It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of running. Sweat? Good. Sunny weather? Good. Running gear that makes me look like a pro? Gooooood. So when I was approached by the folks at Outdoor Sports Marketing to try out SmartWool's new women's running line... I said "heck yes."
(Disclaimer: I've always felt kind of funny about sponsored blog posts—the idea of getting free stuff in return for content sort of creeps me out—but this time it didn't really phase me, because I've always been a huge fan of SmartWool. I trust their brand and quality, and would have sung their praises anyway. Still, all opinions here are my own. SmartWool sent me a pair of running shorts and socks... and said give them a try and tell your readers what you think. That's what I'm going to do.)
As it turns out, SmartWool doesn't just do socks. This year, they launched a line of women's running shorts. So, when I went to Charleston a few weeks ago, I got to pack up my newest piece of running gear—and I hit the Battery (pictured above).
The long and short of it is, I love these shorts. Here's why.
The shorts aren't too short. I have a long history of wearing short shorts. But I've started coaching a middle school girls' lacrosse team. And as much as I'd love to bare some leg for the 12 year old girls (Kidding. I don't want to do that.), it's time to grow up a little bit and let my shorts come down a bit. Let's just say, there is such a thing as an "adult" length that doesn't make me feel like a granny. These SmartWool runners were spot on. Classy, SmartWool. Very classy.
They feel good where it counts. I love the bloomers on the inside. That's where SmartWool uses merino, the lightweight, sweat-wicking material that makes the lining so smooth. No itching, no chaffing... and if you want to run in the shorts two days in a row—you're not going to feel gross about it. (Maybe you feel gross about me for saying that I run in the same shorts twice before washing them, but whatever, I do what I want.)
The only thing I would change is to make the shorts a little less "billowy." It was nice that they don't rub against your legs at all, but there were times where I felt like they could fit just a little more snugly.
I guess it helps that I actually really like what this company stands for. 90 percent of SmartWool apparel is knit in the United States. They have strong relationships with their sheep farmers in New Zealand, where they helped stop the practice of mulesing (which I first learned about when I wrote this story). Also, SmartWool created an advocacy fund to help encourage young kids to explore the outdoors. Since 2005, they've donated over a million dollars to organizations like these. Pretty awesome.
Apparently Cooper likes all this running too. 
So what do you think? Do you wear short shorts? Do you have any running shorts you swear by?
ALSO - if you're interested in being a "fan field tester," check out SmartWool's website and apply!