Best Men's Shorts for Summer 2026
Six men's shorts for every summer occasion, from gym and beach to office-casual, with realistic prices from budget basics to premium performance fabric.
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Peak summer is exactly when shorts prices are least likely to move — but there’s still real range between overpriced brand-name basics and genuinely well-made pairs at a fair price, and the discounts start creeping in earlier than most shoppers expect. This guide covers six men’s shorts worth buying right now, from gym and beach staples to office-casual pairs, generally in the $20-$70 range.
1. Nike Dri-FIT Challenger Shorts — best all-purpose athletic shorts
The Challenger is the default recommendation for a reason — lightweight, quick-drying fabric with a built-in liner that works for running, gym sessions, or just lounging in summer heat. They come in multiple inseam lengths, which matters more than most buyers expect when shorts run either too long or too short for their frame, and the stretch waistband holds up well through repeated washing without losing its shape.
2. Chubbies Original Shorts — best for pool and beach days
Chubbies built a whole brand around shorter, brighter, unapologetically fun shorts, and the Original line remains the go-to for beach trips, barbecues, and vacation wear. The quick-dry stretch fabric handles pool time well, and the shorter inseam is a deliberate style choice rather than a fit accident. They also tend to hold their color better than cheaper printed shorts after repeated sun and chlorine exposure.
3. Old Navy Essential Cargo Shorts — best budget everyday pick
Old Navy’s cargo shorts are a reliable, no-drama basic — durable cotton-blend fabric, functional pockets, and a price that makes buying two or three pairs for rotation an easy call. They won’t turn heads, but for mowing the lawn, running errands, or casual weekends they’re hard to beat on value, especially since Old Navy runs some kind of storewide percentage-off promotion on apparel almost every other week.
4. Dockers Perfect Short — best for office-casual settings
When a workplace calls for something dressier than athletic or cargo shorts, the Dockers Perfect Short hits the flat-front, tailored-but-relaxed look that reads as put-together without feeling like actual dress pants. It’s the pick for summer Fridays or business-casual offices that allow shorts at all.
5. Under Armour Tech Mesh Shorts — best for gym and high-heat workouts
For workouts in genuinely hot conditions, the Tech Mesh’s ventilated fabric panels move more air than a standard Dri-FIT short, making it the better pick for outdoor training or gyms without strong air conditioning. The tradeoff is a slightly more athletic look that reads less casual off the court, so it’s better suited to actual workouts than errand-running.
6. Patagonia Baggies Shorts — best durable splurge pick
Patagonia’s Baggies have a cult following for good reason — quick-dry nylon that survives years of hiking, kayaking, and general abuse without falling apart, backed by Patagonia’s repair program if they eventually do. They cost more than anything else on this list, but the cost-per-wear over several summers often ends up lower than replacing cheaper shorts annually.
How to get the best price
- Set a price-tracking alert rather than buying at full price — mainstream brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Old Navy rotate shorts through sales cycles every few weeks, even mid-summer.
- Shop end-of-July and August clearance, when retailers start discounting summer apparel to clear floor space for back-to-school and fall inventory — this is often the single best window of the year for shorts.
- Buy multiples in a sale rather than replacing one pair repeatedly at full price — shorts are a wardrobe item people wear on rotation, so stocking up during a markdown beats one-off full-price purchases.
- Stack a store credit card or cash-back portal discount on top of a clearance price, especially at Old Navy and Target, where seasonal apparel markdowns combine well with loyalty program perks.
None of these need to be bought at full price, especially this late into summer. The Nike Dri-FIT Challenger and Old Navy Essential Cargo are the safest picks for everyday versatility, while Patagonia’s Baggies are worth the higher price if you’re outdoors enough to actually wear through cheaper shorts. If you only buy one pair this year, prioritize fit and inseam length over brand name — an ill-fitting $60 pair is a worse purchase than a well-fitting $25 one.