“Who likes short shorts?” The catchy jingle from a long-dead commercial sing-songs through my head as I check out adidas’ Terrex Swift Lite Shorts. No runner wants overly-long shorts chaffing, but the Swift Lites are neither ultra-short running shorts or the longer, more casually fashionable ones I favor for a hot day’s hike, say in our local urban wilderness teamed with the Swift 1/2 zip tee and Fast R mid boots.
Inseam mockery aside, the Swift Lite shorts strike a reasonable compromise of form and function, keeping things short enough and close-fitting enough for faster paced activities like trail running (for which even I wouldn’t wear cargo shorts). The four-way stretch fabric, a blend of mostly nylon with a dash of elastane, give them great stretch, durability, and wicking properties. They’re extremely comfortable, and you’ll forget your inseam when you get moving. Front zipper pockets small stuff like an ID or key from bouncing out, and the combo of snaps and drawcord elastic waist ensures a great fit.
If you’re more a trail runner than a road runner, the length and fit of the Swift Lite Shorts may be just right for you. At $60, the Swift Lites are competitive with other high-end products from TNF or Salomon. The high tech fabric and FORMOTION cut mean the Swift Lites make a compelling case for themselves and shouldn’t get the “short” shrift when you’re picking some shorts for trail running.
