Running is an incredibly simple and accessible activity. All you’ve got to do is grab a pair of lightweight and breathable running shoes, water, and maybe some snacks, and you’ll be able explore your local tracks and trails to your heart’s content. What about your clothing though, more specifically your shorts?
Well for casual running, any pair of shorts will do really, but if you’re covering big distances and/or taking on difficult terrain and weather, you might want to invest in a pair of running shorts that are specifically made for the job. Get a good pair and they won’t weigh you down at all, they’ll feel non-restrictive and breathable, they’ll dry quickly after rain and they’ll ultimately let you concentrate on logging in the miles.
Many of the options we’ve reviewed here are made for trail running. These tend to carry a few extra features than standard running shorts that make them ideal for life off the beaten track. Expect to see pockets for extra gels, a longer fit for protection and all-day comfort being built into many of them.
If you’re need to equip yourself further, we’ve compiled similar guides looking at the best trail running shoes, best running socks and best running packs.
How We Tested Them
Our testing took place across a wide variety of terrains and weather conditions, and were primarily undertaken by Jordan Tiernan, Holly Burns, and Will Renwick. Shorts were worn during long runs through the boggy terrain of Rannoch Moor in the Scottish Highlands, on hard-packed mountain trails in the Lake District, and even during record-setting fastpacking missions across multi-day routes. This allowed us to assess fit, durability, and performance under real stress – not just during quick laps around the local park.
Best Running Shorts of 2025: Our Team’s Top Picks
Here’s our pick of eight of our favourite men’s and women’s running shorts you can get your hands on this year, particularly if you’ve got any competitions or timed challenges on the horizon.
- Salomon S/Lab Speed 7 – Best Overall Running Shorts
- Montane Razor – Best Value Running Shorts
- Patagonia Endless Run – Best Running Shorts for Ultras
- Salomon S/Lab Speed 7 – Lightest Running Shorts Tested
- Rab Talus – Best Shorts for Hot Weather
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in September 2025 to ensure that all of the products are still available for purchase.
1. Salomon S/Lab Speed 7
Best Overall Running Shorts and Lightest Shorts Tested
Price: £100
Weight: 65g
Leg Length: 15cm
Why We Like Them: very light, stretchy, clever design touches
Part of Salomon’s modular system of S/Lab trail running clothing, the S/Lab Short are perhaps the most performance focused short in this roundup, particularly when paired with their equally featherweight inner (sold separately). There’s also the option to attach a belt to this modular system, giving extra capacity for fitting a 500ml flask, some gels and a mobile that’ll see you through short to middle distances.
Perhaps the most notable feeling when putting these shorts on is of course that lack of weight – it’s akin to putting a pair of mesh shorts on (don’t worry, they’re not see-through). This extremely lightweight 4-way stretch fabric has been built with micro holes in it, to improve breathability. Silicone around the inside of the waistband ensures things are held up adequately.
Buy the Salomon S/Lab Speed 7 shorts: £100 at Salomon.com
2. Montane Razor Shorts
Best Value Running Shorts
Price: £50
Weight: 80g
Leg Length: 18cm
Why We Like Them: lightweight, simple, breathable
Montane describe the Razor Shorts as a “super lightweight, fast drying, loose fitting running short,” and we couldn’t agree more with this. By using a stretchy ‘Aeroflyte QD’ fabric, Montane have built a pair of shorts that remain exceptionally lightweight, while also offering a little protection from the wind and sun.
The Razor shorts feature a mesh inner brief, that has been treated with Polygiene to keep things smelling fresh. You’ve also got a zipped pocket on the back of the shorts, big enough to fit a medium-sized mobile phone. The team here at Outdoors Magic loved the loose fit which gave them an airy feel during the summer heat. This fit also means that they’ll easily fit over a pair of tights when winter begins to bite. The Razor Short is also cracking value, at just £50.
Buy the (very similar) Montane Slipstream 7″ shorts: £100 at Montane.com
3. Rab Talus Active Shorts
Best Shorts for Hot Weather
Price: £48
Weight: 99g
Leg Length: 22.5cm
Why We Like Them: stretchy weave
Rab have made a strong push into the ultra running world over the past few years with the release of their Skyline range. This range promises to combine “the latest, lightest fabrics with cutting edge design” and these, the Talus short, are a great example of that ethos.
We were left impressed with the lightweight fabric used on the Talus shorts. Rab have named this fabric Matrix: it’s a single weave fabric that’s extremely stretchy and when combined with a loose fit, you’ve got completely unhindered leg freedom when you’re charging up, or down the fells. There’s no inner within these shorts, so you’ll want to combine them with a pair of technical briefs or boxers.
While we reviewed the bold and luminous ‘acid’ colour, there are also options for slightly more subtle tones, such as Azure (blue) and Beluga (grey).
Buy the Rab Talus Active shorts: £48 at Rab.equipment
4. Patagonia Endless Run Shorts
Best Running Shorts for Ultras
Price: £80
Weight: 105g
Leg Length: 11.5cm
Why We Like Them: big pockets and very comfortable, good value too
While these may look like just a pair of simple tight shorts, the Patagonia Endless Run Shorts offer more than meets the eye, with two full length large pockets on each thigh that will both easily swallow up a running head torch, mobile, or even a compact Harvey Map. There’s also a third gel pocket on the rear.
As we’ve now come to expect from Patagonia, the Endless Run Shorts boast decent eco credentials. For example, they’re made from 80% recycled polyester (which has been treated with ‘HeiQ’ odor control), and they’re Fair Trade certified as well.
The Outdoors Magic team praised the comfort of these shorts: the tight fitting design meant they never got in the way, yet remained unrestrictive when running hard. Patagonia also makes a men’s version of the Endless Run Shorts, which features a slightly looser cut, but all the same features and low weight as the women’s version.
Buy the Patagonia Endless Run shorts: £80 at Sportsshoes.com
5. Soar Dual Run Shorts
Price: £125
Weight: N/A
Leg Length: 12 cm (shell), 25 cm (liner)
Why We Like Them: stretchy, ventilating fabric
Soar is an interesting fast-growing brand from London. We actually included them in our guide to the best new running brands to watch out for. If you were to select one pair of shorts to smash your next ultra-distance run, then these would be the ones to reach for. They’re extremely lightweight and wicking, while the inner offers improved comfort thanks to the use of a fabric that’s been designed to support your quads.
We found these shorts to be extremely comfortable, even over longer distances. The outer is built from an extremely lightweight, stretchy fabric that has holes laser cut into it to promote ventilation and the woven inner provides a great balance between protection and breathability for year-round use.
Although they come with an eye-watering price tag, we were sold by their all-day comfort of and their impressive ability to remain ventilated while providing decent upper leg protection. We did just have one gripe with these shorts: we’d have loved to see a laser bonded hem (similar to that found on the Rab Talus and On Lightweight Shorts) at the ends of the outer, as we could see them at the seams fraying over time.
Buy the Soar Dual Run shorts: £125 at Soarrunning.com
6. Dynafit DNA Sky Shorts
Price: £100
Weight 90g
Leg Length: N/A
Why We Like Them: simple, comfortable, light
The Dynafit DNA Sky Shorts are a throwback to traditional running shorts: minimal and verging into ‘hot pants’ territory. We’ve been big fans of the streamlined design Dynafit have gone for. This no-thrills approach means there’s little risk of anything malfunctioning over time.
Although Dynafit have kept the design pretty subtle, they’re still packing a gel pocket, a comfortable waistband and an internal mesh brief. Just a quick note about fit: although Dynafit describe it as ‘loose’, we’d recommend that you size up if you tend to sit between sizes. We found the medium was quite snug. It’s also worth noting that we are rocking an older design in the picture but they now come in more understated colours too.
Buy the Dynafit DNA Sky shorts: £100 at Dynafit.com
7. On Trail Shorts
Price: £75
Weight: N/A
Leg Length: 23cm
Why We Like Them: very light, good ventilation
Swiss-based On are one of the fastest running companies out there, with their highly-cushioned ‘cloud’ footwear seemingly becoming extremely popular. They also make some great trail running kit as well though and these shorts being a great example of that.
The Lightweight Shorts feature a dual design, with a lightweight stretchy fabric on the front, and a perforated polyester fabric on the back, which gives the shorts the ability to easily dump heat – perfect for warm weather days on the hills. One thing to note with these shorts is the lack of wind protection that this perforated section offers. You’d probably want to choose a slightly more wind protected pair if you don’t want so much airflow.
Aside from the materials used, these shorts have a rather simple design. A small (but stretchy) gel pocket at the rear which has a key loop, is basically the only notable feature. There’s also a comfortable elastic waistband.
Buy the On Trail shorts: £75 at On.com
8. CimAlp Twin Running Shorts
Price: £80
Weight: 215g
Leg Length: N/A
Why We Like Them: built-in compression, loads of pockets
These look somewhat unusual but the performance makes up for the quirkiness. Combining a stretchy outer short with inner compression, we’ve found them to be practical shorts built with high performance in mind.
The compression parts of the shorts are made with a 3D-Flex fabric, offering muscle support and a contour hugging fit. The intention is to help to prevent cramping and more general muscle pain, whilst also adding an extra layer of warmth if it gets a bit nippy outside.
The loose, outer shorts are made from a stretchy, lightweight fabric that’s designed to transfer moisture from the interior to the exterior so that it can be absorbed into the atmosphere as quickly as possible. All in all, this ensures good breathability throughout the Twin Trail shorts, whilst not compromising on support.
Its pockets are located on the outer shorts and include a rear zipped pocket for your keys, a left-hand pocket on the thigh (without a zip), and a right-hand pocket near the hip (zipped).
Other features include: reflective detailing, an elasticated waistband with a drawstring for abdominal support, and flatlock stitching throughout to reduce any skin irritation on the move. A great pair of shorts and decent value.
Read our full CimAlp Twin Shorts review.
Buy the CimAlp Twin Running shorts: £80 at Cimalp.co.uk
