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Last year, we and the rest of the internet encouraged 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 5 inches, and thankfully that sentiment has really taken hold a year later. We can attribute our little short short renaissance to one Milo Ventimiglia, actor and my childhood celebrity crush, who made headlines a month ago after stepping out of the gym in a pair of teeny weeny gym shorts. While he claims the brevity of his shorts has been greatly exaggerated (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.
We’ve already detailed how you can achieve massive thighs this summer, ones that are reminiscent of honey-glazed Christmas hams, but now you need the workout shorts in which to do so. So without further ado, below are ten incredibly sexy, thigh-baring gym and running shorts — none of which are over 5 inches in length.
Fourlaps Bolt Short 5″
The Bolt Short 5″ is the newest short offering from athletic apparel brand Fourlaps, who’ve taken their all-time best-selling 7-inch Bolt Short and sliced two inches off it. Made with 88% recyclable materials, the short is engineered with the same performance elements that make the 7″ a second-to-none short, you just get to brandish a little more thigh during your workouts.
Vuori Kore Short 5″
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.
Lululemon Surge Short 4″ Liner
This 4 incher was designed for going the distance, and feeling that glorious breeze flowing through your upper leg hair. Lululemon’s Surge Short is crafted from a light-as-air, stretchy recycled polyester fabric that wicks away sweat, while the fit is relaxed and roomy, perfect for your meaty glutes and thighs. You’ll also find a back pocket to secure essentials, a waistband loop to store your shirt and a liner with a handy phone pocket so it doesn’t get too breezy down there.
The North Face Class V Stretch Performance Shorts
These performance shorts from The North Face are an ideal summer bottom. They look good enough to wear with just about any tee or short-sleeve button-up you have but are just as comfortable to sport all season long. That’s because the nylon-blend 5-inch inseam short features a stretchy elastic waist for maximum comfort, UPF 50+ sun protection, two convenient front slant pockets, a back zip-welt pocket to secure essentials and are available in two seasonable colors: Evening Sand Pink and Tourmaline Blue.
Tracksmith Twilight Shorts
Tracksmith designed these casual 5″ running shorts for lighter workouts and when you don’t wanna scandalize someone’s grandma at the grocery store like you might in the brand’s 3″ Twilight Split Shorts. They feature the same lightweight fabric, Polygiene liner and three pockets as the split shorts but with a longer, laid-back style. The micro-mesh, four-way stretch fabric enhances airflow and dries almost instantly while the short’s white trim and various flattering colorways add a nice retro touch.
Chalk 5″ Quad Shorts
Get to lifting in Gymshark’s itty bitty teeny weeny yellow quad shorts. Oh, and they’re not just for looks — these 5″ inseam shorts feature an unrestrictive lifting silhouette so you can really show off at the gym, plus an adjustable drawcord waistband and ultralight fabric.
Ten Thousand Session Short
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.
Olivers All Over Short (5.5”)
An all-around, all-weather performance short that’s dependable and versatile. While a scratch over our length requirement we’ll let it slide, since Olivers’ expert tailoring elevates this four-way stretch, moisture-wicking gym short to an everyday short you can grab a beer in.
Outdoor Voices High Stride 5″ Short
If you’re looking for just 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 sexy workout shorts will get the job done.
Nike AeroSwift Men’s 2″ Running Shorts
If you’re looking to go the extra distance in record time, you need to go an extra inch (or three) up your thigh. With a 2″ inseam and Nike’s AeroSwift technology, this bold short short delivers exceptional mobility and lightweight comfort.
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