Running shorts...

[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, 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 ).

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?

[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.

[roo4]

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

[OakLeaf]

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

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 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 ...

[Catrin]

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?

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.

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'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.

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 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 ...

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!

[ny biker]

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.

[Crankin]

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!