8 Best Short Length Cargo Shorts [5-9 Inch Inseams] | Workwear Command (2024)

Most cargo shorts typically have a 10 to 11 inch inseam, but if you want short length cargo shorts, you still have plenty of options. Short cargo shorts not only make sense for those who don’t have long legs, but they also allow your legs to breathe a bit in the summer heat, and can be beneficial for outdoor recreation such as hiking.

*This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (info)

These are my choices for the best short inseam cargo shorts:

There’s quite a bit to consider when shopping for short cargo shorts. Perhaps the biggest decision you’ll need to make is the type of material you need. Do you need a heavy duty material, or will a lighter-weight, flexible material work for you?

Several of the shorts on this list are designed to function either as work shorts or hiking shorts, and therefore are made with durable material that can stand up to a rugged environment. These durable materials include both canvas and ripstop options.

Some options may use a stretch fabric material in combination with a gusset to help increase the comfort of the shorts, and improve your range of motion. If you are unsure what a gusset it, watch this quick video below:

In this article let’s take a closer look at the best short inseam cargo shorts so you can find an option that fits your needs. Let’s also discuss several things to consider when buying these types of short cargo shorts.

My Favorite Short Length Cargo Shorts

Wrangler ATG Asymmetric 9 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts

These Wrangler ATG 9 inch inseam cargo shorts are my favorite. If you are unfamiliar with Wrangler ATG, it stands for “All Terrain Gear”, and they specialize in outdoor hiking-style clothing that is both comfortable and functional.

Here’s what these Wrangler ATG Short Length Cargo Shorts look like:

This is the current price of these Wrangler short cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these short length cargo shorts:

• Material – These short inseam cargo shorts are made with a lightweight 96% nylon/4% spandex stretch fabric blend. Very easy to move around and work in these shorts. The elastic flex waistband offers a smooth fit with no digging.

• Inseam Length – These are 9 inch inseam cargo shorts.

• Weather Protection – This short is rated UPF 30 to give you some protection from the sun. It also has a water-repellent finish to help keep you dry in light precipitation.

• Pockets – One thing I like about these shorts is one of the cargo pockets is a zip cargo pocket, which provides a secure place to store essentials.

• Fit – This asymmetric cargo features a flexible fit that allows you to move through your day in total comfort. The regular fit through the seat and thigh aren’t restrictive and the gusseted crotch provides increased mobility.

These shorts have a very lightweight design. My size 32 weighs only 0.61 pounds:

The material is definitely designed for comfort, but it still has some toughness to it that makes these shorts usable for work and other outdoor activities.

Here’s a close-up look at the material:

These shorts have a standard cargo pocket down the left leg, and a zip pocket on the right leg:

For comfort, these shorts have both an elastic waistband and a crotch gusset so bending and crouching on the job is comfortable:

Yes, these short length cargo shorts are shorter than standard 10 or 11 inch inseams, but these will actually be (tied) for the longest inseam length in this article. For me, these shorts finish an inch or two above the knee. If you are looking for a mid-thigh cargo short, you may need a shorter option than this.

Click here to buy these Wrangler short cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In my experience, these shorts fit true to size.

Columbia Brewha Ii 7 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts

Columbia is well known for making outdoor active-wear. What I like about these shorts are they are very lightweight, and are a nice option when summer turns brutally hot.

Here’s what these Columbia Men’s Short Cargo Shorts look like:

This is the current price of these Columbia short length cargo shorts available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these shorts:

• Material – These shorts are made with cotton and the material is rated UPF 50 to give you protection from the sun. They have a relaxed fit that won’t hug tight against your legs. These are 7 inch inseam cargo shorts.

• Ease of Movement – These shorts have a partial elastic waistband and also have gusseted details to allow you to move freely while wearing these shorts.

• Large Pockets – These shorts have very large cargo pockets. They are built large enough to store a beverage can inside the pockets. If you need large cargo pockets, these might be your best option. The back pockets zip-close to give you a place to safely store essentials.

Click here to buy these Columbia short inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These short length cargo shorts are machine washable.

Wrangler Canvas Hiker 8 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts

These Wrangler shorts are made with 100% cotton. They feature easily accessible cargo pockets for storing essentials. These shorts have a relaxed fit and, yes, have a shorter length 8-inch inseam.

Here’s what these Wrangler Men’s Cargo Shorts look like:

This is the current price of these Wrangler short length cargo shorts available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these shorts:

• Design – These shorts are made with a sturdy 100% cotton canvas material. Yes, they have a shorter inseam length of 8 inches. Relaxed fit that won’t hug tight against your legs.

• Gusset – These shorts have a built-in crotch gusset for comfortable bending and crouching on the job.

• Waistband – The waistband on these shorts is partial elastic providing a snug, but comfortable fit around the waist.

• Pockets – One thing I like about these shorts are the front-side cargo pockets that are very easy to access while working. Great place to store essentials on the job. Six total pockets on these shorts.

Click here to buy these Wrangler short inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These shorts are machine washable.

Other Shorter Length Cargo Shorts to Consider

• Duluth Trading Co. DuluthFlex Fire Hose 9 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts– Duluth Trading Co. is another trusted name in workwear, and they are well-known for making comfortable workwear. These shorts have the “Fire Hose” material for toughness, but have spandex added for flexibility. They have 11 total pockets and a relaxed fit that won’t hug tight. Yes, shorter length 9-inch inseam.Click hereto view these Duluth short inseam cargo shorts (paid affiliate link takes you to DuluthTrading.com).

• Goodthreads Comfort Stretch 9 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts – These Goodthreads 9 inch inseam cargo shorts are a nice option if you are looking for casual-style shorts. These are shorts you can wear around town. They are made with a cotton/elastane fabric blend that gives the material some stretch. Standard design with button-close cargo pockets down each leg. Click here to view these Goodthreads short gargo shorts (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

• Columbia Permit III 6 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts – As we discussed earlier in the article, Columbia shorts are popular hiking shorts, and this pair of cargo shorts is actually offered in both a 6-inch and 8-inch inseam. They are made with a quick-dry material and feature a partial elastic waistband for comfort. The pockets are front-side, which make them a bit easier to access. Click here to view these Columbia short length cargo short (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

What to Consider When Buying Short Inseam Cargo Shorts

Fit of Your Cargo Shorts

Most short length cargo shorts will have a relaxed fit design that doesn’t hug too tight against your legs. This is the fit that most people prefer, whether they are working, hiking, or just running errands around town.

If you prefer a slim design, it can be harder to find options. To read more, I would advise you to visit our article that discusses the best slim fit shorts.

Crotch Gusset

As we discussed earlier in the article, a crotch gusset is extra material sewn into the crotch to add comfort and flexibility to your shorts (buying a stretch material is another way). To read more, visit our article about work shorts with gusseted crotch.

Here’s a look at two gusset shorts I own:

There are several types of short inseam cargo shorts that have a crotch gusset. The size of the gusset can vary. Some crotch gussets will be smaller (diamond shaped) and confined to the crotch area, while others will run the full length of the short.

In comparison, the full length gussets will provide you with more range of motion when hiking and running. But for simple bending and crouching on the job, both types of gussets work just fine. Buying short length cargo shorts with a gusset adds flexibility and comfort.

Durability

In general, canvas shorts will be much more durable than other types of shorts. If you are using these short cargo shorts for work, it might be best to stick with canvas (best short length work shorts).

But canvas shorts can be a bit heavier, and also trap more heat. A good lightweight option for work will be ripstop shorts (best ripstop cargo shorts). This type of material is very lightweight, but is designed in a way that discourages rips and tears, and can add some durability to your shorts.

Other Cargo Shorts to Consider

If you don’t like any of the short length cargo shorts on this list, perhaps some of these other types of cargo shorts might work better for you:

• Cargo Short with Zip Close Pockets
• Cargo Shorts for the Job
• Elastic Waistband Cargo Shorts
• Cargo Shorts with Stretch Fabric
• Long Cargo Shorts

Moisture Wicking Cargo Shorts

Buying short inseam cargo shorts that are designed to wick sweat away can be a very helpful way to stay cooler and drier on the job. When moisture wicking shorts pull sweat away, it gets dispersed on the outside of the short allowing it to dry quicker.

Another small benefit from this is the evaporation process can naturally pull a small amount of heat away from your body. This quick dry evaporation is a sort of win-win process, and might be a nice option for those of you looking for short length cargo shorts to wear in hot weather.