Ever since trying my first pair of bougie running shorts, the Nathan Front Runner 3.0, I couldn’t believe the impact it had on overall comfort while running.
With super nice materials and a back zipper pocket, shorts like these can make your runs a lot smoother. And when you’re tired, out of breath, with a heart rate of 165 BPM or higher, that improvement goes a long way while working out.
Because of that, and other premium qualities that come with nice running shorts, I wanted to try something from Nike’s offerings; enter the Trail Second Sunrise shorts.
A Pocket for Everything
Don’t get me wrong, I love having pockets and the utility they offer. But these trail inspired shorts have seven pockets?! Why would you ever need that many?
On one run I did end up using more pockets than I ever have. A whopping tree pockets. Other than that though, I only consistently use the back pocket for holding my phone.
Despite the excessive number of them, Nike did a great job designing each. Five of the seven have zippers, which is incredible to have whether you’re running on a trail, enduring a session on bleachers, or on your way to the gym. These come in handy outside of running too.
For example, traveling in these would be phenomenal because the zippers ensure that your personal property doesn’t slip out when you sit down, thrown out if you’re in a hurry, or pickpocketed while in a cramped area. (Although, depending on how confident and comfortable you are wearing 5” shorty shorts in front of others, the 7” ones could be better with the extra length.)
As for the other two pockets, these are unlike any pocket I’ve had. They use a super thin and light material, with an elastic sewn into the top to keep your items somewhat secure. (Similar design principle that’s used on the back seat pockets in cars and airplanes.) These are great for holding light weight, compactable items like gloves, hats, empty water bottles, etc. The elastic is tight enough for these sorts of items, but if you put heavier items in them, then it’s likely to fly out and/or wear out the pocket itself.
A quick note on the back pocket too, it’s a little bigger than other ones I’ve used on running shorts, so if you have a larger phone or want to store multiple items, then this is a subtle flex these shorts can make.
Bougie Materials
So far it seems standard to have excellent materials with shorts that are $40+, and Nike’s Sunrise shorts are no exception.
The actual short material is exceptionally soft. It feels like if you put butter and a fluffy blanket into a blender, and then pressed it just before tearing. Take into account the number of pockets these have, and the thinness really helps cut down on the overall weight.
Although, Nike used a different material for the large elastic pockets. This fabric feels like the same stuff used for parachute. So even though these pockets are big, and run along the side of each leg, these seem as light as or lighter than the regular pockets.
Even the elastic waist band is excellent. My hips never feel strangled, nor do the shorts ever feel like they’re falling down. Add in the extra material around the zipper pockets to increase the zipper seam durability, and Nike really did create some amazing shorts.
The only misstep they made was the design of the inner lining.
Tighty-Whitie Brief-Lining
This might be a little TMI, but I personally don’t like tighty-whities. I’m a boxer short kind of guy. Because of this, I have a really hard time with the brief lining in these shorts. (The same lining Nike uses in most of their running shorts.)
The first time I wore these, I chaffed right along the edge of my groin. Not fun. Thankfully I didn’t bleed like I did with the Nathan Front Runners, but chaffing is the prelude to that same result.
I continued to run in them in an effort to try and adjust, but I couldn’t get used to them. The whole time it feels like I have a wedgy, and after running for 30+ minutes, I start to lose my mind a little.
This left me with three options:
- Wear compression shorts underneath to prevent the chaffing, but keep the wedgy feel
- Cut out the brief lining and lose the wedgy feel, void Nike’s warranty, and wear compression shorts underneath
- Send them back
Because I’m currently testing the Nike Stride running shorts, which have a boxer short style lining, I sent these back.
The Recap
I really like these shorts. Nike did an outstanding job designing these and choosing most of the materials. I just can’t get used to the jockey shaped lining.
If I could change the linings to a boxer short style, I’d do it in a heartbeat, and these would become my favorite shorts to date. Besides that, the only other thing I would change is the name. “Nike Trail Second Sunrise Running Shorts”, is too much of a mouthful.
If you prefer the jockey shaped brief lining, or could get used to it, then I would pick up a pair of ASAP. Somehow, even with all the pockets, these shorts are astonishingly light, smooth, and might become your go-to running shorts.