The Summer of Love was a beautiful time for dudes to flaunt their legs with the best short shorts for men. Sure, guys still rely on shorts to keep them feeling breezy and comfortable. But in doing so, they tend to forget there’s a science to looking good in shorter legwear.
Bermuda-style shorts are all well and good, but they often distort the natural shape of your legs and make you look bigger than you are. Short shorts give people a much better idea of what you’re working with. Plus, they look especially great if you’ve been pushing those leg muscles to the limit.
So bring out the best in your legs, or just stay cozy around the house. Either way, we’ve picked out some of the best short shorts for men on today’s market.
Our Top Picks
You really can’t go wrong with Everlane clothes. The slim fit trims your thighs down to perfection, but that little bit of elastane gives you just enough stretch to keep you comfortable.
These shorts absorb sweat like nobody’s business, making them the perfect thing to wear in the summer. Throw on a white tee with some low-cut shoes, and you’re set for the day.
You can get them in half a dozen alluring colors. Although our favorite would have to be navy, it works great with brighter and darker tops. And if you’re extra tall and don’t want them too short, you can always go for the nine-inch inseam instead.
Material: 94% Cotton, 6% Elastane | Colors available: Gray, Navy, Black, Beige, + | Sizes available: 28 – 38 | Inseam: 7 – 9”
Short shorts for men weren’t always in vogue for pro golfers, but times have changed. Comfortable, airy, and shockingly affordable, these polyester shorts exude style and give you a solid range of movement. Also, thanks to the MotionFlux seams, you can twist all you want without worrying about that kind of hole in one.
Golf is a lot sweatier than it looks on TV—that is, it would be if it weren’t for the DriFlux design on these shorts. If you want to be the best-looking guy on the golf course, you can pick from four amazing colors to match your favorite polo shirt.
Material: 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex | Colors available: Black, Navy, Brown, White | Sizes available: 30 – 44 | Inseam: 7”
You’ll be cutting through the water like a shark with these beautiful swimming trunks by Closed. Don’t let the pajama-like design fool you. The elastic waist really lets you unleash your inner Michael Phelps. You won’t look too shabby on dry land either.
Whenever you’re not swimming, follow the styling suggestion of Closed. Both the orange and indigo versions look great with a crisp white t-shirt up top. You’ll have your share of pockets, too, including a nifty Velcro one in the back to store all your valuables.
Material: 100% Polyester | Colors available: Wild Safran, Indigo Ash | Sizes available: 28 – 40 | Inseam: 4.9”
No matter how you feel about cargo shorts, the comfort factor is enough to make these bad boys some of the best short shorts for men. If your idea of a good time is a beer at the park with your buddies, throw these on and style them with the matching cargo jacket. Alternatively, green, beige, and white t-shirts will look great with a pair of low-cut sneakers.
Unlike most denim shorts, you don’t have to wear a belt with these since they come with an elastic waistband. Don’t worry, the zipper-button combo separates these things from regular lounge shorts you’d wear to bed.
Material: 56% Linen, 44% Cotton | Colors available: Dried Basil | Sizes available: 27 – 38 | Inseam: 7.9”
Short shorts for men are an absolute must for guys who need their morning run. These things look amazing on a good pair of legs, but more importantly, the mesh lining keeps your undercarriage breezy for hours. That’s not even the biggest selling point here. The all-polyester build will make you practically forget you’re wearing shorts.
The trademark four-way stretch gives your legs some pretty impressive mobility, and the powermesh phone pocket keeps your device safely in place. So feel free to run like the wind while you listen to your favorite workout jams.
Material: 100% Polyester | Colors available: Blue, Black | Sizes available: 30 – 48 | Inseam: 5”
Arguably these are the best short shorts for men who live and breathe fitness. The quintessential summer workout wear, if you will. Whichever color you go for, that iconic side stripe and New Balance logo show everyone you mean business.
The fit and function of these beauties are on another level. The crepe liner is a big factor, which keeps your nether region nice and comfortable. You also won’t lose your keys and change at the gym since you can tuck everything away in the inner pocket for safekeeping.
Material: Cotton | Colors available: 15 Color Options | Sizes available: 28 – 44 | Inseam: 5”
The Best of the Rest
To absolutely no one’s surprise, Ralph Lauren is behind some of the best short shorts for men on the market. These shorts are for you if you really like your denim but still need to let your calves breathe. No pesky zippers or buttons here—that trusty elastic keeps these snug around your waist with pure cotton comfort.
These are the kind of shorts you can rock at beach parties and casual outings without a second thought. Just don’t throw them on if you’re doing anything remotely formal. You can do a little cheaper than these, but you can’t do much better as far as comfort and summer cool factor go.
Material: 100% Cotton | Colors available: Blue | Sizes available: 26 – 44 | Inseam: 5.5-6.5”
The best short shorts for men used to be very short, and brands like TENJOY are bringing that trend back. Thanks to the convenient split-leg design, everything from full-body stretches to side splits is possible. In fact, these shorts are famous for that range of motion.
Three-inch inseams aren’t for everybody, but if you’re up to try them, you can find these in virtually any color. You also get two nifty zipper pockets and an airy outer layer that still protects your thighs from bruises during more intense exercises.
Material: 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex (Liner: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex) | Colors available: Blue, Black, Green, Khaki, + | Sizes available: 30 – 40 | Inseam: 3”
To hit that sweet spot between elegant and casual, a lot of the best short shorts for men take the chino approach. It’s hard not to throw on a Henley shirt and show these J.Crews off at the nearest bar.
Unlike a lot of denim, the slightly stretchy fit makes these shorts look flattering on most body types, highlighting your legs in the best possible way. The cotton quality is exceptional, and the elastane lets you limbo on the beach without worrying about rips and tears. So grab your favorite Henley and limbo away.
Material: 100% Cotton | Colors available: Gray, Clay, Orange, Khaki, + | Sizes available: 28 – 42 | Inseam: 5”
One of the best examples of casual legwear, Todd Snyder’s short shorts are always a safe pick for guys of all shapes and sizes. Although you can get them with a longer inseam, the five-inchers are great for showing off your leg biceps.
This might just be one of the most universal picks on our list. They’re ideal for unwinding on your sofa, but the Tencel also helps absorb a lot of moisture if you work up a sweat off of your sofa. All that’s left to do is throw on some sandals and a light-colored, “summer-y” tee and strut your stuff at the beach.
Material: 51% Cotton. 46% Tencel, 3% Spandex Twill | Colors available: Navy, Black, Red, Gray, + | Sizes available: 28 – 43 | Inseam: 5 – 7”
AMIPACT’s briefs are cushy yet durable, perfect for guys who roll around a lot in their sleep. Thanks to the cotton, polyester, and spandex combo, you won’t sweat buckets in your sleep anymore.
And since the inseam is so short, you can wear these around the house well after you’re out of bed. On particularly hot days, you can even get some yard work done (they actually have decently sized pockets for your phone).
There’s even a handy zippered section for your cash if you’re too lazy to dress up for the store. However, the loose fit might be a tad problematic for a night on the town.
Material: 63% Cotton, 32% Polyester, 5% Spandex | Colors available: Green, Gray, Blue, Black, + | Sizes available: 30 – 40 | Inseam: 4”
The best short shorts for men put comfort first, and that’s definitely what these
You’re lucky if you can get two decent pockets on most casual shorts, but the extra back pocket is great storage for lighter workouts. A bodybuilder can really look the part wearing these bad boys, but the lack of zippers means you’ll want to be careful not to drop anything.
They come in all the traditional “manly” colors, but there is a bolder reddish option for our confident beefcake readers.
Material: 100% Cotton| Colors available: Black, Gray, Navy, Red, + | Sizes available: 25 – 50 | Inseam: 7.8”
Amazon is on the cutting edge of fashion, and its signature Goodthreads are among the best short shorts for men you can get today. These are the shorts you can turn to for a night out. The grainy fabric pattern gives them the kind of detail that’s hard to come by in more casual trunks.
If your thighs are noticeably bigger than the rest of your legs (we know the struggle), you can rely on the tapered fit to straighten things out. You can get these in just about every size you could possibly need—bonus. And with so many colors to pick from, you’re bound to have a matching short-sleeved button-down for that relaxed yet fresh aesthetic.
Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane | Colors available: Blue, Cream, Khaki, Tan, + | Sizes available: 28 – 42 | Inseam: 5”
It would help if you had well-defined leg muscles to get away with these, but the good news is they go great with colorful shoes and Hawaiian-style shirts. If ever there was a pair of summer festival or beach party shorts, it’s these puppies.
There’s a bit of spandex sprinkled into the mostly-organic cotton formula, giving you that classic blend of cozy and stretchy. And the pockets are nice and deep, so you get a lot of storage space without unnecessary bloating around the thighs.
Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex | Colors available: Blue, Black, Navy, White, + | Sizes available: 30 – 38 | Inseam: 5.5”
What To Look For When Searching For The Best Short Shorts For Men
The best short shorts for men are only a click away, but you should pay your due diligence before buying. Here are some of the things you may want to keep in mind:
Material
All the best short shorts for men primarily help your legs breathe, so you really can’t go wrong with a cushy cotton build. If you want a low-maintenance pair of shorts that can get you through a weekend of partying, go with polyester. You’ll never have to worry about creases.
Fit
The best short shorts for men won’t do you any good if you’re not comfortable. You’ll definitely want a pair that’s breathable around the waist without falling off. Elastic waistbands are something you should always be on the lookout for, and drawstrings never hurt either. But you can always opt for synthetic fabric shorts and prop them up with a stylish belt.
Length
The ideal length for short shorts depends entirely on your height. For most guys, you’ll want shorts that don’t dip below the knees, and five or six inches tends to be the safest inseam length. That said, for the classic short shorts experience, aim for a pair with hems that run halfway down your thighs.
FAQ
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The Sixties were a great time for short shorts for men, but they’re not something you see on the street every day now. But summers are getting hotter and hotter. And more men are embracing leg day as an integral part of their gym routine. So we predict an upswing in short shorts’ popularity in the coming years.
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Fittingly enough, short shorts tend to look great with short-sleeved shirts. You’ll also want to wear low-cut shoes to avoid looking too out of place. And it wouldn’t hurt to throw on some sunglasses for that quintessential summer look.
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The definition of short shorts for men is a bit flexible nowadays. One of the main reasons they keep going in and out of style is that they can look a bit unflattering on a lot of guys. Either way, shorts with a five-inch inseam could be considered the modern-day equivalent of short shorts. You might run into some three or four-inch throwbacks if you’re lucky. If you’re on the taller side, you have to be careful—even a seven-to-nine-inch inseam can look pretty short on you.
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