The Best Running Shorts for Men (Fall 2025): Tested and Reviewed

There’s nothing better than stepping out the door in a light, airy pair of running shorts on a crisp fall day with a slight chill brushing your legs, knowing that a mile in, you’ll warm up to that perfect running temperature. The ideal running shorts should be so comfortable you barely notice them—no bunching, chafing, or restriction—and look good, too. We tested over 50 pairs in all sorts of environments to find the best running shorts available, whatever your pace, terrain, or style.

Updated September 2025: After a summer of testing, we replaced two category winners and added two new categories: Best Wear-Anywhere and Best 7-Inch shorts.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out our picks for the best running shirts for men.

Best Men’s Running Shorts: At a Glance

• Best Running Shorts for Men Overall: Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 5″ ($75)
• Runner Up, Best Overall: The North Face Summit Series Pacesetter ($75)
• Best Value: Terignota Sendero Short ($29)
• Best Wear-Anywhere: Ibex Springbok Shorts ($100)
• Best Run/Gym Hybrid Short: Ten Thousand Session Short ($68–78)
• Best for Race Day: Hoka Glide 5” ($68)
• Best Splurge: Soar Hot Weather Shorts ($155)
• Best For Trail Running: Black Diamond Distance Short ($99)
• Best 2-in-1: Ciele DLYShort 5″ ($75)
• Best Half Tight: Adidas Adizero Control Running Short Leggings ($80)
• Best 7” Shorts: Rab Talus Running Shorts ($80)

Best Men’s Running Shorts Overall

Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 5″

$75 at REI

$75 at Rabbit

Sizing: S-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable and supportive brief liner
⊕ Excellent mobility and ventilation
⊕ Secure and comfortable waistband
⊗ Limited colors
⊗ Pocket is a tight fit for larger phones

Our testers across the board raved about the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 5” shorts. “Every little detail feels thoughtful and perfect,” said one. The outer shell, made from a recycled polyester and spandex blend, strikes a balance between lightweight comfort and long-lasting durability. Inside, the Polartec Power Dry liner was among the most comfortable, moisture-wicking, and supportive we tried. One tester who typically wears underwear with running shorts for added support said these provided plenty on their own.

The semi-relaxed fit with half-split leg design, usually seen in 3-inch racing shorts, enhances both mobility and ventilation. “I dig the fit and the cut, which is roomy without being baggy,” one tester commented. Thoughtful touches like bonded hems, anti-odor liner treatment, and laser-cut square perforations along the front sides elevate the short’s overall feel and performance.

The drawstring waistband is wide yet not constricting, offering a secure anchor when loading the shorts’ five pockets: a zippered back pocket, two front internal stash pockets, and two rear stash pockets. The rear pocket can hold an iPhone, but it requires a bit of effort to get it in. The only other downside is the lack of color choices; these running shorts come only in a standard black and seasonal blue.

Runner Up, Best Men’s Running Shorts Overall

The North Face Summit Series Pacesetter

$75 at The North Face

$75 at Running Warehouse

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable
⊕ Anti-odor
⊕ Sun protective
⊗ Shallow pockets

You know that pair of shorts you instinctively reach for every time you get ready for a run? The Summit Series Pacesetter became that pair for our testers. There wasn’t one standout feature; these shorts just nailed the basics: a comfortable waistband, a supportive and breathable brief liner, and a durable, stretchy shell. It all comes together in a short that felt “flowy and barely there,” according to one tester—even on a super humid Wisconsin morning with a dew point in the high 60s.

Although it’s marketed as a trail running short, we wore them just as often on the road. “They strike a good balance between a casual athletic look and performance-oriented freedom of movement,” said another tester. One small but appreciated detail: The inseam is cut slightly longer than the outer seam to help guard against chafing without hindering mobility.

Storage is solid, with three pockets—a rear zip pocket large enough for a phone and two side mesh stash pockets—that hold the basic carry items for short and mid-long runs when a vest isn’t needed. Our only gripe: The side mesh pockets are a bit shallow, and their elastic openings could be tighter.

Best Value Running Shorts

Terignota Sendero Short

$29 at Terignota

Sizing: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight, airy shell
⊕ Abundant storage options
⊕ Exceptional value
⊗ Limited colors
⊗ High-rise waistband may feel awkward at first

With all the features of the best men’s running shorts that cost twice as much, the Terignota Sendero Short proves that high performance and sharp design don’t have to break the bank. Its polyamide and elastane grid-patterned outer shell is remarkably lightweight and airy. The no-fuss internal mesh brief liner offers a good amount of support without feeling restrictive. One tester gave the short the highest praise: “It’s one of those shorts that disappears on the run.”

The Sendero’s highlight is no doubt its carrying capacity. Built with trail runners in mind, the wide waistband includes four mesh pockets and a rear zippered pocket spacious enough to fit an iPhone. One tester noted that the high-rise fit of the waistband—unusual on a men’s short—felt a bit awkward at first, but he quickly became accustomed to it after a few runs. Even with the wide waistband, however, when the pockets were fully loaded, we had to cinch the drawstring tightly to keep everything secure and minimize bounce.

Best Wear-Anywear

Ibex Springbok Shorts

$100 at Ibex

$100 at Amazon

Sizing: S-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Soft and comfortable liner
⊕ Fantastic moisture wicking and drying time
⊗ Not everyone likes the feel of wool

Ciele is best known for its performance running hats, but the brand nailed it with the DLYShort 5″. “These shorts feel deluxe!” raved one tester.

The internal nylon and elastane liner is one of the softest and most comfortable we tested, offering excellent support and staying perfectly in place throughout the run. Even when drenched in sweat, it remained irritation-free. The shell is a lightweight, stretchy, recycled, woven fabric with a PFC-free DWR treatment. However, it feels much softer than other DWR-treated fabrics we tested. One tester called the short’s overall feel “out-of-this-world nice,” while another praised its classy looks: “I’ve gotten more compliments on group runs for these shorts than anything else in my running wardrobe.”

The shorts offer three pockets, a rear zipper, a small internal stash pocket, and one integrated into the liner. While we could fit a phone in the rear pocket, it unfortunately bounced around quite a bit, and we found it best to reserve the pockets for smaller, lightweight items.

If you’re a fan of 2-in-1 shorts, these are well worth the investment. And if you’re not a fan of the long liner that extends past the 5-inch inseam of the shell, Ciele offers an option with a shorter one.

Best Run/Gym Hybrid Short

Ten Thousand Session Short

$68–78 at Ten Thousand

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Durable, robust shell
⊕ Comfortable and secure waistband
⊕ Options on inseam length and brief style available
⊗ Limited breathability
⊗ Bouncy pockets when loaded

Most running shorts scream “runner” with their short inseams, ultralight fabrics, and performance-first design at the expense of everyday style. The Ten Thousand Session Short 2.0 flips that script, delivering a gym short’s clean, modern look without compromising the technical functionality of a high-performance running short.

Available with either five- or seven-inch inseams, and with your choice of a 2-in-1 liner or linerless, the Session Short 2.0 is built from a substantial polyester and spandex blend that feels noticeably more robust than typical run-specific options. While they don’t breathe quite as well as lighter shorts, a California tester said, “I never found them too heavy for runs, and that extra heft gives them a more versatile, gym-ready vibe.”

The perforated waistband, with a thick internal drawstring, stayed put during runs and felt comfortable even when tightly tied. Two zippered side pockets—one facing forward and the other smaller and facing backward—let heavier items bounce around when running, but held cards and cash securely and comfortably in the gym. Two internal drop-in stash pockets in the liner provide space for items like keys and a phone when working out in the gym, but proved less than ideal for running because of the lack of a secure top closure.

What truly sets the Session Short 2.0 apart is its versatility. With a sleek, structured look and a robust fabric, these shorts easily transition from a hard effort on the track to a coffee stop or casual meetup without screaming “I just ran.”

Best for Race Day

Hoka Glide 5” Short w/ Brief

$68 at Scheels

$68 at Hoka

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely lightweight
⊕ Thin but supportive liner
⊗ Phone bounces in back mesh pocket

When you need lightweight freedom and zero distractions on race day, the Hoka Glide 5” Short delivers seamless comfort and dependable support that lets you focus on one thing—running your fastest. The shell is crafted from a featherlight, stretch-woven polyester/spandex fabric with a DWR finish, while the thin mesh liner offered a surprising amount of support and breathability. “The fabric is super lightweight and ultra stretchy, plus the fit is roomy enough that these barely feel like wearing anything,” said one tester. One tester pointed out that are a more modest alternative to one-inch split shorts for race day, while still allowing unrestricted freedom for your longest strides.

Thanks to the minimal design, these shorts stood out during hot and humid summer runs. One tester reported, “Even on my sweatiest days, when I was drenched, the shorts stayed soft, comfortable, and unrestricted.”

The shorts feature a small zippered pocket ideal for securing essentials like keys and money, and a spacious mesh rear pouch, open on both ends and large enough to hold a phone or soft flask. While large items in the mesh pocket bounced around a bit during runs, this isn’t an issue if you’re not carrying a phone on race day.

Best Splurge

Soar Hot Weather Shorts

$155 at Soar Running

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Ultra thin and airy material
⊕ Supportive and comfortable brief liner
⊗ Heavy items bounce around in rear pocket
⊗ May be too short for some runners

Crafted with ultra-thin, four-way-stretch fabric and bonded seams throughout, the Soar Hot Weather Shorts are about as premium as running shorts get. The shell is so thin and lightweight that it virtually disappears during the run. Laser-cut ventilation along the back legs boosts airflow and minimizes friction, allowing the shell to float away from the skin. “These shorts are cooler than any I can recall in nearly 50 years of running,” said one tester.

The short has a relaxed-fit, four-inch inseam and a substantial side notch, but the hem is cut slightly longer in the back, giving them more coverage than a revealing split short with similar mobility. Still, these are built purely for performance; you probably won’t want to wear them out and about post-run. There’s a zippered rear pocket for storage, but the featherweight fabric means heavier items tend to bounce. The built-in brief liner, however, is soft, supportive, and exceptionally comfortable.

If you’re sold on these premium shorts, it’s time to check your bank account, because they come with a premium price tag. “They seem worth the splurge for this level of performance,” concluded one tester after a summer of heavy use.

Best for Trail Running

Black Diamond Distance Short

$48–68 at Backcountry

$99 at Black Diamond

Sizing: XS-3XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Outstanding pockets
⊕ Water- and wind-resistant shell
⊕ Available in 5” and 7” inseam
⊗ Short drawstring can be difficult to tie
⊗ Could use a little more stretch

“The Black Diamond Distance shorts get everything right,” one tester remarked. The pockets are the first thing that stood out. With four drop-in pockets and one large rear zippered pocket, these shorts impressed us with their copious, efficient carrying capacity while maintaining a comfortable fit suitable for the longest mountain days. We were able to easily carry an iPhone, enough fuel for a few hours, and an emergency shell without any discomfort.

Offered in five- and seven-inch inseams, the durable shell with a PFC-Free DWR sheds light moisture and resists snags and tears from bushwhacking and tumbles. Combined with a comfortable and supportive mesh brief liner, the tough exterior offered excellent protection against wet, chilly ridge winds when running in the high mountains.

One small quibble: a tester said he’d prefer a longer drawstring with a little bit of stretch to get a more secure fit around the waist when the pockets were loaded down.

Best 2-in-1

Ciele M DLYShort 5″ Long Brief

$75 at Backcountry

$40 at Huckberry

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Incredibly soft and supportive liner
⊕ Available in long or short liner
⊗ Phone bounces in pocket

If it weren’t for the relatively high price point, the Springbok Shorts would have been named Best Overall. Every tester ranked them among their top favorites. The highlight was the 92-percent wool brief, which one tester called the “softest, most comfortable liner of the test—maybe of all time.” Wool may not come to mind as the ideal fabric for warm and hot weather running, but this merino wool and nylon blend is incredibly light and airy, giving it superb moisture-wicking ability and fast drying time compared to polyester or nylon briefs. Plus, it resisted odors so well one tester reported wearing it on daily runs for two weeks without it getting stiff or smelly.

The thin, soft, and stretchy nylon/elastane shell felt phenomenal against the skin and offered a nice blend of usable pockets: one rear zippered pocket large enough for a phone, one internal drop-in with a secure key cord, and two side pockets perfect for everyday items when not running. Ibex lists these as a five-inch inseam, but they wear more like a versatile seven. “The fabric drapes attractively for casual wear, while gliding smoothly on the run,” noted one tester.

Best Half Tights

Adidas Adizero Control Running Short Leggings

$80 at Running Warehouse

$100 at Adidas

Sizing: XS-2XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Supportive fit
⊕ High-quality material
⊗ Thick fabric can run hot

There’s something uniquely satisfying about the feel of snug, supportive tights hugging your muscles. The Adidas Adizero Control Running Short Leggings, crafted from a relatively thick blend of 83 percent polyester and 17 percent elastane, delivers mild compression to your quads, glutes, and hamstrings, ensuring they stay engaged and protected during even the most intense runs.

Flexible, rubber-like (TPE) strips stretch across the major muscles to add additional support. The result is a tighter, more supportive fit than the other tights in this test. However, although you might expect them to feel restrictive, the material is surprisingly stretchy and flexible, allowing full range of motion. The downside is that they can feel too warm in hot conditions. But that was one of our few complaints about these tights that otherwise made us feel fast and powerful.

Best 7” Shorts

Rab Talus Running Shorts

$80 at REI

$80 at Rab

Sizing: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely lightweight
⊕ Great pockets
⊗ Runs a little tight

For testers who prefer the added leg coverage of a seven-inch inseam, the Rab 7” Talus Running Shorts stood out as the clear winner. Longer shorts often feel restrictive or suffocating, but not these. Made of a lightweight, single-weave stretch fabric with a fluorocarbon-free DWR finish, the shell was invisible once we started moving. Four-inch side splits kept the longer hem from interfering with our strides.

The short’s best feature might be the high-rise waistband, which has built-in pockets that kept items locked in place. “There’s a flat-out bonkers amount of storage around the waistband,” said one ultrarunner tester. Two rear drop-in pockets flank a zippered lumbar pocket and easily held an iPhone and plenty of fuel.

The long (7-inch inseam) boxer brief liner also impressed. Constructed of a single-jersey fabric with a subtle mesh structure and odor-control treatment, it provided secure-but-unconstricting support. “This was more supportive than most, and I normally strongly prefer briefs. It takes a really good pair of long liners to change my mind,” said one tester.

Sizing ran small, which is typical for European brands. If you’re between sizes and prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

What to Look For in Running Shorts

Running shorts vary in length, liners, pockets, fit, and fabric. You’ll want a length that is short enough for full, unimpeded motion (the faster the run, the shorter and more split the shorts tend to be), but long enough to feel decent on the trail, road, or post-run coffee shop.

Liners range from soft, loose briefs to compression-shorts-like stretchy boxers—or none at all for those who prefer to wear their own underwear. Choosing between liners is a matter of personal taste, balancing breathability and range of motion with level of coverage and control.

Pockets need to be big and secure enough for whatever you want to carry: phone, keys, cards, gels. And pocket placement location is important to allow convenient access and avoid bouncing and chafing, as is the robustness of the waistband to prevent sagging when carrying anything heavy, like a phone.

When it comes to fit and fabric, as with all hot-weather running gear, you want pieces that breathe, wick moisture, move naturally, delay stink, and don’t get in the way.

Here are some quick tips on buying the best warm-weather gear without going broke:

• • Look for high-quality synthetic fibers. Yes, our top picks include a few items with natural fibers. But for the most part, specially designed varieties of polyester, polyamide, nylon, and the like can handle summer running’s high sweat rates better than wool and cotton.
  • Seek sun protection. Even if you run at dawn or dusk, or on shaded trails, sun damage can be insidious. Many shorts and tops come with a UPF coating. Running tan lines aren’t something to be proud of.
  • Check for chafing. If you’ve ever been rubbed raw by a rigid seam or sagging liner, you won’t want to repeat the experience. Abrasion accelerates when you’re drenched in sweat. Look for flat seams, unobtrusive logos, and other elements of construction that will minimize chafing.
  • Go with the flow. Our picks in this review strike the right balance between being loose enough to allow cooling air flow but not so billowy that they impede normal running form.
  • Banish bacteria. Many hot-weather running items incorporate an anti-bacterial treatment that greatly reduces nasty odors setting up shop. These pieces not only can be worn many more times before needing to be washed, but also lessen your chance of developing a funky skin situation.
  • Invest in quality. It can be tempting to think, “Whatever I run in is going to get soaked anyway, so I’ll just buy the cheapest gear out there.” Such reasoning quickly falls apart when, well, the item itself starts to fall apart because of constant exposure to sweat and frequent laundering. Instead, invest in fewer high-quality pieces that hold their form and don’t hold odors; the best running shorts are better than more cheaply made gear that will start disintegrating in one season.

How We Test Men’s Running Shorts

• Number of testers: 10
• Number of running shorts tested: 40+
• Number of miles run in testing: 4,500+
• Highest testing temperature: 97 Fahrenheit

Our testing team ranged across the U.S.—from coastal Maine and western Maryland to central Wisconsin, the high plains of Nebraska, the urban bake sites of Chicago and Houston, and out to Santa Barbara on the California coast, plus, for good measure, the running hub of Eugene, Oregon. All are dedicated runners with average weekly mileage ranging from low 20s to mid 70s. Some have been running for 30 or more years and can compare today’s running apparel to previous attempts to keep runners cool in the summer.

We focused on a subjective combination of moisture management, comfort, versatility, value, and looks to answer a simple question: Of all the apparel you logged summer miles in, which would you be most likely to recommend to fellow runners?

Meet Our Lead Testers

Cory Smith

Cory Smith, a former Division One runner at Villanova University, has been running since the mid-1990s. With over a decade of experience testing and reviewing running apparel and shoes for publications like Outside and Runner’s World, he continues to compete as a masters athlete, boasting a personal best of 4:31 in the mile. He consistently logs 30 to 40 miles per week over roads, trails and on the track.

A cross-country race Cory Smith ran while testing running shorts.

(Gaia GPS is owned by Outside Inc.)

Scott Douglas

Scott Douglas says, “I’ve run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen in the 1970s, and have always loved how daily runs undergird and elevate the rest of my life.” The author or co-author of several running books and a writer/editor about fitness, he sweats like crazy despite living in Maine.

Other testers included:

• Jonathan Beverly, a Nebraska resident who is a senior running gear editor for Outside and has also been running since the 1970s.
• Nathan Brown, a doctor of physical therapy who founded the Pineries Running Lab in Wisconsin.