Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Women’s Running Shorts Review
Loose yet protective, these running shorts aren’t your typical running-short style
July 29, 2026
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Our verdict
Even though these are Title Nine’s “Anti-Run” shorts, I was pleasantly surprised with The Original Anti-Run Shorts as a pair of running shorts. The standout reason is that, as a person who has some curves and thighs that rub together when I run, I can pretty much only run comfortably in tight, form-fitting shorts. Loose bottoms with shorter inseams don’t work at all.
That’s why the Anti-Run shorts were a nice change-up to my weekly roster of tight shorts. They are loose-fitting, but don’t ride up when I run or hike because of the 7” inseam. Admittedly, they aren’t the most flattering, but they work wonderfully for shorter runs where I don’t need to carry much with me.
If I’m only going a few miles, or if I’m taking my dog and using a running belt that can hold my phone, the Title Nine shorts are comfortable, breathable, and stretchy. If I have to carry more than my phone, I would opt for a different pair of shorts as the pockets on these aren’t very secure.
I also wore the Anti-Run shorts hiking and experienced no chafing from my legs touching or from any other seams on the shorts. Use these on your run, on your hike that turns into a run, or even paddleboarding, as they are quick-drying and have UPF 50 protection.
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Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts Specifications
Price: $69
Sizes: XS-XL
Inseam options: 7”, 5” (unavailable at time of publication)
Fit: Loose
Fabric: Polyester, spandex, and nylon
Weight: 5.75
Liner: No
Pockets: Two side handwarmer pockets; one zippered back waistband pocket
Phone pocket: No
Waistband: High-rise, elastic, infinity internal drawstring
Split: No
Gusseted crotch: No
Quick-dry: Yes
Reflective elements: Yes
Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts
Comparison table
| Women's Running Shorts | Available Sizes | Lengths | Liner | Rise | Compression | Pockets | Reflective Elements | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts | XS-XL | 7" | No | High | No | 3 | No | $69 |
| Rab Momentum Shorts | XS-XL | 4, 6" | No | Mid | No | 3 | Yes | $65 |
| KÜHL Freeflex Short | XS-XL | 4, 8" | No | High | Mid to high | 2 | No | $75 |
| Brooks Chaser Short Tight | XS-XXL | 5, 7" | No | High | Yes | 2 | Yes | $70, 75 |
| rabbit Leggy Smashems | XS-XL | 5, 7" | No | Mid | High | 6 | Yes | $70 |
Best for
Runners who don’t want form-fitting bottoms but still need protection from chafing
Shorter runs where you don’t need to carry much
Anyone who wants a pair of shorts that they can run in, hike in, and do any other outdoor activity in
Trail runners who need durable fabric to protect from falls or descents
Runners going out in moderate temperatures
What we liked
The Title Nine Anti-Run shorts are a loose short with a 7” inseam and no liner.
Even though the shorts aren’t a tight compression style, the longer 7” inseam kept my thighs from rubbing together and chafing
The comfortable, high-rise wide waistband offers support
These are loose-fitting shorts that aren’t super short and are liner free
The lightweight shorts are both quick-drying and have a UPF 50 rating
What could be better
The two handwarmer pockets can fit a phone, but the phone did bounce around more than a side drop-in style pocket
The zippered pocket on the back didn’t fit an iPhone 16 with an Otterbox case
The longer and looser style isn’t super flattering
More inclusive sizing
How we tested
The Title Nine Anti-Run shorts have a longer inseam at 7” and are loose-fitting, perfect for running and hiking.
We wore the Title Nine Anti-Run shorts with a 7-inch inseam on many road and trail runs, as well as hikes around Boulder, Colorado, and at Arapahoe Basin ski resort for some summer hiking. Testers’ 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 chafing.
We ran shorter miles in these, 3 to 5 miles, since the pockets weren’t fully secure. Paces averaged from 9-minute miles to 12-minute miles on the trail. The longer shorts were worn in temperatures ranging from the low 70 degrees Fahrenheit with clouds to warmer temperatures nearing 80 degrees with sunshine.
We carried our phones and small water bottle flasks in the side pockets to test how much bounce they produced, and keys and lip balm in the back zipper pocket.
We also tested these shorts alongside others from our Best Women’s Road Running Shorts and Best Women’s Trail Running Shorts guides.
Performance in the field
Fit and movement
Even though these aren’t your typical running shorts, I can very much see why you would choose them for a run. They are loose-fitting with good airflow and a decent range of motion (even at longer lengths). Because they aren’t short like most loose-fitting running bottoms, your inner thighs are protected from chafing as the leg openings don’t ride up. The shorts are also unlined, which makes them versatile enough to wear running, strength training, paddling, or even playing pickleball. They fit true to size.
Waistband behavior
The soft and flexible waistband is 3” in length and doesn’t roll down.
The waistband was a favorite part of these shorts. It’s high-rise and 3” wide with an internal, infinity drawstring. It’s soft and flexible, but creates a perfect blend of secure and loose, so nothing is digging in, but it isn’t falling down or rolling over, either, as you run. Because the pockets weren’t ideal, nothing weighed down the shorts; if the pockets were full, you may have to use the drawstring to keep the waistband from slipping down a bit.
Pocket usability
The front pockets on the Title Nine shorts are more typical pockets that you’d find on hiking pants.
The pockets on the Anti-Run shorts are why these bottoms work slightly better for hiking, but they're still doable for running. On the front are two handwarmer pockets that are deep enough to fit a phone. However, as the shorts aren’t tight, I could feel my phone bouncing around while running. It never fell out, but I was very aware of whether it was still in my pocket.
The back zipper pocket on the waist is helpful for keys, cards, or gels, but the opening is only about 3.5 inches, so fitting anything else in was impossible.
Breathability and heat management
These shorts did offer the most coverage of all the running shorts we tested. Although they are an inch shorter than the Patagonia Maipo form-fitting shorts with an 8” inseam, these still somehow felt longer. However, thanks to the lightweight, quick-drying fabric, they never felt too heavy or swampy. Because they are loose, you also get more airflow than a pair of tight-fitting running shorts.
Chafe prevention
Even though these shorts are not form-fitting, the longer 7-inch inseam made for no chafing from legs rubbing together or from any other parts of the shorts. On faster runs and slower hikes, the shorts provided complete coverage on thicker thighs, which is very rarely the case with looser shorts that often have 5-inch or less inseams.
For more chafe prevention tips, check out our Best Anti-Chafing Creams guide.
Durability
As these are technically more of a hiking short, they are made from a durable, versatile Nimblene, a Title Nine blend of polyester and spandex. That means they are both stretchy and resistant to abrasion. Nimblene is also known for its quick-drying properties. After multiple runs and washes, I have seen no wear and tear.
Features
The Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts have two handwarmer pockets on the front and a small zippered pocket on the back waistband.
Built-in liner: These shorts do not have a built-in liner.
Elastic waistband with drawcord: The high-rise, 3-inch-wide waistband has an infinity drawstring, which means the drawstring is one circular string that can’t slip out in the wash.
Zip or stretch pockets: Two handwarmer pockets on the sides. On the back outer waistband is one small zipper pocket.
Phone pocket: The side pockets easily hold an iPhone 16 with an OtterBox case; however, because these are loose-fitting shorts, the phone bounced around and wasn't secure. A smartphone did not fit in the back zippered pocket.
Lightweight fabric: The shorts are made from a UPF 50 fabric that is lightweight, quick-drying, soft, and stretchy.
Gusseted crotch: There is no gusseted crotch.
Reflective elements: There is a small reflective logo on the lower left leg. If you’ll be running in the dark, we recommend checking out our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide.
Sustainability: The shorts are made from Nimblene, which uses 86% recycled polyester. Title Nine is also a women-owned company that uplifts other women through its Mover and Makers initiative and Pitch Fest, which aims to empower women in the industry.
Should you buy the Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts?
The Title Nine Anti-Run shorts have a longer inseam at 7” than many other running shorts. Here, they are compared to the Run Rabbit Leggy Smashems (blue) and the Oiselle Obsession Running Shorts (purple).
Buy if you want soft, stretchy shorts for running or hiking that aren’t too short or too tight, yet still protect your body from chafing. These versatile shorts work well for runs, hikes, and almost any other outdoor activity.
Skip if you want a pair of tight shorts rather than loose, or find the 7” inseam too long or hot. Also, skip if you need a completely secure phone pocket.
Where to buy the Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts
The The Title Nine The Original Anti-Run Shorts can be purchased exclusively from Title Nine.
Title Nine offers a 60-day return policy.
Similar running shorts
Rab Momentum Shorts
Price: $65
Sizes: XS - XL
Inseam options: Regular, long (4” and 6”)
Fit: Loose, unlined
Fabric: Polyamide, elastane
Pockets: Two deep front pockets, one zipper pocket on the back waistband
The Rab Momentum Shorts got good reviews from our testers for the Best Shorts for Thru-Hiking 2026 guide. They are 2 inches shorter than the Title Nine shorts but have the same loose-yet-stretchy vibe, with deep pockets for a phone and one zippered pocket to secure keys and cards. They also don’t have a liner. Made from durable materials, these shorts also feature a DWR finish and are versatile enough to take you seamlessly from a run to a hike.
Rab Momentum Shorts
Price: $75
Sizes: XS - XL
Inseam options: 4” and 8”
Fit: Mid to high compression, high rise
Fabric: Recycled polyester spandex wicking blend
Pockets: Two side drop-in pockets
From our Best Women’s Hiking Shorts guide, the KÜHL Freeflex Shorts win as the best women’s hiking shorts with pockets. Similar to the Title Nine Anti-Run shorts, these shorts are soft and flexible, with a wide, pull-on waistband and an internal drawstring. They also feature usable, secure pockets. On the front are two deep zippered pockets, and on the back are Chino-style pockets. They are quick-drying and moisture-wicking, and offer UPF 50 protection. Plus, they come in both a 4” and an 8” inseam if you prefer a longer cut similar to the Anti-Run shorts.
KÜHL Freeflex Shorts
Price: $70
Sizes: XS - XXL
Inseam options: 4” and 7”
Fit: Mid to high compression, high rise
Fabric: Recycled polyester spandex wicking blend
Pockets: Two side drop-in pockets
If you need a pair of shorts that is more conducive to running, but still pretty simple, the Brooks Chaser Short Tight is a form-fitting running short that offers mid to high compression. The shorts have two large drop-in pockets that keep gear and phones safe from bouncing out. The waist is high-rise, and the fit is stretchy but supportive, and available in 5” and 7” inseams. Check out the Best Road Running Shorts for Women for a more in-depth review and why these were almost the top-winning pair. If you prefer to run in shorts with more compression, read more in our women’s biker shorts guide.
Brooks Chaser Short Tight
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.
