How to Choose Training Shorts: Fit, Liners and Pockets

Choose training shorts by checking how they move, how securely the waistband sits and whether their liner and pockets suit your session. Length and appearance matter too, but a pair that looks right while standing still may feel different during a squat, lunge or run.

This guide walks through the practical checks that help you compare shorts without relying on vague performance claims.

Start with your main activity

Think about the movements you repeat most often. For strength training, check that the shorts give you room to bend at the hips and knees. For running or sessions with repeated steps and jumps, notice whether the waistband shifts and whether anything in your pockets bounces.

If you want one pair for different activities, test a few movements from each rather than choosing based on a single exercise. Comfort is personal: there is no universal length or fit that works for everyone.

Check the fit through your waist and thighs

The waistband should feel secure without digging in when you sit or bend. If a drawcord is included, check its adjustment rather than assuming elastic alone will hold the shorts exactly where you want them.

Through the hips and thighs, look for enough room to move without persistent pulling. Try a comfortable squat, a forward lunge and a high-knee step. Notice whether the outer fabric catches on your thighs, whether the waistband rolls or whether you keep adjusting the hem.

Use the Vie size chart and follow its measurement instructions. Check whether the figures are body or garment measurements before comparing them with your own.

Choose a length that gives you the coverage you want

Inseam measures the inside leg from the crotch seam to the hem. It is not the same as the full length of the shorts. If a product lists an inseam, compare it with a pair you already like, measured the same way.

A shorter or longer cut is a preference, not a performance guarantee. Check coverage while bending and sitting as well as standing. With lined shorts, consider the length of both layers: the inner layer may extend below the outer hem.

Decide whether you want a built-in liner

What are 2-in-1 shorts?

Typically, 2-in-1 shorts combine an outer short with an attached inner layer. Liner length, construction and fit vary by product, so check the details rather than treating every 2-in-1 design as interchangeable.

The built-in layer should feel comfortable around your thighs and through the seat. During your movement checks, notice whether it rides up, twists or feels restrictive. A liner does not guarantee that you will avoid rubbing, and a close-fitting layer should not be assumed to provide medical or recovery benefits.

When might unlined shorts suit you?

Unlined shorts may suit you if you prefer to choose your own separate base layer. Lined shorts may appeal if you prefer an integrated design. Choose based on comfort and how you like to dress for training, rather than assuming either option is always better.

Check pocket placement with what you actually carry

A pocket's usefulness depends on its opening, depth, position and closure. If you carry a phone, check compatibility with your phone and case; the presence of a phone pocket does not guarantee that every device will fit.

During a try-on, use a light, safe item to check whether the pocket pulls or bounces as you move, where the return conditions allow. For a session that does not require carrying anything, leaving pockets empty may be the simpler choice. Keep hard or bulky objects away from positions where equipment could press against them.

Read the fabric and care details

Look for the stated composition and any specific stretch, drying or care information. Do not assume that all training shorts are moisture-wicking or that a lightweight appearance proves a particular fabric performance.

Follow the garment's care label, including any instructions that apply to an attached liner. If a material or care detail is missing and affects your purchase, ask before ordering.

Compare your options before ordering

Review your chosen size, colour, availability and return information on the product page. For a 2-in-1 option, take a look at the Vie Apex 2-in-1 Short, then compare the current options in the Vie shorts collection.

Putting together the rest of your training outfit? Our training T-shirt buying guide covers fit, shoulder movement and fabric checks for your top.