A capable and multifunctional pair of shorts is a beautiful thing. But a pair that can handle hiking, trail running, kayaking, and backpacking (sometimes all of the above on one weekend trip) is rare, indeed. If you want functional pockets and a pair that looks just as at home grabbing pizza around town as on the trail, the list of available options gets distressingly short.
Fortunately, there’s at least one pair that fits the bill: the Rabbit High Country Shorts, hiking shorts from a running brand that are functional, chock full of storage, and transition seamlessly from backpacking to running to SUPing to wandering the farmers market while looking suspiciously unlike traditional fitness apparel. Bonus: they’re impressively comfy to boot.
To see if they were worthy of becoming the only pair of shorts worth packing on multi-adventure–focused trips, I tested them on hikes in the southern Utah desert, wore them trail running in the Wasatch mountains, and sported them around town on sunny summer weekends in the mountain west.
In short: The Rabbit High Country Shorts are made from a nylon and spandex blend, have Polartec Power Dry, and a DWR finish. They can handle all manner of outdoor adventures, from running an ultra or walking your dog around the park. They don’t sacrifice comfort, style, or storage, and they look good enough to wear around town. For anyone who is active outdoors, these shorts are a versatile, well-made, and comfortable fit.
Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Running Shorts for Women.
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Comfortable -
Tons of useable storage -
Fast drying -
Breathable -
Multi-functional
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On the pricey side -
Not size-inclusive
Rabbit High Country Shorts Review
Pockets Galore
If there’s one thing women have a right to complain about most when it comes to running apparel (or any apparel, for that matter), it’s a lack of pockets. Many running shorts feature none at all. Or at most, a tiny pocket in the waistband that can’t hold anything larger than a house key and a single energy chew.
Not the High Country Shorts, though. On the contrary, these feature an astonishing six pockets: two drop-in hand pockets, two snap-closure back pockets, and two secure zipper pockets at the side seams, both of which are large enough for a phone.
In fact, not only did my iPhone 14 Pro fit in every pocket, it didn’t bounce wildly on hour-long trail runs in the Wasatch Mountains. On hikes, I was also able to fit a snack bar, electrolyte packets, a pocket knife, a small tube of sunscreen, and more.
The men’s version has the same, meaning everyone can carry their own necessities without constantly asking their hiking buddy to pass the lip balm.
Comfort to the Max
When it comes to comfort, not all athletic shorts are created equal. Waistbands can be too tight. They can hit at an uncomfortable spot on the waist, or creep up, leading to chafing and general discomfort.
The High Country Shorts don’t suffer from any of these shortcomings. The mid-rise waistband is loose, about 1.5 inches wide, and stretchy enough not to feel restrictive. It was comfortable for hours on the trail or when lounging at the campground, and never pinched or felt like it was putting undue pressure on my stomach or abdomen.
In fact, these shorts fit loosely enough to enjoy unrestricted movement. They felt at least as comfy as my favorite pair of stretchy shorts that I always slip into after a long day of activity.
There is also a stretchy internal drawstring for a more customized fit. However, I only tied it when pockets were loaded with heavy items, such as a phone, snacks, or a folding knife. Doing so kept them in place without making the waistband feel like it was digging in or too tight. When pockets were empty, the shorts never felt like they were sinking downward or at risk of slipping off (even with my narrow hips).
As for the legs, thanks to a roomy fit and slightly longer inseam (3 inches), the shorts didn’t creep up when hiking or running. That said, for those with larger thighs prone to chafing, they may not be long enough to prevent all discomfort.
Materials
The shorts’ material adds to the overall comfort. It’s lightweight, ultra-breathable, super-stretchy, and flexible. Rabbit used a blend of 85% nylon and 15% spandex. They’re also coated with a PFAS-free DWR treatment for light water resistance.
The lining is made of Polartec Quick Dry material, which wicks moisture effectively. Lined shorts may not be for everyone (I don’t usually prefer them). However, the material used on the inner brief is so soft, stretchy, and breathable that it won me over. Plus, it dries quickly. On warm summer outings, the High Country Shorts never felt too hot or swampy.
Versatility
Perhaps these shorts’ headline feature is its multi-functionality. Because of the large hand pockets, combined with more secure zipper pockets, breathable materials, and street-ready style, these shorts are suitable for a wide range of activities. I used them as hiking shorts, adventure travel shorts, around-camp shorts, and general do-it-all shorts at home and when traveling.
In my experience, they dry really fast. That makes them solid alpine lake plunge shorts if you’re not the type to pack a swimsuit. I wore them when traveling to mountain towns for some outdoor fun and to wander around town afterward. And no matter what I did or where I went (excluding upscale restaurants), they never felt out of place.
In fact, the only summer outdoor activity I wouldn’t do in these shorts is a longer-distance bike ride. That’s only because of the short inseam, which wouldn’t be as much of an issue with the men’s option.
Room for Improvement
No shorts are perfect, however. In this case, that’s largely because the inseam on the women’s is still on the short side at 3 inches. That means outdoorists with larger thighs may not find the chafe protection they need. And since XL is as big as they come for women and men, there isn’t really a way around that. Size inclusivity is disappointingly absent when it comes to Rabbit apparel.
On the flip side, those with smaller legs may find them overly roomy. But that’s a matter of personal preference.
The shorts are also not made from more responsible materials and don’t boast any sustainability certifications. In fact, sustainability info is lacking across the entire Rabbit website, which seems woefully behind the times. I would like to see Rabbit make a more substantial commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Rabbit High Country Shorts: Final Thoughts
Despite the High Country Shorts’ meager shortcomings, they are a solid multisport adventure short. While they’re designed for trail use, they’re wearable just about anywhere. They’re soft, stretchy, comfortable, and functional, and they may have perfected onboard storage options.
These shorts might just be the only pair you need for nearly every adventure.
Turns out, there’s very little these comfortable running shorts can’t do — all while offering a place to stash all the essentials for solo runs, group hikes, and morning coffee.
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