10 Great Pairs of Shorts, None of Them Over 5 Inches in Length

It's finally time to make the 5-inch switch

Updated June 9, 2023 11:00 am
a collage of 5" shorts on a checked blue background
Take it from us: all your shorts should be under 5".
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The 5-inch shorts revolution is no longer a funny novelty; it’s more or less universally recognized by everyone (see: women) that a thigh-bearing 5″ short short is vastly superior to oversized 9″ shorts or, even worse, the (gasp) dreaded below-the-knee number. There are exceptions, of course — Adam Sandler chief among them — but for your average joe, it’s high time to embrace the better-fitting style as your length o’ choice.

How Short Shorts Is Too Short Shorts?
Milo Ventimiglia tests the limits of a fundamental menswear theorem

In case you’ve yet to get the memo, or if you’re in need of some extended options, we’ve found 10 styles perfect for conquering the sweaty throes of summer. There’s literally no better time to make the 5″ switch; from Outdoor Voices to Only NY, here are a ton of options guaranteed to make a short shorts convert out of you yet. Shop 10 great pairs of shorts, none over 5″, below.

The Best 5″ Inseam Shorts for Men:

The Speedy Runners Short: Tracksmith Session Short
The Speedy Runners Short: Tracksmith Session Short

These shorts are made with Tracksmith’s “Veloce Blend” nylon-elastane knit fabric. It’s lightweight, stretches easily and has a distinctive subtly heathered finish. It also has a polyester-spandex liner that wicks sweat and has a Polygiene treatment to prevent stink.

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