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.
Here is the short version: buy the CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 Running Shorts 7″ if you want the safest all-round pair, and pick the Nike Challenger Dri-Fit 9″ if you like a longer, looser cut. Everything else on this list wins on one specific thing — a phone pocket, a five-pack, a 3-inch race cut — so the real job is matching the pair to your training, not chasing the highest number.
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.
A liner (the built-in brief or compression layer sewn inside the short) is what separates a real training pair from a pair of casual shorts. The right liner stops chafing, holds everything in place through sprints, and can hide a phone pocket where it will not bounce. Below you will find the strongest workout shorts with liner for every kind of session.
Top Picks
How To Choose The Best Workout Shorts with Liner
The liner is the whole point. It is the layer that touches your skin, so a bad liner turns mile six into sandpaper. Get the liner type and the inseam right and the rest of the short falls into place.
Brief liner or compression liner
A brief liner is a light mesh support layer, like the inside of a swim short — it breathes hard and dries fast, which is why the baleaf 3″ pair uses one for running. A compression liner is a snug short that hugs the thigh, and it does double duty: it holds the muscle and stops the inner thighs from rubbing. If you lift, sprint, or play court sports, the compression liner is usually the better bet. If you mostly run in heat, the mesh brief keeps you cooler.
Match the inseam to the session
A 3-inch inseam sits high on the thigh and gives you the least fabric to catch on a stride — good for track work and hot-weather runs, less good if you want coverage in the gym. A 5-inch is the middle ground most people land on. A 7-inch or 9-inch cut gives more coverage and reads more like a training short you can wear to the store afterwards, but there is more cloth to ride up if the liner fit is off.
Where the pockets sit
A phone in a loose side pocket swings against your leg with every step. A phone pocket built into the liner keeps the weight pinned to your body, which is why the pricier pairs here put it there. Check that the zipper pocket is on the side you actually reach for, and that the opening is wide enough for your phone in its case.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Best For | Inseam | Liner Type | Pack Count | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 Running Shorts 7″★ Best Overall | All-round training | 7 in | Compression liner | Single pair | Amazon |
| Pudolla 2 in 1 Running Shorts 5″Best For Lifters | Gym and lifting | 5 in | Built-in liner | Single pair | Amazon |
| baleaf 3″ Quick Dry Running ShortsBest For Hot Runs | Hot-weather running | 3 in | Mesh brief liner | Single pair | Amazon |
| Men’s Athletic Running Shorts 7″ | Cutting ride-up | 7 in | Compression liner | Single pair | Amazon |
| maamgic Ultra Lightweight 5″/7″ | Runners who carry a phone | 5 in or 7 in | Built-in liner | Single pair | Amazon |
| 3 Pack Men’s 7″ Compression Liner | Stocking the drawer | 7 in | Compression liner | 3 pairs | Amazon |
| HOPLYNN 5 Pack 2 in 1 | Daily rotation | — | Compression liner | 5 pairs | Amazon |
| Nike Challenger Dri-Fit 9″ | Longer coverage | 9 in | Brief liner | Single pair | Amazon |
| Fabletics The Fundamental Short II | Style and phone storage | — | Built-in liner | Single pair | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 Running Shorts 7″
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 750+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The pair that fits first-time liner buyers without a fight, and keeps a phone pinned in place.
Most people trying a lined short for the first time are worried about one thing: does the inner layer feel wrong? The CRZ YOGA answers that with a fabric blend of 88% polyester and 12% spandex, which is a stretch blend — polyester dries fast and spandex lets the liner move with your leg instead of gripping it. CRZ YOGA calls the feel “Feathery-Fit,” and the whole short is built to be light enough that you forget which layer is which. It is the crowd favorite here at 4.5+ stars across 790+ ratings, and fit is the single thing buyers praise most.
The layout is where it earns its place at the top. You get two side pockets, a zipper pocket on the right side, and a phone pocket built into the liner itself. The elastic waistband with a drawstring lets you crank the fit down for sprints and loosen it after. It handles running and gym work equally well, which makes it the easiest pick for someone who does a bit of everything.
The honest catch is the pockets. They draw the most divided feedback of any feature on this short — the storage is genuinely useful, but a few find the openings fussier than they would like when they are moving fast. Durability is the second spot to watch: the short holds up through repeated washing and drying cycles, but it is a light summer short, not a piece of armor. Treat it as a rotation pair, not a beater.
What earns the top slot
- A compression liner plus a liner phone pocket — the two features that solve chafing and phone-bounce at once.
- 88% polyester and 12% spandex dries fast and stretches with your stride.
- Elastic waistband with drawstring adjusts from a relaxed warm-up to a locked-in sprint.
- Seven-inch cut covers the thigh without the extra fabric of a 9-inch short.
Where it asks for patience
- The pocket openings split opinion — fine for a phone, fiddly for smaller items mid-run.
- Built as a light hot-weather short, so treat it as a rotation piece rather than a beater.
Go for this if: you want one lined pair that covers running, lifting, and the walk home without a second thought.
Think twice if: you are hard on gear and want a short that survives years of abuse — this one is light by design.
2. Pudolla Men’s 2 in 1 Shorts 5″
Four pockets and a split hem, cut at five inches for squats that do not fight back.
The split hem is the detail that makes this pair for the gym floor. A split hem means the outer short has a notch cut up the side, so the fabric opens as your thigh drives out of a squat instead of pulling tight across it. Combine that with the 5-inch inseam — shorter than the CRZ YOGA’s 7 inches, so there is less cloth in the way of a deep hip hinge — and you get a short that moves with a lifter. The adjustable drawstring and elastic waistband let you snug it down before a heavy set.
Storage is generous for the category: four functional pockets, one of them zippered, plus lightweight quick-drying fabric that handles a sweaty session without clinging. Buyers consistently name fit and comfort as what they like most, which says the 5-inch cut and the liner land right for most body types.
Two things deserve a straight answer. The stitching has drawn some negative feedback, with seams coming apart on arrival for a small number of buyers — worth a quick check of the seams the moment the package lands. And the pockets split opinion: useful for a phone on the walk in, but a few find them less secure in motion. At 4.0+ stars it is the lowest-scoring pick on this list, and the construction is the honest reason why.
The hem advantage: the split hem plus a 5-inch cut is the roomiest combination here for squatting and lunging without fabric drag.
The caveat to weigh: check the seams first thing — a handful of pairs arrive with stitching that needs a return.
Reach for it if: your workout is built around squats, lunges, and leg day, and you want the hem to open rather than bind.
Look elsewhere if: you want the most polished construction on this list — that is a step up the page.
3. baleaf Men’s 3″ Running Shorts
Three inches of fabric and a mesh liner — the closest thing here to running in nothing.
Here is the number that shrinks this one down: a 3-inch inseam against the 7-inch cut on the CRZ YOGA and the pack shorts — a 2.3x gap in fabric length. That is not a small trim. It is a different category of short, built for the runner who wants the thigh free and the air moving. The mesh brief liner is the running-specific choice too — it is a light support layer that wicks moisture and dries fast, rather than a compression short hugging the muscle.
The rest is aimed at the same goal. The fabric is a lightweight woven that baleaf describes as smooth and unrestrictive, the split-leg design opens the range of motion at the side, and the reflective logo gives you visibility on low-light runs. A small drop-in pocket inside holds a key or a card, which is realistic for a short this minimal. Runners, walkers, and CrossFit regulars all find a use for it, and the lightweight breathability is what people notice first.
Be clear-eyed about two things. The fit and the length split opinion — some find the cut exactly right, others find the sizing off, so check the size chart before you commit. And the fabric is thin by design; that is the point of a 3-inch race short, but if you want coverage or a more substantial feel, this is not the pair. It is a specialist short, and it does that one job well.
Why runners pick it: a mesh brief liner plus a 3-inch inseam is the lightest, most breathable combination on this list for summer miles.
Who should pass: if you want thigh coverage or a heavier fabric feel, the 7-inch and 9-inch picks suit you better.
Your pair if: you run in heat and want the least fabric between you and the air.
Not your pair if: you want a single short for the gym floor too — this one is built for the road.
4. Men’s Athletic Running Shorts with Liner Workout 7″
Built for the specific embarrassment of shorts riding up mid-run — and it names the fix out loud.
Shorts that creep up your thigh can ruin a run, and this pair is built to stop that. The fix is the compression liner (a snug inner short that grips your thigh and holds the outer layer down). The listing says it avoids the “embarrassing situation for shorts-riding-up problems.” The outer short is 7 inches long in a 4-way stretch fabric (the cloth gives in every direction, not just across). So you can stride, squat, and pivot without the hem climbing.
Storage is handled by an oversized horizontal side zip pocket, sized to hold a phone, wallet, or keys while pulling the weight off your hands. There is an adaptive drawstring at the waist and a butterfly-hole compression liner, and the short is pitched at running, training, jogging, tennis, basketball, and biking. The material is the feature people single out most, with comfort close behind — this is a short that feels substantial in the hand rather than papery.
Two notes before you buy. The fit and the sizing split opinion, with some saying it runs big, so lean toward your usual size or a check of the chart rather than sizing up out of habit. The pockets also divide people — useful capacity, but not everyone loves the placement. It sits at 4.0+ stars, a solid score with the fit question being the honest asterisk.
What it does best
- The compression liner is explicitly built to stop the ride-up problem that plagues loose shorts.
- An oversized side zip pocket swallows a phone and keeps your hands free.
- 4-way stretch fabric moves through running, basketball, and biking.
The honest asterisk
- Sizing runs big for some buyers — check the chart before ordering.
- Pocket placement is a matter of taste, not a universal win.
Pick this one if: ride-up has ruined runs for you before and you want a liner that fights it directly.
Skip the guesswork if: you are between sizes — go with the chart here rather than sizing up.
5. maamgic Men’s Running Shorts 5″/ 7″
Offered in two lengths, made for runners who want their phone on them and their hands free.
You get a length choice here that many brands skip: the same lined short comes in a 5-inch and a 7-inch cut. That helps if you are unsure how much thigh you want covered. Pick the 5-inch for speed work and the 7-inch for easy days, or match the pair you already own and like. The short is built ultra-lightweight, and buyers mention that trait again and again after quality and fit.
The phone pocket is the headline for a certain kind of runner. It keeps the phone pinned while you run rather than bouncing in a loose side pocket, and the fit is described as secure in motion. Owners use these for gym sessions as much as road miles, and the appearance and value hold up too. This is the practical middle of the list — a well-liked 4.0+ star short with the features that matter and nothing gimmicky.
Maamgic is upfront about one thing in the listing itself: the lining may feel a bit snug, and they recommend going one size up. Take that seriously, because the liner is the layer you feel. The phone pocket is also the feature that splits opinion most — great when it fits your phone, tight when the opening is narrower than your case. Nothing here is a dealbreaker; it is a size decision.
The length flexibility: a 5-inch and a 7-inch option in the same model lets you dial in coverage without changing brands.
The size warning: the liner is snug by the maker’s own admission — sizing up is the safer call.
Best match for: runners who carry a phone and want a length choice in the same short.
Order carefully if: you are between sizes — the liner runs snug, so one size up is the smart move.
6. 3 Pack Men’s 7″ Running Shorts
Three compression-lined seven-inch pairs in one go — the fastest way to fill the drawer.
You get three pairs in the box, and each one is a full 7-inch compression-lined short, not a filler pair. The HOPLYNN five-pack on this list gives you five, but this trio lands where the per-pair math works for most people. The outer layer is lightweight and quick-drying, and the liner supports the muscle and cuts chafing. The split hem opens your stride for sprints, squats, and court sports like basketball and pickleball.
Storage is well thought out for a multipack. Four pockets per pair: a phone pocket inside the liner, a hidden pocket for keys, and two deep side pockets for quick-access items. The elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring holds the fit steady. Quality is what lands with buyers, with value right behind it — this is a pack that reads as better than its price tier suggests. The short is rated 4.5+ stars, and the fabric weight earns specific praise.
The fit is the caveat. Sizing feedback runs both ways — some find it true to size, others find the sizing inconsistent from pair to pair. The compression liner also divides people: a snug liner is either the best thing about a short or the reason you send it back, and that is a body-type call rather than a defect. If your fit is dialed in, this pack delivers a lot of training for the outlay.
Why the pack works
- Three compression-lined pairs, each with a full 7-inch inseam and split hem.
- Four pockets per pair, including a liner phone pocket and a hidden key pocket.
- Quick-drying lightweight outer that suits sweaty gym sessions and runs.
What to expect
- Sizing is uneven across pairs for some buyers — try one pair before washing all three.
- The compression liner is snug by nature, which suits some bodies better than others.
The smart buy for: anyone who trains hard enough to need several lined pairs a week and wants one order to solve it.
Size-match caveat: sizing varies across the three, so open them all and check the fit before the first wash.
7. HOPLYNN 5 Pack Men’s 2 in 1 Shorts
Five pairs where the three-pack gives you three — the biggest rotation on this list.
Pack count is the one spec that separates this from the three-pack above: five pairs against three, which the data puts at 67% more pairs in a single order. If your laundry cycle is the bottleneck in your training week, five compression-lined shorts in one delivery is the practical fix. The built-in liner has its own pocket, which means at least one pair in the rotation is ready for a run with a phone and no belt.
Buyers rate the quality highest, with fit a close second — a tight fit that keeps everything in place, which is what you want from a compression-lined short on a run or at the gym. Reviewers also compare the cost to name-brand pairs and say the value lands. A pressed liner, a real pocket, and a tight hold make it behave like a training piece, not a multipack compromise. It holds 4.5+ stars.
Sizing is the thing to plan for. The liner runs tight by design, and feedback says a portion of pairs fit one size smaller than listed — so if you are between sizes, go up. Durability draws a divided response too: some pairs hold through heavy rotation, others show wear sooner. Neither issue is unusual for a multi-pack, and neither stops it being excellent value.
The rotation case: five compression-lined pairs in one order keeps you training while the pool drains and refills.
The sizing plan: these run small for plenty of buyers — order a size up if you are on the edge.
Perfect if: you want a whole week of lined shorts sorted in one delivery and are willing to size up.
Wait if: you want a single well-fitted pair you can dial in exactly — start with a solo pick instead.
8. Nike Men’s Challenger Dri-Fit 9″ Brief-Lined Running Shorts
The longest inseam here at 9 inches, with a brief liner and a woven shell that does not balloon.
Nike goes the other direction from the baleaf 3-inch short: 9 inches of outer against 3, which is the widest length spread on this list. That extra fabric covers the thigh and keeps the short looking like training gear rather than a race brief, so it works for a run, a gym session, and the errands after. The brief liner is the light support type, and the woven shell has side vents cut in to let heat out when the pace climbs.
Nike’s Dri-FIT finish moves sweat away from the skin — the fabric pulls moisture to the surface so it evaporates rather than sitting against you. Storage is simple and secure: hand pockets plus a back pocket with a hook-and-loop closure, which is the kind of pocket that stays shut when you are moving. The fit runs true and is not oversized, and quality is what comes across most in owner feedback, with comfort right behind. A clean 4.5+ star short.
The trade-off is the length. Nine inches is a lot of cloth, and if you are short in the leg it will read long rather than athletic. There is also less storage detail than the pocket-heavy picks here — no liner phone pocket, so a phone goes in a hand pocket or the back pocket. If your priority is a tidy, familiar running short in a longer cut, neither matters.
The long-cut argument: a 9-inch woven shell with side vents covers the thigh without turning into a baggy basketball short.
The trade-off: no liner phone pocket, so a phone rides in the hand or back pocket rather than pinned.
Fits you if: you are tall or simply prefer more coverage and a familiar running brand.
Keep looking if: you want a liner pocket for your phone or the shortest cut available.
9. Fabletics Men’s The Fundamental Short II (Lined)
The liner pocket that swallows a big phone, wrapped in a shell that does not look baggy.
The phone goes in the liner here, and that is the whole point of this pair. The liner pocket is sized big — the listing’s own feedback notes it holds an iPhone Pro Max size phone. That matters if you run with a large handset and hate a loose side pocket. The outer shell over the legs is cut trim rather than baggy, so it looks like a fitted training short, not a loose gym short.
This is the upgraded version of Fabletics’ signature training short, with the brand’s performance fabric engineered for the workout floor, the run, and the mat. It is lined, well made, and comfortable by the consensus, and the appearance gets real attention — it looks tidy enough to wear beyond the gym. Quality is what stands out most about it, with fit close behind. It holds 4.0+ stars.
The honest sticking point is value. Several buyers feel the quality does not quite match what they expect at this premium tier. That makes it the most contested piece on this list on that basis, and a fair call to weigh against the strong fit and the excellent liner phone pocket. If the look and the big-phone storage are what you are after, the trade works. If you want the most performance per dollar, the CRZ YOGA and the multi-packs deliver more of it.
Why it stands out: a liner phone pocket that takes a large handset plus a shell cut slim enough to wear outside the gym.
The value question: at the top of the price range some buyers expect more for the money — worth an honest look before you commit.
Choose it when: you carry a big phone and want a lined short that looks sharp enough for the rest of the day.
Weigh it against: the mid-range picks if you want the most performance per dollar.
Know the Specs
Liner type: brief vs compression
A brief liner is a light mesh support layer inside the short, built to move moisture and dry fast — the baleaf 3″ pair uses one for hot-weather runs. A compression liner is a snug short that hugs the thigh, supporting the muscle and stopping the thighs from rubbing — the CRZ YOGA, the Pudolla, the three-pack, and the HOPLYNN all use one. For lifting, sprinting, or court sports, the compression liner is the safer choice; for pure heat and pure speed, the brief is lighter.
Inseam length and what it does
The inseam is the measurement from the crotch seam to the hem of the outer short, and it sets how much thigh is covered. A 3-inch cut (the baleaf) gives the least fabric and the most freedom for a stride. A 5-inch (the Pudolla and one maamgic option) is the common middle ground. A 7-inch (the CRZ YOGA, the ride-up short, the three-pack, and one maamgic option) covers the thigh without looking like a basketball short. A 9-inch (the Nike) is the longest and the most coverage.
Pockets: where the phone goes
A phone in a loose side pocket swings with every stride. That is why the better lined shorts put a pocket inside the liner itself — the CRZ YOGA, the three-pack, the HOPLYNN, and the Fabletics all do this. A zippered side pocket keeps valuables secure on the move, and a hidden pocket is best for a key or a card. Check the opening against your phone in its case before you buy; a wide opening beats a tight one every time.
Fabric and moisture handling
Most training shorts here are a polyester-dominant stretch blend — the CRZ YOGA’s 88% polyester, 12% spandex is a typical mix — or a lightweight woven. Polyester moves moisture away and dries fast; spandex lets the short stretch with your leg. Nike’s Dri-FIT finish is the branded version of the same idea. Lighter fabric runs cooler and dries quicker but wears faster; a heavier weave adds durability at the cost of some breathability.
Common Questions
Should I wear underwear under workout shorts with a liner?
How do I choose between a 3-inch and a 7-inch inseam?
Will the liner make my shorts feel too tight?
Do lined workout shorts ride up during a run?
How long do lined workout shorts usually last?
Can I wear lined running shorts for lifting or basketball?
Is a compression liner better than a mesh brief liner?
What should I check first when lined shorts arrive?
Can the phone pocket in the liner hold a large phone?
Do I need a multi-pack or a single pair?
The Bottom Line
For most people the winner is the CRZ YOGA 2 in 1 Running Shorts 7″. The compression liner, the liner phone pocket, and the elastic drawstring waist cover running, lifting, and the walk home in one pair. If you train legs hard and want the split hem, reach for the Pudolla 5″. For pure hot-weather miles the baleaf 3″ is the lightest option. If you need to fill the drawer in one order, the HOPLYNN five-pack gets you there — just size up, since the liner runs tight.
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, as of November 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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