Best Cotton Sports Shorts for Men of 2026

John Zimmer Avatar
John Zimmer
Last Updated: 3 Feb 2026

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Cotton sports shorts are a popular choice for men who engage in various physical activities. These shorts are designed to provide comfort and breathability during workouts, allowing for a full range of motion. Made from high-quality cotton fabric, they are soft against the skin and absorb sweat, keeping the wearer cool and dry. With their elastic waistband and adjustable drawstring, these shorts ensure a snug fit. Whether for running, cycling, or any other sport, cotton sports shorts are an excellent choice to enhance performance and provide maximum comfort.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

ZENWILL Mens Cotton Gym Shorts with Zip Pockets Cover #TOP 1
ZENWILL Mens Cotton Gym Shorts with Zip Pockets
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Canterbury Men's Black Rugby Shorts M Cover #TOP 2
Canterbury Men's Black Rugby Shorts M
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Rane Sports Men's 3 Inch Running Shorts Cover #TOP 3
Rane Sports Men's 3 Inch Running Shorts
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 6 Cotton Sports Shorts for Men

#TOP 1

ZENWILL Mens Cotton Gym Shorts with Zip Pockets

Black
ZENWILL Mens Cotton Gym Shorts with Zip Pockets Cover
ZENWILL Mens Cotton Gym Shorts, Running Sports Workout Fitness Tennis Exercise with Zip Pockets(M,Black)

The ZENWILL Cotton Gym Shorts offer a breathable and comfortable experience during workouts, thanks to their premium cotton fibre that absorbs moisture and lets it evaporate quickly. You can keep your essentials safe with a secure zipper pocket, ideal for storing your phone or cards while exercising. The elasticated waistband with a drawstring ensures a personalised fit, providing you with extra comfort and freedom of movement. These shorts are perfect for a wide range of activities, including running, tennis, gym sessions, and other sports.

What We Like
Breathable cotton fabric
Secure zipper pocket
Elastic drawstring waistband
Suitable for various sports

Canterbury Men's Black Rugby Shorts M

QE523405989
Black
Canterbury Men's Black Rugby Shorts M Cover
Canterbury Men's Professional Cotton Shorts | Rugby Short | Internal Drawstring & Pockets | Gym/Training Short, Black, M

The Canterbury Rugby Shorts are designed for comfort and performance. Their elasticated waistband and drawstring fastening ensure a secure fit, giving you confidence during any activity. With two hand pockets, you can easily store small essentials, adding convenience to your workout. The lightweight construction keeps you cool, making them ideal for warm weather or intense games. Plus, the signature logo adds a touch of style, showcasing your love for the sport.

What We Like
Secure fit with drawstring
Convenient hand pockets
Lightweight for comfort
Stylish logo design

Rane Sports Men's 3 Inch Running Shorts

Rane Sports
Black
Rane Sports Men's 3 Inch Running Shorts Cover
Men's 3 Inch Running Shorts Gym Training Bodybuilding Short Breathable Cotton Sports Shorts Black L

The Rane Sports Running Shorts are designed for comfort and freedom during your workouts. With a 3-inch inseam, these shorts allow for maximum leg movement, making them ideal for leg training days. The drawstring waistband ensures a snug and adjustable fit, so you can focus on your performance without distractions. Additionally, the deep and large diagonal pockets provide ample space for your essentials, keeping your hands free while you exercise. Made from breathable fabric, these shorts offer comfort even during intense workouts.

What We Like
Breathable and comfortable fabric
Adjustable drawstring waistband
Large diagonal pockets
3-inch inseam for leg freedom
#TOP 4

Muscle Alive 5-Inch Bodybuilding Workout Shorts

5 Inseam Pln-black
Muscle Alive 5-Inch Bodybuilding Workout Shorts Cover
Muscle Alive Men Bodybuilding Gym Workout Shorts Sprots Fitness Terry Cotton 5 Inseam Black M

The Muscle Alive Workout Shorts are ideal for your gym sessions and casual outings. With a 5" inseam option, they provide the perfect length for leg day, ensuring comfort and freedom of movement. Made from a soft terry cotton blend, these shorts feel great against your skin during workouts. The elastic waistband features an adjustable drawstring, allowing you to achieve the perfect fit. Additionally, the inclusion of side pockets offers convenient storage for your essentials, making them versatile for various activities like running or yoga.

What We Like
Soft terry cotton material
Adjustable elastic waistband
Convenient side pockets
Multiple inseam lengths available
#TOP 5

Wayleb Men's Cotton Summer Workout Shorts

Light Grey
Wayleb Men's Cotton Summer Workout Shorts Cover
Wayleb Men's Sports Shorts Cotton Summer Running Training Workout Shorts with Zipper Pockets Elastic Waist Jogging Gym Athletic Shorts,Light Grey,XXL

The Wayleb Workout Shorts are crafted from 100% cotton, ensuring a soft and breathable experience during your activities. Their elastic waistband with a drawstring allows you to adjust the fit for comfort, making them ideal for various workouts. The zipped pockets on each side provide a secure space for your essentials, ensuring nothing falls out while you're on the move. Additionally, these shorts are moisture-wicking, keeping you dry whether you're at the gym, running, or enjoying outdoor activities.

What We Like
Soft and breathable fabric
Adjustable elastic waistband
Secure zipped pockets
Moisture-wicking properties
#TOP 6

GYMAPE Men 5 Inch Bodybuilding Gym Shorts Black

Black
GYMAPE Men 5 Inch Bodybuilding Gym Shorts Black Cover
GYMAPE Men Bodybuilding Gym Workout Shorts 5 inch Running Sports Fitness Cotton Color Black L

The GYMAPE Gym Workout Shorts are designed with a 5-inch inseam, making them ideal for bodybuilding, running, yoga, or jogging. Crafted from 95% soft terry cotton and 5% spandex, these shorts offer comfort and flexibility during your workouts. The elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring ensures a secure and personalised fit, while the side pockets provide convenient storage for small items. Whether you are hitting leg day at the gym or enjoying casual wear, these shorts combine practicality with comfort.

What We Like
Comfortable terry cotton fabric
Flexible spandex blend
Adjustable waistband fit
Convenient side pockets
Suitable for various sports
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our cotton sports shorts for men research, we found 220 cotton sports shorts for men products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 43,377 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cotton sports shorts for men list. We found that most customers choose cotton sports shorts for men with an average price of £18.08.

The cotton sports shorts for men are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cotton sports shorts for men, including ZENWILL, Canterbury, Rane Sports, Muscle Alive, Wayleb.

Written by
John Zimmer Avatar

John Zimmer is a truly professional writer on findthisbest.com. He has specialized in writing content a wide variety of fields for over a decade. Since 2011, he has been using his expertise and extensive experience to write content for online shopping guide websites. In addition to writing for findthisbest.com, he has appeared in publications such as The Spruce, Wirecutter and Bestbuy.