REASONS TO BUY
Soft
Four-way stretch
Versatile
Comfortable liner
Multiple variations
REASONS TO AVOID
Heaviest
No zippered pockets
Absorbs water
Dries slowly
Liner rides up
Vuori Kore Short Review
The softest and most versatile short for runners who want one pair that transitions from the gym to the street without a wardrobe change
Credit: Matthew Richardson
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Running Shorts for Men
Our Verdict
The Vuori Kore Short is less a running short and more an everything short that happens to run. Its 10% elastane blend is the softest fabric we tested, and the classic-fit silhouette with a 7-inch inseam looks at home in any setting. The boxer brief liner provides all-day comfort for mixed activity. It is not the fastest, lightest, or most pocket-rich option, but it logs more total hours of wear than any other short in the lineup because it works everywhere. See where it fits in our full running shorts review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Vuori Kore Short | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Most Versatile Shorts |  Best Overall Men's Running Shorts | Best for Running in Hot Weather |  Best Budget Shorts | |
| Price | $78 List Check Price at REI | $89 List Check Price at REI | $65 List Check REI (on sale!) | $32 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $27 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The softest and most versatile short for runners who want one pair that transitions from the gym to the street without a wardrobe change | 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 | A budget unlined option with solid pocket security for gym and casual running at the lowest price in the lineup |
| Rating Categories | Vuori Kore Short | Patagonia Strider Pro | REI Swiftland | Baleaf Athletic | NorthYard Workout |
| Overall Comfort (50%) | |||||
| Breathability & Moisture Control (30%) | |||||
| Pockets (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | Vuori Kore Short | Patagonia Strider Pro | REI Swiftland | Baleaf Athletic | NorthYard Workout |
| Best for | Versatility | Long distance | Long distance | Beginner | Beginner |
| Liner Type | Boxer brief | Brief (crepe knit with HeiQ Mint odor control) | Boxer brief (mesh) | Brief (mesh) | None |
| Pockets | 2 slash + 1 back | 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 side zipper + 1 back zipper |
| Fits a Phone | Yes | Yes (back zipper pocket) | Yes (back zipper pocket) | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 6.50 0z | 3.40 0z | 3.60 oz | 4.80 oz | 6.20 0z |
| Measured Waistband Width | 15.00 in | 13.50 in | 14.00 in | 13.25 in | 13.50 in |
| Measured Leg Opening (Diameter) | 10.00 in | 11.00 in | 12.25 in | 11.50 in | 12.00 in |
| Dry Time - Blow Dryer | 15 min | 10 min | 15 min | 15 min | 15 min |
| Waistband Drawstring Placement | External | External | Internal | Internal | Internal |
| Body Material | 48% recycled polyester, 42% polyester, 10% elastane | 90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex (stretch plain weave with DWR) | Recycled nylon/spandex (O2Grid) | 100% polyester | 90% polyester, 10% spandex |
| Alternate Styles | 5" inseam; unlined version; Elevate Kore (zipper pockets) | 7" inseam | 5" inseam (brief liner); unlined 7" version | 5" and 7" inseams; multiple colors | 5" and 9" inseams; 2-in-1 lined version |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Vuori Kore on a brushy desert trail. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Likes
The fabric makes the Vuori Kore shorts case immediately: the 10% elastane blend is the softest in our lineup, with a four-way stretch that feels closer to loungewear than running gear. The 7-inch inseam and classic-fit silhouette look appropriate at the gym, running errands, or meeting friends for lunch. The boxer brief liner is comfortable for moderate activity and provides all-day support. These shorts come in 5- and 7-inch inseams, each of which comes in a lined and unlined version. More than any other short here, it is the one we kept grabbing when the activity was undecided, which says plenty about its range.
The relaxed front fit of the Vuori Kore Short. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Dislikes
The Kore can't compete with dedicated running shorts when it comes to performance. At 6.50 ounces, it is the heaviest short we tested, and the fabric absorbs water rather than repelling it, making it the slowest to dry after heavy perspiration or rain. The slash and back pockets have no zipper closures, which is fine for a wallet at the gym but leaves a phone vulnerable to falling out during faster efforts. The liner, while soft initially, tends to ride up during sustained running, and the fabric's weight creates more pull and sag than the ultralight options from Patagonia or Janji. This is a short that shines at moderate intensity and mixed use, not at race pace.
A phone sits in the open slash pocket of the Kore Short with no closure. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the Vuori Kore Short?
If you want one pair of shorts for gym workouts, weekend errands, and easy runs, the Kore is a fantastic choice. The fabric softness and versatile style set it apart from everything else we tested. If your primary use is dedicated running, especially in warm conditions or at higher intensity, you will find lighter, faster-drying, and more pocket-secure options in this lineup. The Kore earns its spot as our most versatile pick, not our most performance-oriented one.
What Other Running Shorts Should You Consider?
The REI Active Pursuits Shorts offer similar versatility in an unlined design at a lower price, with better pocket security from their internal zipper. The Brooks Dash 2-in-1 Shorts pair a more running-capable liner with hand pockets that transition well to casual use. For runners who want soft fabric with more running-specific performance, the Janji AFO Middle delivers ultralight comfort and much faster drying.
—Matthew Richardson
You Might Also Like
