The North Face Women’s Summit Series Pacesetter 3″ Shorts Review

The North Face Summit Series has been around since 2000, originally created as the brand’s pinnacle collection for athletes and adventurers heading into the world’s most demanding environments. Today, the series continues that focus with athlete-tested gear designed to be lightweight, highly functional, and ready to push the limits.

The North Face Women’s Summit Series Pacesetter 3″ Short Features:

• LIGHTRANGE™ provides UPF protection, anti-odor technology and moisture management
• FLASHDRY™ delivers enhanced moisture management to help keep you comfortable
• Non-PFC DWR finish for added water repellency
• Fabric contains recycled contents
• Waistband with an internal infinity-loop drawcord for adjustability
• Side and back pockets for hauling small items
• Reflective elements for visibility
• MSRP $80

Getting acquainted

I’ve been wearing TNF Summit Series Pacesetter 3” Shorts for both road and trail runs, and there are a lot of things I like about these shorts. They have a really light, airy feel that works well for putting in the miles, and I think these shorts also look great. The style is the classic runner fashion that many can come to expect from modern running shorts. They are versatile for road or trail, and they have some features that will keep you coming back to them again and again. The waistband is one of my favorite parts of the design, but for me, the way these shorts tend to ride up while running was a consistent issue that might be solved with the longer 5” inseam that The North Face also offers.

Lightweight and airy

The first thing I noticed about the Pacesetter is how lightweight they feel. They have that barely-there feeling that can be really nice to have in a pair of running shorts. The North Face uses their FLASHDRY and recycled polyester materials for these shorts, which offers great ventilation and sweat management. Even when I was working hard, these shorts felt light and dry.

The waistband is a key highlight of these shorts. This wider waistband feels really comfortable. It stays in place well while moving and does not feel too restrictive or tight. The pockets are a standout feature with this waistband (more about these later). After several great runs and a few times in the wash, these shorts seem to be holding up well. I opted not to put my shorts in the dryer and have stuck with air-drying for longevity. The internal liner (a controversial topic in running shorts) is pretty standard. I didn’t find the liner to be uncomfortable, too tight, or irritating while running.

Pockets are a nice addition

Nothing is worse than women’s clothing that does not have sufficient pockets. A gal has things to carry! The pockets on the Pacesetter shorts are a nice take on storage for the running ladies out there. These shorts have a rear zipper pocket and three mesh drop-in pockets (two on the sides and one front of the waistband). The North Face claims that this back pocket is good for phone storage. I personally thought that my iPhone was too heavy for this pocket and caused a lot of sag and bounce. Maybe a smaller phone or a tighter waistband would work better for someone else. What I did love about these pockets, though, was their ability to store smaller, lighter things. I can easily pack a snack and keys in these pockets with no problem.

My biggest issue — they ride up

My biggest complaint about these shorts is how much they ride up my thighs while running. I am 5′ 7” with an athletic build, and my thighs touch each other – a typical phenomenon that may be less common in the running world but very typical in the world at large. My theory is that because of the 3” inseam, the slit on the side of the shorts, and my touching thighs these shorts are bound to ride up. This might not be a dealbreaker for some, and truly, every body type will wear these shorts differently, but the ride-up drives me crazy!

The Pacesetter is also available in a 5” version, and I wonder if the longer inseam would solve this issue for me. I have not tried the 5” version, so I can’t say for sure, but it might be worth considering if you like the overall design but want more coverage and less ride.

The Summit Series Pacesetter 3” Shorts have a lot going for them. They’re lightweight, airy, manage sweat and moisture well, have a truly comfortable waistband that stays put, and they offer useful pockets for carrying small essentials. TNF has once again made a nice-looking short, the style is cool without feeling flashy. And they seem like they will hold up well over time.

For me, the ride up issue is probably a dealbreaker. If you like the shorts and don’t mind some movement in the legs then these might be a great option. If you have a similar body type to mine and you prefer a longer short, the 5” version is worth a look.

Fit: I’m 5’7” and 150 lbs. and am wearing the size medium.

Buy Now: The North Face