Saucony Interval 2-1 Short Review
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Saucony Interval 2-1 Shorts
Saucony Interval Shorts Introduction
I’m just going to throw it out there first and foremost. I am NOT a short shorts kind of guy. They have their place, but just not on this body 🙂 I prefer a tight compression brief liner to avoid chafing. A close second would be an outer liner with an inseam that has some modesty while lightweight and comfortable. The Saucony Interval 2-1 Shorts met my initial criteria, so I was eager to put them to the test. September and October are my favorite months here in Colorado because the weather is generally very nice. The occasional rainstorm does make things interesting along the Front Range and in the Rocky Mountains. Hence, I intended to put the Saucony Interval Shorts through a myriad of uses on the road, in the gym, and on the mountain trails.
Saucony Interval pocket
Saucoy Interval venting along both sides of the leg
Technical Features
The shorts are made of “Stretch” fabric which is quickly becoming my new favorite material. It is light, breathable, conforms, and stretches uniquely to fit the body. In addition, it wicks away moisture. If you do happen to get caught in a downpour (which I did) they dry relatively quick. The Saucony Interval Shorts feature an 8″ inseam which is marketed as “just right for running, but easily transitions into all your favorite sports”. There are many a day where I run to the gym, lift weights, and stretch before running back home. I think I may try a Yoga class next to really put the “stretch” factor to the test.
On the upper outer quads, there are two air vent features. A Triangular mesh venting system, and a 1″ wide strip that has tiny little holes. To be honest, I didn’t notice any actual venting when I was working hard to keep a respectable pace. However, I do feel confident that the airflow works its way around the leg to effectively cool the body.
I am a fan of the small back pocket with zippered storage. On my long run, I stashed a credit card, a five-dollar bill, and my license in there in case of emergency. If you keep it light enough, the items in the pocket won’t be noticed. I’m sure if you added a single house key that the weight or bulkiness is negligible. And finally, the Saucony Interval shorts sport an elastic waist with internal drawstring. I am testing an all-black version of the shorts, but the drawstring is bright orange for a nice contrast.
Casual Fit and I love the bright orange drawstring
Saucony Interval 2-1 Short
Saucony Interval Shorts in action
I ran short, easy, mid-distance tempo, long, and fast on the road, trail, and tread. The Saucony Interval Short performance was always the same. In fact, the silkiness of the stretch fabric makes them almost unnoticeable. The snug compression boxer brief liner as advertised provided “chafe-free support”. I always pay particularly close attention to the liner as those can be tricky at times. Too tight, and you have issues. Too loose, and they bunch up and start to rub in all the wrong places. And lastly, a poorly sewn or placed seam can also ruin a perfectly good run. The Saucony Interval Shorts fit great, and I liked the compression it provided on the legs. Snug but not to tight. In addition, my hamstrings warmed up quickly which allowed me to hit a faster pace earlier in my tempo runs.
My favorite run took place on the trails near Boulder. Halfway in the skies opened up. A wet muddy run proved to be a lot of fun, and the shorts worked well. If I had to say one thing about the Saucony Interval shorts is when completely soaked the bottom part did become a little heavy and flap around a bit. It wasn’t a problem for most of the run when it was raining steady, but when it unleashed I took notice. Not a deal-breaker, but thought I should mention.
Final Thoughts on the Saucony Interval 2-1 Shorts
These are now officially my new favorite shorts. The comfort, sweat-wicking ability, and chafe-free liner totally rock. The ventilation panels and back zippered pocket are an added bonus. The fact that the Saucony Interval shorts have a simple classic look with all-around comfort means I can also wear them for many other uses. I am excited to put these to the test as I prepare my next marathon. For more information on the Interval 2-1 Shorts and other Saucony gear visit www.amazon.com/saucony.
MSRP: $55 (and well worth it in my opinion).
