#Compression pants men under shorts professional#

But in cold weather the more important thing is to keep my core warm. M.C.: Once the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, I start to think about maybe wearing pants. RW : What weather do you consider to be shorts weather? What Makes a Great Pair of Running Shorts, According to Michael Charboneau and Emily Shiffer

Three convenient pockets round out these durable shorts, and they can handle season after season (and plenty of washes) without stretching or fading. The 7-inch inseam is a great middle-ground for this men’s style, offering enough coverage without feeling like too much material. They have the wicking and four-way stretch that keeps us dry and comfortable without impeding our range of motion, and feature a nylon / spandex liner that breathes well and isn’t too tight. Made with 27-percent spandex (compared to 10 to 15-percent in many models), these running shorts have more durability and structure than others in our testing lineup. These are the best running shorts right now for men and women. Ideally, they should also accommodate storage needs, look good, and make us feel our best. The gear team tests running shorts throughout the year (yes, even on cold winter days) and takes field notes on comfort, fit, and features.Īt a minimum, a pair of shorts must allow for good range of motion, wick away sweat, and not cause wedgies to earn our recommendation.

They take to the road, trails, and treadmills before circling back with their evaluations. Our wear testers are a diverse group of runners with all levels of ability and who wear all different sizes. I also drew on previous versions of this article written by former RW staffer Michael Charboneau and contributor Emily Shiffer, which considered input from the RW wear testers and gear team. To make the selections for this article update, I drew on my own experience running and and gear testing. You’ll still get some of that cottony softness but with added durability and even UV ray protection. Still, if you’re a die-hard for the comfort of cotton, try a 50-50 blend that pairs it with a second, more sweat-friendly material, like polyester. Synthetic fabrics with open weaves or larger fibers will also breathe better on humid runs, and some even have antimicrobial properties for combatting bacteria and odor. Or if extra stretchiness is a must-have, seek out more spandex. If you want shorts that really wick sweat fast, choose a mix with a higher percentage of nylon.

Some better options are technical fabrics that blend various materials-like polyester, elastane, spandex, and nylon. Plus, 100-percent cotton shorts will most likely do some serious shrinking in your dryer. We won’t stop you from running in your favorite all-cotton bottoms, but be wary that the fabric gets heavy when wet, dries slow, and can cause chafing. Most pockets are large enough to stash your house key and some cash, but pay attention to size if you want more space for a phone, wallet, and fuel (or if you’re the type who pockets those random found-on-the-run treasures). Pockets: Zipper pockets and hidden pouches make it much easier to carry the essentials-especially if you’re heading out for a long run. In addition, some shorts include extra support features, like Saxx’s BallPark Pouch featured in its Hightail running shorts, which keeps sensitive body parts from jostling around and rubbing against your thighs as you run. Built-in briefs or compression liners can help simplify your workout wardrobe, while making your runs much more comfortable (and chafe-free). Interior Liners: Keep in mind that many running shorts include underwear. Shorter inseams (around 3 inches and sometimes even shorter for women) and spandex are great for speed workouts, race day, and runs when you want to feel fast and flash a little thigh.

Inseams: Longer inseams (generally, 7 to 9 inches for men and 4 to 8 inches for women) provide more coverage, which can be beneficial if you’re hitting the trails, want sun protection, or just prefer a modest cut. You’ll find shorts on our list in all lengths, fits, and flavors-but the best style is truly the one that feels best on you. For the past decade, I have tested outdoor gear and apparel in four-season conditions around the country and written about my testing in a wide variety of publications.

#Compression pants men under shorts professional#

I am also a professional gear tester and writer. Since then, running has been a constant in my backcountry life, from alpine trails to the desert and everything in between. I was an avid road runner with some track workouts sprinkled in, then switched the trail running when I moved west. Show more The Expert: If we don’t count my brief middle school JV cross-country career, I started really running in college.