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Active Shorts

The best active shorts, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on December 25, 2023. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.

Recent Active Short Reviews

rated 5 of 5 stars
Showers Pass Gravel 10" Shorts

The gravel shorts are made for mountain biking and double as a good pair of hiking shorts. Some cycling-related features and adjustments make these a good choice for biking. The shorts have no padding, so I liked these better with a padded undershort for longer and rougher rides. For hiking and cycling, these shorts are a winner. BASIC INFORMATION The gravel shorts are made for mountain biking. They are made from a 95% nylon/5% spandex fabric that has a nice bit of stretchiness that cyclists will… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Patagonia Baggies Shorts 5"

This prouduct is amazing, very durable, and super cute. I wear these for everything, swim trunks, running, biking, everyday wear, and on long canoe trips.  Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Patagonia Dirt Craft Bike Shorts

Patagonia's Dirt Craft Bike Shorts are a lightweight, breathable mountain bike short for everyday riding on the singletrack. Made with a nylon/spandex outer short for full range of movement and a removable inner padded liner, they're soft, stretchy, don't chafe, and are super comfortable whether climbing or descending. I've worn my Dirt Craft Bike Shorts for two seasons of riding—cross-county, enduro, and lift-assisted—and have found them incredibly comfortable for long days of riding and reasonably… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Patagonia Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts

The Patagonia women's Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts pack a host of straightforward, well thought out features into a simple pair of shorts. The material and seams stretch together, offering an unrestricted range of motion, and the lightweight fabric wicks moisture, repels water, and dries rapidly. They were hands down my favorite shorts to ride in this past season. Testing Conditions: I tested the Patagonia women’s Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps. I wore the shorts… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Patagonia Endless Ride Liner Shorts

The Patagonia Women’s Endless Ride Liner Shorts are a straightforward padded liner designed specifically for mountain biking. My personal litmus test when it comes to outdoor gear is whether or not I notice it when I’m out on the trail. I want my gear to fade into the background so I can focus on riding. This liner passes with flying colors. It stays in place, provides unrestricted movement, and vents moisture—keeping me comfortable while my body gets worked (...scraped, bruised) and enjoys… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Patagonia Strider Pro Short

Nice running shorts with multiple pockets. When Patagonia first came out with the Strider Pro I was really excited as this was exactly what I was looking for in a running short for a long day in the mountains—that is until I saw the inseam—5", sorry that's just too short for my liking. It took a few years, but they now offer the Strider Pro in 7" inseam and I jumped. The shorts are very comfortable (multiple 20+ mile days with them); I was definitely a little iffy when I saw the liner—a long… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Pearl Izumi Pursuit 7" Shorts

Stretchable, breathable, transfer dry shorts are great for running, hiking, or the gym. Supportive inner liner for comfort. Whether you are running, hiking, or just working out in the gym you can't beat the comfort of Pearl Izumi Pursuit shorts. Available in 3-, 5-, and 7-inch inseam lengths, Pursuit Shorts offer a lot of comfort in a lightweight package. Constructed from polyester and elastane they have just the right amount of stretch while providing excellent breathability and the ability to… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
The North Face Class V Trunk

I own four pairs of these shorts. I'm a big fan. These shorts fit true to size and have a nice built-in liner. It's nice and comfortable, unlike the liners of shorts from some other brands that I've worn. The shorts rest a couple of inches above the knee, and they are comfortable when moving. They work well in activities ranging from running to swimming. A drawstring helps keep the shorts tight in the water. The shorts dry pretty quickly—maybe 15 minutes in the sun or 30-45 outside of the sun. Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Patagonia Strider Pro Short

Light but protective short that gets out of the way, yet lets you carry tons of stuff. Fit I will say it up front, I love the Strider Pro shorts. When trail running or hiking up steep hills I love the fit of them. The 5" inseam means they do not pull on your quads when going up steep terrain. They have a split on the side to give you extra freedom of movement while covering you up well enough. For me a 5" inseam is perfect. The waistband is a good elastic, but also has a lace that you can tie in… Full review

Other Types of Shorts and Skirts

Find more shorts and skirts reviewed in these related categories:

Hiking Shorts

Running Skirts

Hiking Skirts

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