Running Skirt Review
I am now the proud new owner of my first skort (or running skirt). I picked up a Nike Core Knit Anthracite Skirt from The Sports Boutique in Adelaide yesterday, $59.95AUS.
The skirt has built in 'compression' shorts, which sit (when standing still) at the length of the bottom of the skirt hemline. I tried the skirt on in the shop and the 'compression' shorts were not very tight in my size. I tried a smaller size, and they still weren't as tight as compression wear. Talking to the shop owner we agreed they probably weren't going to have compression benefits such as Skins etc. Accepting this, I decided on the larger of the two sizes as the skirt wasn't as snug fitting. I hoped that this would also prevent the shorts/skirt from riding up as I ran (my pet peeve for running clothing). The skirt also has reflective strips for safety, and a back pocket for carrying a key/cash etc.
First impressions when getting them home and doing a mock run in front of the mirror was “yikes! short!” After persuasion from BF that no, they weren't too revealing when I hopped around in front of him, off I went. (I should probably know that he's going to say that no matter how revealing they really are...)
I did a 5km run, and apart from my self-consciousness that I was wearing a skirt running, they were really comfortable. It was a more freeing feeling than wearing running shorts. The inner shorts did ride up, but once I accepted that that's where they were going to sit (and tugging at them every 500m wasn't going to change it), I let them stay there, and it felt fine (sat at about 'hot pant' length).
Verdict: I'm liking the running skirt and it's one of the more attractive training garments I have. Not sure it will hold up for a 2hr+ run (only select few items do for chafing reasons..). For shorter runs, this particular model is really comfy, but when running the back of the skirt does come up quite high, so if you like to stay well covered up, perhaps not the model for you.
I'm also going to check out the Skirtsports brand with 'no creep' under-shorts.
