Running shorts review: RaceReady fitness shorts

[roadie gal]

I'm built like a bullfrog. After years of cross country skiing and telemarking I have HUGE thighs. I'm not as bad as those speed skaters, but I'm up there. So when I run my thighs rub together. I usually wear regular running shorts with about a 4" length, but on runs longer than 5 miles I end up chafed. So I've been on the search for some non-chafing shorts.

What I found was RaceReady's fitness shorts. They're "compression" shorts made out of Dryline. (It's the same material as Terry's T-Shorts.) They're exactly what I needed. The Dryline is a medium weight material that's not super compressing and not shiny. You don't feel like a total sausage in them like some of the lycra ones. They have a 7-8 inch inseam and NO gripper.

The crotch is gusseted and covered with Coolmax. There aren't any crotch or inner thigh seams. Nice. They seemed to wick pretty well. I was sweaty when I got done running, but not totally soggy.

They didn't ride up and I didn't get chafed.

Best of all, they were only $22. (Most of the others that I'd looked at were $35-65.) We'll see how they hold up over time. But I have a few shirts from them that I use XC skiing and the quality of their products has been good.

[mariposa]

I agree. I have 3-4 pairs of these shorts. Extremely comfy. Some of them come with a row of pockets in the back, for gels etc. Dorky, but practical.

My one beef with these shorts is that they really offer no compression. If compression is what you are looking for.

Also, Race Ready does NOT make good shirts or socks. Just good shorts.

The RR "distance" or "fitness" shorts are hard to find now; I can't help wondering if they are being phased out.

[teigyr]

Where did you find them for $22? I looked at their website (all eager to buy) and they're $29.95.

[emily_in_nc]

Where did you find them for $22? I looked at their website (all eager to buy) and they're $29.95.

Yes, I'd be interested to know where you bought them too. I need some better shorts to wear at the gym and for running.

Thanks!
Emily

[yellow]

I have the RR distance shorts and love them. No compression, but nice fitting and very practical with all the pockets and whatnot. I got mine from Hammer Nutrition at the end of the season last year for dirt cheap. I'll probably get another pair or two when they have their annual sale this year. I took off the Hammer patch...easy to remove with a seam ripper.

I just got a new pair of noncompression "warm weather" running shorts and wore them for the first time today: Moving Comfort Synergy short. I was a little skeptical because they are shorter than I normally like, but I really liked running in them...they breathe well and are comfy. I bodyglided before for chafe, but if I hadn't have done that I probably would have had some chafing. But otherwise I really like them.

[roadie gal]

The LD ones with all of the pockets are $29.95. The ones without the pockets are $21.95.

[VeloVT]

Race Ready's more traditional running shorts are nice too. I have a pair of the split shorts with pockets. I really like the fabric and the fact that they're really short and have a big split -- a combination that's surprisingly hard to find. My one peeve -- the liner short on my black shorts is light grey. If you're going to make short split shorts, companies, please, please make the liners either the same color as the shorts, or black. We don't like to look like we're flashing our underwear! (Though the Race Ready's are better than my black Nike split shorts that have an ugly WHITE liner).

If you buy directly from their website, the service is good too. I sent an email about sizing and got a reply the same day from the owner...

[cyclingmom01]

I have been running marathons for a few years and am such a creature of habit. I've been wearing the same brand of running shorts for atleast 5-6 years. They're called BOA (Built on Athletics) and are long lasting and the pockets will hold 5-6 gels or 4 gels and a cell phone. I have atleast 2 pr that are atleast 4 yrs old. Yeh, I'm cheap, but hey, they're still in good shape.

[OakLeaf]

Do they have a gusseted crotch? I couldn't tell from the picture. I hate going to the gym with camel toe - and running with it is just plain uncomfortable.

[roadie gal]

They have a very interesting gusset. It's a panel that runs from the bottom of the inside of one leg, up through the crotch and down the other leg. So there aren't any seams in any area that will rub. The gusset is lined with a thin terry-cloth like piece of Coolmax. Very comfy.

[OakLeaf]

Duh, you said that OK one last question: are they sized more like Adidas (I would take a M) or more like Terry (I would take a S)? (Or more like Pearl Izumi - I'm smack between sizes and neither one really fits?) These days sizing charts are as meaningless as the sizes.

Thanks!

[roadie gal]

I have a waist size of 29-30 (depending on the day of the month). I bought the women's large and it fit just right. The sizing chart seems to be pretty accurate.