If you've ever trained in normal gym shorts, you know the problem. You squat and they ride up. You sit on the bench between sets and your knee's out. You end up pulling them down every few minutes or wearing leggings underneath and hoping for the best.
Awrah shorts fix that. This guide covers what the awrah is for men, why most shorts don't cover it, what to look for when you buy a pair and whether you can swim in them.
What is the awrah for men?
The awrah is the part of the body a man has to keep covered in front of others. For men, the majority of scholars say it's the area between the navel and the knee, based on the hadith "What is between the navel and the knee is awrah."
Scholars differ on whether the navel and the knee themselves are included. You can read the evidence on IslamQA. We're not here to give rulings. What we can do is make shorts that cover the navel and the knee either way, so you don't have to think about it.
Why normal gym shorts don't cover the awrah
Most gym shorts are cut to sit above the knee when you're standing still. That's the problem. The gym isn't standing still.
Go into a squat and the fabric pulls up your thigh. Sit on a bench between sets and the hem slides back. Do a lunge, a deadlift or a hip thrust and your knee is out every rep.
The usual fix is leggings under shorts. It works until the leggings slide down at the waist or the shorts ride up past them. You end up adjusting yourself all session instead of training.
What to look for in awrah covering shorts
If you're buying a pair of awrah cover shorts, these are the things that matter.
An inner layer that goes past the knee. The outer short will always move when you squat. A built-in compression layer underneath stays where it is, so the knee stays covered even when the outer rides up.
A rise that reaches the navel. Plenty of shorts cover the knee but sit low on the hips. Check the rise of the inner layer, not just the length.
A loose outer short. The compression layer does the covering. The outer short is there so the shape isn't on show. If the whole thing is skin tight, it covers the skin but it doesn't do the job.
Stretch that moves with you. Four-way stretch and side slits mean you can squat deep without the fabric fighting you or pulling down at the back.
Somewhere to put your phone. Small thing, but it stops you leaving your phone on the floor between sets.
Awrah swim shorts: can you swim in them?
A lot of brothers looking for halal swim shorts ask this. Most Muslim swim shorts are either board shorts that float up the second you're in the water, or full-length swimsuits that feel like a costume.
You want the same thing you want in the gym. A layer that grips and covers past the knee, with a loose short on top.
The M-Flex Awrah Shorts are made from a quick-dry nylon blend, so you can wear the same pair to lift and to swim. Rinse them in fresh water after the pool or the sea and they'll last.
Not looking for awrah shorts? Long gym shorts for men
Not everyone searching for long gym shorts is thinking about the awrah. Some brothers just don't like shorts that ride up, or want knee length gym shorts that look better and stay put on leg day.
The same design solves both. A longer, covered fit with a compression layer underneath feels more secure on squats and lunges, whatever your reason for wanting it.
Men's awrah shorts from Al-Layth
We built our men's awrah shorts because we couldn't find a pair that did all of the above.
- Built-in compression layer for coverage from navel to knee
- Quick-dry nylon blend, ready for lifting or swimming
- Four-way stretch with side slits
- Hidden phone pocket on the inner layer and zipped outer pockets
Sizing goes by your waist first, then your height. If you're between sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit. Not sure? Email contact@al-layth.co.uk with your height and waist and we'll tell you which one to take.
If you want the full outfit, the M-Flex Awrah Set pairs the shorts with a matching top.
Get the M-Flex Awrah Shorts
FAQ
Are the navel and knee part of the awrah?
Scholars differ on this. The majority view is that the awrah is what's between them, while others include the knee itself. Our awrah shorts cover both, so you're covered on either view.
Can I wear awrah shorts for swimming?
Yes. The M-Flex Awrah Shorts are made from a quick-dry nylon blend and work in the pool and the sea. Rinse them after swimming.
Are shorts that cover the awrah better than leggings under shorts?
For most brothers, yes. With leggings under shorts you're managing two waistbands that move separately. A built-in layer moves as one piece, so nothing slides.
Can I wear them for football and running?
Yes. The stretch and side slits are made for full range of movement, so they work for football, running and combat sports as well as the gym.
What size should I get?
Go by your waist first, then check your height. Between sizes, size up. The full chart is on the product page.
Awrah Shorts for Men: How to Stay Covered in the Gym and the Pool
If you've ever trained in normal gym shorts, you know the problem. You squat and they ride up. You sit on the bench between sets and your knee's out. You end up pulling them down every few minutes or wearing leggings underneath and hoping for the best.
Awrah shorts fix that. This guide covers what the awrah is for men, why most shorts don't cover it, what to look for when you buy a pair and whether you can swim in them.
What is the awrah for men?
The awrah is the part of the body a man has to keep covered in front of others. For men, the majority of scholars say it's the area between the navel and the knee, based on the hadith "What is between the navel and the knee is awrah."
Scholars differ on whether the navel and the knee themselves are included. You can read the evidence on IslamQA. We're not here to give rulings. What we can do is make shorts that cover the navel and the knee either way, so you don't have to think about it.
Why normal gym shorts don't cover the awrah
Most gym shorts are cut to sit above the knee when you're standing still. That's the problem. The gym isn't standing still.
Go into a squat and the fabric pulls up your thigh. Sit on a bench between sets and the hem slides back. Do a lunge, a deadlift or a hip thrust and your knee is out every rep.
The usual fix is leggings under shorts. It works until the leggings slide down at the waist or the shorts ride up past them. You end up adjusting yourself all session instead of training.
What to look for in awrah covering shorts
If you're buying a pair of awrah cover shorts, these are the things that matter.
An inner layer that goes past the knee. The outer short will always move when you squat. A built-in compression layer underneath stays where it is, so the knee stays covered even when the outer rides up.
A rise that reaches the navel. Plenty of shorts cover the knee but sit low on the hips. Check the rise of the inner layer, not just the length.
A loose outer short. The compression layer does the covering. The outer short is there so the shape isn't on show. If the whole thing is skin tight, it covers the skin but it doesn't do the job.
Stretch that moves with you. Four-way stretch and side slits mean you can squat deep without the fabric fighting you or pulling down at the back.
Somewhere to put your phone. Small thing, but it stops you leaving your phone on the floor between sets.
Awrah swim shorts: can you swim in them?
A lot of brothers looking for halal swim shorts ask this. Most Muslim swim shorts are either board shorts that float up the second you're in the water, or full-length swimsuits that feel like a costume.
You want the same thing you want in the gym. A layer that grips and covers past the knee, with a loose short on top.
The M-Flex Awrah Shorts are made from a quick-dry nylon blend, so you can wear the same pair to lift and to swim. Rinse them in fresh water after the pool or the sea and they'll last.
Not looking for awrah shorts? Long gym shorts for men
Not everyone searching for long gym shorts is thinking about the awrah. Some brothers just don't like shorts that ride up, or want knee length gym shorts that look better and stay put on leg day.
The same design solves both. A longer, covered fit with a compression layer underneath feels more secure on squats and lunges, whatever your reason for wanting it.
Men's awrah shorts from Al-Layth
We built our men's awrah shorts because we couldn't find a pair that did all of the above.
Sizing goes by your waist first, then your height. If you're between sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit. Not sure? Email contact@al-layth.co.uk with your height and waist and we'll tell you which one to take.
If you want the full outfit, the M-Flex Awrah Set pairs the shorts with a matching top.
Get the M-Flex Awrah Shorts
FAQ
Are the navel and knee part of the awrah?
Scholars differ on this. The majority view is that the awrah is what's between them, while others include the knee itself. Our awrah shorts cover both, so you're covered on either view.
Can I wear awrah shorts for swimming?
Yes. The M-Flex Awrah Shorts are made from a quick-dry nylon blend and work in the pool and the sea. Rinse them after swimming.
Are shorts that cover the awrah better than leggings under shorts?
For most brothers, yes. With leggings under shorts you're managing two waistbands that move separately. A built-in layer moves as one piece, so nothing slides.
Can I wear them for football and running?
Yes. The stretch and side slits are made for full range of movement, so they work for football, running and combat sports as well as the gym.
What size should I get?
Go by your waist first, then check your height. Between sizes, size up. The full chart is on the product page.