I keep in mind lastly nailing down my first half-marathon race-day outfit prefer it was yesterday. Carbon fiber footwear that had been already damaged in and lightning-fast? Verify. 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 proper operating shorts takes numerous trial and error. “There are such a lot of totally different kinds and varieties on the market,” says Melissa Kendter, a licensed private coach and UESCA Operating coach. She provides that every has a function: “There are shorts made for simple operating, shorts designed for velocity, shorts to be light-weight, and ones to be extra practical. It’s a must to take into consideration whether or not you need spandex shorts, extra flowy and ethereal shorts, or operating shorts with pockets—and the precise size that fits you.”
Principally, it takes a small miracle to search out the bottoms that be just right for you. 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 operating shorts I’ve tried, however nonetheless not low-rise denims low (if you understand 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.
Authentic picture by SELF author Kells McPhillips
Authentic picture by SELF author Kells McPhillips
Beneath the band, the legs are made out of recycled plastic and have a big slit on both sides that retains the shorts breezy and flowy. Whereas my older (ahem, classic) model of the AeroSwifts is equivalent back and front, Nike has since added pleats to the brand new design, which makes me wish 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 in all probability 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 desire to take my SPIbelt with me for simple entry to my operating gels, telephone, and sunscreen.
The texture
The AeroSwift shorts are the closest factor I’ve skilled to operating 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: Should you neglect 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 actually say I’ll put on them till they fall off my physique. Since I bought this pair I’ve purchased a couple of others too. However they’re so good, I’ve gotten within the behavior of giving them away to all my runner buddies. It’s my Oprah second. (, “You get AeroSwift operating shorts! And also you get AeroSwift operating shorts!”)
The competitors
You don’t want me to inform you that, in terms of operating shorts, you might have choices. On days once I don’t want to hold gels with me, I’ll typically 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 usually Kendter’s choice: “Options that I personally search for are pockets on the shorts that can match my telephone, match my key fob, and received’t slide down,” she says.