man leaning on a car wearing polo shirt and shorts

If you think of shorts as the most casual piece of legwear, that’s not exactly true. There’s a way to keep your legs feeling breezy while still exuding style as you strut your stuff. Case in point – today, we’ll be looking at the best chino shorts for men.

Sure, I wouldn’t go as far as to wear even the best chino shorts to a job interview or anything. That said, as far as most day-to-day occasions in warm weather go, nothing beats the functionality and breathability these puppies offer. For what it’s worth, girls dig the look, too.

The only question is, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? We’ve got you covered on that front. We’ve put together a list of what we believe are the top six chino shorts out right now. There’s an option here for everybody, and that’s a fact.

Without further ado, let’s look at the best chino shorts for men.

Key Takeaways

For this article, we pored over hundreds of reviews and checked out countless brands. Volcom’s Shorts are the best chino shorts for men. You can get them in all the colors you would want, they offer the perfect stretch while being wrinkle-resistant, and they keep you comfy through a relatively active day.

If you want something that looks good on a plump pair of thighs, then Tommy Hilfiger is the way to go. They combine a pleasant fit with a minimalist yet elegant design for a truly premium product.

levis / Instagram

Best chino shorts for men: Volcom Men’s Chino Shorts

Why they’re great: They’re up against some stiff competition, but Volcom’s chino shorts manage to come out on top. The blend of materials guarantees maximum comfort and wrinkle resistance, as well as some much-needed stretch (thank you, spandex).

Not to mention, this is the best set of colors I’ve seen on a major chinos brand, making these incredibly easy to style.

Who are these for? Thanks to their elasticity and relaxed fit, these are a great pick if you’re looking at a full day spent outside. Since they’re so sleek-looking, they’re even great for offices with relaxed dress codes. All of that makes them the best chino shorts for men.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Volcoms used to have a nifty fifth pocket to store your cell phone in, but they’ve since stopped making them that way. You still have four others to work with, though, with the ones in front being especially spacious.

Material: 59% cotton, 39% polyester, 2% spandex | Sizes Available: S–XXL | Colors Available: 10 | Inseam: 9 inches | Care: Machine wash

Signature by Levi Strauss Chinos

Why they’re great: It’s amazing to me that you can get these at such an affordable price, but there you go. Levi’s chinos are made of extremely high-quality fabric, and they have just the right amount of stretch. You can drop or gain a few pounds here and there and not have to worry about them losing their shape.

Who are these for? Anyone could benefit from owning a pair, but I’d say they’re especially good for tall dudes. With an inseam of 10.5 inches, this is a great pick if seven-inch inseam options feel like short shorts on your legs.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are among the best chino shorts for men. As great as the two colors are, however, I really wish there were a couple more options. Colors like burgundy can be a great look for long inseams, but the options you have are no slouches, either.

Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane | Sizes Available: S–3XL | Colors Available: 2 | Inseam: 10.5 inches | Care: Machine wash

Tommy Hilfiger Casual Stretch Chino Shorts

Why they’re great: How could Tommy Hilfiger not make an appearance here? Made of pure cotton, these bad boys feel every bit as amazing as they look. There’s also just a pinch of stretch fibers to grant you that extra bit of mobility. And let’s face it, that embroidered signature flag is an extremely sexy touch.

Who are these for? I haven’t seen many shorts that do a better job at trimming down your upper legs. If you’re looking for something to mask your thighs until you get through your treadmill era, then look no further. These are some of the best chino shorts for men. They also have a couple big & tall options, if that’s what you’re after.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Since there’s no polyester in these, they’re a bit more prone to wrinkling than most of our other picks. Either way, I’d say a minute of ironing is a small price to pay for something like this.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: S–XXL | Colors Available: 16  | Inseam: 9 inches | Care: Machine wash

Amazon Essentials Classic Fit Chinos

Why they’re great: Slowly but surely, Amazon Essentials is becoming one of the top shorts brands on the market. The cotton twill really lets your legs breathe easy, and it can withstand a rough tumble in the washing machine without a hitch.

Who are these for? From classic khaki to pink and nutmeg, this is the ultimate choice for guys with a more daring sense of fashion. Coming in at around 9 inches, the length is perfect for accentuating a well-matched pair of shoes and socks.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: On the topic of colors, some of these are a shade brighter or darker than they look in the pictures. Still, I’ve ordered a few pairs myself, and I find that they look every bit as good if not better.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: S–XXL | Colors Available: 19 | Inseam: 9 inches | Care: Machine wash

Lee Extreme Motion Shorts

Why they’re great: Most of our options are pretty lightweight, but few feel as unobtrusive as Lee’s Extreme Motion Shorts. The ultimate summer choice, these chino shorts for men offer some incredible color picks (love the stone and charcoal) as well as the most reliable mesh pockets you can find in chino shorts.

Who are these for? Thanks to the straight fit, these shorts can look great on legs of all shapes and sizes. Because of the range of motion, I’d recommend these if your day-to-day life involves a lot of walking and lateral movements.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Similar to Amazon Essentials, the colors are a little off from how they’re advertised. It’s less noticeable here, though, and for my money, they all look great regardless.

Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex | Sizes Available: S–XXL | Colors Available: 15  | Inseam: 10 inches | Care: Machine wash

Wrangler Authentics Shorts

Why they’re great: The stretch fabric on Wrangler Authentics is out of this world, making them the perfect pick for active guys. On top of that, the quick-dry technology is a perfect complement to the ease of movement they offer.

Who are these for? I don’t say these things lightly, but you can probably even wear these on a jog if you have someplace to be afterward. There’s also the always-handy fifth pocket for your loose change and other keys, which is huge for me and a lot of other guys.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Ironically enough for a quasi-athletic pair of shorts, these may be a bit tight around the rear if you order your usual size. There’s loads of size options, though, so just go a single number over and you’ll be just fine.

Material: 73% Cotton, 24% Nylon, 3% Spandex | Sizes Available: S–4XL | Colors Available: 4 | Inseam: 9 inches | Care: Machine wash

man fishing from the shore
wrangler / Instagram

Buying Considerations for the Best Chino Shorts for Men

Material

When it comes to the best chino shorts for men, cotton is by far the most prevalent material because of its comfort and breathability. Chinos are also renowned for their flexibility, and that’s because of trace amounts of spandex and elastane.

In terms of aesthetics, you can also look for polyester because it doesn’t wrinkle as much.

Color

One of the most important traits of chino shorts for men is that they gravitate toward neutral colors. Silver, blue, and especially khaki are extremely common with these kinds of shorts. These are some of the main colors to look for since they’re the easiest to combine with your other clothes, such as white shoes and single-colored tees.

Size

Thanks to how they’re made, chino shorts for men have a natural slimming effect on your lower body. With that in mind, there’s no need to seek out a tight fit to conceal any thigh fat.

As for length, it comes down to personal preference. The inseam can range from five inches all the way to eleven, and people generally leave their knees exposed when wearing chino shorts.

man sittting on a skate board
volcom / Instagram

How We Chose

With so much competition out there, it’s hard for manufacturers to get their products on and off the shelves. The problem is, they often resort to lies and half-truths to make their products look more appealing.

We at Fashionbeans try to stay informed, and in turn, we aim to share what we know with our readers. When recommending products, we consider everything from company reputation to transparency. After looking at forums, user comments, and video reviews, we’re always confident that we’ve brought you nothing but the best.

Company reputation: Is the company known for a long list of quality products? The more good stuff they’ve made, the more likely we are to recommend them.

User reviews: Do buyers have good things to say about their purchase? If we see lots of negative comments regarding a product, then we steer clear and continue looking.

Value: Is the product fairly priced for what it offers? We want to make sure that you’re spending your money wisely and making sure it goes as far as possible.

Transparency: Is the company open about how they run their business? Consumers often look for ethically manufactured products, and we look for brands that offer you just that.

Why Trust Us?

Andrej, a seasoned writer for FashionBeans, has a robust background in grooming and fashion, particularly in men’s attire. His expertise is built on a foundation of thorough research and hands-on testing to ensure that the recommendations he provides are not only trendy but also practical and of high quality.

Andrej’s insights are particularly valuable when it comes to everyday wearables, such as chino shorts, where comfort, style, and durability intersect seamlessly.

In his time as a fashion blogger, he’s covered short shorts, lounge shorts, and everything in between. So, if you’re looking for guidance in picking the best chino shorts for men, rest assured that you’re in good hands.

Final Verdict 

And that concludes our list of the best chino shorts for men. Volcom Chino Shorts are our favorite pick because they have the best construction and color selection, and they look great no matter the occasion.

FAQ

    • Yes, they absolutely should. The main reason you’d want to wear shorts is to combat heat, and few shorts are as airy and lightweight as chinos. Add to that the range of motion they offer, and you have a type of shorts that’s hard to compete with.

      • Chino shorts are more fashionable now than they’ve ever been. Because of their classy, no-frills design, they’re extremely easy to combine with a variety of tops and shoe styles. When it comes to “smart-casual” options in the world of legwear, chino shorts are probably the best example.

        • The primary difference is that chino shorts are minimalist while still offering everything you’d want from your legwear. They tend to have functional pockets, they slim your legs, and they forgo drawstrings and other bells and whistles.


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