The Best Shorts We’ve Actually Tested (2026)
Our pick: Lululemon Swim Trunks (9/10). Genuinely great product. If the price works for your budget, buy it. Typically $78. We bought and tested 8 shorts to pick it.
Below: the full ranking by our honest rating — real prices, what we’d buy, and what we’d skip.
| # | Shorts | Rating | Price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lululemon Swim Trunks | 9/10 | $78 | Genuinely great product. If the price works for your budget, buy it. | Check price → |
| 2 | Faherty All Day Shorts | 9/10 | — | They live up to the hype—the ultimate hybrid short that looks like chinos but performs like swim trunks. | Check price → |
| 3 | Go Shorty | 8.5/10 | $88 | Real value and performance that justifies the investment. | Check price → |
| 4 | Myles Weekend Sweat Short | 8.5/10 | — | Comfortable and durable—worth the $68 price if quality and longevity matter to you. | Check price → |
| 5 | Public Rec All Day Every Day Shorts | 8.5/10 | $68 | Excellent all-day comfort with standout pockets and durable construction; the $68 price is justified for casual-to-active versatility. | Check price → |
| 6 | Olivers Capital Short | 8.5/10 | — | Hybrid shorts done right—almost perfect khaki alternative for active summer wear. | Check price → |
| 7 | Myles Everyday Short | 8/10 | $68 | A versatile top-pick short for active and casual days, though the athletic aesthetic doesn't work for dressier occasions. | Check price → |
| 8 | Olivers All Over Short | 7/10 | $75 | Premium athletic shorts worth $68 for workouts and errands, but the new front logo undercuts their formerly minimal appeal. | Read review |
1. Lululemon Swim Trunks
Genuinely great product. If the price works for your budget, buy it.
What we liked: Very comfortable with stretchy, elasticated waistband; Breathable, lightweight fabric keeps you cool; Durable—still using after 2 seasons of heavy wear (3-4x weekly).
What we’d skip: Premium price point.
2. Faherty All Day Shorts
They live up to the hype—the ultimate hybrid short that looks like chinos but performs like swim trunks.
What we liked: Suspiciously fast drying and water-repellent performance; Stretchy 4-way stretch fabric is incredibly comfortable; Look like tailored chinos despite hybrid swim-trunk functionality.
What we’d skip: Some color and pattern options look more like swim trunks than chino shorts; Waist sizing about .25 inches off compared to other brands.
3. Go Shorty
Real value and performance that justifies the investment.
What we liked: Gusset design eliminates the notorious seam blowout issue; Lightweight and breathable Warpstreme fabric; Secure zippered pocket plus multiple utility pockets.
What we’d skip: Expensive compared to other shorts options; Sizing runs small and tends to be inconsistent.