Brooks stopped numbering its popular Sherpa shorts to mark the incremental updates, but this latest iteration carries over much of the smart design features from years past. Some of the slick features include the gel pockets and hidden pocket on the outer leg of the liner. Brooks materials are usually soft to the touch, and both the shell and liner fabrics here lived up to that expectation.

Fit
The Sherpa shorts are mid-rise and the liner fits snug enough to prevent you from comfortably trying to wear them any higher. The semi-fitted shell drapes like a gym short and the elastic waistband stretches easily which made the drawstring seem even longer. Rear seam construction keeps seams from the inner leg and gives the seat a tighter feel.

Breathability
Brooks performed admirably here, but the perforated mesh was overwhelmed by sweat earlier than other shorts we tested, and less able to dry out during the run. In other words, a high output effort like a mile ascent would work up plenty of sweat that didn’t evaporate afterward during a mile or two on flatter terrain. The inner thighs and waist were the most common sweat collectors.

Features
These were the most feature-rich trail shorts tested, with more pocket options than should be used at one time. The most race-ready pockets were the elastic-rimmed gel pockets set behind the hips, which provided easy access without getting in the way or tugging on a shirt. The covert liner pocket was large enough to hold a smartphone, an option that remained untested on runs, but is a good spot to stash cash or a credit card. The horizontal zipper pocket in the back kept sweat out and is the choice for a secure phone stash.

Durability
Brooks’ DriLayer fabric, tested in other pieces as well, holds up well against real-world use and abrasion. Like other polyester shorts, odor is the most likely end to this garment, but we encountered no issues with carry-over smells during testing with regular washes. None of the seams showed signs of distress after testing. The sandpaper scuff test was barely noticeable after on the shell or liner after five swipes. It took 20 swipes to make a noticeable tear in the shell fabric.