Why Multi-Pocket Trail Shorts Are A Game-Changer for Runners

In the world of trail running, every detail may determine your rhythm and experience, especially the trail running shorts you wear. Many beginners often ignore the "functionality" of shorts, thinking that as long as they are light, thin and breathable, they are enough. But for experienced trail runners, a pair of shorts with a reasonable design and multiple functional pockets can greatly improve the efficiency and comfort of running.

Runners are most afraid of "not being able to take it out" and "not being able to take it out" - "small things" in running often determine success or failure
In trail running, "lightweight" is the state pursued by every runner, but "light" does not mean "less", but to distribute the necessities reasonably and efficiently. In actual training and competitions, the two most common problems faced by runners are:
Not able to take it out: more and more supplies and tools are brought, but there are not enough pockets
● In short-distance training, you may only want to bring a few packs of energy gels, keys, mobile phones, and tissues - it doesn't sound like much, but if the shorts only have a shallow pocket or a small internal mesh pocket, it will be stretched.
●When the weather changes suddenly, you may want to temporarily carry a lightweight windbreaker, headscarf or folding cup. If there is not enough space, you can only force it into the vest, which will cause the items to be squeezed and the access to the items to be chaotic.
●When the equipment demand increases, such as participating in a 15-30 km race, you may need to carry:
     3~4 packs of energy gel (one pack every 30-40 minutes)
     Salt pills or electrolyte tablets (replenished every hour)
     A soft water bottle (500ml)
     Mobile phone (with GPS and emergency contact)
     First aid stickers or band-aids
     Lightweight raincoat or magic headscarf
     Cards or a small amount of cash
Even if these items are small in size, they are fragmented and scattered. If there are not enough pockets, they will pile up in one place of the backpack, disrupting the rhythm and affecting the efficiency of access.
Unable to take out: urgently need energy, but can't find it after searching the vest
●When you feel exhausted at the top of the steep slope, you need a pack of energy gel to replenish quickly, but you find that it is stuffed deep in the backpack, or hidden in the only zipper pocket of the shorts. You can only stop, put down the backpack, and search for a few seconds.
●When you encounter hypoglycemia or dehydration, every second of reaction is crucial. The more tired you are, the less you want to waste your movements and energy to "search for things in your bag."
●When running at night, it is more difficult to take things out - there are no classified pockets, you can only feel them. If you put them in the wrong place, you may even miss the energy window, causing your condition to decline rapidly.
trail running is different from urban marathons. The more perfect your "mobile storage system" is, the less trouble you will have to stop and take things out. And this is the value of multi-pocket trail running shorts - it allows runners to quickly complete energy intake and hydration during high-speed exercise, reduce external interference, and maintain a stable rhythm.

British top trail runner Tom Evans has mentioned in many interviews that the lightweight and reasonable distribution of equipment in the race is the key to maintaining rhythm. He said in the official Salomon documentary:
"Your kit needs to disappear when you’re running. You shouldn’t have to think about where stuff is."
This sentence emphasizes the importance of "convenient access" and "lightweight and insensitive" when carrying equipment. Trail running shorts with multiple pockets are an effective solution to this problem, helping runners quickly access necessities such as energy gels and salt pills during the race, reducing searching and pauses, and ensuring a stable running rhythm.

Smart pocket design is better than half the functions of a trail running vest
Many people are used to putting all their equipment into a trail running vest, but in fact, a well-designed multi-pocket trail shorts can often "replace half of the vest's function" in short and medium distance races or training, reducing weight, improving efficiency, and allowing runners to run more freely.
More pockets ≠ easier to use, layout is the key
Functional trail shorts are not "the more pockets the better", but they emphasize reasonable distribution, diverse types, and strong stability. The following are several common and efficient designs:

These pockets are used in combination, like a set of "tactical modules", which can classify and place items, which is not cumbersome and can improve the efficiency of access.
The core value of functional shorts: can fight independently and complement the vest
●Short-distance training (5~15KM): No vest is needed, and you can travel light with the shorts storage system alone;
●During the competition (15~30KM): shorts are responsible for high-frequency items (such as energy gels and salt pills), and vests are used to store large items such as water bags and raincoats. The two have clear division of labor;
●High-temperature stages/climbing stages: shorts waist storage can significantly reduce the burden on shoulders, avoid sweat accumulation on the back, and restrict breathing;
●Multiple pockets can also be used as a "quick supply switching area": for example, quickly put energy bars/salt tablets into the side pockets at the CP supply station, eat while walking, and save time.
The smart design of shorts is not just "carrying things", but "helping you run more steadily, faster, and more comfortably".
The practical advantages of Haimont trail running shorts
Take Haimont multifunctional trail running shorts as an example, which integrates a number of actual test feedback from runners:
● The elastic main pocket on the back waist can safely hold a 6.7-inch mobile phone without shaking when running;
● The mesh pockets on both sides can hold 4 to 6 packs of energy gels for quick access during running;
● The fabric itself is light and quick-drying, elastic and tear-resistant, fits the body and supports multi-day wear;
Whether you are training on the mountain road in the morning or participating in a 30-kilometer challenge, it can make you switch from "heavy-loaded departure" to "light-loaded victory".

Reduce backpack dependence and run more freely
In trail running, backpacks used to be the "main force" of runners' equipment - supplies, water, raincoats, and first aid kits all depend on them. But now, more and more runners are redistributing their weight-bearing strategies, "transferring" some functions from backpacks to shorts. Less backpack dependence and more running freedom have become the important value of functional trail running shorts.
Although backpacks can be loaded, they also have side effects.
Backpacks are not without disadvantages, especially in short and medium distance races (10K~30K) or high temperature and high climbing stages, runners often feel:
● Shoulder and neck pressure: The backpack has its own weight, even if it is empty, it weighs hundreds of grams. As the amount of water/supply increases, the pressure on the shoulders and back increases;
● Running shaking: Especially when the water is unbalanced or the weight is offset, the backpack will jump slightly during running, interfering with the rhythm;
● Sweating and heat accumulation: Long-term close-fitting will form a "heating zone", and sweat will accumulate in the shoulder straps and back area, causing discomfort or friction;
● Cumbersome supply access: The bottom layer and zipper bag of the backpack often hide spare supplies, but if you want to take a salt pill or energy gel temporarily, you need to take off the bag and search, which delays time.
These problems are particularly prominent in short and medium distance races or daily training.
Multi-pocket shorts = lightweight storage center
A well-structured multi-pocket off-road shorts can carry more than 80% of your short-distance essential items, allowing you to easily complete the run without a backpack:

Through reasonable storage, runners can achieve the combination design of "waist storage + leg access" to create a "self-contained material system", freeing shoulders and focusing on the feet.
Actual combat scenarios: light equipment is more suitable for these tasks
● Short-distance races (10K~25K): Most races have supply stations, and there is no need to bring your own water bag. You only need to bring energy gel + emergency supplies, and shorts can do the job;
● High-intensity training/interval running: the lighter the better, to avoid the backpack jumping and disrupting the rhythm;
● Hot summer/large climbing stages: reduce the attachment area on the back, improve heat dissipation, and avoid eczema/friction;
● Urban trail running/commuting training: vest backpacks are slightly cumbersome, shorts are light and invisible, and carrying mobile phones/keys is enough.
Especially under the trend of "lightweight" and "high-frequency supply" in trail running, runners are increasingly pursuing "just enough" rather than "everything", and multi-pocket shorts just meet this concept.
Trail running is not a handling challenge, but an art of rhythm. A pair of well-designed multi-pocket shorts is not a replacement for a backpack, but allows you to use your body space more reasonably, so you can run lighter and more freely.

Professionalism from the details: Choose shorts designed with "runner's thinking"
A pair of truly practical off-road shorts is not just as simple as "more pockets". A truly good design is based on the thinking logic of the runner's real needs - from running posture, frequency of use, sweat discharge, friction area, to carrying habits, and even psychological rhythm.
Only shorts with "runner's thinking" can not fall off the chain at the critical moment, helping you run farther and more focused.
Key details designed from the perspective of runners

Although these details may seem small, they are a direct reflection of whether the brand truly "thinks from the perspective of a runner".
Not all "Trail running shorts" understand Trail running
Many shorts on the market advertise themselves as "multi-functional" and "runnable", but ignore the actual complexity of trail running, such as:
● Frequent changes up and down the slope, non-linear running posture;
● Changeable weather, lots of sweat, and lots of friction in the woods;
● Frequent taking of supplies, rhythm cannot be interrupted;
● Long-term close-fitting wear requires extremely high requirements for every stitch and material.
If there is no design team with the "trail runner's perspective" involved, the final product often remains at the stage of "looking professional in appearance, but not practical enough".

Haimont's original design intention: Born for runners
Every detail of Haimont's trail running shorts comes from a deep understanding of real trail running tracks and runners' needs:
●Trail running runners participated in the proofing test, and multiple rounds of actual test feedback were used for optimization;
●The main pocket on the back waist adopts a mid-high design, which fits the waistline better and does not jump;
●The mesh pockets on both sides are made of high-resilience elastic yarn, which fits the side of the leg without shaking or tightening, whether it is filled with energy gel or empty;
●The "outsourcing frictionless stitching process" is used at the key seams to greatly reduce the friction during long-term running;
●The weight of the whole shorts is controlled within 130g (S size), taking into account both structure and lightweight;
Such a design is based on the track rather than the desk, and is designed for people who "move".

The equipment that truly understands you will not become a burden to you, but a part of your rhythm of progress. Choosing shorts with "runner thinking" is to choose a free running method that understands you better.
Trail running has never been a stacking of equipment, but a polishing of details. When running in the mountains, you need more than just pants to cover your body, but a "tactical partner" who really understands you. A pair of multi-pocket trail shorts with scientific design, rich functions, and built with runners in mind can make you lighter at every start, more efficient at every replenishment, and more comfortable at every climb.
The next time you set out, let your legs be freer and your backpack lighter, and you will find that running farther can actually start with a pair of shorts.