It is not easy to work while wearing cargo pants in the summer. This is the reason why many people purchase and wear work shorts during the hot season. In this post, you will discover the best work shorts for hot weather.
These are shorts that are lightweight, comfortable, breathable, and have pockets for all your essentials. And while they are lightweight and comfortable, they are also tough enough for work. So if you are on the market for good shorts for work, read on to discover them.
Comparing the Best Summer Work Shorts
| RANK | NAME | SCORE | PRICE |
| 1 | Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s Ripstop Ranger Cargo Short | 4,6/5 | |
| 2 | Carhartt Men’s 11″ Cotton Ripstop Cargo Work Short | 4,6/5 | |
| 3 | Tru-Spec Men’s 24-7 Series Tactical Shorts | 4,6/5 | |
| 4 | Dickies Men’s Flex 13-Inch Relaxed Fit Cargo Short | 4,5/5 | |
| 5 | Walls Men’s 11 Performance Short | 4,7/5 |
The 12 Best Durable Work Shorts for Summer
1. Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s Ripstop Ranger Cargo Work Short
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Wrangler makes some of the best work shorts and trousers. This is one of the greatest they have ever made. It is the first on this list and not the last one. There is so much to love about this amazing pair of cargo work shorts.
First, it is made of 100 percent cotton. This makes it comfortable to wear. Why? Because cotton is lightweight, feels nice on the skin, and has a high absorbance capacity. The high absorbance capacity of cotton makes it feel cool in hot weather. And who wouldn’t like that especially in places like Texas and Southern California.
Second, it has an improved fit that makes it much more comfortable than other work shorts. You can move more freely in this pair of shorts than in the majority of the other popular work shorts on the market.
Third, it features reinforced construction. This construction makes it long lasting and perfect for tough jobs. Lastly, it has multiple utility storage areas including two back pockets, two front pockets, big cargo pockets, and a hammer loop. The only issue with this pair of work shorts is that it is imported.
Get this pair of shorts if you are looking for a great pair of cooling work shorts.
2. Carhartt Men’s 11″ Cotton Ripstop Cargo Work Short
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Carhartt is a renowned manufacturer of work boots. Many people do not know that Carhartt also makes very good workwear. If you did not know, buying this pair of work shorts will quickly introduce you to the world of quality workwear made by company. There are several things unique about this pair of work shorts.
First, it is made of cotton making it perfect for working in hot weather. This is because of how cotton absorbs sweat in hot weather making it remain cool and comfortable.
Second, it has snap closure. Many work shorts have zipper closure. If you have ever had an accident with a zipper closure and you never want to experience the same thing again, you should get this pair of work shorts.
Third, it has two large cargo pockets. These pockets are perfect for storing tools and pocket-size work supplies. The pockets have snap closures making them easy to close and to open. Lastly, it has reinforced belt loops that make it easy to hang equipment on your belt. The only issue with this pair of shorts is that it is not made in the USA.
This is one of the best pair of work shorts for those looking for a pair of work shorts for summer.
3. Tru-Spec Men’s 24-7 Series Tactical Work Shorts
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This pair of lightweight work shorts is regarded as one of the best pieces of workwear on Amazon!
There is so much you will love about this pair of shorts. Regarding materials, it is made of polyester and cotton. The polyester makes it comfortable and elastic, while the cotton ensures it does not get too hot especially in hot weather.
So if you work a lot under the sun, it is what you should get. Like most work shorts on Amazon, this pair of work shorts comes with multiple utility pockets. One more thing worth mentioning about this pair of shorts is that it is fade and stain resistant.
So if you want a pair of shorts that will look new and clean for a long time, get this pair. Like most work shorts on the market, this pair is also imported.
You will love this pair of shorts if you are looking for a high-quality tactical short.
4. Dickies Men’s Flex 13-Inch Relaxed Fit Cargo Work Short
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Looking for a relaxed fit work short?
Look no more. Get this Dickies Men’s work short directly from Amazon. Like most Dickies workwear, this work short is a classic.
It is a classic in the sense that it looks like a normal short but it has a very relaxed and comfortable fit. You will love working and even relaxing in this short. Moreover, this short is also very good quality like most Dickies work clothes.
It is constructed to be durable and long lasting. Again, as is the case so far, the only issue with this short is that it is not manufactured in the USA.
This short is perfect for those looking for a relaxed fit work short.
5. Walls Men’s 11 Performance Work Short
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Looking for a high-performance work short? Look no more for this is exactly what you are looking for!
This pair of work shorts is made by Walls – a brand that has been making rugged and dependable workwear for Americans for nearly eight decades. The brand is popular among hunters and ranchers as it makes some of the best working clothes for them.
What you will like the most about this short is how comfortable it is. It is extremely comfortable because it is made of sanded cotton plus spandex. These two things make it cool, flexible, and slightly elastic. You will also really like how functional it is.
This short is triple stitched in many areas to make it tough and durable. It also comes with two reinforced front pockets and two cargo pockets. You can carry all you need to carry in these pockets. Only the price of this short is not really cheap. Otherwise, it is an amazing work short.
Despite not being cheap, this is a quality pair of work shorts.
6. Wrangler Authentics Men’s Premium Twill Cargo Work Short
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This is the second pair of Wrangler work shorts on this list. This suggests that Wrangler makes high quality work shorts; a statement that is a fact that is not even up for debate.
This Wrangler short is considered to be among the greatest cotton work shorts since it is made of 100 percent quality cotton.
The cotton construction makes this short perfect for working in summer as cotton provides a great cooling effect. We love three things about this pair of work shorts.
First, we love its cargo work short style. This classic work short design makes it perfect for carrying everything you need as the multiple deep pockets provide all the space you need.
Second, we love its heavy-duty design. This design includes a heavy-duty zipper and heavy-duty construction.
These two things make this short much more durable than most work shorts. Lastly, we love the fact that this short is machine washable. This makes it very easy to clean which is perfect since work shorts tend to become quickly dirty and smelly.
So if you are looking for a work short that will not take your time to clean, get this Wrangler short. The only downside of this work short is that it is a bit pricey.
Despite being slightly expensive, this is a brilliant work short.
7. Red Kap Men’s Shop Work Short
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This is a highly rated pair of work shorts that you will love wearing because of how comfortable it is and how very functional it is. The short is made either in the United States or imported.
What this means is that you can get a pair that is made by American workers or foreign workers. So purchasing this short means there is a possibility you will put money in the pockets of your fellow Americans.
This short is made of cotton, polyester and spandex. These three materials make it very comfortable. Because the cotton makes it highly breathable and cool, and the polyester plus spandex make it elastic and flexible. Hence if you are looking for a short that is going to make it very easy for you to work or relax in the summer, you should buy this Red Kap short.
The short also comes with true functionality. The features that make it functional include two hip pockets, two front pockets, and cargo pockets. The multiple pockets provide plenty of space for carrying all your stuff. According to mechanics, this pair of shorts is perfect for garage work because of these pockets.
One more thing we must mention about this short is that it is made by a renowned brand that has been marking workwear since the early 1920s. The only issue about this short is that it is only available in one color.
Get this pair of shorts if you are looking for work short that is both extremely comfortable and extremely functional.
8. Levi’s Men’s Carrier Cargo Work Short
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This cargo short is designed for light work. It is not rugged like some of the other work shorts reviewed above. It is also not made of the toughest materials. However, it is absolutely stylish and perfect for light work. So if you are looking for a pair of shorts for light work, get this Levi’s Men’s Carrier Cargo Short.
The product has five major highlights. First, it is super stylish. If you wear it with a nice polo tee and sneakers, you will look like a model or something. Second, it is available in two major sizes – regular and big. Moreover, it has belt loops all around. This means it is unlikely that it won’t sit comfortably on your waist.
Third, it is available in twelve different colors including black, navy blue, gray, and chino. It is highly likely that one of its many colors will impress you. Fourth, it falls just below the knee.
So although it is a short, it is still long enough and masculine enough. It is the kind of short that even macho men will not have a problem wearing. Lastly, it is machine washable.
Because of this, you will find it very easy to clean when you need to clean it. The only issue with this Levi’s short is that despite Levi’s being a famous American brand, it imports this short (it does not make it in the USA).
Although not made in the USA, this is a great Levi’s short for light work and for relaxing.
9. Unionbay Men’s Cordova Belted Messenger Cargo Work Short
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This short is the number 1 best seller in Amazon’s Men’s Outdoor Recreation Shorts. Everything about it is superb.
Like most shorts above, it is made of 100 percent cotton, it is machine washable, and it has cargo pockets. These facts make it a brilliant work short. However, in this review we are not going to talk about the features you now know so well about.
We are going to talk about the unique features in this UnionBay short. The unique features include a belt that is included for a more comfortable and snug fit, cargo pockets for carrying your phone and work stuff, and adjustable tabs at cuffs. The biggest issue about this short is that it is imported.
Despite being imported, this here is an amazing casual/work short.
10. Volcom Men’s Vmonty Stretch Chino Work Short
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This work short is perfect for those looking for a chino work short. This is because it is a men’s short that has a relaxed fit and is also quite stretchy to boot.
So if you want a short that is maximally comfortable, it is what you should be looking at. In addition to being comfortable, this short is pretty stylish.
It is something you can wear to relax at home, at the beach, or poolside. We believe that the only work that should be done when wearing this short is laid back freelance work on a beachside somewhere in Thailand or Vietnam.
This is because of just how comfortable and stylish this short is. This Volcom chino short also comes with multiple pockets for your keys, wallet, handkerchief, and whatever else you need to carry.
The pockets include 2 back welt pockets and two front pockets. One more thing worth noting about this short is that it is machine washable. The only thing not really cool about this short is that some versions of it are pricey. The most expensive version is $74, which is an amount that many would not pay for a simple short.
Despite being expensive, this is a quality short perfect for freelance work or outdoor jobs that do not require a lot of effort.
11. Dickies Women’s Stretch Performance Work Short
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This is the first women’s work short in this list. It is a high performance work short that features a smart design capable of intelligent cooling.
You will love wearing this when working in hot summer temperatures because of the high level of cooling it provides. On top of providing great cooling, this short is capable of wicking away moisture.
This makes it dry quickly and remain comfortable even in sweaty conditions. Furthermore, this short features reinforced stitching to make it more durable even when it is being used by a woman who is constantly in motion. The only thing you might not like about this short is the fact that it is imported.
While it is true this short is imported, it is a brilliant pair of work shorts.
12. UNIONBAY Women’s Darcy Stretch 5″ Inseam Work Short
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This is the second women’s work short in this list. Like the one above, it is a wonderful high-performance short. Moreover, like the one above, it is also made by a renowned workwear manufacturer – UNIONBAY. Because of this, you can expect it to have all the features you would expect from a short made by a popular brand.
The Darcy Stretch short is a great product for women looking for a comfortable short. This is because it is stretchy and has relaxed leg openings, two things which make it quite flexible and comfortable to use. Unlike many work shorts it is a pretty stylish work short.
Therefore, wherever you are allowed to wear shorts while working, it is what you should rock from time to time to show you’ve got style. The only thing not right about this short is that it is somewhat expensive compared to other women’s work shorts.
Despite being somewhat pricey, this is a great work short for women. It can also be worn as a casual short.Are Workwear Shorts Work Appropriate? Why Do You Need a Short for Work?
It depends really. In most office settings, wearing a short is not work appropriate. This is, of course, unless you are the CEO of the place. Shorts are inappropriate wear in most office settings because they do not provide employees with the right attitude and mentality for office work.
They are also not appropriate for offices because they can make clients to lose confidence. While shorts are not appropriate in office settings, they are appropriate for outdoor work especially in the summer. This is because it is typically very hot in the summer so wearing shorts is a way to keep cool and sane.
Moreover, for many jobs in construction, transportation, warehouse, and similar industries, there are shorts made specifically for them. For example, there are work shorts for tradies: carpenters, mechanics, yard work or warehouse work.
How Long Should Work Shorts Be?
The best work shorts are those that are not too long. They simply need to be longer than knee length to be sufficiently protective. This is because work shorts shorter than knee length do not offer great knee protection.
Important Factors To Consider When Buying Workwear Shorts
Durability
The most durable work shorts are those that are made of either ripstop fabric or canvas fabric. Ripstop is a very lightweight material. It is absolutely perfect for making summer working shorts. Canvas, on the other hand, is a more durable short-making material. It is also resistant to abrasion. However, it is slightly stiffer than ripstop.
Comfort
It is extremely important that you only buy work shorts that are comfortable. The most comfortable workwear shorts are those that are slightly stretchy, lightweight, and breathable.
Pockets
The best work shorts have multiple pockets to enable you to store your tools separately and where you can easily retrieve them.
Inseam
Most work shorts have a 10” inseam. These tend to hit around the knee. They are the best. Work shorts under 10” inseam tend to be too short for work.
Fit
Make sure the short you purchase has a loose fit. If it does not, it will make it difficult for you to work. Work shorts with a loose fit allow freedom of movement which is perfect for work.
Waistband
The best work shorts have an elastic waistband for a comfortable fit. They also have many belt loops for proper fitting.
Cost
Work shorts tend to cost between $20 and $50. The best ones go for $30 or more. However, you should know that not all expensive shorts are good shorts.
Some shorts are just expensive because they are sold by big brand names keen to make a profit. So check quality even after you spot a work short worth more than $30.
Conclusion
The list above revealed to you the best work shorts for both men and women. The work shorts included cheap work shorts, heavy duty work shorts, construction work shorts, and even casual work shorts. While there are many cheap men’s work shorts in the list, some of the shorts are admittedly expensive.
This is something to be aware of. Among the shorts, the very best one in our opinion is the first one in the list although there are no significant differences between it and the other work shorts.