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Karina T.
Karina T. Sendmail

How do you feel about running skirts?

posted over 3 years ago | Report

For the girls out there - how do you feel about running skirts? I rarely wear pants in my every-day life and wear skirts everywhere. When I found out about running skirts I was really excited, but a serious running friend of mine informed me that she and her race buddies think the skirts are kind of silly, and not to be taken seriously.

What do you think?

(I do have a running skirt, and it is fun to run in. but I have more shorts so that's generally what I wear.)

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20 posts

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  • Mike P.
    Mike P. Sendmail

    I don't run and I don't wear skirts - but I think it's one of those questions that only you can answer. I ride road and wear moutain bike shorts and looser fitting mtb jerseys. They clearly say that the intended use is for mtb riding, but nothing stops me from wearing them on the road. To me, they are more comfy than straight compression style cycling shorts and I'm not really into the look of skin tight jerseys. Likewise, most true roadies shun the idea of wearing a camelback for rides, but several of my friends wear them on the road because it holds more water than two bottles on the frame and stays colder longer.

    I say - run in whatever you feel most comfortable in. If someone bawks at you for what you wear, push em into a ditch!

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Leslie G.
    Leslie G. Sendmail

    There were 3 articles in the July issue of Runner's World about this very topic, and I was shocked to find out there are women who don't like running skirts. I have a Nike skirt and I LOVE IT! Here's why:

    1. It's way more comfortable than shorts.
    2. It feels pretty and feminine and that makes me happy.

    Do I reach for it every day? Nope. I tend to grab whatever's clean and on top of the shorts/skirt pile. But in every single race I run, I wear a skirt.

    Looking forward to hearing other comments on the subject. And Mike -- I think it's good that you're staying away from wearing skirts. ;)

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Courtney B.
    Courtney B. Sendmail

    Yeah, I saw the articles too.
    There has been a lot of discussion about them on my Health & Fitness board, and the general consensus is that they're too loose fitting and still result in chafing.

    However, I grabbed one on sale at Target the other day and really liked it. Pic in my blog =)

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Jen L.
    Jen L. Sendmail
    in reply to what Courtney B. said:Yeah, I saw the articles too. There has been a lot of discussion about them on my Health & Fitness board, and the general consensus is that they're too loose fitting and still result in chafing. However, I grabbed one on sale at Target the ot... read more

    Don't most of the skirts have built-in compression shorts to stop chafing?

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Leslie G.
    Leslie G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jen L. said:Don't most of the skirts have built-in compression shorts to stop chafing?

    Mine do. Actually, my Nike skirt is a tennis skirt, so it's a couple of inches longer than their running skirt. But today I picked up another skirt at REI (their store brand) and it's WAAAAY cute. I can't wait to run in it tomorrow!

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Courtney B.
    Courtney B. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jen L. said:Don't most of the skirts have built-in compression shorts to stop chafing?

    They do, but they're short.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Leslie G.
    Leslie G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Courtney B. said:They do, but they're short.

    The Nike tennis skirt (I swear I'm not affiliated with Nike!) has long-ish bike shorts under the mid-thigh skirt. The length of the skirt is such that you COULD wear it to the store or out running errands (although that's not something I'd feel comfortable doing).

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Liz G.
    Liz G. Sendmail

    It's funny, a bunch of girls at my yoga center wear skirts with leggings underneath... but I've not seen anyone out running in a skirt. What a good idea, it's got to be comfy. Plus I'm all about personal style, rock what you like!

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Kirsten L.
    Kirsten L. Sendmail
    in reply to what Liz G. said:It's funny, a bunch of girls at my yoga center wear skirts with leggings underneath... but I've not seen anyone out running in a skirt. What a good idea, it's got to be comfy. Plus I'm all about personal style, rock what you like!

    I have run in skirts for years. I mostly train in shorts for several reasons - the skirts I like don't seem to hold up that well but they have decent sized side pockets for gu's so I save them for marathons. I have a TRIKS and moving comfort skirt which I wear for recovery runs - they basically have no pockets so they are useless for anything else - they seem a little tougher than the Runningskirts.com skirts I race in.

    posted about 3 years ago

  • Alicia
    Alicia Sendmail

    I have 2 running skirts - one from Runningskirts.com and one from Skirtsports.com. I love them both! The one from Runningskirts has long compression shorts underneath with a pocket on each side of the shorts. They prevent chafing so well, hence why I wore them in my half. The Skirtsports skirt has a pocket or two on the skirt itself.
    I mostly wear shorts during training, but not always. I agree with Leslie G in that I just grab whatever is clean or whatever I'm in the mood to wear that day. I love my Nike running shorts, but they ride up on my inner thighs and my legs chafe, which doesn't happen with a running skirt.
    I have gotten looks when wearing them. It's like people don't want to take you seriously if you run in a skirt. But like Leslie said, not only are they comfortable during a run, they're feminine and cute as well. Who says women have to dress like men in order to be taken seriously in sports? The point is we're out there doing it, so who cares what we wear? (Okay, well I did see a girl wearing - no joke - jean shorts on the treadmill. That could not have been comfortable!)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Joanne S.
    Joanne S. Sendmail

    I have a running skirt, but I'm not crazy about it so I rarely wear it. The compression shorts underneath a pretty short, so I still have the chafing issue. It also feels heavy and hot -- there's a whole extra layer of fabric that doesn't serve any function besides looking cute.

    If its not going to stop chaffing anyway, I'm happier wearing my loose-fitting, light weight shorts. I'm most happy in capri tights, and I've gotten over being self-conscious in tight fitting clothing. I'll probably look for some longer tight shorts when summer comes.

    I do think they look adorable though. If I find one that's lighter and more comfy, I'd consider getting it.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Heather G.
    Heather G. Sendmail

    People don't have to take me seriously in my skirt, but I still pass most of them anyway ;)

    I have a skirtsports, runningskirts.com and a New Balance skirt, I love all 3!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Christie
    Christie Sendmail

    It doesn't matter what your friends think. Honestly, I've never run in shorts. I have running skirts and running dresses. They're comfortable. And if you carry your weight on the bottom, like I do, they're more flattering than shorts. Do what you like. If your friends don't like them, they don't have to wear them. It's no biggie.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • NicolePRO
    Nicole Sendmail

    I love my running skirts and they have served me well in several half marathons 10 K's and 5 K's. They don't ride up on me like shorts and I do not like the skin tight shorts. Plus they are fashionable. Not sure why they would not be taking seriously. The running skirt company I buy mine from they are serious marathoners and they designed the skirts with that in mind. I also have alot of pockets on my skirt to store gels, phones, Ipods ect. They come in cool colors and prints and I like that. I have alot of very serious running friends that run in the skirts.

    I am about to buy a new spring one pink plaid.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Sharon M.
    Sharon M. Sendmail

    I'm a running skirt convert! My first skirt was the New Balance skirt which I loved so much I bought a Run Girl Run skirt at an expo. Then I saw a fabulous Nike skirt which I loved so much I bought a second one! The Nike is by far my favorite because it's as close to running naked as I can get while still being legal! ; ) The compression shorts are made of a super lightweight material and the skirt itself is barely there lightweight, has split side seams for more breathability and freedom of movement, an outside drawstring (I hate inside drawstrings) and a zippered pocket large enough for GU's. Down here where the summers are so hot and humid it seems like I am always sweating like crazy and my shorts get soaked. It looks like I peed my pants sometimes...ugh! But the skirts hide the sweat marks so I can make a quick trip to a store if need be.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Melissa K.PRO
    Melissa K. Sendmail

    mutual agreement society here, I LOVE MY RUNNING SKIRTS. Most of my weight is from my mid thigh to my belly so I feel the skirt hides way more than shorts and when the inside shorts start to ride a bit you'll never know it. I love my Zensah skirts the best, Longer skirt and shorts than most and REALLY light weight. For those of us who's legs will rub together no matter how skinny we get, a running skirt AND body glide are my alternative to carpris (Capris tend to get too hot on a long runs in the summer)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Joanne S.
    Joanne S. Sendmail

    Wow, it sounds like I just got a dud of a running skirt and that there are some great ones out there. I might have to shop around for one again once it warms up.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Mimi
    Mimi Sendmail

    In warm weather I wear running skirts. I felt way too self-conscious in running shorts to be able to wear them.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Sharon M.
    Sharon M. Sendmail

    I've seen running skirts with built in capri's at our local running store. My friend wore hers in a race and it was super cute!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Joe P.PRO
    Joe P. Sendmail

    Whoever run's the fastest gets to choose what is in style.

    posted almost 2 years ago

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