7 Best Athleisure Shorts For Men | Ditch the Sweat Stains

$39.00as of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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The blocky color pop that works as hard as you do, rain or shine.

For a pair of shorts you can take straight from a trail run to brunch without changing, the Hanes Cool Dri 7-inch shorts lead the pack. The standout spec is the UPF 40+ sun protection (a rating that blocks about 97.5% of UV rays) woven into the fabric — an uncommon inclusion in this category that gives you real defense against UV exposure on summer runs or long outdoor walks. Buyers report the fabric is “lightweight, breathable, and dries quickly”, making these a strong pick for hot days. The internal drawcord lets you dial in the fit, and the side seam pockets keep your phone and keys close. One reviewer noted the material is thin enough that “I can see the pocket flaps when standing in the light” on lighter colors — so choose a darker shade if discretion matters. These are for you if you want one pair that does both workouts and casual wear; skip them if you need a built-in liner for running.

Unlike the adidas Tiro Cargo shorts that lean into a looser fit and cargo-bulk, the Hanes shorts trim the profile with a color-blocked design that stays modern without adding extra material or weight. At a 7-inch inseam, you get more coverage than the maamgic 5-inch or 6-inch options, which makes this pair more versatile for lounging and casual wear alongside your workouts.

The trade-off is the pocket depth: several owners mention the pockets aren’t deep enough to hold a phone securely during active movement — a shortcoming the maamgic running shorts with liners handle better with their zippered liner pocket.

$34.99$45.00as of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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The retro runner that prioritizes look and air flow over technical features.

If your day leans more toward beach hangs and coffee runs than timed sprints, the adidas Originals Adicolor Classics Sprinter shorts bring a clean, retro silhouette that pairs perfectly with a plain tee and sneakers. The side slit at the hem is a small design detail that open up noticeably more leg room and airflow — you feel the difference the moment you sit down or bend over. Zip pockets are a welcome security feature for a phone or wallet, especially compared to the open drop-in pockets on the adidas Tiro Cargo shorts below.

Reviewers consistently describe them as “perfect for summer” and “perfect for beach or just hanging out in the summer heat”. The lightweight, roomy cut means they don’t cling, but it also means there is no moisture-wicking tech and no liner — this is a lifestyle short with athletic styling, not a performance piece. If you are chasing a fast-dry fabric for heavy sweating, the Hanes Cool Dri or the maamgic 6-inch running shorts will serve you better.

from $35.99as of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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Two pairs of solid 7-inch shorts that handle everything without making you think twice.

Sometimes you just want a rotation — two pairs you grab without checking which one does what. This 2-pack delivers quick-drying stretch fabric that doesn’t restrict movement, four total pockets (two side, one back, one small zip), and a 7-inch inseam that splits the difference between runner-short freedom and everyday coverage. One buyer who walked around Japan in them noted the shorts “kept me cool and dry” even during long active days — a practical data point on how the fabric holds up in real humid conditions.

Where these shine versus the maamgic 5-inch shorts is versatility: the 7-inch length works for tennis, gym workouts, and casual errands without feeling too short or too long. The main drawback — captured by several reviewers — is the lack of a back pocket, which one buyer deducted a star for. The pockets are also described as slightly shallow for a full-size phone, though the stretch fabric compensates by holding items against the leg rather than letting them swing.

Compared to the single-pair adidas Tiro Cargo shorts, this 2-pack gives you twice the inventory at a similar outlay, making it an easy recommendation for anyone building a base of reliable gym-and-street shorts.

$29.25$45.00as of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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Born on the pitch, designed for your everyday carry and casual comfort.

The adidas Tiro line has a genuine soccer heritage, and these cargo shorts carry that DNA into daily life. The AEROREADY moisture management (a fabric treatment that wicks sweat away from your skin) keeps you dry during active wear — though the real selling point is the drawcord-adjustable waist and the subtle cargo pockets that add storage without the baggy look of traditional cargo shorts. One buyer who got them for their 14-year-old son noted they fit “awesome” on a slender build, pointing to a cut that works well on leaner frames without being tight. These suit you if you want a sporty look with extra pocket space; skip them if you prefer a shorter 5-inch inseam for maximum leg freedom.

The trade-off is that the cargo pocket flaps and extra fabric add a touch of visual weight compared to the streamlined adidas Originals Sprinter shorts. If you prefer a cleaner, closer-to-the-body silhouette, the Sprinter style will look sharper.

from $28.99as of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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The 6-inch running short that balances leg freedom with pocket security.

maamgic’s 6-inch running shorts hit a practical middle ground between the shorter 5-inch styles and the more covering 7-inch options. The fabric blend — 90% polyester and 10% spandex, according to reviews — delivers the 4-way stretch (stretches in all directions) you need for dynamic leg movements. The back zip pocket is the feature runners consistently mention: it holds a phone snugly while you run, a notable upgrade from the open drop-in pockets on the 2-pack 7-inch shorts above. The deep side pockets with reflective detailing are a nice safety touch for evening runs. These are for you if you want a middle-length short with a secure phone pocket; skip them if you prefer a built-in liner to skip wearing underwear.

The catch is sizing: multiple customers note these run slightly small. One reviewer with a 31-32 waist confirmed that sizing up to a large gave a much better fit, and another mentioned the waistband can feel “slightly snug during long runs”. Unlike the maamgic lined shorts, these have no built-in liner, so you will need compression shorts or underwear underneath. One buyer also flagged that the actual colors may not match the product photos perfectly — the “black with gold dots” reportedly looked more gray than yellow.

$27.99$44.99as of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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The form-fitting, super-stretchy 5-inch short that shows off the work.

If you are comfortable showing some leg and want a short that moves like a second skin during squats, deadlifts, or HIIT sessions, the maamgic 5-inch shorts deliver a noticeably soft and stretchy feel — one reviewer described the material as “the softest, stretchiest most comfortable shorts ive ever owned.” The 86% polyester / 14% spandex blend gives you that four-way stretch, so you can do “the splits in these bad boys and you won’t feel the material get tight anywhere,” as one buyer put it. There are two zippered pockets: a small one on the right side (not big enough for most smartphones) and a zippered back pocket. These are for you if you prioritize stretch and a short inseam for lifting; skip them if you need a phone-sized front pocket — the right-side zip pocket is too small for most devices.

The difference from the maamgic 6-inch running shorts above is the fit philosophy: these are designed to be form-fitting, with a stretchy waistband that holds its shape even without the drawstring. A detailed review noted the inseam is actually 5.5 inches, not a true 5 inches, which gives you a tiny bit more coverage than the 5-inch maamgic shorts. The lack of a liner means you need compression shorts underneath. The main buyer warning is that the front zip pocket is too small for a phone — one reviewer explicitly said “it will NOT hold most smart phones” — so you will rely on the open front pockets or the back zip pocket for your device. These suit you if you want a snug, liner-free short for gym sessions; skip them if you need a phone-friendly front pocket.

$26.59$32.99Ends inas of Jul 15, 1:34 PM

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The compression-lined runner that stays put without needing a second layer.

For runners who hate the bulk of two layers, the maamgic lined shorts simplify everything: the built-in compression liner acts as your underwear, so you just pull them on and go. The standout detail is the cell phone pocket on the liner itself — one buyer specifically praised how it keeps the phone “secure to hold my phone steady on a run”, a level of stability that open side pockets can’t match. The shorts also include a towel/t-shirt loop and a clever cinch cord that can be tucked inside the waistband for a cleaner look. These are for you if you want a single-layer running short with a secure phone pocket; skip them if you prefer a looser fit without a liner.

Unlike the non-lined maamgic 5-inch and 6-inch shorts, these require you to pay attention to sizing. The manufacturer explicitly notes that “the lining of shorts may feel a bit snug” and recommends sizing up for a better fit. One reviewer confirmed they “tend to ride about 2-3inch height then most running shorts”, which means they sit slightly higher on the leg — a design choice that some runners prefer for freedom of movement and others find unexpected. The zipper pulls on the pockets were described as “floppy like little tassels,” and one buyer removed them for a cleaner look. These are for you if you want a lined short with a phone pocket on the liner; skip them if you dislike a snug liner or a higher cut on the leg.

In direct comparison to the Hanes Cool Dri shorts which lack a liner, the maamgic lined shorts offer a sleeker, lighter feel for running specifically. You trade away some versatility (the Hanes work better as casual shorts) but gain a purpose-built running experience with fewer layers.