By Lisa Jhung

 

While some of us just feel faster in short shorts, today's long shorts don't hinder strides or even PRs-just ask Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele, who, after forgetting his racing shorts, won the 2007 Great Cross-Country 9.2-K in Scotland wearing baggies that hit him midthigh. But not matter the length, performance features abound. Longer shorts now feature lighter weight materials and smarter designs that keep you from looking like you're headed to basketball practice. And new short shorts kick it up in style and function, with pockets and cuts that don't necessarily bare all. From traditional splits to longer, fuller cuts, we tested eight great running shorts to find out how coverage affects your run.