The Best Casual Shorts for Men

In the summer months, even as they wane, shorts are a necessity. They’re how you’ll stay cool commuting to work or relaxing outside on the weekend. You should aim for a pair that is both comfortable and fun, an equal embrace of casual elements like linen and drawstrings and structured features like pockets and polished hems.

What to Look for

Just like pants, shorts can be divided into several categories: chino, utility, sweat and, broadly speaking, sport shorts. The former are more formal, while the latter skew more casual — the sort you wear to the gym or to the grocery store, but rarely anywhere else. For the sake of brevity, I’m covering the kinds you can wear to summer events and on errands.

Keep an eye out for shorts with an adjustable waist, structured hips and pockets and a finished hem. Shorts with big, billowing pockets will make you appear wider than you are, breaking up the body’s natural line. Shorts that flare out will do this too, so avoid ultra-lightweight fabrics like nylon unless the occasion truly calls for them. Stick to fabrics like cotton or twill, because they’re breathable but also the most versatile.

These fabrics are also the ideal weight. They’re hefty enough to afford the shorts some structure while being lightweight enough to wear comfortably even on the hottest days. The fit of your shorts matters, too. Pardon the weird visual, but you should be able to slide an open hand up into the bottom of your shorts. If you can’t, your shorts are too tight. (Compression shorts don’t count.)

Understanding Inseam and Outseam

When buying a pair of shorts, you’ve probably inspected their inseam — aka how long they are. What’s the difference between a 5-inch, 7-inch and 9-inch inseam? Five-inch shorts are the most ambitious of the bunch. For most men, this short will sit smack dab in the center of your hip and knee. High enough to be breezy yet low enough to ensure you aren’t revealing too much.

A 7-inch short will hang further down, essentially just above the knee. On most bodies, there will still be a little thigh showing, but this is the short short for men who don’t like short shorts.

For the conservative crowd, there’s the 9-inch short. It’ll be right at or slightly above the bend of the knee, meaning little to no real thigh exposure. But don’t worry about the 9-inch short being capri-like. This length will rarely, if ever, hit beyond the knee on anybody, even if you’re all torso. Anything beyond 9, though, is where the droopy designer, or early aughts-referencing, pairs are. Super baggy shorts are a look, but rarely a flattering one for normal folks.

Simply put: 5-inch shorts are short; 7-inch shorts are the sweet spot; 9-inch shorts are for those too scared to show off some thigh.

As far as the difference between an inseam and an outseam, think of it this way: the inseam accounts for the length between the crotch and bottom hem. The outseam measures from the top edge of the waistband to the bottom hem. An average outseam is 18 inches. An average inseam is 7 inches.

Huckberry

Best Overall Shorts

Rhythm Classic Linen Jam Short

• $27.00 at Huckberry
  $50.00 (46% off)

For the price, there are few better bottoms than Australian surf brand Rhythm’s Classic Linen Jam shorts. The 6-inch inseam sits above the knee and the linen-cotton blend construction affords breathability and a natural look and feel.

UNIQLO

Best Affordable Shorts

Uniqlo Geared Shorts

• $40.00 at Uniqlo

By now, most of us know that Uniqlo creates business casual, and closet essentials, that have duality. The brand’s geared shorts don’t delineate from that status quo. These shorts are water-repellent and have zippered side pockets to make sure your items are safe and sound while you gallivant in the summer sun rays Also, the shorts come in six color options and have an eight-inch inseam for a neutral fit.

Todd Snyder

Best Upgrade Shorts

Todd Snyder 7″ Pleated Hudson Short

• $79.00 at Todd Snyder
  $148.00 (47% off)

Todd Snyder’s 7″ Pleated Hudson Short uses a cotton-linen fabric to provide a breezy, comfy pair of shorts that can withstand the summer heat. They feature a polished, tailored look and stop right at the mid-thigh with two button-through welt back pockets to hold your belongings.

Alex Mill

Best Flat Front Shorts

Alex Mill Flat Front Short in Vintage Washed Chino

• $130.00 at Alex Mill

Unstructured shorts aren’t it! Yes, they’re comfortable — ah, basketball shorts — but they pair well with very few tops. As such, opt for something sturdier, like Alex Mill’s Flat Front Shorts. They’re made with cotton and come in a vintage wash reminiscent of something your dad used to wear while mowing the lawn during your adolescence. These shorts also come with adjustable waist tabs for a tailored-to-you fit.

Courtesy

Best Short Shorts

Chubbies Flat Front Short

• $55.00 at chubbiesshorts.com

We get it. Sometimes shorts can become a little stuffy and uncomfortable. Well, Chubbies offers a pair of flat front shorts constructed out of twill — 98% cotton and 2% spandex, that provide an elevated feel without sacrificing comfort. Also, the shorts have a non-elastic waistband and oxford-lined pockets to maximize wearability, i.e., meetings, recreational sports, etc.

Banks Journal

Best Corduroy Shorts

Banks Journal Big Bear Walk Short

• $75.00 at

The corduroy on these Banks Journal shorts is barely visible, making it an understated yet elevated short. They’re also plenty of roominess, though: there’s an elasticated waistband, binding on the inner seams, and a little bit of stretch in all of the right places.

Huckberry

Best Chino Shorts

Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts

• $78.00 at Huckberry

Available with a 7 or 9-inch inseam, as well as 7 different colors, Flint and Tinder’s 365 Shorts are essentially chinos that cut off at the knee. They do, however, feel way lighter in the hips and seat. The shorts themselves are 8 ounces and made with 2 percent spandex.

Outerknown

Best Utility Shorts

Outerknown SeventySeven Cord Utility Short

• $88.00 at Outerknown

With Outerknown’s SeventySeven Cord Utility Short, you get a comfortable, casual short in one of six colors. (Or, them all, if you’re really in love with them.) These also come with a unique 8.25-inch inseam, which is right in between the sweet spot (7 inches) and slightly long (9 inches).

J Crew

Best Lounge Shorts

J.Crew 6-Inch Dock Short

• $40.00 at J Crew
  $70.00 (43% off)

Because of its elasticated, adjustable waistband, J.Crew’s Dock Shorts come in letter sizes: XS through XXL. They’re made from a mix of cotton and elastane and have a 6-inch inseam. Plus, if you’re not into olive, you can pick from over a dozen colors.

Mack Weldon

Best Stain Resistant Shorts

Maverick Tech Chino Short

• $98.00 at Mack Weldon

We get it. Being comfortable during summertime is necessary, and that notion extends to your summer wardrobe. This pair of shorts from Mack Weldon is made with a technical, four-way stretch knit that exudes comfort and allows the body to move freely. Also, they’re water and stain resistant, which ensures sweat stains do not appear, or water droplets for that matter, during your summer festivities. And for those with an assemblage of items with them at all times, Mack Weldon’s tech chino shorts have six pockets to hold all your belongings effortlessly.

Vuori

Best Anti-Odor Shorts

Vuori Clothing Aim Short

• $74.00 at Vuori

Vuori’s Aim Short is an option that has the versatility to go from casual business settings and the upcoming family barbecues. They are made with a four-way stretch knit fabric to enhance mobility, and they also have a buttoned waistband for a structured finish and closure. Also, the size range for these shorts is 28 to 38, and it comes in five colors with a bold pop but is still neutral enough to pair them with various tops (think button-ups, tank tops, etc.).

Howler Brothers

Best Functional Shorts

Howler Brothers Clarksville Walk Short

• $69.00 at

With reinforced pockets and a hidden, secure snap pocket, Howler Brothers’ shorts are ultra-versatile utility shorts with a polished, chino-style appearance. They’re super simple, meaning they’ll go with anything, but they’re full of bonus features. They’re made with spandex to amplify maneuverability.

Nordstrom

Best Heavyweight Shorts

Marine Layer Saturday Beach Short

• $59.00 at Nordstrom
  $78.00 (25% off)

Marine Layer’s Saturday Beach Short is made from heavyweight double cloth canvas with a 7-inch inseam and a relatively standard fit. They’re super soft, too, because they’ve piece-dyed and stonewashed. (Broken in straight from the box!)

Katin

Best Casual Shorts

Katin Cord Local Short

• $63.00 at

The Cord Local Short is a casual short masquerading as something more formal: It has a faux fly for structure, corded construction and welted back pockets. But it’s also made from a mix of cotton and spandex and has an elasticated waistband for extra comfort.

Roark

Best Nylon Shorts

Roark Porter 3.0 Shorts 18″

• $65.00 at roark.com

Remember what we said about outseams? Roark’s Porter 3.0 Shorts have an 18-inch outseam and a durable yet soft and stretchy feel. There’s a hidden zipper pocket, plus a buckle button waist for a pair of shorts that can go from a lunch meeting to a night out on the town.

Birdwell

Best Vintage-Inspired Shorts

Birdwell Corduroy Shorts

• $95.00 at Birdwell

You can still rock corduroy in the summer, especially at the end of it. In fact, Birdwell encourages it. Its loungey shorts feature front patch pockets, a rear flap patch pocket and a button fly for a pair of shorts that has functionality teamed with structure).

Bonobos

Best Stretch-Chino Shorts

Bonobos Stretch Washed Chino Short 2.0

• $89.00 at Bonobos
  $119.00 (25% off)

Chino shorts are chock-full of versatility. They pair well with any top basically (i.e., rugby tops, tank tops, and T-shirts). Whether you need an elevated look for a midday weekend shindig or you need a neutral errand running vibe, Bonobos’ stretch-washed chino shorts can handle anything (shout out to the brand’s 4-way stretch fabric, which helps the shorts to have more give and movement).

Alex Crane

Best Linen Shorts

Alex Crane Bo Shorts

• $75.00 at Alex Crane

Linen is super lightweight. That makes the fabric ideal for summer garments — like shorts, shirts and pants. Alex Crane knows this, and that’s why their Bo Shorts are made from imported French linen. They were enzyme-washed so they’re super soft, but they can only be hang dried. Plus, since the fabric is full-bodied, it rarely wrinkles. They come in this silver-ish color or over a dozen others.

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