Matt Jared, co-founder of the yoga-and-meditation nonprofit United We Om, is yet another Lululemon Pace Breaker fan, but he prefers the slightly longer nine-inch version. A smaller detail he appreciates is that the shorts have minimal branding, as Breslin is “not a guy who loves blatant labels.” Lululemon offers both lined and unlined versions in seven- or nine-inch lengths - but the unlined is our favorite. “These shorts have been my go-to for a long time,” says Ralph Lauren creative producer Yale Breslin, who calls himself a “guy who likes to work out.” Like other Lululemon acolytes, he says “the Vancouver-based brand has mastered fit, simplicity, and technology” in creating this unlined pair, which he calls “the ultimate gym shorts.” Their length, according to him, is “not too long and not too short,” making these ideal for his at-home HIIT, yoga, and boot-camp workouts. The Pace Breaker short is a Strategist staff favorite, as well as a favorite among stylish men we’ve spoken with over the years. Material: Polyester and elastane | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches, 7 inches, or 9 inches Given that the Flex Strides come in 14 different sizes (XS–4XL Tall), a seven-inch inseam, and a lined version as well, we think they’re a worthy contender for your next go-to pair of workout shorts, especially for the price. He wears his pair - which he has had for more than two years - for “running, yoga, or just flopping around the house.” The shorts also have four pockets: one zippered back pocket, two on the side, and a liner drop-in pocket. “They make my butt look really good,” he says. While Legitime says he’s not so interested in how shorts look, Howard adds that these “ridiculously lightweight” shorts do have some aesthetic benefits too. Even without a lining, Legitime says the shorts are still “tight in terms of securing the hip,” but the lack of a liner means they’re “not tight on the groin or quads, making them super-breathable and flexible for hip movements,” he explains. This unlined five-inch pair from Nike came recommended to us by personal trainer Chris Legitime of LegitFitNYC and Jackson Howard, an editor at publishing house Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Material: Polyester, nylon, and spandex | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches or 7 inches For those reasons - and the wide size range, from XS to XXL - we think the Intervals are among the best investments you can make when it comes to gym apparel. In the year and a half that I’ve been testing the Intervals, I’ve worn them not only for workouts and runs, but also for summer hikes and beach trips, and they show no signs of wear. But if you prefer to skip the built-in liner, but they’re also available without it. The liners never ride up, and I love having pockets for everyday use,” he says.

“They are my go-to shorts, no matter what I’m training for. Brill loves the “lightweight stretch fabric” of the Interval short, which he says would be great for any sort of “heavy lifting at the gym.” Karbelnikoff likes that these shorts are tough enough for CrossFit and gym workouts but also have the mobility and comfort needed for a six-mile run. (Five-inch shorts are the second-most-popular length of the guys we spoke to.) They come recommended by three stylish men: personal trainer Ariel Brill, multisport athlete Nik Karbelnikoff, and former Strategist associate editor Daniel Varghese. Shorts with a seven-inch inseam are the most popular among the guys we spoke to, with eight telling us they exercise in this style, but the Intervals also come in two other inseam lengths: five- and nine-inch. These seven-inch-inseam Ten Thousand Interval shorts come as close as you can get to quiver-of-one gym shorts. Material: Polyester and spandex | Lining options: Lined or unlined | Inseam length: 5 inches, 7 inches or 9 inches

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