Thanks to advancements in fabric technology and design, today’s running shorts are better than ever. Overall, materials are lighter, more comfortable, and offer better mobility.
All running shorts should allow you to move freely — that’s a given. The best running shorts, however, should not only provide freedom of movement, but also keep moisture at a minimum to ward off chafing, and keep items like your phone, keys, and fuel secure without bouncing around.
After months of testing, even years in some cases, we’ve managed to narrow down the best of the best for whatever type of running you’re into. The shorts on this list are the ones we kept reaching for time and time again.
And while you’re at it, if it’s been more than 4 months since you replaced your running shoes, we suggest checking out the latest and greatest road running and trail running shoes.
If you’re interested in broadening your knowledge about running shorts, check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide and FAQ at the end of this article. And be sure to look at our comparison chart when it’s decision time.
The Best Running Shorts for Men of 2023
Best Overall Running Shorts
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Length
5″ and 7″ -
Shell
73% nylon, 27% spandex; Bluesign approved -
Liner
Brief (80% nylon, 20% spandex; Bluesign approved) -
Pockets
1 rear zipper, 2 side drop-ins
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Extremely lightweight and airy -
Secure, bounce-free main pocket -
Next-to-nothing feeling
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Small zippered pocket opening
Running Shorts Comparison Chart
| Shorts | Price | Lengths | Shell | Liner | Pockets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI Co-Op Swiftland Running Shorts | $55 | 5″ and 7″ | 73% nylon, 27% spandex; Bluesign approved | Brief (80% nylon, 20% spandex; Bluesign approved) | 1 rear zipper, 2 side drop-ins |
| Baleaf 5″ Running Athletic Shorts | $22 | 5″ and 7″ | 89.7% polyester, 10.3% spandex | Brief (91.7% polyester, 8.3% spandex) | 1 rear zippered |
| Tracksmith Session Shorts | $68 | 5″ | 86% nylon, 14% elastane | Brief (89% polyester, 11% spandex) | 1 rear zipper |
| Black Diamond Sprint Shorts | $90 | 5″ and 7″ | 88% nylon, 12% elastane w/DWR | Brief (100% polyester) | 2 rear zippered, 3 drop-in |
| Patagonia Pro Strider | $69 | 5″ and 7″ | 100% recycled polyester w/DWR | Brief (100% polyester) | 1 side zippered, 4 drop-in |
| Nike Dri-FIT ADV AeroSwift | $85 | Above the knee | 89% polyester, 11% spandex | Brief (89% polyester, 11% spandex) | 1 rear zippered, 4 drop-in |
| Saxx Hightail | $68 | 5″ | 100% polyester | Compression mesh liner: (85% nylon, 15% elastane) | 1 rear drop-in |
| Ten Thousand Far Short | $78 | 5″ | 88% recycled polyester, 12% spandex | Brief (90% recycled nylon, 10% elastane) | 1 rear zippered, 1 drop-in |
| HOKA Glide Short | $64 | 5″ and 7″ | 89% recycled polyester, 11% elastane | Brief | 1 rear folded-over drop-in, 1 side zippered |
| Smartwool Merino Sport Lined 5″ Short | $65 | 5″ and 7″ | 86% recycled polyester, 14% elastane | Brief (54% merino wool, 46% polyester) | 1 side zippered, 1 drop-in |
Why You Should Trust Us
Cory Smith has been a runner since 1992. He’s a full-time running coach who has been reviewing running gear since 2014. In addition to running shorts, he covers road running shoes and GPS watches, and he writes training articles for GearJunkie.
To find the best running shorts, we start with hours of online research. We attend trade shows such as The Running Event and Outdoor Retailer for newly released shorts, such as the SAXX Hightail, and keep our eye out for up-and-coming brands like Ten Thousand.
For this test, our research resulted in over 20 pairs of running shorts tested. We then conducted a thorough field test to evaluate each short on fit, comfort, mobility, moisture-wicking, and carrying capacity. Testing locations included up and down the coast of California as well as trails in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Moab, Utah, and Seattle.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Running Shorts
It can be hard to sort through what’s really important when finding a pair of running shorts. To help, here are the key things you need to know about running shorts.
Material
Running shorts follow the same rules as every other technical sports apparel — moisture-wicking fabric is a must. The two most predominant are polyester and nylon blends.
I prefer shorts that have a blend of stretch fabrics such as spandex or elastane in them. This gives the shorts greater flexibility and mobility, ultimately limiting restriction.
Higher percentages of these flexible fabrics do have a downside — they tend to absorb and retain more moisture. Moisture-ridden fabric and poor fit are the top causes of chafing.
If chafing is an issue for you, pay attention to the fabric and look for a pair of shorts that has a slightly different makeup. Half tights and 2-in-1s are great options for between-the-leg chafing protection.
Inseam Length
Inseam indicates how far down the leg the short sits. It measures the length from the crotch to the end of the shorts and usually comes in 3-inch, 5-inch, and 7-inch options.
Most of the shorts tested, with the exception of the 3-inch version, come in both a 5-inch and 7-inch option. The ideal inseam length is as much a matter of personal preference as whether you enjoy running road, track, or trail. However, the 5-inch option seems to be the most popular.
Short shorts, such as a 3-inch inseam (my personal favorite), are often known as split shorts and tend to be the coolest and least restrictive. Longer shorts such as the 5-inch or 7-inch version are my go-to when traveling because of their all-purpose versatility, easily doubling as gym shorts, hiking shorts, or even swimming shorts.
Liners & Shells
Most running shorts have two layers: an outer shell and an inner liner. The inner liner’s primary focus is built-in support and is either a mesh brief or spandex-type compression tight, called a 2-in-1.
If you’re someone who struggles with between-the-legs chafing I recommend looking at a 2-in-1 short such as the SAXX Hightail or a half tight like the Nike. Having a built-in quarter-length compression liner will protect your legs from rubbing together.
The outer shell is always made with some sort of moisture-wicking material such as polyester, nylon, or wool. Some are treated with DWR to help repel water. I find DWR-treated shorts great for wind protection, but they can absorb and hold moisture longer than non-DWR-treated shorts.
Most shorts these days will blend in a stretchy fabric such as spandex or elastane to give the shorts extra mobility. If you struggle with finding shorts that fit properly or experience shorts riding up, I recommend you look for shorts with spandex and/or elastane.
Pockets
If you want to carry items such as your phone, keys, or fuel during your run, you’ll want a pair of shorts with pockets. Look for shorts with pockets that are close to the waistline. The tension used to hold the shorts up serves as a great anchor point to prevent them from bouncing around as you run.
Shorts with a thicker waistline and/or 2-in-1s are better at holding items tightly against your waist. Pockets with zippers are ideal for storing keys, credit cards, and your phone.
How many pockets you need depends on what you want to carry. However, there is a tipping point where you’ll want to start using a vest or waist belt to hold your items.
It’s a good idea to invest in at least one pair of shorts with a large carry capacity like the Black Diamond Sprint. These are great for runs when you’re traveling and may need to carry more items than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best running shorts are made with a performance moisture-wicking fabric, such as polyester or nylon, have a built-in liner for support, and offer a secure place to store items like your phone, keys, or fuel. Some running shorts are blended with a stretchy fabric such as spandex or elastane to allow for unrestricted mobility when running.
Running shorts come in all different lengths from 2 to 7 inches, but 5 inches seems to be the most popular length.
It depends on the type of shorts. Half-tights, or compression shorts, are designed to fit skin-tight.
The close-to-the-skin fit makes them ideal for runners who struggle with chafing, keeping your quads, hamstrings, and glutes warm during cold and/or rainy runs. All other shorts should fall somewhere between tight and loose, but to what degree they fit is somewhat of a personal preference.
Chafing is a really painful problem for a lot of runners that can be solved with the proper pair of running shorts. The uncomfortable skin irritation is caused by two surfaces excessively rubbing together and is more likely to happen when a fabric has been soaked with moisture.
If you’re struggling with chafing, I recommend trying a pair of shorts with a built-in compression liner such as a 2-in-1 like the SAXX Hightail. The longer liner can provide extra protection against friction.
If that doesn’t work, I suggest trying a pair of shorts with a different fabric make-up. The part wool liner of the Smartwool Merino Sport Lined 5″ Short can be a good option.
The large majority of running shorts are designed to be worn without underwear. They have a built-in mesh liner or compression tight that provides the support needed while running. If you find the built-in liner does not provide enough, you can wear a pair of brief underwear for added support.
