If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best shorts for CrossFit beginners are, then I’d recommend the Under Armour Men’s Raid 10in. Shorts as the best one.
As you dip your toes into the CrossFit side of the workout pool, it helps to have a quality pair of shorts.
The best shorts for CrossFit should leave you comfortable as you embark on this rewarding, yet intense, journey.
Our buyer’s guide and reviews of five top-rated products should help you along your way.
Here are the top shorts for CrossFit beginners we’ll be reviewing:
- Under Armour Men’s Raid 10in. Shorts
- Anthem Athletics Hyperflex 7in. CrossFit Workout Training Gym Shorts
- Anthem Athletics Resilience MMA Shorts
- EVERWORTH Men’s Solid Gym Workout Shorts
- Jed North Men’s Fitted Shorts
CrossFit Shorts for Beginners – Buyer’s Guide
Whenever you start a new exercise regime, it’s important that you have the proper clothing to handle whatever will get thrown your way.
CrossFit is dynamic enough as it is, so your shorts should offer you enough freedom so that your movements aren’t restricted.
If you’re unsure exactly what features to look out for, the following will touch on the characteristics we feel the best shorts for CrossFit should emphasize on.
Fit
This may be one of the most important aspects of quality CrossFit shorts.
As we mentioned previously, CrossFit requires that your movements flow freely.
At the same time, you shouldn’t feel too free.
In fact, loose-fitting clothing is among what you should never wear to CrossFit.
There’s a high chance that it can catch in the equipment or generally get in your way.
Your shorts should offer just enough elasticity that you can perform a variety of workouts such as squats.
They should also remain in place, not riding up or slipping down when you move.
Breathability
Whether you’re a beginner or not, CrossFit is known to be an intense training program that combines a number of different exercises.
So, it’s clear that things are going to get extreme, which means a lot of sweating in just a few minutes of starting the program.
You shouldn’t have to stem in your own sweat though.
Quality CrossFit shorts should offer some sweat-wicking properties.
This way, sweat is pulled away, leaving you feeling cool and dry.
Shorts should be well-ventilated so that you don’t feel uncomfortably sweaty or sticky, which can quickly ruin what could be a good workout session.
Material
The material your CrossFit shorts are made of can determine a number of aspects such as how comfortable they are or how durable they are.
Some material is light in weight, which may help you move around easier.
Others have more stretch in their fabric to also aid in you keeping your natural movement.
If you want to have the best shorts for CrossFit for when you first step into that program, consider checking the overall quality of the material.
Seamless designs, for instance, can help you feel more content when you wear them as there’s less chance they’ll rub or chafe.
They also tend to hold up well over time.
Fabric with reinforced stitching also withstands the frequent, heavy movement found in CrossFit exercises.
Design
The type of CrossFit shorts you use tend to be placed on personal preference.
There’s also a difference between shorts intended for men and shorts intended for women.
If you want more coverage, consider shorts that are a bit longer and fall closer to the knees.
High and long shorts can work well, but be sure they fall comfortably.
Something too long can get in the way, and something too high may risk riding up further as you move.
Some shorts offer additional features in their design such as pockets built to fit phones, media players, and anything else you need to keep on your person while you exercise.
There are some that even have zippered pockets for extra security.
Others offer an adjustable waistband so you can actually customize the fit, ensuring that they won’t fall down or feel too tight.
Top 5 Best Shorts for CrossFit Beginners – Reviewed
Under Armour Men’s Raid 10in. Shorts
The Under Armour Men’s Raid 10in. Shorts are made from 100% polyester material that’s comfortable to the touch.
It’s extra soft and is designed to be light in weight to make the shorts easier to wear for extended workouts.
The material is a bit on the thin side because of this though, which can allow it to be see-through at times.
There are some quality moisture-wicking properties found in the materials. At the same time, it dries fast to make maintaining them a simpler task.
There’s also anti-odor technology to fight off bacteria.
To allow the shorts to move with you, they feature 4-way stretch fabric construction.
Some of the stitching may be lower in quality as it can become loose.
For sizing, you can choose from a wide range.
They’re built with an elastic waistband that stays on well, and the waistband even features an internal draw cord.
You can even choose from a number of different colors. There are also simple mesh hand pockets on either side.
Pros
- Comfortable, 4-way stretch fabric
- Lightweight feel
- Fits well around the waist
Cons
- May have some loose stitching
- Thin material might be slightly see-through
Anthem Athletics Hyperflex 7in. CrossFit Workout Training Gym Shorts
The Anthem Athletics Hyperflex 7in. CrossFit Workout Shorts features good reinforcement so that they may last longer.
Zippers are reinforced, as is the drawstring.
They stop right above the knee, and they ride up only just during squats so that they won’t catch on your knees.
With the super-stretch fabric, they go well with your body’s natural movements.
The waistband stretches well, and the drawstring seems high in quality.
However, it may come across as a bit short for some of you to properly use.
These shorts seem to have a natural snugness though that is just enough to keep them where they belong.
Once you choose from the five different size options, you can select from six colors to personalize the shorts more with the rest of your exercise gear.
More convenience is found in the side pockets.
Although they seem overly deep, they’ve been upgraded to increase the width so you can slip your hands in easier.
They also feature zipper closures so that you can rest easy knowing your belongings are actually secure.
Pros
- Material offers good breathability
- Good amount of length
- Just enough snugness
Cons
- Drawstring is short
- Pockets seem too deep
Anthem Athletics Resilience MMA Shorts
The Anthem Athletics Resilience MMA Shorts has more than 20 colors to choose from to customize these shorts to fit with your other CrossFit training gear.
They feature tear-resistant fabric that’s fast-drying for easy maintenance. However, the material may feel too thin.
So, the long-term durability might be a bit questionable with these shorts.
When choosing them, it may be better to size according to your own pants size rather than use the sizing from the company as it is slightly off.
Once you do have the correct size, these shorts appear to fit well around the waist. It has a 2-fold Velcro waistband along with a drawstring inside.
The Velcro is designed in a way that it shouldn’t rub against your skin and cause chaffing.
For quality movement, the shorts are designed with side slits in addition to having a 4-way stretch crotch.
This may help give you more flexibility to perform the intense moves required by CrossFit.
The length of the shorts might benefit you as well as they’re just long enough to cover the thighs without gripping to the knees.
Pros
- Good Velcro closure
- Don’t grab at the knees
- Non-binding and flexible crotch area
Cons
- Material feels a little low in quality
- Sizing seems incorrect
EVERWORTH Men’s Solid Gym Workout Shorts
The EVERWORTH Men’s Solid Gym Workout Shorts do appear short concerning the length, but if that isn’t a personal concern, these may be the best shorts for CrossFit if you seek simplicity and comfort.
Do take note that these shorts may run small in size, so it can be best to go up than your usual size.
They come in six color styles as well if you’re looking for some options.
As for the fabric, the polyester and cotton blend allows the material to feel softer and non-irritating against your skin.
There’s a chance that you might see some fraying of the material after frequent washing though.
Otherwise, the shorts are designed with ideal breathability. The material also wicks sweat away so you have a better chance at staying dry and comfortable.
To maintain your range of motion, the shorts feature an ergonomic 2-panel leg gusset.
Even the short length aims to help you keep your natural movement and not feel restricted as you push yourself in the gym.
For some convenience, the shorts feature two zippered pockets.
You can readily adjust the shorts as well thanks to the adjustable waistband and accompanying drawcord.
Pros
- Breathable features
- Material feels soft against the skin
- Functional, zippered pockets
Cons
- Shorts seem to run small in size
- May not hold up well after washing
Jed North Men’s Fitted Shorts
Made in four different colors, the Jed North Men’s Fitted Shorts feature a slim design that sits a few inches higher than your knees.
This construction frees the shorts from getting in the way so you can learn and perform the necessary and intense moves seen in CrossFit.
The shorts don’t seem to ride up either, which can make it even more comfortable when it comes to nailing down leg exercises.
The polyester and spandex blended material seems to have some good durability.
They offer a mixture of both stretch and softness to help you feel at ease while you workout.
If there’s any irritation, it may be found in the manufacturer tag as it may rub against your skin at times.
These shorts do appear easy to wear. They stay in place, helped more with the drawstring closure.
Their natural, contoured design may allow them to fit even better.
You even have two zippered pockets to work with even though they seem more for looks than function as they seem too deep to use comfortably.
Pros
- Don’t ride up under heavy movement
- Fabric is stretchy and easy to maneuver in
- Made from reliable material
Cons
- Manufacturer tag can rub against the skin
- Pockets don’t seem that functional
Final Thoughts
CrossFit can be a grueling, exciting, and rewarding experience if done correctly, but first, you need the proper gear.
Your shorts can make or break your training routine, so it’s important to find high-quality ones such as the five we reviewed.
If we have to choose just one to be on top, we have to go with the Under Armour Men’s Raid 10in. Shorts to be the best shorts for CrossFit.
The polyester used in the shorts is comfortable and durable, and they feature great breathability qualities that wick moisture away so that you may be cooler and drier.
These shorts are light in weight, and they fit well and stay put on the waist, not slipping or riding up.
Their four-way stretch fabric allows you to move as naturally as possible.
This way, you may have a better chance keeping up with those dynamic routines CrossFit will demand from you.
