Not all shorts are built for the same job. The pair that carries you through a heavy squat session isn’t necessarily the pair you want on the running leg of a Hyrox race, and a liner that feels perfect over 10km can feel like too much under a barbell. At TWL we build shorts for specific jobs, and matching the right pair to the way you train is one of the easiest wins for your comfort and performance.

This guide breaks down four training styles — general training, Hyrox, running and CrossFit — and names the short we’d reach for in each, along with why the cut, length, fabric and liner matter. Use it to buy once and buy right.

First, the three things that actually matter

Before the recommendations, it helps to know what separates one short from another. Inseam length (how far down the leg the short sits) drives your range of motion and coverage: shorter hems free the hip for deep squats and high-cadence running, while longer hems give more coverage and a more classic gym look. The liner is the built-in inner brief — great for running and racing where support and anti-chafe matter, but something many lifters skip in favour of their own underwear and total freedom. And the fabric sets the tone: a heavier woven fabric feels tough and structured for lifting, while an ultralight, moisture-wicking weave keeps you dry over long, sweaty efforts. Keep those three levers in mind and every recommendation below will make sense.

Best shorts for general training: TWL Men’s Vault Shorts

If most of your week is a mix of strength work, accessories and conditioning in the gym, you want a dependable, do-everything pair that you don’t have to think about. That’s the TWL Men’s Vault Shorts. Built from our DuraFlex™ performance fabric with a 6″ inseam, the Vault is the workhorse of the range — durable, flexible and comfortable enough to handle every rep, sprint and stretch without complaint.

The 6″ length is the sweet spot for training: long enough to feel covered under squats and lunges, short enough to stay out of the way. The four-way stretch fabric moves with you whether you’re pressing overhead, dropping into a deep hinge or knocking out a finisher on the rower. And because the Vault currently sits at a sharp price point, it’s an easy pair to buy in multiples so you always have a clean set ready. If you want one short that quietly does everything and outlasts the rest of your gym bag, start here.

Want the same everyday versatility with a little more capability? The TWL Men’s Hybrid Shorts add secure zippered pockets and water- and abrasion-resistant DuraFlex™ construction — more on those next.

Best shorts for Hyrox: TWL Men’s Hybrid Shorts

Hyrox is the definition of hybrid: eight 1km runs stitched together with sled pushes, burpee broad jumps, wall balls, rowing and lunges. Your shorts have to run like running shorts and grind like training shorts, all in the same hour. That’s exactly what the TWL Men’s Hybrid Shorts were designed for.

The Hybrid pairs the mobility of a run short with the durability of a training short. The DuraFlex™ fabric (92% polyester / 8% elastane) is four-way stretch and water- and abrasion-resistant — a real advantage when you’re dragging a sled or dropping to the floor for burpees. Two zippered side pockets with mesh liners keep your keys and gels secure through every station, an inner drawcord locks the waistband in place so nothing shifts mid-race, and side splits at the hem open up your stride on the run legs. At a 6″ inseam, you get freedom to move without feeling exposed. It’s marketed for exactly this crowd — weightlifting, running, CrossFit, Hyrox and HIIT — because it genuinely bridges all of them.

Prefer a built-in liner for the running portions? Read the running section below — the Cadence is a strong Hyrox alternative for athletes who want support baked in.

Best shorts for running: TWL Men’s Lined Speed Shorts

Running rewards less short, not more. When your goal is turnover, cadence and staying dry over distance, you want minimal weight, maximum airflow and a liner that supports you so you’re not thinking about anything below the waist. The TWL Men’s Lined Speed Shorts are our purpose-built running pair.

At a 4″ inseam and just 170g, the Speed short is the lightest, most run-specific option in the lineup. The Vapor-Flex™ fabric (95% polyester / 5% elastane) is engineered to stay light and dry through long efforts, and the built-in lightweight compression liner gives you support and anti-chafe protection without bulk. An ergonomic gusset is shaped for running biomechanics so the short supports full hip extension and high-cadence leg drive. Runners will also appreciate the practical storage: integrated liner pockets for your phone, keys and gels, a low-profile external zip pocket for valuables, and rear utility straps for extra gear. If road, track, trail and interval sessions are your priority, this is the pair.

If a 4″ short feels too short, or you want a little more length while keeping a liner, the TWL Men’s Cadence Lined Shorts are the answer. At 5″ with a breathable GLIDE™ anti-chafe liner, gusset construction and a reflective shoelace drawcord plus reflective trim for low-light runs, the Cadence is built to stop shorts riding up and chafing over the kilometres. It’s also a superb Hyrox option for anyone who wants liner support through the run legs while still handling the functional stations.

Best shorts for CrossFit: TWL Men’s Rep Shorts

CrossFit throws everything at you in a single session — cleans, box jumps, double-unders, rope climbs, wall balls and a run to finish. You need total freedom of movement and nothing that bounces, bunches or gets in the way. The TWL Men’s Rep Shorts are the pair we’d put on for a metcon.

The Rep is a liner-free, ultralight 5″ short (just 150g) built from EnduraFlex™ fabric (89% polyester / 11% elastane). Losing the liner is deliberate: it strips out bulk and lets the short move completely freely, which is exactly what you want when you’re cycling through movements at speed. An extra-wide elastic waistband distributes pressure evenly so it stays put during cleans and toes-to-bar, four-way stretch keeps up with every position, and deep zippered side pockets mean your phone won’t launch across the box during burpees. The above-knee cut maximises airflow and range of motion for high-rep leg work and sprints. Light, secure and unrestricted — that’s the CrossFit brief.

If your training skews toward heavy barbell work — think powerlifting, Olympic lifting and CrossFit sessions built around big squats — size up your coverage with the TWL Men’s Flex Shorts. At a 7″ inseam with a wider hip cut engineered for deep squat positions, FLEX-TECH™ four-way stretch fabric (88% polyester / 12% elastane) and a clever side-split hem that expands as you move, the Flex gives heavier lifters the room and coverage they want without sacrificing mobility.

The liner question, solved: TWL compression base layers

Here’s the beauty of the liner-free shorts above — you’re not stuck with someone else’s idea of support. Pairing a liner-free outer like the Rep, Vault or Hybrid with a dedicated compression base layer lets you build exactly the setup you want: the freedom and coverage of your favourite short, plus the support, anti-chafe and moisture control of a purpose-built liner. It’s the most versatile way to train, and it’s how a lot of serious hybrid and endurance athletes set up.

For everyday training, running and general layering, the TWL Men’s Inner Compression Shorts are the go-to. Built from TWL Glide™ fabric (90% polyester / 10% spandex) at a 6″ inseam, they deliver a second-skin, four-way-stretch fit that’s engineered to feel virtually imperceptible under your shorts. Body-contoured flatlock seams and a super-flat waistband mean no digging and no rubbing, while capped side pockets are handy enough to hold a phone on a run. Wear them under any of the liner-free shorts above, or as a standalone layer for cardio, cycling and high-output sessions.

When you want more coverage and lock-down for long, hot or high-effort days, step up to the TWL Men’s Half Tight. At a 9″ inseam in VelocityCore™ fabric (92% polyester / 8% elastane), the half tight is purpose-built for “long runs, high heat, heavy effort.” An anatomical long-leg gusset eliminates inner-thigh chafing, no-ride silicone grippers keep it locked in place, and thoughtful storage — capped side pockets for phone and gels plus a rear zip pocket for keys — makes it race- and long-run-ready on its own. A wax-dipped drawstring, utility loops and reflective detailing round out a genuinely performance-focused layer. Wear it under your shorts for extra support, or solo for hot-weather running and conditioning.

Simple rule of thumb: reach for the Inner Compression Shorts for everyday training and shorter runs, and the Half Tight for long-distance, hot-weather and heavy-effort days where you want maximum support and coverage.

Quick reference: which TWL short for your training

• General training / everyday gym: Vault Shorts (6″) — durable, versatile workhorse.
• Hyrox / hybrid racing: Hybrid Shorts (6″) — run-short mobility, training-short toughness, zip pockets.
• Running: Lined Speed Shorts (4″) — ultralight, compression liner, run-specific. Or the Cadence Lined Shorts (5″) for more length.
• CrossFit: Rep Shorts (5″) — liner-free and ultralight. Or the Flex Shorts (7″) for heavy lifters.
• Base layer / build your own liner: Inner Compression Shorts (6″) for everyday support, or the Half Tight (9″) for long, hot, heavy-effort days.

Common questions

Lined or liner-free — which should I choose? Go lined if you run or race, where the built-in support and anti-chafe protection genuinely help over distance (the Speed, Cadence and, for Hyrox, the Hybrid pairing all shine here). Go liner-free if you lift and train and prefer to wear your own underwear for total freedom — that’s the thinking behind the Rep. Neither is “better”; it’s about the job and your preference.

What inseam length is right for me? Shorter hems (4–5″) free the hip for running and deep squats and keep you cool, while longer hems (6–7″) give more coverage and a classic gym look. If you’re between styles, a 6″ like the Vault or Hybrid is the safest all-round choice.

Can one pair really do everything? Close to it — the Vault and Hybrid are deliberately built to cross over between strength, conditioning and running. But if you’re serious about a specific discipline, a purpose-built pair (Speed for running, Rep for CrossFit) will always feel better for that job.

The bottom line

The best short is the one built for the job you’re asking it to do. If you train broadly, the Vault is your everyday pair. If you race Hyrox, the Hybrid is made for it. If you run, go light and lined with the Speed or Cadence. And if you live in the box, the liner-free Rep keeps you moving — with the Flex on hand for your heaviest lifting days. Most athletes end up with two or three pairs for a reason: get the right tool for each session and you’ll never think about your shorts again. Explore the full TWL men’s shorts range here.