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How to Pick the Best Sleep Shorts

Corey Majeau

Are you looking for something cool and comfortable to wear while sleeping? Sleep shorts are often a very underrated piece of nightwear when they can be very comfortable and versatile. Let’s help you find the best sleep shorts while also telling more about how to pick them.

1. Real Essentials Store Lounge Shorts – Editor's Choice

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  • Price Range: $20 – $30
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex

2. Hanes Men's 2-Pack Knit Sleep Pajama

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  • Price Range: $10 – $40
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL, XXXXXL
  • Materials: cotton, cotton + polyester blend

3. Amazon Essentials Pajama Short

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  • Price Range: $5 – $20
  • Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 64% Rayon, 32% Cotton, 4% Spandex

4. Real Essentials Store Athletic Lounge Shorts for Women

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  • Price Range: $20 – $40
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex

5. Ekouaer Women's Pajama Shorts

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  • Price Range: $20 – $30
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex

6. Just Love Womans Pajamas Shorts

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  • Price Range: $10 – $20
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Materials: jersey knit fabric, cotton

7. AMERICAN HEAVEN Shorts

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  • Price Range: $10 – $50
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL, XXXXXL
  • Materials: cotton

8. Calvin Klein Boys' Lounge Pajama Shorts

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  • Price Range: $5 – $30
  • Available Sizes: XS, L, 6-6X, 4, 4-5, 5, 6, 7-8, 8, 10, 10-12, 14, 14-16
  • Materials: polyester

Best Sleep Shorts for Everyone

Shorts are comfortable for sleeping and for wearing around the house on a lazy Saturday morning. Choose the shorts that work best for you and your lifestyle.

1. Real Essentials Store Lounge Shorts – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Price Range: $20 – $30
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex

Pros

  • Contains 3 shorts.
  • Machine washable.
  • Multiple color combinations to choose from.

Cons

  • The sizes feel a bit off.

Made with an elastic waistband and constructed from a combination of 95 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex, these shorts come in a set of 3 and are designed for comfortable sleeping. They’re super soft to the touch and can be used as lounge shorts. They are available in regular and plus-sizing, with a wide range of sizes to choose from.

2. Hanes Men's 2-Pack Knit Sleep Pajama – Runner Up

Highlights

  • Price Range: $10 – $40
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL, XXXXXL
  • Materials: cotton, cotton + polyester blend

Pros

  • Front button closure and waist drawstring.
  • Plenty of size options.
  • Versatile use.

Cons

  • The drawstring is of poor quality.

The Hanes pack of two sleeping shorts is the perfect purchase for men who want a versatile pair of shorts that they can wear while sleeping, watching TV, mowing the lawn, sitting by the pool, or even when going to the supermarket down the street. They are extremely comfortable, with some pairs being made from cotton alone while others are manufactured using a cotton and polyester blend.

3. Amazon Essentials Pajama Short – Bargain Buy

Highlights

  • Price Range: $5 – $20
  • Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 64% Rayon, 32% Cotton, 4% Spandex

Pros

  • Machine washable.
  • Loose and comfortable fit.
  • Breathable fabric.

Cons

  • Poor quality seams.

If you’ve been shopping on Amazon for a while, you probably know about their Amazon Essentials brand. They are targeting people looking to purchase affordable items of decent quality, so it’s no surprise that their sleep shorts are so popular. These are made from a combination of cotton, rayon, and spandex, offering a good balance between softness, elasticity, and durability.

4. Real Essentials Store Athletic Lounge Shorts for Women – Most comfortable

Highlights

  • Price Range: $20 – $40
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex

Pros

  • Machine washable.
  • Includes 3 pairs of shorts.
  • Can be used for workouts.

Cons

  • They are pretty thin.

If you value comfort above everything else, you’re going to love the loose fit of these shorts. Made by combining polyester and spandex, these shorts feature all the moisture-wicking you need should you ever sleep warm. There’s a drawstring closure and they are machine washable. You can choose between 9 different color combinations and 5 different sizes.

5. Ekouaer Women's Pajama Shorts – Most Design Options

Highlights

  • Price Range: $20 – $30
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Materials: 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex

Pros

  • Very breathable.
  • Multiple colors and print options.
  • Machine washable.

Cons

  • The ruffle could be sewn better.

With 14 combinations to choose from, this is an option that allows you to have 24 different women’s sleep shorts with the best colors and prints out there. Made from a combo of spandex and rayon, these offer superior elasticity. Even so, they are loose enough to allow you to sleep comfortably without suffocating the skin.

6. Just Love Womans Pajamas Shorts – Best for Women

Highlights

  • Price Range: $10 – $20
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Materials: jersey knit fabric, cotton

Pros

  • Machine washable.
  • Adorable and sexy design.
  • Very breathable.

Cons

  • They are very short.

Have you ever been envious of how comfortable boxer shorts for men can be? You may have even purchased a couple of them in secret so that you may just relax in the house, right? With these shorts, your skin and private parts can breathe and you will look mighty sexy while wearing them. They’re made from soft and machine-washable fabric and have the cutest waist ribbon!

7. AMERICAN HEAVEN Shorts – Best Cotton Shorts

Highlights

  • Price Range: $10 – $50
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL, XXXXXL
  • Materials: cotton

Pros

  • Comfortable cotton fabric.
  • Multiple size options.
  • Machine washable.

Cons

  • They run small.

Cotton is often the go-to fabric for bedding and sleepwear, which is why cotton shorts are very popular. That’s because the material is very soft and a lot of people enjoy its breathability. This particular set includes three pairs of cotton shorts that are machine washable and longer than other shorts we’ve seen today. I feel like most men would sleep in these even during the winter.

8. Calvin Klein Boys' Lounge Pajama Shorts – Best for Boys

Highlights

  • Price Range: $5 – $30
  • Available Sizes: XS, L, 6-6X, 4, 4-5, 5, 6, 7-8, 8, 10, 10-12, 14, 14-16
  • Materials: polyester

Pros

  • Machine washable.
  • More than 10 size options.
  • Durable elastic waistband.

Cons

  • Questionable fabric durability.

Made from polyester, this set of two shorts is available in multiple color and print combinations, so that you can pick between eight different pairs that you think your boy might like. These synthetic shorts are perfect for sleeping but can be used as lounge pants easily. The elastic waistband gives a nice, secure fit and can be cleaned in the washing machine.

What to Consider in a Pair of Sleep Shorts

Aside from materials, which is a topic that deserved its section later in the article, here are some things to think about when looking for a decent pair of sleep shorts.

• Durability

Choose a set of pajamas that will endure a long time, won’t readily wear off, and won’t become unfashionable in a short amount of time. Examine the quality, paying particular attention to the seams and ends, since these are the areas where the thread is most likely to fray.

• Fit

To ensure a proper fit, examine the sizing chart and check and recheck the indicated dimensions. Because there are many different body shapes, it is important to select shorts that are flattering to the one you have.

• Ease of Care

When it comes to cleaning, regular fabrics can be washed in a machine. However, delicate materials such as satin and silk may require being hand washed and dried on a line. So, before purchasing, read the whole care instruction carefully.

You might want to read this: Everything You Need to Know About What You Should and Shouldn’t Wear to Bed

Sleep Shorts vs Regular Shorts 

Regular shorts, also known as performance shorts, may look similar to sleep shorts when you first search for them on the internet. However, these two wearables are designed with two completely different purposes in mind, so let’s take a look at what similarities they share and what makes them different from one another. 

• Fitting

To ensure the most restful sleep possible while you are in bed, maintaining a comfortable fit is essential. If there is too much fabric, you will spend the entire night shifting positions and readjusting them. In a similar vein, if the cut of the garment is overly restrictive, it will likely prevent you from being able to relax.

Similar considerations should be given to regular shorts. You want to make sure that the garment fits you in such a way that it does not restrict your range of motion, but at the same time, you don’t want it to be so big that it gathers excess fabric about your body. It’s important to find a balance that works for everyone.

• Durability

Because you will have to sleep 24 hours a day for the rest of your life, you can be sure that the pajamas you buy will get a lot of use. Even though sleeping might seem like a mild activity, sleep shorts are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. 

The last thing you need is to keep buying new sleep shorts every few months; that’s just inconvenient. When it comes to sleepwear, as with any other type of clothing, the best selection is a long-lasting one.

As a result of the fact that workout shorts are typically constructed with an emphasis on greater durability and are intended for high-intensity performance, it is only logical that they are suitable in and out of the gym.

• Versatility

There are some regular shorts that you can wear while sleeping but you’ll rarely catch people wearing sleep shorts to the gym. Some pieces are versatile and if you’re looking to save money, consider buying regular shorts that could be worn during all kinds of activities. 

• Comfort

When it comes to ease of use, one of the most essential aspects of a sleep shorts design is its ability to provide a pleasant experience to the wearer. As you get ready for bed, the other mental processes in your body begin to slow down, which causes your sensation of touch to become more acute.

It should be no surprise that regular shorts are designed to be very comfortable these days. This is because improved materials and more thoughtful manufacturing have made this possible. If you get the correct pair, the shorts you wear to the gym can also double the shorts you wear to bed.

You might be interested: Sleep Attire for Success

Best Materials for Sleeping

Few people think about the clothes they wear to bed while trying to improve their sleep environment. It’s possible that the correct textiles can help you stay warm, wick away moisture, or even produce feel-good chemicals in your brain to help you have a good night’s sleep.

Cotton

Sheets and nightgowns often are made of fabrics that are 100 percent cotton. Cotton of a high grade, such as that with a high thread count, is not only smooth and soft but also very lightweight. Cotton is an affordable alternative that can be considered by those individuals who favor natural fabrics over synthetic ones.

Cotton does have some drawbacks to it. Because it does not great at either insulating or wicking away moisture, it is best suited for persons who do not have trouble maintaining a comfortable body temperature as they sleep.

Silk

Some people believe that nothing can compare to the luxurious and supple sensation that comes from having silk draped over their bodies. This all-natural fabric has remarkable thermal regulation capabilities that set it apart from the others. Silk keeps your body cool in high temperatures and warm when it’s cold outside. That’s why it’s often used for bedding and sheets.

Silk does not come without drawbacks. The silk that is guaranteed to be authentic is both pricey and, in most cases, needs to be dry cleaned. And although some people think this slippery cloth is the best thing since sliced bread, others might find the unusual texture to be off-putting.

Flannel

Your vision of the perfect outfit to wear out at night may shift as the summer turns to fall and as November turns into winter. With chilly weather, a lot of people reduce the temperature on their thermostats to save money. Consider purchasing flannel pajamas if you find that you require more heat during the night.

Flannel is a fabric that is warm, soft, and provides an incredible amount of comfort. It provides insulation for your body, which helps some of your internal heat to remain in contact with your skin. In addition to this, although being a warm fabric, it has a reasonable amount of breathability, which prevents you from being too hot. 

Wool

Wool is one of the warmest textiles that can be found, yet it might be too constricting to wear inside, even in environments where the temperature can be controlled. However, it does create an excellent fabric for pajamas, which are something that you may wear while camping in the wintertime. 

You can’t control the temperature outside, but you can help keep yourself warm by donning clothing made of a material that absorbs and stores more of your body’s heat.

Even so, wool is not the material that is most frequently used for making pajama sets. Wool is more commonly used to make pajama pants as opposed to pajama shirts. It is not only more expensive than other textiles, but it also frequently calls for more specialized care in the washing process than other fabrics do.

Linen

One of the more comfortable materials to wear is linen. Even if it’s lightweight and pleasant to wear, there are a few drawbacks to using linen, which is one of the reasons why it is not the most popular choice of fabric for pajamas. 

To begin with, linen is prone to developing wrinkles. If you don’t mind having wrinkles on your pajamas when you wake up, then by all means use linen for your nightwear. 

But if you don’t like your pajamas when they get wrinkled, you should get ready to iron them quite a bit. The cost of linen is typically higher than that of cotton and knit materials, which is the second disadvantage of using linen.

Bamboo

Bamboo pajamas could be a wonderful choice for you if you sweat a lot when sleeping. The ability of this 100 hundred percent natural cloth to wick away moisture is second to none. In addition to that, it is velvety smooth and kind to the touch. 

You can also toss it in the compost once it has reached the end of its useful life, which may be quite some time due to the durability of bamboo fabric. It’s 100 percent biodegradable.

Polyester

Because it does not typically catch fire readily, polyester is the most fire-resistant material that can be used for nightwear. Even though the material can melt when subjected to heat, you shouldn’t necessarily consider it to be flammable. 

When it comes to sleepwear, polyester is frequently treated with a chemical that makes it more fire-resistant than it would otherwise be. Because of this, it is the major material that is used for making children’s pajamas and other forms of sleepwear.

Broadcloth

Cotton can be made into a heavier fabric called broadcloth, which is ideal for use as nightwear during the colder months. It will keep you warmer than standard cotton and is frequently used to construct matching pajama sets. 

It is a woven fabric, which means it does not stretch very much. However, it is more comfortable against the skin than standard cotton fabric since it is cooler.

Bottom Line

Looking for the best sleep shorts is somewhat easy because there are a gazillion different options for you to choose from. For some, that makes the buying process more complicated because it’s difficult to decide. Consider shorts that are comfortable and breathable. Since shorts are usually worn during summer, no one wants to wake up in a puddle of sweat.

Photo credit: Nfoto/Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for night sweats?

The best material for night sweats is either wool or bamboo. Both of these are great at wicking away moisture so you don’t have to wake up in a puddle of sweat.

Should I wear shorts to bed?

You should wear shorts to bed provided they are loose enough to ensure a comfortable sleeping experience. Make sure that the shorts you wear to bed are made from comfortable materials that meet your needs (e.g. can wick away sweat or keep you warm).