Best Running Shorts for Men 2026: 8 Lined & Linerless Picks
A good pair of running shorts should disappear once you start moving. For most runners, the real decisions are simple: lined or linerless, how much storage you need, and whether you prefer a shorter 5 inch feel or more coverage 7 inch short. These eight picks cover road running, long runs, trail, gym crossover and budget options without making you sort through two separate top-five lists.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, RunningGearLab may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and colours change, so check the current size and version before ordering.
Best Overall for Road Running
Brooks Journey 7″
The Journey 7″ moves to #1 because it gets the road-running basics right, adds useful storage and gives more thigh coverage than the 5″ version. Justin prefers the 7″ length because it feels better for his everyday and longer runs.
7″ inseam
Brief liner
6 storage points
Road + long runs
Why Brooks moved up:
current 2026 testing is split rather than unanimous. Trail & Kale chose the Journey 7″ as its winner, while several trail-focused tests still favour Patagonia Strider Pro. That makes Brooks the better #1 for a general road-running shopper, while Patagonia remains the stronger trail and high-storage pick.
Quick Match
Choose your shorts in 20 seconds
Start with where you run and whether you want a built-in liner.
Best Trail + Storage
Patagonia Strider Pro
Very light with five useful pockets.
Best Budget 2-in-1
CRZ YOGA 2 in 1
Compression-style liner for running and gym use.
Best Premium Lined
Lululemon Fast and Free
Polished fit with a supportive running-specific liner.
Best Linerless
Path Projects Graves PX
Durable linerless option with secure zip storage.
Lined vs linerless:
neither is automatically better. A built-in liner is convenient and reduces layers. Linerless shorts let you choose your own running underwear or compression shorts. If a liner rides up or feels too warm, switching systems can matter more than switching brands.
Top Picks
The 8 Best Running Shorts for Men in 2026
#1
Best Overall Road · Lined
Brooks Journey 7″
Best for: Road + long runs
Inseam: 7″
Liner: Stretch brief
Fabric: GO2 4-way stretch
Storage: Rear + 4 stash + key pocket
Also available: 5″ Journey + 7″ 2-in-1
Good choice if: you want a lined road short with more thigh coverage for daily running, long runs and carrying your phone or fuel.
The Journey 7″ is built around distance running rather than general gym use. Brooks uses a flat waistband, stretch brief liner and lightweight four-way-stretch shell, while the storage is unusually good for a road short.
A zippered rear pocket handles a phone, four expandable hip pockets give you room for gels, and a separate key pocket keeps small items out of the way. Justin prefers this 7″ version to the 5″, which gives the top pick a real first-hand fit preference as well as strong current testing.
Buy it if:
pockets and long-run comfort matter as much as low weight.
Skip it if:
you want a shorter race-style cut, a boxer-brief liner or primarily run rugged trails.
What Works
- Excellent storage for a road short
- Flat waistband and flexible shell
- Brief liner built for running
- Strong daily and long-run role
Watch For
- Brief liner will not suit everyone
- Patagonia is stronger for trail storage
- Not the cheapest choice
#2
Best Trail + Ultra · Lined
Patagonia Strider Pro 5″
Best for: Trail + long adventures
Inseam: 5″ or 7″
Liner: Brief
Storage: 5 pockets
Build: Lightweight + bonded seams
Finish: Water-resistant treatment
Good choice if: you want a very light lined short that can carry more gear than most road shorts.
Patagonia still has the strongest independent consensus for trail and ultra use. The Strider Pro combines a very light shell with five pockets and bonded construction that keeps the short simple even when you are carrying fuel.
If you mostly run roads, I prefer the Brooks Journey as the all-around recommendation. If you spend hours on trail or want to carry more without a vest, the Strider Pro is the better specialist.
Buy it if:
trail mileage, low weight and storage are your priorities.
Skip it if:
you dislike brief liners or want a lower-cost everyday short.
What Works
- Five useful storage pockets
- Very light construction
- Strong long-distance testing history
- 5″ and 7″ versions
Watch For
- Premium price
- Brief liner only
- More trail-focused than Brooks Journey
#3
Best Value · Editor Tested · Lined
ASICS Road 5″
Best for: Everyday running
Inseam: 5″
Style: Lined
Fabric: Light + flexible
Storage: Side + phone pocket
Also available: Road 2N1 5″
Good choice if: you want a dependable lined short without moving into premium pricing.
This is one of the picks I actually run in. The Road 5″ is simple, light and flexible, with side mesh panels, a flat waistband and practical storage. It does not try to turn the waistband into a full running belt.
ASICS also offers the Road 2N1 if you prefer a light compression-style inner short instead of the standard lined setup.
Buy it if:
you want a simple daily short with a good price-to-performance balance.
Skip it if:
you need enough storage to replace a running belt.
What Works
- First-hand daily-running pick
- Light and flexible shell
- Flat waistband
- 2-in-1 version available
Watch For
- Less storage than Brooks or Patagonia
- Basic rather than premium feel
- Choose the 2N1 if you want more thigh coverage
#4
Best Budget 2-in-1 · Run + Gym
CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 Running Shorts
Best for: Budget + gym crossover
Inseam: 5″ or 7″
Liner: Boxer-brief style
Storage: Side + zip rear
Ride: More coverage
Price tier: Budget
Good choice if: you prefer a longer inner liner and want one pair for running and gym sessions.
CRZ YOGA is the value play if you prefer a boxer-brief liner. The inner layer gives more thigh coverage than the brief liners in Brooks and Patagonia, which can feel better for runners who are prone to inner-thigh rubbing.
I also use these for gym sessions. The tradeoff is that the fabric does not feel as light or refined as the premium shorts above, especially when it gets soaked.
Buy it if:
you want a low-cost 2-in-1 for running and training.
Skip it if:
your priority is the lightest possible hot-weather short.
What Works
- Useful boxer-brief liner
- Good running and gym crossover
- Budget-friendly
- 5″ and 7″ choices
Watch For
- Heavier feel when wet
- Liner fit is more noticeable than a brief
- Premium shorts dry and disappear better
#5
Best Premium Lined · Phone Storage
Lululemon Fast and Free Lined 5″
Best for: Premium road running
Inseam: 5″
Liner: Supportive built-in liner
Storage: Liner phone sleeves + gel storage
Fit: Streamlined
Price tier: Premium
Good choice if: you want a polished running-specific liner and storage integrated into the short.
The current Fast and Free 5″ has a more running-specific setup than a general training short. The liner includes supportive shaping and phone sleeves, while hidden gel storage keeps the outer shell fairly clean.
It is expensive, so I would not call it the best value. It makes sense if fit, finish and carrying a phone close to the body are worth paying for.
Buy it if:
premium liner comfort and integrated phone storage matter most.
Skip it if:
you want the most storage per dollar.
What Works
- Running-specific supportive liner
- Phone sleeves built into liner
- Hidden gel storage
- Streamlined fit
Watch For
- Premium price
- More complex than a simple brief-lined short
- Not necessary if ASICS Road already fits you well
#6
Best Linerless · Secure Storage
Path Projects Graves PX
Best for: Linerless running
Inseam: 5″ or 7″
Liner: None
Fabric: Primeflex 4-way stretch
Storage: 3 zip + key pocket
Finish: Water resistant
Good choice if: you want to choose your own base layer but still need secure phone and key storage.
Graves PX is the strongest dedicated linerless option in the main list. The shell uses four-way-stretch Primeflex fabric and gives you two side zip pockets, a rear no-bounce phone pocket and an internal key pocket.
Path Projects designs its shorts around a separate base-liner system, but you can pair them with running underwear you already know works for you.
Buy it if:
you dislike built-in liners and want secure zippered storage.
Skip it if:
you want one garment with no separate base layer.
What Works
- Purpose-built linerless system
- Secure zip storage
- Durable stretch fabric
- 5″ and 7″ lengths
Watch For
- Requires separate underwear or liner
- Premium price for shell only
- Less widely stocked than major brands
#7
Best Easy-to-Find Linerless
Nike Stride Dri-FIT Unlined
Best for: Everyday linerless running
Inseam: 5″ or 7″
Liner: None
Fabric: Dri-FIT
Storage: Side + zip rear
Availability: Widely sold
Good choice if: you want a straightforward linerless short that is easy to find and replace.
The Nike Stride is the easier-to-buy alternative to Path Projects. It uses lightweight Dri-FIT fabric, a breathable back panel and familiar side-pocket storage with a secure rear pocket.
It does not have the specialised storage system of Graves PX, but that can be a positive if you just want a conventional linerless short from a widely available brand.
Buy it if:
availability and a simple linerless design matter most.
Skip it if:
you want maximum trail storage or a built-in liner.
What Works
- Widely available
- Light Dri-FIT shell
- Useful rear zip pocket
- 5″ and 7″ options
Watch For
- Requires a separate base layer
- Less storage than Graves PX
- More conventional than specialised
#8
Best Lightweight Linerless Trail
Patagonia Trailfarer 6″
Best for: Light trail + daily running
Inseam: 6″
Liner: None
Fabric: Light stretch woven
Finish: Water resistant
Build: Fair Trade Certified
Good choice if: you want a simple, light Patagonia shell and prefer choosing your own base layer.
Trailfarer is the minimalist Patagonia option. It is linerless, light, quick drying and less storage-heavy than Strider Pro. The 6 inch length splits the difference between common 5 and 7 inch shorts.
Choose it when you want Patagonia fabric and a simple shell rather than the integrated liner and five-pocket system of the Strider Pro.
Buy it if:
a light linerless trail shell is exactly what you want.
Skip it if:
you need lots of built-in storage.
What Works
- Light linerless construction
- Stretch and moisture management
- Useful 6″ middle-ground length
- Simple trail crossover
Watch For
- Less storage than Strider Pro
- Requires separate underwear
- Only one main inseam length
At a Glance
Compare the 8 Picks
Swipe sideways to compare all columns →
| Shorts | Best For | Liner | Length | Storage | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Journey Best Road | Daily + long road runs | Brief | 7″ | Excellent | Amazon |
| Patagonia Strider Pro | Trail + ultra | Brief | 5″/7″ | Excellent | Patagonia |
| ASICS Road | Value + daily training | Lined | 5″ | Good | Amazon |
| CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 | Budget + gym | Boxer brief | 5″/7″ | Good | Amazon |
| Lululemon Fast and Free | Premium lined | Supportive | 5″ | Very good | Lululemon |
| Path Projects Graves PX | Best linerless | None | 5″/7″ | Excellent | Path |
| Nike Stride | Everyday linerless | None | 5″/7″ | Good | Amazon |
| Patagonia Trailfarer | Light linerless trail | None | 6″ | Light | Patagonia |
Also Consider
Two Excellent Shorts I Would Not Ignore
Janji AFO Middle 5″
One of the strongest independent 2026 performers for low weight, quick drying and waistband comfort. The tradeoff is limited storage compared with Brooks and Patagonia.
Tracksmith Session 5″
A premium comfort option with a smooth liner, streamlined waistband and four pockets. It is expensive, which keeps it out of my main value-focused eight.
Buying Help
How to Choose Men’s Running Shorts
First decide whether you want a liner
Brief liners use less fabric and usually feel cooler. Boxer-brief liners add more thigh coverage. Linerless shorts let you use your favourite running underwear. None is automatically better.
Five inches is the easiest place to start
A 5 inch inseam gives most runners good leg freedom without feeling extremely short. Go longer if you prefer coverage and shorter if you like a race-style feel.
Storage matters more as runs get longer
For a 30 minute run, you may only need a key pocket. For long runs, phone and gel storage can decide whether a short is genuinely useful. Brooks Journey and Patagonia Strider Pro stand out here. If you need more capacity, compare the best running belts.
Do not overpay for features you will not use
Premium fabric and carefully designed liners can feel better, but a straightforward ASICS Road or CRZ YOGA short may be all you need. Spend more when the liner, storage or fabric solves a problem you actually have.
Chafing is usually a fit-and-friction problem
Look for fabric that stays in place without squeezing and seams that do not rub. An anti-chafe product can help on longer runs. Cotton tends to hold more moisture than technical synthetics, so it is usually less comfortable once you are sweating heavily.
Common Questions
Men’s Running Shorts FAQ
What are the best running shorts for men in 2026?
The Brooks Journey 7″ is the best overall road-running short in this guide because it combines a comfortable brief liner, a flat waistband and extensive storage. The Patagonia Strider Pro is the stronger choice for trail running, ultras and runners who want maximum storage.
Should men’s running shorts have a liner?
A liner is a preference, not a requirement. Built-in briefs and boxer-brief liners reduce the number of layers you need, while linerless shorts let you choose your own running underwear or compression layer.
What inseam is best for men’s running shorts?
Five inches is a versatile starting point for many runners. Shorter inseams give more leg freedom, while 7 inch shorts add coverage. The best length is the one that does not restrict your stride or create rubbing.
What men’s running shorts are best for carrying a phone and gels?
The Brooks Journey and Patagonia Strider Pro are the strongest storage choices in this guide. The Journey has a rear phone pocket plus expandable stash pockets, while the Strider Pro has five pockets designed for longer runs.
What are the best budget men’s running shorts?
The CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 is the budget lined pick in this guide. It combines a compression-style liner with useful pockets and works for both running and gym sessions.
How do I reduce chafing in running shorts?
Start with shorts or a base layer that stays in place without being excessively tight. Moisture-wicking fabric and flat seams can help. For longer runs, an anti-chafe product can also reduce friction in areas that commonly rub.
More Running Gear
