by Jacob Gordon
Last week, I brought you 5 shorts for men to run away with, but this week it’s the ladies’ turn. Unlike men and their one design — the running short — women have the benefit of three options: the short, the skirt and the skort. Which one you go with depends on your personal preference.
Appalachian Outdoors offers a nice variety of running shorts, skirts, and skorts for you to choose from, but knowing the features and understanding your personal preference will undoubtedly be the deciding factors when choosing a product. For this week’s Five on Friday, I looked for key features in comfort, moisture management, and convenience across all women’s running shorts, skirts, and skorts. You’re sure to find a great running piece below, so without further ado…
1. Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts
Much like the men’s version, the women’s Nine Trails Shorts from Patagonia comes packed with features to see you through you next trail run or half or full marathon. The lightweight construction lets the Nine Trails layer softly, ensuring they won’t bog you down or get in your way, while the eco-friendly fabric not only provides peace of mind, but also breathes wonderfully. Throw in the Air Flow mesh panels, and you’re looking at a super-breathable pair of running shorts. There’s even a touch of spandex that allows the shorts to bend to your every move, and a DWR finish in case a sudden downpour comes rolling through.
2. The North Face Eat My Dust Skirt
Whether you’re a runner or tennis player, the Eat My Dust Skirt from The North Face sets you a step ahead of your competition. The integrated boy short liner provides next-to-skin comfort and a versatile stow pocket, so you can carry your smaller essentials with you. The polyester/elastane blend on the body and panel allow for excellent durability when you might be making fast cuts, while giving you just the right amount of stretch and flexibility. And to keep you cool, The North Face equips the Eat My Dust Skirt with a layered ventilation system that works with the skirt’s design to fight off the unbearable heat.
3. Mountain Hardwear Pacer 2in1 Short
Designed for the gal who does most of her working out away from the gym, the Pacer 2in1 Short from Mountain Hardwear comes loaded with a bevy of tech features to keep you protected and comfy during your workout. The UPF 25 rating provides nice protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, while the DWR finish blocks light precipitation and allows the Pacer 2in1 to dry quicker. Speaking of keeping you dry, the mesh side panels provide better ventilation of air, and the liner fabric wicks moisture away when you need it most. As its name suggests, the Pacer 2in1 features an inner short liner that helps minimize chafing to keep you nice and comfy.
4. Columbia Sportswear Zero Rules Skort
The Zero Rules Skort from Columbia Sportswear destroys convention of other athletic skorts, by giving you a piece that’s engineered to keep you comfy even as you push your workout further. Columbia gives you three Omni-techs in this one skort: Omni-Shade provides UPF 25 sun protection, Omni-Wick helps to fight moisture buildup, and Omni-Freeze ZERO provides sweat-activate super cooling. All these technologies help to keep you comfy and focused no matter how intense your workout.
5. The North Face GTD Running Short
The GTD Running Short from The North Face offers you some excellent bang for your buck. Made from 100% polyester, the GTD Running Short features North Face’s patented FlashDry technology to speed up drying time while you’re on the trail. For better range of motion, North Face equips the GTD with stretch mesh panels, so these shorts won’t hinder your movement should you find some obstacles on the trail.