Nylon And Lycra Running Shorts

Nylon and lycra are common materials in running shorts. They are very lightweight, yet durable, which makes them perfect for running. Both types have very different qualities, which offer a range of running benefits. We’ll take a look at these benefits in this article so you can know what you’re looking at when shopping for running shorts.

Lycra is the clothing choice of superheroes and runners alike. It’s also called spandex and elastine, depending on where you live. Lycra clothing is extremely popular for athletes because of its incredible ability to stretch, while maintaining breathability. The most common style of lycra running shorts are compression shorts, which reduce hip and groin pain, while wicking sweat away from the body, and preventing chafing of the thighs.

Nylon lycra is the material that cycling shorts are most commonly made from, but they also work great for running. The nylon element helps them last much longer by reducing the effect of the acids is sweat.

Another style is cotton lycra. This allows you the stretching benefit of spandex with the comfort of cotton. Although they cost a bit more than the nylon variety, the difference in comfort is usually worth the extra expense. Regular cotton will soak up sweat and trap it in, but when blended with lycra it works to pull that moisture away from your body so you maintain comfort and body temperature.

Mens lycra running shorts are designed to have extra space in the groin area for their “stuff”, that will allow them to run without taking on any unnecessary punishment. Womens lycra running shorts are tight all the way around, which will maintain comfort on the longest of runs.

If chafing is something that you deal with, wearing lycra compression or running shorts is one of the most effective ways to deal with it. To get the most from this, find shorts that have flat seams, or seams that aren’t in the areas where you chafe. With the smooth surfaces rubbing against each other, instead of your skin, the chances of your thighs and groin chafing are almost zero.

Some runners will wear only compression shorts when they run, others will wear traditional shorts on top of them. Both ways have their merits, and the choice is up to you. The biggest factor in deciding is whether or not you are comfortable wearing just compression shorts when running, they do reveal a lot. Simply throwing nylon shorts on top will cover that up!

Lycra is one of the best materials for running shorts. The fact that it’s flexible is usually enough for most runners, but when you weigh in its ability to wick sweat away and prevent chafing, you can only have something that’s fitting for a super hero!