Health - Injuries: These lightweight, buttery soft shorts will keep your thighs from chafing during a long run in the heat.
- DAA Industry Opt Out.
- Watch the Boston Marathon.
- The thick waistband holds you in, in the best way.
Price: $68
Inseam: 10 inches
Colors: Fun Summer Half Marathons
Editor’s note: After an outcry from readers who voiced the Gore R7 three-inch inseam was too short to negate chafing, we researched and tested bottoms that have more coverage while still keeping you cool on summer runs. With a 10-inch inseam, we understand the Lululemon Fun Summer Half Marathons may be just short of being a capri for some runners.
I’ve always had an aversion to wearing shorts when I run because, well, my thighs rub. Also, I just really love leggings. But I also really overheat in the summer. It’s a true dilemma. I don’t know if this aversion started when I was wearing cotton shorts and had to pair them with spandex underneath, but I digress.
Pants are too hot for the summer, but I also hate knee-length capris. I’m picky, ya feel me? Enter the Lululemon Fun Summer Half Marathons 10” Short, a new run-specific version of the Fun Summer Half Marathons tight. The tights boast a lightweight fabric that is quick-drying and sweat-wicking, so as someone who needs all of the above, especially in the heat, and hates running in shorts, I had high, high hopes for these bottoms.
High, High Waist
At first glance, they were much longer than anything I ever would see myself wearing during the summer. After putting them on, they hit right above the knee (I’m 5’ 8”). They also were very high-waisted, which I liked, and held everything in without being uncomfortable.
I was a little wary of the look of the length, but psyched myself up by telling myself the bike-short length of the crops was trendy enough to earn me a spot in the Kardashian’s next workout and hit the road.
No Thigh Rub Here
Still fueled by carbs from pretzel day, I put the Fun Summer Half Marathons to the test. After nine sticky miles in the Pennsylvania heat, the shorts did not budge—up or down. Honestly, these shorts are what dreams are made of. They have staying power for both short and long runs—they don’t roll. The high waist kept the shorts in place even though the pockets were loaded down. There is also an inner drawstring for added security if necessary.
The long length of the shorts left me with nothing to worry about; as far as thigh rubbing goes, these babies kept my legs chafe-free. And while I was worried about the high waist and long length leading to overheating, the lightweight fabric kept me cool. For someone looking for a shorter inseam, or who prefers shorter shorts, these may not be the right length for a summer run. On the other hand, I will be wearing them during my June half marathon and plan to run fast and (chafe) free without worrying about the heat.
Pocket Perfection
Plus, pockets. So. Many. Freaking. Pockets. My iPhone XS fit in one of the side pockets and the shorts were not pulled down at all over the course of the run. There are also waistband pockets galore, perfect for stashing keys and gels.
I refuse to buy anything unless it’s on sale, so I get the price-tag hesitation. But before you balk at the price, ask yourself, what is a chafe-free run truly worth?
Lululemon Women’s Fast And Free Short 10
