REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Three zipper pockets
UPF 50+
Flatlock seams
Reflective details
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Basic waistband
Thin drawstring
No liner
Denser fabric
Limited breathability
NorthYard Workout Running Shorts Review
A budget unlined option with solid pocket security for gym and casual running at the lowest price in the lineup
Credit: Matthew Richardson
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Running Shorts for Men
Our Verdict
The NorthYard Workout Running Shorts are the most affordable option in our lineup and come with three zipper pockets that keep essentials secure. The unlined design lets you choose your own base layer, and UPF 50+ protection is a welcome addition for outdoor training. The trade-off is a heavier, denser fabric that runs warm and dries slowly, plus a basic waistband that lacks the refinement of pricier competitors. For gym workouts, casual runs, and anyone on a tight budget, the NorthYard gets the job done. See our full running shorts review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
NorthYard Workout Running Shorts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Men's Running Shorts |  Best for Running in Hot Weather |  Best Budget Shorts | ||
| Price | $27 List Check Price at Amazon | $89 List Check Price at REI | $65 List Check REI (on sale!) | $45 List Check Price at REI | $32 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A budget unlined option with solid pocket security for gym and casual running at the lowest price in the lineup | An ultralight five-pocket runner that carries everything you need without a vest and dries faster than anything else we tested | The most breathable short we tested pairs a runner-specific pocket system with a supportive mesh boxer brief liner for hot-weather performance | A lightweight daily runner with one of the best waistbands, ideal for runners who carry little on the road | A budget-friendly short with three zippered pockets that keep essentials secure without breaking the bank |
| Rating Categories | NorthYard Workout | Patagonia Strider Pro | REI Swiftland | Brooks Dash | Baleaf Athletic |
| Overall Comfort (50%) | |||||
| Breathability & Moisture Control (30%) | |||||
| Pockets (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | NorthYard Workout | Patagonia Strider Pro | REI Swiftland | Brooks Dash | Baleaf Athletic |
| Best for | Beginner | Long distance | Long distance | Versatility | Beginner |
| Liner Type | None | Brief (crepe knit with HeiQ Mint odor control) | Boxer brief (mesh) | Brief | Brief (mesh) |
| Pockets | 2 side zipper + 1 back zipper | 4 stretch envelope + 1 back zipper with key loop | 1 back zipper (phone) + 2 waistband stash + 1 key loop | 2 hand + 1 key pocket on liner | 2 side zipper + 1 back zipper |
| Fits a Phone | Yes | Yes (back zipper pocket) | Yes (back zipper pocket) | No | Yes |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 6.20 0z | 3.40 0z | 3.60 oz | 3.60 oz | 4.80 oz |
| Measured Waistband Width | 13.50 in | 13.50 in | 14.00 in | 14.00 in | 13.25 in |
| Measured Leg Opening (Diameter) | 12.00 in | 11.00 in | 12.25 in | 10.75 in | 11.50 in |
| Dry Time - Blow Dryer | 15 min | 10 min | 15 min | 10 min | 15 min |
| Waistband Drawstring Placement | Internal | External | Internal | Internal | Internal |
| Body Material | 90% polyester, 10% spandex | 90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex (stretch plain weave with DWR) | Recycled nylon/spandex (O2Grid) | Woven polyester with perforated side panels | 100% polyester |
| Alternate Styles | 5" and 9" inseams; 2-in-1 lined version | 7" inseam | 5" inseam (brief liner); unlined 7" version | Printed version; 3" Dash Speed Short | 5" and 7" inseams; multiple colors |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The NorthYard Workout Shorts on a wooded trail run. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Likes
The NorthYard Workout Running Shorts earn their keep through the details rather than flash. Reflective zipper covers and strips add a safety margin most budget shorts skip, and the three zippered pockets, two on the sides and one in back, keep a phone, keys, and essentials locked down. The mesh pocket lining adds a touch of breathability inside the pockets. Flatlock seams reduce chafe, and the UPF 50+ fabric provides sun protection for outdoor training. The 90% polyester, 10% spandex blend has enough stretch for comfortable movement, and the unlined design lets you pair the shorts with whatever base layer you prefer.
A zippered pocket on the NorthYard Workout Shorts. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Dislikes
At 6.20 ounces, the NorthYard is the heaviest unlined short in the lineup, and the denser fabric becomes more noticeable during longer or hotter runs. The waistband uses a thinner, flat drawstring that feels less refined than the wider waistband designs in our top performers, and we found ourselves readjusting it more often. The lack of a liner means you need your own base layer, which adds a step and potentially more fabric against the skin. Breathability and drying speed both scored at the lower end of the lineup, and the overall construction, while functional, feels a tier below the brand-name options.
The back of the NorthYard Workout Shorts on the body. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the NorthYard Workout Running Shorts?
If you need secure pocket storage at the lowest possible price and prefer to choose your own liner, the NorthYard delivers on that specific ask. It is best suited for gym workouts, shorter runs, and casual use. Runners looking for a primary training short for longer or hotter efforts will find better performance higher in the lineup, but the NorthYard works well as a budget utility short.
What Other Running Shorts Should You Consider?
The Baleaf Running Athletic Shorts offer a similar three-zipper-pocket setup with the addition of a mesh brief liner for a small step up in price. The REI Active Pursuits Shorts are unlined with better comfort and a more versatile design at a moderate price. If you want to keep costs low but add a liner, the Brooks Dash Shorts deliver much better waistband comfort with a brief liner included.
—Matthew Richardson
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