The length of 4-5 inches is highly recommended so you can enjoy the benefits of a short running short while still being modest. If you ever find yourself with a social event after a run or workout, these are the perfect shorts for the occasion. They’ll work for beginners and elite runners alike, and we’re confident you’ll appreciate having them in your drawer.

The 9-inch short used to be a very popular length, but as men got more comfortable wearing shorter lengths, the appeal started to die down, she explains. If you struggle with finding shorts that fit properly or experience shorts riding up, we recommend you look for shorts with spandex and/or elastane.We could go down a long list of features we’d like to see, but for under 20 bucks, we wouldn’t expect them anyway. There are t wo good-sized drop-in mesh pockets at the rear that will hold a phone, gels or other essentials. The close-to-the-skin fit makes them ideal for runners who struggle with chafing, keeping your quads, hamstrings, and glutes warm during cold and/or rainy runs. In the previous version, we couldn’t fit our phone in the rear zip, but we were pleased to find out an iPhone 14 Pro just fit with a little work getting it in and out.

That’s because running shorts with the same inseam length doesn’t necessarily mean they end in the same area on your thigh. Our slimmer tester, who prefers short three-inch running shorts, felt like he was swimming in the excess fabric throughout his run. You'll find him covering everything from the latest carbon-plated running shoes, to massage guns and heart rate monitors. There’s an extra large front mesh drop-in pocket for easy access with the ability to carry long items that don’t fit in most running shorts.Still, even with the draw cord fully cinched tight around our waist, there weren’t any hot spots or irritation. The thick but well-vented waistband with a drawstring provides a secure foundation for five pockets: three drop-in pockets and two rear zipper pockets. A thicker waistband can hold more items securely without bouncing around because it provides a better anchor around your waist.