13 Best Workout Shorts for Men of 2026: Ten Thousand, Gymshark, and More

Best Training Shorts: Lululemon License to Train

Despite Lululemon’s push to branch outside of activewear (I mean, a Lululemon suit?), the Canadian athleisure brand still knows how to do fitness apparel pretty damn well. Its License to Train shorts are great for the multifaceted athlete, able to handle runs, lifts, climbs, or whatever other activity that gets the heart rate up. Its durable material means they can hold up to endless contact with the barbell during deadlifts, but they’re still lightweight enough to feel like they’re barely there when you’re just about to wrap up your 10K. Zippered pockets are a huge plus, adding to just how much we love to train in these—even if we’re only training to work on our summer bod.

Best for Running: Bandit Vento

Bandit’s meteoric rise to the top of the running game has been impressive to see. From starting up in 2020 to collaborating with Asics last year (as well as a frustratingly endless number of out-of-stock releases), Bandit makes running clothing that actually makes you want to lace up. Its Vento shorts make an exceptional running buddy, decked out in more pockets than we’re used to seeing in a pair of jogging bottoms. Two compression pockets (big enough to fit “the big” iPhone), two side slant pockets, and a zippered pocket ensure you have everything on your long-distance runs, while the overall look ensures that passersby know you take your running ‘fits seriously.

Best Mesh Gym Shorts: American Trench O.E. Classic Mesh Short

We’re all in favor of mesh shorts, whether they’re the raggedy pair we still have from high school PE or the massively oversized ones that Adam Sandler seems to never run out of. American Trench, which makes incredible basics right here stateside, seems to have perfected the mesh short, a classic gym staple that’s fallen to the wayside in favor of higher performing, more technical workout shorts (which we love and have given enough of a spotlight here). These no-frill mesh shorts have a great fit, clocking in with a modest (but not prudish) 6.5-inch inseam. Their mesh construction keeps you cool down there, and two slant pockets are just the icing on top of the handsome cake.

Best Compression Shorts: 2XU Light Speed Compression Shorts

Don’t call them tights. (OK, fine, they’re tights.) Compression shorts are the underrated bottoms for all workouts, as long as you can get over the sausage-casing look. 2XU’s Light Speed compression shorts are long enough to cover the top half of your legs, which improves blood flow to reduce fatigue and decrease recovery time. Sure, they’re kind of hard to put on and take off, but the benefits of wearing these make themself known once you check your stats for your next run.

Best-Looking Workout Shorts: Tracksmith Van Cortlandt

Who wears short shorts? Runners wear short shorts. And nobody designs more serious running kits (with shorts of various lengths) than Tracksmith, the Boston label that transplants Chariots of Fire–era aesthetics onto modern marathon-ready gear. As much as we love these shorts, we have to say: Give us pockets! But we feel like we’d be doing you dirty if you didn’t own a pair of the Van Cortlandt shorts because they’re so damn good looking. They’re fashioned from plush, antimicrobial mesh. You’re not going to be able to fit your phone into the 2.5-inch inseam, but the shorts manage to make space for two internal pockets that hold your keys or those race-day sports goo packets.

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