Janji AFO Middle Short Running Shorts Review
A stretchy and light running short for daily comfort on every runs
August 25th, 2026
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Our verdict
The Janji AFO Middle Shorts are ultralight and ultra-breathable shorts designed for everyday runs. These no-frills shorts have everything you need for daily runs without extra features that’ll weigh you down when it’s time for speed work.
I tested the AFO Middle shorts alongside 13 other pairs of running shorts for our Best Men’s Running Shorts guide, and these shorts stood out as the most breathable. I tested them while running roads and trails in Colorado, in temperatures ranging from 60°F to 100°F, on hot June, July, and August runs. I wore them for short 3-mile runs on roads as well as longer 15-20-mile runs on a combination of paved roads, dirt roads, and rocky trails. I usually carried a few energy gels in the pockets, along with a car key. Even when running in near 100-degree temperatures, these shorts felt light and airy, and they never felt like the clothing item that was going to make us overheat.
The AFO Middle shorts excel in breathability and comfort above all else. They’re made of a thin polyester material that feels softer and less slippery than traditional running shorts. They have an elastic waistband with ventilation holes, and an extremely breathable brief liner that doesn’t chafe on longer runs. Every touchpoint on these shorts is softer than on other running shorts. They make you stop and wonder why other shorts aren’t made of these same materials.
Janji AFO Middle Short
The biggest drawback of these shorts is that the rear zippered pocket doesn’t fit larger smartphones. I have a Google Pixel 10. While the pocket is just large enough for that 6” phone, it’s extremely difficult to fit it into the pocket while wearing the shorts. However, these shorts feel so light and airy that weighing them down with a heavy smartphone seems silly. If you typically carry your phone while you run, a handheld or running belt is a great solution.
For a wildly breathable and all-around comfortable pair of running shorts for everyday training, check out the Janji AFO Middle Shorts.
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Janji AFO Middle Short Specifications
Price: $72
Sizes: XS-XXL
Inseam options: 5”, 7”
Fit: Relaxed
Fabric: outer: 88% recycled polyester, 12% elastane; liner: 94% polyester, 6% spandex
Weight: 3.7oz
Liner: Yes, brief
Pockets: 2
Phone pocket: Yes
Waistband: Perforated elastic
Split: No
Gusseted crotch: Yes
Quick-dry: Yes
Reflective elements: No
Comparison table
| Men's Running Shorts | MSRP | Sizes | Lengths | Pockets | Liner | Phone Pocket | Zip Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janji AFO Middle Short | $72 | XS-XXL | 5" | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| rabbit FKT Shorts | $75 | S-XL | 3, 5, 7" | 9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts | $89-95 | XS-XL | 5, 7" | 5 | ✓ | -- | ✓ |
| Tracksmith Twilight Shorts | $75 | XS-XXL | 5" | 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Best for
Daily training
Road and track runs
Minimalist runners who don’t need a lot of pockets
Hot weather running
What we liked
Very breathable material
Perforated soft elastic waistband
Fabric dries quickly
Lightweight design feels fast
Liner doesn’t cause discomfort during runs
Key loop in inner pocket securely holds a key
What could be better
Rear phone pocket could be larger
Inner pocket doesn’t hold much
How we tested
I tested the AFO Middle Short running shorts in Colorado during the summertime, running roads and trails in hot conditions. I wore them in temperatures ranging from 60° to 100°F, on runs ranging from 3 miles to 20 miles. I ran on Colorado dirt roads, to mountain summits, and on paved surfaces in between the farther-off destinations.
For every run, I carried a few energy gels in the pockets as well as a car key. After running in these shorts, I continued wearing them all day to further assess their comfort and breathability. I used them as a swimsuit, I slept in them, and I cooked dinner in them to really get a sense of how they performed.
On one particularly hot day in Boulder, Colorado, I biked to a trailhead, ran a 10-mile loop to a local mountain summit, then biked back home. Though it was 100 degrees as I was biking back, and I was absolutely drenched in sweat, these shorts never felt like they were causing me to overheat, nor did they get very wet. They didn’t get heavy, even as sweat continued dripping down my back onto them. After the run, I jumped in the shower with the shorts on, wrung them out, put them back on, and continued wearing them the rest of the day. They’re the ideal hot-weather shorts.
I’ve washed the Janji AFO Middle shorts countless times over the three-month testing period. After washing, they still perform as well. The material is still comfortable and stretchy, and there is no pilling on the fabric face.
We also tested these shorts alongside others in our Best Men’s Road Running Shorts and Best Men’s Trail Running Shorts guides.
Performance in the field
Fit and movement
The Janji AFO Middle Shorts fit well, and the stretch material ensures they won’t be too tight for people with larger thighs, either. I’m 5’9,” 165 pounds, and have bigger than average thighs. These shorts feel light and airy, and never feel restrictive.
They’re made with stretchy polyester material that’s 88% recycled polyester and 12% elastane. This material doesn’t restrict your movement in any way. On uphills, the shorts don’t ride up your thighs. When you’re working hard and sweating a lot, they don’t stick to your legs. And they don’t bunch up near your hip joints when stretching after the run, either.
Liner performance
The AFO Middle shorts have an incredibly soft and comfortable mesh liner made of 94% polyester and 6% spandex. Over countless runs during a three-month testing period, I’ve never experienced any chafing or discomfort from this liner. I’ve worn these on marathon-distance runs without any issue.
This liner stretches with you as you move, and the small mesh vent holes cause it to breathe really well. It doesn’t absorb moisture, and no matter how much I sweat it doesn’t seem to get very wet. If it does get wet, it dries very quickly.
Waistband behavior
The 1.5-inch waistband is made with soft, perforated elastic. This waistband is very comfortable, and is the most unique aspect of these shorts. I’ve never seen an elastic waistband with vent holes in the elastic, let alone a perforated elastic waistband that’s this soft.
The waistband doesn’t feel like the stiff, sharp-edged elastic you may be familiar with. It has soft edges, and the perforating helps keep you cool underneath. Some shorts cause me to sweat right under the waistband, where they don’t breathe as well, but these don’t create a hot strip at the waist.
The shorts have drawstring loops around the waistband, below the perforated elastic. The drawstring is actually two strings that secure above the rear pocket and wrap around each side of the waist, so you can’t pull the drawstring out. If the drawstring is tied tightly, you can’t access the pocket inside the liner, though you can still access the rear zippered pocket.
Pocket usability
The Janji AFO Middle shorts have two pockets: one sewn into the inner lining and one zippered pocket just below the waistband on the outside back. If you’re looking for a pair of shorts with tons of pocket space, these aren’t it. However, we think these shorts are great for road running and other runners who don’t use the pockets in their running shorts to hold much.
Janji claims that the outside rear zippered pocket is a phone pocket, and that pocket can fit my Google Pixel 10 with a thin silicone case, but if the pocket were slightly larger it would be easier to use.
The pocket built into the liner sits just below the waistband and drawstring tie, in the front of the shorts. I find this placement odd, but I guess it makes sense to balance out the zippered pocket on the center of the shorts in the back. Either way, this pocket has a shock cord loop with a small locking plastic carabiner. This small detail makes it easier to securely carry a key while still being able access to the zippered pocket without having to worry about dropping your key.
Breathability and heat management
The AFO Middle shorts breathe extremely well in hot conditions. I’ve worn them in 100-degree heat in the high desert of Colorado, and on road runs in the vast expanse of pavement that is the Colorado Front Range.
In hot weather, I never feel like I’m overheating because of these shorts. They don’t retain heat, and the fabric allows air to flow through it. On a windy ridge, you can feel the air moving through the material, including the liner and waistband, which helps keep you cool in hot conditions.
Chafe prevention
The AFO Middle shorts haven’t caused any chafing on my legs after hundreds of miles. The outer shorts fabric is sewn with flat-locked seams, and bottom hem is bonded rather than sewn to reduce abrasive stitching. The inner liner has soft thread wrapped around the elastic edges to hold the liner in place while you run.
They have a gusseted crotch, which means they have two seams on the inside of each thigh. But this gusset is four inches wide, which is larger than the gusset on many running shorts. This means the inner thigh seams aren’t directly in the center, and therefore don’t rub directly against your thighs as you run. And since they’re sewn with flat-lock seams and soft thread, there are no sharp edges to cause chafing.
Durability
During a three-month testing period, I’ve worn the AFO Middle shorts for hundreds of hours over countless runs. After three months, they still look like new. And they’re backed by a 5-year guarantee against defects in workmanship or material.
The fabric doesn’t break down easily, and the 88% polyester, 12% elastane material doesn’t lose its stretch in the wash or dryer. The outer fabric is durable enough to wear in rough conditions that you’d find while trail running, or while sitting on the pavement to stretch before and after your run. The inner lining doesn’t break down quickly, either.
I’ve washed these shorts more times than I can count, and they look like they did when new every time they come out of the wash. I typically wash them on a delicate cycle and dry on low heat, but I’ve washed them in laundromat washer and dryers that didn’t seem to provide much temperature control. Nonetheless, the elastic waistband, outer fabric, and lining is still stretchy. There is no pilling on the outer material, either.
Features
Built-in liner
They have a built-in brief-style liner made with 94% polyester, 6% spandex mesh.
Elastic waistband with drawcord
They have a 1.5-inch elastic waistband with perforated vent holes. They also have a drawcord that ties below the band on the outside of the shorts.
Zip and stretch pockets
They have an exterior zipper pocket that’s large enough for most smartphones. There is also a stretch pocket sewn into the inner lining, in the middle front. The liner pocket is large enough for a key, credit card, and an energy gel. It also has a keep loop with a small plastic carabiner to secure your key.
Phone pocket
The rear zip pocket on the outside of the shorts is large enough for up to a 6” Google Pixel 10 with a silicone case. The zippered opening is smaller than the pocket itself, so it takes some finagling to get the phone into the pocket. But, the pocket material itself is stretchy, so once you’ve worked the pocket through the zippered opening, it will hold your phone. For a larger phone like the Google Pixel 10, it’s just not quite as convenient.
Lightweight fabric
The AFO Middle shorts are made with Janji’s own AFO fabric, which is 88% recycled polyester and 12% elastane. This fabric breathes well and stretches with you as you move.
Quick-dry material
They’re made with quick-dry material. Even when I used them as a swimsuit, they don’t absorb much moisture, so they barely feel wet after getting dunked in water. Since they don’t absorb much moisture, they also dry incredibly quickly.
Gusseted crotch
They have a gusseted crotch that gives you more leg room and moves the inner thigh seams away from the center of the shorts, where your inner thigh may rub against each other. This helps reduce risk of chafing.
Reflective elements
The logo on the right thigh reflects light, but there are no other reflective elements on these shorts. If wearing these in low-light scenarios such as early morning or evening runs, we recommend pairing them with accessories from our best reflective running gear guide for added safety and visibility.
Sustainability
Janji uses fabric that is primarily recycled polyester. Their AFO material is 88% recycled polyester and 12% elastane. The liner material doesn’t contain recycled materials.
Janji also has a 5-year Run Everywhere Guarantee, which backs any of their products against defects in construction or materials for five years. They also strive to use as little virgin plastic as possible in their garments. Working to make long-lasting products out of recycled materials is a win-win for sustainability. Also, since 2020, all of their primary fabrics have been certified by Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, and RWS (Responsible Wool Standard).
You can read more about Janji’s social and environmental goals online.
Should you buy the Janji AFO Middle running shorts?
Buy if:
You run shorter distances on road or track
You run on varied terrain with a running vest
You prefer a 5” or 7” inseam
You don’t care about tons of pockets on your shorts
You want shorts with a comfortable and breathable liner
You need a very breathable pair of shorts
Skip if:
You want a shorter than 5” inseam
You don’t want a liner and are opposed to cutting the lining out of your shorts
You need more pocket capacity
Where to buy
The Janji AFO Middle Running Short running shorts are popular, so you have some options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
View at REI button
Janji
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return due to a defect.
View at retailer button
Advice on where to buy
In general for apparel, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI. If your funds allow, many people find it is faster to order two sizes and return whichever one didn't fit as well. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Similar running shorts
Janji AFO Middle Shorts vs. rabbit FKT Shorts
Price: $75
Sizes: S-XL
Inseam options:
Fit: Regular
Liner: Yes
Pockets: 9
Phone pocket: Yes
Waistband: 2”
Reflective elements: No
The rabbit FKT shorts are a super comfortable pair of running shorts with a very different pocket layout compared to the Janji AFO Middle. The outer shorts material on the FKT shorts feels unlike most running shorts, including the AFO Middle shorts, and that’s a really good thing. The FKT shorts material feels like a knit fabric, while the AFO Middle shorts feel smooth and soft.
The FKT shorts have two stretch pockets on the outside of each hip and a rear zippered pocket that’s large enough for a 6” smartphone. I can easily carry a phone in the FKT rear zippered pocket, whereas the AFO Middle’s rear zippered pocket is more difficult to use with my phone (though it does fit). If you prefer lots of pockets on the outside of your shorts, you might like the FKT shorts more, but the AFO Middle shorts are lighter and more breathable. The FKT shorts cost about the same as the AFO Middle shorts, too.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the rabbit FKT running shorts.
rabbit FKT Shorts
Men's
Women's
Janji AFO Middle vs. Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts
Price: $89-95
Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam options:
Fit: Regular
Liner: Yes
Pockets: 5
Phone pocket: —
Waistband: 1”
Gusseted crotch:
Reflective elements: Reflective logo
The Patagonia Strider Pro shorts are my long-time favorite trail running and backpacking shorts. They’re also the overall winner in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shorts guide.
The Strider Pro shorts have two stretch pockets on each hip, each large enough to hold several energy gels. The Strider Pro’s rear zippered pocket isn’t large enough for a smartphone, though, unlike the AFO Middle. The Strider Pro shorts also cost almost $20 more than the AFO Middle shorts, though they come with Patagonia’s lifetime warranty.
If you want stretchy shorts that prioritize lightweight design and breathability but still have a large enough zippered pocket to carry your phone, you should go with the Janji AFO Middle. If you want shorts with exterior pockets and don’t care about having a large smartphone pocket, the Strider Pro shorts are worth considering.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the Patagonia Strider Pro running shorts.
Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts
Men's
Women's
Janji AFO Middle Shorts vs. Tracksmith Twilight Shorts
Price:
Sizes:
Inseam options:
Fit: Regular
Liner: Yes
Pockets:
Phone pocket:
Waistband: 1”
Gusseted crotch:
Reflective elements: No
The Tracksmith Twilight shorts are another pair of incredibly comfortable shorts made with very light and breathable material. The thin, lightweight, knit material never feels hot, wet, or slippery, no matter how far you run in these shorts. The Twilight Shorts are made with a similarly stretchy material as the rabbit FKT shorts, and feel unlike the slippery material on most running shorts, such as the AFO Middle. I think the material used on the Twilight shorts feels super unique, and very comfortable, but the AFO material feels lighter, more breathable, and dries quicker.
The Twilight shorts have three pockets sewn into the backside of the inner liner and an exterior zipper pocket in the back as well. The Twilight shorts cost about the same amount as the AFO Middle shorts, too.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the Tracksmith Twilight running shorts.
Tracksmith Twilight Shorts
Men's
Women's
Why you should trust us / About the author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in a converted van across the American Southwest. He’s been a runner since he was a child, when he ran five days a week as cross-training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling. Sam wrote our Men’s Road Running Shorts guide and has tested loads of other running gear for Treeline Review.
Sam regularly runs five days or more per week. He has completed countless ultra-distance, self-supported trail runs across the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Arizona Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Hayduke Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in running shorts.
You can read more about Sam on his author page, website, or Instagram.
