> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://team1upem.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Best Athletic Shorts for Men With Real Pockets - URL: https://team1upem.com/best-athletic-shorts-men/ - Published: 2026-09-07T07:29:01.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-07T09:49:25.000Z - Description: A five-pick comparison of men's athletic shorts built on inseam, pocket type and how many pairs land in the box. Winner named, plus the three conditions that flip the pick. - Author: Mckinley Bird - Tags: Fitness & Sports, Fitness Apparel, Activewear The best athletic shorts for men are the BALENNZ Mens Athletic Shorts, because a stated 10-inch inseam and pockets on both sides cover the gym, the track and the walk home in one pair. If you run outdoors and need your keys to stay put, the G Gradual Men's Athletic Running Shorts with 2 Zipper Pockets is the better buy. Get this wrong and you'll find out mid-set: a phone bouncing out of an open hand pocket, or a hem that rides up on every squat. In this guide 1. [Best athletic shorts for men at a glance](#best-athletic-shorts-for-men-at-a-glance) 2. [How I screened these five down](#how-i-screened-these-five-down) 3. [What actually decides which shorts you keep wearing?](#what-actually-decides-which-shorts-you-keep-wearing) 4. [1\. BALENNZ Mens Athletic Shorts with Pockets Quick Dry — Best overall](#1-balennz-mens-athletic-shorts-with-pockets-quick-dry-%E2%80%94-best-overall) 5. [2\. G Gradual Men's Athletic Running Shorts with 2 Zipper Pockets — Best minimal setup](#2-g-gradual-mens-athletic-running-shorts-with-2-zipper-pockets-%E2%80%94-best-minimal-setup) 6. [3\. Under Armour Men's Tech Graphic 10" Shorts — Best upgrade](#3-under-armour-mens-tech-graphic-10-shorts-%E2%80%94-best-upgrade) 7. [4\. Kinglaman 4 Pack Men's 2 in 1 Lined Running Shorts Gym — Best premium](#4-kinglaman-4-pack-mens-2-in-1-lined-running-shorts-gym-%E2%80%94-best-premium) 8. [5\. BOOJO 5 Pack Athletic Gym Mens Shorts — Best budget pick](#5-boojo-5-pack-athletic-gym-mens-shorts-%E2%80%94-best-budget-pick) 9. [Inseam length: how do you pick between 5, 7 and 10 inches?](#inseam-length-how-do-you-pick-between-5-7-and-10-inches) 10. [Pockets: mesh, zippered or lined?](#pockets-mesh-zippered-or-lined) 11. [Multipacks versus single pairs](#multipacks-versus-single-pairs) 12. [What these listings don't tell you](#what-these-listings-dont-tell-you) 13. [The verdict](#the-verdict) 14. [FAQ](#faq) ## Best athletic shorts for men at a glance | Pick | Inseam | Pockets | Price | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------ | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Best overall**[BALENNZ Mens Athletic Shorts with Pockets Quick Dry](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JGBB9N1?tag=team1up-20) | 10 in claim | Two open hand pockets | [Check Price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JGBB9N1?tag=team1up-20) | | **Best minimal setup**[G Gradual Men's Athletic Running Shorts with 2 Zipper Pockets](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT96B5ZJ?tag=team1up-20) | 5, 7 or 9 in | Two deep zip pockets | [Check Price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT96B5ZJ?tag=team1up-20) | | **Best upgrade**[Under Armour Men's Tech Graphic 10" Shorts](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728BNL9X?tag=team1up-20) | 10 in | Two mesh hand pockets | [Check Price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728BNL9X?tag=team1up-20) | | **Best premium**[Kinglaman 4 Pack Men's 2 in 1 Lined Running Shorts](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK9KTSKT?tag=team1up-20) | Not stated | Two side, one back zip, one liner | [Check Price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK9KTSKT?tag=team1up-20) | | **Best budget pick**[BOOJO 5 Pack Athletic Gym Mens Shorts](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRHF41F7?tag=team1up-20) | Not stated | Two side pockets | [Check Price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRHF41F7?tag=team1up-20) | ## How I screened these five down I set the criteria before I looked at the listings, then weighted them. That order matters. Work the other way and you end up justifying whatever the algorithm put on page one. 1. **Stated inseam, weighted heaviest.** A length figure is the single most useful number in this category, and it's the one most listings skip. 2. **Pocket type, second.** Open, mesh or zippered changes what you can carry. That's a design fact, not a marketing adjective. 3. **Count in the box, third.** Five pairs and one pair are different purchases even at the same position. 4. **Published fabric behaviour, fourth.** Every one of these five claims moisture wicking and quick drying, so it separates nobody. 5. **Everything else, last.** Colour options, model codes, packaging weight. That's how the ranking fell out. BALENNZ publishes a length and a pocket count and arrives as five pairs, so it clears the top three criteria outright. G Gradual publishes three lengths and zippered pockets but sends one pair. Kinglaman publishes the most pocket detail of any listing here and no length at all, which is why the most expensive pick in the set isn't the winner. Note what I did not screen for. There's no ranking here by how the fabric feels, because nobody can tell you that from a listing. ## What actually decides which shorts you keep wearing? Most guides to the best athletic shorts for men compare fabric. Every listing in this set says the same thing about fabric: soft, breathable, stretchy, moisture wicking, quick drying. Five for five. When a claim appears on every product, it decides nothing. Two things actually decide it. **Inseam length is the first.** It sets where the hem sits on your thigh, which sets whether it rides during squats or chafes during a run. **Pocket construction is the second.** An open hand pocket holds a wallet on a walk. It does not hold a phone during shuttle runs. Here's the trick with this category: the shorts you reach for on day six are the ones you own six pairs of. Laundry decides more purchases than performance does. Two of these picks arrive as five pairs, one as four, and two as single pairs. That gap is bigger than any fabric difference between them. Note the keyword premise before you shop. Every one of these is sold as men's activewear, but sizing runs on brand-specific charts, and the size figure published here is a single sample, not the range. Check the chart on the listing against your own waist measurement rather than assuming your usual number transfers. ## 1\. BALENNZ Mens Athletic Shorts with Pockets Quick Dry — Best overall **A published 10-inch inseam, hand pockets on both sides and five pairs in the box make this the default choice for most men.** [![Five-pack of BALENNZ men's athletic shorts in black, navy and grey — a full laundry rotation from one order](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31aX3iTPANL._SL500_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JGBB9N1?tag=team1up-20) **Best for:** gym lifters who want a full week of shorts in one order **Skip it if:** you need a zip pocket for outdoor runs What separates this pick inside this set is that it answers both questions the others dodge. BALENNZ states a 10-inch inseam and states pockets on both sides, and it arrives as five pairs in Black, Black, Navy, Dark Grey and Light Grey. Only one other pick here publishes a length figure at all. A 10-inch inseam sits just above the knee on most builds. That's the length that stops riding on squats and lunges, which is the failure mode people complain about most with shorter gym shorts. The listing describes an encased elastic waistband with an inner drawcord, so you can pull the waist in without the cord disappearing into the channel. Colour spread is practical rather than exciting. Two blacks means you always have a black pair clean. The trade-off against the rest of the set is carry security. These are open hand pockets, described for a wallet, a smartphone and small accessories. That's fine on a treadmill and fine walking to the gym. For sprint work or trail running, the zippered G Gradual holds a phone in place and this does not. It's also the third-cheapest of the five rather than the cheapest, and BOOJO sends one more pair. **Pros:** - Stated 10-inch inseam, rare in this category - Five pairs covers a full laundry week - Hand pockets on both sides - Encased elastic waist with inner drawcord - Two black pairs among the five colours **Cons:** - Open pockets won't hold a phone during sprints - No zip closure anywhere on the shorts - Only one seller lists it - No published fabric weight or warranty [Check Price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JGBB9N1?tag=team1up-20) ## 2\. G Gradual Men's Athletic Running Shorts with 2 Zipper Pockets — Best minimal setup **Two deep zippered pockets and a choice of three inseams make this the only pick here built for running with your keys on you.** [![Black G Gradual running shorts with zippered side pockets — the only pick in the set that closes over a phone](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/412BunfPkyL._SL500_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT96B5ZJ?tag=team1up-20) **Best for:** runners who carry keys and a phone with no belt **Skip it if:** you want several pairs from one purchase This is the one pick in the set with a closure on the pockets. G Gradual describes a deep zippered pocket on each side, sized for keys, a phone, earbuds or cards. That single design choice changes what the shorts are for. You can run without a belt, and nothing works its way out on the descent. It's also the only pick offering a length choice: 7 inches, 5 inches or 9 inches on the same product. Pick 5 for stride clearance, 9 if you want coverage closer to the BALENNZ. The sample specified here is Medium in Black, count of one. The listing adds a UPF 50+ claim for the fabric, which is stated for sun exposure rather than measured here. If you train outdoors at midday, it's a reason to look. G Gradual lists the intended uses as workouts, running, jogging, hiking, cycling and walking, and the zip pockets support that spread better than open pockets do. The trade-off is quantity. This is the second-cheapest pick, but you get one pair for it, so the per-pair position is nothing like the multipacks. There's no lining either, so bring your own base layer if you want one. **Pros:** - Two deep zippered pockets, unique in this set - Three inseam options: 5, 7 and 9 in - UPF 50+ fabric claim for outdoor use - Elastic waist with built-in adjustable drawstring **Cons:** - One pair per order, no multipack - No built-in liner - Zip pockets can rattle keys on longer runs - Sample listing is Medium only, so check your size chart [Check Price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT96B5ZJ?tag=team1up-20) ## 3\. Under Armour Men's Tech Graphic 10" Shorts — Best upgrade **The only established sportswear brand here, with a 10-inch inseam and mesh hand pockets that breathe better than solid fabric.** [![Under Armour Tech Graphic shorts in black and graphite — a 10-inch inseam from a named sportswear brand](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31rnxWLhuZL._SL500_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728BNL9X?tag=team1up-20) **Best for:** shoppers who want one known brand rather than a stack **Skip it if:** you're building a rotation from scratch Under Armour is the recognisable name in this group, and the Tech Graphic is the model that matches BALENNZ on length. The stated inseam is 10 inches, the colourway is Black (001)/Graphite, and it ships as a single pair in Large. Under Armour lists the model as 1274466/1306443, so you can cross-check the exact version on the listing. Two details set it apart. The fit is described as relaxed, a generous loose cut with room to move, which is a different silhouette from the trimmer running shorts here. And the hand pockets are mesh rather than solid, which vents where solid pocket bags trap heat against your thigh. UA describes the Tech fabric as quick drying, ultra-soft and more natural feeling, with an encased elastic waistband and internal drawcord. Two sellers list it, the only pick here with more than one. The trade-off is straightforward arithmetic. This is the second most expensive pick and it delivers one pair, while BALENNZ delivers five with the same stated inseam and a drawcord waist. You're paying for the brand and the mesh pockets, not for extra published capability. The 1.76 oz weight on the listing is packaged weight, not fabric weight, so don't read it as a lightness figure. **Pros:** - Stated 10 in inseam from a named sportswear brand - Mesh hand pockets vent better than solid bags - Relaxed cut with room to move - Encased elastic waistband with internal drawcord - Two sellers stock it **Cons:** - Single pair at the second-highest price position - No zip pockets anywhere - One colourway published - Mesh pockets hold less securely than closed ones [Check Price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0728BNL9X?tag=team1up-20) ## 4\. Kinglaman 4 Pack Men's 2 in 1 Lined Running Shorts Gym — Best premium **Four pairs with a built-in compression liner and four pockets each, including a back zip nobody else here offers.** [![Kinglaman 2-in-1 lined shorts in black, blue and grey — built-in compression liner plus a back zip pocket](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41EhtrUupIL._SL500_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK9KTSKT?tag=team1up-20) **Best for:** anyone who wants a built-in liner and a back zip pocket **Skip it if:** you already wear compression shorts underneath This is the most complete carry setup in the group. Kinglaman describes a mesh outer short over a built-in compression liner, with a phone pocket in the liner, two side pockets for small items and one back zipper pocket for cash and cards. Four separate places to put things, against two on every other pick here. The liner is the real point of difference. A 2-in-1 keeps the inner layer tight against the thigh, which the listing frames as muscle support, and it means you skip the base layer entirely. Four pairs arrive: two black, one blue, one grey. Kinglaman publishes the model as KG-K-103702-2B1L1G-L/03, sized Large. This is also the slowest seller of the five by a wide margin, which is worth knowing when you're weighing a design nobody else here copies. The honest weakness is the missing number. Kinglaman states no inseam anywhere, and on a 2-in-1 the liner length matters as much as the outer, so you're buying two unknown lengths at once. It's the most expensive pick here, and it sends four pairs where the cheapest sends five. If you already own compression shorts, the liner is redundant weight and cost. **Pros:** - Built-in compression liner, only pick with one - Four pockets including a back zip - Dedicated phone pocket in the liner - Four pairs across three colours **Cons:** - No stated inseam for outer or liner - Highest price position in the set - Liner is wasted if you wear your own compression shorts - Slowest seller of the five here [Check Price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK9KTSKT?tag=team1up-20) ## 5\. BOOJO 5 Pack Athletic Gym Mens Shorts — Best budget pick **Five pairs at the cheapest position here, with side pockets and a drawstring waist, if you can live without a published length.** [![BOOJO five-pack in black, dark grey, navy and light grey — the most pairs for the lowest position in this set](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31pur95OvxL._SL500_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRHF41F7?tag=team1up-20) **Best for:** first-timers stocking a gym drawer cheaply **Skip it if:** you want a stated inseam before you buy BOOJO does the same job as the BALENNZ for less. Five pairs, count confirmed on the listing, in black, black, dark grey, navy blue and light grey. It's the cheapest of the five picks, and it's the only one that matches BALENNZ on quantity. The construction notes are sensible rather than clever. BOOJO describes an elastic waistband with an inside drawstring, two side pockets sized for a smartphone, wallet or other essentials, and calls out strong seams alongside the pockets. Seam quality is where cheap multipacks usually fail first, so it's a claim worth noting even though it's the manufacturer's own. The fabric language is the standard set: soft, breathable, stretchy, moisture wicking, quick drying. The gap that costs it position is the inseam. BOOJO publishes no length figure at all, and the listing spans basketball, running and casual wear, which are not the same length. For gym work that's a manageable gamble. For running, it isn't, and you should take the G Gradual with its three published options instead. Only one seller lists it, and it moves more slowly than the BALENNZ despite costing less. **Pros:** - Cheapest of the five picks - Five pairs, matching the top pick on count - Elastic waistband with inside drawstring - Two side pockets sized for a phone **Cons:** - No published inseam anywhere on the listing - Open pockets only, no zips - No liner or compression layer - Single seller and slower moving than the BALENNZ [Check Price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRHF41F7?tag=team1up-20) ## Inseam length: how do you pick between 5, 7 and 10 inches? Three of these picks publish a length. Use those numbers as your anchors. - **5 inches** sits high on the thigh. Full stride clearance, minimum fabric, and it's the shortest option G Gradual offers. - **7 inches** is the middle ground and G Gradual's default sample. It covers more thigh without catching your stride. - **9 inches** is G Gradual's longest, close to knee-adjacent on most builds. - **10 inches** is what BALENNZ and Under Armour publish. It's the length that stays put through squats and lunges. The cutoff is roughly 7 inches. Below it, you're buying for running and sprint work. At or above it, you're buying for lifting, court sports and general wear. If you do both, the 10-inch picks handle running acceptably while the 5-inch does not handle lifting comfortably, so length up when you're unsure. Neither Kinglaman nor BOOJO publishes a figure. Both are multipacks and both are worth buying anyway, but you should treat the length as unknown until the box arrives. ## Pockets: mesh, zippered or lined? Pocket type is the second thing that decides the best athletic shorts for men, and this set covers three approaches. **Open hand pockets** are what BALENNZ and BOOJO use. They're fine for a wallet, keys on a walk, or a phone you're setting down at the rack. They are not fine for anything that moves fast. **Mesh hand pockets** are Under Armour's version. Same open construction, more airflow, less heat trapped against your leg. Same limitation on security. **Zippered pockets** are what G Gradual and Kinglaman offer, and they're the only two picks that close. G Gradual puts a deep zip on each side. Kinglaman puts a zip on the back plus a phone pocket in the liner, so four pockets in total. Match the pocket to the activity. If your phone stays in your hand or on a bench, open pockets are enough and you save money. If your phone comes with you at pace, buy a zip. Nothing between those two states matters much. ## Multipacks versus single pairs Three of these five arrive as more than one pair. BALENNZ and BOOJO send five. Kinglaman sends four. Under Armour and G Gradual send one each. That changes the comparison more than any spec does. A single Under Armour pair sits at the second-highest price position in this set. A BOOJO five-pack sits at the lowest. If you own no gym shorts at all, a multipack solves the actual problem, which is having something clean on Thursday. Where a single pair earns its place is specificity. G Gradual gives you a chosen inseam and zip pockets, which no multipack here matches. Under Armour gives you a known brand's cut and mesh pockets. You're buying one thing done to a spec rather than five things done generically. My rule: start with a multipack, then add one specialist pair for whatever the multipack can't do. For most men that means BALENNZ plus a G Gradual for running days. ## What these listings don't tell you Read what's absent as carefully as what's printed. - **Fabric weight and composition.** Nobody publishes grams per square metre or a fibre breakdown. "Lightweight" and "breathable" appear on all five and separate none of them. - **Liner length on the Kinglaman.** A 2-in-1 has two lengths. Kinglaman states neither. - **Warranty.** Not one of these five publishes warranty terms. - **Real sizing.** The published size on each listing is a sample, not the range. Under Armour's 1.76 oz figure is packaged weight, not fabric weight, and reading it as lightness is a mistake. - **Whether the drawcord is replaceable.** Four picks mention an internal drawcord. None says whether you can re-thread it after a wash pulls it out. None of that is a reason to avoid a pick. It's a reason to check the size chart on the listing itself before you commit, and to treat every fabric adjective as the manufacturer's word rather than a measurement. ## The verdict If you train in a gym and want the laundry problem solved in one order, the BALENNZ five-pack is the pick. It's the only product here that publishes a 10-inch inseam, states pockets on both sides, includes a drawcord waist and still arrives as five pairs. That combination isn't matched anywhere else in this set. If you run outdoors and carry a phone and keys, the G Gradual is the pick. Two deep zippered pockets and a choice of 5, 7 or 9 inch inseams make it the only entry here designed for movement at pace without a belt. It adds a UPF 50+ fabric claim on top. The cutoff between those two tracks is a zip. If nothing in your pocket needs to stay put while you move fast, the BALENNZ wins on quantity and stated length. If something does, no amount of pairs makes up for an open pocket. Under Armour's exact advantage is its mesh hand pockets and a relaxed cut from a brand whose sizing you may already know, at a single pair for the second-highest position here. Kinglaman is the choice only if you want a liner built in. BOOJO undercuts everything and publishes no inseam, which is the trade you're making. ## FAQ ### Are multipack athletic shorts for men worth it over a single pair? Multipack athletic shorts for men are worth it if you train more than twice a week, because the pair you wear on day five matters more than marginal fabric quality. BALENNZ and BOOJO both send five pairs, Kinglaman sends four. A single Under Armour pair costs more than a whole BOOJO pack. Buy a pack first, then add one specialist pair. ### Is a 2-in-1 lined short worth it if I already own compression shorts? A 2-in-1 lined short isn't worth the extra cost if you already own compression shorts, since you'd be paying for a layer you'll never use. Kinglaman is the most expensive pick here specifically because of its built-in liner and four-pocket layout. Skip it and put the money toward the BALENNZ five-pack or a zippered G Gradual instead. ### What inseam should I look for in the best athletic shorts for men? The inseam you should look for depends on the activity. BALENNZ and Under Armour both publish 10 inches, which suits lifting and court sports because the hem stays put. G Gradual offers 5, 7 and 9 inches for running, where stride clearance matters more than coverage. Roughly 7 inches is the dividing line between the two use cases. ### BALENNZ or G Gradual: which should I buy? BALENNZ or G Gradual comes down to pockets and count. BALENNZ gives you five pairs and a stated 10-inch inseam with open hand pockets. G Gradual gives you one pair with two deep zippered pockets and three inseam choices. Gym work favours BALENNZ. Outdoor running with a phone favours G Gradual. Many men should own both. ### What mistake do buyers make in this category? The mistake buyers make is trusting fabric adjectives. All five picks here claim soft, breathable, quick-drying, moisture-wicking material, so those words separate nothing. Buy on inseam and pocket type instead, both of which are checkable facts. The second mistake is assuming your usual size transfers between brands. Check each listing's own chart against a waist measurement. Start with the BALENNZ five-pack. It's the pick that answers the two questions that actually decide this category, length and pockets, while still handling the laundry problem that quietly drives most repeat purchases. Then look at your own week honestly. If two of those days involve running outdoors with a phone in your pocket, add a G Gradual in the 7-inch length and you've covered every session you're likely to train. Everything else in this set is a variation on those two purchases, and the fabric claims won't tell you which one you need. *Last updated: October 1, 2026\. Product availability re-checked.* *This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.*