How to Choose the Right Workout Shorts
Looking for high performance workout shorts? Check out our expert guide on athletic shorts and meet the Yoggers.
What to Look for in Workout Shorts
In a world with so many athletic shorts to choose from, finding the right one is a tricky task. You want to find a short that’s comfortable and supportive, keeps you dry and sweat free and allows for range of motion. The perfect workout shorts will vary from activity to activity, so it’s important to understand your full range of options.
We’ve broken down the world of workout shorts below. We chat about everything from materials and technology, to fit and features. There’s no one size fits all where athletic shorts are concerned. Different kinds are designed for specific activities and movements. Dive in to learn all about them and our cutting edge Yogger shorts.
What are Athletic Short Materials?
Let’s talk materials. Workout shorts come in a range of synthetic and natural materials, each with their own fabric benefits.
Spandex
A synthetic or man-made material, Spandex is known for being stretchy and flexible. This makes it ideal for activities with a wide range of motion, like boxing and running. Spandex is often found in compression shorts which are meant to stabilize your muscles to reduce injury. A downside of spandex is that it’s not very breathable and can hold sweat.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a natural material made from the bamboo plant. It’s known for its quickness to dry and moisture-wicking abilities. It naturally moves sweat off your skin, keeping you cool and dry. It’s also soft, breathable, odor resistant and a great environmental alternative.
Mesh
A synthetic material usually made from polyester or nylon. It’s known for its net-like design full of small holes that allow it to breathe. This cools your skin and lets sweat evaporate. Mesh is strong and flexible, making it ideal for all intensity sports. Often used in jerseys and shorts, it’s biggest downside is that it retains odors.
Polyester
Another synthetic material known for being lightweight, wrinkle resistant and moisture-wicking. It’s great for exercises where you sweat a lot and need a breathable fabric.
Polypropylene
A synthetic material known for being durable and water resistant. It’s great for wet outdoor activities and helps you stay warm.
Nylon
A strong and durable synthetic material known for its unique stretch. It’s also soft to the touch and mildew resistant. A downside of nylon is that it retains odors if not washed regularly.
Cotton
A natural material, made from the cotton plant. It’s known for being breathable, so it allows air and moisture to flow through its fabric. The downside of cotton is that it absorbs sweat and takes a long time to dry, making it less practical for sweaty activities or warmer climates.
What are Athletic Short Technologies?
Workout clothing is equipped with some really neat technologies, designed to make us as comfortable, dry and odor-free as possible.
Moisture-wicking fabrics have the ability to wick or move sweat off your skin to their outer layer to be evaporated. While this process occurs naturally with bamboo fabrics, many fabrics have been engineered to do this. Dri-release technology blends synthetic and natural fibers to create fabric with maximum moisture-wicking and drying capabilities. To learn more about the process of moisture-wicking, read our article on it here (link).
Antimicrobial technology is a treatment applied to a fabric. It works on a cellular level throughout the lifespan of a fabric, making it so microorganisms are unable to grow on a fabric’s surface. This prohibits mold, mildew and bacteria from thriving. In turn, it reduces odors from bacteria and increases a fabric’s lifespan.
Water-repellent technology applies a chemical treatment to fabrics to make them water resistant. Water resistant fabric isn’t fully waterproof, but it keeps water from penetrating to a certain extent. This is ideal for workout shorts used outside in rainy weather. Polyester and nylon woven together and treated with water-repellent technology are known for being highly water resistant. Treated cotton is known for this as well.
Ultraviolet (UV) protection limits the sun’s radiation from penetrating fabric to reach your skin. Fabric with higher UV protection usually has a tighter weave and a higher thread count. Densely woven fabrics like wool and synthetics, allow in less UV light than sheer fabrics. In addition, darker fabric absorbs the sun’s rays, which allows for more protection than lighter fabric. Some synthetic fabric is treated with UV absorbers, while shiny fabric like silk can reflect radiation. In general, sports shorts with more coverage and a looser fit will limit UV rays. UV protection in clothing is known as the UPF or Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Fabric that has a UPF of 50 prevents 98% of the sun’s rays from coming through to reach your skin.
How are Athletic Shorts Supposed to Fit?
The fit of workout shorts should vary depending on the activity and support level needed. Certain workouts like cycling require a tighter and shorter pants fit, while basketball requires a looser one.
V-notch shorts have a loose and short fit and are popular with runners. They are known for the upside-down V shaped slot along their sides. V-notch shorts provide a great range of motion for forward strides.
The Importance of Length & Outseam in Sports Shorts
Short length plays a big role in range of motion. This is because different lengths suit various exercises and movements. The length of a short, otherwise called an Outseam, is measured along the outside of the short from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the leg hem. Workout shorts for running tend to be shorter which is ideal for a linear (forward) range of motion. Competitive runners usually opt for the shortest short possible for ventilation and maximum range. Workouts that have a lateral (side to side) range of motion like basketball, require longer and looser shorts.
Outseams are important because certain lengths can reduce chafing. Very short running shorts limit chafing by having less fabric in contact with the mid-thigh region. Tight compression shorts with an outseam that extends to just above the knee also protect the mid-thigh from chafing. Another factor that can reduce chafing is how the shorts fit along the waist. Elastic waist shorts have an elastic or stretch fabric inside the top of the pants that lace up in the front instead of buttons or zippers. Elastic waistbands can make a short more comfortable to breathe in and improve blood circulation. They are found in compression and basketball shorts.
What are Workout Short Features?
Workout shorts have many features that allow them to be comfortable and practical.
Liners are a built-in layer of moisture-wicking fabric. They prevent chafing and eliminate the need to wear underwear. Liners are beneficial because they limit sweat and bacteria build-up. They come in the form of mesh underwear or a compression short. Some people find them uncomfortable and forgo a lining, wearing their own underwear or jockstrap beneath the shorts. Generally liners are recommended to get the full benefits of a short. However, the quality of liners varies, with some losing their elasticity after being washed several times.
Pockets are another important feature. They allow for convenience in carrying items like keys or phones. Pocket designs range from zipper pockets, to pouches in a shorts liner. Generally the more compact pockets are, the more practical they are for exercise, as they limit the bounce of objects. Many workout shorts don’t come with pockets as they can impede the purpose of the short. Compression shorts used by cyclists to be more aerodynamic, are an example of this.
Visibility features add safety and visibility to your sports shorts. They can be in the form of bright or neon colors as well as reflective details. If you’re working out in low-light they are a must-have for peace of mind.
How Does a Type of Movement Affect the Shorts You Need?
Your workout shorts should suit the type of exercise you’re doing. This is because different workouts have varying ranges of motion and athletic shorts are designed with this in mind. If you’re moving mostly from side to side in your workout, you’ll need a different design than shorts for forward motion. There are several common short designs that suit specific sports and activities.
What are the Different Types of Workout Shorts?
Workout shorts vary in fit, length and material. It’s best to select them based on your activity if you want to maximize your performance.
Compression Shorts
Compression shorts are made of mostly spandex, polyester and nylon fabric. Known for their tight fit, they are designed to compress your muscles to keep them supported and reduce injury. These shorts are meant to increase blood flow and circulation, removing lactic acid which then increases muscle recovery time. Compression shorts are preferred in sports that require aerodynamic clothing, such as cycling. They are also great for activities requiring a wide range of motion, since they are stretchy and flexible. They’re great for running and yoga. Check out our top picks for compression shorts (insert link).
2-in-1 Shorts
These shorts, as the name implies, have 2 shorts built-in to 1. They have compression shorts built-in to replace the inner lining. The compression short works to increase blood flow and stabilize the muscles. Together the two layers provide increased weather protection, reduce chafing, wick moisture and give support. These shorts are ideal for running, circuits and any forward motion.
Basketball Shorts
Basketball shorts are made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. They are moisture-wicking, so ideal for high-sweat activities like basketball. They are looser and longer than most workout shorts. Basketball shorts have evolved over the years going from short to long for both stylistic and practical purposes. Their length is designed for lateral motion, comfort and mobility. Basketball shorts can be used for weightlifting as well.
Running Shorts
Running shorts are a unique workout short designed for runners. They are shorter than most athletic shorts, to provide maximum forward range of motion. They’re usually made from a synthetic material like lightweight polyester. The running short can be used for any forward motion exercises as well as HIIT.
Competitive runners often prefer split running shorts. These have their outseams cut or split along the sides forming an upside-down V. This split can range in length and be as high as the waistband for maximum mobility.
Yoga Shorts
Yoga shorts are lightweight and moisture-wicking with compression to improve circulation and stability. They are made from any stretch fabric, synthetic or natural to allow for maximum range of motion. Yoga shorts are used for a variety of workouts from yoga to pilates.
Yogger Shorts
The Yogger shorts are unique workout pants engineered with speed and mobility in mind. They are flexible, breathable and efficient. The Yogger shorts are the ultimate high performance workout pants. We’re talking comfortable, practical and stylish. Made in a few varieties, they’re our go-to athletic shorts. Designed as an all purpose short, they are flexible across a range of motion and activities. Yogger shorts are great for running, weightlifting, HIIT, MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You can check out some of our favorites here.