Merrell Resister Running Shorts Review

Yes, it’s summer, but some of us still like longer shorts for big mileage days. Merrell’s Resister shorts help you cover your legs, cover the miles, and keep you comfortable along the way.

Merrell Resister Shorts Features:

Body fabric: 100% polyester
Lining: Interior crepe brief
M Select Wick moisture wicking technology
M Select Dry water resistance
Lightweight stretch woven polyester for range of motion
Elastic waistband with internal drawstring
Internal lining key pocket
Dual side hand pockets
Mesh side panels
9” inseam
Two color options
MSRP $40.00

Merrell Resister Not-so-short Running Shorts

For taller runners or those who like more sun protection on the trail, 9” inseam shorts are a blessing. The problem is, sometimes that extra fabric can become hot, uncomfortable, or saturated on multi-hour outings.

Thankfully, Merrell’s Resister shorts haven’t presented any such issues over high-volume use this summer. I’ve logged almost 150 miles in my pair, including a handful of 20-to-25 milers in conditions ranging from cool to hot and humid. They wear very comfortably on long training days, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them for ultramarathons in the future.

Thin stretch fabric on main panels

Like any longer shorts, the Resisters are a bit heavier than shorter inseam pairs; there’s no official spec listed from Merrell, but my pair weighs in around 5.5 oz. However, the main panel fabric is quite thin and soft against the skin, and the M Select moisture management technology is effective at keeping the shorts cool and comfortable. I’ve been caught in a couple of light downpours, and it doesn’t take very long for the panels to dry after the rain stops. On very humid days the fabric around the brief will feel more saturated than the leg panels, but not to the point of feeling excessively heavy – and I haven’t experienced any problems with irritation or chafing on hot and humid days.

Dual side hand pockets allow you to carry gels or a folded up map, but there’s no way to secure the pockets closed. They are deep enough that your items probably won’t fall out, but having a gel pack bounce against your thigh for several hours isn’t always pleasant. A recommended addition would be a secure pocket somewhere at waist level to carry small cargo without relying on the hand pockets.

No, they’re not on backwards …

One oddity about these shorts is that there’s a logo on both the front and back of the lower legs – and the one on the back side is actually more prominent than the brand name on the front. More than once I’ve been asked if I have my pants on backwards by someone who sees the logo on the back right leg and assumes that I was a bit absent-minded. (Not a totally unfounded suspicion, for what it’s worth.)

The Good: