The Best Men’s Shorts We’re Wearing This Spring & Summer
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You’ve got your T-shirts and your slip-on shoes secured for the warm months, but now it’s time for the foundational piece: shorts.
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At a Glance: The Best Men’s Shorts
Editor’s Pick: Patagonia Baggies
Chino Pick: Flint and Tinder 365 Short
Linen Pick: Abercrombie & Fitch Linen-Blend Pull-On Short
Loungy Pick: Buck Mason Deck Shorts
Workout Pick: Ten Thousand Foundation Short
Denim Pick: Mr. P. Straight-Leg Denim Shorts
Corduroy Pick: Alex Mill Corduroy Pull-On Short
Cargo Pick: Gap Cargo Shorts
Dressy Pick: Todd Snyder 10” Relaxed Seersucker Bermuda Short
Like any other bottoms, finding the best shorts can be a process. And with so many styles currently in vogue — from chino shorts for dressier occasions to cargo shorts for streetwear looks to hybrid shorts for hikes and beach vacations — the ideal shorts collection should be several pairs deep.
In other words, building out a shorts collection is no easy task. To make things simpler, we’ve rounded up some of the best men’s shorts to buy online right now, including crisp chino shorts, versatile hybrid numbers, and lounge-ready sweat shorts.
The Best Men’s Shorts to Buy Right Now
Below are some of our favorite shorts to pick up this spring and summer. We did our best to include shorts for all kinds of warm-weather activities, from weddings to beach workouts and everything in between, so keep in mind what sort of fun you’ll get up to this year while shopping. To choose the best men’s shorts, we tested best-selling pairs from top brands in as many environments (with as many outfits as possible). All final picks are available at reputable retailers with an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
Patagonia Baggies
$65
The Patagonia Baggies deserve a place in every man’s wardrobe. The trendy shorts are an ultra-versatile swim/chill/workout hybrid that works for everything from runs to casual lunches to surfing. They feature deep, spacious pockets (which you don’t often see on swim trunks) and a rugged nylon build that holds up to years of wear. We’ve owned a few pairs of these over the years, and plan on buying more colors this summer.
Flint and Tinder 365 Short
$78
Flint and Tinder says their 365 shorts are “cut like a chino” and “stretches like a performance short.” They’re absolutely right, and the result is one of, if not the most versatile pair of trunks out there. We’re big fans of the fit at the seam, which is neither too wide nor too tight, allowing some airflow while still feeling pulled together.
Uniqlo Chino Shorts
$29.90
Another great pair of chino shorts (that cost less than half the above) are these ones from Uniqlo. They have a heavier weight than some, which lends a nice substantial look but doesn’t feel hot thanks to a decently wide, airy fit.
Abercrombie & Fitch Linen-Blend Pull-On Short
$60
No fabric feels more summery than linen, but, it seems like guys are just coming around to it as an option for shorts. If you don’t have any linen shorts (or need another pair), we highly recommend these linen-blend shorts from the new-and-improved Abercrombie & Fitch. They feel breezy and soft, and they look as laid-back as we feel while wearing them.
Buck Mason Deck Shorts
$98
We’ve worn Buck Mason’s cotton-and-nylon Deck shorts more than probably any other men’s shorts over the last few years. There’s nothing flashy about them, but they have a casual vintage vibe that looks like something a Sixties movie star might have worn on vacation. Buck Mason offers them in multiple colors, and we’re consistently surprised by how a pair of stylish shorts could feel this comfortable to wear.
Ten Thousand Foundation Short
$68
If your ideal summer day involves a beach run, a gym session, or any other kind of workout, slip on these Ten Thousand Foundation Shorts in the morning. Although they look more undercover, the shorts are just as flexible and durable as any gym shorts. Plus, they’re even water-repellent in case you need a post-workout dip.
Vuori Kore Short
$68
Another great pair of workout shorts we’ve been wearing weekly are these Vuori Kore shorts. They feel extremely soft and somehow even more stretchy than most. But we also appreciate that they offer a little extra coverage, and feature side pockets to make them feel more like regular shorts, if you want to wear them while, say, running errands or relaxing at home.
Mr P. Straight-Leg Denim Shorts
$72 $180 60% off
Jorts could very well be the surprise star of the past couple summers. As with all things “dad core,” the once-frumpy denim short is now a style swerve worth trying. One way to nail the look is to go slightly upscale with your jorts. These minimal denim shorts from Mr. P., for example, inject the style with a touch of classiness (but so much as to ruin the charm). Wear them with classic sneakers and a bold button-up for a stylish dad look.
A.P.C. Helio Straight Leg Denim Shorts
$199
We also love these A.P.C. Helio shorts for anyone looking to introduce some denim to their shorts rotation. The brand is famous for its premium, well-fitting jeans, and they did a great job of translating that to a half-sized silhouette. Just like the above option, they look like a cleaner and more pulled-together version of your average dad jorts.
Alex Mill Corduroy Pull on Short
$130
Corduroy shorts are another throwback style well worth adding to your rotation. We like this example from the essentials experts over at Alex Mill, who use a pulled-together fine wale corduroy. The shorts also feature a drawstring, elastic waist for added comfort and a playful 5.25-inch inseam.
Gap Cargo Shorts
$29 $59.95 52% off
Cargo shorts — à la Nineties skaters — have become another pillar in our shorts wardrobe recently. If you’re looking to do the same for some great weekend looks, check out these long 10-inch cargo shorts from Gap.
Todd Snyder 10” Relaxed Seersucker Bermuda Short
$148
If your shorts collection is lacking a dressy-ish option, pick up some pleated shorts. The throwback look is having a moment right now, as stylish gents rock them with button-ups and loafers (say, at a wedding) or tees and Birkenstocks. As usual, Todd Snyder nails the look with these Bermuda shorts which feature a ten-inch inseam, a true vintage look, and the brand’s usual high-quality craftsmanship.
How We Chose the Best Men’s Shorts
To make this list, we tested best-selling men’s shorts from top brands throughout the year (some of our editors are based in Los Angeles, making that possible). We wore shorts with sandals and tees to the beach or park, with sneakers while running errands, to the gym, and even to daytime events with loafers or dress shoes and button-ups. We looked for shorts that could make us happy in as many settings as possible, and continue to do so even after several wears. This final list represents our favorites — all of which are available (as of writing) at reputable retailers, and have an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
Men’s Shorts Buying Guide
There are a few things to consider when shopping for the best men’s shorts online. First things first, decide when and where you’re going to wear your shorts. That’ll help you decide on the most important features to keep in mind while you’re shopping, like fit, fabric, and style.
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