The 25 Best Men’s Shorts For Summer

Even if you find yourself squarely in the “no shorts, ever” camp, it’s time to think about trading in your denim or chinos for a pair of the best men’s shorts on the market. Seriously. Stylish, well-fitting and well-made shorts are a secret style weapon in that you can wear them just as you’d wear your favorite pair of light wash jeans or khaki chinos. That is to say, once you’ve found the perfect pair–or pairs–you’re all set for style combinations (and summer adventures) aplenty.

Before you think twice about trading in your beloved selvedge, know that some of your favorite brands–from Flint and Tinder to Bonobos–are making mighty fine shorts for spring and summer. There’s never been a better time to get into some sharp-looking, hard-wearing shorts. Trust us.

Public Rec All Day Every Day Shorts

Best Overall

How often are you going to be wearing shorts this summer? Something like “all day, every day,” right? Then you’ve found the perfect pair from Public Rec. Available in a wide array of colors, including a striking navy option to team with a white polo, these shorts move with you thanks to moisture-wicking stretch fabric.

Bonobos Stretch Washed Chino Shorts 2.0

Best Slim Fit Shorts

The time is finally upon us to shed your chinos and denim and step out instead in something equally stylish — yet all the more well-suited to the rising thermostat out there.  Enter a pair of the best men’s shorts in our opinion, and be sure to pick them up from the makers of your favorite chinos. That would be Bonobos for the uninitiated, and if you thought of them simply as a brand for the colder months, think again. These navy chinos shorts are a new essential.

Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts

Best Shorts For Tall Men

Taller guys among us could use a pair of shorts with a bit more coverage, right? That’s probably why we like the Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts in all their glory. These cotton shorts are as durable as it gets while still retaining casual style, and the 9-inch inseam is a reliable option for guys with a bit more height. Wear these for a round of golf, then back home for beers — no need to slow yourself down with an outfit change.

Faherty Brand All Day Shorts

Best Quick-Drying & Water-Repellant Shorts

When we think of Faherty Brand, we think of beach bonfires, great food, family and of course, stylish menswear — all wrapped into one. They’ve perfected the right balance between style that works with your early morning coffee or the evening’s final beer, and the Faherty Brand All Day Shorts exemplify that approach quite nicely. The quick-drying fabric just so happens to be water-repellent, while colors like Ice Grey wear well with Faherty’s line of slub tees and garment-dyed polos.

Olivers Apparel All Over Shorts

Best Shorts For Active Men

Shorts from Olivers Apparel are ready to take on the day without missing a beat — if you find the right pair of shorts, one pair could even last you the entire weekend (provided you’re not getting too rough-and-tumble in them). When it comes to durable shorts that outperform their counterparts, Olivers Apparel has got to be a frontrunner — the All Over Shorts are as ready for an afternoon BBQ as they are for a morning hike or run.

Proof Equator Cargo Shorts

Best Cargo Shorts

Shorts don’t get any more versatile than the Equator Cargo Shorts by Proof. They’re made from a 4-way stretch fabric that’s been treated to stand up to rain and mud. Best of all, the cargo short pockets are low-profile so as to hold your gear without the bulk often associated with 90s cargo shorts. Wear them with high-top sneakers and a pocket tee to head out just about anywhere — from the beach to the bar — this summer season.

Rhone Commuter Shorts

Best Golf Shorts

The Commuter Shorts were, quite simply, made for the guy who never slows down — and who expects the same nonstop performance from his gear. Rhone designed these shorts with guys like yourself in mind, using a proprietary Flex-Knit fabric and details like a security zipper pocket to ensure you get where you’re going efficiently and safely. Pick a pair or two up — then be prepared to snag even more. They’re just that effective.

Vuori Banks Shorts

Shorts Made From 4-5 Recycled Plastic Bottles

You know that pair of well-loved shorts you can throw on and forget about (in a good way)? Well, those shorts just got a serious upgrade. The Vuori Banks Shorts check all the right boxes when it comes to a pair of shorts made for work (biking, yoga, hiking) or play (kicked back on your patio in the morning, coffee in hand). The scalloped leg offers freedom of movement, and the recycled polyester-elastane-poly fabric blend provides lightweight performance in the heat of summer. A dizzying array of color options also means Vuori has something for everyone.

Myles Apparel Tour Shorts

Most Versatile Shorts For Men

If you’ve tried out the impressive Myles Apparel Tour Pants, consider yourself in luck when it comes to a pair of similarly well-crafted shorts from the same family of gear. Myles Apparel specializes in stretch-filled, durable fabrics with tailored fits and versatile colors, and that makes these shorts ready for road trips or weekends on your back patio in equal measure. The best part is, they’ll look excellent with a Myles Apparel hoodie or T-shirt for go-anywhere weekend or weekday comfort as you work from home. 

Relwen Flyweight Flex Shorts

Editor’s Pick

For as much as we love Relwen’s focus on durable, military-inspired outerwear for the colder months, it’s tough not to appreciate that the brand brings the heat for warmer weather, too (pun intended).Take the Flyweight Flex Shorts, the type of shorts made to move with you and made to be paired up with a Relwen polo for many a summer day enjoying cold beer outdoors at your favorite brewery. 

Public Rec Workday Shorts 2.0

Best Shorts For Wearing To The Office

The great thing about a brand like Public Rec is that so many of its gear picks get the same attention and quality craftsmanship across the board. What we mean to say is, if you’ve tried, perhaps, a pair of Public Rec joggers, you know the brand can deliver. And its Workday Shorts 2.0 (the second iteration of their beloved original Workday shorts) are every bit as effective and summer-ready, made with innovative fabric in a perfect cut. 

Editor’s Note: I personally wear the original version of these shorts. What I love most about them is that they feature a moderate taper in the leg for a more seamless fit that won’t have your shorts billowing in the wind. I’ve also confirmed with the brand that the newer version also features the same taper.

Todd Snyder Surplus Shorts

Best Casual Shorts

Be it the rich indigo color or the lightweight cotton blend, or the fact that you can wear these shorts with an Oxford shirt or a simple pocket tee, we simply can’t get enough of them. Throw ‘em on with a pair of Converse sneakers and a Todd Snyder slub polo for A-plus summer style, better still. The only thing missing now from that lineup is a Timex x Todd Snyder watch, wouldn’t you agree? 

Orvis Jackson Stretch Quick-Dry Shorts

Best Adventure Shorts

Your weekend getaway isn’t complete without a versatile pair of go-anywhere shorts, like these quick-dry shorts from Orvis. Made from moisture-wicking nylon stretch fabric and featuring handy details like a lower leg zipper pocket, they’re hard-working shorts that can be worn on the trail or to a backyard summer BBQ. They’ll also team well with an Orvis thermal shirt for a bit of high-low summer style around the bonfire or on a breezy morning, and that’s the kind of one-two punch we sure can appreciate. 

Coalatree Trailhead Shorts

Best Technical Shorts

The Trailhead Shorts from Coalatree are among the best-loved products from the brand for good reason, and it’s because they stand out stylishly and perform well out in the field or on the trail (it’s right in the name, after all). They’re anti-microbial, tear-resistant and waterproof, and they come in a range of cool colors to satisfy even the most selective shopper or gearhead. Pick up your pair today. 

REI Active Pursuits Shorts

Most Lightweight Shorts

Don’t overlook affordability when it comes to finding the best shorts for wearing this summer. For under $50, REI delivers a pair of shorts made for the outdoorsman, featuring lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric meant to be worn from sunrise to sunset. A zipper pocket and ventilation panels should come in mighty handy, too.

Lululemon Commission Shorts

Most Versatile Shorts

This summer, you’re going to be doing a lot besides just working out — hiking, biking, golfing lounging, you name it. And if it’s an activity you can do in shorts, one could make the case that you should be doing so while wearing the Lululemon Commission Shorts, Inspired by chino shorts and yet built with the brand’s Warpstreme fabric for a refined finish, these shorts are worth the investment.

Howler Brothers Tranquilo Chillshorts

Best Shorts For Lounging

Is there a cooler name for a pair of shorts than the “Chillshorts”? To us, not quite — Howler Brothers has come up with the perfect pair of shorts to pair with one of its famed short-sleeve shirts, in fact. Blending the silhouette of boardshorts with fabric commonly found in weekend-ready sweatshorts, these are a seriously cool, laidback pair of shorts you’ll find easy to wear all day long (you’ll have to source your own beer, though).

 Mack Weldon Stratus Active Short

Best 7-Inch Shorts

Mack Weldon delivers innovation, quality, and maximum comfort with its Stratus Active Shorts. The Unlined version is perfect for runners and lovers of outdoor and water sports, because they keep you comfortable, dry, and moving easily without the lining getting in your way. The shorter-than-average seven-inch inseam gives you total freedom of movement, but the combined elastic waistband and drawcord guarantees the shorts will always stay firmly in place. Need extra storage or a place to carry your keys, wallet, or IDs? You’ll love the hidden back pocket and zip-up side pockets for sure.

Taylor Stitch The Easy Short in Navy Herringbone

Best Dress Shorts

Taylor Stitch is a brand committed to both quality and sustainability, both of which are exemplified in The Easy Short in Navy Herringbone. Sourced responsibly, crafted for quality, and manufactured to be environmentally conscious, these shorts are made with a wonderful blend of organic cotton, linen, and silk that makes them extremely comfortable and durable. They’ve been pre-washed to accentuate the stylish texture and chic look, and when you slip them on, you’ll immediately sense the “lived-in feel” that makes them such a wonderful choice for even the hottest summer.

Outerknown Verano Beach Short

Best Eco-Friendly Shorts

Outerknown is all about recycling and recovering ocean plastic, which is one of the things that makes the Verano Beach Short such a popular choice among eco-minded men. The buttons are made entirely using recovered ocean plastic, and the fabric is a blend of 45 percent organic cotton and 55 percent hemp—a combination that is both incredibly durable and environmentally friendly. Their relaxed fit and stylish design make them great for both dressing up and down. They’ll be as comfortable at home as in a business meeting, and they look amazing with a tank top, rash guard, or more formal short-sleeve collar shirt.

Faherty Essential Short

Shorts Made For Dressing Up Or Dressing Down

If you want shorter shorts with a stylish flair, give the Faherty Essential Shorts a try. Their short inseam, straight leg, and relaxed fit make them an excellent choice for both casual hangouts and dressing up for a night out on the town. Made with a blend of organic cotton, linen, and synthetic modal fabric, they’re as tough as they are classy. They’re crafted with breathability and cloud-soft comfort in mind, making them an excellent choice for your next pair of all-purpose shorts.

Levi’s Carrier Cargo Shorts

Best Work Shorts

Everyone knows the Levi’s brand—it’s renowned for its durability, reliability, and versatility—but you’ve never really experienced tough-and-rugged comfort until you’ve tried the Carrier Cargo shorts. These are tailored for a relaxed fit, intended to sit just below waist level, and with an extra-long nine-and-a-half-inch inseam that makes them perfect for taller men or guys with longer legs. The cargo pockets give you extra carrying space for whatever you need to keep on you at all times. With the Water<Less techniques practiced by Levi’s during their manufacture, these shorts are an eco-friendly and sustainable product for sure.

Aether Arno Short

Luxurious Shorts For Stepping Up Your Look

Aether brings the luxurious quality of Italian organic cotton, making its Arno Short a truly top-notch product for the man of style. The fabric has just enough stretch to move comfortably no matter what you’re doing, along with a faux fly, a drawcord to reinforce the internal elastic waistband, and snap hand pockets for secure carrying. It’s sleek, stylish, and utterly beautiful, making them the ideal summer shorts for guys who always dress to the nines.

L.L. Bean Men’s Lakewashed Stretch Khaki Shorts

Classic Design

You always know what you’re getting when you dress in L.L. Bean: quality, style, and simple elegance. The Lakewashed Stretch Khaki Shorts look so much trendier than just “another pair of khaki shorts”—they combine a streamlined look, breathable fabric (cotton and spandex), and a washed look to make them as stylish as you could ask for. Whether you’re spending a day on the deck of your boat, having drinks at the country club, or taking a walking tour of your city, these shorts will make you look at your absolute best.

Roark Layover 2.0 Shorts

Best Travel Shorts

For the man who’s always ready for an adventure, you’re going to want the Roark Layover 2.0 Shorts packed in your bag. Roark’s mission is to craft “purpose-built clothing” that blends durability, versatility, and style, and that’s exactly what you get with these travel-friendly shorts. They’ll always stay securely in place thanks to the combined waistband and drawcord, offer plenty of storage (button-up back pockets and front long zipper pocket complete with an internal stash sleeve for your important documents), and are amazingly breathable thanks to the laser-cut perforations that allow in just enough air to keep your lower body cool. The shorts are a blend of cotton, nylon, and elastane, but, like all Roark products, are made using Fair Trade products and sustainable fabrics.

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