The Summer of Love was a beautiful time for dudes to flaunt their legs with the best short shorts for men. Sure, guys still rely on shorts to keep them feeling breezy and comfortable. But in doing so, they tend to need to remember there’s a science to looking good in shorter legwear.
Bermuda-style shorts are all well and good, but they often distort the natural shape of your legs and make you look bigger than you are. Short shorts give people a much better idea of what you’re working with. They look especially great if you’ve been pushing those leg muscles to the limit.
So bring out the best in your legs, or stay cozy around the house. Either way, we’ve picked out some of the best short shorts for men on today’s market.
OUR TOP PICKSBest Overall Short Shorts:
Slim Fit Performance Chino Shorts at EverlaneBest Short Golf Shorts:
Flat Front Shorts at PGA TOUR SUPERSTOREBest Short Swim Shorts:
Striped Swim Shorts at ClosedBest Short Cargo Shorts:
Drawstring Cargo Shorts at ClosedBest Short Athletic Shorts:
Men’s UA Launch Shorts at AmazonBest Short Workout Shorts:
New Balance Men’s Accelerate Shorts at Amazon
In This Article
- Our Top 6 Picks
- Best Of The Rest
- What To Look For
- Men’s Short-Shorts FAQs
BEST OVERALL SHORT SHORTS: EVERLANE SLIM FIT PERFORMANCE CHINO SHORTS
You really can’t go wrong with Everlane clothes. The slim fit trims your thighs to perfection, but that little elastane gives you just enough stretch to keep you comfortable.
These shorts absorb sweat like nobody’s business, making them the perfect thing to wear in the summer. Throw on a white tee with low-cut shoes, and you’re set for the day.
You can get them in half a dozen alluring colors. Although our favorite must be navy, it works great with brighter and darker tops. And if you’re extra tall and don’t want them too short, you can always go for the nine-inch inseam instead.
BEST SHORT GOLF SHORTS: PGA TOUR FLAT FRONT SHORTS
Men’s shorts were sometimes in vogue for pro golfers, but times have changed. Comfortable, airy, and shockingly affordable, these polyester shorts exude style and give you a solid range of movement. Also, thanks to the MotionFlux seams, you can twist all you want without worrying about that hole in one.
Golf is a lot sweatier than it looks on TV–that is, it would be if it weren’t for the DriFlux design on these shorts. If you want to be the best-looking guy on the golf course, you can pick from four unique colors to match your favorite polo shirt. These shorts also make a great gift for golf enthusiasts.
BEST SHORT SWIM SHORTS: CLOSED STRIPED SWIM SHORTS
You’ll be cutting through the water like a shark with these beautiful swimming trunks by Closed. Don’t let the pajama-like design fool you. The elastic waist enables you to unleash your inner Michael Phelps. You won’t look too shabby on dry land, either.
Whenever you’re not swimming, follow the styling suggestion of Closed. The orange and indigo versions look great with a crisp white t-shirt. You’ll also have your share of pockets, including a nifty Velcro one in the back to store all your valuables.
BEST SHORT CARGO SHORTS: DRAWSTRING CARGO SHORTS
No matter how you feel about cargo shorts, the comfort factor makes these bad boys some of the best men’s shorts. If your idea of a good time is a beer at the park with your buddies, throw these on and style them with the matching cargo jacket. Alternatively, green, beige, and white t-shirts will look great with low-cut sneakers.
Unlike most denim shorts, you don’t have to wear a belt with these since they come with an elastic waistband. Don’t worry; the zipper-button combo separates these things from regular lounge shorts you’d wear to bed.
BEST SHORT ATHLETIC SHORTS: MEN’S UA LAUNCH SHORTS
Short shorts for men are an absolute must for guys who need their morning run. These things look fabulous on a good pair of legs, but more importantly, the mesh lining keeps your undercarriage breezy for hours. That’s not even the most significant selling point here. The all-polyester build will make you practically forget you’re wearing shorts.
The trademark four-way stretch gives your legs impressive mobility, and the power mesh phone pocket keeps your device safely in place. So feel free to run like the wind while you listen to your favorite workout jams.
BEST SHORT WORKOUT SHORTS: NEW BALANCE MEN’S ACCELERATE SHORTS
These are the best shorts for men who live and breathe fitness. The quintessential summer workout wear, if you will. Whichever color you go for, that iconic side stripe and New Balance logo show everyone you mean business.
The fit and function of these beauties are on another level. The crepe liner is a significant factor that keeps your nether region nice and comfortable. You also will keep your keys and change at the gym since you can tuck everything away in the inner pocket for safekeeping.
THE BEST OF THE REST
POLO RALPH LAUREN EMBROIDERED DENIM DRAWSTRING SHORTS
To no one’s surprise, Ralph Lauren is behind some of the best short shorts for men on the market. If you like your denim, these shorts are for you, but you must still let your calves breathe. No pesky zippers or buttons here–that trusty elastic keeps these snug around your waist with pure cotton comfort.
You can rock these shorts at beach parties and casual outings without a second thought. Just keep them off if you’re doing something remotely formal. You can do a little cheaper than these, but you can only do a bit better regarding comfort and summer cool factor.
ENJOY MEN’S RUNNING SHORTS
The best shorts for men used to be very short, and shorts brands like TENJOY are returning to that trend. The convenient split-leg design makes everything from full-body stretches to side splits possible. These shorts are famous for their range of motion.
Three-inch inseams are only for some, but if you try them, you can find them in virtually any color. You also get two nifty zipper pockets and an airy outer layer that still protects your thighs from bruises during more intense exercises.
J. CREW STRETCH CHINO SHORTS
Many of the best short shorts for men take the chino approach to hit that sweet spot between elegant and casual. It’s hard not to throw on a Henley shirt and show these J.Crews off at the nearest bar.
Unlike many denim, the slightly stretchy fit makes these shorts look flattering on most body types, highlighting your legs in the best possible way. The cotton quality is exceptional, and the elastane lets you limbo on the beach without worrying about rips and tears. So grab your favorite Henley and limbo away.
TODD SNYDER WEEKEND SHORTS
One of the best examples of casual legwear, Todd Snyder’s short shorts are always a safe pick for guys of all shapes and sizes. Although you can get them with a longer inseam, the five inches are great for showing off your leg biceps.
This is one of the most universal picks on our list. They’re ideal for unwinding on your sofa, but the Tencel also helps absorb much moisture if you work up sweat off your couch. All left is throw some sandals and a light-colored, “summer-y” tee and strut your stuff at the beach.
AIMPACT SLEEP BOTTOMS
AMIPACT’s briefs are cushy yet durable, perfect for guys who roll around a lot in their sleep. Thanks to the cotton, polyester, and spandex combo, you won’t sweat buckets in your sleep anymore.
And since the inseam is so short, you can wear these shorts around the house well after you’re out of bed. On sweltering days, you can even do some yard work (they have decently sized-pockets for your phone).
There’s even a handy zippered section for your cash if you need more time to dress up for the store. However, the loose fit might be problematic for a night on the town.
ASLIMAN BODYBUILDING SHORTS
The best short shorts for men put comfort first, and that’s definitely what these Nike wonders are all about. They’re ideal for both sleeping and intensive workouts–perfect.
You’re lucky if you can get two decent pockets on most casual shorts, but the extra back pocket is excellent storage for lighter workouts. A bodybuilder can look the part wearing these bad boys, but the lack of zippers means you’ll want to be careful not to drop anything.
They come in all the traditional “manly” colors, but there is a bolder reddish option for our confident beefcake readers.
AMAZON GOODREADS SLIM FIT SHORTS
Amazon is on the cutting edge of fashion, and its signature Goodthreads are among the best short shorts for men you can get today. These are the shorts you can turn to for a night out. The grainy fabric pattern gives them the kind of detail that’s hard to come by in more casual trunks.
If your thighs are noticeably more extensive than the rest of your legs (we know the struggle), you can rely on the tapered fit to straighten things out. You can get these in just about every size you need–bonus. And with so many colors to pick from, you’re bound to have a matching short-sleeved button-down for that relaxed yet fresh aesthetic.
MAAMGIC CASUAL SHORTS
It would help if you had well-defined leg muscles to get away with these, but the good news is they go great with colorful shoes and Hawaiian-style shirts. If ever there was a pair of summer festival or beach party shorts, it’s these puppies.
A bit of spandex is sprinkled into the mostly-organic cotton formula, giving you that classic blend of cozy and stretchy. And the pockets are nice and deep, so you get a lot of storage space without unnecessary bloating around the thighs.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEARCHING FOR THE BEST SHORT SHORTS FOR MEN
The best short shorts for men are only a click away, but you should pay your due diligence before buying. Here are some of the things you may want to keep in mind:
MATERIAL
All the best men’s shorts primarily help your legs breathe, so you can’t go wrong with a comfy cotton build. If you want a low-maintenance pair of shorts that can get you through a weekend of partying, go with polyester. You’ll never have to worry about creases.
FIT
The best short shorts for men will only do you good if you’re comfortable. You’ll want a breathable pair around the waist without falling off. It would help if you were always looking for elastic waistbands, and drawstrings never hurt. But you can always opt for synthetic fabric shorts and prop them up with a stylish belt.
