Finding the perfect pair of gym shorts is no easy task. There are thousands of options out there, from budget to premium options.
I put a number of them to the test – read on for my pick of the 10 best gym shorts for men.
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A good pair of gym shorts can give you better range of movement, allow you to store your valuables safely if needed, and offer a level of comfort that’ll ensure you reach for them time and again.
To make your life easier, I’ve tested ten of the best gym shorts I could find, from brands including Under Armour, Brooks and Rad.
I’ve ranked them based on fabric, comfort and fit and have even decided on a winner.
From the best value, to the most comfortable of all, here are the best gym shorts for men.
Best gym shorts at a glance
12 best gym shorts, tried and tested
Reflo Desna 2-in-1 Shorts, £49
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Reflo Desna 2-in-1 Shorts Black, £49
Pros: 4-way stretch fabric, inner shorts offer lots of support
Cons: Smaller logo would be preferable
Rating: 8/10
Reflo is on a self-professed mission to become the most sustainable sportswear brand out there, and has along the way, picked up investors like football legend Harry Kane.
The Desna shorts are a great entry point into the brand, and show what it’s all about.
First of all, the shorts are very comfortable. They come with a built-in compression liner, which doesn’t rise up and offers good support in all the right places.
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After testing them when running and lifting weights in the gym, they hold in place every time, giving you confidence. The medium length is neither too long nor too short, while the zip pockets are handy for securing essentials when on the move.
Overall, this is a really good pair of gym shorts that do pretty much everything right.
Price: £49; Size range: S-XXL ; Fabric: 91% recycled polyester, 9% elastane
Montane Men’s Slipstream 5-inch Trail Running Shorts, £55
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Montane Men’s Slipstream 5-inch
Trail Running Shorts, £55
Pros: Seriously lightweight fabric. Clever design with high waistband. Rear zip pockets. Inner mesh.
Cons: More specialised than most pairs.
Rating: 8/10
Montane’s gear is often so lightweight you’ll forget you’ve got anything on.
It’s the same with these shorts, which are made from the lightest, stretch polyester fabric, which moves with you rather than against you.
Designed specifically for trail running, this pair is ideal for moving at speed in the gym, whether on the treadmill, bike or rowing machine. They are short, with a 5-inch inseam, so keep that in mind, and they come with a wide waistband which can be worn high if you choose.
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There is no doubting the quality and the thought behind the design. They’re an excellent pair that gives you unrivalled range of movement.
They don’t come with regular side pockets; rather, there are hidden pockets for gels and a rear zip pocket for essentials.
If you are in between sizes it might be worth sizing up.
Price: £55; Size range: XS-XXL; Fabric: Polyester
Decathlon DOMYOS Men’s Zip Pocket Breathable Essential Fitness Shorts, £11.99 £9.99
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DOMYOS Men’s Zip Pocket Breathable
Essential Fitness Shorts – Blue Camo, £11.99 £9.99
Pros: Bargain price. Side zip pockets, quick drying fabric
Cons: Cheaper feeling fabric compared to others on this list
Rating: 7/10
There’s no denying the appeal of a less than £10 pair of gym shorts – and this Decathlon pair delivers.
With over 18,300 reviews on its website, these shorts received a 4.7 out of 5 rating, with over 14,000 5 star reviews alone.
Yes, the fabric does feel cheaper than others on this list, but for £9.99 you can’t argue.
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These fit well and are great whether you’re running or working out in the gym.
They can even double up as swim shorts thanks to their quick drying fabric, while the abstract print adds a point of difference among a sea of black.
Price: £9.99; Size range: XS-4XL; Fabric: Polyester
Sudu SRS 01 Run Shorts, £45
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Sudu SRS 01 Run Shorts – Black/Light Blue, £45
Pros: Great fit, premium feeling polyester blend fabric. Stylish branding and hidden zip pockets
Cons: 4-inch inseam might not be for everybody
Rating: 8/10
Another pair of shorts focussed on running rather than just general gym-going, this Sudu pair is well-designed and executed.
The first thing I noticed was the short inseam. These measure at the grand total of four inches, which is very short and might not be for everyone.
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I’m used to a longer inseam, but the short’s great fit and comfortable polyester/spandex fabric put me at ease though – as did the integrated mesh undershorts, which offer support where you need it.
The rear zip pocket is perfect for storing your phone, too.
Price: £45; Size range: XS-3XL; Fabric: 89% polyester, 11% spandex
UP Universal 5-inch Active Training Shorts, £42
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UP Universal 5-inch Active Training Shorts, £42
Pros: Made from recycled polyester in Portugal, straight fit which is flattering for those with big thighs, integrated mesh lining for support, minimal design
Cons: Rear zip pocket doesn’t fit a phone
Rating: 8/10
UP’s Universal shorts come with an ultra-minimal design, which looks and feels great.
Get them in black and they’re an incredibly versatile pair in which you can run, gym and even swim in.
The recycled polyester and elastane fabric is incredibly lightweight. Like the best gym shorts, they often feel as though you’ve got nothing on, such is their lightness.
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The inner mesh offers plenty of support, although it is slightly tight for me, and means I can’t pull the shorts up to my usual desired height.
The rear zip pocket is also too small for my average-sized phone, which is a shame.
Price: £42; Size range: S-3XL ; Fabric: 86% polyester, 14% Elastane
Helly Hansen Stretch Woven Shorts 2.0, £60 £42
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Helly Hansen Stretch Woven Shorts 2.0, £60 £42
Pros: Soft fabric, subtle branding, built-in liner, rear zip pocket
Cons: Expensive, shallow side pockets, liner is a little tight
Rating: 7/10
Helly Hansen’s Stretch Woven Shorts 2.0 are made from a very soft polyester blend fabric, which feels great against the skin.
It gives them a premium feel, which is befitting of their £60 price tag (currently reduced to £42), which is among the highest on this list.
They don’t fit me quite as well as other shorts, however. This is to do with the built-in lining, which is a little tight. It means I can’t pull the shorts up high enough, and when bending down, the back of the shorts often slips down.
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The side pockets are also a little shallow, and I wouldn’t trust putting anything of any value in them.
Price: £60; Size range: S-2XL; Fabric: 89% polyester, 11% elastane
George Gym Locker Navy Marl Quick Dry Shorts, £15
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George Gym Locker Navy Marl Quick Dry Shorts, £15
Pros: Accessibly priced and very comfortable
Cons: Simple design with no zip pockets
Rating: 7/10
One of the more affordable pairs of shorts on this list, this Gym Locker pair by Asda’s George is exceedingly comfortable.
The fabric is a mid-weight polyester blend, which is on the thicker side.
The reverse of the fabric, which touches the skin, has a brushed finish – feeling more like fleece. This makes them just as comfy for wearing around the house as they are useful for the gym.
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They’re a simple design, with two deep side pockets, while the lack of a zip pocket means they aren’t as practical as some other pairs.
Price: £15; Size range: S-3XL; Fabric: 90% polyester, 10% elastane
Brooks Sherpa 5-inch 2-in-1 Short, £55
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Brooks Sherpa 5-inch 2-in-1 Short, £55
Pros: Well designed with a range of handy design details
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 9/10
Brooks’ Sherpa shorts are very much tailored to running, but they work equally well for gym sessions.
They feature the best integrated liners of any shorts on this list. They are close fitting, yet give you room when you need it. They also never ride up.
The outer shorts are made from a very lightweight polyester, which has been cut with the perfect width – they are neither too slim nor too baggy.
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The multiple pockets come in handy, too. There is a side zip pocket on the right hand side for your phone – it keeps it close to your thigh and doesn’t bounce around.
There are also gel pockets and a handy loop to secure your keys in one pocket.
An excellent performer and the most premium feeling pair on this list.
Price: £55; Size range: XS-2XL; Fabric: 90% polyester, 10% elastane
Under Armour Vanish Woven 6-inch Shorts, £49 £34.30
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Under Armour Vanish Woven 6-inch Shorts, £49 £34.30
Pros: Excellent fit, lightweight, deep pockets and comfortable
Cons: Waistband adjuster doesn’t work
Rating: 10/10
I was instantly impressed with the fit of these Under Armour shorts.
I’m 5 ft 11 and 80kg and a large fits me perfectly. The length is great at 6 inches, and the rise is high enough so they can be pulled up slightly or worn lower.
The fabric is worth noting also. It’s a quick drying polyester with a subtle ripstop-like texture on it, which feels premium and only adds to the comfort. The pockets are deep and while there is no zipped pocket, I didn’t find that an issue.
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The only criticism I have is the full tab to tighten the waistband. It’s a single ribbon, rather than two drawcords, and it doesn’t hold in place when you tighten it.
This isn’t really an issue for me however, as the shorts fit perfectly without needing to tighten them.
Price: £49; Size range: S-3XL; Fabric: 100% polyester
Bam Clothing Brook Active Sweat Shorts, £44
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Bam Clothing Brook Active Sweat Shorts, £44
Pros: Exceedingly comfortable, fabric is incredibly soft and lightweight, zipped pockets
Cons: Would prefer the drawstring to be black
Rating: 10/10
The best thing about these Bam shorts is the fabric. It’s a bamboo and cotton blend which is incredibly soft and comfortable against the skin.
It’s also got a loopback finish on the interior of the fabric. This is the original sportswear fabric technique, with the little loops of fabric designed to draw sweat away from the body during exercise.
The fit of the shorts is great too. They’re perfect for running, gym work or just as loungewear around the house.
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The zip pockets come in handy and they might be the only gym shorts you need.
Personally I don’t love white drawcords, but this is just an aesthetic thing and doesn’t impact the short’s performance.
Price: £44; Size range: S-2XL; Fabric: 67% bamboo viscose, 27% organic cotton, 6% elastane
What is the best material for gym shorts?
Most gym shorts will be made either from 100% polyester or a blend of polyester with another fabric.
Polyester is a great fabric for gym shorts as it is lightweight and quick drying; two traits which are useful when exercising.
Brands will typically finish the polyester in a few different ways. Look out for textured polyester, which often has a waffle or perforated texture to it that is soft against the skin.
What are the most comfortable gym shorts?
The most comfortable gym shorts I tested have to be either the Under Armour or BAM pair. The UA pair are more traditional gym shorts, in that they’re made from polyester and have familiar branding on them.
The Bam pair, however, are made from a bamboo and organic cotton blend, which has a more luxurious feeling and is incredibly comfortable.
How we tested these shorts
Each pair of shorts was tested in the gym. They were ran in, walked in, stretched in and used when lifting weights.
I’ve based each rating on how they performed, and given them scores out of ten accordingly.
Some pairs performed better than others, while others had a better fit or were more comfortable. This is reflected in the scores and opinions given.
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