The best men’s running shorts reviewed (2023)

No matter what kind of run I was going on, the Rab Talus Trail Shorts were 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 Trail Shorts are super breathable and comfy. I 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.

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

With twin-skin running shorts, you’re after more support. The longer inner brief on these shorts are superb for that and being made from a Tencel, merino wool, polyester blend, it’s really soft and breathable too. The addition of merino also helps with odour control.

The outer is made from recycled polyester, with some elastane for a bit of stretch. It’s very breathable and offers good freedom of movement.

Although the shape and feel of these running shorts are very good, the lack of pockets is a downside. There’s a stash pocket on the right leg of the inner and a little rear external zipped pocket, but another stash pocket on the other leg would be useful. The Intraknit Active Lined Short is also quite expensive.

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

If you’re a fan of the minimalist approach to running shorts, the OMM Speed Shorts are your best bet. They feature a nylon inner for added support and nylon outer with 16% Spandex for stretch.

Though extremely simple in design and form, the Speed Short fabric does offer some wind and water resistance too.

With a full-length split seam, these provide the very best freedom of movement and are great for races and technical trails, they’re also available in three different colours.

Drawbacks? Short shorts aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. And although the brand has its RE project, it would be good to see recycled fabrics used.

Describe these shorts in one word: versatile. That might sound strange for twin-skin running shorts, but the On Hybrid Shorts are different to others. They have an inner tight, but it’s completely removable.

You can therefore wear the On Hybrid with or without them. They weigh 192g, which is pretty standard for twin-skin running shorts. But they are a bit more durable than others too, thanks to the outer being made from nylon rather than polyester.

Having the removable liner, being a bit longer than others, and featuring hand side pockets, the Hybrid are also great for more everyday use too. But they really excel for running – they need to, otherwise they wouldn’t feature here!

The tights are nicely supportive and have a stash pocket on each leg. The outer, though relatively long, are breathable and have small splits to improve freedom of movement. It’s a great option for training runs, but perhaps less for long-distance runs.

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.

These not only look great but are super comfortable and offer a fantastic amount of storage space. There's stretchy mesh pockets surround the waistband, and the rear one is big enough for a phone, sporting a simple but effective Velcro fastening. There is also a large, zipped pocket on each leg too.

The inner lining is tight-fitting, stretchy and super breathable. These shorts feel a tad weighty to hold compared to the other options here, but once you’re wearing them, they feel light and agile.

We like that the fabric is all bluesign-approved and that the French Montagnard wording on the leg is a doorway into a bit of history too.

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.

Salomon is a popular place to turn for running gear, being many runners’ first port of call. Like the Smartwool running shorts above, these feature a longer tight liner that provides good support and coverage but is sewn into the outer on the inseam.

They’re stretchy, comfortable, and ideal for less demanding runs. But you might want something lighter and offering greater freedom of movement for longer or more technical runs.

There is a stash pocket on the right leg and a small, zipped rear pocket. There’s also a tab for holding your shirt or jacket too. The outer is made from recycled polyester, but the inner isn’t.