The 15 Best Men’s Hybrid Shorts For Summer

Camping. Hiking. Swimming. These are the activities that make for an adventurous and memorable summer—but until recently, there hasn’t been a single piece of clothing that can be used for all of them interchangeably.

Hybrid shorts have changed all of that, and they’ve quickly become our favorite pants to wear whenever the weather starts to warm up. So in this guide, we’ve collected 15 of the best men’s hybrid shorts for summer. They cover a wide range of styles and prices, but every one will guarantee that you’re fully prepared for whatever summer brings.

What Are Hybrid Shorts?

Before we get into our picks for the best hybrid shorts, let’s clear something up. Just what the heck are hybrid shorts anyway?

The basic idea is pretty straightforward: Hybrid shorts are a mix between board shorts and jean-cut shorts. They’re most often made of lightweight, quick-drying materials—but with a more tailored design than standard board shorts or swim trunks. That makes them perfect for wearing all day long during the summer, as you can easily take them for a swim and then wear them out to a restaurant later that day.

Wellen Hybrid Cruiser Shorts

Wellen’s Hybrid Cruiser Shorts are our first go-to when it’s time to hit the trail, the pool, or a backyard barbecue in the summertime. They’re made with a chino-classy fit, but their material is both perfectly stretchy and quick-drying. Four different pockets (including a hidden zippered pocket) give you plenty of storage space for your everyday carry needs, and a zipper fly with button keeps them looking classy enough for anytime, anywhere wear. And with a perfectly tuned 7.5 inch inseam, they’ll fall just above the knee for extended comfort while you’re out and getting active.

• Price: $88
• Materials: Polyester and spandex

Peter Millar Shackleford Performance Hybrid Shorts

Designed as a golf course ready, truly refined pair of shorts, Peter Millar’s Shackleford Performance Hybrid Shorts also pack quite a few technical features. Their polyester/spandex material gives just the right balance of stretch, shape, and lightweight quick drying—and a 10 inch inseam gives plenty of material to cover your legs in more formal situations. They pair beautifully with a pair of white leather sneakers and a polo, and are fully equipped to take you from the course to the pool to dinner with no need for wardrobe changes.

• Price: $100
• Materials: Polyester and spandex

On Hybrid Shorts

For a different take on hybrid shorts that’s geared more towards all-day exercise, check out On Running’s Hybrid Shorts. They’re pushed more towards a swim trunk style, with a polyester liner layer that gives them plenty of support while running or swimming. The outer shorts layer is ultralight and quick drying, keeping you nimble and agile while you’re out on the trail or the street. Overall, they’re perhaps the most versatile shorts possible for serious fitness buffs—and a great choice for summertime fun.

• Price: $100
• Materials: Polyester, polyamide, and elastane

Vuori Banks Shorts

In case you’re not already familiar with the brand, Vuori is remarkable for their attention to detail in sourcing materials and constructing durable, hard-working outdoor clothing. Their Banks Shorts are no exception, with a material that uses both recycled and new polyester mixed with just enough elastane for freedom and ease of movement. That makes them as good for the planet as they are for your favorite summertime activities, thanks to their quick drying properties and scalloped hem. Plus, they’re available in over a dozen colors—so you can choose exactly the right shorts to complement your breezy summertime wardrobe.

• Price: $68
• Materials: Recycled polyester, polyester, and elastane

Proof Nomad Shorts

The folks over at Huckberry really know a thing or two about finding the exact right materials for every piece of clothing in their Proof lineup. The Nomad Shorts carry through on this promise, with a specialized Japanese polyester twill that gives significantly better stretch and structure than your standard issue synthetic shorts. Add a water repellent DWR coating on top of that, and you get a truly technical pair of shorts that’s ready to go anywhere, anytime. That’s all topped off by a discrete zippered pocket for stashing your valuables, and four other pockets to store all your everyday carry gear.

• Price: $88
• Materials: Polyester stretch twill and polyester/spandex pockets

PrAna Hybridizer Shorts

PrAna was one of the first brands to get into the hybrid shorts game, and their Hybridizer Shorts continue to impress hikers and outdoorsy types the world over. They’re made primarily from a recycled polyester knit that’s been engineered for a touch of four-way stretch, which is emphasized further by a touch of elastane and given plenty of structure by virgin polyester. Moisture wicking, soft, and durable, they’re an easy go-to pick in four neutral colorways that can complement just about anything.

• Price: $75
• Materials: Recycled polyester, polyester, and elastane

Chubbies Everywhere Stretch Hybrid Shorts

Though best known for their party-ready swim trunks, Chubbies has recently been branching out into all manner of summertime clothing. Their Everywhere Stretch Hybrid Shorts are our favorite recent addition, thanks to their incredibly lightweight but durable construction. A durable water repellent coating adds a layer of protection to the wrinkle- and tear-resistant fabric, while mesh pockets make them swimming-ready at a moment’s notice. Top all that off with hidden zippered pockets for all your valuables, and you get one heck of a pair of shorts.

• Price: $65
• Materials: Polyester and spandex

Travis Mathew Beck Shorts

Utilizing performance fabric with a casual classy look, the Beck Shorts are Travis Mathew’s best selling item. They have much greater stretch than most of the shorts on this list, and that also gives them top notch wrinkle resistance—perfect for wearing for days on end while you’re traveling, or keeping your style clean and classy while you’re moving from the pool to the bar. That’s all integrated with a 10 inch inseam, giving you plenty of material for a wide range of activities.

• Price: $90
• Materials: Polyester, cation, cotton, and spandex

Myles Apparel Everyday Shorts

For hard-working essentials with great versatility, look no further than Myles Apparel. Their Everyday line of clothing lives up to its name, with an extra-strong but lightweight double weave polyester material that works as well on a hike as it does paired with a polo for classy dinners. We especially like that they’re available in a full range of inseams—6, 8, and 10 inches—as well as nearly 20 different colors. In short, you can customize these shorts to fit your exact style, no matter what that style is.

• Price: $68
• Materials: Double weave polyester

Roark Layover Hybrid Trail Shorts

By combining the durable qualities of nylon with the lightweight and quick drying capabilities of polyester, Roark’s Layover Trail Shorts become something entirely new. Toss in a little bit of elastane for four-way stretch though, and you get the most versatile pair of outdoor shorts on this list. They’re specifically designed for your most adventurous outdoor activities—and nicely complemented by an integrated back stuff pocket so you can store them in the tiniest spaces possible.

• Price: $75
• Materials: Nylon, polyester, and elastane

Kuhl Silencr Kargo Shorts

The mechanical stretch polyester used for Kuhl’s Silencr Kargo Shorts does more than just ensure a comfortable, lightweight fit and feel—it also makes them highly durable, with a degree of ripstop protection that makes them an ideal pair of outdoor and hiking shorts. But they’re not the same sort of baggy, rugged looking shorts you might usually associate with time on the trails, as sleek and low profile pockets give the Kargos a refined look. They’re water-resistant and quick-drying to boot, so there’s no terrain or weather that the Silencrs can’t handle.

• Price: $79
• Materials: Mechanical Stretch Polyester

Flint and Tinder Hybrid Ripstop Shorts

Flint and Tinder’s Hybrid Ripstop Shorts are the Jeep of the menswear world—rugged, durable, ready to handle anything you throw at them, and available in a variety of military-inspired colors. Made from 73 percent cotton and 27 percent nylon, they offer an excellent blend of comfort, ripstop durability, and casual styling.

An elastic and drawstring waist gives the best of both worlds as far as adjustability goes, combining sturdy support and fine-tuned fit. They’re garment-dyed and -washed, too, so they’ll look like your favorite pair of lived-in shorts from day one. And if you’re inclined to hop in the pool, the mesh pocket bags here will ensure that you can dry off quickly once you’re back on solid land.

• Price: $88
• Materials: Cotton and Nylon

Free Fly Latitude Shorts

Coming in at just under $100, Free Fly’s Latitude Shorts offer performance and style to match their pricing. The finely tuned blend of nylon and spandex used here offers the best in stretch, lightweight versatility, and quick-drying capabilities, making them an ideal pair of shorts for the frequent traveler.

Aside from their dressy/casual flat-front style, the Latitudes are also detailed with activity-friendly features like a back zipper pocket and a partial elastic waistband for comfort no matter how much you’ve eaten. And thanks to their tapered legs and 7.5-inch inseams, these shorts are equally as classy as they are comfortable.

• Price: $98
• Materials: Recycled Nylon, Nylon, and Spandex

Western Rise Evolution Shorts

Western Rise’s entire lineup of pants and shorts has a huge following in the digital nomad community, and they’re widely regarded as the best bottoms for travelers and techies. Their Evolution Shorts are the best of the bunch even among the brand’s many great offerings.

Made from a woven twill of Nylon and Elastane, the Evolution Shorts are incredibly lightweight, indomitably durable, and equal parts breathable and quick drying. There really isn’t anything that these shorts can’t do, from urban commuting to impromptu swims and everything in between.

• Price: $98
• Materials: Nylon and Elastane

Patagonia Hydropeak Hybrid Walk Shorts

Sewn and styled like a casual everyday short, but made with boardshort performance in mind, Patagonia’s Hydropeak Hybrid Walk Shorts are the truest expression of versatility. They’re made with the same environmentally conscious attention to detail as all of Patagonia’s gear, which means that they’re both Fair Trade Certified and sewn from recycled materials.

Other details include a button closure with a zipper fly, pockets with drainage and a key loop built in, and a contoured waistband that won’t pinch or bunch up while you’re getting active.

• Price: $85
• Materials: Recycled polyester and Spandex

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