REASONS TO BUY
Five-pocket system
Ultralight
Sheds light rain
Odor control liner
Bonded seams eliminate chafe
REASONS TO AVOID
Less thigh coverage
High price
Envelope pockets bulges when full
Patagonia Strider Pro Review
An ultralight five-pocket runner that carries everything you need without a vest and dries faster than anything else we tested
Credit: Matthew Richardson
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Running Shorts for Men
Our Verdict
The Patagonia Strider Pro is the short we reach for when the run demands self-sufficiency. Five pockets, four of them stretch envelope and one zippered with a key loop, hold gels, a phone, gloves, and even a packable jacket without the bulk of a vest. At 3.40 ounces with bonded seams and a DWR finish that sheds light rain, it handles anything from a hot tempo session to a long day in the mountains. The crepe knit brief liner with HeiQ Mint odor control stays fresh longer between washes and wicks quickly against the skin. If carrying nutrition and essentials on the run matters to you, the Strider Pro makes it easy.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Patagonia Strider Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Men's Running Shorts |  Best for Running in Hot Weather |  Best Budget Shorts | Most Versatile Shorts | |
| Price | $89 List Check Price at REI | $65 List Check REI (on sale!) | $32 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $78 List Check Price at REI | $27 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | 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 budget-friendly short with three zippered pockets that keep essentials secure without breaking the bank | The softest and most versatile short for runners who want one pair that transitions from the gym to the street without a wardrobe change | A budget unlined option with solid pocket security for gym and casual running at the lowest price in the lineup |
| Rating Categories | Patagonia Strider Pro | REI Swiftland | Baleaf Athletic | Vuori Kore Short | NorthYard Workout |
| Overall Comfort (50%) | |||||
| Breathability & Moisture Control (30%) | |||||
| Pockets (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | Patagonia Strider Pro | REI Swiftland | Baleaf Athletic | Vuori Kore Short | NorthYard Workout |
| Best for | Long distance | Long distance | Beginner | Versatility | Beginner |
| Liner Type | Brief (crepe knit with HeiQ Mint odor control) | Boxer brief (mesh) | Brief (mesh) | Boxer brief | None |
| Pockets | 4 stretch envelope + 1 back zipper with key loop | 1 back zipper (phone) + 2 waistband stash + 1 key loop | 2 side zipper + 1 back zipper | 2 slash + 1 back | 2 side zipper + 1 back zipper |
| Fits a Phone | Yes (back zipper pocket) | Yes (back zipper pocket) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 3.40 0z | 3.60 oz | 4.80 oz | 6.50 0z | 6.20 0z |
| Measured Waistband Width | 13.50 in | 14.00 in | 13.25 in | 15.00 in | 13.50 in |
| Measured Leg Opening (Diameter) | 11.00 in | 12.25 in | 11.50 in | 10.00 in | 12.00 in |
| Dry Time - Blow Dryer | 10 min | 15 min | 15 min | 15 min | 15 min |
| Waistband Drawstring Placement | External | Internal | Internal | External | Internal |
| Body Material | 90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex (stretch plain weave with DWR) | Recycled nylon/spandex (O2Grid) | 100% polyester | 48% recycled polyester, 42% polyester, 10% elastane | 90% polyester, 10% spandex |
| Alternate Styles | 7" inseam | 5" inseam (brief liner); unlined 7" version | 5" and 7" inseams; multiple colors | 5" inseam; unlined version; Elevate Kore (zipper pockets) | 5" and 9" inseams; 2-in-1 lined version |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Patagonia Strider Pro on a packed dirt trail. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Likes
Four stretch envelope pockets sit two on each hip on the Patagonia Strider Pro, lying completely flat when empty and expanding to swallow gels, a lightweight wind layer, or a pair of gloves without a hint of bounce.
The Patagonia Strider has pockets that are large enough to fit almost anything. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The back zipper pocket fits a phone with a built-in key loop, and the whole system adds up to storage that genuinely rivals a running belt. We loaded up for a long trail effort in the San Juans and forgot we were carrying anything within the first mile.
The liner on the Strider Pro is very comfortable. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The comfort matches the utility. At 3.40 ounces, the Strider Pro is the lightest lined short we tested, and the bonded seams mean there is nothing to rub or irritate even after double-digit miles. The DWR-treated recycled polyester shell beads shed water in light rain rather than absorbing it, making it one of the fastest-drying options in the group. The crepe knit brief liner with HeiQ Mint odor control is a nice touch for runners who prefer to get a few wears between washes, and it stays flush against the skin without bunching. The external drawcord is easy to adjust on the move and keeps the knot off the pelvis, where it could cause irritation.
Reaching into the Strider Pro pockets mid run. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Dislikes
The brief-style liner provides less thigh coverage than the boxer brief designs we tested, and runners whose thighs rub at longer distances may wish for the extra fabric. The 5-inch inseam is built for running performance, not for blending in at the coffee shop afterward. When we fully loaded all five pockets, there was a visible bulge at the hips, which is a cosmetic rather than functional issue, but worth noting. And the price is the highest in our lineup, which stings if you are new to running or building a rotation on a budget.
The rear of the Patagonia Strider Pro, where the brief liner offers less thigh coverage. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the Patagonia Strider Pro?
If your runs regularly involve carrying nutrition, a phone, keys, and maybe a layer, and you would rather not strap on a vest or belt to do it, the Strider Pro is the shorts to buy. The pocket system is unmatched, the weight is negligible, and the DWR finish adds weather versatility that most competitors lack. The brief liner and premium price may give some runners pause, but for committed trail and long-distance runners, the investment pays dividends every time you head out the door.
What Other Running Shorts Should You Consider?
The Janji AFO Middle scored nearly as high for comfort and drying speed at a lower price, though its two-pocket system is far more limited. If you prioritize a boxer brief liner over pocket capacity, the Brooks Dash 2-in-1 Shorts offer the best liner coverage we tested with a clever thigh phone pocket. For hot-weather running with strong breathability and a runner-specific pocket layout, the REI Swiftland Shorts are an excellent alternative.
—Matthew Richardson
You Might Also Like
