You’re going to want Tough Mudder shorts that are non-chafing, cool, dry quickly and are made of some type of tough fabric. You also want shorts that aren’t going to rip on the first obstacle.

Compression shorts are your best bet for Tough Mudder or the Spartan Race. During the race you want to have them tight enough to wick-out sweat, mud, and moisture.

The shorts you wear can make or break the race for you. Yes, they are that important. Imagine sliding down Everest with loose-fitting shorts that ride up, your rear end is going to feel every grain of sand and pebble and rub you raw.

Here is a feature overview of the shorts with my reviews below.

Best Shorts For Tough Mudder

	Under Armour Tough Mudder Shorts	Under Armour HeatGear Sonic Compression	Storelli Sports BodyShield Shorts
Material:	100% Polyester	100% Polyester	100% Polyester
Features:	Signature Moisture Transport System wicks sweat away. Covered elastic waistband with internal drawcord and mesh panels & pockets.	Smooth fabric provides comfort and compression without restriction. Chafe-free flatlock seam construction with 4-way stretch.	Breathable, moisture wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry. 3mm of High-Performance polyurethane foam provides protection from impact and abrasion.

One thing to keep in mind; don’t even think about wear basketball shorts or anything made of cotton. Cotton shorts will absorb and hold the water for the whole race, slowing you down and making for a miserable day.

Loose fitting shorts are not the best option, but as long as they dry quickly and are comfortable, they should be fine. Plenty of people wear them.

In my opinion however compression shorts are the way to go. They will help your leg muscles feel supported and mud from getting next to your skin during the race.

Best Tough Mudder Shorts

#1 Under Armour Tough Mudder Obstacle Shorts

These are the only non compression shorts on my list. They are made of durable stretch materials that will keep you comfortable during the race. These shorts will wick away sweat and moisture to keep you comfortable.

If compression shorts bother you then these shorts will be a good choice for you. The mesh pockets will allow you to carry some energy bars or gel with you to keep you going.

#2 Under Armour HeatGear Sonic Compression Running Shorts

The HeatGear compression shorts have a ultra tight fit that will feel almost like you are wearing nothing. They are very comfortable and compression nature of the shorts will give you support during the race.

Under Armour’s moisture transport system will wick away sweat and moisture so they dry quickly. With these compression fitting shorts, there are no worries of them getting snagged on anything.

#3 Storelli Sports BodyShield Sliding Shorts

The Storelli shorts have a thin layer of foam that provide protection against the obstacles your going to come against.

The compression fit will give you support and help combat fatigue. The moisture wicking material they are made of will keep you dry and comfortable during the race.

These shorts are TOUGH, so they will take a beating and not that its important but they do look pretty cool. These are my favorite shorts to wear when running a Tough Mudder.

So there you have it – The 3 Best Shorts for Tough Mudder now you just need to make sure you have the gloves, socks and shirt to compete.

Remember while you need to be in cardio shape, Tough Mudder is not just about running, you will need upper body strength to complete most of the obstacles. Here is some recommended equipment to help you train.

If you are really serious about doing a Tough Mudder, or any other type of “Mud Run” the training program I recommend is the TACFIT Commando Program. It is based upon actual programs Scott Sonnon is using to train Israeli counter-terrorism, SEALs and secret service.

The entire TACFIT Commando program is bodyweight-only and requires the same amount of space you’d need to lie down in. It only takes 20 minutes, but it includes an intensity and fat melting power most athletes don’t even tap in a full hour of training.

It is designed to get you into peak fitness in a short period of time using “Interval Workouts”, which have been proven the most effective way to lose weight and get into phenomenal shape. Its a complete program of workouts and how to eat for the most effective results and have you scaling the “Berlin Wall“, running the “Mud Mile” and crossing the “Funky Money“.

If you follow this training plan you should be ready for the Tough Mudder, Spartan Race or Warrior Dash!

-Robert Walsh