I’ve certainly put the Nike Trail Second Sunrise Shorts through their paces over the last few years from running my day to day mileage to taking them on all day ultra marathons in the mountains.
Three pairs later (my original pair is still going strong but I like to mix up the colors), I’ve gathered plenty of insights on what they do well and where there’s room for improvement.
Built with trail runners in mind, these shorts offer a mix of comfort, functionality, and sustainable design features that make them a worthy contender for your long-run gear but I personally like to use them for all my running, including road runs.
Key Specifications
- Price: $75 – but they’re frequently discounted on the Nike website.
- Fabric: The outer shell uses 80% recycled polyester, 20% spandex blend for a good stretch. Mesh: 100% polyester. Lining: 89% polyester/11% spandex.
- Technology: Nike Dri-FIT for sweat management
- Design: 5″ inseam, compression waistband with external drawstring, seven pockets (2 drop-in pockets, 2 large side pockets, 2 zippered hand pockets and a big back pocket).
How They Fit and Feel
The shorts deliver a comfortable, flexible fit that moves well when cruising along or working hard on speed sessions.
The stretch in the fabric ensures that you have plenty of freedom of movement, while the compression-style waistband and drawstring keep them securely in place without feeling too tight.
They’re designed to be practical and reliable for road or trail running.
Performance Review
On the performance front, these 5″ running shorts have a lot going for them, and they’re amony my top 3 men’s running shorts for a reason – if you follow my Youtube Channel or Instagram account, you’ve probably noticed me wearing these shorts all the time.
The fabric is comfortable and offers the right amount of stretch, making them ideal for dynamic movement during trail runs, or road running.
I particularly like that they are airy and breathe well, and the fact that the waistband and drawstrings allow me to get a snug fit that works for me – without feeling constricted.
The Nike Dri-FIT technology does a decent job of moving sweat away from the skin, although I’ve noticed that the fabric’s extra weight from the spandex blend does slow down drying when I work up a particularly heavy sweat – it doesn’t bother me though.
Now, let’s talk pockets because there’s so much great storage here; the shallow zippered hand pockets at the front help minimize bounce.
However, I don’t tend to use those hand pockets all that often, instead opting for the small front energy gel pockets and the 3 pockets at the rear.
I also appreciate the horizontal zipper pocket on the back with its waterproof liner, it’s practical for storing your phone, keys, or IDs.
The envelope-style side thigh pockets are a nice touch; they’re handy for small items like gloves or a hat, although I do wish they were a bit more secure. On the plus side, it makes them easier to access when running.
Not every feature hits the mark, though; the built-in brief liner can sometimes pinch hairs where the elasticated cuffs wrap around your legs – I have just got used to that when it happens, which tends to be on very hot days for some reason.
My Verdict
After several seasons of wearing them, I find the Nike Trail Second Sunrise Shorts to be a solid choice for road or trail runners who value a blend of comfort, practicality, and sustainability.
They offer a secure, flexible fit and a thoughtful array of pockets that cater well to the needs of trail athletes, and I personally think they look great.
Grab a pair at Nike.com, via the link below – you won’t be disappointed, I promise!
👋🏼 Looking for your next pair of trail running shoes? Head over to my Best Trail Running Shoes roundup. See you on the next review! -Alastair
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