Still, these shorts have a place in every runner’s rotation based on comfort alone. If you ever find yourself with a social event after a run or workout, these are the perfect shorts for the occasion. With eight colors to choose from, you’re bound to find a pair to match your shirt. Most versatile. Offers a decent range of motion and breathability while still modest to run in public. It can be hard to sort through what’s really important when finding a pair of running shorts. To help, here are the key things you need to know about running shorts. Material If you’re looking for compression tights, these are not it. The material is way too light and thin to provide any type of compression, and the ribbed face is quite unique. We weren’t initially huge fans, but the supple feel grew on us after further testing. The inseam indicates how far down the leg the short sits. It measures the length from the crotch to the end of the shorts and usually comes in 3-inch, 5-inch, and 7-inch options.

While we prefer a brief style liner, the boxer brief was comfortable and features silicone grip dots to prevent it from riding up. The Trail Talus Light is a shorter inseam version with a brief liner. We tested running shorts in a variety of environments; (photo/Eszter Horanyi) Why You Should Trust Us

It’s the best in preventing chafing and is warmer on the body. However, it offers the least range of motion. To help you choose the length of your running shorts better, I compiled the advantages of the different running short lengths and their recommended use. Length

So, for running, you want to avoid shorts that are really long because you will have a lot of extra fabric getting in the way of your distance. V-notch shorts and split shorts will generally look shorter because of the cut that is visible on the outside part of the shorts. How revealing it also depends on the length of the cut.I prefer shorts that have a blend of stretch fabrics such as spandex or elastane in them. This gives the shorts greater flexibility and mobility, ultimately limiting restriction. Nike does the best version of these longer inseam shorts with plenty of colors to choose from and these usually come with no liner (since they are longer),” Campa says. Any Activity If you’re someone who struggles with between-the-legs chafing, we recommend looking at a 2-in-1 short such as the S AXX Hightailor a half tightlike the Nike. Having a built-in quarter-length compression liner will protect your legs from rubbing together.

There are 3 types of running shorts to choose from — compression, V-notch, and split shorts. All with its corresponding pros and cons.At first, I thought it was just the way runners dress, but as I’ve run a couple of miles in different short lengths, I came to realize that I also prefer shorter shorts myself. Table of the advantages of different running short length and what they are recommended for. How Running Short Length is Measured Offers the most range of motion. A very performance-based style of running shorts that are used in professional races. Offered in both a three and five-inch inseam, our tester found them to run on the shorter side of five-inch running shorts. Still, thanks to a mild amount of stretch, they never felt constricting. The brief liner offers a decent amount of support and hold for such a lightweight pair of shorts.

Have you ever bought a running short online that looks perfect for a friend of yours but not to you? That’s because running shorts with the same inseam length doesn’t necessarily mean they end in the same area on your thigh. If you’re hot around the waist or find the fabric rubbing, we suggest finding a waistband with perforations like the Janji AFO Middle Shorts. Perforations are small holes along the waistband that enhances breathability by allowing heat to escape.Sometimes referred to as ‘short shorts’ or ‘split shorts’, 3-inch running shorts tend to be the shortest running shorts going. They also mainly come out when it’s time to run fast and are generally reserved for racing. When I first bought my running shorts online, I always wondered how they get that 3” measurement. I mean, surely it doesn’t mean that the whole length of the short measures 3 inches, that would be absurd. The rise is measured from the waistband to the bottom of the crotch. The longer the rise, the longer your running shoes are gonna look despite having a 3’’ inseam. In contrast, running shorts with a shorter rise will look short. How to choose a running short Then, hold one end of the measuring tape at the bottom of the crotch area and measure up to the end of the fabric.