Joybuy Insights

Choosing men’s shorts: a practical guide for sport, leisure and everyday wear

A good pair of men’s shorts should suit what you plan to use them for. A pair designed for the gym has different features from cotton shorts for relaxing at home or swim shorts for the beach. Yet many styles look much the same at first glance.

The most common buying mistakes come down to three pitfalls:

  1. Treating all shorts as sports shorts. Cotton feels comfortable, but during intense exercise it can retain moisture for longer than polyester or technical fabrics.
  2. Relying solely on the size letter. An M in a regular fit may be roomier than an M in men’s compression shorts. Always check the waist, hip and length measurements.
  3. Confusing marketing claims with guaranteed performance. According to brands’ own information, terms such as moisture-wicking, odour control and breathable may indicate something about the technology used. Your experience may vary depending on the individual, activity and weather conditions.

What should you look for when buying men’s shorts?

1. Choose the material based on how you’ll use them

For men’s casual shorts, relaxing and everyday wear, cotton and cotton blends are often a sensible choice. They feel soft against the skin and work well with a T-shirt or casual shirt. However, pay attention to the ratio of cotton to polyester. Fleece shorts with a brushed inner side may feel warmer, but are less suitable for running in hot weather.

For sport and fitness, men’s sports shorts made from polyester or a polyester-elastane blend are practical. According to PUMA’s product information, dryCELL technology is designed to draw moisture away from the skin. This is a brand claim about performance, so also check whether the shorts provide enough ventilation and freedom of movement for your training.

If you’re looking for support and a close-fitting shape, consider men’s compression shorts. These fit tightly against the body. A larger size may be more suitable if you prefer less pressure or a less close-fitting feel.

2. Check the fit, length and waist

A regular fit offers more room around the legs and hips. A fitted or compression fit sits noticeably closer to the body. As well as the size, check the following:

  • Waist measurement: more important than simply choosing M, L or XXL.
  • Inside leg length: shorter styles are useful for running, while knee-length shorts offer more coverage.
  • Elasticated waistband: an internal or external drawcord helps you adjust the fit.
  • Freedom of movement: look for a gusset, split or ergonomically positioned seams in sports styles.
  • Pocket design: choose shorts with pockets if you want to carry your phone, keys or cards.

For example, the Under Armour Rival Fleece Shorts list a waist range of 104–116 cm for XXL and 86–94 cm for L. The stated inside leg length is 25 cm. By contrast, the Under Armour HG Armour Shorts have a length of 15 cm and a compression fit. These are clear differences, even though both products are simply described as shorts.

3. Consider care and colour

Clothing that is washed frequently benefits from clear care instructions. Many technical styles can be washed cold or at 30 °C and should not be treated with fabric softener. Always follow the care label; the product description does not always exactly match the label inside the garment.

Men’s black shorts are easy to coordinate and conceal minor signs of wear. Men’s grey shorts also work well with a wide range of sportswear and casual clothing. With fleece, cotton and French Terry, the colour may look different over time if you wash them at a higher temperature than recommended.

Our recommendations by user profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
PUMA Men’s Shorts Medium Gray Heather PUMA ESS No. 1 Logo Collection M

PUMA Men’s Shorts Medium Gray Heather PUMA ESS No. 1 Logo Collection M

Why this suits the profile: Versatile grey shorts for light training, wearing at home and everyday outfits. The elasticated waistband with an internal drawcord makes adjustment easy.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description states that these shorts have a mid-rise waist, knee-length cut and side pockets. This makes the intended use clearer than with shorts that provide no size or pocket information.

Key benefit & highlights

68% cotton and 32% polyester; French Terry; side pockets; at least 50% recycled material according to the product information.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking premium quality
Under Armour Men’s Rival Fleece Shorts Grey Sportstyle Collection XXL

Under Armour Men’s Rival Fleece Shorts Grey Sportstyle Collection XXL

Why this suits the profile: Suitable for gentle workouts, warm-ups and relaxed days when warmth and a roomier fit matter more than maximum ventilation.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The shorts are described as a regular fit and feature an adjustable waistband. The 25 cm inside leg length and size chart help prevent ordering blindly based on XXL alone.

Key benefit & highlights

80% cotton and 20% polyester; brushed fleece inner according to the product description; open hand pockets and a secure back pocket.

Suitable for: Specific use & intensive users
Under Armour Men’s Launch 7 inch 2-in-1 Shorts Black Sportstyle Collection XL

Under Armour Men’s Launch 7'' 2-in-1 Shorts Black Sportstyle Collection XL

Why this suits the profile: These men’s 2-in-1 running shorts combine a woven outer layer with a close-fitting inner layer. This makes them suitable for running and workouts where you want extra coverage and pocket space.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The design means you do not have to choose between loose-fitting sports shorts and a separate base layer. The internal phone pocket and reflective details are clearly described features.

Key benefit & highlights

7-inch outer layer; inner shorts made from 90% polyester and 10% elastane; open pockets and internal phone pocket; size XL available.

Suitable for: Swimmers and beachgoers
Men’s Reebok Swimshort Yestin Collegiate Navy XL

Men’s Reebok Swimshort Yestin Collegiate Navy XL

Why this suits the profile: A practical choice for the pool, holidays and the beach. The elasticated waistband with drawcord is useful when switching between water activities and relaxing.

How this product avoids the pitfall

These are clearly described as swim shorts rather than general casual shorts. This allows you to assess the fabric, lining and care instructions for use in water.

Key benefit & highlights

100% polyester for the main layer and lining; elasticated waist with drawcord; machine washable at 30 °C according to the product information.

Looking for more options?

We have compiled a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about men’s shorts

Which men’s shorts are suitable for running?

Look for lightweight polyester shorts with an elasticated waistband, drawcord and ventilation panels. For extra coverage, consider men’s 2-in-1 running shorts. Also check whether the pocket is large enough for your phone and whether the inner layer feels too tight.

How long does a pair of men’s shorts last?

That depends on the material, how often they are worn, friction and how they are cared for. Shorts worn several times a week will wear out more quickly around the waistband, seams and pockets. Washing according to the label, using low drying temperatures and avoiding fabric softener with technical fabrics can help preserve the fit for longer.

Are cotton shorts suitable for sport?

Men’s cotton shorts can be perfectly suitable for walking, light exercise and relaxing. During intense training, they generally retain more moisture than synthetic sports fabrics. For fitness, running or hot days, breathable men’s shorts made from polyester or a blend containing elastane are often more practical. Always check the full fabric composition rather than relying solely on the model name.