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Patagonia Active Hipster, Active Brief and Active Mesh Boy Shorts
Price: $24.00–$29.00
When it comes to performance wear, we put a lot of consideration into what we don before setting off on the trails. We want moisture control, breathability, freedom of movement. Though most shorts have built-ins, some runners prefer shorts without or running in tights—and yet our choice of undies is often totally overlooked. Whilst exercising, especially on long excursions, regular cotton undies are unlikely to cut it when it comes to controlling sweat, moving with you and preventing chafing.
Patagonia’s updated range of stretchy and seamless, moisture-wicking and breathable Active underwear is designed to tick all those boxes and optimize comfort during activity. And oh my goodness they are comfortable.
The key to this blissful comfort is the stretch. Initially, they look so small you’ll wonder whether you’ll fit them over your derrière but the stretch allows you to do so without the underwear so much as feeling tight. This means that the undies can fit various female shapes and sizes while also producing a seamless profile, meaning no VPL under leggings or tight shorts. Bonus.
The seamless waistband is snug without being tight and doesn’t move or roll under your clothes, preventing chafe; likewise there’s no need to fear wedgies—they don’t creep during a run or hike.
Finally, the synthetic fabric wicks effectively and dries quickly, so you won’t get the chill when you pause on the top of the mountain, and miDori bioSoft and Polygiene® technologies help to prevent odor and keep you feeling fresh.
Available in Active Briefs, Active Hipster or Active Boy Shorts there are styles to suit every shape and preference. All styles can be teamed with the new Active Mesh Bra, which utilizes the same materials and stretchy, seamless construction as the Active underwear range, and provides light support.
—Harriet Ridley, based in Carbondale, Colorado, loves long trails and hard climbs but hates wedgies.