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We Found and Tested the Best Yoga Shorts for Men to Elevate Your Practice

Stay cool and comfortable in pairs from lululemon, Amazon, and other top brands

Man in a blue t-shirt wearing black lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Shorts

Verywell Fit / Israel Fontoura

Whether you’re working on your core strength or improving your flexibility, the right pair of yoga shorts can make a huge difference in your workout. Pairs made from lightweight, absorbent fabric will keep you feeling cool and comfortable on your mat. Another factor to consider is compression: “They should be just tight enough to keep everything in its place, but not so tight to restrict your range of motion or be uncomfortable in yoga postures,” says Jared Foote, MTS, CPFT, a certified yoga instructor based in Koh Samui, Thailand.

To find the best yoga shorts for men, we first asked experts which key features every pair should have. Then, we put a few pairs to the test, completing yoga, cardio, and strength training workouts to determine which are built to last. We evaluated the shorts based on their quality, durability, fit, sweat-wicking ability, style, and overall value. A certified yoga instructor from our Review Board also reviewed the contents of this article for accuracy and how to evaluate men's yoga shorts.

Best Overall

lululemon Pace Breaker Short

lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Short 9"

lululemon

Our Ratings
  • Materials
    5/5
  • Fit
    5/5
  • Moisture Wicking
    5/5
  • Style
    5/5
  • Overall Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Lightweight

  • Moisture-wicking

  • Sleek, stylish design

Cons
  • Pricier than other options

Key Specs

Materials: Polyester, elastane | Sizes: XS to XXL | Inseam: 5, 7, or 9 inches

Why We Love Them

lululemon's Pace Breaker Linerless Short 9" checks all of our boxes—they're extremely comfortable, lightweight, and stretchy (which is no surprise, considering we love their leggings for the same reasons). During testing, we noticed that they're excellent for sweat-inducing hot yoga classes that require lots of movement. Even though they're soft to the touch, they still wick moisture away well.

These shorts may not have a built-in liner, but they're still designed to be supportive, with a drawstring that's easy to adjust and stays in place. We also love how sleek and stylish they look—the design made us feel confident on our way to the gym. Other notable features include zippered pockets to keep your phone and other essentials close by.

Potential Flaws

  • These shorts are one of our pricier picks, although we think they're worth the investment for their high-quality materials and design.

Best Budget

Amazon Essentials Performance Tech Shorts

Amazon Essentials Men's Loose-Fit Performance Shorts, 2 Pack

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Materials
    3/5
  • Fit
    3/5
  • Moisture Wicking
    3/5
  • Style
    3/5
  • Overall Value
    3.8/5
Pros
  • Wide range of colors and patterns

  • Versatile

  • Four-way stretch

Cons
  • May run large

  • Not as opaque

Key Specs

Materials: Polyester | Sizes: S to XXL | Inseam: 8 inches

Why We Love Them

Amazon Essentials' Performance Tech Loose-Fit Shorts are the best budget-friendly option we tested. We love that you get two pairs of shorts for less than the price of some of our other top picks—plus, these shorts are versatile and can be worn to everything from yoga class to strength training workouts.

Made from 100% polyester, these lightweight pairs have four-way stretch and won't hold onto sweat. And we like that they have an adjustable drawstring, so you can customize the fit. They're also available in a wide range of colors and patterns to match any style.

Potential Flaws

  • These shorts were a little baggier than we would have liked for yoga, resembling basketball shorts.
  • They're mesh, meaning they're fairly transparent—something to note if you plan to wear them at a studio or while running errands, and not just for a home workout.

Best for Agility

Manduka Agility Short

Manduka Agility Short

Manduka

Pros
  • Four-way stretch

  • Faux fly

  • Sleek, stylish design

Cons
  • Pricier than other options

Key Specs

Materials: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: S to XXL | Inseam: 9 inches

Why We Love Them

The athletic fit of Manduka's Agility Short makes them great for everything from Downward Facing Dog to Pigeon Pose. Lightweight and moisture-wicking, they dry quickly and keep you cool, thanks to the breathable, polyester blend fabric. We also love the sleek, modern design, which sets them apart from our other top picks.

The waistband lays flat and has an adjustable drawstring, so there's no need to constantly pull them up during your practice. And while the four-way stretch material isn't very compressive, it's comfortable and non-restrictive. Other notable features include a faux fly and secure pockets at the sides.

Potential Flaws

  • These are also on the pricey side—but if you're searching for high-quality shorts you can also wear outside of the gym, we think they're well worth the added cost.

Best Long

YOGA CROW Men's Swerve Shorts

YOGA CROW Men's Swerve Shorts

Amazon

Pros
  • Inner drawstring

  • Doesn’t bunch up

  • Four-way stretch

Cons
  • May be too thick for hot yoga

  • Loose pockets

Key Specs

Materials: Polyester, nylon | Sizes: XS to L | Inseam: 7 inches

Why We Love Them

Breathable and flexible, Yoga Crow's Swerve Shorts have four-way stretch that allow you to move freely during your practice. Made from a blend of nylon and polyester, they have a built-in mesh liner that offers plenty of support and an internal drawstring to keep the waistband in place. Plus, they have a longer inseam that hits most wearers right above the knee for added coverage.

Since they're on the thicker side, they're ideal for yogis who prefer more compressive shorts. This also means you won't have to adjust them, since they won't fall down or bunch up during class. We love that they're made with anti-microbial technology that fights bacteria to keep them smelling fresh.

Potential Flaws

  • The material is thicker, so we don't recommend wearing these shorts for hot yoga.
  • The pockets don't zip, meaning they're not as secure.

What to Look for When Shopping for Yoga Shorts for Men

  • Style: The most important design factors to look out for are style and compression. Check the shorts' inseam length to see where they'll fall on you, whether that's mid-thigh or around your knee. Yoga teacher Peter Bartesch, CPT, also recommends shopping for shorts with no zippers and deep front pockets. Compression is up to your personal preference: Certified yoga instructor Sam Gach, NASM-CPT, notes that as long as you feel comfortable in your shorts, they can be as tight or as loose as you'd like.
  • Comfort: To make sure your shorts are ultra-comfortable, consider whether they're lined or not. Liners (or built-in underwear) can feel itchy or overly snug, depending on the fit and material.
  • Material: Look for yoga shorts made from fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex, which are stretchy and wick moisture away quickly. Avoid cotton—it's more absorbent and can hold onto sweat.

How We Tested the Yoga Shorts for Men

To find the best yoga shorts for men, we've researched and tested dozens of pairs from popular, trusted brands. For the pairs we select through research, we first speak with experts to find out which features to look for in high-quality yoga shorts. Then, we review key specs and customer feedback for dozens of shorts at all price points to find the best options on the market. As we continue to test and evaluate more yoga shorts, we keep these key criteria in mind:

  • Quality: When we first open the shorts, we check them for any defects, like holes or loose threads. Do they feel high-quality?
  • Durability: During testing, we wear the shorts for cardio, yoga, and strength training workouts. At the end of the testing period, we note how well they've held up. After multiple wears and washes, do they still look like new? Or do we notice any pilling, fading, or other signs of wear?
  • Fit: How do the shorts fit and feel on? Are they easy to wear, or do we find ourselves looking forward to taking them off? We also consider which materials the shorts are made of and how they feel against our skin. Do the shorts cause any irritation or chafing?
  • Sweat-Wicking: We prioritize yoga shorts that are breathable and wick away sweat well. Ideally, they're made from high-performance materials that don't hold onto moisture, even during hot yoga sessions.
  • Style: Yoga shorts come in different lengths and shapes. As we wear each pair, we consider where they hit on our legs, and whether the silhouette is flattering. Are they lined? Do we reach for them regularly, or do we keep prefer other shorts we already own?
  • Overall Value: To accurately rate each pair's value, we don't check the price until the end of the testing period, after we've scored them in all other categories. Based on their performance, do we think they're priced fairly? Or would we only buy them if they went on sale? If a pair of shorts scored highly on all attributes but is significantly more expensive than others we tested, we don't give them a perfect value score.

Our Experts

We relied on experts at every stage while researching and reporting this story. Some, like Foote and Bartesch, helped us understand which features to look for while shopping for yoga shorts. Although we choose products independently, expert input influences our decisions.

  • Jared Foote, MTS, CPFT, certified yoga instructor based in Koh Samui, Thailand
  • Peter Bartesch, CPT, yoga teacher and fitness instructor based in the San Francisco Bay area
  • Sam Gach, NASM-CPT, certified yoga instructor and fitness coach based in Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of shorts should I wear to yoga?

Look for shorts that are comfortable, breathable, and moisture-wicking. Ultimately, the fit and length are up to you—Gach and Foote note that your shorts should be as tight as you are comfortable with, as long as they don't restrict your range of motion.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Israel Fontoura is a writer specializing in health and passionate about fitness. He has researched and tested fitness apparel and is always on the lookout for the best products on the market and understands how they can make a difference in a workout. For this story, he tested lululemon's Pace Breaker Linerless Short 9" and Amazon Essentials' Performance Tech Loose-Fit Shorts. He received his master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Additional reporting contributed by Sarah Felbin

With over two decades of dance experience, Sarah Felbin loves diving into the latest wellness research. As a health and fitness editor, she's passionate about finding products that are a great value and make life easier.