Split Running Shorts, Explained: Why High School Runners (and Their Coaches) Swear by ChicknLegs

Written by Lauren Haislip

Split running shorts are the short, side-slit style you see on cross country lines everywhere, the ones with a high leg opening that opens up your stride instead of fighting it. If you've watched a high school XC meet and wondered why half the varsity pack is wearing the same tiny shorts, the answer is simple: less fabric around the hip means less resistance with every stride, and over a 5K that adds up. They're not new. They're just having a moment again, and ChicknLegs has become the brand most teams reach for first, with fresh cuts stocked across men's running shorts and women's running shorts alike.

Split running shorts have been around for decades, but they went through a stretch where longer, baggier shorts took over youth and high school running, mostly for fashion reasons rather than performance ones. Split shorts never actually left. They just became the shorts serious runners wore quietly while everyone else caught up. That's exactly what's happening again heading into this cross country season.

What Are Split Running Shorts?

Split running shorts have a slit up the outer seam of each leg, usually cut high on the hip. That slit is the whole point. It removes the fabric that would otherwise bunch or drag against your leg at the top of your stride, so your hip flexors aren't working against the shorts on every single step.

They're lightweight, built from quick-drying fabric, and designed to move with you instead of around you. Most come with a built-in liner, so you're not choosing between coverage and mobility. You get both.

If you're shopping for a pair, look for a liner that matches how you'll wear them, since some run more compressive than others. Teams outfitting a full roster will also want to check racing singlets to pair with whatever short they land on.

Why High Schoolers and Coaches Keep Choosing Them for Cross Country

Cross country is one of the simplest sports out there in terms of gear. High school races typically run 5 kilometers over grass, trail, and hills, and beyond shoes, a singlet, and shorts, there's not much else standard equipment involved. That simplicity is exactly why the shorts you choose matter more than people expect. There's nowhere for a bad pair to hide over three miles of varied terrain.

Coaches like split shorts for a few practical reasons that have nothing to do with trends:

Range of motion

A high slit means your stride isn't fighting your shorts on hills or during a finishing kick.

Chafing control

Less fabric bunching at the hip means fewer hot spots by mile two.

Team uniformity that still fits everyone

Split shorts come in enough size and rise variations that a team of different body types can all wear the same style comfortably.

They dry fast

Between a muddy course and a quick turnaround for JV and varsity races, that matters.

Runners like them for a simpler reason: once you race in a pair that doesn't restrict your stride, going back to a boxier short feels like running with a parachute strapped to your hips.

Split Running Shorts vs. Standard Running Shorts

The Fabric and Fit Difference

Standard running shorts sit closer to a 4 to 6 inch inseam with a closed leg opening. They're comfortable for easy runs and everyday training, but that closed seam is exactly what limits your stride at faster paces.

Split shorts trade a little more leg exposure for a lot more freedom of movement. The higher the slit, the less resistance you feel at top speed. For most high schoolers, that trade is an easy one to make on race day, even if standard shorts stay in the training rotation for easy mileage.

When Each One Makes Sense

Standard shorts are fine for warm-up jogs, recovery runs, or days when you're layering for weather. Split shorts earn their spot on race day and during workouts where turnover and stride length actually matter, like tempo runs, hill repeats, or the meet itself.

What Makes ChicknLegs Different

ChicknLegs built its reputation almost entirely on word of mouth from high school and college teams, and the shorts back it up. The 2 inch split design gives you serious mobility without feeling like there's nothing there, and the fabric holds up to the kind of week-after-week washing a team practice schedule puts it through.

They also lean into fun, loud prints, which sounds minor until you've watched a JV pack pick out matching pairs before a big meet. Team bonding aside, the actual construction is what keeps coaches recommending them season after season: a real liner, a waistband that doesn't roll, and a cut that fits close without pinching.

If you're outfitting the rest of a team's kit, men's running apparel covers everything from singlets to layering pieces so you're not piecing gear together from three different stores before your first meet.

How to Choose the Right Fit (For Runners and Walkers)

Split shorts are usually associated with racing, but the same features that help a cross country runner also help anyone who's on their feet for a while. If you're a walker who deals with inner-thigh rub on longer routes, that same high-cut leg opening solves the exact problem you're dealing with, just at a walking pace instead of a race pace.

A few fit basics apply to both runners and walkers:

• Go with your true size first. Split shorts are meant to sit close without compressing, so sizing down usually backfires.

• Check the liner. Some liners run more compressive than others. If you're sensitive to that, look for a softer mesh liner.

• Pair with the right base layer underneath. A pair of moisture-wicking socks makes more of a comfort difference than people expect once you're layering gear for a full race day.

Sizing charts only get you so far though. If you've had trouble finding shorts that fit right in the past, our in-store Fit Process team can help you sort through cuts and rises in person, which matters more with apparel than most people assume.

Getting Ready for August Cross Country Season

Cross country season starts fast. Teams that wait until the first week of practice to sort out gear usually end up scrambling, and shorts are one of the easiest things to get ahead of. If your team is picking out uniforms and practice gear for August, now's the window to get sizing sorted before the roster locks in and everyone needs the same thing at once.

Stop by any =PR= Run & Walk store to try on a few cuts before you commit, whether you're outfitting one runner or a full team. You can also find a store near you for hours and team ordering info.

Ready to Race Lighter This Season?

Try ChicknLegs split running shorts at =PR= Run & Walk and feel the difference on your very next workout, before your first meet puts them to the test.

FAQ

What are split running shorts?

Split running shorts are shorts with a high slit up the outer seam of each leg, designed to remove fabric resistance at the hip so your stride can move freely. They're a common choice for cross country and track racing.

Are split shorts actually better for racing than standard shorts?

For most runners, yes, especially at faster paces. The higher leg opening reduces drag on your stride, which matters more the harder you're pushing. Standard shorts are still a fine choice for easy runs where mobility isn't the priority.

Why do high school cross country teams like ChicknLegs specifically?

ChicknLegs shorts combine a genuine 2 inch split with a comfortable built-in liner and a waistband that holds up through a full season of practices and washes, which is why so many teams settle on them as a default.

Are split running shorts only made for men?

No. ChicknLegs and most other split short brands make versions for both men and women, with rise and liner differences built in for each depending on how they're cut.

Can walkers wear split running shorts too?

Yes. The same high-cut design that helps a runner's stride also helps prevent inner-thigh chafing during long walks, so they're not exclusively a racing item.

Where can I try on split running shorts before buying?

Any =PR= Run & Walk location carries a range of split short brands and sizes to try on in person, and our team can help you dial in sizing if you've had trouble finding a good fit in the past.