Best men’s running shorts 2025 | Tested and reviewed

Minimalist. Truth is, we could start and end this review with that word and it would be entirely true to the product. Essentially what you have here is a pair of soft, breathable boxer shorts with a light fabric outer shell (Salomon call it Aerotech) stitched on top. And that’s it. This design means there’s almost no adjustability (ie, no lacing or drawcord) so you need to be sure they’re going to fit before you buy. But once you know they do fit, they’re excellent.

They are exceptionally light and airy, with outstanding freedom of movement, which makes them perfect for summer trails. Ventilation is great, but even when you’re high up and the temperature drops, that boxer-short snugness stops things getting too chilly.

The pockets take a little getting used to, though. There are four of them, housed around the front and sides of the waistband, with tiny pull-tabs to help you open them out. Each one can take a key or a gel or a timing chip, but you won’t want to bulk them up too much when they sit so uncomfortably around the abdomen.

The only other caveat we’ve found so far is that a couple of the seams have started to look a little tatty and frayed after just a few weeks’ use. It doesn’t feel in any way terminal, but we’d hope that such a premium offering would hold it together a little longer.

But aside from that, and if you’re not bothered about carrying a lot of stuff in that strange waistband gallery, the Aeros look to be a very sound investment for summer trail running.

A pair of top-notch running shorts is all very well, but sometimes the price is simply too high. Alpkit offers a great solution with the affordable Vyaper shorts.

They’re a pair of very lightweight and minimalist running shorts, featuring a simple brief lining, rear stash pocket, and that’s about it. All the better for it, we reckon. Consequently, it’s a great option for warmer weather, but not so much in cold conditions.

Personally, I prefer longer running shorts so the Vayper 6 suits me best, but there is a Vayper 4 as well, for those who prefer shorter. Either way, they’re also good for summer hikes too and can even double as swimwear.

Not only are the Vayper shorts great value, Alpkit is also B Corp-certified, a 1% For The Planet member, and a Living Wage Foundation employer.

Check out the Veyper 4 here

This was our pick for 'Best in Test' last year, and we're keeping it on the 2025 list because they're still excellent shorts - and are now more affordable than ever! No matter what kind of run you're going on, the Rab Talus Active Shorts are always fantastic.

In colder or wet weather? Sure – the outer is made from Rab’s Matrix fabric, which protects against the wind and has a PFC-free DWR to keep water at bay. Yet, it’s also fast drying. The 7-inch length and lining provide good coverage and that bit of extra warmth.

For long runs? Absolutely – the Talus Active Shorts are super breathable and comfy. Our testers experienced no discomfort or rubbing spots. The inner is made from Rab’s Flexile material, which is stretchy but supportive. There are also plenty of clever pockets.

For challenging and technical routes? You bet – they're a slim fit but have stretch to offer plenty freedom of movement. They also offer UPF protection, which is great for routes on summer days when shade is scarce.

The upfront cost is a bit, but the returns are so good it’s a very fruitful investment. Plus, we're seeing it discounted up to 50% these days.

When I first pulled on the Inov8 TrailFly Ultra 7" 2in1 Shorts, I was a bit sceptical about the tight inner layer—it felt almost too snug. But once I hit the trails, they really came into their own. The inner layer settled into a second-skin fit, offering brilliant support without feeling restrictive. I was particularly impressed by the silicone grip at the hem, which kept everything firmly in place, even during long, wet, and windy runs. No ride-up, no adjustments needed—just total focus on the trail.

The pockets were a highlight for me, too. They’re small, but they’re secure. I stashed a couple of gels in the waistband and never once worried about them bouncing out. Even the zipped pocket for my phone felt sleek and unobtrusive.

The outer layer is lightweight and breathable, with a decent water-repellent finish that handled muddy spray and light rain. Plus, the side splits and stretchy material gave me full freedom of movement. Whether I was powering uphill or flying down technical descents, these shorts kept up without fuss.

If you’re after supportive, no-nonsense shorts for long trail runs, these deliver. The snug fit might take some getting used to, but it’s worth it for the comfort and performance they offer.

With a mission statement that blends psychology, Zen philosophy and masochism (‘through suffering the runner finally silences the ego’), Acid Running seem to be targeting a weirdly cerebral corner of the running market. That said, there’s nothing especially off-the-wall or unusual about these 2-in-1 shorts, which consist of an integrated compression lining with a loose and gossamer-thin outer shell. They are ridiculously comfortable over short and long distances, with no hint of chafing after several long runs. The inner lining offers plenty of stretch and decent compression, as well as warmth when the wind is up.

Storage is pretty good, too. You get a decent-size stretch pocket on the thigh of the inner lining; it’s ideal for a few energy gels and it will swallow a smartphone – although it’s pretty uncomfortable stashing a phone there, especially if it’s bulked up by a weatherproof case. There’s also a tiny zipped security pocket round the back; useful for a single car key but not much more – we couldn’t even squeeze in a tray of paracetamol.

Overall it’s a great package in itself, but with two drawbacks. The first, and this seems to be common to the Acid Running range as a whole, is that there’s no specific offering for women. The other is value for money. Under Armour have similar shorts ranging from £45 to £65 with equal or better storage, and we have a pair of online cheapies from Amazon (the comically named ‘brand’ Arsuxeo) which do more or less the same job, with full-size and secure zip pockets, for just £20.

But if you’re looking for prestige, build quality and shorts that are likely to last a little while longer (and if you want to silence your ego through suffering, of course), then these might be what you’re looking for.

These 7- or 5-inch shorts weigh just 80g and provide the ideal mix of coverage, breathability, and comfort. As a result, they’re ideal for almost any type of run. We tested the 7-inch version.

There’s no liner, so you can easily pair them with leggings if you wish, but then they’re also ideal for long summer runs too. There’s plenty of stretch and the Slipstream 7 has the best waistband of all the shorts here. It’s broader than most and fits really snug – easily adjusted by the drawcord too. Even with a phone in the rear zipped pocket, these shorts stay firmly in place.

While performance and comfort are hard to fault, it’d be nice to see more recycled fabric used here. The nylon used in the waistband is recycled, but the polyester in the main fabric isn’t.

Check out the 5-inch version here

Another excellent design, the Summit Pacesetter running shorts tick most boxes. The North Face’s Summit Series Trail Run range is its top tier running gear.

The Summit Pacesetter shorts certainly feel part of that crowd. They’re incredibly comfortable and breathable, being made from a stretchy nylon (main and waistband) and polyester (liner). The polyester and nylon are recycled, too.

In addition, the fabrics are quick-drying and the nylon has a PFC-free DWR. There are 5- and 7-inch versions, which should keep most people happy, and a generous rear zipped pocket flanked by mesh stash pockets. There is also another small stash pocket in the liner.

It’s a great design, but not a cheap one, so is best suited for more serious runners.

You might be a runner who’s a fan of natural materials. The good news is that Icebreaker makes these wicked running shorts made entirely from merino wool and wood based Tencel fibre.

They’re reasonably lightweight, using a jersey-style fabric for most of the construction and a mesh at the bottom. This means they’re soft to touch, super breathable, and naturally odour resistant.

There’s a mesh lining for some extra support, and a couple of pockets – a rear zipped one and little stash pocket on the right leg. Unfortunately, neither are big enough for a phone. Overall, they’re excellent running shorts, but as ever with Icebreaker gear, it’s expensive*.

*On that note, we also tested some bamboo shorts from BAM too. They’re not quite as good but are super comfy and less than half the price.