Running shorts...

I am starting to keep my eyes out at several LRS and TE for running shorts sales for the coming season. I will only get a couple pair, the tights I wear at the gym don't have any pockets and I want something just for trail running.

The reason might be obvious to everyone else, but WHY are running shorts so....well...SHORT? Is it to prevent chafing? Better ventilation? Currently I am thinking of something like this at Trail Runner Sports. They are longer, have pockets, and won't break the bank. I am thinking that something for the trails should be a little longer. There is a reason I hit the mountain bike trails last year with a pair of clippers to cut back the thorn bushes :eek:

I see that TE sells these longer compression running shorts for warm weather. They are rather outside my budget - and they don't currently have my size anyway. Is there an advantage to compression running shorts, especially for the older, novice runner?

Just looking for tips on what to look for, I've a stack of cycling shorts that I wasted a good amount of money on because I didn't know what to look for. I am only researching now, trying to do my homework to avoid possible impulse buys. I am too good at those, and I only want to buy two pair. I think several of my cycling jerseys and some of my more general technical fitness tops will do for now.

I don't like short shorts, either. I think chafing is a lot of why people do like them, that and some people just don't like anything touching their legs when they run. I go the other direction to prevent chafing, to longer short-tight style shorts.

You've got a good point about thorns and branches on the trails snagging your shorts, and that's especially true with the short tights that I prefer, so my preferences aren't going to be much help (besides my favorites are discontinued anyway :rolleyes:).

I do like compression for longer distances (3+ hours), but the research is equivocal and AFAIK all limited to shorter efforts (unlike the research on post-exercise compression, which is fairly strong). A lot of distance runners swear by them, and I'm one, but I personally wouldn't spend the money unless/until you start running quite a bit longer than you are now.

I guess the thing to do would be just think about what you like and dislike about the shorts you have now. This or that feature works for you, this one you can't live without, but that other one drives you crazy. Narrow it down and get an idea in your head of what YOUR ideal running shorts would be like, then start shopping to see what fits?

There are some newer style running shorts that have tight, bike like shorts (without the chamois) under and attached to regular style shorts. My DH just bought a couple of pair. I know that Athleta sells them and they come in different lengths. Think of a skort, except with shorts.
I have never felt comfortable in regular running shorts. Even when I weighed 95! I've always worn the bike style shorts while running.

I'm 5'9" and won't run in anything less than a 6" inseam. I prefer an inseam of 8 inches. That, coupled with my insecurity about wearing compression shorts alone makes it difficult to find the perfect short. Sometimes I just run in compression shorts anyway. Who cares? (me, evidently, since I won't run in them if I am likely to see people that know me.) Our very own TE has one pair with a 7 inch inseam from Moving Comfort. Keep an eye on REI, some of their shorts have a longer inseam. Athleta makes a presto bermuda that is fairly form-fitting, but it has a pocket for keys or a gel. Title nine has an anti-runner short that has a 7 inch inseam, but no liner. I have an earlier version of this and have been considering the update. Men's shorts are usually longer, one year I went to Richard's Sporting goods (heh, the forum didn't like the shortened version of Richard so I edited) and picked up some men's fitness shorts that are very comfortable for running. I had to go up in size to accommodate female hips, but they fit surprisingly well. Finally, many of my running pals (most of whom are imaginary internet friends from a different forum) like to run in skorts. I'm not quite there yet, but I have been thinking about it.

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/produc...&pid=225325022

http://www.titlenine.com/product/110...n#.Uve2kSgirFI

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Originally Posted by roo4

I'm 5'9" and won't run in anything less than a 6" inseam

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Heh. I'm 5'3" and anything less than 6" usually rides up on ME. All in the build of your legs and especially the shape of those adductors, I suppose.

I was glancing at those Athleta shorts myself. They're a little long for my taste, but I'm fine in my CW-X compression shorts for my long runs in hot weather, which fall just above the knee too. I got a bunch of Athleta stuff for Christmas, wound up exchanging most of it :rolleyes: but I really like the fit of their tights. Those are a little long though ... and the Kickbooty 2 short tights they have are only a 5" inseam, I just don't trust them to stay out of my crotch ...

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I don't like short shorts, either. I think chafing is a lot of why people do like them, that and some people just don't like anything touching their legs when they run. I go the other direction to prevent chafing, to longer short-tight style shorts.

You've got a good point about thorns and branches on the trails snagging your shorts....

I guess the thing to do would be just think about what you like and dislike about the shorts you have now. This or that feature works for you, this one you can't live without, but that other one drives you crazy. Narrow it down and get an idea in your head of what YOUR ideal running shorts would be like, then start shopping to see what fits?

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Good advice Oak, thanks. My comment about thorns on the trails, however, was referring to their snagging my bare skin, not the shorts :) As an aside, there are a couple of older (+80, I think) runners at my gym who show up to run on the track on shorts that are almost illegal they are SO short. I guess they like them that way, but I couldn't be seen in public in something that short...

I looked at a couple of the Athleta skorts and they are just as short as their shorts (3.5 inch inseam), even at 5'3 I don't think so! I do like the Presto Bermuda. I also like the Title 9 Anti-Runner II, a 7 inch inseam sounds much better! Knickers also sounds like they would go well on the trail.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

There are some newer style running shorts that have tight, bike like shorts (without the chamois) under and attached to regular style shorts. My DH just bought a couple of pair. I know that Athleta sells them and they come in different lengths. Think of a skort, except with shorts.
I have never felt comfortable in regular running shorts. Even when I weighed 95! I've always worn the bike style shorts while running.

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I've looked at some of these, I think I need to actually see myself in a pair to decide if I like the skort/legging combination. Skorts are intriguing, but so far I've just seen really short versions.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Heh. I'm 5'3" and anything less than 6" usually rides up on ME. All in the build of your legs and especially the shape of those adductors, I suppose.

I was glancing at those Athleta shorts myself. They're a little long for my taste, but I'm fine in my CW-X compression shorts for my long runs in hot weather, which fall just above the knee too. I got a bunch of Athleta stuff for Christmas, wound up exchanging most of it :rolleyes: but I really like the fit of their tights. Those are a little long though ... and the Kickbooty 2 short tights they have are only a 5" inseam, I just don't trust them to stay out of my crotch ...

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Interesting comment Oakleaf. I have very small legs, the fitter I become the smaller my legs become - though with that little apple shape I can't seem to lose I've got to be careful that the waist isn't too high. If the waist band is too high, then the legs will ride up because they will be too loose. I am hard to fit at the best of times. It is good to know that the compression shorts can be good in hot weather. I saw these at Amazon.com, as well as these. The comments on the second pair indicates the material is thinner, which works well for hot weather running.

Thankfully I don't need to pull the trigger on anything for a bit, and I will also visit the 2 LRS that I like. I've a discount at one of them, which is nice.

Obviously for my Dirty Girl Mud Run I won't be wearing anything that I expect to wear again, including glasses!

I've just been paging through the Outlet section on REI's website. They have some compression shorts on sale, and some non-compression running shorts, too. Might be worth checking out, since it could be a less-expensive way to test out some different styles.

Catrin, the shorts I was talking about are shorts, not capri length. I know they have them for women!
I run in skorts, exclusively. I love them. Obviously, I am not running now, but I use them for hiking, too. But, I like short skirts. That said, these provide coverage that is quite a bit more coverage than those "illegal" shorts you described. Those don't look good on anyone!

Thabks Crankin, I will check that out. I hadn't considered it but you have me curious :)

NY Biker, thanks for the tip!

I run in capri length tights all year. I have thinner, ventilated ones for summer that worked well, so that might be something to consider. I happen to have narrow hips and big legs, so any fabric between my thighs will always rub unless it's at least 5" in length and tight to my legs. I have a couple of skirts from www.runningskirts.com that used to work well enough when I was not in the mood for capris, too. These had the short liner underneath that was long enough to protect against rub and they had little pockets in the skirt. I will say, that I never wore them for runs longer than a hour though. Chafing is too big of a problem for me. I see all those runner types in those flowy, super short, shorts and it just screams pain to me. Of course, most of those people have thighs that don't touch when they run, so I can see how they'd work great for them. They would certainly be nice and cool!

I stopped by my closest LRS - I get a discount there because of my gym, which is nice. I bought a pair of compressive DriFit running "shorts" that at least fall not too far above my knee. They fit better than the capris & longer shorts I wear to the gym and will be less likely to cause chaffing. I will need to get more, but they were on sale so I snagged them.

I DID try on several pair of loose men's 7-inch shorts and I liked the length/fit of them. They told me the 7-inch women's shorts are the most popular and fly off the shelves very quickly when they arrive in March. I will have to keep my eyes out.

Trying on the men's shorts led to a question. Does one wear underwear with loose fitting running shorts? They appeared to have, not padding or anything, but basically something built in for that purpose.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I stopped by my closest LRS - I get a discount there because of my gym, which is nice. I bought a pair of compressive DriFit running "shorts" that at least fall not too far above my knee. They fit better than the capris & longer shorts I wear to the gym and will be less likely to cause chaffing. I will need to get more, but they were on sale so I snagged them.

I DID try on several pair of loose men's 7-inch shorts and I liked the length/fit of them. They told me the 7-inch women's shorts are the most popular and fly off the shelves very quickly when they arrive in March. I will have to keep my eyes out.

Trying on the men's shorts led to a question. Does one wear underwear with loose fitting running shorts? They appeared to have, not padding or anything, but basically something built in for that purpose.

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You mean they have a liner? I have several pairs of loose gym shorts that have liners. No underwear needed.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I stopped by my closest LRS - I get a discount there because of my gym, which is nice. I bought a pair of compressive DriFit running "shorts" that at least fall not too far above my knee. They fit better than the capris & longer shorts I wear to the gym and will be less likely to cause chaffing. I will need to get more, but they were on sale so I snagged them.

I DID try on several pair of loose men's 7-inch shorts and I liked the length/fit of them. They told me the 7-inch women's shorts are the most popular and fly off the shelves very quickly when they arrive in March. I will have to keep my eyes out.

Trying on the men's shorts led to a question. Does one wear underwear with loose fitting running shorts? They appeared to have, not padding or anything, but basically something built in for that purpose.

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I've been wondering the same thing. Wearing underwear on long runs in hot weather seems...uncomfortable to me.

Now, what about compression shorts? I need a pair. :o

I also took the opportunity of having a little extra cash and went to our local Athleta...and I will need to immediately forget where they are located :eek: I DID walk out with a lovely pair of capris that fits perfectly and won't ride up when running, and also two tops for running/gym work. None of which were on sale...but they are good quality and will certainly last. I NEVER thought, however, that I would be in a "small" or even "EXTRA-small" of anything! Guess things have changed for me a bit :)

In the end I like capris over loose shorts, though when the heat of summer arrives I may change my mind. I bought these knickers today, they look MUCH better in person. They have a green version I wanted but they didn't have my size. This is probably good, or I would have wound up spending even more. This was one of the running tanks I got, and they promised me neither would shrink. I've heard many good things regarding the quality of their athletic clothing, so I decided to go ahead and invest a little. Now I've all I need for the season I think :)

Apparently all three garments have some "unstinkable" quality that means they don't have to be washed as often as normal athletic gear. I've several team-mates who swear by it...we will see. Even then, the cost of the knickers and tops were individually lower than many of the DriFit offerings at both of my LRS.

In hot weather it's strictly short tights for me, no underwear.

In cold weather I'll wear Ibex briefs under wool or thermal tights, so I can wear the tights more than once without washing. The briefs aren't very flattering, but they stay put even on long runs, and that counts for a LOT.