As a runner with upper thigh meat, I usually run in biker shorts. But in hot weather sometimes biker shorts are just too damn tight and the high waist causes me to have trouble breathing. So I like to have the option to wear loose shorts. The problem, apart from finding shorts that don't ride up and cause inner thigh chafing, is that you basically have zero storage options built in. So I was super excited to see the Toolbelt Roga and figued it might solve all my summer running woes.
I was expecting a lot from these shorts given the price point. I will say they fit great. I'm 5'5" roughly 140lbs and the size 6 was perfect. The 4 inch inseam was just right for my leg length, flatteringly short, but long enough at the inner thigh to prevent chafing. The shorts themselves are cute, lightweight, and my thighs don't gobble them up while running. I ran a 20 miler in them for marathon training and didn't even think about them. My main gripe is with the quality of construction of the belt. I want to love it so much because it fit 6 gels + lip balm + headphones. However, when I pulled out a gel on that 20 miler, the corner of the packet snagged the stitching on the mesh, and after washing there is a hole there. I also noticed another spot where the stitching is coming undone on a different mesh pocket. Also the zip pocket at the back barely fits my larger phone, and even when I do cram it in there, it's hard to remove and it bounces while running. Not ideal.
I'm so disappointed, because while the shorts themselves seem to live up to the hype, the construction of the belt is just so flimsy. They are no longer a contender for race day.
I will add that I never dry my activewear in the dryer. I wash everything on cold and hang dry, so it's not getting excessively beat up from laundering. If Oiselle could address the construction issues and make that back pocket larger, I think I'd never buy another style for summer running.