Whether you’re a competitive parkrunner, or track athlete, these are the best 3-inch shorts for pushing PBs…
The shorter the shorts, the faster the runner. That’s the myth anyway. But while that might not strictly be true, there’s a reason most of the best runners who boss the elite track events and road marathons wear tiny race shorts. When it comes to all-out, hammer-down performance, stripping your shorts back to the basics has a lot of benefits. The best 3-inch shorts are light, airy and give you total freedom to move fast.
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The benefits of 3-inch shorts
Sometimes referred to as ‘short shorts’ or ‘split shorts’, 3-inch running shorts tend to be the shortest running shorts going. They also mainly come out when it’s time to run fast and are generally reserved for racing.
These stripped-back, minimal running shorts feature a trademark inseam length that finishes high up the thigh – sometimes with a split in the fabric on the outside leg to help with movement and airflow.
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The go-to garment for elite track and road runners, these micro runners leave little to the imagination. So while they’re an excellent choice for sprinting, high intensity intervals and some longer endurance events, they probably aren’t the best choice for your runs to the office – or for lounging around at the post-parkrun cafe.
The main reason to squeeze into a pair of 3-inch shorts is the minimal, barely-there race feel that makes you feel like running fast, unencumbered. They’re lightweight, offer loads of ventilation and breathability, plus maximum freedom to move. They can also help reduce chafe risk and they generally come with built-in liner briefs to preserve your dignity and prevent any accidental exposures.
What are 7-inch inseam shorts? Here’s all you need to know
The most minimal designs often forego pockets, but we’re increasingly seeing fuel, phone and key-friendly pockets appear on even some of the most stripped-back options. However, if you’re slipping into a pair of the best 3-inch shorts, it’s probably for the kind of serious running where you leave your phone at home to cut your race weight by a couple of hundred grams…
Now, if three inches feels too flamboyant, and you’re after some of the same running benefits but you’d rather show a little less leg, it’s worth considering a mid-length, 5-inch running short. These can offer a similar light, speedy feel but that extra couple of inches of fabric offers more protection, plus they tend to have more storage options.
This is our pick of the best 3-inch shorts for running
Satisfy Rippy 3-Inch Trail Short ($240 / £210) – Best 3-inch shorts
Brooks Sherpa 3-Inch Split Short ($60 / £40) – Best for long-distance racing
Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Short ($62 / £64) – Best for stylish milers
SOAR Running Split Short ($117 / £95) – Best for hot-weather racing
New Balance Accelerate 3-Inch Split Short ($29.99 / £28) – Best for pure speed
Salomon Sense Aero 3-Inch Short ($70 / £55) – Best for racing trails
Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short (£27.95) – Best for retro style
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS
Satisfy Rippy 3-Inch Trail Short
BUY IT NOW:
$240 / £210, satisfyrunning.com
Comfort: 5/5
Support: 5/5
Sweat-wicking: 4/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Material: 100% polyamide | Details: Back zipper pocket with two pouches / two hip pockets / phone pocket / carabiner | Sizes: XS to XL | Colour: Vetiver / Indigo Batik / Leopard / Black
A premium pair of shorts with a minimalistic race feel and some superb technical features. The Satisfy Rippy Short offers stellar performance – and an impossible-to-ignore stratospheric price tag. If you can stomach that, you’re getting a serious product.
Made from durable ripstop fabric, these are light, breathable, comfortable and impressively quick-drying. There’s also a useful array of four pockets, including two hooded drop-ins that can hold up to six gels and a rear zippered sweatproof phone pocket.
Even if you’re brave enough to shell out £210 on these, are you man enough to go for the bold Leopard print?
Read our full Satisfy Rippy 3-Inch Trail Short review
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS FOR LONG-DISTANCE RACES
Brooks Sherpa 3-Inch Split Short
BUY IT NOW:
$60 / £40, brooksrunning.com
Comfort: 5/5
Support: 4/5
Sweat-wicking: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Details: 2 oversized hip pockets and bungee loop / 4-way stretch fabric | Sizes: XS to XL | Colours: Dusk / Flame / Black / Indigo
If comfort and storage options are more important to you than out-and-out microlight minimalism, this pair of classic race-fit split shorts from Brooks are well worth a look. While they’re not the lightest, their outer layer is silky smooth, the liner is breathable and efficient at sweat wicking and the waistband is wide, comfy and forgiving.
Overlapping side splits offer plenty of flexibility and give a roomy race feel without making you feel too exposed. There are two good-sized drop-in mesh pockets at the rear that will hold a phone, gels or other essentials. There’s a good choice of sizes and colours too.
Read our full Brooks Sherpa 3-Inch Split Short review
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS FOR STYLISH MILERS
Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Shorts
BUY IT NOW:
$62 / £64, tracksmith.com
Comfort: 5/5
Support: 4/5
Sweat-wicking: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Material: 85% polyester / 15% elastane | Details: 3 internal pockets / anti-microbial mesh fabric | Sizes: XS to XXL | Colours: 7 colours available
Available in seven gloriously retro colour schemes, the Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Shorts look the part – but it’s not all style over substance. The ultra-light Italian engineered blend dries incredibly quickly and feels comfortable against the skin.
The inner briefs are luxuriously soft, too, with anti-chafe flat seams and plenty of support. There are also three drop-in rear pockets, each big enough to swallow a smartphone. Curved side splits add to that Chariots of Fire appeal.
Read our full Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Short review
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS FOR HOT-WEATHER RACING
SOAR Running Split Short
BUY IT NOW:
$117 / £95, soarrunning.com
Comfort: 4/5
Support: 4/5
Sweat-wicking: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Material: 84% polyamide / 16% elastane | Details: Zippered pocket / reflective logo and trim | Sizes: Small to XL | Colours: Black / Coral
SOAR’s classic split short is worth a look if you plan to train or race in hot, sweaty conditions. It’s cut close and short – just 2.5 inches – and its ultra-lightweight, highly-breathable fabric creates a speedy, barely-there feel.
The inner brief liner provides plenty of security and support, and a fast-wicking fabric cuts drying time significantly. Leg room and flexibility are impressive, as is the wide, comfortable waistband. If you can cope with single-pocket storage, this is an ideal choice for short- to middle-distance training and racing.
Read our full SOAR Running Split Short review
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS FOR PURE SPEED
New Balance Accelerate 3-Inch Split Short
BUY IT NOW:
$29.99 / £28, newbalance.co.uk
Comfort: 4/5
Support: 3/5
Sweat-wicking: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 55% recycled polyester / 45% polyester | Details: NB DRY moisture wicking design / drop-in hip pocket / reflective logo | Sizes: XS to XXL | Colour: Black
With a 3-inch inseam, a 1-inch side split and an athletic cut, the New Balance Accelerate is extremely lightweight and built for race-friendly freedom. If you want your shorts to be barely noticeable, these are well worth considering.
With solid sweat-wicking and moisture management, they’ll stay light even in the wettest conditions. They’re comfy, too, and although storage and inner-brief support are on the lighter side, that just adds to the go-faster credentials.
Read our full New Balance Accelerate 3-Inch Split Short review
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS FOR RACING TRAILS
Salomon Sense Aero 3-Inch Short
BUY IT NOW:
$70 / £55, salomon.com
Comfort: 4/5
Support: 4/5
Sweat-wicking: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 73% polyamide / 27% elastane | Details: Four-way stretch fabric / front pocket / reflective details | Sizes: XS to XL | Colours: Black / Turquoise
If you’re smashing fast miles in the mountain foothills or putting down speed on forest trails, the Salomon Sense Aero short should be on your short-list. It’s slim-fitting but allows a wide range of movement, thanks to its four-way stretch Aerotech fabric outer. It’s nicely flexible and offers excellent range of movement, enhanced by a one-inch side split but with less of the fall-out risk of some race shorts.
Tiny perforations make the fabric highly breathable and quick-drying, while soft, supportive brief liners have flat seams to reduce the risk of chafing. Waistband storage is impressive, and easily accessible too, making these a good choice for those longer trail outings that require regular refuelling.
Read our full Salomon Sense Aero 3-Inch Short review
BEST 3-INCH SHORTS FOR RETRO STYLE
Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short
BUY IT NOW:
£27.95, nike.com (not currently available in the US)
Comfort: 3/5
Support: 4/5
Sweat-wicking: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Material: 75% recycled polyester / 25% polyester | Details: Dri-FIT sweat-wicking design / internal or external drawcord | Sizes: XL to 4XL | Colour: Obsidian
OK, so the Nike Dri-FIT Heritage short is closer to 4 inches than 3 inches. But its retro styling gives it a certain old-school track aesthetic that will appeal to mile munchers young and old. Fabric tech is definitely 21st century, however, with Nike’s Dri-FIT technology ensuring efficient moisture wicking and fabric drying.
There are no storage options with the Heritage short, but their silky smooth feel makes them one of the most comfortable on test. There are eight sizing options, too, for those who prefer a precise, dialled-in fit.
