Under Armour Run Anywhere 5-Inch Shorts are good, but lack support

If you’re eyeing up your first half marathon, you’ll want a fast, light and quick-drying short like the Under Armour Run Anywhere.

So, you’re a keen runner, but those 3-inch shorts are just far too minimal for you. Well, fear not, because I’ve rounded up the best running shorts of all sizes to give you a bit more choice when it comes to coverage. These Under Armour Run Anywhere shorts have a 5-inch inseam, making them a nice middle ground between the tiny track specials and longer 7-inch gym shorts. So, let’s see if they’re actually any good.

The Under Armour Run Anywhere 5 is another set of fitted, multi-purpose running shorts that offer wonderful versatility. They’ll handle workouts from road miles and cross training to leg drills and lifting on the gym floor. But, for reasons we’ll get into, they narrowly miss out on a place among the best 5-inch shorts I’ve come across.

Under Armour Run Anywhere design features

The race-weight wicking fabric is thin, light and stretchy and helps these race shorts strike a balance between feeling fast and being functional. That soft fabric shifts moisture effectively, so the outers stay light even when you’re getting wet or sweaty. They also dry in next to no time. 

The lack of integrated briefs helps with that speedy drying and the pantless design means you can team them up with your favorite training undies or baselayer or compression shorts – a bonus if you already have options that guarantee chafe-free workouts. However, some people may view this *lack* of a feature as quite a stark negative, which is why I haven’t been able to rate these shorts as highly as you might expect.

Nonetheless, there’s good storage too, which makes the Run Anywhere an option for racing distances up to half marathon or conquering your long Sunday marathon training runs. There’s a zippered back pocket that’ll swallow a larger phone or up to four to five standard size gels. There are also tennis-style hand pockets. Not much stays put in these once you’re moving, though they are perforated to help keep the short light and breathable. 

Up top there’s a thin, wide and soft-lined waistband that keeps the Run Anywhere locked in place with plenty of comfort even on workouts over two hours. There’s also a smattering of reflective detailing to help with visibility and the overall look is more cafe-friendly than some 5-inch shorts. 

The Under Armour Run Anywhere short comes in two colors and five sizes, from small to XXL. 

What other shorts should I consider?

Earlier I mentioned that these shorts didn’t quite make it into my top five choices for 5-inch inseam running shorts. So, it’s only fair that I bring you up to speed with a couple of the top performers.

The stand-out option in my opinion is the Inov8 Race Elite 5-inch short. These manage to balance the act of offering comfort, reliable coverage, and sweat-busting breathability simultaneously. They’re as close as you can get to a perfect short, which is why I awarded them the full five stars. If you’re being ultra picky though, you could argue that the pockets are just slightly too small.

Another alternative to the Under Armour Run Anywhere short is the Brooks Sherpa 5-inch short, which happens to be the comfiest I’ve ever tested. Meanwhile, the Satisfy TechSilk 5-inch short is at the top of the game when it comes to sweat-wicking, but its price tag will put off most buyers. By contrast, the New Balance Accelerate 5-inch short is my favorite budget pick.

Of course, it may be that 5-inch shorts aren’t quite what you’re looking for in the end. In which case, please consult my shortlist of the best 3-inch shorts and best 7-inch shorts instead. Or, if you’re looking for something for indoor sessions, have a look at the best gym shorts I’ve tested instead.

Materials	100% Polyester body; Ripstop Panels: 91% Polyester/9% Nylon
Colors	Black, Blue
Sizes	S to XXL
Features	Zipped back pocket; elasticated waistband w/ drawcord; water-resistant ripstop panels