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There’s a memorable scene in Challengers where Art and Patrick are having a tense conversation ass-naked in a sauna. When I say I have thought about that scene at least once a day since seeing the film, I’m not exaggerating. What my mind aimlessly wanders to, and then fixates on — while I’m at the office, on my morning walks, cooking dinner — from that particular scene is John O’Connor’s thick, bare, sweaty thigh. I recall instinctively sucking my teeth when it graced the movie theater screen.
I have been a long admirer of the male upper thigh, and have written an excessive number of odes to it.
Since 2020, the rest of the internet and I have been encouraging you to ditch your 7″ and 9″ inseam shorts and swim trunks in favor of a length more flattering, one that clocks in at or under five inches. Thankfully, that sentiment remains strong all these years later.
We can attribute our little short short renaissance to a few male celebrities. Milo Ventimiglia, actor and my childhood celebrity crush, made headlines back in 2021 after stepping out of the gym in a pair of teeny weeny gym shorts. While he claims that his shorts weren’t as short as they appeared (they were just pulled up high, he has said), Milo’s very bare and very toned quads set off alarm bells, signifying the beginning of a Hot Thigh Summer that year.
However, Irish hottie Paul Mescal of Normal People acclaim has superseded the title of the Short Shorts King. In February of 2024, Mescal stepped out one New York City night in a pair of 3″ inseam shorts, and then very iconically blessed us again in a pair of striped Gucci shorts at Milan Fashion Week last summer. This month, he stepped out at Glastonbury Festival in his boxers.
With all this talk of massive, honey-glazed ham thighs, you might be interested in growing yours this summer. Obviously, you’ll need the workout shorts in which to do so.
So, without further ado, below are 9 incredibly sexy, thigh-baring workout shorts for men — none of which are over five inches in length — so you can give Patrick Zweig’s thighs a run for their money.
The Best 5-Inch Workout Shorts for Men
Vuori’s top-rated Kore Short is loaded with performance properties that make the 5″ short primed for any sport or workout. It keeps sweat and B.O. at bay thanks to moisture-wicking, anti-odor and quick-drying properties, while the four-way stretch fabric offers a soft, lightweight feel. The 5″ inseam gives the short a cleaner-looking athletic fit while granting more freedom of movement, and it even includes a breathable boxer-brief liner for maximum comfort.
If you’re looking to go the extra distance in record time, this bold short delivers exceptional mobility and lightweight, moisture-wicking comfort.
No doubt lululemon has this pair of lined shorts marked “popular gift” because wives and girlfriends are gifting them to their S.O.s. We wanna see you in these shorts! And you’ll wanna sweat in them. Designed for high-intensity workouts, training and running, Lululemon’s Pace Breaker stretchy performance shorts feature ventilation, distraction-free pockets and a soft inner waistband, so you can focus on that workout.
Tracksmith designed these casual 4″ running shorts for classic workouts (and when you don’t want to scandalize someone’s grandma on the street like you might in the brand’s 3″ Twilight Split Shorts). The micro-mesh, four-way stretch fabric enhances airflow and dries almost instantly, while the shorts’ white trim and various flattering colorways add a nice retro touch.
With zippered pockets, a t-shirt loop and light-as-a-feather construction, Rhone’s Extra Mile Short will, well, help you go that extra mile, with ease.
Field-tested on core athletes, Ten Thousand’s minimalist, lightest-weight short is engineered for sprints, long runs and every other kind of grueling workout. The Session Short’s unique pocket system keeps essentials secure and sequestered while its anti-chafe and anti-odor boxer brief liner keeps everything else in order.
If you’re looking for a simple, reliable 5-inch gym short, Outdoor Voices’ High Stride is a must-have. With a built-in shorts liner, hidden phone pocket and lightweight 100% recycled polyester fabric, these shorts will get the job done — they’re also versatile enough to wear post-workout.
Maker of our favorite running shoe, On also has a score of top-notch apparel — including these versatile training shorts, which are stacked with multiple pockets to keep essentials secure and crafted from a sweat-wicking material to keep you comfortable on longer runs.
Get those reps in and stay on trend in celebrity-favorite workout brand Alo’s everyday performance short.
Meet your guide
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