Add One of These Compression Shorts for Men to Your Rotation for Maximum Glute Support

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A pair of well-fitted compression shorts not only provides runners with snug comfort and less chafing—they can actually improve your performance. Studies have shown that compression apparel can help reduce inflammation, ward off fatigue by combatting muscle vibration, and bolster blood flow to improve endurance. All that improved blood flow and diminished inflammation also helps recovery after a run.

Compression shorts are definitely worth adding to your kit, but how do you go about finding a good pair? We’ve taken the guesswork out of the search by rounding up the best compression shorts for men.

The Best Compression Shorts for Men

• Best Overall: Nike Pro Training Compression Shorts

• Best Budget: Hanes Sport Performance Compression Short

• Best Upgrade: Lululemon Fast and Free Half Tight Compression Shorts

• Best Support: Coreshorts Pro 1.0 Performance Compression Short

• Best for Crosstraining: Rogue Fitness Virus Compression Shorts

What to Consider

Material

Most compression shorts are made with synthetics like polyester, nylon, elastane, or spandex. The stretchier the fabric, the comfier it wears, though too much stretch can make the shorts less effective on the compression front.

It’s normal for compression to feel more tight-fitting at first, then looser as you wear it out. While compression comfort is subjective, it shouldn’t cut off circulation. If the legs of your shorts feel more like tourniquets than firm pressure, their compression level is too tight for you.

Synthetics offer additional performance benefits for runners. They’re lightweight and better at wicking moisture and regulating temperature than, say, cotton or viscose.

Liner

Runners prefer to wear compression shorts as liners beneath a standard pair of running shorts to provide the support and benefits of compression and the more modest covering of a looser layer. While most compression shorts can be worn as a liner, some are specifically intended for it.

Length

Men’s compression shorts come in 5-, 7-, and 9-inch inseam lengths. Shorter pairs are great for the glutes and hips, while longer pairs offer thigh compression and tend to stay put while running. No length is inherently better, and which is right depends on your body and comfort level.

Band Grip

Compression shorts have gripping bands at the waist and legs to keep them from shifting while running. This usually means elastic or drawstring bands at the waist, while silicone pads are placed at the hems to prevent them from riding up. Some runners prefer no grip at all. If you’re allergic to silicone, avoid these grips and look for elastic or gripless.

Pockets

Most barebones compression shorts don’t have pockets. If you have no other means of carrying your phone, keys, or cards, look for shorts that integrate pockets. This can mean a pair of normal pockets at the hips, or a hidden drop pocket typically located at the rear waistband. One added benefit of holding items in compression pockets is that they don’t bounce around as much as with looser shorts.

How We Selected

As a lifelong runner, I’ve run in all apparel—including compression shorts—and I know from firsthand experience what to wear and avoid. While researching the recommendations below, I’ve tested scores of wide-ranging compression shorts of every brand, form, and price, and I’ve compared my findings against those of both expert reviewers and real-world buyers on Amazon.

A solid pair of compression shorts must allow for firm support without constriction. They should be made of synthetics for both pliable stretch and fabric integrity, but most importantly, they should be comfortable and won't require constant tugging at the leg. Our picks fit the bill. Run assured, these are the best compression shorts for men.

Men’s Pro Training Compression Short

These compression shorts are outstanding, whether you wear them as an underlayer or by themselves. The fit is snug and supportive, and Nike’s proprietary Dri-FIT material, a microfiber polyester that disperses moisture over its surface more evenly, is supremely breathable and moisture-wicking.

That breathability is accentuated by mesh at the inseam and upper seat, resulting in unrivaled airflow. The waistband holds tight and the legs stay in place while on the go. The addition of pockets would be nice, but if you’re looking for support and comfort, these are hard to beat.

Sport Performance Compression Shorts for Men

Highly comfortable, supportive, moisture-wicking, and breathable, these Hanes shorts feel fantastic. They hold in place well with flat seams that eliminate chafing, though, according to user reviews, the elastic waistband begins to stretch out of shape after a few months of regular wear. While they can be worn solo, they’re mostly used an underlayer.

Fast and Free Half Tight Compression Shorts for Men

The Lululemon Fast and Free tights offer pretty much everything you could want from compression shorts—solid support, breathability, silicone grippers to keep the legs in place, and even a couple of drop pockets—but they go the extra mile thanks to their supremely soft, cozy material. They look and feel genuinely upscale, providing a sculpted look to the wearer’s posterior, the material pleasant against the skin every step of the way.

Pro 1.0 Performance Men’s Compression Short

These support the groin, quads, and hamstrings while stabilizing the lower back, pelvis, and hips, thanks to their multidirectional stability. In other words, they’re great for stained hip flexors and lower back support. Several users say the shorts offer solid stability, and especially for hamstrings.

The material is slightly heavy, but that extra thickness is intentional to boost stability and stay put while in use. They have side pockets large enough for phones, and one customer says they fit like a “neoprene wetsuit.” Sizing runs small, though, and some users say getting the right amount of compression is tough if you’re between sizes.

Virus Compression Shorts for Men

These compression shorts are solid picks for all the usual reasons, but their bioceramic fabric, which claims to consolidate solar heat to warm your muscles in preparation for performance, is where they shine. The muscle-warming is great for CrossFit and accelerating recovery time on runs or general workouts. They’re super breathable, supportive, and comfortable, and can be worn as a layer or as is.

Men’s Pro Series Performance Boxer Brief Compression Shorts

Lightweight yet supportive, breathable and moisture-wicking, soft and comfortable, they’re ideal for wearing beneath your running shorts to boost your support. The waistband might show some stretching after a few months or so of frequent use, but as they’re sold in three-packs, that shouldn’t be much of a problem as you’ll space out their use.

Men’s HeatGear Compression Shorts

While some shorts feature too-loose pockets that threaten to bounce out your phone mid-run, the pocket here is plenty tight to ensure you can run with peace of mind. It has mesh side panels for airing out moisture and preventing you from overheating, and its material is superb at wicking moisture away. It's also got a gusseted crotch for a range of motion.

Men’s 2-in-1 Workout Compression Shorts

For those who want the benefits of compression shorts without being on full display (if you know what I’m saying), these two-in-one shorts deliver the best of both worlds. The compression liner provides good support, while the top layer lends some modesty. It also has deep pockets, a hidden zipper pocket, a headphone hole, and a loop for holding a small towel.

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