The Best Running Shorts for Men of 2023

This is the second iteration of REI-branded running shorts that I’ve tested, and I have to give a hats-off to the design team — these are top-notch running shorts. Offered in both a 5-inch and 7-inch inseam, the REI Co-Op Swiftland running shorts ($55) checked all the boxes I look for in a quality pair of running shorts — comfortable, supportive, and moisture-wicking with plenty of carrying capacity.

The 73% nylon and 27% spandex shell is remarkably light and airy with excellent mobility. Not once did I feel the stretchy fabric was confining. The shorts pretty much felt unnoticeable, and the brief-style liner was comfortable, offering a good amount of support without feeling restrictive.

A wide but comfortable waistband securely anchors the shorts around your waist. The rear zip pocket on the waistband is capable of holding a smartphone, and two drop-in side pockets can hold snacks or keys — all bounce-free.

If I had to nitpick, one concern I have is their long-term durability. Take this with a grain of salt, as I haven’t put them through a long-term durability test yet. I only say this because the shell fabric is really thin — much thinner than most of the shorts I tested — and they softened up a bit with each wash cycle.

I’d also like to see the rear zippered pocket have a slightly larger opening. It took a little force to stuff my large Samsung smartphone in the pocket, and I could certainly imagine busting a seam trying to fit it in if I wasn’t careful.

It’s clear REI put a lot of thought into these shorts. No matter what type of running you do, whether it’s road, trail, or track, everything about these is designed for comfort and functionality — you’ll put them on and forget about them. They’ll work for beginners and elite runners alike, and I’m confident you’ll appreciate having them in your drawer.

If you’re looking for well-priced running shorts for basic running and gym sessions, Baleaf’s 5″ Running Athletic Shorts ($22) will provide the most bang for your buck. I’ll be blunt — there’s nothing particularly special about them. They just work.

The shell is extremely lightweight with a moderate amount of stretch, and the liner provides a moderate amount of support and adequate comfort for short outings. The rear-zip pocket was one of the largest tested, easily fitting a super-large smartphone, but it did bounce a bit more than other shorts.

I could go down a long list of features I’d like to see, but for under 20 bucks, I wouldn’t expect them anyway. The biggest knock is fit. They size extremely large and baggy, nearly two sizes too big.

I’d say if you’re typically a large, go at least to a medium — maybe even a small. If you struggle to find running shorts with enough volume, these should work really well for you.

If you’re doing any amount of volume, I’d steer toward other shorts listed here. But if you’re not picky on the finer details and just need a pair of treadmill shorts, or shorts for quick, hassle-free runs, these are for you.

Imagine taking the most comfortable pair of sweatpants (or shorts, for that matter) and infusing them with a highly technical moisture-wicking fabric. That only begins to paint the picture of how comfortable the Tracksmith Session Shorts ($68) are.

The lightweight four-way stretch nylon and elastane blend shell is freaking amazing. Beyond running, these are the type of shorts I wanted to lounge around the house in. As a bonus, they’re Polygiene anti-odor, antimicrobial treated.

While these are one of the most comfortable running shorts I tested, I wouldn’t wear them on race day or on a big mountain run. I’d want something that’s more lightweight and with better pockets. Speaking of pockets, while the rear pocket will fit a phone, it takes a little work to shove it through the small zippered opening, which I wish was a little larger.

Still, these shorts have a place in every runner’s rotation based on comfort alone. If you ever find yourself with a social event after a run or workout, these are the perfect shorts for the occasion. With eight colors to choose from, you’re bound to find a pair to match your shirt.

For comfort and functionality from the track to the pub, these are some of the best running shorts available.

Let me be clear — I hate carrying stuff when I run. I feel restricted, off-balance, and slower. I’ll go out of my way to avoid wearing a hydration vest or waist belt. If you’re like me, you’ll love the Black Diamond Sprint shorts ($90). These shorts are my go-to for light and fast mountain runs.

When I don’t feel like being bogged down wearing a vest or belt, but still need to carry the typical items like water, fuel, an emergency shell, and phone, these are the shorts I grab. The thick but well-vented waistband with a drawstring provides a secure foundation for five pockets: three drop-in pockets and two rear zipper pockets.
I can easily carry a phone, 500mL soft flask, emergency wind shell, and enough fuel for over 3 hours with a dedicated pocket for trash. And I was highly impressed with how supportive and comfortable the polyester liner felt, even when the waist pockets were stuffed.

While the stretch nylon plain-weave face shell is durable as hell, it’s terrible at wicking and retaining moisture. On really hot days the DWR-treated shell became absolutely drenched with sweat, retaining the moisture and feeling a bit like heavy swim trunks.

I’ll opt for shorts with better breathability on steamy runs. But on chilly, windy days, the DWR-treated shell acted much like a wind shell, blocking the wind better than any other shorts I’ve tested. With exceptional storage and wind protection, the Sprint Shorts are ideal for high alpine mountain running.

It’s impossible to highlight the best running shorts without mentioning the Patagonia Pro Strider ($69). It’s one of the most time-tested trail running shorts on the market.

I’ve had mine for over 5 years, and they’re still going strong. The shell is extremely lightweight and the four drop-in pockets are huge. Patagonia nailed the waistbelt. It’s not too thin and not too thick, and it maintains comfort when the drawcord is tight. While there’s no stretch to the shorts, they offer great mobility thanks to large splits on the sides of the legs.

They do have a few flaws. For starters, the rear zip pocket won’t fit a smartphone. That’s never a deal-breaker for me, but it seems like an easy fix that would make a lot of people happy. I’m also not a huge fan of DWR-treated shorts.

While these are lightweight (much more so than the Black Diamond Sprint), I find they don’t breathe as well as non-DWR treated shorts and tend to retain moisture longer once soaked through. I found them to run a little small and opted for a size up. If you like a more free-flowing short, I suggest you do the same.

For complete mobility and freedom, there is no better type of running shorts than half tights. I usually find most tights either really tight and restrictive or somewhat loose-fitting that ride up. The Dri-FIT ADV AeroSwift ($85) falls perfectly in the middle — almost like you’re not wearing anything.

Nike describes them as “buttery smooth,” and I’d have to agree. The 89% polyester and 11% spandex shell is soft and supple, and they have a built-in brief liner for added support. Four drop-in pockets around the waist are perfect for fuel, car keys, or a credit card, while a zippered rear pocket fits most modern smartphones.

If you’re looking for compression tights, these are not it. The material is way too light and thin to provide any type of compression, and the ribbed face is quite unique. Initially, I wasn’t a huge fan, but the supple feel grew on me after further testing.

Running tights are somewhat of an acquired taste, but in the right application, they are far better than running shorts. The best use is when it’s cold and rainy. Wet shorts can get heavy in a downpour and start to feel cumbersome. Tights, on the other hand, stay put when wet and won’t feel as heavy. They also keep your quads and hamstrings warmer on chilly days.

If you’re an avid runner who doesn’t let the weather hold you back, give these a try.

If you’re not familiar with SAXX underwear, boy, are you missing out. Their claim to fame is something called the Ballpark Pouch, a built-in soft, supportive pouch for your boys. This unique design keeps your parts securely and comfortably tucked away and free from rubbing.

The Hightail 2-in-1 ($68) basically takes their award-winning underwear and wraps a moisture-wicking polyester stretch running shell on top. I have to say, the Ballpark Pouch design works especially well when running. It’s more supportive than any other brief or liner, and it layers in extra prevention around your male parts.

Overall, I would have liked to see better pockets in these shorts. There’s one rear drop-in pocket that’s large enough to hold a few gels and a key, but not a phone. One really smart feature is the built-in key string to prevent your key from accidentally falling out when accessing items. I wish more companies would do this.

If you struggle with any kind of chafing, whether it be between the legs or around your male anatomy, or if you’re simply looking for a more supportive hold, the Hightail is by far one of the best-fitting running shorts I’ve tested.

Ten Thousand is one of many fitness-oriented apparel brands that has recently branched out to the running category. I have to admit, I’ve been skeptical about gym-oriented fitness brands making running apparel, but Ten Thousand nailed it with the Far Shorts ($78).

Designed in collaboration with ultra-endurance athlete Rich Roll, the Far Short holds its own against some of the best running shorts I’ve tested. The shell fabric is thin and stretchy, and it does a fantastic job of not only wicking moisture but also drying quickly.

Of all the waistbands I tested, these were the most comfortable. The rear pocket is built closer to the waistline, which not only easily fit my phone, but it also did a great job of assuring it didn’t bounce.

The downside is that boutique brands typically cost more, and the Ten Thousand Far Shorts are no exception. If it’s any consolation, I can confirm the quality is on par with the price. If longevity and functionality are your primary concerns, these running shorts are certainly worth the money.

I have to give HOKA credit. Despite being relatively new to running apparel, the brand makes a damn good running short. These Glide shorts ($60-64) are light, airy, and have a very nice flow to them when running. The 89% recycled polyester and 11% elastane shell has a good amount of stretch, allowing for excellent mobility.

I found the waistband to be well-made and comfortable. The internal brief liner was one of the more supportive ones tested. While I typically wear a small, I opted for a medium and I’m glad I did. A small probably would have worked; the medium gave me a more relaxed fit.

My one gripe is the pocket design. It comes with a small side zippered pocket and one rear elastic pocket. The rear pocket has a unique design where it’s doubled layered (folded over itself) — I guess to prevent items from falling out — which it certainly does well.

The issue I had with this design is twofold. First, it’s impossible to fit a phone, and second, it makes it harder to grab items out. That said, these shorts performed exceptionally well otherwise.

I’m a huge fan of wool as a performance fabric. I feel there’s no other material that wicks and dissipates sweat better. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking — and no, these shorts ($65) aren’t entirely made of wool — just the internal brief.

Smartwool uses Merino 150 sport for the brief, including lining the inside of the waistband as well. These shorts fit great and are supportive, and I can attest to the odor resistance.
The shell is made with a recycled polyester and elastane blend that moves freely. The only downside is that they’re thicker than most of the other shorts tested.

Much to the surprise of most people, wool is a great summertime fabric because it has natural temperature regulation properties. That being said, it’s certainly not as cool as other fabrics. Overall, these are a great pair of shorts for mild summer days or a run/gym hybrid workout.