Trail running is an incredibly simple and accessible activity. All you’ve got to do is grab a pair of lightweight trail shoes, water and some snacks, and you’ll be able explore your local trails to your heart’s content. What about your clothing though, more specifically your shorts? Well for casual trail 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 trail 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.
Like traditional road running shorts, trail shorts tend to carry a few extra features 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. Here’s our pick of seven of the best men’s and women’s trail running shorts you can get your hands on this year if you are looking for something specific, particularly if you’ve got any competitions or timed challenges on the horizon.
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BEST BUY: Salomon S/Lab Short 6
Price: £65
Weight: 40g
Leg Length: 15 cm
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.
Get the latest price at:
salomon.com
Montane Razor Shorts
Price: £40
Weight: 80g
Leg Length: 18 cm
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 £40.
Get the latest price at:
montane.com
Rab Talus Shorts
Price: £50
Weight: 120g
Leg Length: 22.5 cm
Rab have made a strong push into the ultra running world this year 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).
Get the latest price at:
rab.equipment
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