The Best Men's Running Shorts by Distance

The short answer: match the short to the distance. A 5K forgives almost anything; a half marathon punishes bad liners; trail miles demand durable fabric and real storage. For most runners, a 7" lined short with a secure pocket — like the Ten Thousand Interval Short — covers 90% of the calendar. The other 10% is where it gets interesting.

Searching for the best men's running shorts usually turns up a list of ten near-identical options. More useful: understanding what actually changes as the miles add up. Here's the breakdown by distance.

The 5K: comfort is the only rule

At 20–30 minutes of running, chafing hasn't had time to become a problem and storage barely matters — you need a key pocket and not much else. Any well-cut lined short works. This is also the distance where your shorts do double duty at the coffee stop after, so pick a color and length you'd wear anyway. A 7" inseam in black or navy is the safe answer.

The 10K: the liner starts to matter

Past 40 minutes, a cheap liner announces itself. Look for a boxer-brief style liner in a smooth, wicking knit rather than the scratchy mesh brief of old. You'll also want a zip or envelope pocket that holds a phone without slapping your thigh — at this distance most runners carry one. The Interval Short 7" Lined was essentially built for this zone: secure liner, no-bounce phone storage, fabric that disappears at mile four.

The half marathon: fit tolerance goes to zero

At 90+ minutes, every seam gets audited. Three things to check before race day: the liner must not migrate, the waistband drawcord must hold without digging, and the fabric needs enough weight to keep from clinging when soaked. Run at least three long efforts in your race shorts first. Nothing new on race day includes the shorts — especially the shorts.

The trail: durability and storage take over

Trail running changes the spec sheet. You want a slightly longer, tougher short that shrugs off brush and the occasional sit-down scramble, plus enough storage for gels, a buff, and a phone. The Ten Thousand Tactical Short brings a more rugged face fabric and serious pocketing without running hot. Pair it with a top that manages sweat over hours, not minutes.

The quick spec table

5K: 7" lined, key pocket, any color you love
10K: 7" lined, smooth liner, zip phone pocket
Half: proven fit, locked liner, tested drawcord
Trail: durable fabric, multi-pocket, 7–9" length

FAQ

What length running shorts should men wear?

7" is the modern default — enough coverage for anywhere, enough freedom for speed. Go 5" for racing, 9" for trail or gym crossover days.

Are lined running shorts better?

For most runners, yes. A good built-in liner eliminates the underwear variable, which is the source of most long-run chafing.

How many pairs of running shorts do I need?

Three covers a normal week: two everyday pairs in rotation, one distance-proven pair reserved for long runs and races.

Distance reveals gear. Buy the short your longest run demands and every shorter run gets easier. Start with our men's running collection — Ten Thousand does the heavy lifting.