Short spandex shorts may look simple, but they’re surprisingly hard to nail down. Most runners have stories of hems that ride up, fabrics that bunch up and waistbands that get tight.
Indura Athletic offers an alternative. Founder Abby Drach, a 25-year-old cross-country ski racer, set out to create activewear for muscular bodies, the kind of clothing she and her teammates had always wanted. To this end, the five inch mark Stay Put Shorts ($58) boast an innovative fit designed with prominent quads and glutes in mind. First, there is the layered hem, which is shorter on the outside and longer on the inside of the leg. This avoids chafing on the inner thigh and prevents the bottom hem from slipping towards the crotch. Drach also reinforced each leg opening with a strip of rubbery dots, which grip your skin to hold everything in place, like the grip pads of a bicycle chamois. “They never climbed,” said one tester after a day of carrying a 30-plus-pound pack over steep terrain in the Panamanian jungle that required repeated high steps. “Usually I’m embarrassed in short shorts, but in this one I felt comfortable and covered, even with our guides behind me.”
A wide, flat waistband, made from the same highly compressive nylon and spandex blend as the rest of the shorts, also stays in place without constricting. Plus, you can choose a standard high waist or a curved mid-rise that dips low on the stomach but stays low in the back. The latter is perfect for those who prefer a lower rise but don’t want to sacrifice butt coverage.
The only downside: The fabric is slightly thicker than your average tights, and some testers found it prone to soaking in high-sweat areas. Upside down: it is not transparent when you bend over. It’s also more durable and has held up to several bushy hikes and trail runs without a hitch.
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