NIKE LAVA LOOPS 1/2 LENGTH TIGHT SHORTS
| Product | Nike Lava Loop Trail Half Tights |
| Intended Use | Trail Running, Marathons, High-Mileage Training |
| Fit | Close/Tight fit with a built-in brief liner |
| Total Pockets | 8 Pockets (2 hip, 3 front mesh, 1 back zip, 2 inner waist) |
| Materials | 83% Polyester / 17% Elastane |
| Price | £79.99 (UK) / $90 (USA) |
Finally a decent pair of Men's running shorts with pockets, 8 pockets to be exact!
I first saw these shorts shared by a US based runner on Instagram and instantly tried to get hold of a pair in the UK, but couldn't get them on the Nike UK website or app.
Nike has now released these in the UK with 3 different colours.
Nike Lava Loops at a Glance
- Who it is for: Marathon runners and trail runners who despise wearing running belts but need to carry a heavy load of gels, a phone, and keys.
- The Storage: Best in class. With 8 distinct pockets, you can comfortably carry enough nutrition to fuel an entire marathon without the shorts bouncing or sagging.
- The Verdict: Easily some of the best half-tights on the market. They are undeniably expensive at £80, but the build quality, locked in compression fit, and insane storage capacity make them worth every penny. Our tester bought 4 pairs!
FEATURES
- 8 pockets - 1 zipped pocket on the back, 2 pockets on each hip, 3 mesh pockets at the front and 2 pockets inside the waistband.
- Briefs - Brief-lined design adds breathable support without hindering motion.
- Close fit - Tight fit with compression feel but the fabric is stretchy and allows you move freely.
POCKETS
BACK POCKET
1 zipped pocket on the back of the shorts that is large enough for most smart phones or perfect for keys or valuables you want to keep safe.
It did not fit my iPhone 13 pro max phone, but this is quite a large smartphone compared to most and should fit most standard smartphones.
HIP POCKETS
2 pockets on each hip that are large enough for the biggest of smart phones and even small water bottles.
Due to the depth of the pockets my phone felt really secure and did not feel like it was going to fall out.
FRONT POCKETS
There are 3 mesh panel pockets on the front of the shorts that are ideal for carry fuel like gels.
I think these would be perfect for half to full marathons when you want to carry a number of gels on you.
You can easily fit 4 gels in each panel!
INSIDE POCKETS
There are 2 pockets inside the waistband. There is so much storage on the outside I didn't feel the need to use them.
SIZE GUIDE
I am normally a size XL in Nike clothing and the Nike Lava Loops fit to size perfectly.
In the USA, there is a extra option of TALL sizing, for those with longer legs, this is not currently available in the UK though.
COLOURS
The Nike Lava Loops are currently available in 3 different colours:
- Black/White (Black)
- Dark Russet/Black/Bright Mandarin (Orange)
- Faded Spruce/Citron Pulse (Green)
You can view the 3 different colours from the photos on this page.
WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF?
- Body:83% polyester/17% elastane
- Mesh:82% polyester/18% elastane
- Briefs:89% polyester/11% elastane
WHERE TO BUY?
Currently you can only buy direct from the Nike website.
IS THERE A WOMEN'S VERSION?
Yes, Nike has the Epic Luxe Trail Shorts, which seem to be impossible to get hold of at the moment or have been discontinued.
PRICE
In the UK the Nike Lava Loops retail at £79.99 or in the USA $90.
This is quite expensive for a pair of shorts, but to be honest, I have bought 4 pairs of these so far, as it is so hard to find a quality pair of mens running shorts that have so much storage and can be used for training as well as race days.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unrivaled Storage: 8 functional pockets mean you can leave your running belt at home, even on 20+ mile long runs. | High Price: At £79.99, these are firmly in the premium category for running apparel. |
| No-Bounce Drop Pockets: Deep hip pockets hold heavy items like smartphones perfectly secure against your leg. | Back Zip Pocket Size: The rear zipper pocket is great for keys, but too small for massive phones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max. |
| Aeroswift Like Feel: Very high quality, compressive, and breathable fabric that feels premium against the skin. | Hard to Find: Often sold out or difficult to find on the standard Nike app in popular sizes. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do the Nike Lava Loop half tights hold a smartphone securely? Yes. While the rear zipped pocket is too small for massive phones like the iPhone Pro Max, the two deep drop in pockets on the hips are perfect. The compressive fabric pins the phone securely against your thigh, resulting in zero bounce while running.
Are the Nike Lava Loops true to size? Yes, they fit true to size. I usually wear an XL in Nike clothing and found the XL Lava Loops to be a perfect fit. They are designed to feel compressive, so they will be tight by nature, but the elastane blend ensures you retain full mobility.
Do these half tights have an inner liner? Yes, the Nike Lava Loop shorts feature a built-in brief liner. This provides excellent support and breathability while running, eliminating the need to wear separate underwear underneath.
CONCLUSION
The Nike Lava Loops shorts may have been made with trail running in mind, but they feel similar to the Nike Aeroswift in build and comfort.
The 8 pockets make these shorts really versatile, perfect for training runs when you need to carry your phone, keys and some energy gels.
Lightweight race day shorts are great, but unlike elite athletes, unless you have a support crew to pass you your drinks, gels or look after your valuables, the Nike Lava Loops shorts are perfect for race day and I can see them being really popular with marathon runners who do not want to carry a running belt or arm sleeve for there gels and phone.
Don't think these shorts are just good for there pockets though, they are a really high quality product, and the price reflects that.
More Running Clothing Reviews
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions you would like to ask about the Nike Lava Loop trail shorts, please get in touch.
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