The Best Shorts for Showing Off Your Precious Leg Gains

Photo credit: Vuori/Ten Thousand
Photo credit: Vuori/Ten Thousand

Summer means sweat. Good thing the latest breed of shorts draw moisture away from your skin. Even better, now's as good a time as ever to experiment with length, now that quadsummer is here. But how to choose?

A shorter inseam lets you stay cool, though the five-inch is best suited for short to average-height guys. (On a six-foot guy, a pair of these might come up too short.) If the thought of showing off your thighs is intimidating, consider seven inches the default inseam. It provides that extra coverage but still lets you breathe. Of course, the nine-inch is the most versatile of the bunch. Depending on your height, they should hit right above the knees. If they run too long, it’s probably time to move up in inseam. And if you're still at a loss, don't worry. Here are seven game-changing pairs that help you look and feel cool, no matter the setting.

The New Chinos

Photo credit: Allie Holloway - Hearst Owned
Photo credit: Allie Holloway - Hearst Owned

As you move back to in-person hangs, you want shorts that look good in bars or at barbecues. Luckily, these nine-inch inseam khakis by Johnston & Murphy are constructed with a moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant fabric that can dress up or down. Even better, they’re made with a stretch waistband, so they feel like your favorite sweats.

The No-Sweat Shorts

Photo credit: Allie Holloway - Hearst Owned
Photo credit: Allie Holloway - Hearst Owned

These 7.5-inch inseam workout-workhorse shorts by Vuori contain anti-odor, quick-dry technology. That means they’re equally equipped for long runs, HIIT workouts, gym sessions, and whatever else you throw at them.

The Work-From-Anywhere Pair

Photo credit: Allie Holloway - Hearst Owned
Photo credit: Allie Holloway - Hearst Owned

Remember cargo shorts? Brands have modernized the early-2000s staple with slimmer fits and shorter inseams. Built to endure long hikes, or even long days working from home, this pair by Outerknown with a 8.25-inch inseam is cut for a closely tapered fit and made with corduroy that’s lightweight and breathable. Plus, deep pockets!

The Better-Than-You-Remember-Boardies

Photo credit: Allie Holloway
Photo credit: Allie Holloway

With some public beaches and pools reopening, it’s time for a long-overdue dip. These all-day board shorts with a seven-inch inseam are engineered with two-way stretch for comfort, a super-soft lining, and the durability to withstand salt, sand, and overchlorination. Unlike most other board shorts, they’re also cut with a shorter, seven-inch inseam. Still at a loss? Check out even more pairs of game-changing shorts below.

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