If trail running is your thing, you will normally want a longer pair of men's sports shorts which include a compression layer. The extra length can protect you from the elements, being scratched by bushes and other objects which might get in your way. Take on the great outdoors with the Ronhill Women's Tech Marathon Twin Running Shorts. The lightweight outer layer and supportive inner keepyou cool, dry and comfortable even as your workout heats up. 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.

Trail and urban runners tend to wear tougher gearand can afford to wear slightly heavier kit. 2-in-1 shorts provide extra protection from the elements and comfortable support even on the longest of routes. Depending on the kind of running that you do, you will want to choose a specific type of men's running shorts. If chafing is an issue for you, pay attention to the fabric and look for a pair of shorts that has a slightly different makeup. Half tights and 2-in-1s are great options for between-the-leg chafing protection. The REI Swiftland shorts are the perfect combination of nylon and spandex; (photo/Cory Smith) Inseam Length For general workouts and occasional road running, ASICS have gym shorts for men that are mid length and versatile and can be used for a variety of activities. Design elements of ASICS men’s running shorts 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.We won’t stop you from running in your favorite all-cotton bottoms, but be wary that the fabric gets heavy when wet, dries slow, and can cause chafing. Plus, 100-percent cotton shorts will most likely do some serious shrinking in your dryer. Some better options are technical fabrics that blend various materials—like polyester, elastane, spandex, and nylon. Cory Smith has been a runner since 1992. He’s a full-time running coach who has been reviewing running gear since 2014. In addition to running shorts, he covers road running shoes and GPS watches, and he writes training articles for GearJunkie. Shorts are pretty simple. Aside from the materials, there are a few other variables to consider, though. Interior Liners: Keep in mind that many running shorts include underwear. Built-in briefs or compression liners can help simplify your workout wardrobe, while making your runs much more comfortable (and chafe-free). In addition, some shorts include extra support features, like Saxx’s BallPark Pouch featured in its Hightail running shorts, which keeps sensitive body parts from jostling around and rubbing against your thighs as you run.

Inseam: Inseam refers to the length of a pair of shorts. For men’s running shorts, inseams vary from around 3 inches for a pair of split shorts to 7 or even 9 inches. Shorter inseams mean less material over your legs—and more freedom of movement—whereas longer inseams provide more sun protection. Your ideal inseam is the one you feel most comfortable in, but avoid shorts that fall below your knee; the extra material will just add weight. While the 100% polyester shell isn’t stretchy, they offer superb freedom of movement thanks to a generous side split. Offered in six sizes, from extra small to extra extra large, we found they fit on the larger side compared to other split shorts we tested. Our tester regularly wears a men’s small and would want an extra small. Show more The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have been covering running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. When I’m not at a desk, I like to run, bike, and hike around Los Angeles, where I live. The one common trait between those three pursuits? I wear shorts while doing all of them, and that has given me plenty of experience with what works and what doesn’t. What to Consider When Buying Men’s Running Shorts Material Matter

Featured nutrition guides

Still, if you’re a die-hard for the comfort of cotton, try a 50-50 blend that pairs it with a second, more sweat-friendly material, like polyester. You’ll still get some of that cottony softness but with added durability and even UV ray protection. How We Selected After months of testing, even years in some cases, we’ve managed to narrow down the best of the best for whatever type of running you’re into. The shorts on this list are the ones we kept reaching for time and time again. The road runner needs a versatile garment that is as happy in the sun as it is in the rain, and these shorts deliver on both counts.

Most running shorts have two layers: an outer shell and an inner liner. The inner liner’s primary focus is built-in support and is either a mesh brief or spandex-type compression tight, called a 2-in-1. 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 The dhb Women's 3" Running short has been patterned to give a non-restrictive fit and maximum freedom of movement. Ideal for tempo runs, races and bigger workouts incorporating bigger strides, lunges or squats.

Shorts type for trail, track, or road

There are no storage options with the Heritage short, but their silky smooth feel makes them one of the most comfortable on test. There are eight sizing options, too, for those who prefer a precise, dialled-in fit. Read our full Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short review RELATED CONTENT: Thanks to advancements in fabric technology and design, today’s running shorts are better than ever. Overall, materials are lighter, more comfortable, and offer better mobility. 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.