Whether you’re a competitive parkrunner, or track athlete, these are the best 3-inch shorts for pushing PBs.
When it comes to finding the best running shorts, there’s a lot of confusion around the different lengths. 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.
Here’s our pick of the best, tried-and-tested by the Men’s Fitness team.
Why you can trust Men’s Fitness
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Our team of running gear judges includes experienced product testers, PTs and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest.
Of all the 3-inch shorts we’ve tested, the Satisfy Rippy 3-inch trail short is the one which impressed us the most. Its ergonomic qualities are seriously impressive, with a comfy fit and great level of support despite the minimal 3-inch nature of the cut. The shorts are practical too, with five – yes, five – usable pockets. You do pay a large price for the privilege though. Literally.
Of course, we wouldn’t for a second suggest that you absolutely need to spend $240 on shorts. If you’d rather pay a more justifiable price, or perhaps are looking for something more specialized, consider some of these other top performers below:
The Brooks Sherpa 3-Inch Split Short scores high on comfort, which is important when you’re putting the miles in. Likewise, we appreciated its pockets to store our phone and energy supplements while running.
You’ll barely notice you’re wearing the SOAR Running Split Short with its 2.5-inch inseam and highly breathable, lightweight materials. It’s very fast-wicking too, so when you do sweat, you’ll still feel dry.
The New Balance Accelerate 3-Inch Split Short costs less than $30, but its combination of light materials and free-flowing cut meant that it gave our testers the least physical inhibition of all the shorts on test. So, if you really want get moving fast, these are worth a try.
Satisfy Rippy 3-inch short
Men’s Fitness verdict
If we could get past the eye-watering price tag, these are the shorts we’d go for every time. Excellent comfort, durability and storage combine with light weight to create a near-faultless race short.- Durable ripstop fabric
- Excellent storage
- Ultra-light fabric
- Comfortable waistband
- Very expensive
| Material | 100% polyamide |
| Details | Back zipper pocket with two pouches; two hip pockets; phone pocket; carabiner |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Color | 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, we found these shorts to be 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 $240 / £210 on these, are you man enough to go for the bold Leopard print?
- Read our full Satisfy Rippy 3-Inch Trail Short review
Brooks Sherpa 3-inch split short
Men’s Fitness verdict
If comfort and storage are your priorities in a race short, make sure you slip on the Brooks Sherpa 3-Inch Split Short- Wide waistband
- Good storage
- On the heavy side
| Material | Unlisted; 76% recycled materials |
| Details | 2 oversized hip pockets and bungee loop; 4-way stretch fabric |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Color | Black; Dusk; Flame; 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, we found their outer layer to be silky smooth, the liner to be breathable and efficient at sweat wicking, and the waistband to be wide, comfy and forgiving.
We also found the overlapping side splits offered plenty of flexibility and gave 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 colors too.
- Read our full Brooks Sherpa 3-Inch Split Short review
Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Shorts
Men’s Fitness verdict
If looking good made you run faster, there’d be no catching you in the Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Short. But don’t get it twisted – this option is much more than just a pretty face.- Smart retro styling
- Great storage options
- Relatively expensive
| Material | 85% polyester / 15% elastane |
| Details | 3 internal pockets; anti-microbial mesh fabric |
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
| Color | Navy/Ivory; Black/Ivory; Stonewash/Ivory; Chestnut; Brown |
Available in seven gloriously retro color schemes, the Tracksmith Twilight 3-Inch Split Shorts look the part – but it’s not all style over substance. On test, we found the ultra-light Italian-engineered blend dried incredibly quickly and felt comfortable against the skin.
The inner briefs feel 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
SOAR Running Split Short
Men’s Fitness verdict
If you can tolerate the price tag, these shorts will pay you back with great breathability for high-intensity track workouts.- Impressive sweat wicking
- Airy race cut
- Expensive
| Material | 84% polyamide / 16% elastane |
| Details | Zippered pocket; reflective logo and trim |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Color | 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.
We thought the inner brief liner provided plenty of security and support, while the fast-wicking fabric cut drying time significantly. We were also impressed by the leg room and flexibility, along with 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
New Balance Accelerate 3-Inch Split Shorts
Men’s Fitness verdict
Designed for runners who champion freedom to move above all else, these shorts are the definition of minimal. They also offer impressive sweat-wicking tech and even a pocket.- Quick drying
- One small pocket
- Not the most supportive brief
| Material | 55% recycled polyester / 45% polyester |
| Details | NB DRY moisture wicking design / drop-in hip pocket / reflective logo |
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
| Color | 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, we highly recommend these.
With solid sweat-wicking and moisture management, they’ll stay light even in the wettest conditions. We found them extremely 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
Salomon Sense Aero 3-Inch Short
Men’s Fitness verdict
Complete with plentiful and easy-access storage solutions, these shorts have a design which would suit runners on trails just as much as runners on the track.- Breathable
- Excellent storage
- No drawstrings
| Material | 73% polyamide / 27% elastane |
| Details | Four-way stretch fabric; front pocket; reflective details |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Color | Black; Orange; Yellow |
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. We found them to be slim-fitting while allowing 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. We were also impressed by the amount of waistband storage, which was easily accessible too, making these a good choice for those longer trail outings that require regular refueling.
- Read our full Salomon Sense Aero 3-Inch Short review
Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short
Men’s Fitness verdict
Measuring a slightly unusual 4 inches in length, these shorts offer style, flexibility, and added coverage. Shame about the lack of pockets though.- Cool retro race styling
- Silky liner briefs
- Daringly high side splits
- No storage
| Material | 75% recycled polyester / 25% polyester |
| Details | Dri-FIT sweat-wicking design; internal or external drawcord |
| Sizes | XS-4XL |
| Color | Black; Dark Obsidian; Heather; Sail |
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 shorts we tested. There are eight sizing options, too, for those who prefer a precise, dialed-in fit.
- Read our full Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short review
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.
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. In more casual scenarios like those, you’d probably want to consider grabbing a pair of the best 5-inch shorts or best 7-inch shorts instead.
The main reason to squeeze into a pair of 3-inch shorts is the minimal, barely-there race sensation 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.
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.
