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

[colby]

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

I have the Zoot Ultra shorts which appear to have a very similar leg hem. I have worn them for 2 Ironmans now. They roll/fold a little on the bike, but stay put pretty well on the run, interestingly. I don't have any interior girl zone chafing from them (though I bodyglide excessively) from either the bike or run, and thigh chafing is pretty minimal though I bodyglide there too. I feel like they are better in the heat than my 2xus, but those are discount shorts that I just bought for getting me to work. I don't wear the Zoots very much for daily training, though, they were too spendy to wear every day.

I have some Zoots with the side of leg pockets which I am kind of 'meh' on. They work well for gels in packets, but not as well for other stuff. I definitely can't put a flask in them. I have some Brooks shorts with the small-of-back pocket that works pretty well, though in those shorts the seams got eaten surprisingly quickly from rubbing.

Thanks for the reviews, Oak. Very helpful.

[OakLeaf]

Bump.

Perfect shorts, or as near as likely, found. Cheap, too.

Side zipper pocket for them as require a pocket. (I don't, so haven't tested it, but it's there.)

Supportive but not compressive fabric.

Not overly hot on hot days, not so light as to make me choose something else when it's cooler.

No gripper, no sausage leg, no ride up.

Rise on the high-ish side, but not too high for my nonexistent waist ("waist" high mom jeans fit around my lower ribs).

Completely functional gusset.

Drawstring for them as like one, decent waistband elastic plus drawstring not in the way for them as don't use it.

Runs true to size.

Comes in three lengths (the 6" in the link are the ones I have, and I'm not interested in either longer or shorter).

I'm doing most of my longer runs in these now. Wish I hadn't turned up my nose at RRS brand (or generally at buying clothes online, untried), before.



ETA - going through their website it looks like they're on sale because they've been discontinued. The replacement model looks similar but not identical, most particularly with the wider waistband, so I can't vouch for them. Sigh. One can hope.

[rocknrollgirl]

I just checked out the pair you linked to and the newer version. Saw the wider waistband. I can tell you, that PI has a line of cycling shorts with the wide waistband like that and I LOVE them. So it could well be pretty comfy. If I spring for a pair of the running shorts I will post my thoughts.

[Crankin]

For some reason, I get emails from RRS, including me in their VIP customer program. I may have ordered once from them, but for the life of me, I am trying to figure out how I got on this list. The only thing I can think of, is that DS may have ordered a bunch of crap with my credit card when he was in HS and used my email address (over 10 years ago). Maybe I will look closer at their stuff, which I might wear while walking or hiking.

[OakLeaf]

They do spam heavy. But thank goodness, I haven't got a print catalog from them in ages, maybe they've quit doing that.

[Catrin]

Another vote for Athleta, I love them. We have a local store and I had to forget where they were located as my bank account has a fit when I walk into the door!

I bought THESE last year - mine are a very different color scheme but that is the only difference here. Nice mesh pockets, nice fit, no riding up, some compression. I bought them for trail running but they have become one of my favorite all-round knickers for any weather. They were fine for trail running last summer.

[Crankin]

I am also a huge Athleta fan, especailly for their running/hiking/yoga bottoms. I can't wear tradtional jogging shorts (never, not even when I weighed 95), as they just don't flatter me. I bought a pair of Athleta running shorts that have the lycra short under the jogging shorts (attached) and i love them. I also have quite a few of their exercise tanks and dresses!
However, I do't do so well when I go to the store. It feels overwhelming and they don't have petite sizes there. That was my original purpose for buying from them. I wish they had petite sized tops/sweaters. I've bought a few of their casual/city type tops and even the xx smalls are too big in the arms. I can wear the tanks, though.