Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Cotton is the reason your best session goes sour halfway through. It soaks up sweat instead of wicking it off your skin, then turns heavy and clings for the rest of the session. Quick-dry fabric, a drawcord waistband that stays put, and zip pockets that don’t dump your keys mid-run fix that before you even warm up. Below you’ll find nine picks that hold up in a real gym, a real road, and a real laundry pile.
This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
I’ve grouped the picks by what they actually do best, so you can match one to your training style instead of guessing from a listing. Read on and you’ll spot the quick-dry fabric, waistband, and inseam details that make working out clothes for men feel right from the first rep instead of the tenth.
Top Picks
How To Choose The Best Working Out Clothes for Men
You need shorts and tees that dry fast, stay in place, and don’t leave you tugging at your waistband between sets. Here’s what separates a short or tee that works from one you retire after a month.
Start With The Fabric, Not The Logo
The biggest upgrade over a plain cotton tee is quick-dry fabric, usually a polyester blend. Polyester lifts sweat off your skin and dries faster than cotton, so you finish a session damp instead of soaked. Spandex in the mix adds stretch so the shorts move with a deep squat instead of pulling tight across the hip.
Pick Your Inseam By Activity
A 5″ inseam (the length from crotch to hem) gives maximum leg movement and a shorter cut for running and tennis. A 7″ inseam covers the classic gym and casual middle ground. A 9″ inseam gives relaxed coverage for basketball or hiking, where you want a looser, longer feel.
Check The Waistband And Pockets
An encased elastic waistband with an internal drawcord is what keeps shorts locked when you sprint or bend. Zipper pockets matter more than they sound — they hold your phone, keys, and card through a run without them bouncing out. Deep open mesh pockets are fine for the gym floor but risky for outdoor training.
Decide Between A Liner And A Loose Short
Pick your short by how much support you want. A 2-in-1 short with a built-in compression liner (an inner layer that hugs your thighs) holds everything in place and adds a bit of muscle support. A plain woven or knit short is looser and more breathable for lifting or casual wear. Neither is better — it depends on if you want that locked-in feel or open airflow.
Side-by-Side Comparison
These spec columns — inseam length (crotch-to-hem), waistband type, and pocket setup — appear where the manufacturer publishes them, so you can scan the trade-offs at a glance.
| Model | Best For | Inseam | Waistband | Pockets | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under Armour Men’s Tech Graphic 10″ Shorts★ Best Overall | All-around gym and casual | 10″ | Encased elastic with internal drawcord | Mesh hand pockets | Amazon |
| Under Armour Men’s Tech 2.0 Short-Sleeve T-ShirtCrowd Favorite Tee | Hot-weather training tee | — | — | — | Amazon |
| NORTHYARD Men’s Athletic Running ShortsBest Pocket Setup | Runner who wants zip pockets | 5″, 7″, or 9″ | Elastic with adjustable drawstring | 2 side zip + 1 back zip | Amazon |
| 7 Pack Workout Shirts for Men Gym Athletic Short Sleeve | Stocking a full week of training tees | — | — | — | Amazon |
| Hanes Sport Men’s Long-Sleeve Cool DRI 2-Pack | Sun cover for outdoor sessions | — | — | — | Amazon |
| Nike Mens Shorts Dri-Fit Flex Woven Shorts 7inch | Deep bends, lunges, and squats | 7″ | Standard fit waist | — | Amazon |
| COOFANDY Men’s 2 Pieces Polo Shirt and Shorts Set | Gym-to-dinner casual set | Short | — | — | Amazon |
| HOPLYNN 5 Pack Men’s 2 in 1 Running Shorts | Runners who want a liner | — | — | Liner pocket | Amazon |
| Men’s Hoodie Tracksuit 2 Pieces Set | Cold-weather warm-up and travel | — | — | — | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. Under Armour Men’s Tech Graphic 10″ Shorts
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 73,500+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The loose, light short that keeps you cool through a whole session and then some.
If you want one pair of shorts that handles lifting, cardio, and the coffee run after, this is the safe bet — and the crowd agrees. It’s a 4.5+ star average across 73,000+ owners, and that volume tells you it fits a lot of different bodies and routines. The draw is the fabric: UA Tech is quick-drying and ultra-soft, with a more natural feel than the slick, plastic-y shorts a lot of brands push. That means you finish a session comfortable instead of clammy, and it doesn’t look out of place on the street either.
The 10″ inseam (crotch-to-hem) gives you longer, looser coverage than the 5″ and 7″ running cuts here — a good match if you prefer a relaxed short and don’t want to feel every quad flex. An encased elastic waistband with an internal drawcord locks it down when you sprint or bend, and the mesh hand pockets are roomy enough for a phone on the walk to the gym. Loose and light is the whole point, and it delivers that without the balloon look.
Where the honest caveat sits is long-term stitching. A number of owners find the seams give out within months, so treat this as a hard-working everyday short rather than an armored one. The upshot: keep two in rotation and it holds its place as the pair you reach for first.
What Earns It The Top Spot
- Quick-dry UA Tech fabric feels soft and natural, so it never gets that slick gym-short feel
- Encased elastic waistband with internal drawcord stays put through sprints and bends
- 10″ inseam gives relaxed, longer coverage if you don’t like short cuts
- Mesh hand pockets carry a phone or keys on the way to the gym
Fit Notes Worth Knowing
- Some buyers report the stitching lets go within months, so rotate a second pair
- A few find the sizing runs off from their usual, so check the size guide first
Reach for this if: you want one reliable short for lifting, running, and casual wear, and you like a longer, looser cut.
Think twice if: you prefer a short, sporty length or need a pair that shrugs off heavy daily abuse.
2. Under Armour Men’s Tech 2.0 Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
The tee you’ll wear for the workout and forget about afterward — right up until you reach for it again.
Under Armour is designed to motivate performance through sportswear crafted with premium materials and advanced techniques, and this tee is the plainest expression of that: a short-sleeve training shirt with more reviews than any other product on this list. What lands with owners is how it handles heat. It breathes through a hot session and stays comfortable, which is exactly what you want from the shirt closest to your skin. It’s the piece you throw on for summer runs, garage lifts, and yard work without thinking.
One clear thing to know before you buy: this one runs small. Multiple owners flag it, and the fix is simply to size up once. The material earns praise from plenty of buyers, though a share of them don’t love the feel — some want a softer hand. Fabric thickness sits on the thinner side, which helps airflow but isn’t the warmth you’d pick for a cold morning. For hot-weather training, though, thin is the point.
Color holds up well according to owner feedback, so the shade you order is roughly the shade you keep after a few washes. If you’re building a base layer of training tees, this is the one to layer under a hoodie or wear solo.
The Real Appeal: is heat management. This tee keeps you cool when a cotton shirt would have you soaked, and it holds its color after washes. Size up once and it fits right.
The Honest Limit: the fabric is thin and some find the feel less soft than they’d like, so it’s a training tee first and a lounge shirt second.
Your best match if: you sweat hard in warm weather and want a breathable, colorfast training tee.
Look elsewhere if: you insist on a soft, thicker fabric — this one trades plushness for airflow.
3. NORTHYARD Men’s Running Shorts
Three inseams, three zip pockets, and a fabric blend that stretches through every stride.
The standout here is choice. You get to pick your length — 5″, 7″, or 9″ — so a runner, a lifter, and a hiker can each grab the same short in the cut that suits them. That’s rare and genuinely useful. The 5″ gives modern, athletic mobility; the 7″ is the versatile middle for gym and casual; the 9″ adds relaxed coverage for basketball or hiking. A blend of polyester and spandex makes it stretchy enough to move freely in a deep squat.
Where this short pulls ahead of looser pairs is pocket security. Two zippered side pockets plus a back zipper pocket are deep enough to keep your items from falling out mid-workout — a real difference on a run or in a crowded gym. Breathable quick-dry fabric, plus reflective strips on the front and back, help you stay visible and comfortable. An elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring lets you dial in the fit.
Quality holds up here; the material and the build both earn strong marks, and fit gets praise for not being baggy. The one thing to plan for is the fit running slightly off from your usual on some buys — a quick trip to the size chart covers it.
Pick this one when: you want the length you like plus pockets that actually secure a phone and keys.
Skip the run if: you’d rather a fixed cut — this short asks you to choose your inseam up front.
4. 7 Pack Workout Shirts for Men
A full week of gym tees in one box, so laundry day stops dictating your training schedule.
Run out of clean training shirts and you skip the session — that’s the real problem this pack solves. Seven quick-dry athletic tees means you always have a fresh one ready, and the fabric dries fast so you’re not churning a wet shirt through back-to-back days. Owners describe the material as lightweight, silky, and breathable, with a smooth hand that feels good against the skin during a sweat.
The value math here is straightforward. You get seven shirts for the effort of buying one, and the per-shirt cost lands in budget territory. That makes it an easy way to bulk up the rotation without hunting down each tee. The quick-dry properties carry through the whole pack, so there’s no weak shirt dragging the set down.
The catch is long-term wear. Some owners aren’t sure how the material will hold up over many cycles, and a few report creases that don’t come out in the wash. The quick fix is to pull them from the dryer promptly and hang them. Think of this as the practical, everyday rotation rather than the showpiece tee.
Why It Makes Sense: seven lightweight, quick-dry shirts in quick-dry fabric give you a full week of training without a single laundry panic — and the per-shirt math is easy to like.
What To Watch: the material’s long-term durability is up in the air, and a few find creases linger after washing. Dry them promptly and they stay tidy.
Right for you if: you train most days and want a full stack of breathable tees ready to go.
Not the best fit if: you expect a single tee to survive years of heavy abuse.
5. Hanes Sport Men’s Long-Sleeve T-Shirt 2-Pack
The long-sleeve that keeps the sun off your arms without cooking you in the process.
Outdoor training has a different set of problems than the gym floor, and this tee is built for them. Long sleeves cover your arms against the sun, the fabric carries a UPF rating of 40+ for UV protection, and Cool DRI technology wicks sweat and dries fast so you stay as cool as an extra layer allows. For summer runs, yard work, and hikes, that combination just works.
It’s a two-pack, and the Cool DRI fabric plus FreshIQ odor protection is designed to fight odor-causing bacteria for all-day freshness. Double-needle stitching at the neck, sleeves, and hem helps the tee hold its shape. For a frame of reference on how compact this ships, the pack measures 13 x 8 x 1 inches — easy to toss in a gym bag or pack for travel.
The one honest split is fit, and it leans loose. Some owners find the cut too roomy, so if you want a trim look, size down. For layering under a jersey or wearing on a hot trail, the looser feel is what you want anyway.
Where It Shines: UPF 40+ sun protection on a long sleeve, Cool DRI quick-drying fabric, and odor protection turn this into a solid pick for outdoor work and summer sessions.
One Adjustment: the fit tends to run loose, so a size down tightens up the look if you prefer a trim silhouette.
Made for: the outdoor trainer, hiker, or yard worker who wants sun coverage that still breathes.
Better options exist if: you want a fitted, body-skimming tee for indoor lifting.
6. Nike Mens Shorts Dri-Fit Flex Woven Shorts 7inch
Built for lunges and squats — the 7″ short that bends with you instead of against you.
If your workouts hinge on deep range of motion, this short is shaped for it. Nike Flex fabric stretches with every move, and vents at the hems open up for the deep bends that show up in lunges and squats. Dri-FIT technology moves sweat away from your skin so it evaporates faster, which keeps you drier during high-intensity training. Where the Under Armour pair above leans long and loose at 10″, this Nike cut runs 7″ — more compact, more athletic.
The trade-off shapes up around fit and features rather than the stretch. This is a standard fit meant for a relaxed feel, but a share of owners find the fit off, and some report it runs small. Pockets and length also split opinion — some buyers are happy, others find them shorter than expected or wish for more pocket room. Sizing is the thing to get right before you commit.
Quality is where it earns its keep; the build and the comfort both land well with owners. Treat it as a performance short for movement-heavy sessions, and size carefully on the first buy.
Choose it for: lunges, squats, and stretching where fabric that moves is the top priority.
Measure twice if: you need guaranteed pocket space or a predictable off-the-rack fit.
7. COOFANDY Men’s 2 Pieces Outfits
One set that goes from a light workout straight to a casual dinner without a costume change.
Not every session ends with you heading straight home. This two-piece pairs a quarter-zip polo shirt with matching shorts, so you look put together from the gym to a get-together. The fabric is soft against the skin and not too heavy, and owners note it breathes well for summer weather. If you want a coordinated outfit for travel or casual days, this fills a niche the pure athletic picks don’t.
The polo in this set looks dressier than the plain crew-neck tees here — a collar and quarter-zip (a short zip at the neck) give it that edge. That’s why it suits light workouts and casual wear rather than heavy lifting. You can also mix the pieces: wear the top with other shorts, or the shorts with a tee, to stretch the set into more outfits.
Sizing is the loudest feedback point. Some owners find it true to size, but others report the sizes run very small. Check the size measurement chart carefully, especially the top, since a polo that’s too tight under the arms won’t hold up to arm movement.
Solid Reasons To Own It
- Matching top and shorts give you a coordinated look for gym-to-casual days
- Soft, breathable fabric that owners find comfortable in summer heat
- Quarter-zip polo adds a dressier option you can mix with other pieces
Before You Click Buy
- A share of owners mention the sizing runs very small, so check the challenge chart
- It’s a casual set, not a heavy-duty performance kit for intense training
Suits you if: you want one outfit that handles light training and casual plans without a change.
Look past it if: your training is hard and sweaty — a dedicated athletic short serves you better.
8. HOPLYNN 5 Pack Men’s 2 in 1 Running Shorts
Five pairs of lined shorts that hold everything steady, so nothing shifts mid-stride.
A 2-in-1 short is a different tool than a loose woven pair: a built-in compression liner underneath holds you in place and adds a snug layer that doesn’t move around. Owners describe a tight fit that keeps everything put and a liner with a pocket for a small item. That’s the draw if you run or cycle and hate that shifting feeling. And with five pairs in the pack, you’re set for the whole week.
These five pairs cover running, cycling, basketball, and gym sessions, so the set spans a lot of activity. The soft feel of the fabric comes up often, and owners rate them a good value next to the big-name brands. The per-short math of a five-pack makes them an easy daily driver if you want the liner feel without paying name-brand prices.
The honest split here is durability. Opinions differ on how long they last, so treat them as the sharp-priced rotation — great for training through, less sure for years of hard outdoor abuse.
Best for: runners and cyclists who want a compression liner and a full week of fresh pairs.
Think twice if: you prefer the loose freedom of an unlined woven short.
9. Men’s Hoodie Tracksuit 2 Pieces Set
The warm-up layer you pull on when the gym is cold and the walk over is colder.
Training does not always happen in a warm room. This two-piece hoodie and joggers set gives you warmth and thickness for the colder months, and owners note it’s thick enough for cold weather. It’s the outfit for warming up, stretching, travel days, and casual wear — the layer you throw on before and after a session rather than during a heavy sweat. The fleece-style build feels substantial in hand.
The look is part of the package, too. Owners give the appearance plenty of praise, with compliments rolling in on how it looks. A two-piece set also takes the guesswork out of matching your top and bottoms. For a cold morning or a long travel day, that’s a practical win.
Pay close attention to sizing, because this is the sticking point. A number of owners say it runs small, though some find a given size perfect for their height. Measure against the size chart rather than assuming your usual. The material also splits opinion, so it’s fair to call it a good casual set rather than a high-tech performance layer.
What It Does Well: warmth and thickness for cold-weather warm-ups and travel, plus a look that draws compliments as a matching two-piece.
Size It Carefully: a share of owners find it runs small, so go by the measurements and not habit.
Go for it if: you train in a cold gym or want a warm, sharp-looking set for travel and rest days.
Pass if: you need a breathable layer built for hot, sweaty sessions.
Know the Specs
Quick-Dry Fabric
Quick-dry fabric is a synthetic blend (mostly polyester, often with spandex for stretch) that pulls sweat off your skin and lets it evaporate fast. That means the shirt dries fast enough to be ready again sooner. Cotton does the opposite — it holds moisture and gets heavy, which is why it’s a poor choice for training. When a listing says “quick dry,” look for polyester content and things like Hanes Cool DRI or Nike Dri-FIT, which are the brands’ names for the same idea.
Inseam Length
Inseam is the distance from the crotch to the hem of the short — it’s what decides how much leg you show and how freely you move. A 5″ inseam gives maximum mobility and a short, athletic look for running and tennis. A 7″ inseam is the all-round middle for gym and casual wear. A 9″ inseam gives relaxed, longer coverage for basketball or hiking. A 10″ adds even more length for a loose, casual feel. Pick the length to match your activity, not just your taste.
Waistband And Drawcord
The waistband is what keeps the short on your hips when you move. An encased elastic waistband with an internal drawcord lets you tighten it down for sprints and deep bends, so you’re not hitching it up between sets. A drawstring you tie outside also works but can catch on things. If you plan to run or do anything explosive, a locked, adjustable waistband is worth prioritizing over a plain elastic one.
Compression Liner
A 2-in-1 short has a built-in compression liner — a snug inner layer that holds everything in place and stops chafing between the thighs. It adds support and keeps you from feeling loose and floppy during a run. The trade-off is that a lined short feels tighter and warmer than an unlined woven short, which some buyers prefer for lifting or casual wear. If you run or cycle and hate shifting fabric, a liner is your friend.
Common Questions
Are quick-dry workout shirts actually better than cotton for the gym?
What inseam should I pick for running versus lifting?
Do these shorts hold a phone in the pocket during a run?
What is a 2-in-1 short with a compression liner, and who needs one?
Will the Under Armour Tech 2.0 tee shrink or run small?
Do the Hanes Cool DRI long-sleeve shirts really block the sun?
How should I wash quick-dry workout clothes to keep them fresh?
Can I wear these shorts for casual days and not just the gym?
Is a tracksuit set going to run true to size?
Which is better for hot weather — a tee or a long-sleeve performance shirt?
The Bottom Line
For most men building a training rotation, the working out clothes for men winner is the Under Armour Men’s Tech Graphic 10″ Shorts. It pairs a quick-dry, soft fabric with a locked-in drawcord waistband and a 10″ length that works for lifting, cardio, and casual wear alike. If pocket security matters most on your runs, grab the NORTHYARD Athletic Running Shorts with their zip pockets and three inseam choices. And for outdoor sessions where the sun is the enemy, the Hanes Sport Cool DRI 2-Pack is the one to reach for. The top pick earns its spot the old-fashioned way — a big body of owners who keep coming back to it — so it’s a low-risk place to start.
How we choose
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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