Cory Smith has been a runner since 1992. He’s a full-time running coach who has been reviewing running gear since 2014. In addition to running shorts, he covers road running shoes and GPS watches, and he writes training articles for GearJunkie. At first, I thought it was just the way runners dress, but as I’ve run a couple of miles in different short lengths, I came to realize that I also prefer shorter shorts myself. If you’re typically a large, go at least to a medium — maybe even a small. If you struggle to find running shorts with enough volume, these should work really well for you. The rise is measured from the waistband to the bottom of the crotch. The longer the rise, the longer your running shoes are gonna look despite having a 3’’ inseam. In contrast, running shorts with a shorter rise will look short. How to choose a running short Loose-fitting. Offers more range of motion and breathability. Typically shorter in women than in men.

Offered in a five-inch inseam only, we found the shorts offered outstanding mobility with no restriction. If you’re looking for a snug-fitting integrated brief, the liner offers the best support of any shorts we tested. Our fussy tester, who normally wears a separate brief for added support, found he could comfortably skip the added brief. Choosing a running short largely depends on your preference. However, I recommend you get a length of 4 inches for the women and 5 inches for the men if you want to play it safe. While the type and length of running shorts largely depend on your preference, we recommend you try a couple of running shorts for different running conditions before finding out what works best for you. When I first bought my running shorts online, I always wondered how they get that 3” measurement. I mean, surely it doesn’t mean that the whole length of the short measures 3 inches, that would be absurd. Nike does the best version of these longer inseam shorts with plenty of colors to choose from and these usually come with no liner (since they are longer),” Campa says. Any Activity

To help you choose the length of your running shorts better, I compiled the advantages of the different running short lengths and their recommended use. Length All running shorts should allow you to move freely — that’s a given. The best running shorts, however, should not only provide freedom of movement, but also keep moisture at a minimum to ward off chafing, and keep items like your phone, keys, and fuel secure without bouncing around. While the 100% polyester shell isn’t stretchy, they offer superb freedom of movement thanks to a generous side split. Offered in six sizes, from extra small to extra extra large, we found they fit on the larger side compared to other split shorts we tested. Our tester regularly wears a men’s small and would want an extra small. The inseam indicates how far down the leg the short sits. It measures the length from the crotch to the end of the shorts and usually comes in 3-inch, 5-inch, and 7-inch options.

If you need a closet staple or a “go anywhere” type of short, you’ll want to choose a 7-inch pair. “This length is the best selling length for many men’s performance brands,” Campa says.After months of testing, even years in some cases, we’ve managed to narrow down the best of the best for whatever type of running you’re into. The shorts on this list are the ones we kept reaching for time and time again. The length of your running shorts depends on your preference. However, If you are new to running and are looking to play it safe when it comes to choosing the length of your running shorts, I recommend going for 4 inches for the women and 5 inches for the men. We found the flat elastic waistbelt with internal drawstring comfortable — but wished it had a little more stretch. Still, even with the draw cord fully cinched tight around our waist, there weren’t any hot spots or irritation. As a bonus, the waistbelt has a loop in the rear to hang dry when not in use.

Most versatile. Offers a decent range of motion and breathability while still modest to run in public. I recommend a 4-inch short for runners because they have less fabric that will get in the way of your workout and will keep you cool,” she says. The 73% nylon and 27% spandex shell is remarkably light and airy with excellent mobility. Not once was the stretchy fabric confining. The shorts pretty much felt unnoticeable, and the brief-style liner was comfortable, offering a good amount of support without feeling restrictive. Provides modesty for those who want to enjoy the benefits of compression shorts but are not confident to go out in public with them. There are no storage options with the Heritage short, but their silky smooth feel makes them one of the most comfortable on test. There are eight sizing options, too, for those who prefer a precise, dialled-in fit. Read our full Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short review RELATED CONTENT:

Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Shorts

The waistband is well-made and comfortable. The internal brief liner is one of the more supportive ones tested. While our lead tester typically wears a small, he opted for a medium and is glad he did, as it provided a more relaxed fit.

To get the inseam length of your running shorts, you’ll only need a tape measure (or any measuring device).

SOAR Running Split Short

Sometimes referred to as ‘short shorts’ or ‘split shorts’, 3-inch running shorts tend to be the shortest running shorts going. They also mainly come out when it’s time to run fast and are generally reserved for racing. If you’re short, a 4-inch running short might not look too short for you. In contrast, if you’re a 6-foot large dude, then a 5 inch short would probably look shorter To find the best running shorts, we start with hours of online research. We attend trade shows such as The Running Event and Outdoor Retailer for newly released shorts, such as the S AXX Hightail, and keep our eye out for up-and-coming brands like Ten Thousand.