Sealskinz Belton/Neatishead Shorts: a versatile pick for any runner

Sealskinz might be more widely associated with waterproof socks and gloves (and very good they are too, given they’ve saved many of my training sessions in the winter months!) but the brand’s range extends far beyond that and these run shorts are the latest bit of kit to cross the 220 desk this month.

Available for both men (Neatishead version, in black or khaki) and women (Belton version in light grey), they are an ultra-light and quick-drying short with a two-in-one design. Now I’ve been a fan of a two-in-one pair of shorts for many years and was distraught when my favourite pair was discontinued with the closure of F1 Mark Webber’s trail-running apparel brand Aussie Grit. (Mark, if you happen to be reading this, they are sorely missed.)

Happily these are a superb upgrade though. The polyester/nylon fabric mix is lightweight, soft and breathable and the seams are flatlocked for comfort and to reduce chafing. I was concerned at first that the inner shorts might ride up as they have no grippers to keep them in place, but they magically stayed perfectly in place, even over long, sweaty trail runs.

Sealskinz Belton/Neatishead fit

I tried a size large which fitted perfectly (I’m a UK14) and I liked the length, which allowed plenty of movement but wasn’t too short as many women’s designs seem to be these days. Both the men’s and women’s shorts come in sizes from small to XL. The waist can be adjusted via a drawcord which is slightly stretchy and also features plastic bobbles (technical term!) to stop them getting lost inside.

The thoughtful design of the Sealskinz Belton/Neatishead extends to its storage options. There’s a rear pocket for small items such as keys, a side leg pocket on the inner shorts for a mobile phone and loops on the rear to pull a lightweight jacket or tee through if the mercury rises and you need to shed a layer.

I didn’t use the phone pocket much after my earliest runs in these purely because I didn’t like the weight of my phone on my leg and for me the shorts weren’t compressive enough to allow it to be secure. Other reviewers online praise this feature though, so it’s one of those that’s up to personal preference (or what size phone you have, perhaps).

Following a fair few washes and wears the shorts have kept in great condition and I’m continuing to wear them for training runs into the summer months. If you like a light but versatile set of shorts with decent coverage, then I definitely recommend them.