We review the best men’s running shorts for run comfort and speed in 2026

Sure, men’s running shorts may not be the most exciting of products, but it makes sense to spend the many hours you dedicate to run training in a pair of the best running shorts that will help you run in comfort and perform at your best.

Men’s running shorts should be breathable, quick-drying, provide a good fit, and have run-specific features to make your life easier when exercising.

Below, we explain how we tested, what to look for in men’s running shorts, and share our pick of the best running shorts tested by our expert reviewers.

Best men’s running shorts in 2026

1. Soar Men’s Run Short

Price	$125 / £95
Material	Shell: 88% Polyamide / 12% Elastane Brief: 94% Polyester / 6% Elastane
Features	Lazer-cut hem and side ventilation, stretch woven fabric, zip pocket, brief liner
Sizes	XS – 2XL

These Soar Men’s Run Shorts may be the most comfortable pair I have ever run in. 

Soar has become known for its high-quality, technical runwear, and while they are at the pricier end, you can argue that those extra pounds spent translate into tangible gains. 

The company’s Men’s Run Shorts are made from extremely lightweight technical material which is laser cut, very nicely layered over the thighs with a well-designed split and with the extra ventilation of micro-dot holes down each side. 

Aesthetically this adds a nice texture, plus Soar have added a reflective strip on the front for a little extra visibility in low light. 

There’s the right amount of stretch in the material. But the biggest impression after running in these shorts is how light they feel, and that lightness translates into a feeling of speed and potential.

Soar has designed these shorts for training through three UK seasons. They’ll be good for spring through to autumn, less so when the temperature drops towards freezing.

Though the company has models designed specifically for racing and fast sessions the Men’s Run Shorts feel fast enough to race in. 

A small pocket at the rear will accommodate gels or a mobile phone. I would probably consider using a belt to carry these items during a long run – the shorts feel too fast to weigh down with extras!

The pair I tested was a striking Palace Blue – my personal favourite of the options – but Soar also offers khaki, grey, dark navy and black.

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2. Lululemon Fast and Free Running Short 5″

Price	$88 / £78
Material	Outer shell: 86% recycled Polyester / 14% Elastane Inner brief: 88% recycled Polyester / 12% Elastane
Features	Pockets in waistband and in liner, waistband loops for top, four-way stretch liner
Sizes	XS – 2XL

The Lululemon Fast and Free Running Short 5″ have a flexible, stretchy liner and a lightweight shell, which makes them very comfortable to wear.

Running in them feels like you have the full range of motion in the hips – in other words, fast and free.

Both liner and shell are mostly made of recycled materials (the liner is 88 per cent recycled polyester, 12 per cent elastane, the shell 86 per cent recycled polyester, 14 per cent Lycra elastane), and they are breathable and wick sweat very well. 

But there is a lot more going on with these shorts than the excellent running performance.

Two side drop-in pockets can accommodate a mobile phone. There is some ‘bounce’ if you do this, but the snug fit minimises the feeling. Two hidden pockets on the back inner waistband can hold gels. 

In addition, a couple of waistband loops at the back can hold a lightweight rain jacket or your running shirt.

As well as high functionality and comfort, the shorts also look great.

I tested the ‘vapor’ colour photographed here, but the Fast and Free are also available in a darker ‘silverdop’ colour, as well as black and lemongrass.

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3. Salomon Shakeout Core 5”

Price	$60 / £60
Material	Recycled polyester
Features	Two zipped hand pockets, reflective branding, brief and outer
Sizes	XS – 2XL

The Salomon Shakeout Core 5” shorts are designed for trail running and are versatile enough to suit road training perfectly.

The fit is traditional and neat – no excess bagginess means less chance of getting snagged on the trails. 

Salomon has reduced environmental impact by using recycled polyester, and there is a good balance between weight and durability. 

There are more lightweight shorts on the market and they feel warm in really hot weather conditions. 

But for general training and getting out onto more gnarly terrain the Shakeout Core 5” have the right balance.

Comfort-wise, there is no chafing, and the waistband feels snug and flexible, with a little bit of elasticity in the drawstring to prevent it feeling too tight. The split at the thigh contributes to the feeling of flexibility

On a more practical level, the pockets are zipped, meaning no danger of losing keys, earbuds or gels, while reflective strips add a subtle safety feature. 

I tested the very striking Liberty purple model, but the Shakeout Core 5” is also available in brilliant olive and deep black. The Salomon logo and ‘S’ are a nice, unobtrusive touch.

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4. Montane Slipstream 7″

Price	$70 / £50
Material	88% recycled polyester
Features	Large rear zipped pocket, single layer, elasticated waistband and drawcord
Sizes	XS – 2XL

Designed for trail running, the Montane Slipstream 7” are made from very lightweight 88 per cent recycled polyester, with a single layer, making them perfect for hot-weather running and training, both on the trails and on the road. 

They are stretchy, flexible and comfortable, with just enough bagginess to offer great ventilation and the feeling of lightness, but a snug enough fit to look sleek and aero. 

There was no chafing or rubbing – they have a real ‘barely-there’ feel, and their light weight makes them fast to run in.

The Slipstream 7” sit higher than most shorts, with an elasticated waistband containing a drawstring, which extends upwards beyond the hips and towards the belly button. 

Initially the feeling takes a short amount of getting used to; on the other hand the waistband has a very well-designed zip pocket at the back, big enough to accommodate a mobile phone or a couple of gels, and when running there is none of the ‘bounce’ you can get with loaded side pockets.

The Slipstream 7” comes in black, as tested and photographed, and Eclipse Blue, and there is also a 5” version.

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5. Salomon Sense Aero 7″

Price	$70 / £65
Material	Bottom: 73% Polyamide / 27% Elastane Inner brief: 92% Polyester / 8% Elastane
Features	4-way stretch, elastic waistband, quick-drying, brief liner, 4 storage pouches
Sizes	XS – 2XL

You may not think $70/£65 is very cheap for some running shorts, but some brands are asking up to double that these days. And for what it’s worth, I think it represents good value here, as the Sense Aero 7″ shorts are fantastic.

The seven-inch length offers great coverage, yet the fabric feels like it’s barely there as it’s so lightweight and features a four-way stretch. Range of movement is entirely free, while breathability was exceptional.

Inside, there’s also a comfortable brief liner that offers support, while flatlocked seams are used throughout. There’s minimal stitching around the waistband, too, which helps eliminate the risk of irritation.

While there’s no zip pocket, there are four elasticated pouches that sit just underneath the waistband. They’ll easily swallow multiple energy gels, a key, credit card or even a phone, but be warned that this space can get rather sweaty.

Despite not featuring a zip, I found the pockets secure enough for me not to worry about a key dropping out mid-run.

6. Under Armour UA Launch Elite 2-in-1 7″ Shorts

Price	$48 / £55
Material	Outer shorts: 100% Polyester Liner shorts: 90% Nylon / 10% Elastane
Features	4-way stretch, elastic waistband with drawcord, sweat-wicking, compression liner shorts, rear waterproof pocket
Sizes	S – 3XL

The name’s a bit of a mouthful, but are these shorts as ‘elite’ as the name suggests?

Well they’re one of the cheaper options here, but aren’t too far away from the price of the Salomon shorts featured above. Despite that, I found there to be a reasonable drop-off in performance when comparing the two.

But let’s start with the positives. These Under Armour shorts come with a decent inner liner that feels comfortable and offers plenty of support. It wicks moisture reasonably well, too.

Unfortunately, the durability is in question, as my pair developed a small hole during testing, while some of the stitching inside looks a bit messy.

I also found the fit a little restrictive, particularly around the waistband and upper part of the shorts, which negatively impacts range of movement. The waistband was also quite thick, making things rather sweaty!

The outer part of the shorts is a lightweight fabric, but not as technical as some others on test here, while the two side pockets have no zips and feel rather pointless for running.

There’s an extra pocket at the rear that’ll take a phone, keys or gels and, despite not being a zip pocket, things stayed in there quite securely.

7. New Balance RC Short 5″

Price	$64.99 / £60
Material	86% recycled polyester / 14% spandex
Features	quick-drying, inner brief, rear zip pocket and two pouches, elastic waistband with drawstring
Sizes	XS – 2XL

These five-inch run shorts from New Balance are one of the shortest options here, which certainly means there’s no issue with overheating on warm runs.

On the flip side, they’re probably a bit cold for winter, particularly as there’s no substantial lining. There’s also a 7″ option for those who prefer longer shorts, though.

What you do get, though, is a brief liner, which is probably the closest fitting one here. It’s certainly supportive, but may not feel comfortable to everyone (it also makes it uncomfortable if you plan to wear these shorts with underwear).

This does all make for a free-flowing range of movement that’s entirely unhindered, though the shorts do ride up somewhat, meaning thigh chafing could become a slight issue (here’s our pick of the best anti-chafe balms, which would help).

Ventilation and breathability is, understandably, very good, as is moisture wicking, with the short’s perforated outer helping with that regard.

You also get a zip pocket that’s large enough to take keys, a card or a gel or two, while the waistband is adjustable via a drawstring, which works well and feels comfortable.

The colour isn’t my first pick, but luckily there are currently nine options to choose from in this regard.

8. Montane Slipstream Twin Skin Shorts

Price	$100 / £65
Material	Outer short: 88% polyester, 12% elastane Inner short: 78% nylon (recycled), 22% elastane
Features	quick-drying, inner shorts, rear zip pocket and gel pouches, elastic waistband with drawstring
Sizes	XS – 2XL

As the name suggests, Montane’s Dragon Twin Skin Shorts feature both a regenerated nylon inner and a loose, lightweight outer.

The combination makes for a really comfortable experience and my only slight criticism is that the seam at the waistband can be a little annoying if you go underwear-free.

The fit’s on the loose side, but the stretch waistband and internal drawcord keeps the shorts secure.

A zip pocket at the rear offers enough space for a key, card and energy gel, while reflective detailing helps boost visibility. In short, I really loved running in the Montanes.

9. Montane Slipstream 5″ Shorts

Price	$80 / £55
Material	Main material: 88% polyester, 12% elastane Inner brief: 96% polyester, 4% elastane
Features	anti-odour, inner shorts, rear zip pocket and gel pouches, elastic waistband with drawstring
Sizes	XS – 2XL

The cut of these run shorts see them finish halfway down my thigh, meaning they may not be suited to especially nippy conditions.

Range of movement is fab, while the inner pant offers reasonable support.

The seams aren’t as minimal or protected as we’ve seen elsewhere, which could hamper comfort for some.

A zip pocket at the rear is large enough for a key and a couple of gels, while a drawstring helps achieve a secure fit.

10. Ryzon Spectra Athletic Shorts

Price	$140 / £110
Material	97% polyester, 3% elastane
Features	anti-odour treated, elastic waistband with drawstring, rear zip pocket
Sizes	XS – XL

If you like your run shorts to feel like they’re barely there, then you’ll love the Spectra shorts from Ryzon. The fabric is incredibly lightweight and flowy, resulting in very high levels of comfort and a completely unrestricted range of movement.

There’s no inner lining, so you’ll either need to wear running underwear or let everything hang free, but do the latter and it can feel a bit breezy (luckily, they’re quite long, so you shouldn’t accidentally flash anyone mid-run).

While that may not suit everyone, it does make it easier to pair these shorts with running tights underneath, which is handy for winter. Given all that, there’s no support on offer here.

I loved the double-layer waistband of these shorts, which proved comfortable with no pressure points, but a drawstring to help get a secure fit. There’s also a zip pocket on the rear that’ll take a key, card and one or two gels.

How we tested men’s running shorts

The running shorts reviewed here have been tested by 220 Triathlon‘s expert panel, who have decades of kit testing experience to their name.

We’ve tested these shorts based on a set of specific criteria, with one of the main aspects being comfort.

This comes in the form of a well thought-out waistband, low-profile seams and impressive materials.

Other criteria that ranks highly for us when testing includes breathability, moisture wicking, value for money and features (e.g. zip pockets, drawstrings on the waistband and reflective detailing).

The options rated above have been tested during number of runs in different environments and weather to ensure they perform as hoped even when things get a bit sweaty or damp.

What kind of shorts are best for running?

As with a lot of things, the answer to this question is likely to be different from person to person, depending on your preferences and your plans.

For example, the ideal length of your shorts depends on the time of year, while your preference for a liner may come down to whether or not you have some tried and trusted running underwear you rely on.

What is uniform across all of the best men’s running shorts, however, is that they use high performance material.

By this, we mean a technical fabric that’s thin and lightweight, wicks moisture away well (unlike cotton), and allows for a wide range of movement.

Some shorts will also feature ventilation holes, ideal for keeping you cool, and an anti-odour treatment, which’ll help keep the pong at bay.

Features to look for in running shorts for men

Men’s running shorts come in all shapes and sizes, including lengths as short as three inches and as long as nine (measurements are based on the inseam).

A longer cut delivers added protection from the elements, including sunshine, wind and chilly temps. However, they’ll also be heavier, particularly when wet, and may be more likely to lead to chafing.

Shorter cuts don’t offer as much of a barrier to the elements, but are cooler, lighter and can result in a greater freedom of movement.

Your choice of length is likely to be influenced by the conditions you’re running in, what you find comfortable and what you prefer style-wise (not everyone is a fan of short shorts).

Liner

You’ll also need to decide whether or not you want shorts with an inner liner.

The majority of men’s running shorts come with one, sometimes in the shape of a brief, though sometimes as a lengthier compression liner, which can help reduce chafing.

Depending on the compressive nature of the lining, the inner may offer benefits such as improved blood flow and reduced muscle inflammation.

However, the benefits of particular garments are hard to qualify and many liners aren’t truly compressive, but are just close fitting.

Storage

Then we come to pockets… Once again, this is a personal choice. If you carry your phone in an armband, your needs will be different to someone that wants to carry it in a pocket.

We like to see a minimum of one zipped pocket for a key, gels or other essentials.

If there’s a pocket for your phone, it needs to be secure and not bounce around while you’re in motion, which is why most pockets are located on the waistband.

Some men’s running shorts will also feature elasticated pockets on the lining, which are good for stopping objects bouncing around, but can get quite sweaty.

And then there’s the question of comfort, which is probably the most important consideration of all.

If your running shorts chafe or restrict your movement, it’ll impact your enjoyment and performance, so try before you buy.

What’s the best length for men’s running shorts?

When it comes to men’s running shorts, length really comes down to your running goals and comfort.

The classic 3-inch short is for those who are after speed and a lightweight option in warmer weather, minimal fabric means maximum freedom.

However, be warned that you could experience thigh chafing with these, depending on your body type and build.

The 5-inch short strikes a good balance between coverage for modesty and against the elements, while still offering a nicely streamlined performance (depending on the short).

Then, there’s the 7-inch length, which is typically one of the more popular short lengths for men.

These are perfect for trail runners or gym-goers who like a little extra coverage and versatility in their running shorts.

That being said, the bottom line remains that no one-size fits all.

Try a few lengths, see what feels most comfortable and enables your best run performance.

If you like these men’s running shorts, don’t forget to check out our best running tops for men to complete the ensemble.

Recent updates

• 26 February 2026: We updated the product links to find the best deals and took out a product no longer available.