The 9 Best Workout Shorts of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall for Men:

Under Armour Men's Raid Gym Shorts at Amazon

"Ultra-soft and lightweight, 4-way stretch construction allows for easy movement in any direction."

Best Overall for Women:

Nike 5'' Attack Training Shorts at Dick's

"All-purpose workout short, flattering cut and comfortable, adjustable elastic waistband."

Best Budget for Men:

Champion Long Mesh Short with Pocket at Amazon

"Lightweight, super soft, mesh material that offers superior ventilation and breathability on hot days."

Best Budget for Women:

Under Armour 3'' Play Up Shorts 2.0 at Dick's

"Excellent and affordable... designed to keep you cool, dry and comfortable during your workouts."

Best Running Shorts for Women:

Nike Dry Tempo Short at Zappos

"Perennial favorite for women, thanks to their performance, quality, affordability, and comfort."

Best Running Shorts for Men:

Nike Dri-Fit 9" Distance Running Shorts at Amazon

"Designed for runners, but perform well and are comfortable for many types of exercise."

Best Compression Shorts:

Under Armour HeatGear Armour at Amazon

"Perfect for anyone who wants longer shorts that stay put and don’t chafe."

Best for Squats:

Jed North Fitted Shorts at Amazon

"Athletic fit... still offer plenty of room to move in order to perform perfect, unrestricted squats."

Best for High-Intensity Workouts:

Hylete Iris Short at Hylete.com

"The built-in no-show breathable mesh liner doesn't ride up or limit your range of motion, even during high-intensity workouts."

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Zappos

Whether you’re working out at the gym or hanging out in the backyard, you’ll feel comfortable in these ultra-soft and lightweight Under Armour Raid Shorts. The shorts’ 4-way stretch construction allows for easy movement in any direction, so these shorts are ideal for all types of exercise. The lightweight UA HeatGear fabric material wicks away sweat and the anti-odor technology fights odor-causing microbes, keeping you cool, fresh, and dry. Fans of the Raid shorts also love the pockets, elastic waistband with drawstring, and the choice of numerous colors. Overall, they’re an excellent choice for comfortable, durable, all-purpose men’s workout shorts.

Buy on Dick's

Whether you’re running, working out at the gym, or playing on the field or court, you’ll love the performance and comfort of these Nike Attach Training shorts. Nike’s signature Dri-FIT technology wicks away sweat, keeping you dry and cool. These shorts are lightweight and not at all restricting, so they’re a fantastic all-purpose workout short.

Women love the flattering cut and the comfortable, adjustable elastic waistband with drawstring. Overall, they’re perfect for women looking for a pair of high-quality, versatile workout shorts. With an affordable price tag and many colors to choose from, you may want to pick up more than one pair.

Buy on Amazon

If you’re looking for comfortable, durable, and lightweight men’s workout shorts at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong with these Champion Men’s Long Mesh Shorts. They’re made of a lightweight, super soft, mesh material that offers superior ventilation and breathability on hot days. Perfect for all types of sports and activities, these shorts are on the baggy side and hit just above the knee.

They have an elastic waist and drawstring, so you don’t have to worry about wardrobe malfunctions when you’re working out or playing basketball. The side pockets are perfect for stashing your keys, wallet, or phone. Despite the reasonable price tag, these shorts are extremely durable and won’t wear out or fade. And with so many colors to choose from, you may decide you need more than one pair.

Buy on Dick's

Another excellent and affordable option from Under Armour, these Women’s Play Up Shorts are designed to keep you cool, dry and comfortable during your workouts. Lightweight and extremely breathable, they feature UA’s signature Moisture Transport System that pulls sweat away from your body, keeping you cool and dry. There’s plenty of room to move, so you can perform all types of exercises without feeling restricted.

Women love the short’s flattering fit and the wide, elastic waistband. Available in numerous fun color combinations, the Play Up shorts also feature odor-resistant technology to keep them smelling fresh.

Nike Women's Dry Tempo 3-Inch Running Short

Buy on Zappos

These women’s running shorts from Nike are a perennial favorite for women, thanks to their performance, quality, affordability, and comfort. They feature a 3-inch inseam, curved hem and a fully-lined mesh brief that provides superior comfort, excellent coverage, and full range of motion. You’ll stay cool and dry due to the breathable mesh side panels and Nike’s signature Dri-FIT fabric that wicks away sweat.

These lightweight shorts are sure to become your go-to shorts for warm weather outdoor exercise or gym workouts. Available in dozens of colors, they’re so affordable that you may be tempted to buy more than one pair so you don’t have to worry about your favorite shorts being in the laundry pile.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Dick's

Although they’re designed for runners, these Nike shorts perform well and are comfortable for many types of exercise. With perforated panels and Nike’s signature Dri-FIT fabric that wicks away sweat, they’ll keep you dry and cool, even in very hot and sweaty conditions. These running shorts feature a 7-inch inseam, providing the right amount of coverage and a built-in inner that offers additional sweat-wicking support, exactly where it’s needed most.

Runners also love the side pockets, which are big enough to hold a phone. The shorts’ inner drawstring waistband allows for a comfortable, adjustable fit. They’re available in several different colors, so you can pick the ones that work best with your style and fitness wardrobe.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Dick's Buy on Underarmour.com

If you frequently deal with shorts riding up or bunching during your workouts, these compression shorts from Under Armour will solve your issues. They’re perfect for anyone who wants longer shorts that stay put and don’t chafe. The lightweight, 4-way stretch fabric gives you superb mobility and range of motion, while Under Armour’s compression fit ensures that your shorts won’t ride up or fall down.

These versatile shorts are the perfect length to be worn alone or underneath a baggier pair of shorts. They also feature UA’s Moisture Transport System that wicks away sweat to keep you cool and dry. They’re available in both men’s and women’s versions.

Buy on Amazon

Men will look forward to leg day at the gym just so they can wear these comfortable, lightweight and extremely functional Jed North shorts. Featuring an athletic fit, they lightly hug the thighs, but still offer plenty of room to move in order to perform perfect, unrestricted squats. The fabric is exceptionally soft and smooth, with lots of stretch and flexibility so you don’t have to worry about rips or tears at the bottom of a squat. There’s room to stash your phone or other essentials in the two wide side pockets with zippers that are easy to open and close.

These comfy shorts allow you to focus on improving your squats rather than paying attention to irritating or uncomfortable clothing. Available in several colors and sizes, the Jed North fitted lifting shorts are shorter than some of the popular baggy shorts, but still provide enough coverage for any exercise.

Buy on Hylete.com

These shorts have a built-in no-show breathable mesh liner that doesn't ride up or limit your range of motion, even when you're sprinting or doing other high-intensity exercises. The high-stretch waistband and four-way stretch fabric move with you while you exercise, but the shorts still stay in place without digging into your sides.

Side zipper pockets keep your valuables secure while you're out on a run and are big enough to fit most phones. Durable and lightweight, these high-quality shorts will last you a long time. The athletic shorts come in a range of colors and in sizes 0 through 14.

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