Rab Talus 2-in-1 running shorts review: A breathable, stretchy pair with ample support for long distances, but an eye-watering price tag

First impressions

It's easy to take shorts for granted. The best trail running shorts should be almost invisible, providing comfort to your lower waist and upper legs without impeding your movements.

Some like to run in super-light, minimalist shorts, shaving nanoseconds off their PB with breezy fabrics and an absence of extras. Other runners prefer their shorts with a little more protection and a few handy pockets for storing the essentials. The Rab Talus 2-in-1 shorts fall into the latter camp, combining a protective inner lining with enough storage space for your phone, cap, and more.

They're made from a combination of Rab's Lightweight Matrix single-weave stretch and Flextile 100 fabrics, which ward off light rainfall thanks to a water-resistant DWR treatment. These stretchy materials are designed for unhindered motion, so you can race along the trails without feeling like your shorts are holding you back.

The Talus 2-in-1 shorts are held in place by an adjustable, body-hugging waistband, which aims to keep you secure over bumpy terrain without digging into your waist or causing discomfort.

Around the back, there are a few handy pockets where you can store the essentials, including a zippered space for your phone and two smaller mesh pockets where you can stash items like earbuds or a snack.

Rab Talus 2-in-1 shorts: on the trails

I got my hands on the Rab Talus 2-in-1 shorts a couple of months ago, and have plenty of thoughts.

I've worn my pair while running in all manner of weather conditions, from the scorching sun of a British heatwave to the pouring rain that you're more likely to associate with this country.

Here's how they performed:

Fit and comfort

The Talus 2-in-1 are a snug and comfortable pair of shorts that allowed me plenty of mobility without ever feeling too tight on the trails.

I've never been a huge fan of liners, but found the inner on these shorts surprisingly well-fitting and helpful as I ran. The idea behind integrated inner liners (where you don't need to wear running undies beneath your shorts) is that they provide extra support and moisture management to prevent discomfort and chaffing as you run. The Talus's sweat-wicking liner was comfortable on my thighs, even on the hot and sweaty days when I'd expect to overheat.

The outer shorts' Lightweight Matrix single-weave material proved itself to be both breathable and stretchy, maintaining airflow as I ran through temperatures approaching 86°F (30°C).

At 5.8oz (166g), these running shorts aren't as lightweight as truly minimalist running shorts like the original Talus, but still shave off unnecessary bulk to increase your feeling of freedom on the trails.

I'm afraid it's not all sunshine and roses in the fit department, as, despite being a very comfortable pair of shorts, there's one thing that really bugged me about the Talus 2-in-1s: the outer shorts are too close to the inner liner.

The inner liner / outer shorts design is a common choice for running shorts - the idea being that the inner liner fits closely around your thighs and lower waist, and the outer shorts are far baggier.

Frustratingly, this pair's outer shorts just weren't baggy enough. It's not a huge gripe, and didn't impact my physical comfort, but the Lightweight Matrix single-weave outer material fits just a little too closely to the inner liner for my liking.

Some might prefer a close-fitting look, but for a pair of men's running shorts, it felt a touch inappropriate, not only defeating the point of inner liner / outer shorts design, but exposing a little more than I felt comfortable with on the trails.

Pockets

The issue of pockets in running shorts comes down to personal preference. You might prefer an ultra-minimalist design without any, so you can shave every second off your PB and run without anything holding you back. You could also opt for a pair with plenty of pockets, so you can carry everything from your water bottle to your running cap while you race through the trails.

The Talus 2-in-1 shorts strike a happy medium, featuring enough pockets to carry all the essentials without going overboard.

Around the back, the integrated zipped back yolk pocket is large enough for a phone or folding running cap, and can be undone with ease. The two side mesh pockets can carry a little less but still have their uses as a handy place to store earbuds and gels. Although they don't have a zip, the tops of these pockets proved tight enough to keep my belongings secure, and I never feared that anything would slip out.

Lifting up the outer shorts reveals two handy stash pockets attached to the inner liner. These are also well-shaped to hold a phone and can even manage a small water bottle.

These pockets are attached to the body-hugging inner liner, so they didn't flap around while I ran, which is a complaint I often have with regular side pockets.

Price

The second issue with these running shorts comes when you reach the checkout.

The Rab Talus 2-in-1s are undoubtedly a top-end piece of kit, but $100 (£80) for running shorts is a really hefty price tag.

You can find many of the same excellent features in cheaper pairs like the Titan Ultra II shorts from Columbia, which typically retail for around $40 (£35) less, and received a similar four-star rating in our review.

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