We’ve tested a lot of cargo shorts over the years, but Ralph Lauren’s twill option is still the best in class. That’s because the brand stays true to the style’s military roots while making a cargo short that is functional enough to wear with pretty much any casual outfit. This one topped the list because it is the most versatile from a style perspective. Over months of testing, it worked with a chambray shirt, a Hawaiian shirt, and a knit polo.

Our style editors like how this is essentially a polished up version of a vintage military cargo short. Ralph Lauren uses a twill fabric that could work for a pair of dress pants, along with slimming down the pockets a bit for a modern vibe. But all of the small military-inspired details are there. For example, the long inseam is authentic, the wide waistband has reinforced stitching, and the back pockets feature button down flaps.

Read more: Best Golf Shorts.

If there is one thing Mackweldon excels at, it is selecting the perfect fabric for any garment. Take the ACE Utility Short. The brushed terry fabric was heavy enough to function as a proper cargo short during testing, holding a screwdriver, tape measure, and level securely in place during some DIY home improvements. At the same time, it was soft enough to be super comfortable during long days on our feet and relaxing nights lounging around.

Our style editors agree that this is a perfect weekend warrior short. It feels as comfortable as a pair of gym shorts, as soft as cotton sweatpants, and provides more cargo capacity than either of those. Whether you’re remodeling your living room or just running out for coffee and bagels, these are the shorts for the job.

The ripstop fabric in this Carhartt short is made from lightweight textile reinforced with thin threads of a stronger material woven in to literally stop tears from expanding. Plus, the vertical and horizontal reinforcing threads create a cool-looking pattern. Carhartt utilized this fabric for cargo shorts that are perfect for warm weather projects of any kind. Whether you’re working on a construction site or mowing the lawn, this cargo short is a good choice.

Bottoms designed for tough work are often made from heavy canvas fabrics, which can weigh you down in the heat. During field testing, our editors were pleasantly surprised with the breezy weight of the Force Broston Cargo Short. The velcro cargo flaps made it easy to store and use tools with one hand access.

What this cargo short lacks in storage space, it more than makes up for in streamlined functionality. Backcountry optimized the Wasatch short for outdoor adventure with a lightweight and durable nylon fabric that performed like running shorts in our testing. A really handy feature was the built-in belt, which was easily tightened by tugging on the end with one hand.

During testing, we discovered that this cargo short is effectively waterproof, with the cargo pocket even featuring drainage holes. It is a great option for hiking in wet conditions, boating, and kayaking. You can even wear it as swim trunks in a pinch.

Uniqlo makes a great military-inspired cargo short that is easy to style. Other than a bit of stretch added to the fabric, we found that this is pretty similar to actual military cargo shorts. With an inseam that hits around the knee, it is a great option for those who prefer a longer and baggier short. Our style editors like the way it pairs with an oxford shirt or a loose-fitting sweater.

There are four color options available, and you pretty much can’t go wrong with any of them. However, we tested out the off-white option, and it paired really well with various blue shirts for a breezy summer vibe. Top it off with a pair of brown sandals, and you’re good to go.

Proof built this sleek and breezy cargo short for outdoor living. It was ridiculously comfortable in our testing, even during light running and advanced hikes. The 100% polyester fabric feels like wearing gym shorts, but the overall appearance isn’t much different than a pair of flat front chino shorts. All seven pockets are slim and discrete, which minimized bouncing around and kept a stylish look.

Even though this cargo short was designed for wilderness adventures, we found that it works really well for everyday life in the cities and suburbs. The slim-but-not-tight fit and flattering seven inch inseam give a modern look. We found that the extra cargo space came in handy, especially when walking around all day.

If you’re firmly in the short-shorts camp, this is the cargo for you. L.L. Bean took a standard military design and shrunk the pocket down to fit a six-inch inseam. While this does limit what can fit in the pockets, it keeps the classic look. Since the cargo pockets are so compact, the silhouette of the short is slim, meaning that the pockets don’t stand out. Our style editors found that this short can pull off all the same looks as a standard chino short.

If you’re trying out cargo shorts for the first time, this is a good introduction to the style. The simple design can fit seamlessly into pretty much any wardrobe. It is an easy way to freshen things up if you find yourself wearing flat front chino shorts all the time.