Shorts guide

Good work shorts are durable, keep you cool in warm environments and have all the pockets and functions that you need to perform your best on the job. The best shorts also offer exceptional comfort and freedom of movement. Our guide will help you find a pair that meets your needs and reflects your style.

Before deciding on a new pair of work shorts, you need to consider both how they are going to be used and which features are important to you. Some workplaces include shorts as a part of the company uniform, whereas others require shorts to have certain certifications. If you are in a service profession and are constantly on the go, the breathability and flexibility of the shorts will be key. On the other hand, some professions may require shorts that are made of sturdy materials and have reinforced areas that can stand up to heavier wear and tear.

Work shorts are usually designed to provide functionality for workers in a wide variety of industries, such as building and construction, industry, logistics and service. For example, the number and size of the pockets may vary considerably depending on which profession the shorts are aimed for. Look for functional pocket designs that allow you to conveniently carry the tools and accessories that you use regularly in your job. Some have loose-hanging pockets and others come without. If you work in or near traffic, you will likely need shorts with high-visibility certification. There are also shorts that have been treated to repel dirt, oil and water.

The fit of shorts often comes down to personal preference, where some opt for a looser, classic fit and others prefer the snugger fit that is typical of more contemporary styles. Go for a fit that allows ease of movement without being too tight or too loose. You can test the fit of the shorts by sliding two fingers between your waist and the waistband and by squatting to make sure that the fabric doesn’t restrict your movement. Also make sure the crotch area has enough room to prevent chafing or discomfort. Many of the contemporary shorts styles come with full stretch or stretch panels and if you prioritise comfort and flexibility, these are the shorts for you.

Work shorts are subjected to more wear and tear than regular shorts and must be washed often, so it is a good idea to look for shorts that are made of durable materials and are reinforced in pockets and other exposed areas. Cotton and polyester are two durable materials that are often used in work shorts and sometimes are blended in a mix called polycotton to get the best of two worlds. If you prefer lightweight, stretchy shorts, look for polyester shorts that have elastane and/or nylon added in for extra flexibility. Ripstop fabric and reinforcements in materials such as CORDURA® can add durability to a lightweight material. For a smaller environmental footprint, choose work shorts made of more sustainable materials like organic cotton, lyocell or recycled polyester made of PET bottles.

If you have a favourite pair of Fristads trousers, chances are they also come as shorts. Our work shorts are made using the same high-quality materials and techniques as our trousers to ensure maximum longevity and comfort. We have work shorts for men and women for a wide range of industries, including craftsman shorts, service shorts and high-vis shorts. If you are looking for outdoor shorts, we have got you covered as well. To make it easier for you to find your style, many of our most popular shorts are included in our workwear concepts Alnaryd, Haverdal, Tyresta, Skarup, Classics, Stiby and Trofta. Once you have found your perfect pair of Fristads work shorts, the concepts make it easy to find matching tops and jackets in the same style.

To see detailed descriptions of the features of our work shorts side by side, we recommend that you use the comparison function in our web shop. Comparing our work shorts is easy, just follow these steps:​​​​​​​
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1. Go to our work shorts page.
2. Check the little box in the top-left corner that says “Compare” on each of the shorts that you are interested in. You can choose to compare up to four shorts at a time.
3. Click the big black button that says “Compare.”

Most of our work shorts for the building and construction segment belong to one of four concepts. Our Haverdal shorts are lightweight and made of 4-way stretch material that gives you great freedom of movement. Alnaryd is a broad concept that combines heavy-duty materials with stretch panels for increased comfort and mobility. Our Tyresta shorts belong to our technically most advanced range with full stretch, superior comfort and extra everything. Finally, our Classics shorts are time-tested favourites, made of our exceptionally durable FAS® cotton material. We also have shorts for specific professions, like painters.

Skarup is our versatile and broad concept for workers in service and industry, featuring easily profiled shorts in many different colours. Our service and industry shorts are typically made of lightweight, breathable materials that make them ideal for workers on the go. Some of our Skarup shorts are also a popular choice for craftsmen.

Our high-visibility shorts are generally found in our concepts Stiby and Trofta. Stiby is our concept for lightweight high-visibility shorts with Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and optimal stretch comfort. Trofta features lightweight, durable work shorts with reinforcements where you need them.

Several of our shorts have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which is a standard that can be used to assess every aspect of the life cycle of a garment from an environmental perspective, from the choice of design and material to the production and delivery of the finished product. Today we have shorts with an EPD in our Stiby, Trofta and Alnaryd concepts, and our selection is constantly growing. Our goal is to have shorts with an EPD or shorts that are made of more sustainable materials, like recycled polyester, in all of our major product segments.

To make sure that we can meet the needs of all professionals, our product range includes several shorts models for women. We have women’s high-visibility shorts as well as women’s shorts for the construction and service sectors.