UNCOMMON GUY / THE TRAINING EDIT
Style
Give your legs some room.
Nine pairs for leg day, lunchtime runs and showing a little more thigh.
A lunchtime run, leg day, a class you’ve nearly talked yourself out of. These are the shorts we’d consider: some for travelling light, others with room for a phone and keys. Choose the length you like. Showing a little more thigh is allowed.
01 / The lifting choice
lululemon License to Train Linerless 7″ · Onyx Grey
Seven-inch linerless shorts with zipped hand and rear pockets.
Our takePrefer a longer leg? Look here. Separate sleeves inside the pockets keep phone and coins from collecting in one lump against your thigh.
Good to knowThe drawcord sits inside or outside the waistband; a locker loop lets you hang them to air.
£68
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Updated style: zipped pockets, internal phone/coin sleeves, perforation and locker loop.
Checked 2026-10-23. Available sizes: M, L, XL, XXL.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
02 / The budget gym pair
Gymshark Arrival 5" Shorts · Black
Lightweight polyester, a five-inch leg and a drawcord waist.
Our takeFor weights and a quick change afterwards. The plain black cut works with whatever tee’s clean, and £22 leaves something for coffee.
Good to knowSlim fit; check the thigh when you squat. Open pockets aren’t secure running storage.
£22
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Five-inch inseam in size M; adjustable waist, lightweight polyester and open side pockets.
Checked 2026-10-23. Available sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
03 / The running brief
Gymshark Running 5" Shorts · Black
An inner brief, side splits and a zipped rear pocket.
Our takeThe overlapping sides give your stride room without a wide, flappy cut. That zipped pocket is a useful upgrade from the Arrival for keys.
Good to knowThe title says five inches; the medium specification says six. Check the length and pocket size.
£36
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Inner brief, rear zip pocket and side splits. Listing title and medium-size inseam specification conflict: five versus six inches.
Checked 2026-10-23. Available sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
04 / The shorter all-rounder
lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless 5″ · Onyx Grey
Five-inch stretch shorts with a mesh back panel and zipped side pocket.
Our takeFor a gym session with a treadmill finish. A shorter leg leaves less fabric around the thigh, while the mesh panel gives the back some ventilation.
Good to knowLinerless: wear your preferred training underwear. Medium was available in Onyx Grey at our last check.
£48
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Five-inch inseam, mesh back yoke and zipped side pocket. Linerless construction.
Checked 2026-10-23. Onyx Grey, M explicitly in stock in UK product data; other sizes need selection.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
05 / The mixed-session option
Nike Unlimited Unlined 18cm · Black
Unlined 18cm shorts in four-way stretch woven fabric.
Our takeWeights, then a stretch on the mat. Side vents leave room to move, and plain black is a good foil for your loudest training tee.
Good to knowNike advises sizing down. The rear zip pocket fits most phones; try yours first.
£54.99
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Nike UK: 18cm approximate leg, four-way stretch, side vents, rear zip pocket and unlined construction. Fits large; brand recommends a size down.
Nike price and specification checked 27 October 2026. £54.99; select your size for current stock.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
06 / The trail pockets
KIPRUN Run 900 Ultra · Carbon Grey
Trail shorts with an integrated storage belt and drawcord.
Our takeFor a run that needs more than a house key. Storage around the waist saves carrying a separate belt—useful extra kit for £24.99.
Good to knowTry them on with the pockets loaded: the waistband has more work to do.
£24.99
Product details ↗Sources & availability
KIPRUN Run 900 Ultra: integrated belt storage with drawcord; designed for trail runs.
Checked 2026-10-23. UK listing explicitly in stock; select your size for availability.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
07 / The understated upgrade
Tracksmith Session Shorts · Black
Stretch-knit shorts with a liner, rear zip pocket and three internal pockets.
Our takeThe clean waistband and small hare logo look good. At £85, the Italian-sourced liner and four pockets need to earn their keep on regular runs.
Good to knowThe liner is built in. Choose a linerless pair if you prefer your own support.
£85
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Stretch-knit fabric; Italian-sourced liner; integrated drawcord; rear zip pocket and three internal drop-in pockets.
Checked 2026-10-23. Available at UK retailer Progress Running Club: S, M, L, XL.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
Tracksmith original on-body photography ↗ · Exact black Session selection; publication permission unconfirmed.
08 / The one we keep reaching for
lululemon Surge Short 6″ Lined · White
Six-inch running shorts with a mesh liner and a phone pocket.
Our takeWe’ve worn Surge shorts for burpees and runs, and love how versatile they are. They look good enough for the weekend, too, which makes them an easy pair to reach for when the day’s plans aren’t entirely settled.
Good to knowThis six-inch lined version was sold out at our UK check. Check for a restock before planning your order; we haven’t verified a current UK price.
UK stock unavailable
Check the UK listing ↗Sources & availability
Reviewed 27 October 2026. Exact UK SKU LM7AP1S: six-inch shell, mesh liner with a phone pocket, secure back pocket. The page lists out of stock; no current GBP price verified.
Our team’s supplied experience covers the Surge model; the owned colour and generation weren’t specified.
lululemon original model photograph ↗ · Publication permission unconfirmed.
09 / The running specialist
Tracksmith Twilight Shorts · Navy
Five-inch stretch-woven shorts with a liner and side vents.
Our takeNavy and a gathered waistband have a pleasing old-school athletics feel. A rear phone pocket and three gel pockets suit longer routes.
Good to knowThe liner has Polygiene odour-control treatment. It still needs washing after a sweaty run.
£75
Product details ↗Sources & availability
Five-inch inseam, stretch-woven fabric, side vents, rear zipped phone pocket and three internal gel pockets; Polygiene-treated liner.
Checked 2026-10-23. Available at UK retailer Progress Running Club: S, M, L, XL.
Brand / retailer photograph; publication rights pending.
Tracksmith original on-body photography ↗ · Exact navy woven Twilight selection; publication permission unconfirmed.
A pair you can squat, sprint and spend Saturday in? That’s a good use of drawer space.
Editorial sources & photography
The Represent and Satisfy × Hoka photographs were supplied by the editor. Product photographs are original brand or retailer images. Publication permissions remain unconfirmed; credit does not establish permission.
