Patagonia Maipo Running Shorts Review
Lightweight yet resilient, these mid-compression shorts have a fit that won’t stretch out, even after high-mileage runs
June 30th, 2026
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Our verdict
Even with minimal features compared to other high-end running shorts, the Patagonia Maipo shorts are a staple in my running kits, whether I’m on the road or on the trails. I’ve tested a pair for two years, and they look almost brand-new, with no change in stretchiness or compression.
The 8” inseam is the longest we tested in our upcoming Best Road Running Shorts guide. But with the extremely lightweight material, which is both quick drying and moisture wicking, these never felt too long, heavy, or swampy, even on 18-mile race days or in temperatures nearing 80 degrees. Because of the longer inseam, the shorts kept all testers chafe free. And the stretchy material allowed for a full range of movement on long runs, speed work, and hiking up and over boulders.
The shorts have only two drop-in pockets, but they easily fit an iPhone with a case and/or a small water bottle. The compression is low to mid—enough to keep our muscles supported and keep whatever we had in the pockets from bouncing around or completely falling out. They also have a 4-inch, two-layer waistband that is supportive without digging in.
After using these for multiple years and also sporting a new pair on recent test runs, this durable, form-fitting pair of shorts was easily a favorite of ours. They have a true-to-size fit and can take you from the road to the coffee shop for some post-run fuel.
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Patagonia Maipo 8” Shorts specifications
Price: $75
Sizes: XXS - XXL
Inseam options: 8”
Fit: Low to mid compression
Fabric: Nylon, spandex
Weight: 4.5 oz
Liner: No
Pockets: Two side drop-in pockets
Phone pocket: Yes
Waistband: 4-inch high-rise
Split: No
Gusseted crotch: Yes, articulated crotch
Quick-dry: Yes
Reflective elements: No
Best for
The 4-inch waistband on the Patagonia Maipo shorts is very supportive and doesn't dig into the waist.
Long road runs where you also sport a vest or waistpack
Runners wanting low to mid-level compression
Runners with thighs that touch and need protection from legs rubbing together
Anyone who wants a pair of shorts that they can run in, hike in, and do yoga in
Trail runners who need durable fabric to protect from falls or descents
Runners going out in moderate to high temperatures
Comparison table
| RUNNING SHORTS | WAIST RISE | COMPRESSION LEVEL | AVAILABLE SIZES | AVAILABLE LENGTHS | WEIGHT | POCKETS | MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia Maipo | High | Low to mid | XXS - XXL | 8" | 4.5 oz | 2 | $75 |
| Janji 7" Pace Short | Mid | Mid to high | XXS-XXXL | 5" and 7" | 5.0 oz | 4 | $78 |
| Arc’teryx Essent High-Rise Utility Short 6" | High | Mid to high | 00 - 16 | 6" | 4.8 oz | 4 | $90 |
| Bandit Stamina-V High Waist 5" Compression Short | High | High | XS - XL | 5" and 7" | 4.8 oz | 4 | $85 |
| rabbit Leggy Smashems 5" | Mid | Moderate | XS - XL | 5" | Not listed | 6+ | $70 |
What we liked
The durability of the nylon and spandex blend has withstood falls and butt scootches while trail running with no wear and tear
After multiple runs and multiple washes, the stretch and support haven’t worn out at all
Inclusive sizing for both smaller and larger runners
The low to mid-compression was comfortable for all testers, no matter the length of the run
The lightweight shorts are both quick drying and moisture wicking
What could be better
There are only two side pockets on these shorts, so less storage options
No zippered pockets
The high-rise waistband started to roll down on longer runs
An 8” inseam isn’t some runners’ preferences
No sizing above 2XL
How we tested
The Patagonia Maipo shorts have only two pockets, but are so soft and comfortable that they are in our weekly rotation.
We tested the women’s Patagonia Maipo Shorts with an 8-inch inseam on numerous trail and road runs around Boulder, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, as well as during the West Line Winder 30K, an 18-mile trail race in Buena Vista, Colorado. We’ve had this pair of shorts for at least two years, and they feel just as soft and supportive as when we first ran in them. Tester’s body types included curves (read: ample butt and thighs) and a thinner, toned butt/legs. Both runners wore a size medium in testing and had no issues with fit, support, or chaffing.
Runs ranged from 3 to 18 miles, with average paces from faster 9-minute miles to slower 12-minute miles on the trail. The lightweight Maipo shorts were worn in temperatures ranging from the mid-50s with clouds to warmer temperatures near 80 degrees with pure sunshine.
We carried our phones and small water-bottle flasks in the side pockets to test how much bounce they produced. The shorts were also worn with a hydration vest and the Ruffwear Trail Runner Belt around the waist (to see how this works while running, see our Best Hands-free Dog Leash article).
We tested these shorts alongside other similar shorts, including the Gnara Go Free shorts (6” inseam) and the Kuhl Kush shorts (7” inseam), from our upcoming Best Running Shorts guide.
Performance in the field
The Patagonia Maipo running shorts offer light compression with a high waistband.
Fit and movement
This is where the Maipo shorts stand out. With a mix of nylon and spandex, the shorts are form fitting and offer light compression that provides enough support, even for longer runs. They don’t dig into the thighs or stomach, and allow for a full range of movement when climbing uphill or stepping over rocks. These are the shorts you can wear while running, sport around the house or even pop them on to head to a yoga class—they are that comfortable.
The 8” inseam protected against chaffing but didn’t feel too long for our testers. They fit true to size, and have inclusive sizing for both smaller and larger bodies. Of the tight-fitting shorts we tested, they are the lightest at 4.5 ounces.
Waistband behavior
The waistband is a high-rise waistband and sits right around the belly button (where it hits may depend on your body and height). It is 4 inches wide, which offers support without feeling too constrictive. We did find that on longer runs, the waistband would start to slip down around 6 miles. Because of the soft fabric and low compression, having the waistband sit lower on the body wasn’t really an issue; if we stayed in the zone while running, we barely noticed. There is no drawcord on the double-layered waistband.
Pocket usability
The Maipo shorts have two deep drop-in side pockets that easily hold a phone or a small water bottle without bouncing.
With two side drop-in pockets, the Maipo shorts do have fewer pockets than other shorts we tested. However, we stuffed phones into one side and a small, hard-shelled water bottle into the other and felt no hindrance during runs. The pockets, like the shorts, are very stretchy but still have a form-fitting structure, so whatever we put in them didn’t bounce around.
I’ve run with my car keys deep in these pockets as well, and have never lost them.
Breathability and heat management
Even with a longer, 8” inseam, the Maipo shorts are very lightweight and made from a breathable, quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric—perfect for hot-weather runs. During numerous runs in hot weather or sunny conditions, runners never felt swampy or weighed down by the longer length.
Chafe prevention
At 8”, the inseam of the Patagonia Maipo shorts is the longest length of running shorts we tested. For runners whose legs touch together, this meant absolutely no chaffing, no matter the length of the run. Because of the longer length, the leg openings also didn’t roll up at all, even though they don’t have silicone grippers on the inside like the Janji Pace Shorts, the overall winner in our upcoming Best Road Running Shorts guide.
The shorts use a flatlock seam construction, so testers had no chaffing from seams either. There is no shorter inseam option for the Maipos.
Durability
I have had a black pair of Maipo running shorts since 2024, which I wear weekly during training. I’ve worn these on trail runs while scraping against trees or rocks, had my dog jump up on them, and sat on multiple curbs after hard road runs. I have seen no wear or tear on any seams and no pilling on the thighs or butt.
I wash them in the machine every time, let them air-dry, and have found no extra stretching or loss of support in the very soft, flexible shorts. The recommended care instructions from Patagonia are to machine-wash cold and tumble-dry on low. There is no fading in the black fabric or stretching of the pockets, either.
Features
The Patagonia Maipo shorts have two side drop-in pockets, similar to the Gnara Go Free shorts (green) and the Kuhl Kush shorts (purple).
Built-in liner — These shorts are compression shorts, so they do not have a built-in liner.
Elastic waistband with drawcord — The high-rise, 4”-wide waistband is double-layered for mid-level support. There is no drawcord.
Zip or stretch pockets — On the sides are two drop-in phone pockets. There are no other pockets.
Phone pocket — The side pockets easily fit both an iPhone 16 with an OtterBox case and a PopSocket and an iPhone 13 with a thin case; we found no bouncing during runs.
Lightweight fabric — The shorts are made from a very lightweight, quick-drying, moisture-wicking blend of post-consumer recycled nylon and spandex; the blend is durable enough for trail runs and for falls on your butt.
Gusseted crotch — There is an articulated crotch on the Patagonia Maipo shorts.
Reflective elements — There are no reflective elements.
Sustainability — The shorts use 81 percent NetPlus, a post-consumer recycled nylon made from recycled fishing nets, and 19 percent miDori bioSoft, a bio-based textile finish derived from plant seed oils rather than petroleum-based chemicals. The fabric is bluesign® approved and made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
Similar women's running shorts
Kuhl Kush Shorts
Price: $85
Sizes: XS - XL
Inseam options: 7”
Fit: Low to mid compression, high rise
Fabric: Nylon, Spandex
Pockets: Two deep side drop-in pockets
The Kuhl Kush shorts are similar in style and features to the Patagonia Maipo. Both offer low compression and have just two side drop-in pockets. The Kuhls are moisture wicking, quick drying, and offer UPF 50+ protection all in a stretchy, yet slightly supportive short. We found that after just one wash of the Kush shorts, though, there was slight pilling.
Price: $108
Sizes: XS - 3XL
Inseam options: 6”
Fit: Mid to high compression, high rise
Fabric: Recycled polyester spandex wicking blend
Pockets: Two side drop-in pockets
The Gnara Go Free Shorts are similar to the Patagonia Maipo in that both pairs of running shorts have only two side drop-in pockets. The Gnara shorts, however, do have the patented GoFly Pee Zipper, which makes these ideal for longer runs in the woods (learn more about the GoFly zipper in our Best Climbing Pants guide). They also come in sizes up to 3XL.
Gnara Go Free Shorts
Janji Pace and Arc'teryx Essent High Rise Utility
Janji Pace Shorts and the Arc’teryx Essent High-Rise Utility Short are very similar in terms of compression and pocket types. Both offer high compression that washes well and holds it’s shape, while some testers liked the Janji waistband better than the Arc’teryx. On the hems, you’ll find similar silicone grippers to keep the legs from riding up. The Janjis have a wider range for sizing and have a 5” inseam option as well.
Janji
Arc'teryx
Should I buy the Patagonia Maipo running shorts?
Buy if you want a super soft and very comfortable pair of shorts with an 8” inseam that offers low compression. The two pockets can easily hold a phone, and these are versatile enough for road runs, trail runs, strength training, dog walks, and yoga.
Skip if you want a pair of tight shorts with high compression, need more pockets for storage, or feel that an 8” inseam is too long.
Where to buy
The Patagonia Maipo shorts are popular gear items, so you have 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.
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
View at Backcountry button
Patagonia
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from Patagonia, including the option to check Patagonia Worn Wear directly on the same page (a design feature we love!). Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Why you should trust us / About the author
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Mattie specializes in writing about outdoor adventures, gear, travel, fitness, health, and education/parenting, with more than 10 years of experience. Her areas of expertise include trail running, camping, backpacking, snowboarding, and hiking.
Mattie's favorite part of living in Boulder is the easy access to so many trails to enjoy — whether that’s hiking, trail running, or road running, she gets outside by any means with her dog, Imogene. Every summer, she trains for some sort of trail race in Colorado; in past years, she has run the Imogene Pass Run in Ouray, the West Line Winder in Buena Vista, and the Crested Butte Ultra. You can read more of Mattie’s work at her website or on her author page.
