rabbit FKT Men's Running Shorts Review
An ultra-comfortable running short with lots of pockets for long and short runs alike
August 10, 2026
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Our verdict
The rabbit FKT shorts are super comfortable and ideal for longer runs. But everything that makes them great for long runs won’t weigh you down for shorter runs, either. These shorts have enough pockets to carry ample nutrition for a 3-4 hour long run, though you’ll need to pair them with a handheld bottle, hydration vest, or running belt for carrying water.
These shorts excel at carrying capacity and comfort. They have loads of exterior pockets, with a generously large zippered phone pocket in the back and deep stretch mesh pockets on the hips for headphones, SPF lip balm, energy gels, and more. They’re made of soft and stretchy material that breathes well and never restricts movement as you run, too.
rabbit FKT Shorts
I tested the rabbit FKT shorts on countless runs across Colorado in the summertime. I tested them along with over 10 other pairs of shorts for a running shorts guide, and these were the pair I reached for most often. I wore them on 5-mile runs on trails in Colorado’s Arkansas Valley, as well as 10-20 mile mountain runs in the Collegiate Peaks, Sawatch, and Mosquito Ranges. I used these shorts with a running vest on longer runs, and they carried everything I needed in them—including a smartphone and nutrition—on shorter runs.
The biggest downside of these shorts is that they don’t carry water as well as I’d like. They have a stretch mesh pocket on each hip that’s large enough for a 500mL soft flask bottle, so you can technically carry water in these pockets. But I found the shorts bounced too much for my liking with water in these pockets.
If you’re looking for a super-comfortable pair of running shorts that won’t limit the amount of gear/nutrition you can carry, you should check out the rabbit FKT shorts. They’re the “Best overall” shorts in our Running Shorts guide, and you’ll want to wear them on every run.
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Men’s Rabbit FKT Shorts specifications
Price: $75
Sizes: S-XL
Inseam options: 3, 5, 7”
Fabric: FlexKnit waistband and external pockets (75% recycled polyester, 25% polyester), DuraWeave body fabric(50% recycled polyester, 38% polyester, 12% spandex), Polartec Fresh Face liner
Weight: 3.5 oz (measured)
Liner: Yes
Pockets: 9
Phone pocket: Yes
Waistband: 2”
Split: No
Gusseted crotch: Yes
Quick-dry: Yes
Reflective elements: No
Best for
Testing the rabbit FKT shorts on a long dirt road in Colorado
Daily training
Long runs
Minimalists and pocket-heavy runners
Hot weather
Mixed terrain
Comparison table
| Men's Running Shorts | MSRP | Sizes | Lengths | Pockets | Liner | Phone Pocket | Zip Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Janji AFO Middle Short | $72 | XS-XXL | 5" | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
What we liked
The rabbit FKT shorts have enough pockets to leave the vest at home
Soft material is comfortable all day
Can carry everything you need for a long run
Very breathable
Quick-drying
What could be better
Elastic waistband isn’t the tightest
Shorts bounce a lot with water bottles in pockets
How we tested
I tested these shorts while running roads and trails in Colorado during the summertime. I wore them for two months and about 200 miles, while testing several other running shorts models simultaneously.
However, after the rabbit FKT shorts arrived, I didn’t want to wear any other shorts.
I wore them on short 5-mile runs and longer 20+ mile runs on dirt roads and trails in the mountains.
I wore them in temperatures ranging from 60 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
On every run, I carried a 6” Google Pixel 10 in the rear zippered pocket. I also carried energy gels, SPF lip balm, granola bars, headphones, and other small items in the pockets. On every run, I wore them with the built-in liner, which never caused any discomfort or chafing, even on the hottest days. Over two months, I’ve washed them countless times and they haven’t shown any sign of pilling or falling apart.
Performance in the field
The rabbit FKT shorts are made of stretch material that lets you move however you want.
Fit and movement
These shorts are incredibly comfortable. They fit not too loose or too tight, and don’t ride up your thighs mid-run. The wider 2” waistband sits directly on your waist, just below the hip bones. They’re made with a soft, stretchy 50% recycled polyester, 38% polyester, 12% spandex material, which allows you to move in any way without feeling like your legs are constricted. I tested these in a men’s size medium, and have relatively big thighs, but they never felt too tight even though the fit isn’t billowy, as some running shorts are.
Liner performance
I typically cut the liner out of my running shorts so I can wear mesh boxer briefs. But the liner on these shorts is so comfortable that I haven’t cut it out. It doesn’t shift over the course of a long run, and feels just as comfortable at mile 5 as at mile 15.
The liner is made of very breathable mesh, and doesn’t cause heat to build up. When it does get wet from sweat, it doesn’t chafe, and it dries very quickly, too. One very hot 95-degree day, I wore these shorts for a 10-mile run, then immediately jumped in a river afterward to cool off. After I got out of the river, they didn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable, and I continued wearing the shorts the rest of the day.
Waistband behavior
The rabbit FKT shorts have a waist cinch cord that attaches to either side of the rear phone pocket, so your phone doesn’t bounce as you move
The waistband is very comfortable during runs. I’m typically between a size small and medium, and I got a size medium in these shorts. I find the waistband to be slightly looser than I’d expect, but it’s not too loose to wear without tying the drawstring if you have nothing in the pockets. With a phone and some gels in the pockets, I tie the drawstring, which connects to either side of the rear phone pocket. With the drawstring tied, my phone doesn’t bounce in the rear waistband pocket at all.
Pocket usability
The rabbit FKT shorts have a large zippered phone pocket that’s large enough for a Google Pixel 10 with a silicone case and magnetic tripod
The rabbit FKT shorts have a rear zippered phone pocket that’s the largest pocket of this type on any shorts I’ve worn. This zippered pocket is large enough to easily hold a 6.3” Google Pixel 10 with a thicker case. This zippered pocket makes it possible to unzip and access your phone without stopping.
The rabbit FKT shorts can carry more energy gels than any other shorts we tested
They also have two stretch drop-in pockets on each hip that are easy to reach into while you run. The pocket that’s further in front is larger than the one to the rear. The larger pocket is big enough to fit a 500mL soft flask water bottle. I don’t typically carry water in these pockets because it makes the shorts bounce too much for my liking, but I fit four packs of Skratch Energy Chews in one of these larger pockets. Next to these large exterior hip pockets are smaller stretch pockets on each side.
This smaller pocket is also large enough for two packs of Skratch Chews or 3-4 gels. There are also four more pockets sewn into the interior lining of the shorts, but there is so much capacity in the exterior pockets I rarely use these pockets. The interior pockets are great for a car key/card, though.
Breathability and heat management
The stretch fabric is incredibly breathable. I just finished a 10-mile run in Denver, which I should have started earlier because the high is 100 degrees today. However, even at 11 a.m., when the temperature was well into the 90s, these shorts kept me comfortable. Yes, I was quite sweaty, but these shorts don’t hold heat at all. Whenever there is a breeze, you can feel the wind blowing through the material. And all the pockets mean you don’t have to wear a running belt or hydration vest to carry what you need on a run, which helps in hot weather.
Chafe prevention
After hundreds of hot, sweaty miles, these shorts haven’t caused any chafing. They have flat-locked interior seams and a gusseted crotch. The liner edges are soft and don’t cause uncomfortable rubbing. Even though the crotch gusset means there are two seams along the inside of each thigh, those seams have never caused me any chafing.
Durability
The TerraWeave shell material used on the outside of the FKT shorts is very durable. I’ve used these shorts for a lot of scrambling, so they’ve been dragged against rocks more than once. The material is still holding up and resists abrasions very well. After two months of wear, the liner is still going strong, with no visible signs of wear.
The liner is made with Polartec Fresh Face material, which is treated with mint for metal-free odor resistance. This odor-resistant treatment works well, and I typically wear them for several runs before I wash them. But over several months of wear, I have washed these shorts many times, at laundromats and in home washing machines. I typically wash them on a delicate cycle and dry them on low heat. They also hang dry quickly. I’ve even put them on directly out of the washing machine, and they dry especially fast if you’re wearing them. After washing and drying them, they don’t degrade in any way. They’re still as stretchy as ever, and I haven’t noticed any pilling on the fabric.
Features
Built-in liner
They have a built-in liner made of Polartec Fresh Face material, which is treated with mint for odor resistance. This material is very soft and stretchy. It’s also durable enough that it still looks like new after hundreds of miles.
Elastic waistband with drawcord
The FKT shorts have an elastic waistband and drawcord. The waistband is slightly wider than the typical 1” waistband, which makes it more comfortable. The drawcord attaches to either side of the rear zippered phone pocket, which pulls the pocket into your lower back to keep your phone from bouncing.
Zippered phone pocket
The rabbit FKT shorts have one zippered rear phone pocket. This pocket is large enough to easily fit a 6” Google Pixel 10 with a thick silicone case. The drawcord attaches to the pocket on either end to hold the phone in place so it doesn’t bounce as you run.
Stretch pockets
The FKT shorts have two stretch pockets on the outside on each hip. These pockets are open on the top, and make it easy to grab energy gels while you run.
Lightweight fabric
The FKT shorts are made of lightweight FlexKnit fabric with 75% recycled polyester and 25% virgin polyester. This fabric is very stretchy, durable, and breathable.
Quick-dry material
The FlexKnit exterior fabric and Polartec Fresh Face lining material both dry very quickly. Even after swimming in these shorts, they’re dry within an hour in hot and dry climates.
Gusseted crotch
They have a gusseted crotch, which adds durability and extra material not to restrict your legs as you move.
Reflective elements
They have a brightly colored high-vis logo and drawstring accents, though these accents aren’t reflective. If you're looking for more visibility, see our guide to Best Reflective Running Gear and Accessories that you can use to supplement your visibility while running in the dark.
Similar running shorts
rabbit FKT Shorts vs. Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts
Price: $89
Sizes: S-XL
Inseam options: 5, 7”
Fabric: 90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex
Weight: 3.8 oz
Liner: Yes
Pockets: 5
Phone pocket: No
Waistband: 1”
Split: No
Gusseted crotch: No
Quick-dry: Yes
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 Treeline’s Trail Running shorts guide. The Strider Pro shorts have two stretch pockets on each hip that are the same size as the smaller of the two hip pockets on the rabbit FKT shorts. The Strider Pro’s rear zippered pocket isn’t large enough for a smartphone, though. The Strider Pro also costs $14 more than the FKT shorts, though they come with Patagonia’s lifetime warranty. Since the rabbit FKT shorts are made with a stretchier material and better pockets, we think they’re a better choice for most people.
Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts
rabbit FKT Shorts vs. Tracksmith Twilight Shorts
Price: $85
Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam options: 3, 5”
Fabric: 89% polyester, 11% spandex
Weight: Not listed
Liner: Yes
Pockets: 4
Phone pocket: Yes
Waistband: 1”
Split: Yes
Gusseted crotch: No
Quick-dry: Yes
Reflective elements: No
The Tracksmith Twilight Shorts are made with a similarly stretchy material as the rabbit FKT shorts. The Twilight shorts don’t have as many pockets as the FKT shorts, though they do have a usable rear phone pocket. Unlike the FKT shorts, the Twilight shorts’ phone pocket is built into the inner liner. This makes it more difficult to access your phone mid-run, especially if the drawstring is tied tight, which you’ll want to do if you have a heavy phone in the pocket. The Twilight shorts cost the same amount as the FKT shorts, too.
Tracksmith Twilight Shorts
rabbit FKT Shorts vs. Janji AFO Middle Shorts
Price: $72
Sizes: XS-XXL
Inseam options: 5”
Fabric: 87% polyester, 13% elastane
Weight: 3.7 oz
Liner: Yes
Pockets: 2
Phone pocket: Yes
Waistband: 1”
Split: No
Gusseted crotch: No
Quick-dry: Yes
Reflective elements: No
The Janji AFO Middle Shorts are another pair of incredibly comfortable shorts made with very light and breathable material. The thin, lightweight, and smooth material never feels hot, wet, or slippery, no matter how far you run in these shorts. They also have a very comfortable elastic waistband with mesh holes for breathability. The AFO Middle Shorts don’t have as many pockets as the FKT shorts, though. The rear zippered pocket isn’t big enough for a 6-inch smartphone with a case. They do have an internal drop-down brief pocket for a key and credit card, with a clip to hold your key securely. The AFO Middle shorts cost about the same amount as the FKT shorts, too.
Janji AFO Middle Shorts
Should I buy the rabbit FKT running shorts?
Buy if:
You run long distances
You prefer a fitted short with stretch material to a wide, billowy fit
You need a lot of pocket capacity in your shorts
You prioritize comfort and performance
Skip if:
You prefer a different inseam length than the 3, 5, or 7” inseams available
You don’t want a liner (unless you’re OK with getting out the scissors)
You don’t care about pocket capacity
You need more inclusive sizing
Where to buy
The rabbit FKT running shorts are popular, 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.
rabbit
Pros: You can sometimes find more size or color options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. In this case, you can find more inseam options by going directly to rabbit.
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.
Our tester was on the cusp of size small and medium and found he wanted to size down so you may want to keep that in mind when choosing what size to get.
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.
