead moreBest Upgrade Workout ShortsTen Thousand Interval ShortsRead moreBest Budget Workout ShortsGymshark Arrival ShortsRead moreBest for Cross-TrainingLululemon License to TrainRead moreBest for RunningBandit Vento Run ShortRead moreBest for Everyday WearAmerican Trench O.E. Classic Mesh ShortRead moreBest Compression Workout Shorts2XU Light Speed Compression ShortsRead moreMore Workout Shorts We LoveWhat to Look for in Workout ShortsHow We TestedBest Workout Shorts Overall: Nike Dri-Fit Unlined Versatile ShortsNikeUnlimited Dri-Fit Unlined Versatile ShortsIt downright blasphemous to talk about workout gear without mentioning Nike. There's a reason the Swoosh is the biggest name in sportswear: it rarely overcomplicates the basics. Just about every person I've talked to for this guide has a pair of Dri-Fit shorts in their rotation. They're comfortable and versatile enough to handle any workout you can throw at them, whether you're lifting, logging miles, or squeezing in a quick HIIT class before work.They're made from Nike's signature moisture-wicking fabric and keep things simple with two side pockets and a back pocket. They come in a dizzying number of colors, inseams, and variations, and they're almost always on sale somewhere. If you only plan on owning one pair of workout shorts, just keep it simple and grab a few pairs.Best Upgrade Workout Shorts: Ten Thousand Interval ShortsTen ThousandInterval ShortsTen Thousand got its start back in 2014 with a simple pair of exercise shorts and a shirt. We were fans from the beginning, trying the original shorts back in 2015, and what's impressed us most is that the brand hasn't chased flashy redesigns. Instead, it's spent the last decade making small, thoughtful tweaks that have only made the Interval better.The Interval still looks reassuringly simple, but over the years the brand has added thoughtful details, like hidden zip pockets, without overcomplicating what made the shorts great in the first place. After countless workouts in these GQ Fitness Award-winning shorts, the thing I appreciate most is how they move. Thanks to the un-bunchable, pinch-free waistband and extremely flexible shell, they move with your body instead of against it. If you're looking for the best shorts for going absolutely nuts on the battle ropes, look no further.Best Budget Workout Shorts: Gymshark Arrival ShortsSpend enough time at your local gym and you're bound to spot plenty of Gymshark. I've lost count of how many Arrival shorts I've seen on leg day. The British brand built its reputation on making workout gear that doesn't cost a fortune, and the Arrival shorts are a perfect example. They're about as little as we'd recommend spending on gym bottoms unless you're down for mooning your fellow gym-goers while hitting that deep, deep squat. (We can't promise your membership will survive.)Thee slim fit does a nice job of showing off your hard-earned quads without feeling restrictive, and the broad size range (from XS to 3XL) means just about anyone can find a pair that fits, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. If you're building out your gym wardrobe or just don't see the point in shelling out more than $30 on workout shorts, these are an easy recommendation.Best for Cross-Training: Lululemon License to TrainLululemonLicense to TrainLululemon may be branching out as of late, but activewear is still its home turf. The License to Train shorts don't care what workout you've got planned, handling runs, lifts, climbs, or whatever else gets your heart rate up.From my experience, they hold up to endless contact against a barbell during deadlifts, but they're still light enough to all but disappear when I'm wrapping up a long run. Zippered pockets are a huge plus, too, keeping your phone and keys exactly where you left them no matter what's on the workout docket.Best for Running: Bandit Vento Run ShortBandit's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. In just a few years, the New York brand has become one of the biggest names in running, thanks to thoughtfully designed gear that actually makes you want to lace up.The Vento shorts are an exceptional running buddy, decked out with more pockets than we're used to seeing on a pair of running shorts. Two compression pockets (big enough to fit the big iPhone), two side slant pockets, and a zippered pocket keep all your essentials close on long runs, while the clean, understated design looks just as good grabbing a post-run coffee as it does chasing a new PR.Best for Everyday: American Trench Original Equipment Classic Mesh ShortAmerican TrenchO.E. Classic Mesh ShortWe're all in favor of mesh shorts, whether they're the raggedy pair you've been hanging onto since high school gym class or the oversized ones Adam Sandler wears everywhere. Original Equipment, the sportswear sub-label from American Trench, makes a strong case for the humble mesh short with a pair that's cut and sewn in Pennsylvania.The Classic Mesh Short reminds us why there will always be a place for this old-school gym staple. The no-frills fit and modest (but not prudish) 6.5-inch inseam get just about everything right. Numerous folks on the GQ team have them in their regular rotation, which might be the strongest endorsement I can give.Best Compression Workout Shorts: 2XU Light Speed Compression Shorts2XULight Speed Compression ShortsDon't call them tights. (OK, fine, they're tights.) Compression shorts might look intimidating, but once you get over the sausage-casing aesthetic, they're one of the easiest ways to give your legs a little extra support on longer runs and tougher training days.2XU's Light Speed compression shorts hug your legs without feeling restrictive, helping reduce fatigue while keeping everything comfortably locked in. Sure, they're a bit of a wrestling match to pull on and peel off, but that's a trade-off I'm happy to make every time I check my stats after a run.More Workout Shorts We LoveVuoriKore ShortThe Kore Short is one of Vuori's greatest hits for a reason. Between the multiple inseams, lined and linerless options, and buttery four-way stretch, it's the kind of workout short you'll end up buying in more than one color.SatisfySpace-O ShortsSatisfy has become the running brand of choice for the fashion crowd, but the Space-O shorts back up the hype. From the laser-perforated shell to the double waistband with a sweat-resistant phone pocket, every detail feels like it was designed by someone who actually runs.TracksmithVan Cortlandt ShortsNobody does running style quite like Tracksmith. The Van Cortlandt shorts are a modern classic at this point, channeling vintage marathon vibes better than anything else on the market. And while we'd love a proper phone pocket, we're willing to forgive them because they look that damn good.Reigning ChampSolotex Mesh Tiebreak Standard ShortReigning Champ remains one of our favorite brands for elevated activewear and everyday basics, and the Solotex Mesh Tiebreak shorts are a big reason why. The fabric is unbelievably soft, dries in a flash, and makes most performance shorts feel a little ordinary.Russell AthleticMesh Pocket ShortRussell Athletic has been in the workout clothes game longer than just about anybody, and its classic mesh shorts are still tough to beat if you're after a no-frills option. The roomy fit and 9-inch inseam are ideal for hooping, or just leaning all the way into an oversized, slubby fit.AdidasSprinter ShortsNo, Adidas' Sprinter shorts aren't the most technical pair in this guide. But pull them on before a run or a pickup game and you'll feel at least a little bit like Jude Bellingham. Sometimes that's reason enough.Literary SportMarcus Short with BriefWe found these shorts from red-hot activewear brand Literary Sport apt for any sweaty endeavor: hiking, lifting, humid summer days, and beyond. A lot of that goes to a classic fit that's not thigh-skimmingly tight or overtly baggy. It's a happy medium that's not always easy to find.AloCircuit ShortAlo has become the unofficial uniform of Calabasas baddies, but the Circuit shorts aren't just for looking good on an Erewhon run. They're comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and more than capable of holding their own in an actual workout.What to Look for in Workout ShortsBefore you start comparing inseams and pocket layouts, here's what we pay attention to every time we test a new pair of workout shorts—and what you should be looking for, too.Fit & Inseam: Some guys swear by a 5-inch inseam. Others won't touch anything shorter than 7. There's no right answer. It just depends on how you train. The important part is that your shorts move with you, not against you. If you're constantly adjusting them between sets, something's gone wrong.Fabric: Most workout shorts are made from polyester or nylon blends with a touch of spandex for stretch. Polyester tends to be lighter and dries faster, while nylon has a softer, more premium feel, but the best fabrics are breathable, moisture-wicking, and comfortable.Storage & Features: This is where spending a little more money often pays off. Thoughtful details like zippered pockets that actually fit your phone, liners that stay put, and waistbands that don't roll over halfway through a workout can make the difference between a pair that's merely fine and one you genuinely enjoy training in.Versatility: If you're training for something specific, buy the shorts built for the job. But for most guys, versatility goes a long way. We tend to favor shorts that can handle a run, a lift, or a weekend pickup game without missing a beat.How We TestedOver the past few years, we've sweated through a wide array of gym and running shorts for this very guide. Along the way, we've also talked to fitness coaches, running experts, and the rest of the GQ team about the pairs they actually train in. Many of our favorites have also been recognized in our annual Fitness Awards, giving them an extra round of vetting from editors and testers we trust.With every pair, we're asking the same questions. Is the fabric breathable enough to keep swamp crotch at bay? Does the liner stay put through squats, sprints, and lunges? Do the pockets actually hold your phone without bouncing around? And after a few weeks of training, are these the shorts we still want to wear? Those answers helped us narrow the field to the pairs we'd confidently recommend to anyone looking to upgrade their workout kit.For more workout-ready gear and apparel, check out the GQ Gym Shop.Tyler Chin is GQ's associate wellness & grooming editor. He'll occasionally dabble in the menswear space, but otherwise you'll usually catch him trying out new headphones, lifting in fresh workout gear, or testing out the latest and greatest in skin care. Before he ended up at GQ, he worked at ... Read More