Running shorts...

[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!