Best overall: DW63 CORDURA Durable Cargo Pro Work Shorts. Best budget pick: Multipocket Cargo Contrast Work Shorts (DW10). Best for lightweight summer PT: Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts. Army surplus shorts for training don't need technical fabric or a brand tag — cargo-cut, cotton-drill or CORDURA-panelled shorts built for site work survive squats, rucking and sprint drills just as well, and they cost a fraction of gym-branded kit in 2026.
- DW63 CORDURA Durable Cargo Pro Work Shorts is the pick for high-mileage summer training — buy it.
- Multipocket Cargo Contrast Work Shorts (DW10) is the budget-friendly army surplus shorts option for casual sessions.
- Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts suits lightweight PT and hot-weather rucking with minimal bulk.
- All three are cargo-cut, elasticated-waist shorts — not tech-fabric running shorts, so fit and pocket load matter more than fabric hype.
Why this matters
Most "training shorts" reviews point you at £40 synthetic pairs with a laser-cut vent. Fine if that's the budget. But if you're rucking on a Tuesday evening, running circuits at a TA drill hall, or just want shorts that survive being thrown in a bergen for weeks, army surplus and surplus-style work shorts do the job at a lower price point and they take abuse better — heavier stitching, reinforced pockets, no delicate mesh panels to snag on a fence line.
MilitaryMart stocks these alongside the best combat shirts for gym training and fitness, and the pairing makes sense: a combat shirt up top, cargo shorts below, both built for movement rather than a gym mirror. The shorts below aren't marketed as sportswear — they're workwear-grade cargo shorts that happen to train well, and that honesty is the point.
What makes the best army surplus shorts for training
- Waistband — part-elasticated waist moves with a lunge or squat; a rigid belt loop only waist doesn't
- Pocket layout — cargo pockets that sit on the thigh, not ones that flap or bounce on a run
- Fabric weight — mid-weight cotton or CORDURA-blend survives repeated washing without going thin at the seat
- Length — above-knee cut for summer heat, not a three-quarter length that traps sweat
- Price for a beater item — training kit gets thrashed, so paying £30+ for shorts you'll bleach-stain within a season is poor value
- Stitching at stress points — crotch gusset and pocket seams are where cheap shorts fail first
Army surplus shorts for training — at a glance
| Item | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DW63 CORDURA Durable Cargo Pro Work Shorts | High-mileage summer training | CORDURA panelling at the knees and seat | Sits slightly stiffer than cotton until broken in |
| Multipocket Cargo Contrast Work Shorts (DW10) | Budget training and casual wear | Part-elasticated waistband for full range of motion | Fewer pocket options than the DW63 |
| Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts | Lightweight, hot-weather PT | Single back pocket and single leg cargo pocket keeps it minimal | Less storage if you're carrying kit on a ruck |
1. DW63 CORDURA Durable Cargo Pro Work Shorts: best army surplus shorts for high-mileage training
This is the pair built to take a beating. CORDURA panelling reinforces the areas that wear first on a training short — knees, seat, pocket edges — so repeated PT sessions and rucks don't shred them by August. The cut is a standard cargo profile with multiple pockets, comfortable enough for a warm-up jog and sturdy enough for a loaded carry.
DW63 pros:
- CORDURA reinforcement holds up to abrasion from kit bags, kneeling, crawling drills
- Multiple pockets for keys, phone, gloves without needing a belt kit
- Cut works for both training sessions and yard work between sessions
DW63 cons:
- Heavier fabric than a pure cotton pair, so it's warmer on a still, humid day
- Break-in period before the fabric softens fully
DW63 pricing: listed as a clearance item — check current pricing on the product page.
Best for: anyone training outdoors 3+ times a week who wants one pair that survives the whole summer. Verdict: Buy.
2. Multipocket Cargo Contrast Work Shorts (DW10): best budget army surplus shorts for training
The DW10 is the low-cost entry point. Elastication at the waist gives it more give through the hip than a straight-cut cargo short, which matters if your session involves lunges or bodyweight circuits rather than just walking. It won't win a durability contest against the CORDURA pair, but for occasional gym use or a spare pair to keep in the car, it does the job.
DW10 pros:
- Part-elasticated waistband moves through a full squat without pulling
- Lighter fabric weight, cooler for hot 2026 summer sessions
- Lowest price point in the range
DW10 cons:
- Thinner fabric wears faster under heavy loaded carries
- Pocket layout is more basic than the DW63
DW10 pricing: clearance stock — check the current listing for price.
Best for: the reader who wants a cheap, comfortable spare pair rather than a daily-wear item. Verdict: Buy if you just need a backup; Hold if you're training daily and want one pair to last the season.
3. Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts: best army surplus shorts for lightweight summer PT
Stripped back to one back pocket and one leg cargo pocket, this is the lightest-carrying option of the three. Less to snag, less weight, less bulk under a rucksack hip belt — useful if your training is running and interval work rather than carrying kit. The part-elasticated waist keeps the fit workable for movement drills.
Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts pros:
- Minimal pocket count means nothing flaps during a run
- Lightest of the three for genuinely hot weather
- Cheapest in the range
Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts cons:
- Not enough storage if you're carrying a phone, keys and gloves together
- Thinner build than the CORDURA pair, less suited to crawling or kneeling drills
Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts pricing: clearance stock — confirm price on the product page before ordering.
Best for: runners and interval trainers who want the least amount of fabric and pocket bulk. Verdict: Buy.
“If elasticated-waist shorts don't move through a full squat, they're not training kit — they're just shorts.”
How we ranked these
Ranking ran against the six criteria above: waistband give, pocket layout, fabric weight, cut length, price for a disposable-use item, and stitching at stress points. The DW63 wins overall on durability under CORDURA reinforcement. The DW10 wins on comfort-per-pound for occasional wear. The Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts wins on lightweight carry for pure running and PT sessions.
What if you want full-length coverage instead
Not everyone trains bare-legged, especially early in the season or for evening sessions when the temperature drops. If you want the same cargo-pocket layout but full length, the army surplus trousers for hiking and countryside walks guide covers the trouser equivalents that pair with the same combat shirts and boots range.
Which army surplus shorts should you choose?
For most readers training outdoors through summer 2026, the DW63 CORDURA Durable Cargo Pro Work Shorts is the default buy — the reinforced panels earn their keep over a full season of rucking, circuits and general abuse. Pick the DW10 if you want a cheaper spare pair for occasional gym use. Pick the Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts if your training is running-led and you want the least bulk possible.
FAQ
What are the best army surplus shorts for training in 2026?
The DW63 CORDURA Durable Cargo Pro Work Shorts is the strongest all-round pick for 2026 summer training thanks to CORDURA reinforcement at high-wear points. The DW10 and Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts cover budget and lightweight use cases respectively.
Are cargo work shorts good for gym training?
Yes, as long as the waistband is part-elasticated so it moves with a squat or lunge. Rigid-waist cargo shorts without elastication restrict range of motion during bodyweight training.
Do army surplus shorts work for rucking?
Cargo-cut shorts with reinforced seat and knee panels, like the DW63, hold up better under a loaded rucksack than lightweight running shorts. Pair them with a hip-belt rucksack for longer sessions.
How much do army surplus training shorts cost?
Prices and stock change regularly, so check the current listing on the product page rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Is CORDURA better than cotton for training shorts?
CORDURA-panelled shorts resist abrasion from crawling, kneeling and kit bags better than plain cotton, at the cost of a slightly stiffer feel until broken in.
What should I wear on top with army surplus shorts?
A moisture-wicking combat shirt or a cool-wick t-shirt pairs well for summer sessions — see the combat shirts guide for options built for the same training use.
Can I use work shorts instead of gym shorts for cadet or fitness training?
Yes. Workwear-grade cargo shorts are built for repeated wear and washing, which suits cadet PT schedules and regular gym sessions better than delicate synthetic gym shorts.
One last thing
The Men's Multi Pocket Cargo Work Shorts strips down to just one back pocket and one leg cargo pocket — that's deliberate minimalism, not a missing feature, and it's the reason runners prefer it over the bulkier DW63 when the session is pure cardio rather than a loaded carry.
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