Best running shorts for men

By Rob Slade

Published: Thursday, 24 March 2022 at 12:00 am

Sure, running shorts may not be the most exciting of products, but if you think about how many hours you spend wearing them for your run training, it’s clear just how important they are.

And vitally, they can affect performance, too. Here, we’re going to explain how and share our pick of the best running shorts for men.

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 will depend 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.

How to choose running shorts

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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).

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.

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.

Best running shorts for men

Montane Dragon Twin Skin Shorts

Best for trail running

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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 our 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, we really loved running in the Montanes.

Verdict: Only a few minor niggles prevent top marks here.

Score: 84%