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When it comes to what you want from your yoga attire, a lot of it depends on personal preference. Some of us guys are strictly yoga pants people. Others prefer an inner liner to keep everything secure. Some like to let things flow in more ways than one. But ultimately, the best men’s yoga shorts ensure that you’re not distracted from your practice by pinching or chafing or bunching or other annoying things.
We asked teachers and students which brands and styles of yoga shorts for men they rely on class after class. Their responses allowed for an array of preferences—length, lined or unlined, and pockets or not. The one thing these shorts share in common is that they deliver extreme comfort, whether you’re wearing them as you move on the mat or through everyday life.
11 Best Men’s Yoga Shorts
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1. Best for Staying Put: Ten Thousand Session Short
EssentialsÂ
• 5-inch inseam
• 86% polyester | 14% Spandex
• Zippered pocket
Over the decades, I’ve tried every kind of men’s shorts for yoga class: board shorts, tights, basketball shorts, gym shorts, and more. A few years ago, Ten Thousand came out with the Session Short. It has a five-inch inseam with a light and comfortable liner. I reach for it before every yoga class, especially hot yoga. The waistband is minimal and doesn’t bunch up when I’m in a forward fold or side bend, unlike other men’s yoga shorts I’ve worn. The liner stays in place and doesn’t ride up. There’s also a hidden zipper pocket on one side, which means my hands and legs don’t get caught on external pockets. —Mike Aidala, yoga teacher, performance coach, and world record weight lifter
$78 at Ten Thousand $68 at Huckberry
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2. Best Fit: Yoga Crow Flow Short
Essentials
• 5-inch inseam
• 88% recycled polyester | 12% Spandex
• Comes in colors and patterns
Yoga Crow is a small company that makes awesome shorts for men—particularly their Flow Short. I wear them for yoga, swimming, and just chilling out in the house. —Adam Husler, London-based yoga teacher and trainer and co-host of the Honestly Unbalanced podcast
This short is serious about the word “flow.” The lightweight polyester is like wearing air, and the liner hugs you in all the right places, creating an uber-comfortable experience. It comes in plain colors as well. —Alex Tzelnic, yoga student, mindfulness director, and elementary school physical education teacher
$68 at Amazon $68 at Yoga Crow
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3. Best Lightweight: Alo Yoga Adapt Short
Essentials
• 5-inch inseam
• “Light-as-air” material
• Quick-drying
Whether I’m doing yoga, going to the beach, or taking a stroll through the city, the five-inch Adapt running short is definitely my go-to men’s yoga short. It’s super lightweight and has a liner. When I travel, it usually ends up being a two- to three-month long stint, so I have to consider my luggage space, weight, ease of washing, and speed of drying. These are the only shorts that I take with me. Functional and stylish. 10/10. Would recommend to a friend. —Hiro Landazuri, yoga teacher and creator of Body Smart Yoga
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4. Best for Bigger Thighs: Lululemon Linerless Pace Breaker Short
Essentials
• 5-inch inseam
• 86% recycled polyester | 14% elastane
• Zippered pocket
Lulu’s five-inch shorts are very comfortable for short people, like me, who have a thick booty. I prefer linerless shorts because the lined ones tend to ride up on legs with bigger thighs. —Jack Workman, San Francisco-based yoga teacher
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5. Best All-Day: prAna Discovery Trail Short
Essentials
• 7-inch inseam
• 87% recycled polyester | 13% elastane
• Zippered pocket
The Discovery Trail Short may have been made with hiking in mind, but that is why it excels as an all-day short. The 7-inch inseam hits the sweet spot for all purpose wear—not too long, not too short—and the stretch-woven fabric blend can crush a hike, a run, or a yoga session. These are lightweight, versatile shorts that are up for almost any adventure. —Alex Tzelnic
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6. Best Linerless: Vuori Kore Short Unlined
Essentials
• 5- and 7-inch inseam
• 4-way stretch
• 48% recycled polyester | 42% polyester | 10% elastane
Vuori’s flagship product is still the ultimate blend of comfort, beach vibes, and stretchy performance. The Kore Short comes in a variety of options, from 5 inch to 7 inch, and lined or unlined. The unlined version is ideal for wearing all day, or perhaps all summer, without feeling the need to wash it in between each use. —Alex Tzelnic
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7. Best for All Sizes: Outdoor Voices RecTrek Short
Essentials
• 5- and 7-inch inseam
• 90% nylon | 10% spandex
• 4-way stretch
In my opinion, Outdoor Voices has some of the hippest and comfiest men’s stretchy shorts on the market. These are my faves and I wore them in my YJ shoot last year. I love their color options and they have inclusive size options for those blessed with ample butt and thighs. (Outdoor Voices is also releasing the RecTrek in a five-inch inseam, for those who prefer even more freedom of movement.) —Jack Workman
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8. Best for the Planet: Manduka CNTR Short
Essentials
• 9-inch inseam
• 58% recycled polyester | 42% polyester
• 4-way stretch
The CNTR short from the yoga pros at Manduka is made from a 58% recycled polyester/42% polyester blend. It features a 4-way stretch that does not use elastane or spandex, making the short fully recyclable. Sure the price point is a little higher, but knowing it won’t end up in a landfill offers peace of pose that other shorts don’t. —Alex Tzelnic
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9. Best Longer Inseam: Craft Collective Structure Shorts
Essentials
• 9-inch inseam
• 89% recycled polyester | 11% spandex
• Moisture-wicking
These are roomy in the best possible way. As the website notes, since Craft is a Swedish brand, their products fit long and lean. I ordered my normal size and found the shorts spacious, but not overly roomy. The lightweight polyester-spandex blend feels like a high-end, more structured basketball short. And the zippered back pocket and superb stretch make them an excellent option for those that want a little more coverage. —Alex Tzelnic
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10. Best Hot Yoga: Tracksmith Session Short
Essentials
• 5- and 7-inch inseam
• 86% polyester | 14% elastane
• 4-way stretch
I’ve got to give it up for another short made for running that excels on the yoga mat. The Session Short from Tracksmith was relaunched this year with a liner sourced from an Italian fabric that is, in a word, luxurious. Built-in UV protection, enhanced breathability, and an antimicrobial liner means these are seriously ideal for sweaty workouts.—Alex Tzelnic
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11. Best Value: Quince Flowknit Performance Short
Essentials
• 7.5-inch inseam
• 88% recycled polyester | 12% spandex
• Anti-microbial
It seems like most brands of men’s shorts stop their stretch quotient at 4-way stretch. But if there was such a thing as 6-way or even 10-way stretch, these Quince Flowknit shorts would nail it—and at a highly affordable price. The Flowknits are great for yoga as well as lounging, although the thin fabric might not lend itself to dressier activities.
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About Our Contributor
Alex Tzelnic is a writer, PE teacher, and Mindfulness Director in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has an MA in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University and has written about the intersection of education, mindfulness, and movement for publications including Tricycle Magazine, Slate, The Daily Beast, and Inverse. You can find him on social media @atz840.