This post is taking longer to compose than I thought it would, mostly because the skirt challenge has lead to a lot of interesting conversation, some of which has me biting my tongue.
This Washington Post article generated a lot of the discussion. And in my opinion, regardless of how “silly” some people think wearing a hijab or baggy pants while running appears, it’s hard to deny that this is a giant step towards equality for these women. If anything, the fact that these women run with extra weight on their head, where most of us would shed the extra weight and heat, is impressive. And when you consider that they wear their hijab with pride, as a symbol of their religion, rather than as a symbol of the political regime that subjected them to years of inequality, they become more than just runners. They are heroes
Ok, so enough of that – let’s get to the fun stuff. I took the skirt for a 4 mile spin this morning – I ran it, I sprinted it, I jumped it and stretched it.
Fashion wise, my fear was that it would be unflattering and that I would struggle with feeling self-conscious. I have to admit that I felt weird for a bit at first, but it didn’t take long to warm up to the skirt. The only negative is a slight pantyline. Overall, I think it is really cute and felt comfortable. The color selection is great and the twin logo is adorable.
Thigh bunching – I have to say not having fabric between my legs was very comfortable. I love my Nike tempo shorts, but since I have larger thighs – they tend to bunch in the crotch. No thigh bunching wins big points in my book.
Waistband – The elastic in my shorts tends to chaff my waist during my long runs, so the non-elastic waistband was great and very comfortable. I don’t have the supermodel midriff as the twins do, so it did tend to roll down a bit when I bent over, but not much. It also sits lower on the hips than most shorts and I found that more comfortable and flattering.
Skirtness – build in undies and I had full coverage – coverage was important for me. Good for tying shoes. It didn’t flip up in the back while running and stayed in place.
Fabric – breathable, lightweight, dries quickly, stretchy and jumpable. Loved it.
Side Pockets – I snagged the turquoise part of the fabric a little while i was leaning against a tree, but it is not very noticeable. Two pockets – one for Gu and one for Nano – does it get any better?
There are a few things I’d fix, but overall – I loved it and would recommend the skirts for function and fashion. The owners and founders of Running Skirts are great and donate a portion of their sales to charity. You just can’t beat that. Besides, Michael gives the skirt two thumbs up!
The girls at Running Skirts have also sent me a strappy bra top which I will review. But there will be NO pictures of the bra.
Check out the skirt pics in action HERE.
(I make no claim to have good form – and I have no clue what I do with my tongue while I run?)
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{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Your skirt looks good! I looked at their site and am a little confused about the sizing. Do they run small, big, neither?
Hey! I just ordered a running skirt from Nicole DeBoom’s company, skirtsports. It should come sometime this week – I’ll have to review mine!
It’s so cute! I’m really impressed with the coverage from the back…on the website I was curious about that because it looks shorter than in your pictures. I think it’s sassy. Also, in other news, I LOVE that picture of you doing the high-stepper move. It’s so funny!
two more thumbs up from me ….. and to think we saw it here first, you are a great pioneer.
I’ve been waiting for your review! I’m so curious about the running skirt. In addition to the fit of the skirt, I worry if I will be self-conscious JUST B/C IT’S A SKIRT, ya know? the action pics are great!
Susan, Thanks for taking the time to post such a great review. I am definately going to have to order one now. The hard part comes with which one….are the pockets big enough for a phone or ipod mini??
The pics are great. You look like you started to lose it towards the end with laughing. Feeling a bit foolish running back and forth?
Very cute!
Looksdamn good from here, Susan. If I was female, I’d be wearing one for running. I’ll just have to stick to running in my Speedo.
Thanks for that image Jon.
Susan, the skirt looks great on you. I especially love the pictures where you appear to be floating. Great writeup.
Thanks for the great review. The whole thigh bunching thing is well worth gettng rid of.
I WANT ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!
but what about thigh-rub (I run in tights as a rule)?
The skirt sounds great. Thanks so much for the review.
I may have to go and buy one now. Only problem is that winter is approaching here so it wouldn’t make an appearance until Spring next year.
You look awesome! you are flyin’, nevermind the skirt! except the skirt looks great on you! And amen, halleluiah sister, to what you wrote about the women running in hajib. Those women ROCK.
Forgot to ask, what size skirt are you wearing? You look about the same size as me and I don’t want to buy the wrong size.
Many thanks
Thanks for the review. I was wondering about the skirts – there was a booth at the last running expo I was at but I was still intimdated by them but now I think I’m going to go for it.
I think it looks great. Functional and feminine. I think I may get one for the fiancee.
Thanks for the review!
Thank you for writing such a detailed review. I thought the skirts were super cute, but was worried about “coverage”. I’m definately going to order one now!
Thanks for the great review and pics! I may have to check one out one of these days… But I’m still not so sure about trail running in one… I know what you mean about the tempo shorts too. They are what I wear and they can bunch a bit… I’ll be curious to hear your bra review!! I’ve have one of those soon myself. Nike is coming out with some new “revolutionary” sports bra and I get a free one to give it a spin
Very comprehensive review – you looked great! I bet Runningskirts.com just made a lot of sales from your endorsement…and I think Jon might have just put Speedo out of business!
i’m very excited about mine now. my lervemunkee and i checked out the pics. you look very good when photographed running. i usually look like hans or franz flexing the traps and delts. not a good look.
i figure skirts don’t really matter… i mean c’mon.. i’m going for hte blousiest shorts, why not just snip ‘em in the middle? skirts aren’t girly. check out the scots! check out those mad beasts playing field hockey.
we loved the tongue pic. might just have to print that out on iron-on when the rowdy shirt comes in!
Hi Susan – yes its me! long time between comments but I am desperately trying to catch up with everyone’s blog – its hard work! That skirt looks interesting. However I suffer from chafing (fat legs) – so the skirt wouldn’t work for me? I wear cycle pants rather than shorts.
Is anyone going to do a “26.2 miles behind a Running Skirt” review?
Honestly, running skirt stores should be paying you for all the publicity! I also wonder though about thigh-rubbing, with no fabric between the legs. Thoughts?
Top review, and top pic (I loved the one with your tongue hanging out). Michael is a lucky man. Has he taken to running behind you now?
Great pics…I thought you were supposed to wear heels with skirts???
Great review! I tend to also have “crotch-bunch” with shorts…and also thigh rub. Do you think a skirt would make that problem worse?
love the pics
I’m still contemplating whether or not I’d like running in a skirt. The idea of no bunching is alluring, as is the comfort of the waist band. But still…a skirt?
I missed the running pics (can your links show up as underlined?) the first time around but thought they were interesting once I saw them.
BTW Another Blogger profile pic, I notice!
so cute!
i too wonder about thigh chafing?
the coverage looks much better than i thought it would be. ok, just need to lose a few inches here and there and then i will *need* one!
Thats great of you to do a review for all the ladies!
As for ladies wearing the Hijab,when i was in Morrocco last year (where the population is running mad) I saw many a woman wearing it, and many not often running side by side.
It is a personal decision for the most part so we have to respect that.
Cheers R2B
I wish I could test drive the skirt before I buy. Your review is the next best thing though. I don’t have the problem with bunching, but do have a chafing problem with the seams on my shorts when it’s raining – maybe the skirt would help with that. Thanks for the review!
ooh! very sporty-spice! i can dig it. might just have to get one of these bad boys for m’self!
What a stide you have!!
I’d love to try it, I love new gear, but still wonder if its for me…
Very interesting! How long is that skirt? I’ve always been worried they wouldn’t cover my big bum. Do you think you’ll still wear shorts some or is it skirt all the way now??
That waist-band sounds wonderful. I may have to give it a try. Great review–has the Post called you yet to fill their Lifestyle reporter’s position?
Great skirt review Susan! You may be starting a trend!!
Love the action shots!;-) I definitely give the skirt two thumbs-up!
Now…are you making silly faces on porpoise? Just for the dol-fun of it? Sealeously…I must know. Whale, hopefulyy you’re just fooling around. (disclaimer: drunken comment)
Almost as girly-girl as the twins. Sadly, I couldn’t get the big photos to work, but I think you’re running style is not too bad Susan.
Great pictures. I thought Texas was all sand and desert, you’ve convinced me otherwise – what a beautiful place to run! Now I can understand why my niece won’t leave the state.
This review will become useful in the near future if i have to look for a running skirt
.
Are you sure u are running? That looks way too fun and relax to be running.
I just showed my hubby that’s what I want for Mother’s Day!!!
as much as I love the idea (and you do look fabulous ) of the skirt. I do not have the thighs for it at the best of times. My legs are HUGE and make for some nasty chaffing. I would always have running shorts under it probably. There’s not enough body glide in the world to help my thighs
Wow… the power of Susan. I hope you bought stock in this company! You’ve changed my opinion as well, but since I am a starving student, I’ll wait a bit and see if they really catch on. I like the no bunching idea as well, that was a prob on marathon day. I was just going to switch to tri shorts to solve that little prob.
Nice action shots! OMG your legs are buff!!!
That works. Your review was informative and thorough. The slideshow was funny. How did you get into some of those positions?
We expect a thorough review of the bra too. I can’t decide which one to buy until you tell us all about it.
In most all those action shots your coming off the ground or floating. Very impressive photography, good for whomever took them. Oh you went to bad either. You look like your having fun.
Good review and nice pix! I finally took some photos of my running skirt (New Balance) and just posted them on my site. Take a look …
Ok, any skirt that makes your feet never touch the ground is for me!
Very cute!