I Tried Dozens of Running Shorts. These Are the Best on the Market

Men’s Journal Editorial Director Matt Allyn called these “easily the most comfortable shorts [I’ve] tried.” That alone piqued my interest—and they totally hold up. 

Just a few minutes after logging a chill 5 mile run in the Ciele M DLYShorts with the long brief, the shorts are already dry. And with how comfortable the liner is, I don’t immediately feel the need to change into other shorts. 

They’re soft to the touch while still effectively wicking moisture. The liner is snug but not too snug. And the 5” inseam (with a generously cut side slit) doesn’t feel restrictive to run in or too short to wear around. Those features alone make them a great all around pair, but they also boast two liner pockets big enough for a phone and one zippered waist pocket for keys.

However, I have two hesitations. First, the shorts have pretty particular care instructions—cold wash and lay flat to dry. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but adds a step on laundry day. Second, the seam construction was a bit strange. On the liner, they’re prominently stitched inside the thighs and around the groin. On easy efforts I didn’t notice too much rub, but during a harder effort, the seams might cause some friction—though Matt happily wore these for last year’s New York City Marathon. 

However, the drawbacks are minor and the overall performance and comfort from the Ciele DLYShort is excellent.

Pros:

• Super soft, long liner.
• Dual liner pockets, plus zippered rear waist pocket.
• Wicks moisture well.

Cons:

• More particular care instructions than other shorts on this list.
• Liner seams can cause chafing on longer, harder efforts.

Brief-lined shorts had the toughest job of trying to win me over, but the Tracksmith Session shorts were most up to the task. The premium feel of Tracksmith materials converted me to a brief believer. I love these shorts for city runs and everyday training because they look great and breathe well. The heathered blend on the Session is impressive, because while it has all the moisture-wicking chops of a tech-fiber, it looks and feels much more like a natural-fiber short. I wish there was at least one side pocket for a bit of added versatility, but the intention behind these shorts is utilitarian daily training. For those goals, no other brief-lined running shorts do it better.

Pros:

• Brief liner and outer material are soft and comfortable.
• Super lightweight and stayed cool in the heat.
• Brushed, heathered fabric looks and feels more premium than competitors.

Cons:

• Limited storage (just one zippered pocket).
• Somewhat delicate, not ideal for trail use.

If you’ve never bought a pair of running shorts and are scared off by the brief or long liner options, check out the Nathan Essential Unlined shorts. The 7” inseam is short enough to stay out of your stride, but long enough to provide ample coverage. The deep, soft pockets are great for everyday use, and the zippered pocket works fine for keys (though they might bounce a bit).

The shorts feature a straightforward design that doesn’t call attention to you when running. I found myself wearing these all the time in the summer, running or otherwise, due to their moisture wicking and versatility. They aren’t great for faster efforts, as the small side slit plus long inseam equals small leg holes, so they ride up if you’re sprinting. But for everything else the Nathan Essential Unlined is an amazing value.

Pros:

• Look great as everyday shorts.
• Super deep and soft-touch side pockets, plus zippered pocket on rear.
• Effective drawstring.

Cons:

• Zippered pocket placement isn’t great for items like keys.
• Ride up when running fast.

For most distances, the On Ultra Shorts eliminate the need to run with a hydration pack or running belt, thanks to the high volume of storage for gear, goo, snacks and hydration.

The On Ultra liner is really soft, and the seams are so minimal that I didn’t chafe. The shorts have six pockets, most of which are tucked into the thick, stretchy waistband—and contents don’t shift while running. The four front pockets are great for quick-stash snacks and the rear zippered pocket is good for keys. The rear pocket overlays a sleeve, which can house a soft flask for hydration on your run. And the side pocket fits a phone with less bounce than I anticipated.

Overall, the pockets are the true star of this short. The outer was a bit stiffer than competitors, and I’d also might size up next time, as I found them slightly less roomy in the seat than others, especially when loaded down with gear.

Pros:

• Excellent pocket setup for long trail runs and ultramarathons.
• Brief liner is soft and lightweight.
• Eliminates need for hydration pack or running belt.

Cons:

• The outer material isn’t as soft as others on this list.
• Not the most roomy fit in the rear.

Patagonia Multi-Trail Shorts are the perfect option for folks who don’t like the features of many running shorts—namely, super short inseams and overly tech-y liners. The 8” inseam on these shorts makes them the longest on the list, but the extremely comfortable, lightweight liner and soft outer fabric make these accessible for all runners.

While the liner is a little loose, I enjoyed these on easy trail runs or recovery days. The shorts didn’t feel overly tech-y or short, and they clung nicely to my body as I logged easy miles. Plus, the zippered side pockets are useful as standard everyday pockets, or to keep gear secure on your runs. I would’ve loved a liner pocket for my phone, but the lightweight, looser fit might not have supported it well.

Pros:

• Comfortable.
• Lightweight and breathable.
• Good blend of pockets on outer.
• Longer inseam makes them versatile everyday shorts.

Cons:

• No pocket on liner.
• Liner is a little loose, some may prefer snug fit.

The Patagonia Strider Pro features useful pockets for gear and snacks. While the outer material is super soft and high quality, the overall lightness of this pair of shorts is better suited to mid-distance training. I found once the miles piled up, the somewhat loose-fitting liner rubbed at my inner thighs. Luckily, the material is soft enough that it didn’t irritate me too much.

The quick access pockets make grabbing snacks and goo easy, and the breathability of these shorts is second to none. Additionally, the 5” inseam lies at a nice middle ground of speed and coverage.

Pros:

• Materials are superbly comfortable and light.
• Very breathable brief liner.
• Clever pocket design for trail-necessities like goo and snacks.

Cons:

• Liner is slightly loose, causing some rub

These Roark Serrano 2.0 shorts are very similar to the Nathan Essential above in their versatility. If you can’t justify purchasing a pair of shorts just for running, then the Serrano makes a great pair of everyday shorts that you can also run in. These are now my go-to travel shorts, as they pack down super small, look great around town, and I can still go on runs or hikes in them.

Roark’s material is excellent. It’s soft, breathable, and dries out fast. The 8” inseam works for many people and many uses, and the pockets are useful both for running and around town. If I had to bring one pair of shorts on a trip, it would very likely be these Roark Serrano 2.0 shorts.

Pros:

• Variety of colorways.
• Still feature useful zippered running pockets.
• Roark recycled polyesters are really soft to the touch and wick fast.

Cons:

• No slit on the side leg, restricting range of motion.
• A touch long.

I don’t find half tights that useful for my style of running. But, after trying out the Tracksmith Reggie, I have to say, I’m going to start working these into my training rotation.

I also tested Tracksmith’s speed-oriented half tights, the Allston, but I found the Reggie to be more comfortable, especially because it’s unlined. The fabric on these is buttery soft, and I’ve even started wearing these on cold mornings under joggers. The small but crucial inclusion of the zippered pocket on the rear waistband makes carrying keys possible, but everything else about these half tights is super minimal.

Half tights are pretty revealing, and outside of competitive runners, I assume that’s why they aren’t as popular as regular running shorts. However, if you are trying to set PRs, do a lot of track workouts, or like a slimmed down setup for comfort, the Tracksmith Reggie Half Tight is the most comfortable I tested.

Pros:

• Incredibly soft.
• Stayed securely on my waist despite lack of drawstring.
• Features small zippered pocket for keys.

Cons:

• Not versatile.
• Revealing.
• Thick material doesn’t dry as fast as other shorts on this list.