Summer running is difficult enough with the challenges of heat and humidity. The last thing you need is to be held back by running shorts that bunch, cling, chafe, or restrict your movement. The perfect running shorts should be so comfortable that you hardly notice them, while looking so good that others do. We tested over 40 pairs in the most sweltering conditions to find the best running shorts for you, whatever your style.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out our picks for the best running shirts for men and the best running shoes.
Updated April 2025: We’ve removed three shorts and added six new picks from Rabbit, Outdoor Research, Terignota, Black Diamond, Ciele, and Ten Thousand.
At a Glance
- Best Overall: Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 5″ ($75)
- Runner Up, Best Overall: Outdoor Research Swift Lite Shorts ($69)
- Best Value: Terignota Sendero Short ($29)
- Best Run/Gym Hybrid Short: Ten Thousand Session Short ($68–78)
- Best for Race Day: Hoka Glide 5” ($54)
- Best Splurge: Soar Run Shorts ($125)
- Best for Trail Running: Black Diamond Distance Short ($74)
- Best 2-in-1: Ciele DLYShort 5″ ($75)
- Best Half Tight: Adidas Adizero Control Running Short Leggings ($75)
- What to Look For in Running Shorts
- How We Test
- Meet Our Lead Testers
Best Overall
Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 5″
$75 at REI $75 at Running Warehouse
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 14, but it requires a bit of effort to get it in. The only other downside is the lack of color choices: it comes only in a standard black and seasonal blue.
Runner Up, Best Overall
Outdoor Research Swift Lite Shorts
$69 at Outdoor Research $40-84 at Amazon
Sizing: S-XXXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable, flowy shell fabric
⊕ UPF 30 sun protection
⊕ Dries quickly, doesn’t cling when wet
⊗ Limited storage
As a recognizable outdoor gear brand, Outdoor Research might not be the first brand that comes to mind for running apparel, but the Swift Lite Shorts left a strong impression on our entire testing team. Crafted with a polyester and spandex blend, the shell fabric felt comfortable and flowy against the skin, causing one tester to call it his “go-to, pull-on-and-forget-it option, especially for trail running.” The gusseted crotch and lightweight fabric with just the right amount of stretch allowed full freedom of movement without riding up, along with excellent moisture management. “The fabric dries quickly and stands away from the skin, never getting clingy or soaked,” noted one tester, qualities that he said made it a standout for sweaty, warm-weather efforts. As an added bonus, the shell carries a rare UPF 30 sun protection rating.
The internal polyester brief liner provides solid support, while the jacquard waistband with an external drawcord keeps the shorts securely in place without feeling tight or restrictive. Thoughtful details, such as notched sides, a laser-cut hem, and ventilation holes increased comfort and style points. The standard 5” inseam and classic fit strikes an ideal middle ground between too baggy and too revealing. One tester remarked, “Thanks to a light stretch and strategic tailoring, it looks good enough to continue wearing casually post-run.”
Our only gripe is the limited storage: the single rear zip pocket didn’t offer enough space for essentials and wasn’t large enough to fit a phone. That said, if you can get by without extra pocket space, you’ll be treated to a comfortable, durable, great-looking pair of running shorts that never draw attention to themselves on the run.
Best Value
Terignota Sendero Short
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 shorts costing 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 15. 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 Run/Gym Hybrid Short
Ten Thousand Session Short
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
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 Run Shorts
Sizing: XS-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Good blend of comfort and performance
⊕ Suitable for most seasons
⊗ Pocket is too small for a phone
Based in the UK, Soar running makes some of the highest quality, best-looking running apparel we’ve tested. Combining striking design with exceptionally fast-drying fabric and luxury features like laser-cut ventilation holes and bonded hems, these shorts became our go-to choice whenever we wanted both standout style and top-notch performance.
The 5” inseam strikes a balance between modesty and uninhibited motion. Notched side hems and a stretch woven fabric bolsters mobility while a comfortable polyester and elastane brief liner provided excellent support. The slim drawstring waistband remains comfortable and never squeezes. These shorts truly disappear during the run.
The only thing we’d knock them for is lack of storage. With a single rear zippered pocket that’s too small for a phone, we found it hard to carry fuel on long runs. That said, we’ve tested these shorts for two years now, and they have held up remarkably well.
Best for Trail Running
Black Diamond Distance Short
$57–74 at Backcountry $50–74 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 $80 at Huckberry
Sizing: XS-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Incredibly soft and supportive liner
⊕ Available in long or short liner
⊗ Phone bounces in pocket
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 Half Tights
Adidas Adizero Control Running Short Leggings
$75 at Adidas $90 at Running Warehouse
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.
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 summer 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 summer 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 summer 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. Fewer high-quality pieces that hold their form and don’t hold odors are better than more cheaply made gear that will start disintegrating in one summer.
How We Test
- Number of testers: 10
- Number of 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 13.25km trail race Cory Smith ran while testing running shorts. (Gaia GPS is owned by Outside Inc.)
Scott Douglas
Scott Douglas says he’s run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen in the 1970s, and has always loved how daily runs undergird and elevate the rest of his life. The author or co-author of several running books and a writer/editor about fitness, he sweats like crazy despite living in Maine.
The post The Best Running Shorts for Men (2025) appeared first on Outside Online.
