Smartwool  Active Lined 5" Shorts - Men's

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I am a fan of the Smartwool Active Lined 5' Shorts. I have had ample time to test these shorts across various activities and environments. I used these shorts primarily for trail running in Northwest Florida, and fast-paced backpacking in Cheaha, AL. I've used them for road runs, trail runs, treadmill work, backpacking and weightlifting. My background as an avid long-distance runner, outdoor guide and backpacker means I have specific insights into the performance and durability required for active apparel. The right apparel choices can make or break your activities, and I look for clothing that I forget about while I am embracing the suck. These shorts blend into my kit in a way that I don't have to think about. No weird fit. No weird chafing on long runs. They just do their job. As with all Smartwool clothing, the build quality is superb and they should last for years. Here is a detailed breakdown of their performance. Comfort - Exceptionally comfortable. The internal liner is soft and prevents chafing, even on long runs. I normally wear 2-in-1 shorts (the style with boxer briefs inside) but I feel supported by the briefs liner and I appreciate the breathability. The waistband is secure without being restrictive, and doesn't fold over when I bend and move. I am also glad that Smartwool decided to make the drawstring exit to the outside of the waistband. This prevents the knot from creating chafing issues. Fit - The fit is true to size with a perfect balance; not too baggy, but allowing for full range of motion. The 5' inseam is ideal for active movement. If you have a size in Smartwool you like, these shorts will match that. Breathability - Outstanding! The outer material is lightweight and dries incredibly fast, while the inner brief allows for maximum airflow, which is essential in high Florida/Alabama heat and humidity. Temperature Control - Excellent! On cooler mornings (60°F), they provided just enough warmth, but during peak-day heat, they felt light and cool, effectively managing sweat. Odor Control - Highly effective! I wore them on consecutive days of high-output activity while backpacking, and they did not retain noticeable odor, which is a significant advantage for multi-day backcountry trips. Some of my other running clothes hold the stank, but these shorts have that classic Smartwool ability to fight the yuck and stay fresher - longer. There are areas for improvement. While the shorts performed excellently overall, one minor area for improvement would be the positioning of the rear zipper pocket. It sits a little low for my preference. My car key felt like it was flopping around and tapping under my glutes. If the pocket was a little higher on the butt, it would be more secure. Your build and running mechanics may differ. The build of these shorts is bomber, and as such Smartwool used some heavy aglets on the drawcord. This really isn't a complaint, or a deal-breaker of any sort. However, the aglets do bump into the walls of my washer, the floor when I drop the shorts, etc. and the clack they make causes me to think I left something in my pockets and ran it through the washer/dryer. Seriously, the aglets are stout…. Did you have to look up the word aglet? I would highly recommend these shorts to anyone involved in high-output activities, especially running, hiking, backpacking and gym workouts. They are particularly suited for anyone who prioritizes moisture management and odor resistance in their activewear. For folks trying to decide if this product is right for them: If you are looking for a highly versatile short that melds into your kit without catching your attention, and if breathability and resistance to odor are non-negotiable for you, these shorts are a great option. They truly stand up to rigorous use without compromising on comfort. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

I found the shorts to be really comfortable, and the fact that the liner is partially made from merino wool definitely allows me to wear them for multiple days, especially for lounging shorts, without any concern for any body smell.  The one thing that’s really irritating is the fact they don’t have pockets. Every other pair of lounging or exercise shorts I have, have pockets, except for these.  Otherwise they would’ve gotten five stars, because they’re extremely light, fit very well, are very comfortable, and fast drying. If you are OK without having pockets in your lounging and workout shorts, these are fantastic. 

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These were a decent short. The liner was a little bit uncomfortable for longer runs and rubbed my thighs after about 3-4 miles. I wish they had pockets on the front as well. Overall not too bad for casual wear and light activity but if you are putting in a lot of miles these could cause chafing. Also limited storage without the front pockets. They do fit nice and look good though. Smartwool gave me this free product to try in exchange for my honest review.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've used the Active Lined 5' Shorts while trail running in the Pacific Northwest, mostly in the 4–10 mile range on cool mornings and mild afternoons. First thing I noticed was the brief liner—it's honestly the softest liner I've ever felt in a running short. Super comfortable and zero chafing, even on longer efforts. The shorts breathe really well, especially on climbs when I tend to run hot, and they seem to regulate temperature nicely. I also noticed they don't hold odor the way a lot of running gear does after a few sweaty runs. The 5' length feels like a great balance: light and mobile but still enough coverage for trails. My main improvement suggestion would be waistband-style storage for gels and possibly a soft flask. At this price point, I'd expect a bit more carrying capacity. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Running has become an even more important part of my training regime in the past few months, and I was very excited Smartwool sent these to my for free to try. These are some of the most comfortable running shorts I've ever worn. The synthetic exterior of the shorts feels great and the short length is actually pretty flattering. Normally, my muscular thighs eat up short inseams but these looked great. The one thing that did not fit well was the liner. Again, muscular thighs but it was the first time in my life I had VLL (visible liner lines). Not my favorite, and the fact that they're a merino blend likely means they won't stretch much. This is one of the few downsides. I had hoped that these would have a pocket for me to carry keys and my phone but the back pocket is an extremely tight squeeze for my iPhone 15. When I was able to get it in, I felt like the zipper was going to snap and it sits kind of low on your sacrum and flops around a bit. Not being able to fit my phone in the pocket means I'm less likely to reach for these than other shorts, but I may include them in the summer months or for longer runs when I go out with a vest or a belt. Overall, these are a great short if you have smaller thighs and want a much more streamlined offering than other brands, and don't mind only having one small zipper pocket.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I am a marathon runner, I run 2-3 per year. I also work at a running store in my hometown. I use these shorts at least weekly for runs anywhere from 4 to 20 miles. They are very comfortable to wear. I've worn them on several runs and a couple gym activities. The fabric is very smooth, almost silk-like. With the great breathability, they help me stay cool on my runs so far. Of course it is late winter to early spring in SW Michigan when I've worn them but we hit 60 a few times already. Of course, one of the best parts of Smartwool products is the ability to wear their items over without a wash due to the odor resistance built into their products. Just hang them to dry and they are ready for another run. The fit for me seemed pretty far off. I am a slim-build 6ft (ish) tall and about 170lbs. I have a 30"" waist and these fit fairly large for me. If they did not have a drawstring I would not be able to wear them. Most of my running shorts are mediums (like these) but I can wear the others without tying the strings but not these. I would certainly recommend sizing up if you are in between sizes. My only gripe about the shorts is storage. There is only one pocket, a smaller zippered pocket near the waistband in back. This pocket is great for gels or other nutrition but won't fit most phones. If you want to carry your phone while you run in these shorts you will need additional gear to hold it. I always carry my phone so this bugs me enough to drop a star. Now the positive side is, if you run sans phone and want shorts that are light and fast, these are for you. I received this product from Smartwool for free in exchange for my honest review and that is exactly what you are getting here. Smartwool does not get to see my review before you so they have no influence on its contents. Overall, as I mentioned, they are high quality, light weight, smooth and comfortable shorts though the fit large and have no pocket or pouch for a phone.

My husband loves these shorts! I am constantly having to do laundry to make sure they are clean as he won’t wear his other athletic shorts. We also both have a lot of peace of mind knowing that the liner isn’t polyester!

My husband loves these shorts! They are super comfortable. Loves that the liner does not contain polyester or any other in healthy fabric. His only is that he wishes there was pockets on the side.

Nice shorts, love the liner. I really don't like the zipper on the back - when I roll it hurts my back. I'd like just some plain shorts with a liner.

I've used them for day hikes and for weight training and love the feel and fit. Great purchase and will be getting more!