Running shorts

I have a couple of pairs of Ronhills that have been ideal. I tried the Decathlon equivalent but the lycra part was so tight over my (cyclists) thighs that they were uncomfortable and they'd actually start to slide down my legs.

I have some New Balance ones which are exactly what you describe, def my fave running shorts.

Why-oh-why do they make so many without a pocket for your phone?

Anyway, I got them from TK Maxx about 3 years ago so I can't direct you to a URL or anything, but it's probably worth checking out NB's offerings.

Have a look at Higher State stuff on SportsShoes, they do some good stuff.
Or the Ron Hill or MoreMile stuff at Start Fitness.

Have a look at TCA, I've got a couple of pairs of those (think it's their Utility short) that I'm happy with. Although I do look a bit odd when I need to hitch up my shorts to get my phone out and take a photo.

Not much help, but I have a pair of Aussie Grit shorts which fit the bill - no longer available.
Bought some Ron Hills with a Christmas voucher - very nice, no thigh pocket for phone so went back.
Bought some Innov8 shorts in the sale, again very nice but no phone pocket. They were cheap enough to keep anyway. So:

Why-oh-why do they make so many without a pocket for your phone?

My go to are the decathlon trail shorts for £29.
They have a load of small pockets for keys, card, phone, gels, and I think will fit a 250ml water bottle in there as well.
Don't get the road ones as they only have the one pocket.

Edit. I see what scotroutes has said about them and mine are also a bit tight about the thighs. They still work for me though!

My Ronhills have thigh phone pockets - and a slit in the outer so they can be accessed without hitching them up.

Why-oh-why do they make so many without a pocket for your phone?

Conversely, you could just leave your phone at home? I spend enough time with my phone at work, the last thing I want is to have it with me on a run.

"Conversely, you could just leave your phone at home? I spend enough time with my phone at work, the last thing I want is to have it with me on a run."

I like to record my activities on Strava and somerimes take photos too, so a phone is useful to have. I rarely get interrupted with work stuff on my personal phone in any case.

Have a look at TCA

I've got a pair of those after a recommendation on here. I'm not a fan though. Too tight on the thighs so they start to pull down. And there's no drawstring or adjustment on the waist so nothing I can do to stop them. I spent half my run hitching them back up to avoid exposing my builders crack until I was sweaty enough for them to stick to me and hold themselves up.

“Conversely, you could just leave your phone at home? I spend enough time with my phone at work, the last thing I want is to have it with me on a run.”

I like to record my activities on Strava and somerimes take photos too, so a phone is useful to have. I rarely get interrupted with work stuff on my personal phone in any case.

Yep, I'm not browsing Instagram while I'm running.

I need my phone for Strava (so I can tell when I've done 5km) and to play my podcasts.

Flyte Swift shorts do exactly what you are after. They are my favourites by a long way for exactly those reasons.
They are £40 on Sport Pursuit.

They are £40 on Sport Pursuit.

Reduced from a hilarious £80!
Only left in S, Xl & XXL

pocpocFree Member
Have a look at TCA
I’ve got a pair of those after a recommendation on here. I’m not a fan though. Too tight on the thighs so they start to pull down. And there’s no drawstring or adjustment on the waist so nothing I can do to stop them. I spent half my run hitching them back up to avoid exposing my builders crack until I was sweaty enough for them to stick to me and hold themselves up.

That does happen to me a bit actually, though I get sweaty pretty quick so it doesn't last too long. Thought it was just my chonky physqique.

Salomon shorts are a very weird shape. I've got some Nike ones I'm pretty happy with. But I've gone back to Adidas - no they aren't 2 in 1, but they're better, and last better than anything else.

Alpkit running shorts are nice and fit a decent size phone in the pocket at the back. Fit my cyclist's thighs too.

“Conversely, you could just leave your phone at home? I spend enough time with my phone at work, the last thing I want is to have it with me on a run.”

There's loads of reason people run with phones - Strava, music, taking photos, Google/Apple wallet to buy a drink on a long run rather than having to carry one, or to pick something up from the shops on the way home, or even to use as...well....a phone, to contact someone/be contactable in the event of an emergency or injury.

As for recommendations - another vote for the Decathlon Trail Shorts.

I use my Dakine Hotlaps Stealth hip pack for carrying duties.

2nd Decathlon

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-trail-running-tight-shorts-comfort-burgundy/_/R-p-168232 (in black)

used them for years, found them super comfy and lots of pockets. rear pocket takes an iphone 15 max.

Ive tried lots of other brands too and its the pockets for the phone that has been the issue.

Edit - its these I use MEN'S TRAIL RUNNING BAGGY SHORTS - GREY KIPRUN - Decathlon

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-trail-running-baggy-shorts-grey/_/R-p-312194?mc=8677751&c=grey

[Conversely, you could just leave your phone at home? I spend enough time with my phone at work, the last thing I want is to have it with me on a run.]

You should try to find mattoutandabout's thread about not dying if sh1t happens, and having a phone might be quite useful....

Anyway, have a pair of saucony shorts and they're pretty good. Also have a running belt for all my tat when I'm running in gear without pockets.

Edit: found it...links in there to runner broke leg in snow, no phone....

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/how-to-get-found-after-the-accident/

https://www.adidas.co.uk/search?q=mens%202%20in%201%20shorts

Best out of the bunch I have used are the adidas own the run shorts, comfortable and good quality.

@FunkyDunc the shorts in your second link are missing the lycra liner. That's the bit I couldn't get on with. I eventually took scissors to mine and cut off the legs of the lycra short, leaving just a brief underneath.

I just buy the Decathlon shorts without a liner, and get Decathlon running boxers. Best of both worlds.

I was in Decathlon at the weekend & picked up some of their running briefs to wear under shorts/leggings. Worth it just for parading around the house in front of the Wife wearing nothing else, while causing her a great deal of revulsion 😁

But, I wore them for the first time yesterday and they are ridiculously comfortable - you can't feel them at all when on, and they sit nicely under leggings without any bunching up.
I've not tried the boxer version, but could see how they would also work well in shorts without a liner.

Worth it just for parading around the house in front of the Wife wearing nothing else, while causing her a great deal of revulsion 😁

Excellent, not just me then!

I'd second the approach of separate liners and shorts. The Runderwear line is good for that whether the briefs for revolting the wife or the long ones for a bit of thigh coverage/warmth/anti-chafing.

chaos

Excellent, not just me then!

She's never mentioned you, but in for a penny...... 😆

Selective amnesia - it's the horrific mental image of a pale skinny 50+ year old man that's being blocked out.

I've got the cheapest higher state ones and use a cheap stretchy belt for my phone

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/hst1459/higher-state-mens-2-in-1-7-inch-running-short/#sku-hst1461

For £40 you could get a phone holder belt and 5 pairs of shorts.

Slight hijack but what do you all do when it's bitterly cold and you want full length leggings. No matter what shorts I put on over leggings they always end up looking slightly ridiculous so I just stick to leggings and the one slightly longer top.

There's no real technical need of course, it's just a 'modesty' thing. The only thing I can think of are old school Ron Hill Tracksters but they seem to have become tighter and thicker now with a DWR finish which is not what I really need. Back in the last century (old git) I seemed to live in the blue ones with a red stripe down the side whether rowing, cycling or running.

Higher State and Ron Hills here.
Magic Mountain good for cheap Ron Hills.

Alpkit Koulin

Slight hijack but what do you all do when it’s bitterly cold and you want full length leggings.

I have some running tights that I wear outer shorts over the top of. Nobody has said I look ridiculous but they may have thought it.

And I got some DHB running trews in the CRC fire sale late last year. They are a thin shell material with a built in liner. Wearing those a lot at the mo.

@FunkyDunc the shorts in your second link are missing the lycra liner. That’s the bit I couldn’t get on with

Hmm maybe I am still linking the wrong ones.

The ones I have have built in 'speedo' type liner. I dont like the cycling short type version

There’s no real technical need of course, it’s just a ‘modesty’ thing.

I just wear tights - well, 3/4-length tights - most of the time. Couldn't give a hoot about 'modesty': If someone wants to look at my bits, they're there. Shorts over tights are just uncomfortable, look worse than just wearing tights, and are largely pointless as far as I'm concerned.

If you're desperate, Skins do a compression full-length tight with an attached over-short.

As a slight aside, I must say that the Ronhill running clothing is fantastic overall. They’ve really upped their game recently.

I just wear tights – well, 3/4-length tights – most of the time. Couldn’t give a hoot about ‘modesty’: If someone wants to look at my bits, they’re there. Shorts over tights are just uncomfortable, look worse than just wearing tights, and are largely pointless as far as I’m concerned.

This.

I keep getting adverts for acid running attire on FB and blown away at 80 quid for some 2 in 1 shorts.

I just wear lycra shorts I got off amazon with some matalan athletic shorts over the top. I don't run with my phone though track everything on my garmin watch, just carry door key and wireless earbud box in pockets.

You could look at running vests? Despite that, a lot of brands seem to be doing 2 in 1 shorts so have a look for the usuals, under armour, nike, adidas etc, or just get some under armour lycra shorts and some normal sports shorts

+1 for TCA shorts and tops.

WELCOME15 gives 15% off.

another vote for ron hill kit - well made and just works.

Last summer I picked up a pair of these 2XU 2in1 shorts from Sport Pursuit and have been very pleased with them.

https://uk.2xu.com/products/aero-2-in-1-5-shorts-mr6535b-mens-black-silver-reflective

I also have a pair of the Higher State 2in1 shorts and while they are light and comfortable, the lycra part is very thin and kinda lost and noticeable snugness after a couple of washes which may or may not be a factor for you.

As others have already noted, Ronhill kit is generally pretty tip top but the 2XU ones are very good quality also.

Howies do exactly this
Mine are goood

I just wear tights – well, 3/4-length tights – most of the time. Couldn’t give a hoot about ‘modesty’: If someone wants to look at my bits, they’re there.

Sounds about right. And that includes driving to a trail run, getting muddy (and occasionally bloody), and then shamelessly stopping off at the supermarket on the way home. Mind you, it's usually an Aldi so they're probably used to that kind of thing 😀

As per some others here I didn’t get on with the Decathlon 2 in 1 shorts.
Their outer only shorts however are excellent.

Nobody wants to see old man cock packed in Lycra -won't somebody think of the children?