Running Shorts Trends 2026: Our Take on What’s Coming

As runners log more miles in more places, the humble short is being reimagined. For 2026, expect smarter storage, lighter builds, PFAS‑free finishes and colors with purpose. At ECI Elastic, we work closely with athletic brands, so we see innovations as they’re being sketched. Here’s our inside take on the silhouettes, materials, trims and color stories athletes will crave—plus how our elastics, cords, meshes and reflective tapes make the difference.

Silhouettes: Five essential forms and why they matter

Racing/Split shorts (2–4 ")
Think featherweight shells with knit briefs, high slits and bonded seams to shed grams. Laser‑cut micro‑vents add breathability and cut chafe. Expect breathable waistbands with discreet phone‑safe rear pockets on top models. ECI’s role: ultra‑soft brushed waist elastics (ECI#33761-25T), low‑profile drawcords and laser‑ready reflective transfers (ECI#78009-10-G004) that add visibility without bulk.

ECI#33761-25T	ECI#78009-10-G004

Everyday woven shorts (4–7 ")
Four‑way mechanical‑stretch wovens—often recycled polyester—dominate these versatile shorts. Mono‑material thinking is on the rise: using one polymer for shell, pockets and labels simplifies recycling. Zipped rear and hip drop‑in pockets are standard. We supply knit meshes for pocket bags, soft waist elastics and lightweight cords with low‑profile tips(ECI#80150-51, ECI#13020-40).

ECI#80150-51	ECI#13020-40

2‑in‑1 hybrids
Compression liners under a lightweight shell offer the support of tights with the coverage of shorts. Bounce‑free 360° storage and thigh stash pockets are must‑haves, with silicone grippers on the liner to prevent ride‑up. Our printed jacquard waistbands include internal channels for pass‑through pockets (ECI#9H082-73), and we offer silicone‑printed elastics (ECI#31310-38-SI40) to keep liners firmly in place.

ECI#9H082-73	ECI#31310-38-SI40

Half‑tights (5–9 ")
Favoured for tempo runs and trail sessions, half‑tights provide coverage without bulk. Look for fast‑drying, odour‑managed knits with gripper hems and generous gel or phone storage. ECI supplies power‑mesh pockets, elastic binding tapes (ECI#31556-19R) and silicone‑backed gripper elastics (ECI#32290-10R-SI77) that keep hems put.

ECI#31556-19R	ECI#32290-10R-SI77

Skorts
No longer just for tennis, skorts blend lifestyle appeal with running performance. Compressive liners with real pockets make them functional, while contrast waistbands and reflective trims bridge day and night aesthetics. Our decorative/functional waist elastics(ECI#31002-48), color‑matched cords and reflective piping (ECI#22537-20R-RT)take these pieces from sporty to stylish.

ECI#31002-48	ECI#22537-20R-RT

Features to prioritize

• Storage-first design – Runners now expect 360° knit waistbands with stretch‑mesh pockets and a rear zip for their phone.
• Bonded & laser‑cut construction – Bonded side seams and laser‑cut hems reduce bulk, chafing and visual clutter.
• Smart reflectivity – Deep‑black stretch reflective transfers disappear in daylight but glow at night. Place them on moving joints (knees, thighs) for biomotion recognition without turning the garment into hi‑vis PPE.
• Comfort waist – Soft, higher‑rise waistbands with breathable mesh and lie‑flat cords improve comfort over long distances.
• Anti‑ride solutions – Silicone micro‑grippers on liners or half‑tights prevent ride‑up without excessive compression.

Color: Confident but considered
Color choices for 2026 balance energy with longevity. Grounded brights meet functional darks, and the hero hue is Transformative Teal—a blue‑green that channels optimism and the natural world. Performance palettes mix “eruption” brights with utility neutrals to create pieces that feel fresh yet durable. Wherever possible, brands are turning to darker cores to boost colorfastness. ECI’s color‑matched elastics, cords and jacquard waistbands allow designers to integrate teal accents or tonal neutrals without redesigning patterns.

Materials & finishes: Designing for performance and the planet

• PFAS‑free by default – New York and California are banning textile articles containing intentionally added PFAS. With similar restrictions looming in Europe, water‑repellent finishes and breathable membranes must now be PFAS‑free. Our reflective tapes(ECI#31556-25R-G026), transfers (ECI#6A917-40R-P646) and elastics meet these requirements.
• Mono‑material stretch – Designing with a single polymer supports closed‑loop recycling because mono‑materials can be recycled without complex fiber separation. When elastane is blended into fabrics, even in small amounts, it complicates recycling. Brands are shifting toward mechanical‑stretch polyester or fabrics that don’t rely on spandex. We offer mechanical stretch materials as well as acetate film-free drawcord tips (ECI#33D50-5 + TP23 + TP1001) to help in this respect. 

• Odour control – Expect more plant‑based and permanent odour‑control treatments, such as mint‑oil finishes or antibacterial technologies, to enable “wear more, wash less.”

• Construction details – Bonded seams and laser micro‑perfs reduce chafe and weight, while breathable Flyvent‑style waistbands keep runners cool. Our jacquard waistbands can incorporate channels for 360° storage, and our solution‑dyed elastic tapes and drawcords (ECI#80402-81-PM) support low‑impact color programmes.

ECI#31556-25R-G026	ECI#6A917-40R-P646	ECI#33D50-5+TP23+TP1001	ECI#80402-81-PM

Visibility & compliance
European brands need to familiarise themselves with EN 17353, the standard for “enhanced visibility” items. It stipulates minimum reflective and fluorescent areas for garments that aren’t full high‑vis PPE. Pair compliant reflective trims with biomotion placement to ensure runners are seen from all angles without feeling like safety gear.

Final word: Lighter, smarter, cleaner
If one theme unites all these trends, it’s intent. Storage must be integrated but unobtrusive. Night‑safe trims should vanish by day. colors feel optimistic yet grounded. And sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s baked into materials and finishes. At ECI Elastic, we’re ready to help designers land these details with waistbands, cords, meshes, elastics and reflective tapes that turn good shorts into great ones.