NORTHYARD Men's Athletic Shorts

A run before work, a gym session, or a quick game of basketball calls for shorts that let you move and keep small essentials close. NORTHYARD men's athletic shorts pair a lightweight, unlined build with stretch fabric, an adjustable waist, and three zip pockets. They’re offered in 5", 7", and 9" inseams, so the cut can suit different preferences, but the selected length matters: if the listing doesn’t clearly show which inseam you’re buying, don’t choose without that measurement. The design covers several kinds of workouts, though its unlined construction won’t provide the coverage of shorts with a built-in liner.

Best use cases

These shorts are designed for running, gym workouts, basketball, tennis, hiking, and everyday active wear. The elastic waistband and drawstring let you adjust the fit, while four-way stretch supports movement through a warm-up, a set of lunges, or a change of direction on the court. Side vents are intended to let air circulate during harder sessions, and the moisture-wicking, quick-dry fabric is aimed at keeping sweat from lingering against the skin.

The three zip pockets add a practical detail for outings where you want to carry a phone, keys, or cards without holding them. Picture heading out for a jog with your phone in a side pocket and keys zipped into the back pocket, that hands-free setup is more useful than the open pockets found on many basic athletic shorts. Reflective strips on the front and back are a visibility detail for early or late workouts, not a substitute for dedicated lighting.

Product specs

The fabric is 90% polyester and 10% elastane, with a water-resistant coating and UPF 50+ sun protection listed in the product details. The shorts are unlined and have a soft elastic waistband with a built-in drawstring. Flatlock seams are intended to reduce chafing, and the three zip pockets consist of two side pockets and one back pocket, with breathable mesh pocket interiors.

Available inseams are 5", 7", and 9", and the listed size range is XS–4XL. The listing also describes multiple color options, but the specific color and inseam depend on the variant you select. If you prefer a longer cut for more coverage, the 9" option may be the more relevant length, someone wanting a shorter feel can compare the 5" option instead.

Where it shines

The appeal is the combination of movement-friendly fabric and zipped storage in a single pair of shorts. Compared with a simpler pair that has only open pockets, this design is better suited to a run or workout where a phone and keys need to stay tucked away. The drawstring gives you another way to adjust the waist, and the unlined cut avoids the extra layer some runners find distracting.

What’s less certain from the listing is how each inseam and size will fit an individual body. A range of options gives you a choice, but it doesn’t replace checking the selected variant against your usual fit preferences. The unlined design may also be a drawback if you specifically want built-in support or coverage.

When it makes sense

You’ll appreciate it if you want lightweight, stretch athletic shorts with zippered pockets for running, training, or casual active use, and you prefer choosing among several inseam lengths. Is a pocket detail really useful mid-workout? It can be, especially when you’d rather keep your phone and keys zipped away than leave them in an open pocket. It may not suit you if you need lined shorts, want a confirmed fit without checking the selected size and length, or expect more coverage than the chosen inseam provides. For a basic gym short with less emphasis on secure storage, a simpler design may be enough, choose this pair when the pocket layout and adjustable, unlined setup match how you actually move.