Every spring, the great fashion swap begins. You put away your sweaters in favor of T-shirts. You swap your boots to make room for your favorite sandals. Then there are those thick, long pants that simply won’t do, and it’s time to bring out the shorts for those extra-balmy days. But the thing about men’s style, and shorts in particular, is that many options just aren’t that great. They’re too long or too short, or made with such cheap material that they only last one season.
That’s why we asked our editors what their own favorite men’s shorts are to wear come spring and summer.
Virtually every man I know in their 30s has these shorts in at least three colors, including my husband. The nylon-spandex blend makes them feel like athletic shorts, but the defined seams and polished silhouette give them the elevated look you usually see with cotton shorts. They offer a built-in underwear liner for extra comfort, which can go a long way on hotter days. It doesn’t matter where we’re going, if it’s warm enough for shorts, these are what my husband is grabbing 90% of the time. — Hayley Kinne, business development manager??
Finding a good pair of shorts to wear outside of the gym has been a challenge. However, since finding these chino shorts from Everlane, my search has ended. They have a four-way stretch, making them ultra comfortable to wear. They are amazing quality and the perfect shorts for any occasion!?— Tyler Holender, social strategist??
I never thought my favorite shorts would be made by Amazon, but here we are. This pair ticks every single box for me: They feel great, look good, have a full set of pockets for my stuff and pack a handy drawstring so I never have to worry about wearing a belt. And as a dude not afraid to show a little thigh, they’re the perfect length for me. I bought my first pair last summer and loved them so much I immediately ordered two more.?— Mike Andronico, senior tech writer?
I’ve owned a pair of these shorts since high school, and I absolutely love them! They’re super comfortable and come in a wide variety of colors, and the drawstring is a bonus, so no need to fumble with belts or anything like that. The best part is that you can really dress them up or down, depending on what the occasion is, from casual Fridays at the office to hanging out with friends at the park on Sundays. These are truly some of the most versatile shorts I have ever owned.?— Kevin Martinez, associate programming editor?
After scouring through 14,000-plus 5-star reviews, I purchased these shorts for my boyfriend’s birthday in February. Even though it wasn’t exactly shorts season where we live, I knew he’d eventually get a ton of use out of them come spring and summer since they feature?a breathable boxer-brief liner and a versatile, classic athletic fit. Ever since trying on the pair, he’s worn them nearly every single day (despite it still being cold in New York), and luckily for him (and me!), they’re under $100 and come in 15 other “kore” colors he can add to his warm-weather wardrobe.?— Stephanie Griffin, director of social?
These are my go-to pair of shorts during the spring/summer months. Lightweight material, a built-in liner and zippered pockets make these the perfect shorts for getting outdoors. I’ll wear these out on hikes, mountain bike rides and even a quick paddleboard sesh. They also look great, so while their primary purpose is for getting out and getting active, I can’t say I haven’t worn them out to lunch or while relaxing at home. — Hunter Capobianco, director of business development?
Lightweight, quick drying and lined with a soft and stretchy mesh material, these are my brothers’ go-to pair of everyday shorts. Worn anywhere from the gym to the couch, it’s no wonder they never take them off and have just about every color Lululemon offers.?— Stephanie Griffin, director of social?
These are super steady and very comfortable — a unique combination of style and comfort. They go literally with anything, and 100% cotton makes them ultra breathable and good for any weather.?— Yana Kharitonova, senior product manager
I absolutely love a pair of jorts in the spring. They get too hot in the summer, but they’re the perfect style for walking around the park or sitting at a picnic while the weather starts to warm up. I’ve had this classic pair from Levi’s for over a year and love their timeless look.?—?Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
This NYC-based company doesn’t skimp out on quality. These shorts have a few inseam lengths to choose from. The quality is unmatched in my opinion and they are great for any workout. The waist doesn’t bundle and I have a lot of pockets that I need. —?Roy Lee, operations and strategy lead
These are technically trunks, but they’re stylish enough that you can wear them even when you’re not at the beach or pool. I love the shorter length and the fact that the quick-drying material is crafted from recycled polyester, which is made from 100% postconsumer waste like plastic water bottles.?— Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
I love Chubbies?shorts?so much, they're the only brand I wear. The elastic waistbands and stretchable materials make every pair incredibly comfortable, and as a relatively short man, I really appreciate the short inseam options (as short as 4 inches). My favorites are their Original Stretch casual?shorts, compression-lined Ultimate Training shorts and soft Schwort sweat?shorts. As an added bonus, there's also usually an offer for a free gift like a Chubbies T-shirt or hat with minimum purchase. —?Dan Hollister, senior SEO analyst
I adore the look of these corduroy shorts from Madewell. And with a 5 1/2-inch inseam, they’re nice and short so you can let your legs breathe in hotter weather. The fit is a little big for me, so if you tend to be in-between sizes for pants, I’d recommend sizing down.?—?Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
Okay, you got me. I love corduroy shorts. This pair from Black Diamond has a thicker make than the ones from Madewell, so they’re better for outdoor activities like hiking and climbing, but will feel a bit hotter in the summer. Plus, these have an drawstring waistband so you can tie them tight around your waist, unlike the Madewell shorts. If you’re not a fan of corduroy — first off, you’re wrong — these shorts also come in stretch twill options.?—?Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor
These have been my go-to shorts for a few years now. They’re super comfortable, have ample pocket space and are just above-the-knee enough to let me show off some of my leg tattoo. I have them in a few different colors — there are currently 15 available — but I especially love this salmon pair that adds some colorful contrast to my endless wardrobe of black band T-shirts. — Mike Andronico, senior tech writer
These shorts take the long-time favorite Prana Zion Stretch shorts and add on swim trunk capability for a short you can wear literally anywhere. I love the look and feel of these and will probably be living in them from now until September. Plus, they’re made from Prana’s new ReZion fabric, which is created with recycled nylon.?—?Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor??
My go-to corduroy shorts inspired by the 1980s. Good stretch and awesome fit. —?Roy Lee, operations and strategy lead
I’ve had these swim shorts for over six years. They’ve been through multiple washings and?look brand-new. The fit is right, and the quality is excellent for the price. They’re available?in a variety of sizes and feature side pockets, a back pocket and small netted pocket on the inside. The inside pocket is where I keep a few dollars for ice cream.?—?Mark Amadio, product design manager
These shorts come in a few different inseam lengths and a variety of colors. The spandex waist makes it easy to slip on. They run a little on the thinner side in terms of fabric so I enjoy wearing these on those hot days. —?Roy Lee, operations and strategy lead
These H&M shorts are what I wear when I'm lounging around, but they’re also nice enough to leave the house with. Their drawstring elastic waistband makes them easy to casually throw on, and the thick cotton material is more flexible than my usual chinos. My only gripe is that there’s no real back pocket, so I only wear these out when I’m traveling light. — Mike Andronico, senior tech writer
Similar to Meripex, but better-quality fabric in my opinion. A lot of different styles and I find these I can dress up a bit for a nice Sunday brunch. —?Roy Lee, operations and strategy lead
