The Best Jean Shorts for Men in 2025, Tested by Style Editors

Levi’s 501s are the most iconic pair of jeans ever designed, so it makes sense that beating a pair into submission and then cutting down to an 8-inch inseam would make a damn fine pair of jorts. The mid-length cut is just right, not too short, landing at that sweet spot right above the knee. It’s perfect for weekend errands and impromptu backyard hangs.

The relaxed fit through the thigh gives the jorts that easy, throwback feel: roomy without looking sloppy, like something straight out of a ‘90s skate video or your older brother’s high school closet. It’s produced from 100 percent cotton with zero stretch, so yeah, it feels stiff for the first wear. But give it a few more and it starts to ease up in all the right places. Not molding, exactly, but loosening up enough that you stop noticing the denim and just enjoy wearing it. Honestly, the fabric only gets better the more you break it in.

Style-wise, this pair is super versatile. Toss on a tee or a tank when it’s hot, or layer up with a hoodie once the temps dip. The wash and fit are both timeless, so it makes a solid go-to for any season.

Abercrombie’s loose denim short hits that rare sweet spot: cool, comfortable, and completely unfussy. Made from lightweight 100 percent cotton denim that’s garment-dyed for instant softness, it feels broken-in before you even leave the house. The 9-inch inseam lands right around the knee, and the loose fit gives off easy ‘90s energy—just relaxed enough without looking like capris.

What really sets this pair apart is the wash variety. There’s a clean medium blue for everyday wear, plus an option with tonal patchwork. We wore these everywhere: on city walks, grabbing coffee, running errands, even on the beach. This pair held its shape, didn’t cling in the heat, and got compliments more than once. The styling range is wide open as well.

Pair it with sneakers and a tank for a casual outing, or go slightly dressy with loafers and a polo. However you wear it, it feels like the shorts you’ll reach for on autopilot all summer long.

Flint and Tinder’s carpenter short comes in a stonewash color that might just be the best-looking finish we’ve seen. It’s broken-in without feeling overly distressed, and nails that old-school workwear vibe. It’s also packed with functional details, like an EDC pocket on the back right leg (perfect for carrying a pocketknife, multitool, or phone) and a hammer loop on the side (even if you’re not on a job site, it’s a handy spot for clipping on keys or sunglasses). The short is built tough, too. Reinforced stitching adds durability, and the cotton-spandex blend gives just the right amount of stretch.

We found that added flex came in handy when squatting down to set up a grill and climbing in and out of the truck during a weekend trip. Moments like those usually feel stiff in regular denim, but this pair moved with us and kept things less restrictive. Yes, it’s on the pricier side for a pair of shorts, but the rugged build, thoughtful design, and wear-everywhere versatility make them a smart investment, especially if you want a pair that’ll hold up for more than one summer.

J.Crew’s denim shorts are hands-down the best dressy jorts we’ve worn. It’s got that in-between vibe: more polished than your beat-up cutoffs but still relaxed enough to wear every day. The cotton-linen blend is the secret sauce: lighter than traditional denim, soft from the first wear, and breathable enough to keep you comfortable all summer. Our testers weren’t sweating through the legs or feeling weighed down.

Fit-wise, it strikes the right balance. The 8-inch inseam hits just above the knee—not too short, not oversized—and the relaxed fit through the thigh keeps things cool without veering into baggy territory. We tested it on hot days in the city and cool nights on vacation, and the fabric continued to break in and soften with each wear. This made it feel more like your favorite shorts, and not just any pair off the rack.

The retro-inspired medium wash also gives it a sharper edge, especially when you tuck in a short-sleeve button-up or throw on loafers. It’s structured for a resort dinner, but still laid-back for grabbing beers on the boardwalk.

This relaxed jean short is not anything like what your dad used to throw on. Todd Snyder’s cut leans more streetwear than yard work, and has a slightly tailored shape that gives it a cleaner look. It also has an 8-inch inseam, which stops right above the knee for a sharp, streamlined fit.

Jean shorts are an underrated vacation staple: they’re easy to style, tough enough for exploring, and casual enough for kicking back. The same applies for this one. After wearing it for hours on vacation, I found that the cotton denim felt surprisingly light and rested comfortably on the waist—no digging, no stiffness.

Sure, it costs more than others on the list, but the stonewash blue is a standout. It pairs just as easily with a polo as it does with a breezy sweater, making it a solid pick for year-round wear.

For years, jorts were made from rigid denim with zero give, but AG turned things around with this pair. The cotton-elastane blend is made with comfort stretch, so we were able to chase down a cab in the heat and lounge in the park afterward. Another win is the design. Unlike others on the list, it’s not a solid wash—the legs feature indigo stripes with a sun-faded finish that offers it a lived-in, worn-right look.

The inseam runs a little over nine inches, but it doesn’t look baggy—it hits right around the knee with a clean, relaxed drape that feels intentional, not oversized. It’s the kind of short that looks better with some weight to it, especially when you throw on a denim jacket for cooler summer nights. The proportions just work.

Sizing is generous, too, with enough room through the thigh and seat for a range of body types without sacrificing shape. And then there’s the dual tool pocket—technically meant for, well, tools, but we found it super handy for stashing everyday stuff like your phone, wallet, or even a portable charger when you don’t want to overload your front pockets.

Ralph Lauren took the classic drawstring chino short—a longtime favorite of preppy and Gorpcore camps—and reimagined it in lightweight denim. The result is a super comfortable jort with a short inseam and easy, pull-on fit. The soft, sun-faded wash gives it that lived-in, surf-and-sand vibe that just works in peak summer.

We wore these on a humid afternoon and appreciated how breathable and airy they felt—closer to swim trunks than stiff denim. Style-wise, a bold rugby shirt offered great contrast, while a white crewneck sweatshirt created an almost-monotone look for chillier nights. Bonus: the elastic waistband stayed put without digging in, even after a full day out.

If you’re not a short shorts kind of guy, Carhartt has you covered with a pair that hits just over the knee. Even with a 9-inch inseam, the relaxed fit steers clear of that balloon-leg look. Not to mention, longer shorts are having a real moment this summer—on the street, runways, and everywhere in between.

Sure, some guys assume lengthier shorts mess with your proportions, but our fashion editors found that the key is balance: pair with something fitted up top, like a tank or polo. This pair is made from Norco denim, Carhartt’s heavyweight cotton twill fabric, which is super sturdy and durable, but not stiff. The black denim leans vintage in the best way. Yes, it’s thicker than most of the jean shorts I’ve tested, but breathable enough that I didn’t break a sweat waiting on a muggy subway platform.

What Exactly Are Jorts?

Jean shorts, abbreviated to jorts, are just that. Any kind of shorts that are made out of denim. Full length jeans can be cut down into a short inseam, often leaving a desired fraying, or the garment can be short to begin with. The variation in jean shorts designs are just as wide ranging as chinos or any other material used to make shorts. The only reason that jorts are so often separated into their own category is an infamous fashion history.

How to Style Jorts

When it comes to styling denim shorts, you have to consider how baggy and long you want them to be. There are essentially two schools of thought on jorts: The retro look that drops below the knee, or close to, and runs baggy. This often includes cargo and carpenter shorts. Complete the retro look with oversized t-shirts, button downs, and light jackets. High ankle socks with sneakers are a good way to complete the look.

The other way to style jorts is to simply think of them as the shorts you’re used to, just in a different fabric. This applies to any jean shorts that fit common contemporary short criteria of inseams running from 5 to 8 inches, slim fitting, and featuring a standard five pocket design. This route offers a wide range of styling because you can pretty much wear them with anything in your wardrobe, from aloha shirts to oxfords. Complete the look with loafers or sandals.