Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.5 Best Gym Shorts For Men | 7″ vs 10″ For Deep Squats

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The Fabletics Fundamental Short II uses an ultra lightweight polyester shell with an integrated mesh brief liner, giving you the support of compression shorts without the weight of a separate layer. Reviewers consistently note the fabric feels substantial enough not to go sheer under stretch, a common failure point on cheaper lined shorts. The liner itself provides a secure cradle for the groin area, reducing bounce during high-rep jumping movements and sprints.

Pocket design here is smarter than most — the side pockets are deep enough to hold a phone without it flopping out when you go into a full sprint, yet the material lies flat enough to stay unobtrusive during barbell work. Multiple customers report that sizing runs slightly smaller than standard athletic brands, so ordering one size up is a common recommendation, especially for guys with larger quad development.

The 7-inch inseam hits right above the knee for most frames, giving excellent hip clearance for deep squats while still offering enough coverage for those who prefer not to show too much thigh. The antimicrobial treatment on the liner also helps manage odor during long sessions, a detail that becomes noticeable after repeated wash cycles without fabric softener.

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The Under Armour Launch Run shorts prioritize airflow above everything else. The main body uses a lightweight woven polyester that feels almost paper-thin in hand, but the mesh side panels are where the magic happens — those inserts dump heat aggressively, making these a top pick for high-intensity interval training or outdoor summer runs. The fabric also incorporates at least 90 percent recycled polyester, which doesn’t come at the cost of durability based on long-term reviewer feedback.

A standout feature here is the internal phone pocket sewn into the right-hand side. Unlike many shorts that rely on a loose mesh sleeve that lets a phone shift, Under Armour stitched a snug sleeve that keeps a modern flagship phone pinned flat against your thigh, eliminating the swing effect that throws off your stride. The open hand pockets are deep enough for cards and keys but stay shallow enough to prevent fabric flop during leg raises.

The 7-inch inseam combined with the unlined cut gives total freedom of movement — no liner means you can wear your preferred briefs or compression tights underneath without any double-layer bunching. The waistband uses a soft knit construction with an internal drawcord, and reviewers with waists up to 38 inches report the regular fit accommodates without digging in, though some noted the waistband runs slightly snug at the upper end of the size range.

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The Under Armour Tech Vent 7-inch shorts sit in the sweet spot between pure running shorts and all-purpose training gear. The fabric is a lightweight knit polyester that stretches in four directions, giving you the freedom to drop into a full-depth squat or lunge without any resistance at the hip crease. Unlike the Launch Run, these shorts skip the mesh paneling in favor of a uniform knit that still breathes well but offers a slightly denser feel that resists snagging on gym equipment.

Reviewers who practice kickboxing and mixed martial arts praise these shorts for their freedom of movement during high kicks and sprawls — the unlined cut and generous gusset allow full hip rotation without fabric binding. The waistband uses Under Armour’s soft knit elastic with an internal drawcord, and multiple users report zero shrinkage or fading after machine washing and drying over the course of a full year of weekly use.

The pocket situation is more basic here compared to the Launch Run. Open hand pockets are present but lack a zipper or internal phone sleeve, which means your phone can slide out during explosive movements like burpees or box jumps. Several customers flagged this as the only real weakness, especially for those who rely on music or coaching apps during training. If you carry a phone, a zip-up armband or waist pouch solves the issue neatly.

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The Under Armour Tech Graphic 10-inch shorts cater to lifters who want more coverage without sacrificing the sweat-wicking performance of a technical fabric. The longer inseam extends below the knee for most men, providing a traditional gym-shorts silhouette that feels more appropriate for weightlifting floors where modesty is a concern. The loose fit through the leg gives plenty of room for thick quadriceps to move freely without the fabric sticking or riding up.

Fabric composition here matches the Tech line — a lightweight polyester blend that pulls moisture away from the skin rapidly. Reviewers confirm the material keeps them dry during heavy sets, though the longer cut means there is more fabric overall, so heat dissipation is slightly slower than the 7-inch alternatives. The elastic waistband with drawcord stays secure even under the stress of dynamic movements like kettlebell swings or box step-ups.

Pocket depth is a genuine plus point for the Graphic 10-inch. The side pockets are deeper than many competitor offerings, holding a phone securely without it peeking out. The graphic print on the leg adds a casual aesthetic that transitions well from the gym floor to running errands, though some customers noted the print can crack slightly after repeated machine drying — hang drying is recommended to preserve the graphic finish.

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The adidas Originals Cargo Chelsea Shorts take a different approach — they blend gym-ready stretch polyester with a casual cargo aesthetic that doubles as everyday wear. The fabric has a soft, almost cotton-like hand feel but retains the moisture-wicking and quick-dry properties of true performance polyester. The extra cargo pocket on the leg is sized to fit a tennis ball or phone, making these shorts genuinely useful for functional training where you need to carry small implements.

Reviewers with larger builds, including a customer who described his teenage son as “built like a linebacker,” report that the large-tall sizing accommodates muscular thighs and longer torsos without giving a balloon-like silhouette. The shorts hit slightly above the knee for most heights, though several shorter reviewers noted they ran a bit longer than expected. The elastic waistband with drawcord keeps the fit adjustable without feeling restrictive.

The biggest trade-off here is the stretch polyester blend is slightly heavier than the pure woven options from Under Armour or Fabletics, which means it breathes less aggressively during high-heat training sessions. These shorts shine best in a mixed-use scenario — morning gym session followed by errands or casual social time — rather than dedicated competition-level training. Also worth noting the pockets, while generous, lack zippers, so keys can migrate during intense movement.