I keep in mind lastly nailing down my first half-marathon race-day outfit prefer it was yesterday. Carbon fiber sneakers that have been already damaged in and lightning-fast? Examine. A sports activities bra that by no means chafed my pores and skin? Double test. Comfortable shorts that made my legs really feel sturdy? Triple test. 5 years later, just one merchandise has survived the hundreds of miles I’ve logged since then: my Nike AeroSwift Shorts ($80, nike.com).
Discovering the fitting working shorts takes a number of trial and error. “There are such a lot of totally different types and varieties on the market,” says Melissa Kendter, an authorized private coach and UESCA Working coach. She provides that every has a goal: “There are shorts made for straightforward working, shorts designed for velocity, shorts to be light-weight, and ones to be extra purposeful. You need to take into consideration whether or not you need spandex shorts, extra flowy and ethereal shorts, or working shorts with pockets—and the particular size that fits you.”
Principally, it takes a small miracle to seek out the bottoms that give you the results you want. For me (and hopefully for you), that miracle is the AeroSwifts.
The design
Each inch of those shorts is designed flawlessly. Let’s begin with the waistband: The comfortable, mesh strip sits comfortably above my hip bones, making it much less high-waisted than different working shorts I’ve tried, however nonetheless not low-rise denims low (if you recognize what I imply). After 5 years of carrying and washing these shorts, the waistband nonetheless matches the identical, doesn’t slip or slide because the miles put on on, and by no means irritates or chafes my pores and skin.
Unique photograph by SELF author Kells McPhillips
Unique photograph by SELF author Kells McPhillips
Beneath the band, the legs are produced from recycled plastic and have a big slit on all sides that retains the shorts breezy and flowy. Whereas my older (ahem, classic) model of the AeroSwifts is an identical back and front, Nike has since added pleats to the brand new design, which makes me need to add one other pair to my wardrobe. The shorts even have an interior lining—which is nice as a result of, in any other case, these slits would most likely present slightly bit extra than simply your lightning-fast legs.
Notably, they don’t have pockets. However I don’t thoughts, as a result of I want to take my SPIbelt with me for straightforward entry to my working gels, telephone, and sunscreen.
The texture
The AeroSwift shorts are the closest factor I’ve skilled to working bare (in a great way). As somebody who’s examined dozens of pairs of jogging shorts, sports activities bras, and sneakers, my tackle all activewear is: For those who overlook you’re carrying it, it’s doing its job. As soon as I take off for my runs, I actually by no means take into consideration these shorts once more—I’m simply having fun with the miles forward of me.
I’ve run a marathon and 4 half marathons in them at this level, and I can truthfully say I’ll put on them till they fall off my physique. Since I bought this pair I’ve purchased just a few others too. However they’re so good, I’ve gotten within the behavior of giving them away to all my runner mates. It’s my Oprah second. (, “You get AeroSwift working shorts! And also you get AeroSwift working shorts!”)
The competitors
You don’t want me to let you know that, in terms of working shorts, you will have choices. On days after I don’t want to hold gels with me, I’ll generally slip on a pair of Hoka’s Elaro 5″ Bike Brief ($54, hoka.com) as a result of they’ve a big pocket for my telephone. Pairs like these additionally are typically Kendter’s desire: “Options that I personally search for are pockets on the shorts that may match my telephone, match my key fob, and received’t slide down,” she says.