The Best Men's Pickleball Shorts — Tested for Pockets, Movement, and Sweat

Most pickleball players just throw on whatever athletic shorts they own. That works fine — until you realize the pockets are too shallow for a pickleball, the length is wrong for the lunging, or the fabric weighs four pounds when it gets sweaty. Here’s what actually works.

Quick picks

What matters in pickleball shorts

Pickleball involves quick lunges, lateral pushes, deep knee bends at the kitchen, and serving rotations. Shorts need to handle all that while staying out of the way.

Length: 7-9 inches is the sweet spot. Shorter than 7” rides up during lunges. Longer than 9” restricts knee bend at the kitchen.

Pocket depth: Deep enough to hold a pickleball without it falling out during bending or lunging. Test by putting a ball in the pocket and lunging — if it stays, the pocket works.

Liner vs no liner: Built-in liner is more comfortable for most players. Some prefer a separate compression short.

Fabric: Poly-spandex blends, Dri-FIT, or Aeroready. Avoid pure polyester (less stretch) and cotton (too heavy when wet).

Waistband: Drawstring + elastic combo is the standard. Pure elastic without drawstring tends to slip.

#1 — Nike Court Dri-FIT Victory 9” ($55)

The pickleball-friendly tennis short. Nike’s tennis short line was designed for similar movement patterns. Dri-FIT fabric, deep side pockets that actually hold a pickleball, 9” inseam that doesn’t restrict the kitchen squat.

What’s good: Pockets are best in our test — they actually hold a ball through full motion. Fabric handles 2+ hour sessions without feeling heavy. Multiple colors.

What’s not good: $55 is not cheap. Some players want a built-in liner (Nike’s version doesn’t have one — wear compression under).

#2 — Lululemon Pace Breaker 9” ($78)

The premium pick. Built-in liner, deep pockets, premium fabric, lifetime-quality construction.

What’s good: Most comfortable shorts we tested. Built-in liner eliminates the need for separate compression. Excellent sweat performance.

What’s not good: $78. Expect to pay full price — Lululemon doesn’t discount often.

#3 — Adidas Club 3-Stripe Tennis 7” ($40)

Best value. Adidas tennis line at a sub-$50 price point. 7” inseam keeps things light. Aeroready fabric handles sweat well.

What’s good: Cheap. Reliable. Available everywhere.

What’s not good: Pockets are shallower than Nike Court — a ball can fall out during aggressive lunges. 7” might feel short for taller players.

#4 — Patagonia Strider Pro 7” ($65)

The sustainable pick. Recycled materials. Solid build. Good for players who care about brand ethics.

What’s good: Recycled construction. Best deep-liner pocket of any short tested — a ball can’t fall out. Durable as expected from Patagonia.

What’s not good: Limited colors. Not specifically pickleball-marketed, so finding the right size online sometimes requires more research.

What to avoid

• Basketball shorts. Too long (11-12”+), pockets sized for phones not balls.
• Pure running shorts (3-5” inseam). Way too short — they ride up on every lunge.
• Cotton athletic shorts. Get heavy when wet. Avoid.
• Cargo shorts. No really, please.
• Shorts without a drawstring. They slip mid-game.

Compression vs no compression

Many men’s athletic shorts come with built-in compression liners. This is preference-driven:

Built-in liner pros:

• One layer to dress
• Stays in place
• No separate compression purchase

Built-in liner cons:

• If it doesn’t fit, you can’t swap it
• Some find them too tight for long sessions

Separate compression pros:

• Pick your fit independently of shorts
• Can wear different compression with different shorts

Separate compression cons:

• Two layers to wash and pack

Both work. Players new to athletic shorts should try built-in first.

Hot weather considerations

For 85°F+ outdoor play:

• Lighter color shorts (less heat absorption)
• Maximum airflow fabric
• 7” inseam (more leg air)
• Sweat-wicking is non-negotiable

For 95°F+ play, consider:

• Multiple short changes for back-to-back matches
• Pre-cooling vests between matches (yes, really, at tournaments)
• Avoid black anything

Cold weather options

For 45-60°F outdoor play:

• Track pants or athletic joggers
• Some players wear shorts + compression leggings under
• Brand options: Nike Storm-FIT joggers, Lululemon ABC pants

For 35-45°F: full athletic pants. Track pants over a thin base layer.

Bottom line

Best overall: Nike Court Dri-FIT Victory 9” ($55) Best premium: Lululemon Pace Breaker 9” ($78) Best value: Adidas Club 3-Stripe Tennis 7” ($40) Best sustainable: Patagonia Strider Pro 7” ($65)

Don’t overthink this. Get athletic shorts with deep pockets, a 7-9” inseam, and sweat-wicking fabric. Match the length to your body and the weather. Spend more time on paddle and shoe choices than on shorts.

Read next: best pickleball shoes 2026 or paddle buyer’s guide.