Best Lightweight Running Shorts for Men of 2025

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These lightweight running shorts are designed for men who are seeking comfort and functionality during their workouts. Made from breathable materials, these shorts provide optimal ventilation to keep the body cool during intense physical activities. The lightweight fabric allows for unrestricted movement, ensuring a comfortable fit. With features such as an adjustable waistband and moisture-wicking properties, these running shorts are perfect for any fitness enthusiast looking to enhance their performance.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Lightweight Running Shorts for Men
Niksa 2 in 1 Running Shorts with Pockets
The Niksa Running Shorts are crafted from high-quality, quick-drying fabric that keeps you comfortable during workouts by wicking away sweat. The multi-pocket design allows you to securely store your essentials, like your phone, cash, and keys, freeing your hands while you exercise. An adjustable drawstring ensures a perfect fit, while the towel loop provides a convenient place for your towel. Additionally, the reinforced lining offers built-in compression, supporting your muscles and preventing chafing, making these shorts ideal for various activities.
RDX Men's 2-in-1 Running Shorts with Pockets
The RDX T16 Running Shorts are designed for the active individual, featuring an innovative 2-in-1 design that combines compression support with classic shorts. The integrated 4-way stretchable material enhances your movement, making them perfect for running or intense workouts. Side slits provide additional flexibility, allowing for a more comfortable experience during activities like yoga or stretching. With four practical utility pockets, you can securely store your essentials such as keys and your phone, ensuring you can focus on your workout without distractions.
Time To Run Men's Lightweight 3" Shorts
The Time To Run Shorts are designed for optimal performance during your runs or gym sessions. With a short 5.5 cm inseam, these shorts provide excellent freedom of movement, making them ideal for races or workouts. The lightweight, water-resistant fabric enhances comfort and protects you from unpredictable weather. Additionally, the drawcord closure ensures a perfect fit around your waist, while the zippered rear pocket keeps your keys and phone secure, allowing you to focus on your training without distraction.
Under Armour Men's UA HG Armour Long Shorts
The UA HG Armour Long Shorts are designed to enhance your performance during workouts. With HeatGear technology, these shorts provide superior coverage without adding weight, allowing you to move freely. The breathable mesh panels offer ventilation where you need it most, ensuring comfort as you exercise. Additionally, the sweat-wicking fabric keeps you dry even during intense sessions, making these shorts perfect for rigorous training. You'll appreciate the flat-lock seams that minimise chafing, allowing you to focus fully on your workout.
Danfiki 2 in 1 Men's Running Shorts
The Danfiki Running Shorts are designed with your active lifestyle in mind. Made from a lightweight blend of 95% polyester and 5% elastane, these shorts offer maximum stretch for unrestricted movement during workouts. Their quick-drying fabric ensures you stay comfortable and dry, even during intense training sessions. With multiple pockets, including a hidden phone pocket, you can securely carry your essentials like keys and cards without worry. The fitted design provides support to your thigh muscles, reducing friction and enhancing flexibility as you run or train.
TCA Elite Tech Men's Gym Shorts with Pockets
The TCA Men's Gym Shorts are crafted from lightweight, breathable fabric, ensuring maximum comfort during your workouts. With secure storage provided by two zip pockets, you can safely keep your essentials without worrying about them bouncing around. The breathable moisture-wicking technology quickly evaporates sweat, helping you stay dry and focused during intense sessions. For added comfort, consider ordering a size up for a looser fit, allowing you to move freely and perform at your best.
TCA Men's Lightweight Running Shorts with Pockets
The TCA Running Shorts are designed for comfort and performance. Made from lightweight stretch woven fabrics, they are perfect for running or gym workouts. The ventilation holes across the lower leg enhance breathability, helping you stay cool during intense sessions. With subtle slimline pockets, you can easily store small items, providing convenience on the go. Additionally, the moisture-wicking fabric ensures quick drying and absorbs sweat, keeping you dry and comfortable throughout your activities.
HMIYA Men's Quick Dry Sport Shorts
The HMIYA Sport Shorts are crafted from a quality fabric blend of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, ensuring they are skin-friendly and lightweight for maximum movement. Their quick-drying feature helps you stay comfortable during workouts, as sweat is absorbed and removed quickly. With two secure zipper pockets, you can safely store your essentials like your phone and wallet while exercising. Additionally, reflective lines enhance your visibility during night workouts, keeping you safe while you stay active.
Ronhill Men's Tech 5" Running Shorts
The Ronhill Tech Running Shorts are designed for the eco-conscious runner, made from recycled yarns. You will appreciate the stretch fabric, which allows for added comfort and freedom of movement, while the supportive inner brief ensures you stay comfortable throughout your run. There's also a secure zip pocket for your essentials, making it easy to carry items such as keys or snacks. Additionally, the lightweight, breathable fabric with ventilating tabs keeps you cool during those hot summer runs.
Suwangi Men's Quick Dry Running Shorts
The Suwangi Running Shorts are crafted from lightweight, elastic fabric that dries quickly, keeping you comfortable during intense workouts. With two side zipper pockets, you can securely store your mobile phone and keys, allowing you to keep your hands free while exercising. The soft mesh lining reduces friction against your thighs, providing added comfort for runners. Additionally, the elastic waistband with an internal drawcord ensures a personalised fit, so you can enjoy unrestricted movement in every activity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of shorts are best for running?
Some better options are technical fabrics that blend various materials—like polyester, elastane, spandex, and nylon. If you want shorts that really wick sweat fast, choose a mix with a higher percentage of nylon. Or if extra stretchiness is a must-have, seek out more spandex.
2. Why do men's running shorts have liners?
Liners provide moisture-management to wick sweat away, which helps keeps things cool, comfortable and dry, and prevents infection and chafing. Additionally, liners are built to provide enough support and compression for men so they don't need a jock strap.
3. Are 5 inch shorts good for running?
A 5" inch short for running has its perks and is the most preferred shorts by runners. These shorts are ideal to run effectively and comfortably. These keep you chafe-free and provide the muscle compression you need to turn a good run into a great one!
During our lightweight running shorts for men research, we found 306 lightweight running shorts for men products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 136,745 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight running shorts for men list. We found that most customers choose lightweight running shorts for men with an average price of £18.89.
The lightweight running shorts for men are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight running shorts for men, including Niksa, RDX, Time To Run, Under Armour, Danfiki. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 527 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.