I keep in mind lastly nailing down my first half-marathon race-day outfit prefer it was yesterday. Carbon fiber footwear that had been already damaged in and lightning-fast? Examine. A sports activities bra that by no means chafed my pores and skin? Double verify. Comfortable shorts that made my legs really feel sturdy? Triple verify. 5 years later, just one merchandise has survived the 1000’s of miles I’ve logged since then: my Nike AeroSwift Shorts ($80, nike.com).

Discovering the precise operating shorts takes a variety of trial and error. “There are such a lot of totally different kinds and varieties on the market,” says Melissa Kendter, a licensed private coach and UESCA Working coach. She provides that every has a objective: “There are shorts made for straightforward operating, shorts designed for velocity, shorts to be light-weight, and ones to be extra purposeful. You need to take into consideration whether or not you need spandex shorts, extra flowy and ethereal shorts, or operating shorts with pockets—and the precise size that fits you.”

Principally, it takes a small miracle to search out the bottoms that give you the results you want. For me (and hopefully for you), that miracle is the AeroSwifts.

The design

Each inch of those shorts is designed flawlessly. Let’s begin with the waistband: The comfortable, mesh strip sits comfortably above my hip bones, making it much less high-waisted than different operating shorts I’ve tried, however nonetheless not low-rise denims low (if you recognize what I imply). After 5 years of sporting and washing these shorts, the waistband nonetheless matches the identical, doesn’t slip or slide because the miles put on on, and by no means irritates or chafes my pores and skin.

Under the band, the legs are created from recycled plastic and have a big slit on either side that retains the shorts breezy and flowy. Whereas my older (ahem, classic) model of the AeroSwifts is an identical back and front, Nike has since added pleats to the brand new design, which makes me need to add one other pair to my wardrobe. The shorts even have an interior lining—which is nice as a result of, in any other case, these slits would most likely present a bit of bit extra than simply your lightning-fast legs.

Notably, they don’t have pockets. However I don’t thoughts, as a result of I desire to take my SPIbelt with me for straightforward entry to my operating gels, cellphone, and sunscreen.

The texture

The AeroSwift shorts are the closest factor I’ve skilled to operating bare (in a great way). As somebody who’s examined dozens of pairs of jogging shorts, sports activities bras, and sneakers, my tackle all activewear is: For those who overlook you’re sporting it, it’s doing its job. As soon as I take off for my runs, I actually by no means take into consideration these shorts once more—I’m simply having fun with the miles forward of me.

I’ve run a marathon and 4 half marathons in them at this level, and I can actually say I’ll put on them till they fall off my physique. Since I bought this pair I’ve purchased a couple of others too. However they’re so good, I’ve gotten within the behavior of giving them away to all my runner buddies. It’s my Oprah second. (You understand, “You get AeroSwift operating shorts! And also you get AeroSwift operating shorts!”)

The competitors

You don’t want me to let you know that, in terms of operating shorts, you will have choices. On days after I don’t want to hold gels with me, I’ll generally slip on a pair of Hoka’s Elaro 5″ Bike Brief ($54, hoka.com) as a result of they’ve a big pocket for my cellphone. Pairs like these additionally are usually Kendter’s desire: “Options that I personally search for are pockets on the shorts that may match my cellphone, match my key fob, and received’t slide down,” she says.