Running shorts

Running shorts are a specialized form of shorts worn by runners.

Materials

Running shorts are made from materials which will be comfortable worn by an exercising human. They are designed to be lightweight, hard wearing, carry sweat away from the body and not to rub against the skin. Many shorts have an inner lining to act as underwear.

Variants

Running shorts generally have a seam cut up the side of each leg to permit easier running movement. The main variation in the type of short is the length of this seam. The names used to describe the different types indicate the length of the leg which is "not" cut, so for example a 3/4 seam means there is 1/4 cut.

* 1/2 split seam are the shortest
* 3/4 split seam are short but not quite as minimal
* square leg shorts have no split at all

The disadvantage of the longer legged shorts is that the material extending down the leg is pulled up the leg, by the motion of the stride, upon every stride. If the material is in any way catching or tight, this is an uncomfortable encumberance.

As such the shorter legs are better for running. However, some runners are uncomfortable wearing such short shorts because of the amount of leg they show.

Hot pants made from the right sort of material are also used by some female runners as running shorts, since they, like 1/2 split seam shorts, have no material to encumber leg movement.

An alternative to conventional polyester based shorts are lycra running shorts, which almost always are mid-thigh in length and because of the material they're made from, are perfectly skin hugging and offer practically no encumberance to running.