The Nike Pro Dri-FIT Shorts are the best training shorts I've tested in four years of reviewing activewear — and at $40, they're also one of the best-value performance products in the entire men's athletic market. After 6 weeks of wearing these across weightlifting, sprinting, HIIT classes, casual street wear, and weekend travel, I can say with confidence: these are the only training shorts most active men will ever need.
The headline feature is Nike's Dri-FIT technology. The polyester-elastane fabric blend pulls sweat away from the skin and distributes it across the surface of the shorts for rapid evaporation. In practice, this means no cold, heavy fabric clinging to your thighs during a hard interval session. I wore these through a 45-minute track workout at 32°C — by the end, my shirt was soaked, but the shorts felt almost dry to the touch. The moisture management is as good as anything I've tested at twice the price.
The 3" inseam with integrated brief liner is the second defining feature. The brief liner provides light-to-moderate compression through the upper thigh without the restrictive tightness of a separate compression layer. Range of motion is genuinely unrestricted — I completed full depth squat jumps, lateral bounds, and over-hurdle drills without the shorts riding up, shifting, or creating friction. The liner stays in place through all movements, which is a problem I've encountered with cheaper alternatives that bunch or twist during lateral movements.
The construction detail that surprised me most was the side zip pocket. At 3" inseam length, most shorts in this category sacrifice pockets entirely, leaving nowhere to put a phone, hotel key, or AirPods case. Nike's side zip secures a large smartphone flat against the hip without bouncing or creating visible bulk in the waistband. I ran with my iPhone 15 Pro Max in the pocket and barely noticed it after the first 200 metres.
I tested the Nike Pro Shorts across the following real-world scenarios during our 6-week testing period: three gym sessions per week (compound lifting, Olympic lifting, and machine work), two running sessions per week (5K tempo runs and sprint intervals), six HIIT or group fitness classes, four days of casual wearing around the house and to the supermarket, and two short-haul flights. They performed excellently in every scenario. The Dri-FIT fabric handles the full sweat spectrum from light gym work to maximum-intensity intervals without breakthrough moisture at any point.
The recycled polyester fabric is worth noting separately. Nike uses at least 75% recycled content in this product — an environmental commitment that doesn't come at any performance cost. The fabric feels premium, has a smooth hand feel that's noticeably better than cheaper training shorts, and has held up through 30+ machine washes without any pilling, fading, or elastic degradation. The waistband retains its elasticity and the Dri-FIT finish remains effective even after repeated washing.
Sizing runs true to size — if you're a Medium in other Nike products you'll be a Medium here. The waistband has a drawstring for cinching, so you have approximately 1–2 inches of waist adjustability around your true size. Men between sizes should size up for comfort; the liner provides enough structure that the shorts won't look loose even a size up. Available in XS through 3XL, with 10+ colorways including black, navy, grey, and several bright training colors.
The verdict: at $40 (or $32 with Nike Membership pricing during sale events), the Nike Pro Dri-FIT Shorts are the go-everywhere training short that eliminates the need for separate gym, running, and casual active shorts. If you train more than twice per week and want one short that excels in every context, nothing else in this price range comes close. We awarded them our Best Seller distinction in our 2026 awards. Browse our full fashion category or men's activewear category for more reviews.
