These Nike Dri-FIT Heritage shorts give an extra inch of coverage and will appeal to fans of retro racing style. Read Kieran Alger’s review to find out more.
These Nike Dri-FIT Heritage running shorts are listed with ‘approximately 10cm’ inseams – that’s just under 4 inches in old money. So they actually pack an extra inch in the leg against the other 3-inch shorts on test. But, sitting half way between those and the next standard size – 5 inches – I think they sit in the former category due to their old-school racing styling.
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
How we tested these shorts
Our reviewer Kieran Alger is a highly experienced fitness product reviewer, especially when it comes to running gear and clothing. A seasoned runner himself, Kieran knows exactly what to look for from a running short, including comfort and sweat wicking ability. He has also taken into account factors like cost, but we’ll allow you to make your own conclusions on aesthetics.
Features of the Nike Dri-FIT Heritage 10cm Short
That retro design riffs off the original Nike International Running Club gear that dates back to the 1970s, reflecting the golden age of track racing. Thankfully the fabrics have been updated. That includes a lightweight outer made from Nike’s fast-wicking and rapid-drying Dri-FIT Technology and 75% recycled polyester.
The main shorts material isn’t the lightest or the stretchiest fabric I’ve seen on split race shorts but the added structure gives them a nice cut and helps them keep their shape. I also found it to still be pretty effective at moving sweat away from the skin and staying fairly dry and light on runs.
The overlapping side splits are particularly high in my opinion, and while they give you plenty of flex without fear of exposure, I wouldn’t recommend these shorts for particularly gusty runs. There are also no pockets here so if you’re looking for shorts that’ll stow your mid-run fuel, you’ll need to jog on. You can indeed get 3-inch running shorts with storage, but depending on your requirements, you might be better served looking in the 7-inch short market instead.
There’s a classic drawstring waistband that’s a touch narrower than some. Helpfully, you can wear the drawcord either internally or externally. The built-in liner briefs are roomy and supportive and feel silky against the skin. They’re a tad narrow in the gusset so mind you don’t get your inner knickers in a twist.
If you’re looking for a more dialed-in fit, these shorts also come in the widest range of sizes on test, with eight options all the way from XS to 4XL. I ran in the medium size and found the fit was true to specification.
| Length | 4 inches (10cm) |
| Size range | XS-4XL |
| Colors | Gray, Blue |
