If you’re still snoozing in your tattered boxers from college, or even worse, sweating through fleece joggers every night, then it’s time to explore the best sleep shorts for men.
From cotton boxers to drawstring linen numbers, the best men’s sleep shorts offer a bit of an upgrade from pajamas that bog you down. If you’re a hot sleeper or are craving a more breathable night’s rest, then the shorts on this list will take all of the guesswork out of what to wear to bed.
Hey, you can even get away with wearing some of them out of the house.
Keep reading to explore seven of the best sleep shorts for men, which will keep you cool and comfortable all night long.
Key Takeaways
After poring over dozens of sites and too many reviews to count, the list is in. If you’re looking for an easy way to upgrade your evening, then the best men’s sleep shorts are the David Archy Bamboo Sleep Shorts, which are made from a soft, breathable plant fiber that’s particularly attractive for guys who run hot when they sleep.
More of a cotton guy? There’s no option more classic than Hanes Tagless Boxers, which come in a five-pack for an unbeatable budget price.
Why they’re great: If you’re ready to change your life, or at least your sleep routine, then these are the best sleep shorts for men. Made from woven bamboo fibers, these sleep shorts are wildly soft, crazy breathable, and some of the most comfortable pajamas you’ll ever wear.
Finished with pockets and a drawstring, these lightweight sleep shorts are adjustable and give you full range of movement to roll around in bed to your heart’s content.
Who are these for? Tired of sleeping in running shorts? These are by far the best alternative, with an innovative material that will give you a new outlook on pajamas. They’re finished with a tag-free design and reinforced seams, so you’ll never want to sleep in anything else after trying these.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: You may find these casual shorts are a bit long. They’re also a bit revealing, so you may want to change before having company over.
Material: 95% bamboo rayon, 5% spandex | Sizes Available: S–XL | Colors Available: 4 | Inseam: ~11” | Care: Machine wash
Why they’re great: Like sweatpants with the bottoms lopped off. These are the best sleep shorts for men seeking a cozy feeling. They have a fleecy interior with a soft-to-the-touch jersey fabric. Think of them as your favorite hybrid shorts — the ones you never, ever want to take off.
Who are these for? If you like sleeping in sweatpants but need a bit of breathing room, then these sleep shorts are an exceptional middle ground. You can even wear them out and about if the spirit moves you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These shorts are on the longer side and also cost a pretty penny. You can get similar sports shorts for a fraction of the price. But they likely won’t have the same attention to detail as this pair.
Material: 100% organic cotton | Sizes Available: XS–2XL | Colors Available: 2 | Inseam: ~11” | Care: Machine wash
Why they’re great: Summer nights have never felt better, especially when spent in linen sleep shorts. These can easily take you from the pool to the bedroom, with super lightweight construction and elastic waist. Made in Portugal from Irish linen, these are a luxurious take on warm-weather sleepwear.
Who are these for? Since most men’s sleep shorts are on the longer side (minus classic boxers), these are an excellent choice if you prefer to sleep in something a bit shorter (not quite short shorts, but not too far, either).
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Linen can be a bit fragile, so if you’re a rough sleeper, these may sustain some damage.
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: XS–2XL | Colors Available: 2 | Inseam: ~8” | Care: Machine wash
Why they’re great: These are the gold standard when it comes to the best sleep shorts for men — you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable, better-constructed pair of pajamas. Made in Portugal from ultra-breathable Tencel lyocell, these sleep shorts have a silky feel, elastic waist, and pockets to help you embody your own Hugh Heff.
Who are these for? You know that feeling you get when curled up on hotel sheets? These sleep shorts give a similar luxury vibe but from the comfort of your own home.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: $200 for a pair of shorts you can’t wear outside of the house seems a bit steep, but once you slip them on, you’ll never sleep in another type of shorts again.
Material: Tencel lyocell | Sizes Available: 44–54 | Colors Available: 2 | Inseam: ~11” | Care: Cold wash, hang dry
Why they’re great: These sleep shorts live up to their name with an unbelievably soft construction. Decked out with jersey fabric, these sleep shorts for men are moisture-wicking and lightweight to keep you cool all night long.
So go ahead and wear them for a week. They mask odors, too, so your girlfriend will never know they skipped wash day… twice.
Who are these for? For the guy who runs hot at night, these are the best sleep shorts for men. Thanks to the cotton polyester blend, they have a lightweight feel that makes them easy to wear in bed, even on the hottest nights of the year.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These shorts have an elastic waist but no drawstring, so they’re plenty stretchy but not adjustable.
Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester | Sizes Available: S–4XL | Colors Available: 6 | Inseam: ~11” | Care: Machine wash
Why they’re great: I have a hard time picturing anything more classic than Hanes plaid boxers as sleep shorts. Every movie, TV show, pop culture reference, and man in my own life has a pair of these — in fact, I’d be willing to bet Tom Cruise was wearing these under his button-down in Risky Business.
Comfortable, cheap, and perfect for year-round wear, these boxers are a one-way ticket to a good night’s sleep, especially given the moisture wicking, tagless construction.
Who are these for? For the purist, the gent on a budget, or a guy seeking no fuss or frills, these are the best sleep shorts for men. They also come in a five-pack to carry you through every night of the (work) week.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These boxers lack pockets and aren’t adjustable, so you’re pretty much stuck with the elastic waist as is.
Material: 55% cotton, 45% polyester | Sizes Available: S–3XL | Colors Available: 3 | Inseam: ~7” | Care: Machine wash
Why they’re great: There’s just something about sleeping in waffle knit that is so comforting. It’s like your favorite bathrobe in pajama form, with unparalleled softness and the perfect texture to lull anyone to sleep. These BOSS lounge shorts come in eleven colors and are the ultimate choice for a mid-range option offering incredible value.
Who are these for? If you’re tired of the same cotton sleep shorts, then these are an interesting spin. The drawstring makes for an adjustable fit, but they have slightly less give than a normal elastic waist.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although these are great for sleeping, you may not want to wear them for much else, considering how much they display what’s going on below.
Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester | Sizes Available: S–2XL | Colors Available: 11 | Inseam: ~10” | Care: Machine wash
Buying Considerations for the Best Sleep Shorts for Men
Material
The main consideration when choosing the best sleep shorts for men is the material, as this affects overall comfort, quality, and durability.
Classic men’s sleep shorts are made from cotton, which is an excellent option for soft, versatile sleep shorts. Cotton shorts are easy to chuck in the machine when they need a wash and will get you through all four seasons without breaking a sweat. They also tend to have a really decent quality but may break down after a few years of nightly wear.
However, if you run hot while in bed, you may want to consider alternative materials like tencel lyocell or bamboo, both of which are plant-based choices with a significantly lighter, silkier feel to them.
These materials are ultra-breathable and ideal for warmer climates, hot summer months, or beds with lots of blankets. They can be a bit more fragile than cotton and more expensive, too, but they hold up well over the long term while bringing luxury to the bedroom.
Waistband Style
Waistband style plays into the comfort of your chosen sleep shorts, as well as their adjustability (or lack thereof). Most sleep shorts have an elastic waistband with plenty of give to it — the last thing you want is an uncomfortable fabric digging into your skin all night long.
Along with an elastic waist, many of the best sleep shorts for men will have a drawstring for a perfectly customizable fit.
The drawstring doesn’t make or break anything, but it’s always nice to be able to cinch the shorts when you need to hit the bathroom in the morning or before answering the front door.
Price
You’ll find sleep shorts in a huge range of prices, from super cheap cotton boxers to silken numbers that cost several hundred bucks. The type you choose comes down to personal preference, but you may find that if you’ll be wearing them every night to sleep, it’s worth investing in a pair that you actually look forward to slipping on after a long day.
How We Chose
With so many options for men’s sleep shorts, I used the following criteria to determine the best choices:
Brand Reputation: Although it’s not everything, shorts’ brand reputation helped narrow the pool of quality sleep shorts for men. The companies you see on this list are well revered for their comfortable, high-quality menswear, sleep shorts included.
Customer Reviews: Understanding how people really feel about each product helped me choose the top options by reading thousands of user reviews. Rather than settling for subpar choices, the reviews led me to the shorts that are really worth a man’s time.
Material & Quality: Finally, and most importantly, each of these sleep shorts was chosen for its material and overall quality. Rather than falling apart after a few wears, the sleep shorts on this list are constructed to last you for years to come… that’s a lot of nights in bed.
Why Trust Us?
Jane is a comfort fanatic — nothing is more important to her than clothes that feel as good as they look. She understands the need for practical, durable sleep shorts and strives to help guide men towards products that really work for them, shown through this article and her recent writing, seen in the best tracksuits for men and the most comfortable shoes.
No matter where she is in the world, Jane is always on the lookout for the latest, greatest, and coziest menswear. In crafting this guide on the best sleep shorts, Jane employed rigorous research methods. She meticulously evaluated comfort, fabric quality, and durability, ensuring each recommendation met the highest standards.
Her passion for discovering the latest trends and best products in men’s fashion is evident in her thorough and engaging reviews. Trust Jane to guide you through the best choices for your sleepwear needs, as her expertise is unmatched in the world of men’s grooming and fashion.
Final Verdict
Out of everything you could possibly sleep in, the best sleep shorts for men are the David Archy Bamboo Sleep Shorts, with an impossibly soft and lightweight construction and a very reasonable price point. If you’re more of a cotton guy, then you can’t go wrong with Hanes Tagless Boxers — this five-pack is particularly great value.
FAQ
-
-
The best sleeping attire for men is whatever you feel most comfortable in, whether it’s a t-shirt and shorts or your birthday suit.
-
Pyjamas can absolutely be shorts — in fact, they most commonly are, especially in warmer months or hotter climates. Pajamas can be anything you want, so don’t be afraid to be your most comfortable while tucked under the covers.
-