When you're in the gym working on getting healthier and looking better, a lousy pair of shorts can ruin even a simple workout. If they're too tight, you're in for all kinds of, um, uncomfortable side effects, and at risk of committing indecent exposure. If your shorts are too loose, they can make you look like a first-timer, and at the wrong angle will also put you at risk of committing indecent exposure. (In either case: no one is trying to see your junk every time you do crunches. And don't even think about being the guy who only rocks running tights or compression shorts while doing squats, either. Layers!) When hitting the gym, you need shorts that are the right length while also being comfortable and functional. The idea: you want shorts that get out of your way and let you focus on your workout. Lululemon's Pace Breaker shorts do all of that and more—plus, they have a lining that's more comfortable than your most gym-ready boxer-briefs. (You're not still wearing boxers to the gym—or at all—are you?)
1. They're the Perfect Length: If you're out on a run or just out and about on a warm summer day, a pair of looser shorts are totally fine. But being in the gym means doing activities where you're not just putting one leg in front of the other, whether it's squats, sit-ups, or leg presses. Wider-leg short shorts will slide up your legs, turning into a mesh diaper during every set, and those overlong basketball shorts you've had since the days of And 1 Mixtapes will just make you look like a hungover college freshman. Lulu's Pace Breakers have a 9" inseam and an athletic leg opening that falls just above the knee. There are plenty of ways to look foolish in the gym—but these shorts won't be one of them.
2. They Come Pre-Loaded With Underwear: Lululemon also makes an unlined version of the Pace Breaker shorts, but for our money, the ones with the liner are the way to go. Why? Well, even though we know you'll wash 'em between wears, there's something about sweating in your nice underwear at the gym that can sometimes give them that forever un-clean feel. And while other lined shorts are often too tight on your precious cargo, Lulu's stretchy polyester lining balances fit and forgiveness.
3. They've Got Smart Cargo Pockets: There's nothing worse than your phone or iPod constantly falling out of your pocket every time you hit the bench press. Lululemon know this, and wants to help: the Pace Breaker shorts have a pocket that's large enough to hold your phone, but small enough to keep it from bouncing around when you're on a run. And if you're more of a smart watch kind of guy, the pocket is great for storing your keys and some cash, so you don't have to hold them in your hands on your way to and from the gym and look like a guy who's in the early stages of fleeing the country.
STLR is an indepedent, New York-based athleticwear company that we've described as what would happen if Rick Owens made gym-ready clothes. And since the dark lord of fashion is sticking to $600 cotton drop-crotch options, STLR's take on a pair of short-cut soccer shorts is fine with us. They're a little more expensive than your average gym shorts at $108 (compression shorts are sold separately for $110), but believe us when we say you've never worn gym shorts quite like these. They're cut extra wide in the leg, which when combined with their weighty, insanely-stretchy polyamide blend fabric makes them maybe the flowiest gym shorts ever. That's also why scooping up the compression shorts to avoid showing off too much thigh is pretty much a necessity, but even those are comfortable beyond belief. Thanks to the shorts' massive leg opening, you'll basically feel like you're only wearing compression shorts, but without looking like that guy at the gym wearing only compression shorts.
When we're talking gymwear, we're talking Nike. The giant almost always has an option for any gym necessity that's at the top of the market in terms of performance, looks, and price. The trick is navigating the dozens of options Nike offers even in seemingly narrow categories like shorts, which can make it difficult for Swoosh loyalists to find the right pair. That's why we've picked the Nike 2-in-1 distance shorts, which fall in the sweet spot of all of Nike's offerings. Like the Lululemon Pace Breakers, Nike's come with compression shorts built in. But we love them because they're excellent for guys under six feet tall, with a seven-inch inseam (compared to Lulu's nine). Additionally the Nikes come with a pocket located on the back of the right hip, which is good for holding your keys or non-gigantic smartphone.
Champion basically invented workout gear it introduced the first ever hooded sweatshirt back in the 1930s. Today their gear (and logo) are having a resurgence thanks to collabs with high-end brands like Vetements as well as the innumerable fledgling brands that turn Champion gear into streetwear—or, in the case of Justin Bieber, tour merch. And when it comes to mesh shorts, no one does it better than Champion. If you played sports growing up, you'll recognize these instantly—and fondly recall their unbeatable comfort, thanks to an athletic cut that doesn't cling to the thighs). They don't come with built-in compression shorts, and their loose fit can spell disaster on those leg presses, but Champion shorts are the one pair of shorts on this list that look as cool outside the gym as they are functional inside of it. If you're not the kind of guy who needs high-fashion silhouettes or the utmost in performance, there's no reason not to stock up on Champion's classic mesh shorts. And, at just $25 each, there's no reason not to scoop 'em up in a few colors, too.
When we talked to Satisfy Running founder Brice Partouche back in May about what separates his brand from sportswear giants like Nike and Adidas, he told us about his brand's proprietary athletic fabric Technospacer. The material is special, he explained, because it holds air between its two layers, which provides insulation against the cold. Also, it feels incredible. These shorts feel unlike anything else we've ever worn—the fabric is denser than fleece, even though it's lighter and thinner. As you might expect from a higher-end French label, they're cut slimmer than every other short on this list (but still wider than a pair of skinny Saint Laurent jeans). But their double-layer tech makes these shorts perfect for colder days when you need to worry about keeping warm on the way to the gym, not just while you're working out. These are also the only shorts on our list that boast Italian-made fabric, which certainly adds to the price you see on the tag. But as Partouche says, "We have a couture approach to the process of making running clothes." That might sound like classic Parisian confidence, but Partouche—and his space-age, ultra-well-made shorts—has a point.
