Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.7 Best Crossfit Shorts | Don’t Size Up for Quads

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Zero Foxtrot cut these with a 5-inch inseam that hits just above the knee cap, giving full freedom for overhead squats and GHD sit-ups without excess fabric flapping. The quick-dry shell fabric feels closer to a swim trunk than a standard gym short — it sheds chalk dust and sweat easily and won’t absorb moisture during intense metcons. Multiple reviewers noted the fabric doesn’t stick to sweaty skin during running or burpee sets, which reduces chafe on long workouts.

The pocket layout is the standout design choice for CrossFit. Both side pockets close with waterproof zippers, and the back pocket also features a zipper, meaning you can secure a phone or gym key card through handstand walks and rope climbs. Users also reported the shorts double as swim trunks, which adds utility for outdoor WODs that include swimming or running. The drawstring hangs long when untied, so tucking it inside the waistband before the first lift prevents it from dangling below the hem.

Camo patterns sell out fast in popular sizes, suggesting loyal repeat buyers, but black options remain consistently stocked. The fit runs slightly baggy through the thigh even on athletic builds, so if you prefer a truly compression-style short, this looser cut may not match your preference. The fabric feels substantial enough for barbell abrasion but remains pliable enough for split position drills.

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Combat Iron built these with a mid-stretch allowance and quick-dry fabric that transitions smoothly from a WOD to a swim session. The 5.5-inch inseam is a middle ground that works well for athletes who find 5 inches too short for rope climbs but don’t want the extra fabric of a 7-inch short. The material feels soft and pliable straight out of the package, and several owners described the texture as ideal for sleeping or lounging, which speaks to how non-restrictive the fabric is during rest periods between sets.

The mesh inner pockets offer breathable storage for small items like a phone or gym card without sewing in a thick patch that traps heat. The waistband runs true to size, which is helpful if you’re ordering online without trying on. Reviewers consistently praised the quality and the fact that the brand is veteran-designed, but some buyers expected thicker material more akin to traditional board shorts and instead use these primarily for casual wear or swimming.

If your WOD mix includes barbell cycling or dumbbell cleans, the mid-stretch fabric won’t bind across the hip flexor. But if you’re used to a high-compression style short for heavy squats, the relaxed stretch allowance may feel loose. The shorts hold up well to frequent washing — the drawstring and elastic waist maintain tension after multiple cycles.

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MudGear designed these for obstacle course racing (OCR), meaning they eat the abuse of rope climbs, mud slides, and barbed wire crawls without tearing or losing shape. The 7-inch inseam provides extra coverage on the thighs, making them ideal for athletes who have experienced rope burn or who compete in outdoor WODs where brush or gravel scrapes the legs. The built-in inner liner eliminates underwear entirely and prevents ride-up during box jumps and burpees — a feature reviewers highlighted after Spartan Races and Tough Mudders.

The rear zippered pocket fits an iPhone 8-sized phone, and the front pockets are designed to minimize bounce when running. The fabric has a swimsuit-like texture that sheds water quickly, so if your box holds outdoor WODs near water or you cool down between sets with a hose, these drain and dry fast. Multiple reviewers reported these held up through multi-hour trail runs and still looked brand new after two months of heavy use.

Two consistent complaints surface: the drawstring is excessively long and needs to be tucked or cut, and the sizing runs slightly small, so athletes between sizes should size up for comfort during deep flexion. The fabric also runs stiff during the first few wears — it needs a couple of wash cycles to soften fully. For box-work focused athletes who also compete in OCR or trail runs, these merge both demands well.

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HOPLYNN offers a 5-pack of 2-in-1 shorts with an internal compression liner sewn into each pair, so you skip the underwear drawer entirely for a week of WODs. The outer shell is made of a thick yet stretchy material that reviewers described as surprisingly durable for the pack price, and the liner provides enough privacy to keep everything contained during squats, box jumps, and tumbling. The fabric breathes well even during high-sweat metcons, and the side pockets are sized to hold a phone without flopping out during running.

A critical detail for CrossFit athletes is that the iPhone-specific pocket in some pairs wore out after about four months of frequent use, so the long-term durability of the pocket stitching is the main limitation. The drawstrings also tend to get tangled and twisted in washing machines, so tying a knot before tossing them in the laundry saves fraying. The 2-in-1 design is particularly useful for athletes who hate adjusting underwear during burpees — the liner stays locked in place through inverted movements.

The real draw here is volume: getting five shorts for the same price as one premium pair makes this an excellent starter pack for someone new to CrossFit or for athletes who train six days a week and rotate heavily. The seams are internal and some buyers found them noticeable during long runs, but for WODs under thirty minutes the comfort trade is minimal.

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adidas brought its training line knowledge into these shorts with a tailored leg that sits closer to the skin than standard gym shorts, reducing fabric flutter during squat cleans and box jumps. The material is lightweight and breathable enough that reviewers wore them for both running and Pilates. Available in multiple inseam lengths including a 9-inch option for taller athletes, the shorts fit true to their athletic sizing without being restrictive through the hip crease.

The tailored cut is the defining feature here — it gives the short a silhouette that flatters athletic legs without compromising the range of motion for deep knee flexion. One reviewer noted the pockets are shallow, and items tend to slide out unless the zipper is fully closed, so these work best when you keep your essentials in a gym bag rather than your pocket. The fabric blend uses adidas’s signature moisture-wicking weave, which pulls sweat away during high-rep AMRAPs and dries fast between sets.

Durability is strong across the board — no reports of seam splitting or fabric pilling after months of use. The drawstring is flat and locks neatly, so it avoids the bulkiness issue common with round cords. For athletes who prefer a trimmer look for the box floor without sacrificing stretch performance, these hit that balance well.

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Jed North designed these with a 5-inch inseam that lands above the knee, giving maximum thigh exposure for athletes who want to track muscle activation during squats and deadlifts. The leg opening is tighter than most training shorts, creating a compressed fit that stays locked on thicker quads without riding up. Reviewers with athletic builds and large quad sweep noted the shorts fit their body type better than standard relaxed-fit options and recommended sizing up if your waist measurement sits between sizes.

The fabric is lightweight but dense — it doesn’t stretch out at the waistband after hours of squatting and holds its shape through repeated wash cycles. Multiple buyers purchased additional pairs in different colors after their first pair held up well, which signals consistent quality control. The shorts work for both gym sessions and casual wear, though the fitted cut is less forgiving if you carry extra mass in the hip area.

The main downside is that the price point sits above standard sweat shorts, which some buyers saw as a premium for a relatively simple short without extra features like zippered pockets or liners. If your training focuses on powerlifting and bodybuilding rather than high-volume metcons with gymnastics, the simplified design is a benefit. No internal liner means you’ll need compression underwear for movements that expose you overhead.

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maamgic positions these as casual pull-on shorts with a quick-dry material that works for light training and everyday wear. The 5-inch inseam lands short enough to stay above the knee during running but offers a relaxed fit through the leg that doesn’t compress. Buyers praised the fabric’s texture and color options, noting the shorts have a vintage washed look that transitions well from the gym floor to social settings.

The biggest complaint is that the back pockets use velcro closures instead of zippers, which reduces their utility during inverted movements — the velcro can pop open during box jumps or handstand holds. The front pockets have limited depth, so storing a large phone during exercise requires caution. The relaxed fit, while comfortable for lounging, may feel loose on athletes with muscular legs, causing the short to shift during lateral movements.

The value proposition is strong for the price, making these a good introductory pair for someone just starting CrossFit who wants to test how a 5-inch inseam feels before investing in premium options. The cotton-blend quick-dry fabric is less abrasive than pure polyester but won’t handle rope climbs as well as a nylon-spandex shell. For casual WODs and daily wear, these deliver acceptable performance at the entry level.