The RW Takeaway: Three pockets add versatility to these stylish performance shorts.
- A polyester-and-spandex liner feels like cotton, dries far faster
- Drop-in pockets fit up to three gels and comfortably hold an ID or credit card
- Deep slits at the hip allow you to stride out effortlessly
Price: $52
Sizes: XS (women only), S, M, L, XL (men only)
Colors: forest, navy, black, ivory, wine
Split shorts get a bad rap. Typically, they’ve been reserved for old guys who have been jogging since the first running boom or for lanky kids still in school. Those of us in between resort to something more modest—unless it’s speed day or you’re toeing a race’s start line. Lately, though, I’ve been wearing them on nearly all my runs, mostly because there are some stylish, high-quality pairs available now. Tops among those is this throwback pair from Boston-based Tracksmith.
Pros
- Three drop-in pockets
- Comfy liner
- Doesn’t bunch up
Cons
- Length isn’t for modest runners
- No zippered pocket
We found the shorts have an insanely comfortable fit and, despite offering very little coverage, let you forget the fact you’re running around exposing your upper thighs. Credit that to the flowy fabric that doesn’t bunch up or impede your stride. Plus the liner is made from a cotton-like material that our testers favorably compared to pajamas.
Built for the Long Haul
I’ll admit, I’m a pocket snob. I think all shorts should get at least one pocket with a zipper. But, thanks to three drop-in style pockets inside the Twilight’s liner, I didn’t miss a zip. On long runs, I’d stash a couple gels, ID, and credit card, and comfortably log my miles. That’s not the same experience I’d get from vintage splits with the flimsy key pocket on the front hip; you know—the kind you had to stretch to stash a credit card, and it poked you on every leg swing. But, thanks to these pockets positioned on your backside, they didn’t bounce too much or get in the way—though one tester was always aware her office key card was stashed there. In any case, nothing worked loose over the miles of testing because the openings sit just below the waistband.
Skin So Soft
The feature that earns our highest praise is the buttery soft liner. It looks and feels like cotton, and is cozy against your skin. One of our testers compared them to the comfy sweatpants she reserves for rainy days. But, unlike those cotton bottoms, the Twilight won’t hold nearly as much water and won’t leave you with that soggy diaper feeling, even on hot summer days. It also won’t stink in your hamper, thanks to a Polygiene antimicrobial treatment. The lone knock: Runners with larger thighs will want to apply some Body Glide since these shorts offer absolutely no protection from chafing.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
