The Quest for the perfect pair of running shorts...isn't going well.

[hulagirl]

Well...I got 3 different models of Race Ready Shorts and they are HORRIBLE. The rise is above my rib cage!! And I'm not short waisted!

More coming from Road Runner Sports next week.

[Serendipity]

Like some others here, I have come to love running in skorts. Have a few and my current favourite is from Skirt Sports through TE site. Light grippers so didn't ride up, I like the back pocket (ipod and/or cell phone) and they look good, too. Not compression though.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSK_1021_0.html

[hulagirl]

I started running in skorts - really loved it. But they are a bit hot for Hawaii actually and I find I'm more comfortable in just the skin tight shorts. Plus the compression shorts usually have a longer inseam than the skorts and I like that as well.

[colby]

What did you end up in for NWM?

I am +1 on the tri shorts. I like 5-6" inseam. I bike to work in them, I run in them, I swim OWS in them, I race in them. Me and tri shorts are like peanut butter and jelly, until I rub the seams through, then we're like peanut butter and jelly with sandpaper. I like Zoots the best, but am mixed on the new gripper-less legs. I have some 2xus but the seam down the middle looks like it's giving me camel toe so generally they stay in the gym/bike.

I'm going to have to check out the aforementioned Brooks, though. I bought some New Balance ones that looked like they might work, but I will chicken out of wearing them until I lose a little weight in my inner thighs and belly.

[roadie gal]

Take a look at RaceReady. They have compression shorts with a choice of no pockets or all of the little pockets on the outside. The crotch is gusseted. The only problem is they might have a bit higher rise than you want. I love mine.

[OakLeaf]

Bump. I just got two new pairs of shorts that meet all the OP's criteria. Haven't run in them yet, just tried them on and threw them in the wash. Both have a non-binding waistband with a drawstring; a mid-thigh leg that, on me, ends below the belly of the adductor muscle which is why shorter shorts will ride up on me; and a rise that's perfectly fine on short-waisted me. Both have, I don't know if it's technically a gusset, but instead of a center seam up the inner thigh, they have a wide band of fabric that runs up each inner thigh and across the crotch. (About 3.5" wide on the Zoots, about 2.5" on the PIs.) I prefer a real gusset, but we'll see...

One pair is Zoot Run Biowrap. They have a compression band around the thighs, the upper part is looser fitting. There's a pocket in the small of the back, a clever design where the waistband folds over and closes the pocket.

The other pair is PI Fly Short Tights. They have stretch pockets on the sides of each thigh. There's a silicone band around the bottom of the legs, but in the package, the leg is folded up so the silicone is on the outside, and without having run in them yet, it seems like they would work fine that way. Not compressive in terms of performance, but form fitting.

I'd recommend sizing down if you try these. I ordered both in Medium - which was my size the last time I bought PI shorts, granted it's been several years ago, but I'm still a Medium according to their size chart - and Zoot's size chart had me on the small end of Medium - but both were too big for me, I exchanged them for Smalls which fit nicely.

If anyone's interested I'll post a fuller review once I've run in them.

[hulagirl]

Bump. I just got two new pairs of shorts that meet all the OP's criteria. Haven't run in them yet, just tried them on and threw them in the wash. Both have a non-binding waistband with a drawstring; a mid-thigh leg that, on me, ends below the belly of the adductor muscle which is why shorter shorts will ride up on me; and a rise that's perfectly fine on short-waisted me. Both have, I don't know if it's technically a gusset, but instead of a center seam up the inner thigh, they have a wide band of fabric that runs up each inner thigh and across the crotch. (About 3.5" wide on the Zoots, about 2.5" on the PIs.) I prefer a real gusset, but we'll see...

One pair is Zoot Run Biowrap. They have a compression band around the thighs, the upper part is looser fitting. There's a pocket in the small of the back, a clever design where the waistband folds over and closes the pocket.

The other pair is PI Fly Short Tights. They have stretch pockets on the sides of each thigh. There's a silicone band around the bottom of the legs, but in the package, the leg is folded up so the silicone is on the outside, and without having run in them yet, it seems like they would work fine that way. Not compressive in terms of performance, but form fitting.

I'd recommend sizing down if you try these. I ordered both in Medium - which was my size the last time I bought PI shorts, granted it's been several years ago, but I'm still a Medium according to their size chart - and Zoot's size chart had me on the small end of Medium - but both were too big for me, I exchanged them for Smalls which fit nicely.

If anyone's interested I'll post a fuller review once I've run in them.

thanks OakLeaf! I'm very interested in a full review!

I have a question on the gusset on the PI shorts - is there one? And I'm curious on how each one stacks up in hot and humid running weather? Let me know what you think!

In about a month I'm going to start ramping up my running for my Ironman training. So I'll be ready to get into a good pair of running shorts - plus looking for a pair for the race that will keep me sane and not piss me off! Thanks for posting!

Denise