Running shorts?

I do al lot of classes and always use 3/4 Capri pants. I use these when I run on a Sunday but have started taking up running more seriously. Do I need to wear shorts? Are they more comfortable? Sarah x

Comments

  • Why not buy a cheap pair and see? If your long tights are comfy, the only advantage shorts are really gonna have is that your legs will be cooler.
    Some people will grab lycra the minute it's less than 20*C, others will remain in shorts until it's sub-zero...Personal preference! 

  • E mmyE mmy ✭✭✭

    I prefer lycra shorts to the 'sport' shorts because otherwise I get quite a painful chaff.... try and pair and see how you feel. The other thing that i notice with my shorts is that i can sometimes be a little more self conscious with them on.

  • My legs rub together and chaff in shorts too. I need 3/4 tights or lycra shorts to stop this. I'm also tall and shorts always feel too short.

  • jane davies 17 wrote (see)

    My legs rub together and chaff in shorts too. I need 3/4 tights or lycra shorts to stop this. I'm also tall and shorts always feel too short.

    With time and miles, both of those will cease to be a problem!

  • Pethead wrote (see)
    jane davies 17 wrote (see)

    My legs rub together and chaff in shorts too. I need 3/4 tights or lycra shorts to stop this. I'm also tall and shorts always feel too short.

    With time and miles, both of those will cease to be a problem!

    Will running make me shorter? image

    Seriously, it's good to know this will get better in case we ever get hot weather and I need something cooler to run in. Slimmer, more toned legs will definitely help too.

    For the moment though I'm loving my lycra, and the new found confidence to wear it. I've just graduated from baggy jogging pants, so it's a step in the right direction.

  • Well, if you run for decades maybe you lose half an inch as the cartiledge in your knees gets squashed, but that's not what I meant.
    What I meant was, I think the average runner gets less self-conscious as time goes on. If somebody's going to be bright red and dripping with sweat at the end of a hard run or a race, having a little bit less of their legs showing really isn't going to make them look any better. No offence!

  • Totally agree with Pethead about self image and self consciousness. I used to worry a bit about what I looked like and which fat bits might be wobbling, now if I notice young folk whispering or giggling as I run past, I just think 'Ha ha, these chubby pins have just taken me 20 miles, let's see any of you try that!'

    Same at my running club - most of them are way thinner and way faster than me but I don't make negative comparisons as most of them are training for 10Ks and half marathons and I do much longer distances so don't need to be as fast. Just thinking about it now... most of the chicks at my running club wear capris pretty much all the time, summer and winter. Some of them wear full length tights all the time, and I think that's mostly because of the aforementioned selfconsciousness. I wear capris in winter and mid thigh lycra shorts in summer.

    Sarah - try running in your capris. If they're comfy, stick with them - no point spending money on new kit if you don't have to. If you're too hot, get something different to try. It's not just about length though - basic cotton/lycra gym pants tend to be made of thicker material and specialist running kit is often thinner and lighter. So if you didn't want to show off too much leg you could probably find similar looking capris that would be cooler to run in.

     

     

  • yep dont buy loads..if its works ..it works! only will have more to think about when you go out running...I dont have a lot of gear

    its no fashon parade...I only do running races to i can get somemore tshirts! ha ha

     

     

     

  • Absolutely agree with Pethead about getting less self-conscious with time. I thought I would never wear shorts to spare others the sight of my wobbly flesh but a year and a bit later, when I was really hot on one of these infrequent summery days I got a pair of shorts and I love running in them. I tried on a number of them and didn't like the majority, eventually I bought Brooks epiphany, as they seemed most flattering. I must say I'm not a fan of lycra shorts as they seem to dig in the thigh where they end. Another option is a skort- I tried on a very nice one in Sweatty Betty shop.
  • Years ago, when I used to do a lot of cycling, I used to pop in to a local bike shop where my mate tony worked. If I was clad in Lycra tights, he would always shout across the packed shop, in a terrible French accent "Aaah, monsieur, you 'ave l'escagot".....
  • I have always worn leggings but recently bought some Nike shorts. I have always had trouble with them riding up and chafing but bought the ones with integrated Lycra under shorts and they're great. So much that I've bought a second pair!
  • Shorts, shorts and shorts for me unless it's -100 degrees outside. My little legs are chubby and my inner thighs wobbly way to much but I just dont care. Easy for me to say as I'm quite a confident person, however, I've tried running in capris and I feel too restricted, but that's just my point of view...at the end of the day, go with the flow and wear whatever you like, there are no right or wrong answers and remember that it's not a fashion parade, I'm just about to go for a run with a pair of shorts and my david and goliath t-shirt that says 'love stinks like a fart' (t-shirt was a freebie....)

     

     

  • E mmyE mmy ✭✭✭

    I like tights/lycra shorts because they stop chaffing. I've lost a bit of weight running and I still get chaff because of how I run so i choose some lycra for comfort

  • I can understand the comments about getting less self conscious as you run more, but how do you overcome the chaffing problem? My legs rub together when I run, leaving an angry red rash after about 40 mins.

     

  • E mmyE mmy ✭✭✭
    Jane - For me it's the Lycra. I need to have something there as otherwise I'll get the biggest rash... But I've had to try on 10 different pairs to try and find out that works!
  • Sorry if this is a bit unsubtle...I wore my shorts for a 9 mile run last week and ended up with nasty chafing due to a little 'leakage' . Wore them for a 10k yesterday with a bit more protection this time, and no issues (barring a little nettles rash).
  • Give some Nike Tempo shorts a go- they have inner briefs for support/modesty and are otherwise loose fitting and comfy. They're also not too expensive!

    I've just reviewed mine at http://shortbreadmonster.blogspot.co.uk/ (my new running blog!)

    Hope this helps image

  • Just had a look at the pic of your shorts Sarah, very snazzy!
  • Hey Sarah, how are the shorts?
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