Best Trail Running Shorts
- Pros: Comfortable and adjustable high-rise waistband, cooling features, lots of color options
- Cons: Lacks UPF rating
Dana Leigh Smith, vice president and content lead of Condé Nast Health, usually prefers pants over shorts for the sake of tick protection (those nasty little guys don’t mess around!), but when she does choose to wear them she likes Lululemon’s Hotty Hots. They’re technically designed for running, made with a super-stretchy recycled material and an internal drawcord, so you can certainly feel confident when you’re picking up the pace. But Smith points out that they have quite a few features that make them trail-friendly too. For one, they’re ventilated, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying: “It barely feels like you have anything on, which is ideal for a hike on a hot day.” They also have reflective detailing and a built-in liner that Smith says helps ensure coverage, even when you’re climbing up and over large boulders.
- Available sizes: 0 to 20 | Lengths: 2.50 and 4 inches | Materials: recycled polyester, elastane, nylon, polyester, Lycra | UPF rating: N/A | Available colors: 14 options