Best Men's Gym Shorts for Every Workout in 2026: Lifting, Running, and CrossFit

Gym shorts look simple until you are wearing the wrong pair. A liner that chafes on a run, a hem that rides up on the leg press, a pocket that ejects your phone mid-burpee, or a heavy fabric that is soaked ten minutes into a session will ruin a workout faster than a bad playlist. The right pair disappears; you stop thinking about it.

We wore each pair in this guide through at least 10 workouts spanning heavy lifting, treadmill and outdoor running, CrossFit-style metcons, and casual gym sessions, then washed them repeatedly to check durability. Below are the four shorts that earned a permanent spot in our rotation, plus a buying guide that covers inseam length, liners, pockets, and fabric, and answers to the questions we hear most.

Prices here were checked in September 2026; the buttons show the current Amazon price.

How We Tested

• Fabric and breathability. We wore each short for a 45-minute lifting session and a 30-minute run in a warm gym, checking how quickly it soaked through and how fast it dried afterward.
• Mobility. Deep barbell squats, walking lunges, sprints, and wall balls. We noted any binding at the thigh, hem ride-up, or fabric pulling at the waistband.
• Liner quality. For lined shorts, we ran 5K to check for chafing and support. For unlined shorts, we paired them with a compression short and judged how the outer layer moved over it.
• Pockets. We loaded a large phone and did ten box jumps and ten burpees. A phone that shifted or fell out was a fail.
• Durability. At least 10 washes on cold, hang dry. We checked for pilling, stretched-out waistbands, and loose stitching on the pockets.

Our Picks at a Glance

Short	Best For	Inseam	Liner	Secure Pocket	Price
Ten Thousand Interval	Overall	5", 7", 9"	Yes	Zip back pocket	$68
WOLACO North Moore	Phone storage	7"	Compression liner	Sweatproof liner pocket	$78
Hylete Fuse	CrossFit	7"	No	Zip side pockets	$15
Under Armour Vanish Woven	Lifting value	8"	No	None	$50

Detailed Reviews

1. Ten Thousand Interval Short — Best Overall

The Interval is the short we reached for most often, and the reason is balance. The outer shell is a light, four-way-stretch woven that weighs almost nothing and dried within an hour of a sweaty session. The built-in liner is a soft knit brief, not compression, so it supports without squeezing, and it did not chafe on a 10K. A silver-ion treatment in the liner kept odor down through three sessions between washes, which we did not expect to work as well as it did.

The waistband is a wide, flat elastic with an internal drawcord that stayed put under a lifting belt. A zippered back pocket held a phone securely through box jumps, and the two open hand pockets are deep enough for keys on a walk. The 7-inch version hit mid-thigh on a 6-foot tester and never rode up in a squat.

The cons are price and choice. At $68 it is a premium short, and while it comes in 5-, 7-, and 9-inch versions, the Amazon listing tends to stock fewer inseams and colors than the brand's site. If you want one pair that handles everything, this is it. If you already own a compression short you love, consider the unlined Hylete instead.

Best for: Men who want one short that is equally good for lifting, running, and conditioning.

2. WOLACO North Moore Short — Best for Phone Storage

WOLACO built its reputation on one feature: a sweatproof phone pocket sewn into the compression liner, positioned on the thigh where it does not bounce. It works. We ran, jumped rope, and did burpees with a large phone in the pocket and it never moved. A second liner pocket on the other thigh holds keys or a card. The outer short is a four-way-stretch woven with a clean, slightly tailored look that passes for casual wear.

The compression liner is the most supportive in this roundup, which lifters and runners with sensitive inner thighs appreciated. It is also the reason the North Moore runs warm. In a hot gym or on a summer run, the double layer with a phone strapped to your thigh holds heat, and testers noticed it. Our compression wear guide explains when that support is worth the extra warmth.

At $78 it is the most expensive pick here. If your phone is your music, your timer, and your training log and you refuse to leave it on the floor, the North Moore solves that problem better than anything else we tested.

Best for: Anyone who trains with a phone and needs it secure and dry.

3. Hylete Fuse Short 7-inch — Best for CrossFit

Hylete designs for the CrossFit crowd, and the Fuse shows it. The woven fabric stretches in every direction, so it does not bind in the bottom of a squat clean or bunch during a wall ball. The hem is cut with a slight notch that keeps it from riding up when you climb a rope or kick up into a handstand. Zippered pockets on both sides held a phone through every box jump and burpee test without shifting.

It is unlined, which is exactly what most CrossFit athletes want: they pair it with a compression short of their choice and skip the built-in brief that can bunch during high-rep movements. The waistband is flat with an internal drawcord that held under a belt.

The Fuse is a touch heavier than the Interval and dries a bit slower. Colors are limited compared to Nike or Under Armour. Those are minor complaints for a short that survived rope climbs, burpees, and three months of metcons with no fraying at the pockets. We also feature it in our what to wear to CrossFit guide.

Best for: CrossFit, HIIT, and anyone who needs zip pockets and unrestricted movement.

4. Under Armour Vanish Woven 8-inch Shorts — Best Value for Lifting

The Vanish Woven is the short to buy if you mostly lift, want a longer inseam, and do not want to spend $60 or more. The 8-inch length gave full coverage on the leg press and bench without looking baggy, and mesh side panels vent heat in a warm gym. The fabric is a light, slightly stretchy woven that moved fine in squats and lunges, and it dried quickly after a session.

It is unlined with open hand pockets, so it is not a running short. A phone bounced out during our burpee test. Paired with a compression short underneath, it became a very comfortable lifting short, and at $40 it costs less than any other pick here from a major brand.

Durability after 10 washes was good, with no pilling and a waistband that kept its stretch. If you want the same style with a liner, Under Armour's Launch line fills that gap; our Nike vs Under Armour comparison breaks down both brands' short lines.

Best for: Lifters and casual gym-goers who want a longer, breathable short at a good price.

Buying Guide: How to Choose Gym Shorts

Inseam Length

Inseam is the single biggest factor in how a short looks and moves. Measure from the crotch seam to the hem.

• 5 inches. Maximum mobility and the coolest option. Popular for running and CrossFit. Shows a lot of thigh; some men love the look and some do not.
• 7 inches. The sweet spot. Hits mid-thigh on most men between 5'8" and 6'2", moves freely in a squat, and looks right in the gym or on the street. If you are buying one pair, buy 7.
• 9 inches. Knee-length coverage. Preferred for basketball, leg-press days, and anyone who wants more modesty. Can bunch at the top of a deep squat.

Height changes the math. On a 5'7" tester, 7 inches looked like 9 on a 6'2" tester. Taller men often prefer 7 or 9; shorter men often look best in 5 or 7.

Liner vs. No Liner

A built-in liner gives you support and eliminates the need for separate underwear. Knit brief liners like the Ten Thousand are soft and breathable; compression liners like the WOLACO give more support and can hold a phone pocket. Liners are ideal for running and general training.

Unlined shorts let you wear whatever you like underneath. Most lifters and CrossFit athletes prefer a separate compression short, which they can choose for length and fit and replace independently. Unlined shorts are also cooler in summer. If you go this route, budget for two or three good compression shorts; see our compression wear guide for picks.

Some men find liners chafe over long runs. If you have had that problem, a compression liner or an unlined short with your own base layer usually fixes it.

Lifting vs. Cardio

Lifting rewards a slightly longer inseam, a flat waistband that sits under a belt without rolling, and fabric that does not bind at the bottom of a squat. Pockets matter less because your phone can sit on the floor. The Vanish Woven and Hylete Fuse are the lifting favorites here.

Cardio rewards a shorter inseam, a liner or compression short, and a secure pocket so you can carry a phone and keys. Light, quick-drying fabric matters more because you will sweat through it. The Ten Thousand Interval and WOLACO North Moore are the cardio favorites.

If you split your week between both, the Interval in a 7-inch inseam is the compromise that works.

Pockets

Open hand pockets are fine for a walk and useless for a jump. For anything with impact, you want a zippered pocket, a sealed liner pocket like WOLACO's, or a back zip pocket like Ten Thousand's. Check that the pocket is on the side or back, not the front thigh, where a phone swings with every step. Pocket stitching is also the first thing to fail on cheap shorts, so look at the bar tacks at the pocket corners.

Fabric

• Woven polyester or nylon with stretch is the standard for gym shorts. It is light, quick-drying, and quiet. Four-way stretch is worth paying for; two-way stretch fabrics bind in a deep squat.
• Knit polyester feels softer and drapes like sweat shorts. Great for casual gym use and warm-ups, heavier when wet.
• Cotton absorbs sweat, gets heavy, and dries slowly. Skip it for training. Our gym joggers guide covers where cotton blends make sense.

Antimicrobial treatments like the silver-ion finish in the Ten Thousand liner genuinely help between washes. If you have a pair that already smells, our guide to removing sweat smell walks through the fix.

Common Mistakes and Who Should Skip What

• Buying 5-inch shorts for the leg press. Coverage disappears the moment you hit depth. Lifters should stick to 7 or 8 inches.
• Running in an unlined short with regular underwear. That is how chafing happens. Use a liner or a compression short.
• Trusting open pockets during a metcon. A phone will come out. Buy zips.
• Washing on hot with fabric softener. Both kill stretch and wicking. Cold water, no softener, hang dry.
• Buying purely on brand. The $50 Under Armour beat pricier shorts in our lifting test. Match the short to the workout, not the logo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inseam should I get for gym shorts?

Seven inches suits the widest range of heights and workouts. Choose 5 inches if you mainly run or do CrossFit and want maximum mobility, and 9 inches if you want knee-length coverage for basketball or leg day. If you are shorter than 5'8", 5 or 7 inches will usually look best; taller than 6'1", 7 or 9.

Are lined gym shorts better than unlined?

Neither is better; they suit different people. Lined shorts are convenient and ideal for running because the liner supports and prevents chafe. Unlined shorts let you choose your own compression short and run cooler, which is why lifters and CrossFit athletes usually prefer them.

Can I lift in running shorts?

Yes, but a very short inseam and a light liner can feel exposed on the leg press and hip thrust. A 7-inch short with a flat waistband, like the Ten Thousand Interval, works for both. Longer shorts like the Under Armour Vanish are more comfortable for pure lifting days.

How do I stop gym shorts from smelling?

Wash them after every session in cold water without fabric softener, and hang dry. Silver-ion or other antimicrobial liners help between washes. If odor has set in, a soak in a cup of white vinegar and water for 30 minutes before washing usually removes it.

How many pairs of gym shorts do I need?

Three pairs cover a five-day training week with laundry every few days. If you lift and run, buy two lined 7-inch shorts for cardio and general use and one longer unlined short for lifting days.

Do gym shorts shrink?

Polyester and nylon shorts do not shrink noticeably if washed cold and hang dried. A hot dryer can shrink cotton blends and damage elastic waistbands, so avoid it regardless of fabric.

The Bottom Line

The Ten Thousand Interval Short is the best men's gym short for most people. It is light, lined, odor-resistant, secure enough to run in, and roomy enough to squat in, and it comes in three inseams. If you train with your phone and need it locked down and dry, the WOLACO North Moore does that better than any other short. CrossFit athletes and anyone who prefers their own compression short should buy the Hylete Fuse 7-inch for its stretch and zip pockets. If you mainly lift and want a longer, breathable short for the least money, the Under Armour Vanish Woven 8-inch is the value pick at $40. Pick a 7-inch inseam unless you have a specific reason not to, and match lined or unlined to how you train, not to the brand.