The HYLETE Verge III Short is the third iteration in HYLETE’s popular Verge training short line. This model is designed to perform in a wide range of training contexts and to be worn on a daily wear basis.
I personally like having some training shorts that have a more board-short vibe to them, so I was stoked to put the HYLETE Verge III Short to the test. Whether I was lifting, tackling HIIT workouts, or cross-training, the Verge III Short performed pretty strongly across the board.
The material of this short is lightweight and the pockets are deep for keeping your valuables secure on a daily wear basis. Despite liking this short, there are a few cons to note which I’ll discuss below.
In this HYLETE Verge III Short review, I’m going to cover a variety of topics to help you decide if this short is a good fit for your training wants and needs.
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Who Should Invest In the HYLETE Verge III Short?
The HYLETE Verge III Short is a good model for anyone on the market for a lightweight training short that has deep pockets. This model works well for lifting, cross-training, daily wear, and even some light runs.
I personally like the different lengths that you can choose from I think this is a good training short for lifters that like a slightly longer length with their inseams. For example, this short’s quad cut also looks great, but the above-knee inseam is perfect for guys that like longer training shorts.
I’ve been wearing my HYLETE Verge III Short on a daily wear basis because I like the depth of the pockets for my recreational lifting days. If you’re similar in that you want a short for a little bit of everything and daily wear, then you should align well with the Verge III.
Before investing, definitely make sure you check out HYLETE’s sizing guide for the Verge III to ensure you’re getting the inseam that you want and prefer.
HYLETE Verge III Short Pros
Over the course of my testing and reviewing of the HYLETE Verge III Short, I’ve found multiple aspects to like.
- Good for Casual Wear and Training
- Deep Pockets for Secure Storage
- Waistband Is Secure and Variety of Inseam Lengths
- Pretty Good Short for Big Thighs (Meaty Quads)
The first thing to like about the HYLETE Verge III Short is that this is a good training short that can double as daily wear short as well. Some training shorts can pull this dual-functionality off, but this model does so with relative ease.
This short looks casual and somewhat has a board-short vibe to it. I personally like this and feel as though this gives this short an edge for multi-season wear and training.
In the context of lifting, the flex-woven fabric stretches well and never feels limiting even and this is good for those that prefer a slightly longer inseam. Thus far, the durability has also felt pretty good and this short has been pretty abrasion-resistant.
The second thing to like about the Verge III Short is its pocket system. This short features two deep left and right pockets which can easily hold and secure your phone, keys, and wallet pretty.
There are also two zip pockets on the sides of the shorts which are great for added security when you’re running in these shorts and you’re wanting to store your valuables and even your phone.
I was a little skeptical at first of the Verge III’s waistband, but it has since grown on me and I’ve come to like it. I like the fit of it and how it lays true around the waist. I also like that it stretches well without bunching and that the drawstring can be turned to face internally and externally.
The inseam length is also a nice touch with this short. Most training shorts have relatively consistent inseams across their short sizes which can be limiting for some lifters and athletes that don’t align with said inseam.
The fact that you can easily select an inseam that prefers is a subtle perk of these shorts, especially as it seems like a lot of companies continue to only offer shorts with shorter inseams. I don’t always like showing a ton of quad on a day-to-day basis.
As a final pro, I like the amount of gusset to these shorts. They’re gusseted through the leg, but not so much that they ride up. I think if you have meaty quads and have to constantly pull your training shorts down due to them riding up, then you should like that’s not a huge issue with these shorts.
That being said, this is not to say the Verge III will never ride up, but I think as a whole these shorts are good for meaty quads. I’m going to share my dimensions below in the sizing section so you can get a better idea of how the gussets fit for my quad and leg size.
HYLETE Verge III Short Cons
The HYLETE Verge III Short has been a strong performer for the most part, but there are a few cons to note about this model.
- Price Point Is Pretty High
- Lighter Colors Can Show Water
- Not the Best for Longer Runs
The first drawback to note about the HYLETE Verge III Short is that their price point is pretty high. At a price of $78 USD, this is definitely a training short with a more premium price tag.
I think if you’re really strapped on a budget, then you could find comparable workout shorts with price points that align better with what you have available.
While I do like this short, I don’t think it’s worth putting a big strain on your financials if these exceed your budget wants.
Another drawback to some of the colorways in this short is that they can show water pretty easily. The lightweight fabric is great for breathability, but if you’re getting wet or excessively sweaty, then you may notice that some colorways show the water pretty easily.
For example, in my silver Verge III Short, I learned the hard way that you’ll definitely want to wear a compression liner under your shorts if you’re going to be getting wet. I think you could probably get away going commando in the darker colorways, however, in the lighter colors, you’ll definitely want to always wear a liner.
The final drawback is that these shorts are not going to be your best bet for long-distance runs. They work for a casual 5k, but as your running demands increase, this short’s performance will start to decrease.
For longer runs, they can feel a little baggy at times and their phone pocket doesn’t provide the most locked-down feeling which could get annoying as you put in more mileage.
Performance
To discuss the performance of the HYLETE Verge III Short, I’m going to talk about how this short performed in a variety of training contexts. This way you can better assess if this short’s performance aligns with your training style.
HYLETE Verge III Short for Lifting and Cross-Training
If you plan to primarily lift and tackle cross-training workouts in the HYLETE Verge III, then I think you’ll enjoy this short, especially if you like having the option to go for longer inseams.
The leg gussets in this short are slim to give them an athletic look, but still open enough to allow ample room between the thigh and this short. If you’re doing deep squats, then I don’t think most lifters will have an issue with this short riding up.
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I also like the stretch of this short and its overall durability. I think if you’re primarily lifting in these shorts and you take care of them, then they should last you a while. The material feels pretty strong and I don’t think breakdown from abrasion will be an issue for most athletes in these shorts.
The only gripe that I have with the HYLETE Verge III Short for lifting is that they don’t come with a liner. For some lifts and training days — more specifically, squat/deadlift days — I’d rather not to have worry about bringing an additional compression liner with me. If you’re similar, then this could be something to think about before investing.
HYLETE Verge III Short for Versatile Training
For versatile training, the HYLETE Verge III does a pretty good job. The flex-woven fabric is lightweight and it moves pretty well. When box jumping or doing sled work, I liked how this short felt and that it never got hung up on my thighs.
The drawstring that can be turned internally is also a nice touch for certain workout settings. If you’re doing things like burpees or any form of movement that could cause friction on the front of the shorts, this is a nice feature to utilize.
My only drawback to this short for versatile training is my own personal bias towards shorter inseams for sprints and doing agility work. Longer inseam shorts can sometimes feel like they’re getting in the way of this style of training and these shorts were average performers for this context.
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HYLETE Verge III Short for Daily Wear and Running
For daily wear, I really enjoy the HYLETE Verge III Short. The pocket system covers all the asks you’d want from a training short being worn for daily wear and they have a nice casual look to them.
I do prefer some of the darker colorways a bit more because they have a bit less sheen, but even then, they’re pretty solid. I think this model can be a decent multi-season short for daily wear in the spring, summer, and fall.
When it comes to running, this short will work for shorter runs that are around 0-3 miles. When it comes to long-distance runs, you may want to find a short that is designed for this style of activity. This short can feel a tad baggy for longer runs and I could see it potentially causing some chafing if you go with a long inseam.
HYLETE Verge III Short Sizing
The HYLETE Verge III Short fits true to size per HYLETE’s sizing guide. With their shorts, you have the availability to choose different lengths of shorts which then change the measurements of the shorts based on your size.
I would highly suggest utilizing HYLETE’s sizing guide when trying to figure out what size would fit you best based on your preferences, wants, and needs.
In this review, I’m wearing a medium HYLETE Verge III Short in silver with the above-knee length. I’m including my dimensions below for context and sizing reference.
- Waist: 32-33″
- Hip Width: 39-40″
- Mid-Thigh: 24″
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Weight: 180 lbs
Generally, I opt for 7″ inseam shorts which is usually long enough to not show too much quad but short enough for most training settings. For the medium above-knee model, the inseam comes in at 10″.
I like this inseam for daily wear purposes and for casual training sessions. However, I do think it can feel a little limiting for certain endurance training contexts, which I noted above in the cons.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions for the HYLETE Verge III Short, drop a comment below and I can try to help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the HYLETE Verge III Short, you can expect to pay $78 USD. I think this price point can be hit or miss depending on what you want out of these shorts. If you want to wear them for training and daily wear, then I think the price can make more sense.
In this context, you’ll be getting a lot out of them and they’re a strong performing short for daily wear contexts. If your budget is tight though, then I’d suggest shopping around for shorts that better align with your financial limitations.
Basically, I wouldn’t break the bank for these shorts if their price is going to set you back by any means.
Construction Details
If you’re interested in the construction of the HYLETE Verge III Short, I’ve included some of the biggest callouts for this short below.
- Availale Sizes: Quad-Cut, Above-Knee, Long, Regular
- Liner Options: No Liner
- Leg Gussets
- External/Internal Drawstring
- Deep Left/Right Pockets With Left/Right Zipper Pockets
- Patentened Waistband Provides Security and Stretch
- Flex-Knit Panels
- Antimicrobial Treated
- Flex-Woven Fabric
If you have additional questions about the HYLETE Verge III Short’s construction, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Can you lift and do CrossFit in the HYLETE Verge III Short?
Q:Is the HYLETE Verge III Short good for running?
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I like the HYLETE Verge III Short for training and daily wear. I think this model will be best served as a dual-function short for anyone that wants a training short that looks casual but can also excel in the gym.
This short stretches well and has shown pretty good signs of durability across the board. The main caveat with this short is their price point, so I’d suggest ensuring they align with your wants and needs before investing.
If you have additional questions about the HYLETE Verge III Short, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).
I buy and test the products featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training shoes and gear. I may earn commissions on sales made through the links on my site.