The 7 Best Gym Shorts for Men, Tested for Comfort and Performance

Founded by former UK Special Forces soldiers, ThruDark's performance apparel is rooted in hard-wearing, military-grade designs that stand up to tough workouts, session after session.

The Force Motion Shorts are made for high-volume training, and it shows. Durable and hard-wearing, they’re a great shout if you train outdoors or your sessions tend to involve floor-based exercises such as burpees.

They offer a good amount of flexibility, which is necessary since they run fairly short and fit tightly around the quads and glutes. During squats, they stretched with me instead of bunching and creating tight spots – aka, no chafing.

The more subtle details – like the flexibility-boosting split hems, the comfort-promoting drawstring waist and the zipped back pocket – are what elevate the Force Motion Shorts even further. It takes them from a good pair to the only one you'll reach for whenever a challenging session is on the cards.

They fit true to size around the waist, with options ranging from 28" to 40". I found the inseam a little short, but the tighter fit and quality fabric prevented them from feeling loose, unlike some other unlined pairs.

Squatwolf's Limitless 2-in-1 7" Shorts are one of the best lined pairs I've tried, offering a nice level of compression while still retaining the ability to move and stretch freely.

This is largely due to the length and thickness of the inner shorts. During lower-body workouts, they sat an inch or two beneath the bottom of the 7" main shorts, enabling them to stretch with me as I lunged and squatted. There was no bunching or riding up either, which I often find with 2-in-1s.

If you work out in a commercial gym – or want a shorts you can wear both running and at the gym – these are a practical option. There's a zipped pockets on either side, so you don't have to worry about your locker keys falling out mid-set. There's also an inner pocket on each thigh, which are handy places to store your phone without it bouncing around.

While these generally feel lightweight and minimalist, the inner compression shorts aren't the most breathable. For a pair with more airflow, consider the Squatwolf Mirage Shorts instead.

These no-fuss shorts are a Gymshark bestseller for a reason – they’re affordable, functional and available in enough colours to match any and all of your other gym wear. With these, you can pick up a few pairs for the same cost as more expensive styles, while still delivering when it comes to performance.

The woven polyester material is sweat-wicking, and they wash well and dry quickly too. They’re available in 5-in or 7-in versions to suit your height and preferred inseam length – and the thin, lightweight fabric stretches easily and feels comfortable during workouts.

While these are a slim-fit style, they still fit well on my relatively large quads. They are a solid pick for guys chasing leg gains — or simply anyone who wants an incredibly comfortable and reasonably priced pair of gym shorts that doesn't fall short when it comes to performance.

The On Train Shorts are a minimalist pair that puts flexibility and freedom of movement front and centre, leaving you free to focus on your form. Featuring a side split on each outer leg, the linerless design and wide side openings combine to allow you to move freely.

The 7-inch inseam strikes a nice balance, providing ample thigh coverage without leaving excess material to flap or get in the way. They fit well and the material itself is lightweight and comfortable. I also found that it dried quickly whenever I wore these for a run or high-rep strength workout.

The version of these shorts that I own has no side pockets, which, despite being a total pain, haven't ever swayed me from regularly wearing them to the gym or for general day-to-day use. There is, however, a hidden internal compartment where you can store small items such as a locker key. Also, the latest version now does have side pockets, which is a bonus.

If you have big quads, these are the shorts for you. Featuring an exaggerated oversized fit, four-way stretch fabric and angled side vents, the Nike Pro Training Shorts are fully equipped to ensure your movement remains unrestricted, whatever exercise you throw at them.

The material itself feels durable and substantial. It also delivers the sweat-wicking, quick-drying performance expected from Nike’s proprietary Dri-FIT fabric. I'm a heavy sweater, but after wearing these for a full-body superset workout, I found that they didn't retain moisture. In fact, they were dry by the time I'd walked home.

The zipped side pockets make these a practical choice for wearing in commercial gyms or anywhere you'll likely be carrying essentials with you as you work out.

The elastic waistband ensures a secure fit; however, I found that these fit a little large through the waist and thighs.

The Lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Shorts are lightweight, comfortable, quick-drying, and have pockets for everything – including a low-bounce, side-zip compartment for keys. I've had the same pair for three years and they've kept their shape, even with heavy use, showing few signs of wear.

They tick all my my boxes when it comes to performance, too. The four-way stretch material gives them plenty of flexibility and they're cut with plenty of room in the thighs and glutes for comfort and freedom of movement. The soft material also means they don't cause chafing.

I do often find that these are a little too minimalist for my liking. There's something about the thinness of the material that, while great for mobility, feels a little too flimsy. If you're tall, I'd recommend trying on the 9-inch inseam version. For a sturdier feel, it may also be worth trying the lined version, which comes in a range of colourways.