RaceReady is known for their Long Distance (LD) shorts, that is, lot of pockets. I will be reviewing the following:
- Unisex Cool-T Short Sleeve Tech Shirts ($23.95)
- Women’s V-Neck Shirt ($23.95)
- Active Men’s V-Notch Shorts ($38.95)
- Active Women’s V-Notch Shorts ($38.95)
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
See comments from our testers.
Unisex Cool-T Short Sleeve Tech Shirts
“Wow, superlight. Comfortable on the skin out-of-the-package. It is form fitting and may run a little small.”
Women’s V-Neck Shirt
“The shirt felt thick initially, but not heavy on my body.”
Active Men’s V-Notch Shorts
“Nice fit. I noticed the additional “bigger” velcro pockets in the front. I also noticed the simple velcro closure in the larger back pocket. This is a nice addition.”
Active Women’s V-Notch Shorts
“The shorts were visually appealing (nice colors), the material felt like it had good breathability.”
TRAIL TESTING
Unisex Cool-T Short Sleeve Tech Shirts
“The shirt is very light. It wicks moisture effortlessly. I felt dry in warmer conditions when perspiration was increased.”
“The only issue for me was that the shirt is delicate. It did not snag. However, anything rubbing on the shirt (e.g., heart rate monitor, hydration pack, etc.), there was noticeable wear patterns. I assume this is a trade-off for having a very light moisture wicking tech shirt.”
Women’s V-Neck Shirt
“The shirt kept me warm in the canyon and kept the moisture away from my body without making me feel cold and soggy. When testing the shirt during the afternoon heat I didn’t feel like I was over heating due to there thicker than normal fabric I am used to running with. I liked how the shirt really kept the sweat away from my body without making the shirt feel “bogged down” with sweat.”
“The shirt..fit a little big rather than true to size. This was not necessarily a dislike, but just buyer beware…”
Active Men’s V-Notch Shorts
“The 3 inch inseam was a little short for my taste. This is a runner’s preference rather than any issue with the shorts. The shorts fit great in the briefs and waist. It comes with a draw cord that is a one-piece. You can easily cut the cord and tie the ends for better adjustment. No chafing on long runs. I found the larger front pockets great for gels and “lighter” items. Anything heavy like an music player and/or phone bounced around. However, the smaller back pockets held my music player just fine (no phone though). The velcro closure on the large back pocket came detached. I noticed this was a “simple” velcro closure adhesive that you peel and attach. I reattached the closure by sewing it onto the shorts. I would recommend a simple stitching to ensure it does not detach. I liked all the pockets in the back to store my essentials.”
Active Women’s V-Notch Shorts
“The shorts were long enough but not too long. They did seem to ride up a bit initially, but the use of a draw string would fix this… My suggestion would be to have a draw string that you can adjust and tie over and over again [instead of a one-piece]…”
“The leg openings were wide which I LOVED. Trail runners have work-horses for legs, these shorts allowed these puppies to work! I found myself lounging around the house in these shorts, pretty darn comfortable.”
“The iphone/ipod pocket feature, while smart, was not functional for running with this electronic. I was constantly bouncing off my leg and was removed before going 200m on the trail. These side pockets came in handy for trash and my car keys. I would like to see more of the “tight” elastic pockets on the back to store more Gu in.”
TECH SPECS
Unisex Cool-T Short Sleeve Tech Shirts
- Material – Polyester
- Fit – Semi-Fitted
- Made In – USA
Women’s V-Neck Shirt
- Material – Polyester
- Fit – Semi-Fitted
- Made In – USA
Active Men’s V-Notch Shorts
- Outer Material – Microdenier Polyester
- Lining Material – CoolMax
- Fit – Relaxed
- Liner – Briefs
- Number of Pockets – 7
- Inseam Length – 3 inches
- Made In – USA
Active Women’s V-Notch Shorts
- Outer Material – Microdenier Polyester
- Lining Material – CoolMax
- Fit – Relaxed
- Liner – Briefs
- Number of Pockets – 7
- Inseam Length – 3 inches
- Made In – USA
Weight Breakdown
CONCLUSION
Unisex Cool-T Short Sleeve Tech Shirts
Lightweight, very breathable, great moisture wicking top for any type of run. Watch out for anything that rubs on the shirt.
Women’s V-Neck Shirt
Great moisture management on cool and warm weather running.
Active Men’s V-Notch Shorts
Lots of great pockets to store essentials. No chafing on long runs. A stitched velcro closure on the large pocket would be nice.
Active Women’s V-Notch Shorts
The shorts accommodate the trail runner physique. An adjustment to the one-piece draw chord by cutting and tying the ends may be helpful for a better adjustment.
