Kuhl Ambush Cargo Shorts

www.kuhl.com
Cell phone? Check. Multi-Tool? Check. iPod? Check. Wallet? Check. Car Keys? Check. All essential items, certainly—but also a boat-load to carry.  Thankfully there’s the Ambush Cargo Shorts. You can dedicate a pocket to each of those five items and still have four left over! The nine-pocket floor plan of this well-fitting short is the best we’ve seen for bulk-free organization; all are easily accessible, especially the svelte, side 3-D iPhone-sized cell phone pocket. The 12-inch inseam is hip without the hop; perfect for a round of golf, after-work bouldering session, bike ride, or latte with the in-crowd. The bomber oxford weave fabric proved damn-near impossible to rip, snag or stain, a cotton/nylon combo (74% cotton/26% nylon) that feels natural, not plastic like so many pure synthetic fibers. And while the cotton slows the drying process, travelers can rest assured that they’ll hang dry in the time it takes to get six hours of shut-eye. Otherwise, toss them in the washer and dryer—there’s no shrinking, and after several dozen washes, the fabric looked like new. One tester wore the short for multiple days of hiking on arid Arizona and Utah plateaus—and loved the mesh-lined pockets for added breathability.

Product Type
Bike Accessories, Gear All-Star, Shorts
Good For
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Tested In
Grand Canyon (Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim), City of Rocks, ID

Skirt Sports Happy Girl Skirt

www.skirtsports.com
Color us shocked, but it’s honestly difficult to restrain our exuberance for this skirt.  First we scoffed: A running skirt? Only for sissies, not serious athletes! But then we ran in it. The polyester/lycra skirt has a light, airy feel. The wide yoke-style waistband proved both comfortable and flattering—even if you don’t possess abs of steel—and the relaxed fit skirt measures 16.5 inches in the front and an additional inch in the back lets you show off your athleticism rather than other…assets. A zip back pocket is big enough for car key, platinum card, energy gel, and lip balm. Under the skirt, a tightly woven mesh semi-compression short with a seven-inch inseam that creates a snug fit without being claustrophobic. We also dig the mesh—it’s dense enough for to quell any sense of exhibitionism, but extremely breathable, so there’s no sweat build up, even on long runs. Inside, there are two small pockets, one on each leg. Perhaps for your house or hotel key?  We’ll let you answer that mystery.
Comes in Pink Crush, Black Vinyl, Seattle Gray, Black. Sizes S-L.

Product Type
Gear All-Star, Shorts
Good For
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Tested In
Training for Bend, Oregon’s annual Pole, Peddle, Paddle Race; Crissy Field, San Francisco

Salomon Trail III Short Tights

www.salomon.com/us/; 4.3 ounces
As a woman, trying to find a pair of workout shorts can be a big task.  We have to ask ourselves if our  legs will rub, will the shorts ride up, will you have to keep re-tying them at the waist, will the seams itch…and (even though we don’t always admit it) do they make me look good?  Well, I’m happy to report that the search is over.  Salomon’s Trail III Short Tight molds to your form and does not move up, down, left, or right as you take on a half marathon or some other physical activity.  The zipped pocket on the back is perfect for your ID or if you want to stash some energy gels for the long trek.  And thankfully the breathable material does not leave you with that unforgivable swamp-tush feeling.  Whether your outside activity takes you on the dusty trail or up the paved roads, these shorts give you one less thing to think about, which is good when you’re running more miles than you ever thought you could.
–Jennifer Seabolt
Sizes XS-XL; 6-inch inseam.

Product Type
Shorts
Good For
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Tested In
Run for the Dream Half-Marathon in Williamsburg, VA

Craft PR Shorts

www.craft-usa.com
We love exercise—once we’re actually doing it. The hard part? Getting motivated to do it. Thankfully, our gear obsession helps. Simply put, the right clothes can make starting your workout easier. Craft, the venerable Swedish apparel company with a well-deserved rep for design and quality, has produced a running short that won’t hold you back. The lightweight PR short boasts a three-inch inseam that provides fashionable coverage without impeding movement. The synthetic fabric is soft and supple against your skin, but not clingy or crackly. Our testers gave the fabric’s breathability a big “thumbs up”—the airy mesh panels help ventilate sweat zones, which keeps us running longer (alas, not faster). The reflective mesh striping for added visibility during road runs (and thus dissolves our excuse to not run at night), and the handy key pocket also accommodates money for a post-run treat (additional motivation once shoe hits pavement).

Product Type
Shorts
Good For
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Tested In
Southern California’s Indian Canyons, San Gorgonio Wilderness
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