$100 for a pair of Nike running shorts? Why are the Breathe 4” running shorts that expensive?
I tried Nike’s Trail Second Sunrise shorts last year, and those were beyond impressive. Except can pick those up on Amazon for ~$70. So why spend another $30 for these?
Well… I wouldn’t. And here’s why.
No Joke
Don’t think that I hate the Breathe running shorts. I don’t.
I got the “Psychic Blue” color, and it’s great at reflecting the sun and keep you cool on long runs. The pattern is low key great at hiding sweat and stains too.
Beyond the colors though, Nike chose incredibly soft, stretchy, and breathable materials. Whether you wear these to lift in, or run a half marathon, they handle everything with grace.
Heck, they’re so comfortable that I wear them all day.
But for $100? Talk about a brand tax. Plus, these shorts fall under the Nike Running Division of products, so you’re paying a brand tax on the normal brand tax.
Pockets Galor
I mentioned the Trail Second Sunrise shorts earlier not just because of their high price tag, but more so because of the different design philosophies these exemplify.
I praised the Trail Second Sunrise shorts, because I prefer how gear for trail running is designed to be more capable and durable at a comparatively lower price. The trail shorts are stronger because of slightly heavier materials, much larger pockets, and less flexible fabric.
Road running is the opposite in most cases though.
You pay through the nose for the least amount of unnecessary bulk and weight. (That’s why true racing runners wear crazy 2” shorty shorts. Every little bit counts.)
The Breathe running shorts follow this mantra. There are two small elastic pockets on the back that are good for holding running gels or an AirPods case. The back phone zipper pocket is done really well with a large iPhone Plus ready size, and a sturdy zipper that hasn’t given me any problems.
As for the regular side style pockets. They’re nice to have, especially with zippers, but I’m worried that these won’t last more than a year without problems.
Nike made these to be as physically and visually minimal as possible. Because of this, they catch on the fabric way too often. Paired with an extremely thin metal zipper design, they’ll give out sooner like similar zippers I’ve had before.
The Recap
If you pride yourself with having the nicest, newest thing no matter the cost, then the Nike Breathe shorts are for you. With the soft, flexible fabric and solid color options, you won’t be disappointed.
For me though, I can’t justify a purchase like this. As nice as they are to wear, I can find equally great running shorts for half the price.