Best Men's Athletic Shorts 2026: Gym Shorts, Board Shorts
The BALENNZ Athletic Shorts for Men with Pockets and Elastic Waistband Quick Dry Activewear is our top pick for Men's Athletic Shorts 2026: Gym Shorts, Board Shorts. Pockets for phone and keys. For budget shoppers, the maamgic Swim Trunks Men 2 in 1 Mens Bathing Suit 7 Inch Quick Dry Mens Swimming Trunks with Zipper Pockets offers solid value at a lower price.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
Men's Athletic Shorts Buying Guide
Photo by INFECTED Store / PexelsChoosing the Right Fabric for Athletic Shorts
How we picked these. We compared 4 women's activewear across stretch and recovery, moisture-wicking performance, waistband comfort, durability after washing, and value, cross-referencing picks from Wirecutter, Gear Junkie, and verified athlete reviews.
Polyester and nylon blends are the standard for performance shorts. Polyester is slightly less expensive and very durable; nylon feels softer and dries marginally faster. Both work well. Avoid 100% cotton gym shorts — cotton absorbs sweat, gets heavy, chafes, and takes hours to dry. Mesh panels in the inner thigh or along the sides improve ventilation for intense cardio.
Quick-dry is marketing language for synthetic fabrics treated to wick moisture and dry faster than untreated equivalents. All modern gym shorts should qualify. The real differentiator is 4-way stretch — shorts that only stretch in 2 directions restrict movement in lateral exercises and deep squats.
The Athletic Shorts Fit Guide
Waistband: elastic with drawcord is the standard. The drawcord should be long enough to tie with a secure knot, not just tuck in. Shorts without drawcords can slip during dynamic movements. Avoid shorts with only a button fly — they don't stay secure during exercise.
Rise: mid-rise (sitting at natural waist) is the default for most gym shorts. Low-rise can gap and expose during squats. High-rise is found in specific yoga and running shorts for core support.
Inseam: see FAQ above. 7 inches is the safe versatile choice. Measure your current gym shorts if you're happy with the length and match it.
Board Shorts vs 2-in-1: Water Activity Gear Guide
Standard board shorts are the versatile beach short — wear them in water, out of water, on the way to dinner. They work for casual surfing, swimming, and light paddle sports. The tradeoff is lack of support and the loose fit that's less ideal for active water sports.
2-in-1 shorts with a built-in compression liner are better for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, and any water activity where you're actively moving your legs and need the shorts to stay in place. The liner provides support comparable to a swimsuit under board shorts without the look of wearing both. They also work as gym shorts for lifting and CrossFit.
Building a Complete Gym Shorts Wardrobe
For daily training, 5-7 pairs is practical for a wash cycle every 5-7 days. For occasional gym-goers, 2-3 pairs covers a normal week. The multi-pack option makes it economical to build quantity at once. Mix lengths: a few pairs at 5-inch inseam for running and cardio, a few at 7-inch for lifting and general use. Having length variety prevents the "wrong shorts for the workout" problem.
Comparing the two most popular brands? The Nike vs Under Armour Athletic Shorts 2026 head-to-head covers waistband comfort, pocket depth, and fabric breathability. For the footwear to match, our Best Men's Running Shoes 2026 covers cushioning and support across workout types. For the full athletic wardrobe starting point, Best Men's Athletic Basics 2026 covers every layer from base to outer.
For a detailed head-to-head, see our Under Armour Vs Nike Gym Shorts comparison.
Watch Before You Buy
“Quick-dry athletic shorts with deep pockets and elastic waistband — the go-to everyday gym and training short.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Pockets for phone and keys
- Elastic waistband
- Quick-dry fabric
- Budget price
- Suitable for gym and casual outdoor wear
Watch out for
- Budget brand quality inconsistent across color options
- Sizing can run large
- Inner liner may chafe during long runs
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These Athletic Shorts for Men deliver the core functionality demanded in a gym short: quick-dry fabric, a secure elastic waistband, and deep pockets that fit a phone without bouncing. The 4-way stretch construction moves naturally through squats, lunges, and lateral exercises without restricting range of motion. Mid-thigh length hits the functional sweet spot — long enough for comfort on equipment but short enough for free movement in cardio. The flat-front design works both at the gym and for casual wear. Available in multiple colors at an accessible price point.
- Quick-dry 4-way stretch fabric
- Deep side pockets — holds phone securely
- Elastic waistband with interior drawcord
- Mid-thigh length for gym and casual wear
“5-pack of quick-dry gym shorts — stock up on everyday training shorts at a per-short cost that makes replacing a full drawer easy.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 5-pack value
- Quick-dry fabric
- Elastic waistband with drawstring
- Budget per-short price
- Functional for gym training
Watch out for
- 5-pack means limited style variety
- Construction basic — not for sport-specific performance
- Sizing may vary between colors in the pack
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This Men's Athletic Gym Shorts 5-Pack solves the perpetual gym shorts shortage — when you have five pairs, you're never wearing a stale pair because laundry was delayed. Each short features the same quick-dry fabric, side pockets, and elastic waistband as individual gym shorts, but the 5-pack pricing makes the per-unit cost significantly lower. Mix-and-match colors are typically available so you can differentiate training days from rest days. A solid choice for anyone building a complete gym wardrobe from scratch or replacing multiple worn pairs at once.
- 5-pack value — lowest cost per short
- Quick-dry fabric, pockets, and elastic waistband in each pair
- Consistent sizing across the set
- Best for stocking a gym wardrobe efficiently
“Quick-dry board shorts that work as swim trunks and casual shorts — versatile for beach, pool, and everyday summer wear.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Quick-dry fabric
- Drawstring waist
- Multiple color options
- Budget price
- Board short length
Watch out for
- No compression liner — separate compression shorts needed for modesty
- Quick-dry claims may require full air exposure vs immediate drying
- Budget construction shows at seams
Read Full Analysis
These Men's Swim Trunks Quick Dry Board Shorts are designed to work both in and out of the water. The hydrophobic quick-dry fabric sheds water and dries within an hour of leaving the pool or ocean. The longer board short cut (typically 19-20 inches) is appropriate for beach and pool use while remaining socially comfortable for casual dining and shopping without a cover. Side and back pockets (back pocket with velcro closure) handle keys and cards for beach days when you don't want a bag. The elastic waistband with drawcord adjusts fit without a belt — suitable even when pockets are loaded with wet items.
- Hydrophobic quick-dry fabric — ready in under an hour out of water
- Secure velcro back pocket for keys and cards
- Board short length — beach to casual appropriate
- Elastic waistband with adjustable drawcord
“2-in-1 swim trunks with built-in compression liner — the go-to for active water sports and workouts where support matters.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 2-in-1 with built-in compression liner
- 7-inch inseam
- Quick-dry outer
- Budget price
- Eliminates separate compression layer
Watch out for
- Built-in liner may feel uncomfortable for men unused to compression swim shorts
- 7-inch length shorter than board shorts — shows more leg
- Liner takes longer to dry than outer
Read Full Analysis
These 2-in-1 Men's Swim Trunks feature an outer board short over a built-in compression liner — eliminating the need for a separate underlayer. The compression liner provides support for active water sports like paddleboarding, surfing, and open water swimming where the outer shorts alone won't stay in place. The 7-inch inseam is more athletic and trim than standard board shorts, with a modern cut that looks intentional rather than baggy. Works as gym shorts as well — the 2-in-1 construction makes them more versatile than a standalone board short or gym short.
- Built-in compression liner — support without a separate underlayer
- 7-inch inseam — more trim athletic cut
- Works for water sports, gym, and casual wear
- Quick-dry outer fabric over supportive liner
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between athletic shorts, gym shorts, and board shorts?
What inseam length should I choose for gym shorts?
Do athletic shorts need pockets?
How do I keep athletic shorts from smelling?
Can I wear board shorts as gym shorts?
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