We all know having a trusty rotation of shorts in various lengths, colors, and materials is an absolute must. But now more than ever, the best men’s shorts brands are prioritizing not only style and comfort but tough-as-nails construction and all-weather versatility.

In other words, you’ve got endless options that allow you to transition from a casual coffee date to running a half marathon without skipping a sartorial beat. But in addition to those everyday staples, you’ll also want to make room for some swim trunks, a few pairs of chinos, some vacation-ready stunners, and maybe even a luxury option or two.

If you’re just building out your fair-weather wardrobe, this list of the 10 best men’s shorts brands is a great place to start. If your legs think they’ve already got it all figured out… it’s still a great place to start.

Key Takeaways 

Shorts are crucial components of any well-rounded wardrobe. And now more than ever, the best men’s shorts brands are prioritizing durable construction and all-weather versatility as much as style and comfort.

A shining example of this prioritization can be found in Faherty’s impressive lineup of shorts. Not to be outdone in the budget category, Amazon Essentials has some hidden gems that you can and should stock up on right now.

At just over a decade old, Faherty has quickly established itself as an industry leader in the clothing and lifestyle space. It’s a family-run business that employs environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, partners with Native artists to create stunning designs, and obsesses over comfort and quality. Which, of course, brings us to your next great pair of shorts.

The brand’s aesthetic lives somewhere between a casual surf vibe and summer in the city. But before you get in there and start adding anything from t-shirts to pants to your cart, promise me you’ll start with Faherty’s All Day Shorts—a borderline perfect pair of go-to shorts with a tailored fit, inner drawstring, and mesh-lined pockets.

It’s form, it’s function, and it’s going to last you through countless adventures. Yes, having rooftop cocktails counts as an adventure.

Vilebrequin was founded in Saint-Tropez in 1971 and has been channeling the legendary Mediterranean beach town’s charming, leisurely vibe through its swim and loungewear ever since. The brand’s formidable lineup of swim shorts features loudly elevated themes and patterns including anything from turtles to multicolored coral.

Or for a more classic look that’ll still turn heads, look to the houndstooth-adjacent pattern and quick-drying stretch fabric of Vilebrequin’s Micro Mouettes trunks. And if you really want to go full ‘70s French Riviera, go ahead and pick up the matching shirt while you’re at it.

And the theme of casual form meets technical function rolls on. For our next case study, we turn to Tropicfeel and its unwavering mission to create travel gear designed to take beating after beating and come back for more. Its sustainable line of travel clothes is largely waterproof, wrinkle-proof, and more handsome than they have any business being.

While you’ll mostly find pants in the bottoms category, don’t miss the hidden gem that is Tropicfeel’s zip-off pants. They’re breathable, offer an outstanding range of motion, and yes, feature lower-thigh zippers that transform them from pants to shorts. It’s one of the few times I’ll ever advise this look—trust me, though, you’re in good hands with this Barcelona-based brand.

Newcomer The Resort Co is a shining example of doing one thing and doing it right. Just so, so right. I’m talking, of course, about resort wear. The Swedish brand is obsessed with crafting “the perfect vacation wardrobe” as evidenced by pieces like its camp-collar terry shirt, piqué popover, and tailored swim shorts.

But it’s also one of the best men’s shorts brands out there—especially in the vacation category—thanks to pieces like its linen drawstring shorts and buttery soft, emerald green terry shorts. If your confidence isn’t already through the roof before popping any of these shorts on, just give it a minute.

If you’re not looking to Amazon Essentials for your everyday knock-around gear, you’re doing yourself a great disservice. Will it last forever? Of course not. Is it breaking down barriers and redefining what it means to wear clothing? Nope. But you’ll definitely find plenty of budget-friendly, surprisingly handsome shorts among its endless virtual clothing racks. Oh, and some jorts. Can’t forget the jorts.

Amazon Essentials’ Men’s Classic Fit Short is the kind you’ll want to keep four or five of in your drawer. For grabbing a coffee. For doing yard work. For walking your dog, Ron. (Your dog’s name is Ron, right?) And you’ve got dozens of other options in there that are available in dozens more sizes, colors, and styles.

Exemplifying the industry’s renewed focus on both style and durability, Rhone has been making some of the most thoughtful performance gear in the industry since 2014. Among its ranks, you’ll find board shorts, training shorts, and the ever-versatile Commuter Short.

Rhone is far and away one of the best men’s shorts brands available on Amazon, and that last specimen, particularly, is a sartorial force to be reckoned with. The Connecticut-based brand is as good a place to turn as any if your days find you transitioning between Zoom meetings, the gym, the brewery, and everywhere in between.

Storied Italian luxury brand Loro Piana has been producing exceptional cashmere garments since 1924. Well, cashmere, merino wool, cotton, linen, and other meticulously fawned-over fabrics. You know you can turn to them for prized closet candy like blazers, sweaters, polos, and pants. But as you might expect, the fashion house’s shorts are every bit as memorable.

Their subtly elegant Cargo Bermuda Shorts, specifically, are the perfect jumping-off point for lounging seaside with a negroni in one hand and a book in the other. Or for a weekend trip to wine country. Point is, Loro Piana has cargo shorts.

Fast-fashion brand Asos is a solid one-stop destination for all things wearable. Unlike the majority of my other picks on this list, many of the products you’ll find on Asos place a higher priority on affordability than quality. That’s to say, it’s good stuff and there’s lots of it, but most of it isn’t designed to last forever.

But if you’re a bigger guy looking for a huge variety of shorts available in sizes that are tough to find elsewhere, here they are. The brand’s pleated chino shorts, for example, are cut in a way that doesn’t scream “big and tall” and come in waist sizes ranging from 26 inches all the way up to 48. Pair them with a crisp pair of casual sneakers and you’re good to go.

There’s not much Vuori can’t perfect in the performance apparel space. Its products are the epitome of borderline indestructible comfort meets ready-for-anything style. Its handsome and impressive lineup of shorts, for example, are designed for specific purposes—from golf outings and summer lounging to running and outdoor adventures.

This targeted approach to its pieces gives you and your legs a clear advantage if you’re a niche athlete or tend to have a more established routine. If not, jack-of-all-trades pairs like Vuori’s Kore Unlined Short are as versatile as it gets if you have a general athletic lifestyle but don’t necessarily want to wear sweat shorts around all day. Tempting, but nah.

What To Look For In The Best Men’s Shorts Brands

Material

When deciding which pairs of shorts are going to best serve you, pay close attention to their construction. If you have an active lifestyle, look for soft, breathable blends like cotton, polyester, and elastane. If you’ll mostly be lounging poolside, fabrics like linen and terrycloth are fair game.

Fit & Inseam

Nailing the waist and inseam fit is crucial to looking great in a pair of shorts. Much of this depends on your height, but a 7-inch inseam is a nice middle ground and a super versatile length overall. Things start to get interesting when you venture into 5-inch inseam territory—they’re not quite short-shorts but definitely skirt the line. Pay attention to these details, especially if you’re shopping online.

Function

Are you a runner? Do you walk to work? Avid hiker? Leisure expert? It’s important to keep a steady rotation of shorts for every occasion and for every activity you regularly find yourself engaging in. Make sure your shorts have the features, accessories, and general functionality you require for whatever you find yourself getting into.

Final Verdict 

It’s a great time to be a pair of legs. Today’s shorts manufacturers are prioritizing all-weather durability just as much as style and comfort. Faherty’s All Day Shorts are a great example of this, but you’re otherwise spoiled for choice regardless of your lifestyle.