Men’s Basketball Shorts 2021 Buying Guide

basketball shorts
Photo By: Adobe - taka
Updated July 20, 2021

Top 10 Men’s Basketball Shorts for 2021

When you’re playing basketball, apart from your skills, your equipment and gear can have a lot of influence on how well you play. To help you pick between the thousands of available options on the market today, we’ve taken on the task of sifting through a massive selection of men’s basketball shorts. Whether you’re a professional athlete or just a guy wanting some good shorts to play basketball in, you are in the right place. 

1. Under Armour Men's SC30 Core 11" Basketball Shorts

We start this list with the shorts worn by one of the best players in the NBA, Steph Curry. As a guy who redefined basketball with his shooting range and playing style, it’s only natural that there’s an abundance of Steph Curry gear you can find with his name on it. SC30 shorts are a product of Under Armour, one of the biggest names in sports gear, and provide very good quality for the price. These shorts are made out of 100% polyester and have an encased elastic waistband.

Why we love it:

  • Great price/quality ratio
  • Multiple designs you can choose from

2. Jordan Air Men's Dry Standard Fit 10" Dri Fit Flight Athletic Shorts

The next one on our list is basketball shorts bearing the name of the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan was the first to get his own brand from Nike and to this day his name is a sign of sports excellence. There are tons of different Jordan shorts to choose from but this is our favourite. Choose from multiple colors on the product page. 

Why we love it:

  • Made with Dri-Fit materials
  • Great quality and sturdy material used in production
  • The Jumpman logo is a symbol of basketball excellence.

3. Nike Men's Dry Training Shorts

We stay with the Nike family, but move on one of the most loved and bought basketball shorts. The Nike Training Shorts line is quality made apparel meant for use by both casual and professionals alike. It’s made out of Dri-Fit materials and has a very comfortable waistband and is not loose around the legs. All in all, a great buy for anyone.

Why we love it:

  • You can pick the size since Nike has A LOT of options size-wise
  • A lot of options on colour and beautiful discrete design

4. Champion Men's Graphic Jersey Short

Champion Graphic Jersey Shorts is a great low-end, cheaper pair of shorts you can wear both in the gym but also for everyday use. These shorts are made out of cotton and have a minimalistic design, making it easy to fit with almost anything. They can be machine washed. These cheap, quality Champion basketball shorts will provide you with comfortable wear for a really affordable price.

Why we love it:

  • Great price for great shorts
  • Made out of cotton so provide a different feel that other shorts.

5. Adidas Men's Designed 2 Move 3-Stripes Cool Shorts

Another giant of the sportswear industry, Adidas has some great basketball shorts. The Adidas Designed 2 Move shorts are one of the best. These shorts are made out of 100% polyester, with ventilated technology. This means that your skin will have just enough humidity when working out and you won’t overheat. Also, the price of these Adidas basketball shorts is very fair for a big brand.

Why we love it:

  • Made out of recycled polyester (and making our planet a bit less polluted!)
  • Great price/quality ratio

6. Nike Men's Dry Fit Elite Basketball Shorts

As the name suggests, these Nike basketball shorts are meant to be used by serious ballers. These shorts are made with dri-fit technology all the way through and come with all of the essentials like pockets, waistband, etc. The design on them is very cool and sets them apart from the cheaper models. These Nike shorts are one of the most popular in the market for basketball players.

Why we love it:

  • High-end basketball shorts from Nike
  • Beautiful design that will look good on any court.

7. Under Armour Men's Perimeter 11-Inch Short

Similar to the aforementioned SC30 shorts, Perimeter Under Armour shorts are the standard Under Armour basketball shorts line. They are made out of 100% polyester and you can pick from an array of designs and colours. These basketball shorts are great, middle-of-the-range shorts for use by both amateurs and professional athletes.

Why we love it:

  • Great quality standard Under Armour basketball shorts line
  • Materials are picked so that the skin can breathe when under stress from training

8. Ultra Game NBA Men's Basketball Active Woven Shorts

If you’re an avid NBA fan, then this is the right pair for you. Ultra Game’s Active Woven mens basketball shorts are great basketball shorts that can be used for everyday wear. And the great thing is that you can pick and choose the colors of your favorite NBA team! All 30 teams are available in a wide array of sizes. These shorts are made out of polyester mesh, giving your skin comfort and breathing space.

Why we love it:

  • The customizable design of the shorts
  • Great price for good quality shorts

9. AFLGO Flint Tropics Short Basketball

Flint Tropics are the legendary team from the movie Semi-Pro starring Will Ferrell. These shorts are a way of honouring a great basketball movie while also getting a solid pair for playing basketball. Made out of polyester, it will provide you with good quality and a nice feel while playing basketball. This is a fun item for your shorts collection and is guaranteed to get some attention when you hit the court.

Why we love it:

  • It’s the Flint Tropics!
  • A fun and unique pair of basketball shorts

10. Southpole Men's Basic Basketball Mesh Shorts

We finish off this list with a very affordable option. Southpole’s Basic Basketball Mesh shorts are a great, low-end, affordable item that still managed to look stylish. You can pick from a wide range of nice designs. Even though these shorts aren’t made of fancy materials, they are great, everyday shorts that you can use both on and off the court. And all that for a fraction of the price of other basketball shorts in our list.

Why we love it:

  • Cheap, quality item for everyday use
  • You can use them both on and off the court.

What To Consider When Buying

Size

When you’re looking to buy basketball shorts you should always consider the size. This means that you should buy shorts that fit you, both in width and in length. Length can also be a factor even though it’s often neglected, as it will determine the range of your movement if it’s too short or too long. Keep in mind that basketball shorts tend to be a bit longer than other styles of shorts.

Materials

Materials that the shorts are built out of are crucial when buying shorts. With the development of technology today, you can choose from a whole range of special materials that will help you dry your skin while being active. But as with everything, as the quality of the materials gets better, you’ll pay a higher price.

Colours

There are tons of different colours to choose from, most of the shorts we’ve highlighted offer a full range. You should pick a colour that matches your shoes, shirts, and other gear you’ll be wearing them with. So take a look at your other clothes and buy a pair that mix in well with your gear.

Conclusion

We hope that this list has helped you in getting to know and choosing the right basketball shorts. From less expensive to high-end items, you can find it all in our list. We believe that these items are the best the market has to offer.