Best Shorts For Men 2024

Like swim trunks and t-shirts, shorts are something you wear constantly in warm weather, and really want to fit well. The best shorts for men sit comfortably on your waist, hit at a flattering length on your leg and are cut from breathable fabrics so they work in all types of weather. Whether you need shorts for the office, weekends, hiking or working out, we read all the reviews on the market so you don’t have to, and found the best men’s shorts for different needs and budgets.

breathable fabrics for all-day wear.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS

Our top pick overall is Huckberry’s Proof Nomad Short, which is made from high-quality stretch cotton and has a classic fit. For an affordable pair you can buy multiples of, we recommend Amazon’s Essentials Men’s Classic-Fit Cargo Short or O’Neill’s Jay Stretch Flat Front Bermuda Shorts, which have a laidback yet polished surfer aesthetic. Read on to see all of the best shorts for men that made our list, and for more suggestions, we also rounded up the best polo shorts and swim trunks for men.

Sizes: 28 to 38 | Colors: 4 total, including Navy and Grey and Moss | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Belt loop: Yes

The Nomad Short is a bestseller from Huckberry’s Proof, a sustainable brand known for making technical performance gear for everyday life. The breathable Japanese Toray twill stretches with you, and the fit is true to size. These shorts are cut like a chino, making them versatile for wearing everyday, casually with a tee or dressed up with a button-down.

Sizes: 28 to 60 | Colors: 15 total including Black, Navy, Gray, Light Olive, Camo | Materials: 100% cotton | Belt loop: Yes

The Classic-Fit Cargo Short from Amazon Essentials offers so much: incredibly inclusive sizing, a soft and breathable 100% cotton twill, ample storage with deep pockets and a price that can’t be beat. Multiple reviewers spoke to the high quality, durable fabric and impressive tailoring details like double stitched belt loops and reinforced seams. If you’re looking for a roomy, comfortable cargo short with many color options, this pair is the way to go.

Sizes: 28 to 46 | Colors: 20 total including Faded Black, Deep Navy, Sagebrush Green, Brilliant White | Materials: 92% cotton, 8% spandex | Belt loop: Yes

Menswear brand Bonobos is known for their fit and quality and the Washed Chino Short 2.0 excels in both areas. It’s the shorts version of the brand’s bestselling chino, which features a wrinkle-resistant, 4-way stretch fabric (one reviewer said they’re so comfortable he’s even slept in them) in a classic flat-front style. Design details like a curved waistband to reduce excess fabric and a hidden side pocket to stash your valuables makes these shorts a solid pick.

O’Neill Jay Stretch Flat Front Bermuda Shorts

Sizes: 28 to 44 | Colors: Graphite, Khaki, Light Grey, Cadet Blue | Materials: 98% cotton, 2% elastane | Belt loop: Yes

Lifestyle brand O’Neill started out as a surf company in the ‘50s, and these shorts stay true to those roots. The top-rated design is made of a breathable and stretchy cotton, ensuring comfort and flexibility. A slightly longer Bermuda length makes these great for casual days or breezy evenings.

Sizes: XS to XXXL | Colors: Grey Wolf Melange, Navy Halite Melange, Black Oxide Melange| Materials: 90% polyester, 10% spandex | Belt loop: No

Zella’s Pyrite Knit Shorts are great for lounging, working out and everything in between. They’re made from stretchy poly-blend with a soft, almost-brushed fabric feel, so they’re comfortable for all-day wear. The length hits mid-thigh and the elastic drawstring waistband makes it easy to adjust these shorts.

On Running

On 5″ Lightweight Running Shorts

Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: Black, Navy, Niagara, Ivy | Materials: 86% Recycled polyamide, 14% elastane | Belt loop: No

Swiss-engineered brand On designs all of their shoes and apparel with runners’ comfort and performance in mind. The Lightweight Shorts are minimalist and lightweight to carry you through the miles and the 4-way stretch woven outer layer feels silky smooth. A breathable mesh back panel increases airflow to keep you cool, plus an integrated pocket and key loop stows essentials while you’re on the move.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 17 total including Indigo, Charcoal, Shade, Currant, Chestnut | Materials: 48% Recycled polyester, 42% polyester, 10% elastane | Belt loop: No

Southern California-based Vuori designs all their apparel with a focus on functionality, durability and casual comfort. The Kore Short is great for workouts thanks to smart details like a moisture-wicking and quick-drying 4-way stretch polyester fabric, an elastic waistband and a built-in, breathable boxer-brief liner.

Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: Flame, Spice, Poolside, Greenery, Stone | Materials: 96% Recycled nylon, 4% spandex | Belt loop: No

Cotopaxi’s Brinco Short is built for hiking and active days: The hem slit and 5-inch inseam give you bouldering mobility, and the built-in mesh brief, elastic waistband and back pocket drain hole provide extra comfort for swimming and water sports. Plus Cotopaxi’s customer service efforts are impressive. They offer lifetime warranty and repairs, a trade-in service for pre-loved gear and their products made in sustainable apparel factories.

Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 3 total, including Charcoal and Navy | Materials: 86% Polyester, 14% spandex | Belt loop: No

Outdoor Voices designed the lightweight Sunday Short specifically with movement in mind. The buttery-soft fabric is not only breathable, it’s also sweat-wicking with stretch. It has a relaxed fit, so you have plenty of mobility in the glute and thigh areas, and the tapered hem above the knee helps these shorts look stylish beyond the mats, too.

Best Of The Rest

Sizes: 28 to 40 | Colors: Rye Green, Iron, Grey Blue, Nautical, Dark Khaki, Cove | Materials: 75% recycled polyester, 21% polyester, 4% elastane | Belt loop: Yes

Adventurers love PrAna’s Hybridizer Short because it’s durable and comfortable for land and water activities. A soft polyester blend fabric features a moisture-wicking finish, built-in UPF 30+ protection and a hint of stretch for easy movement. These have a standard fit with an interior drawstring to adjust the waist if you need it.

Sizes: 28 to 38 | Colors: Slate Heather, Command Green | Materials: 52% polyester, 45% cotton, 3% spandex | Belt loop: Yes

The Aether Strand Hybrid Swim Short is not your typical pair of trunks. They function as a daily short with a regular fit and belt loops, while technical features like mesh-bottomed pockets and a breathable, water-resistant fabric mean you can swim in these, too. They’re a nice option for travel and hot days.

Sizes: 28 to 40 | Colors: Navy, Sage Green, Sand | Materials: twill, Lyocell, cotton, spandex | Belt loop: Yes

Activewear brand Rhone’s Everyday Shorts manage to look dressy without being too stuffy. A soft, stretchy twill adds comfort while the classic fit and pants-inspired pockets add a polished feel. They also feature back zipper pockets so you can stash your wallet and other small essentials on the go.

Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: 18 total including Navy, Red, and Light Pink | Materials: 89% polyester, 11% spandex | Belt loop: Yes

Chubbies’s lightweight Khakinators are similar to chinos but even more comfortable, thanks to the elastic waistband. This bestseller is also water-, wrinkle-, and rip-resistant, and has two mesh-lined side pockets, a phone-sized back zipper pocket and a hidden side zipper pocket.

Sizes: XS to 5XL | Colors: 8 total including cream, khaki, and gray | Materials: 98% cotton, 2% spandex | Belt loop: No

Goodfellow & Co’s Everyday Pull-On Shorts are cut from a soft cotton fabric that has some stretch for added comfort, and come in a range of neutral colors. These shorts come in an impressive range of sizes, but some reviewers say these run very large and recommend sizing down.

Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: Asphalt, High Rise, Vintage Indigo | Materials: 95% cotton, 5% elastane | Belt loop: Yes

Marine Layer shorts have a laidback, surfer feel and the Saturday Beach Shorts are no exception. The faded cotton is blended with stretch so it has the feel of an old favorite tee, and an elastic waistband provides a relaxed fit. You can dress these up or down with leather sandals or sneakers.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we take fashion seriously and have published many expertly-researched clothing and accessories articles. Our experience includes plenty of firsthand knowledge, too, as editors and writers who are picky about what they wear and constantly seeking out the best in everything, whether it’s comfortable dress shoes or jeans for men. We’ve tried on, evaluated and put many finds in the market through the paces to see what comes out on top in terms of performance, quality and value for your money.

Plus, our Forbes Vetted senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar, has been covering fashion and lifestyle topics for more than 20 years, and has seen trends come and go. With that in mind, she focused on picking shorts that serve as the basics and staples of your wardrobe that not only feel current and modern right now but will last season after season. Given this level of expertise we put into each story, you can trust our opinions when it comes to finding the right shorts for your needs and budget.

How We Chose the Best Shorts For Men

To find the best men’s shorts on the market, we researched bestselling options, pored through reviews across sites and consulted Forbes Vetted’s senior fashion editor. We also spoke with experts, including personal fashion stylist Josephine Eve; fashion consultant Shelley Golden; and Julie Rath, founder and president of Rath & Co. Men’s Style Consulting. Additionally, we considered a few of our personal favorite brands that we rely on for great basics depending on the situation, like work, travel and lounging. Then, we narrowed down our selections by considering key features like comfort, materials and price. Most importantly, we update this list regularly to ensure you’re up-to-date on product availability and sales. This article was last updated in July 2023.

Where Can I Wear Shorts?

When the weather’s just right, shorts are always a versatile choice. But namely when the sun is out. “During the day is always a safe bet to wear shorts,” says Rath. Off to somewhere where you might look out of place with a pair shorts—such as a restaurant, bar, or other gathering? Rath suggests doing your due diligence. “If you’re considering wearing shorts to a restaurant but are unsure, take a minute to call and confirm whether shorts are acceptable,” she says. In other words, a beach or boardwalk is a great place for shorts—a boardroom, not so much.

Can I Wear Shorts To Work?

Whether or not you can wear shorts to work depends entirely on where you work, your office dress code, and whether others are wearing them or not. “If your workplace environment is casual and relaxed and it is within the dress code that you can wear shorts to work, then go for it,” says Eve. “But I always advise to double check with the dress code policy first otherwise you may have an embarrassing meeting with your boss about wearing them.” Work at a law firm? You’re probably out of luck. “I think it can look unprofessional in a corporate office setting, especially if you are meeting clients—or you’re meeting with your boss,” Eve says. But a startup or more casual environment could be a great place to start wearing your shorts in.

How Do Shorts Sizes Work?

Like pants, shorts are measured using the inseam, or the length from your crotch to the hem of the shorts. Common short lengths are 5, 7, 9 and 11 inches. Finding your perfect inseam length is a lot easier when you know what do to. According to Eve, simply measure the distance from the inner crotch seam to the bottom hem. Start by grabbing a pair of shorts that fit you well and stand up with your legs a bit apart. “Then with a measuring tape, place it at the very top of the inside seam. Let the tape drop all the way down to where you want your shorts to end.” Generally, that should be 2 to 3 inches above your knee for the best fit.