Feb 28, 2026 7 min read

Roundups Running Ultrarunning

The Best Running Shorts For Men, Right Now

The best men's running shorts for road running, tested and reviewed; from everyday training to race day, we've got you!

So you're looking for the best running shorts for men that look great, last the test of time, and perform at the highest level; you've come to the right place.

Before I get into the reviews, let me quickly cover my testing approach and the feature requirements that got these men's running shorts onto this list.

➡ Running off-road? I've got a separate guide covering the best trail running shorts — terrain-specific picks for technical singletrack, mountain days, and ultra-distance racing.

➡ Looking for our Best Running Shorts For Women guide instead?

If you purchase through links in this article, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

My testing environment for these running shorts

When I'm not out on the trails, I can usually be found cruising our local bike/running paths, working on my speed, and endurance training. Road running, track sessions, and everyday training miles are where these shorts earn their place.

It's important for us to have such a varied training environment so that we can test outdoor gear thoroughly.

For in-depth running shoe reviews (road and trail), visit alastairrunning.com. Follow my Strava group for more insights on my runs, and our Instagram feed shares some of the beautiful places we test gear for Trail & Kale.

The feature requirements to pass as best running shorts for men

While compiling this list, there were a few non-negotiable requirements every pair had to meet:

Best Running Shorts For Men Trail and Kale Recommends

Must have a breathable, sweat-wicking inner liner — whether a 2-in-1 with liner, modular liner/outer design, compression liner, or standard brief-lined
The liner must contain and support while running
Must have storage pockets, either on the outside or attached to liner
Must have a comfortable waist adjustment — no constricting, no riding up on long runs
Must be lightweight
Must not have an overly long inseam — every inch of fabric needs a purpose
Must look stylish! I don't ask for much 😄

You won't find cheap running shorts on this list — in my experience, spending less than $30 gets you what you pay for, and that's usually something uncomfortable or lacking in durability.

The Best Running Shorts For Men | With Reviews

🥇 Brooks Journey 5" Short ($65) — WINNER

Brooks built the Journey specifically for distance running on road, and it shows in the details. The stretch brief liner uses soft seams and lightweight breathable fabric to prevent chafe on long efforts, while the updated waistband has been redesigned with reduced height and thickness to maximise range of motion without anything digging in or shifting around.

The pocket count is impressive for a road short: a back phone pocket, four expandable hip pockets, and a liner key pocket — more than enough to carry everything you need on a long run without touching a vest.

Semi-fitted cut follows the body without restricting movement. Made with 87% recycled materials and bluesign certified. Backed by Brooks' 90-day Run Happy Promise; wear it for three months and return it if you're not happy.

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Available in Cosmic Crisp, Black, Sonic Slate/Black, and Midnight Run.

lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Short 5" ($68) — RUNNER UP

The lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Short is the road running short I keep coming back to. It's everything a great everyday training short should be: lightweight, four-way stretch, genuinely sweat-wicking, and cut at a 5" inseam that works for the vast majority of runners.

The linerless design is the key thing to know here. Rather than a built-in liner, these are engineered to be worn with your own underwear or compression shorts — giving you complete control over the support and coverage you want underneath.

For runners who find built-in liners uncomfortable, or who prefer to run in their own base layer, this is the better option. For runners who want everything in one piece, check out the Pace Breaker lined version instead.

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The colorway range is exceptional — currently available in over 20 options from classic Black and True Navy to Prep Blue, Lotus Lavender, and Walnut Crunch. Trending on the lululemon site right now for good reason.

Read our full guide to the best lululemon men's running shorts for more lululemon picks.

Janji AFO Middle Short 5" ($62) — RUNNER UP

One of the many things I love about the Janji brand is how brave they are with their colorways and patterns. These AFO Middle Shorts are available in 3", 5", and 7" inseams, and I've collected so many different colorways over the years; Janji collaborates with local artists from the regions that inspire each collection, so there's always something new worth grabbing.

The comfortable moisture-wicking brief liner is made with high-grade post-consumer recycled plastic instead of virgin synthetics, keeping the environmental impact low without sacrificing performance. The rear pocket fits a smartphone for when you don't need to take a full running vest.

Janji is a brand that genuinely speaks to us at Trail & Kale. Well worth a look.

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Looking for more storage and a trail-ready version? Check out the Janji AFO Middle Short Ultra — Janji's trail-specific upgrade with 6 pockets and a 5-year guarantee, reviewed in our trail running shorts guide.

On 5" Performance Shorts ($80)

Clean, minimal, and built for speed, the On 5" Performance Shorts are exactly what you'd expect from On's approach to running apparel. The lightweight four-way stretch recycled polyamide fabric moves with you without restriction, and the invisible-feel inner brief wicks sweat away fast without any bulk.

Storage is intentionally simple: a single zippered back pocket sits behind a discreet hidden flap, large enough for a standard phone with zero bounce, plus a small slip pocket on the inner brief for a key or card. The elastic waistband sits snug without needing a drawcord. True to size across the range.

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Nike Stride Dri-FIT 5" 2-in-1 Running Shorts ($70)

The 2-in-1 design is the key here, a lightweight woven outer short paired with built-in poly-spandex liner shorts that provide support without restriction. Nike's Dri-FIT technology moves sweat away from skin quickly, and a breathable upper back panel keeps air circulating during harder efforts.

Storage is genuinely well thought out with a zippered back pocket that fits most phones, hand pockets that give quick access to essentials, and the inner shorts that have dedicated storage for nutrition pouches — useful for long road runs when you're carrying gels.

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Reflective details help with early morning or evening visibility. Made with at least 75% recycled polyester. Available in Work Blue, Lapis, Light Crimson, Volt Ice, Smoke Grey, and Black.

lululemon Fast and Free Lined 5" ($88)

The lululemon Fast and Free Lined Short is meticulously designed for running, primarily on road and pavement, with enough durability to handle light trail crossings without complaint. The 6" inseam with a relaxed fit through the glutes and thighs gives you the freedom of movement that a smooth stride demands.

Made with lightweight, perforated Swift fabric (four-way stretch, sweat-wicking, and fast-drying) these are perfect for warm weather road runs. The mesh liner adds to the quick-dry properties and includes a supportive built-in pouch. A loop at the rear lets you stash a layer when you warm up, and reflective details help on early morning or evening runs.

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100% of the polyester is recycled — a nice bonus for the eco-conscious runner.

Looking for trail running shorts instead?

These picks are optimized for road running, pavement, and everyday training miles. If you're running technical singletrack, mountain trails, or training for an ultramarathon, the requirements are different — faster-draining fabrics, more secure pocket storage, and trail-specific construction.

Check out our dedicated best trail running shorts guide for picks including the Path Projects Graves PX, Patagonia Strider Pro, Janji AFO Middle Short Ultra, and more.

Trail & Kale tests all gear in real conditions. Some links in this article are affiliate links — if you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences our recommendations.