15 Best Workout Shorts for Men in 2022 That Look Pretty Great Outside of the Gym, Too

There is probably a big difference between the best Gym shorts for men and color people sports pants you’ve been doing bi-weekly sit-ups and leg raises in front of the TV for the past year. And if you’ve paused your gym membership (and still can’t find any adjustable dumbbells in stock), the best use of your fitness monthly budget right now could be just a new pair of performance shorts that will get you excited about the idea of ​​getting physically active outdoors regularly.

Over the past few years, we’ve sweated it out in a bunch of different gyms and running shorts. To determine the best we’ve looked at, price, durability, hand-feel, and a bunch of other variables. Are stretch performance fabrics really breathable? If there is a liner, does it really stay put or will it increase after the third deep fontanel? Where are the pockets and can they really succeed in holding the things one needs while doing different types of work? And, of course, are the shorts nice enough that you don’t mind doing some errands in them? on the road to run? Here are the 15 best workout shorts for men we’ve found. They will make you some profit and look pretty good doing it.

To see more Best workout clothes and equipment hand-picked by GQ editors, check out GQ Fitness Award.

The most versatile workout shorts

Outdoor Rectrek Voices Shorts

Outdoor Voices has produced some of our favorite workout shorts for years, and the Rectrek shorts may be their best yet. They are wind and water resistant and have almighty four-way stretch. Zippered pockets help keep your valuables safe while a dedicated headphone exit ensures you’re connected to your tunes without the risk of snagging them on any exercise equipment. any exercise. They are completely spacious and don’t shout “Hey, I’m going to exercise!” which is a great thing because they look good enough to wear with just about anything else.

Best cheap gym shorts

Super stretchy Uniqlo shorts

When you’re really trying to get the most out of your gym shorts (gym memberships cost money, after all), you need them to carry double duty and moonlight like pants. his daily thighs. Uniqlo’s ultra-stretch active shorts feature certifications to help you push yourself at the gym like sweat-wicking, quick-drying stretch fabric, elastic waistband and zip pockets. But the minimalist design helps it to be clear on glaring activewear territory. So no one will notice when you wear it as your daily driver. Plus, for just $25, you’ll squeeze every last penny.

The best workout shorts to get after working out at the gym

Ten thousand short periods of time

Ten Thousand makes a lot of exercise equipment, but it started back in 2014 with a pair of shorts and a simple shirt. We dug version 1.0, this version we tried again 2015, but the company spent years intervening to make small tweaks and design tweaks that made it even better. The updates retain the shorts’ ultra-minimalist aesthetic, but add a host of little hidden touches, including hidden zipper pockets. What you will notice most when actually using the shorts is how they move. Thanks to the non-bundle, no-pinch waistband and extremely flexible shell, the shorts somehow perfectly shape your body and can expand easily with your movements. If you’re looking for the best shorts to go completely crazy on the battlefield, look no further.

Best workout shorts for runners

Blacksmith running shorts “Ekiden”

Serious runners require serious running shorts. And no one takes running gear design more seriously than Tracksmith, the Boston brand that specializes in injecting a Fire Chariot-era aesthetic into modern marathon-ready gear. Its latest concoction is the high-slit shorts inspired by Japan’s Hakone Ekiden — the legendary 218-kilometer relay race — made from luxurious anti-bacterial mesh. You won’t be able to fit your phone into the 2.5-inch base, but the shorts manage to make space for two interior pockets that hold your keys or one of those race day sport goo packs.

The best full body workout shorts

Rhone “Mako” training shorts

The Rhone Mako short is an exerciser a little more than you might want to wear every day, but it all boils down to performance. Their stretchy fabric feels soft against your skin and produces a satisfying rustle with each successive stride. Its full zip standalone smartphone hip bag is the best-executed and safest of all the shorts we’ve tested. They are available in both 7-inch and 9-inch soles, so are a good choice for shorter guys and/or taller guys who want to show their thighs.

10 More Workout Shorts We Love

Patagonia Strider Pro Training Shorts

We wholeheartedly endorse the implementation of HIIT in 5 inch Patagonian baggiesBut if you prefer a slightly more chic Patagonia for training, these quick-drying shorts are ideal for runners, thanks to their ultra-slim design.

Lululemon THE short workout

Lululemon’s shorts are made of smooth, cool raw material that feels super luxurious to the touch. The shorts aren’t as substantial as the Outdoor Voices and Rhone shorts, but that also makes them breathable.

Adidas Squadra 17 training shorts

An extremely cheap, classic option. These won’t be your “forever” shorts, but they will hold up well for a few seasons.

Brooks Sherpa divided short exercises

If the idea of ​​3-inch running shorts gives you pause, jot down this pair’s perfect tagline: “less shorter, more speed”.

Nike Flex Stride Training Shorts

Nike shorts include a breathable and supportive soft inner lining. They also have multiple pockets to meet your PKW needs—two on the sides and one zipped pocket right on the butt.

Under Armor Locker workout shorts

Clean and unobtrusive, with a spacious 9-inch sole, these lightweight training shorts come in about a billion colors.

Mack Weldon Stratus Short Activity

Whether you’re working out or not, Mack Weldon’s Stratus active shorts will keep you at the perfect body temperature thanks to their 37.5-inch fabric and laser-cut ventilation holes. They also have a generous amount of stretch if you need to really get your body in.

Comfortable Running Rippy 3″ trail shorts

Most gym shorts are plain or bright enough to see from space. Okay, so these leopard print joints are incorrect Quiet, but they’re definitely the most fun types out there — they also happen to be some of the best for running. They’re slim enough to be streamlined but spacious enough for your essentials like a power bar, keys, and phone (don’t worry, they’re all sweatproof). They’re like a feather and durable over long operating sessions, and the fabric feels like silk (i.e. no tearing here).

Rec Gen 2 short

If the AirPods buds tend to fall out of your ears on a second squat, or you’re simply for the sake of your trusty full-wired headphones, the Rec Gen could be a good choice. The brand’s shorts come with a small earphone pocket with a lanyard knot, which leads them up to the ears along the back to ensure you don’t get tangled up in your curls.

Outerknown Outbound stretches short volley

As with any Outerknown product, these shorts thrive at the beach. But with details like quick-drying four-way stretch fabric, a secure zip pocket, and a comfortable elastic waistband that can also hold a towel, you’ll know these details are built to wick away sweat when you hit the gym.