Walking shorts are one of those things I never thought much about.
I normally wear fairly ordinary training shorts in 3XL.
I have several pairs from different brands.
As long as they are comfortable and leave enough room around my thighs, they generally work.
For me, the more important part of avoiding thigh chafing has actually been the underwear underneath. I use longer anti-chafe boxer briefs, and that takes care of most of the friction problem.
But once I started walking more regularly, I noticed another problem:
where do you put your phone, keys and other small things?
In the gym, I normally leave them in a small bag and only wear my Apple Watch.
On a walk, that does not work.
I often end up carrying my phone in my hand, which is particularly annoying when it is raining.
That got me looking more closely at walking and running shorts, especially the newer 2-in-1 designs with a fitted inner layer and more secure storage.
Unfortunately, several of the ones I initially found stopped at XL.
So for this list I used one simple rule:
Every option has to be available in at least 3XL.
I also deliberately chose different types of shorts rather than five versions of basically the same thing.
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Quick picks
| Shorts | Best for | Size availability* |
|---|---|---|
| BALEAF Men’s 5″ Running Athletic Shorts | Best overall / shorter option | Up to 3XL |
| MIER Men’s 2-in-1 Athletic Running Shorts 7 Inch | Best 2-in-1 | Up to 3XL |
| Amazon Essentials Men’s Supersoft Performance 6″ Relaxed-Fit Athletic Shorts | Best budget | Up to 3XL |
| Under Armour UA Tech Graphic 10″ Shorts | Best longer option | Up to 5XL |
| NORTHYARD Men’s Athletic Running Shorts Quick Dry Lightweight Zip Pockets | Best for storage and outdoor walking | Up to 3XL |
*Sizing and stock can vary by colour and Amazon marketplace, so always check the actual size selector before ordering.
1. BALEAF Men’s 5″ Running Athletic Shorts — Best Overall
Best for: Someone who prefers shorter athletic shorts with useful storage.
Length: 5″
Sizing: Up to 3XL
Key features: Liner/no-liner versions, side pockets and a zipped pocket
These are probably closest to what I personally look for in training shorts.
I prefer shorts that finish around the middle of my thigh rather than close to the knee, and the 5-inch length puts these firmly in that shorter category.
They are available with or without a liner, which is useful because not everyone wants the same setup.
I normally wear separate longer anti-chafe underwear under my training shorts, so I would probably choose the no-liner version for myself.
Someone who prefers an integrated layer may choose differently.
The pockets are another reason I like the concept for walking.
There are normal side pockets plus a zipped pocket for something you want to keep more secure.
Why I picked them
- Available in 3XL
- Shorter 5-inch length
- Choice of liner or no liner
- Side pockets plus zipped storage
- Lightweight, quick-drying design
Potential downside
Five-inch shorts will simply be too short for some people.
If you prefer more coverage around the thighs, one of the longer options below will make more sense.
2. MIER Men’s 2-in-1 Athletic Running Shorts 7 Inch — Best 2-in-1 Option
Best for: Walking if you want an inner fitted layer plus more secure storage.
Length: 7″
Sizing: Up to 3XL
Key features: 2-in-1 construction, quick-dry fabric and pockets
This is actually the most interesting option on the list for me personally.
I had been seeing this type of short repeatedly on Instagram and other social media.
Normal running shorts on the outside, but instead of the traditional loose mesh liner, there is a fitted layer underneath.
That idea makes a lot of sense for walking.
The fitted inner layer can potentially help with thigh friction, while the outer short still gives you the looser feel of normal training shorts.
The version I found from MIER is available in 3XL, which is important because quite a few similar 2-in-1 running shorts stop much earlier.
I have not personally used this pair, so I do not want to pretend that I know whether the inner layer is comfortable for longer walks.
But conceptually it addresses one of the main things I would want to test:
could a 2-in-1 short replace separate anti-chafe underwear?
That would make the whole setup simpler.
Why I picked them
- Available in 3XL
- Built-in fitted inner layer
- 7-inch length
- Quick-dry construction
- Could reduce the need for a separate anti-chafe layer
Potential downside
A 2-in-1 design is more complicated than normal shorts.
If you already have underwear that completely solves your chafing problem, you may simply prefer loose shorts on top.
For me, this is the option I would be most interested in trying rather than the one I can already personally recommend.
3. Amazon Essentials Men’s Supersoft Performance 6″ Relaxed-Fit Athletic Shorts — Best Budget Option
Best for: A simple, inexpensive pair of shorter training shorts.
Length: 6″
Sizing: Up to 3XL
Key feature: Low price and relaxed athletic fit
At around $10 when I checked, these are the clear budget option on the list.
The 6-inch length also makes them one of the shorter choices here, which suits someone who prefers training shorts well above the knee.
They use a relaxed athletic cut rather than a fitted running style, which is the direction I would personally look for with bigger thighs.
They are not trying to solve every problem.
There is no built-in compression layer, and they are not the storage-focused option on this list.
But if you simply want comfortable training shorts in a bigger size without spending much, that is exactly why they belong here.
Why I picked them
- Available in 3XL
- Around $10 when checked
- Relaxed fit
- Shorter 6-inch length
- Simple and inexpensive
Potential downside
They are a basic pair of training shorts.
If secure storage, an inner layer or more technical features are important to you, another option on the list makes more sense.
4. Under Armour UA Tech Graphic 10″ Shorts — Best Longer Option
Best for: Someone who wants a recognised sports brand and more thigh coverage.
Inseam: 10″ regular
Sizing: Up to 5XL
Fit: Relaxed
Under Armour’s UA Tech shorts are the longest option I would include.
The regular version has a 10-inch inseam, which gives much more coverage than the shorter training styles.
The cut is loose and roomy, and the fabric is designed to dry quickly.
That is almost the opposite of my personal preference on length.
I normally like training shorts that finish around the middle of my thigh.
But this article should not just recommend five shorts that fit me.
If you prefer more coverage, a 10-inch relaxed training short is a perfectly reasonable choice for walking.
The extra length may also appeal to someone who simply feels more comfortable in longer gym shorts.
Why I picked them
- Up to 5XL
- Relaxed cut
- 10-inch inseam
- Quick-drying fabric
- Established athletic brand
Potential downside
The pockets are ordinary hand pockets rather than the more secure storage offered by some of the other shorts here.
This model also has no liner, so you will need your preferred underwear or anti-chafe layer underneath.
5. NORTHYARD Men’s Athletic Running Shorts Quick Dry Lightweight Zip Pockets — Best for Storage and Outdoor Walking
Best for: Walking when you want secure pockets for your phone, keys and other small items.
Lengths: Available in multiple lengths depending on version
Sizing: Up to 4XL
Key feature: Zipped pockets
The main reason I included NORTHYARD is storage.
The shorts use lightweight stretch fabric and have zipped pockets for things such as a phone, wallet or keys.
That is particularly relevant to me because I currently do not have a particularly good phone solution when I walk.
My existing shorts have normal pockets, but I often keep my phone in my hand anyway.
That is manageable in good weather.
It is much less convenient once autumn arrives and it starts raining.
A zipped pocket that holds the phone relatively securely therefore matters more to me for walking shorts than it does for gym shorts.
Why I picked them
- Available in 4XL
- Zipped storage
- Lightweight material
- Quick-dry construction
- Suitable for outdoor walking as well as training
Potential downside
They overlap quite a lot with ordinary lightweight training shorts.
If you do not care about secure storage, there may be little reason to choose these over whatever comfortable shorts you already own.
What actually matters in walking shorts for a bigger man?
After looking through the options, I do not think there is one special feature that suddenly turns normal shorts into “walking shorts.”
For me, the priorities are fairly basic.
1. Enough space around the thighs
This is probably number one.
I have large thighs, and I do not want shorts clinging tightly around them.
A roomy cut also seems to help prevent the outer shorts from constantly riding upwards.
That does not mean the shorts have to be extremely baggy.
They simply need enough space for your legs to move normally.
2. Deal with chafing separately if necessary
I would not rely on the outer shorts alone to solve thigh chafing.
For me, longer anti-chafe underwear has been the bigger improvement.
I wrote separately about the walking underwear I use to prevent inner-thigh chafing.
If you already have underwear that works, a simple loose pair of training shorts may be all you need.
The exception is the 2-in-1 design.
If the inner fitted layer is long enough and comfortable enough, it may potentially perform the same role.
3. Phone storage matters more than I expected
This is something I barely think about when training indoors.
When walking outdoors, however, I usually need:
- my phone;
- keys;
- sometimes a wallet or cards.
Holding the phone works, but it is not ideal.
For that reason I would now rank secure pockets much higher for walking shorts than I would have a year ago.
A zipped pocket or fitted thigh pocket also reduces the amount the phone moves around while you walk.
4. Do not obsess over fabric
Most of my training shorts are lightweight synthetic quick-drying material.
But I have also walked in thicker cotton lounge-style shorts without any major problem.
For normal walking, I do not think everyone suddenly needs highly technical running fabric.
If you are walking hard in hot weather, quick-drying material is obviously useful.
For a relaxed evening walk, almost anything comfortable can work.
5. Length is mostly personal preference
I prefer shorter training-style shorts, roughly around mid-thigh.
Someone else may prefer shorts close to the knee.
Neither is inherently better for a bigger man.
What matters more is whether the cut gives you enough room and whether the shorts stay comfortable after 30, 60 or 90 minutes of walking.
My pick
If I were buying from this list for myself, I would probably try the MIER 2-in-1 shorts first.
Not because I already know they are the best.
I do not.
I would try them because they are different from what I already own.
Ordinary loose training shorts already work reasonably well for me.
What I do not currently have is a good combination of:
- fitted inner layer;
- loose outer short;
- more secure storage.
If the 2-in-1 design delivers all three comfortably in a genuine 3XL, that could actually improve my walking setup.
If I simply wanted something close to my current preference, I would probably look first at the BALEAF 5-inch shorts.
If I wanted something inexpensive, the Amazon Essentials option is the obvious budget choice.
And if I wanted longer coverage, the Under Armour 10-inch shorts would make more sense.
Final thoughts
You do not need specialised running shorts before you can start walking.
I certainly did not.
For a long time I have simply used whatever comfortable training shorts I already owned.
For bigger men, I think the basics matter more:
room for your thighs, a waistband that stays comfortably in place, something underneath that prevents chafing if you need it, and enough storage for whatever you carry.
Once those things work, the rest is preference.
And if you are just getting started, I would not spend a fortune trying to optimise everything at once.
Get comfortable shorts that actually come in your size.
Then go for the walk.
