Fitwise, a proper pair of gym shorts silently prove their worth. Look at the waistband that doesn’t roll down, the liner that supports instead of bunching up during a squat, the hem that stays put when you stretch instead of riding up your leg with every lunge. Few buyers consider it, but inseam length is hugely important. Less than five inches tends to ride up and reveal more than you bargained for when you move correctly, while seven to eight inches gives coverage without shortening your stride, which is why you see most dedicated trainers rocking that range instead of trying to dress it up at the gym’s parking lot.
Fabric behavior is when brands start to differ. Gym shorts that wick and dry quickly are miles ahead of ones that feel silky soft in the store but stick to you and rub uncomfortably halfway through your workout.
Four way stretch is important if you plan to squat or lunge with weight, as is having enough fabric to avoid being transparent when the gym’s weird lighting is shining on you.
Side pockets big enough to fit your phone without sagging, secured with a double stitch that won’t tear out with keys in them are an often overlooked feature that can take a gym short from thoughtless to worthy of consideration.
Styled as streetwear they’re even better. Throw on a basic crew neck sweatshirt and your go to trainers and you’ve got casual athletic instead of trendy sporty, especially if you go with a longer inseam and looser leg.
Crop a tee and throw an oversized hoodie with an easy zip front on top and you’re ready to go from workout to coffee run in seconds.
For anybody who actually splits properly mesh details on the sides or back are also a boon. It lets more air flow so you won’t overheat if you’re bouncing between intervals or out for a long run.
These should be your go-to pants for just about anything. If you’re leaving the house before noon to hit the gym for a morning lift, meeting friends for a Sunday run, or just taking the dog to the park they can handle all those situations and still look like gym shorts instead of trying to pass as trousers or jeans. A lot of guys make the mistake of seeing gym shorts as single-use purchase purely for workouts. Instead, pick up a few pairs you actually like. Get one that can truly take a beating when you’re sweating and moving around, and one that’s more comfortable for when your routine calls for hanging around more than exercising.
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