Leggings under shorts: do you still need them?
Leggings under shorts are the most common way Muslim men cover the knee in the gym: regular sports shorts with a pair of compression leggings underneath. That covers the legs, but it often misses the top of the awrah, because most shorts and most leggings sit at or below the navel. You can solve that with a waistband that sits higher, with leggings sewn into the shorts, or with shorts long enough that you need no leggings at all.
Why do men wear leggings under shorts?
Mostly for coverage. Regular sports shorts end above the knee, and in a squat they ride up further. A legging underneath keeps the thigh and the knee covered, whatever the shorts do. Some men also like the feel of compression while they train, and layering lets you keep wearing the shorts you already own.
Do leggings under shorts cover the awrah?
They cover the legs. Whether they cover the awrah depends on the waistband. According to the majority of scholars, the awrah of a man runs from the navel to the knee, and that top boundary is where layering usually fails. Most shorts and most leggings sit on the hips, below the navel. When you bend forward, both bands drop and your shirt rides up. Two layers on the legs, nothing at the navel.
So check the waistband first. If one of the two layers sits above your navel and stays there when you bend over, the combination can work. If neither does, an extra layer on your legs will not fix it. Our guide to awrah for men covers this in more detail.
What are the downsides of separate leggings?
Two separate garments can move against each other. The shorts can ride up over the legging, the waistband of the legging can roll down, and you end up adjusting them between sets. It also means two items to buy, wash and pack. Not everyone minds, but it is the reason sewn-in leggings exist.
Separate leggings, 2-in-1 or one long layer: how do they compare?
| Shorts with separate leggings | 2-in-1 Short | Long Fit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layers | Two separate garments | Two layers sewn together | One layer |
| Waistband | Depends on what you buy, often below the navel | About 13 cm high, above the navel | About 13 cm high, above the navel |
| Knee covered | Yes, by the legging | Yes, legging to below the knee | Yes, hem just below the knee |
| Layers shifting | Possible, shorts and legging move separately | No, the legging is sewn in | Not applicable, one layer |
| Choice of length | Free, including full length to the ankle | Fixed | Fixed |
| Swimming | Depends on the fabric of both items | Yes, quick-drying, not see-through when wet | Yes, quick-drying, not see-through when wet |
| Price | Two items | €39.99 | €39.99 |
Which option should you choose?
Choose separate leggings if you already own shorts with a waistband that sits above your navel, or if you want a full-length legging to the ankle. That freedom is the real advantage of layering.
Choose the 2-in-1 Short if you like compression but want it in one garment. The legging is sewn into the shorts and runs to below the knee, so nothing rides up or rolls.
Choose the Long Fit if you only wore leggings for the coverage and do not care for compression. It runs to below the knee on its own, so the leggings can stay at home.
Can you swim in leggings under shorts?
It depends on the fabric. Cotton soaks up water, gets heavy and can turn see-through, and two separate layers shift more in the water than on land. If you swim in layers, make sure both are made for water. Both SITR. styles are quick-drying and not see-through when wet. Rinse them in cold water after chlorine or sea water.