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10 best gym shorts for men 2024, tried and tested

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Finding the perfect pair of gym shorts is no easy task. There are thousands of options out there, from budget to premium options.

I put a number of them to the test - read on for my pick of the 10 best gym shorts for men.

In this article you'll find the best gym shorts for men, across a range of budgetsCredit: News Corp

A good pair of gym shorts can give you better range of movement, allow you to store your valuables safely if needed, and offer a level of comfort that’ll ensure you reach for them time and again. 

To make your life easier, I’ve tested ten of the best gym shorts I could find, from brands including Under Armour, Brooks and Rad.

I’ve ranked them based on fabric, comfort and fit and have even decided on a winner.

From the best value, to the most comfortable of all, here are the best gym shorts for men. 

Best gym shorts at a glance

  • Best overall:
  • Best value:
  • Best mid-range:
  • Best premium:  
  • Most comfortable shorts:

12 best gym shorts, tried and tested

Reflo Desna 2-in-1 Shorts, £49

Pros: 4-way stretch fabric, inner shorts offer lots of support  

Cons: Smaller logo would be preferable 

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Rating: 8/10

Reflo is on a self-professed mission to become the most sustainable sportswear brand out there, and has along the way, picked up investors like football legend Harry Kane.

The are a great entry point into the brand, and show what it’s all about.

First of all, the shorts are very comfortable. They come with a built-in compression liner, which doesn’t rise up and offers good support in all the right places.

Pros: Seriously lightweight fabric. Clever design with high waistband. Rear zip pockets. Inner mesh. 

Cons: More specialised than most pairs. 

Rating: 8/10

Montane’s gear is often so lightweight you’ll forget you’ve got anything on.

It’s the same with , which are made from the lightest, stretch polyester fabric, which moves with you rather than against you.

Designed specifically for trail running, this pair is ideal for moving at speed in the gym, whether on the treadmill, bike or rowing machine. They are short, with a 5-inch inseam, so keep that in mind, and they come with a wide waistband which can be worn high if you choose.

Pros: Bargain price. Side zip pockets, quick drying fabric 

Cons: Cheaper feeling fabric compared to others on this list

Rating: 7/10

There’s no denying the appeal of a less than £10 pair of gym shorts – and delivers.

With over 18,300 reviews on its website, these shorts received a 4.7 out of 5 rating, with over 14,000 5 star reviews alone.

Yes, the fabric does feel cheaper than others on this list, but for £9.99 you can’t argue.

Pros: Great fit, premium feeling polyester blend fabric. Stylish branding and hidden zip pockets

Cons: 4-inch inseam might not be for everybody

Rating: 8/10

Another pair of shorts focussed on running rather than just general gym-going, is well-designed and executed.

The first thing I noticed was the short inseam. These measure at the grand total of four inches, which is very short and might not be for everyone.

Pros: Made from recycled polyester in Portugal, straight fit which is flattering for those with big thighs, integrated mesh lining for support, minimal design

Cons: Rear zip pocket doesn’t fit a phone

Rating: 8/10

UP’s come with an ultra-minimal design, which looks and feels great.

Get them in black and they’re an incredibly versatile pair in which you can run, gym and even swim in.

The recycled polyester and elastane fabric is incredibly lightweight. Like the best gym shorts, they often feel as though you’ve got nothing on, such is their lightness.

Pros: Soft fabric, subtle branding, built-in liner, rear zip pocket

Cons: Expensive, shallow side pockets, liner is a little tight 

Rating: 7/10 

Helly Hansen’s are made from a very soft polyester blend fabric, which feels great against the skin.

It gives them a premium feel, which is befitting of their £60 price tag (currently reduced to £42), which is among the highest on this list.

They don’t fit me quite as well as other shorts, however. This is to do with the built-in lining, which is a little tight. It means I can’t pull the shorts up high enough, and when bending down, the back of the shorts often slips down.

Pros: Accessibly priced and very comfortable 

Cons: Simple design with no zip pockets

Rating: 7/10

One of the more affordable pairs of shorts on this list, this by Asda’s George is exceedingly comfortable.

The fabric is a mid-weight polyester blend, which is on the thicker side.

The reverse of the fabric, which touches the skin, has a brushed finish – feeling more like fleece. This makes them just as comfy for wearing around the house as they are useful for the gym.

Pros: Well designed with a range of handy design details

Cons: Expensive

Rating: 9/10

Brooks' are very much tailored to running, but they work equally well for gym sessions.

They feature the best integrated liners of any shorts on this list. They are close fitting, yet give you room when you need it. They also never ride up.

The outer shorts are made from a very lightweight polyester, which has been cut with the perfect width - they are neither too slim nor too baggy.

Pros: Excellent fit, lightweight, deep pockets and comfortable 

Cons: Waistband adjuster doesn’t work

Rating: 10/10

I was instantly impressed with the fit of these .

I'm 5 ft 11 and 80kg and a large fits me perfectly. The length is great at 6 inches, and the rise is high enough so they can be pulled up slightly or worn lower.

The fabric is worth noting also. It’s a quick drying polyester with a subtle ripstop-like texture on it, which feels premium and only adds to the comfort. The pockets are deep and while there is no zipped pocket, I didn’t find that an issue.

Pros: Exceedingly comfortable, fabric is incredibly soft and lightweight, zipped pockets

Cons: Would prefer the drawstring to be black

Rating: 10/10

The best thing about is the fabric. It’s a bamboo and cotton blend which is incredibly soft and comfortable against the skin.

It’s also got a loopback finish on the interior of the fabric. This is the original sportswear fabric technique, with the little loops of fabric designed to draw sweat away from the body during exercise.

The fit of the shorts is great too. They’re perfect for running, gym work or just as loungewear around the house.

or pair. The UA pair are more traditional gym shorts, in that they’re made from polyester and have familiar branding on them.

The Bam pair, however, are made from a bamboo and organic cotton blend, which has a more luxurious feeling and is incredibly comfortable. 

How we tested these shorts 

Each pair of shorts was tested in the gym. They were ran in, walked in, stretched in and used when lifting weights.

I’ve based each rating on how they performed, and given them scores out of ten accordingly.

Some pairs performed better than others, while others had a better fit or were more comfortable. This is reflected in the scores and opinions given.

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We've put more products to the tested on our shopping reviews page.

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