The Best Shorts for Men, Tested by Style Editors

Wrangler’s classic cargo short has more than 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and our editors co-sign its greatness. That’s because it’s built like our favorite pair of jeans, but made for summer. Made with a cotton-spandex blend, it’s incredibly durable, but has a broken-in feel that can handle yard work, but is comfortable enough for grabbing beers after. It’s got a relaxed fit that keeps it super breathable, and it’s got tons of pockets so your phone, keys, or tools won’t be going anywhere. Would we recommend wearing this to a dinner party? Of course not. But, it’s got a laidback aesthetic that works for all your casual hangouts. Rugged, reliable, and surprisingly comfortable, I think it hits the perfect summer staple trifecta.

Huckberry’s in-house brand makes some quality, no-fuss basics. Take its chino short, which is built like your favorite office pants but re-engineered for summer. It’s cut from a cotton-spandex blend that’s breathable, but has enough stretch to keep up with your weekend adventures. It’s reinforced with double-needle stitching around the waist and thighs so it won’t blow out or sag even after heavy rotation.

While it comes in three length options, I like the 7-inch inseam, which hits above the knee for most guys without feeling too short. It also comes in 11 (!!!) colors, so you’re sure to find one that suits your style. One note: we did find that this runs a bit small on guys with thicker thighs (like our jacked model for this photoshoot), so I recommend going up a size if you’re serious about leg day.

I’ve waxed poetically about Bonobos’ eternally wearable chinos, so it’s no surprise that the brand makes equally-great chino shorts. Think of this one as your cheat code for business casual dressing this summer. It’s got a soft cotton stretch blend, with the kind of give that keeps you comfortable though long lunches, or sprinting to catch the train. The fabric’s also garment-washed, which means they’ve got that easy, broken-in feel from day one.

In fact, our editors say they feel super comfortable straight out of the box, like they’ve already owned them for a few summers. The fit is balanced: slim without being clingy, with a nice mid-thigh length that works with most body types, and plays nice with sneakers, loafers, or sandals. Plus, it comes in more colors than you’ll know what to do with, so you’ll find a style that suits you. IMO, these are the shorts to grab when you want to look put together, but not too stuffy.

These budget-friendly golf shorts are a bestseller with Men’s Health’s readers, and it’s easy to see why. Made with a polyester-spandex blend, it’s got a hint of stretch that moves with you, whether you’re crushing a drive down the fairway, or plowing through your weekend errands. Plus, it’s moisture-wicking, so you can stay relatively cool and dry even when temps start to rise. Testers say the short sits comfortably high at the waist, and ends just above the knee that looks clean, but not stuffy. Style-wise, it’s just as home at the country club as it is at the pub. And for the price, it punches well above its weight.

Linen shorts are my first pick when summer hits because they do an exceptional job at keeping you cool and dry when the temps become unbearable. That’s especially true for expensive quality linen, but Quince offers it at a budget-friendly price. I wear this pair repeatedly because it has that easy, flowy drape that never clings. I wore it on a trip to Puerto Rico in that hot, sticky no-escape humidity, and the linen fabric didn’t stick to my legs once. The material is so breathable and light, so I never felt damp or had to swap into a backup pair from my suitcase.

It’s already smooth off the rack (not that scratchy coarse linen), and after four washes, it only becomes softer. Quince cut this short with a 7-inch inseam that lands comfortably above the knee, which looks sharp for a beachside lunch or resort dinner. It’s versatile enough that I’ve worn it with different tops: a matching linen camp shirt, a tank top or gone shirtless for a poolside day. The fit walks the line of being tailored yet relaxed enough without veering into baggy territory. I remember catching a breeze straight through the fabric, thinking this is what shorts are supposed to feel like.

Bermuda shorts are so back, but not in the baggy, awkward way you might remember from the ‘90s. Today’s best Bermuda shorts have a longer inseam, but have a clean cut that makes you look like a grown man. Take this one from Mango that I wore in St. Kitts. It has a slim (but not sloppy) cut with a longer length that hits that sweet spot just above the knee.

And because it’s made from 100% linen, it’s light and breathable, so you can throw this on when temps really start to heat up. It’s one of the dressier options on our list, and I recommend pairing this with a button-down linen shirt (in a different color), or your go-to polo. But this can still be worn with a white T-shirt or tank top for a foolproof casual fit.

Uniqlo offers an affordable everyday short that doubles as a workout short. It’s treated with the brand’s proprietary DRY-EX technology, a moisture-wicking fabric that dries down in minutes. I can attest to its quick-drying capabilities having worn it running on the treadmill, on a boat, and during torrential downpours. The polyester fabric is so stretchy like a rubberband, so you can pull it in every direction (without it feeling flimsy). I can bend, twist, and turn without any restriction.

I love the roomier cut and 5-inch inseam, which offers enough coverage for leg day and doesn’t ride up as I’m doing squats or lunges. When I’m not working out in this short, I’ll pair it with a t-shirt and sneakers for a laid-back fit to lunch or park. At $39, you’re getting a great cost-per-wear value, so we recommend stocking up on the multiple colorways available.

Some jorts feel too heavy for summer temps, but Abercrombie has a comfortable, lightweight denim pair I often reach for. It’s cut in a baggy, relaxed fit that doesn’t feel sloppy. The wider leg offers plenty of breathing room through the thighs to keep me cool on a typical hot day. I wore it to Central Park for a picnic with friends on an 80-degree day and didn’t feel weighed down.

Sure, the cotton material is thicker than the polyester and linen styles on the list, so you may want to swap these for one of those on blazing afternoons. And since it’s only slightly distressed at the hem, it looks clean enough to wear with a polo, slim-fit t-shirt, or even a jacket. The short falls at a 10-inch inseam, which will be mostly flattering on guys around 5 ‘11 and up. But even as a 5 ‘8 guy, this pair doesn’t feel too long, so us shorter gents can get away with it too. Plus, the baggy silhouettes are very much in right now.

Read More: Abercrombie Baggy Denim Short Review

Summer workouts call for lightweight gym shorts that are still durable. Enter Ten Thousand, a purveyor of some of our favorite workout clothes, including this one. The Interval Short is made with a polyester blend that’s purpose built for tough exercises. Trust us: Our fitness editors have put it through the paces, and found that it didn’t rip, and moved like a second skin. That’s thanks to its four-way stretch fabric, which also has a bit of compression so it doesn’t ride up or cling. We found that the quick-drying material lives up to its odor-fighting marketing claims, and helped prevent swamp crotch during 90-degree runs.

The Interval Short comes in three inseams, though we suggest (you guessed it) the 7-inch length for a universally flattering cut. And while our fashion team mainly recommends wearing this for the gym, its slim cut makes for a decent athleisure fit, and some of our editors frequently wearing this on weekend errands. In fact, the Interval Short is so great that we gave it a 2024 Men’s Health Fitness Award.

Patagonia’s Baggies short has become a warm-weather staple for our active and outdoorsy editors, and for good reason. It’s easy to wear, and the quick-drying nylon fabric is lightweight but tough, and has a relaxed fit that won’t cling when the heat is on. We’ve sported these during hot hikes in upstate New York and casual errands in Manhattan, and found they worked just as well in both settings. That’s because it’s got a laidback aesthetic that doesn’t draw too much attention to itself, so you can easily pair this with a moisture-wicking tank or a camp collar shirt.

Plus, the five-inch inseam hits that sweet spot: short enough to show some leg, but not so brief you feel like you’re wearing swim trunks to the bar. We like to bring this to our tropical vacations because of its comfortable mesh liner, and the vertical side pockets that help reduce drag in water. In short (get it?), it’s the most versatile options we’ve tested.

Read more: Best Swim Trunks for Men

Meet your new lazy day bottoms. Mack Weldon’s short has a plush French terry fabric like your favorite hoodies. But unlike OG sweats, this one is cut close like a slim fit chino, so you can pull this lounge pant off in public. Plus, our editors like its suite of pockets that can easily store your keys, phone, and wallet while you’re on the go. Though because of its thick knit, it’s not ideal for warm weather activities.

Of course you can wear this out and about, but we think the Ace Sweatshort works best as an at-home uniform. We like to use it as a pajama bottom, then throw a dress shirt over it in the morning before our Zoom meetings.

Read more: Best Sweatpants for Men