Rhone Mako Short Review | Good for Barbell Training?

Rhone tends to be hit or miss for guys. I find that my friends either love this brand and their more “athletic-style” apparel or they despise how everything has a “stretchy fit” — their words, not mine. When you think, of “Rhone Workout Shorts”, which model comes to mind? More than likely it’s the Rhone Mako Short.

This model is one of Rhone’s most popular training short options and it’s designed to tackle a variety of tasks. I’m primarily a barbell-focused athlete who trains like a regular athlete in his off-season and I wanted to know how the Rhone Mako Short faired for heavier barbell training.

In this Rhone Mako Short review, we’re going to cover all of the essential details that you need to know before investing in a pair of Mako Shorts. The short I’m wearing in this review is the Rhone Mako Short 7″ Lined model.

Who Should Buy the Rhone Mako Short?

The Rhone Mako Short is a great pair of workout shorts for recreational lifters who like to dip their toe in heavier training here and there. I thought this model performed pretty well across the board and I never really noticed any breakdown or durability issues with this model.

I like this model for more casual and versatile-focused training sessions versus my powerlifting-focused workouts. This is due to the lighter shell of this model. I prefer a slightly heavier shell for full barbell-focused training days.

Rhone Mako Short Pros

There are three major perks and pros that I like about the Rhone Mako Short.

1. 4-Way Stretch Shell
2. Comfortable and Lightweight
3. Good Anti-Odor Tech

The first perk is the 4-way stretch of the outer shell. If you’re someone who needs a short to be super mobile, this model will do a fairly good job of accommodating your needs. The shell’s stretch does a good job at supporting things like deep hip flexion and it doesn’t feel so stretchy to the point in which it feels cheap or like it will break down quickly.

Another perk(s) that comes with the Mako Short is how lightweight and comfortable they are. I note that this short is best for versatile training styles and that’s because its construction feeds really well into being breathable, lightweight, and comfortable no matter the setting you’re in.

This is a good pair of shorts for wearing out and about on a day-to-day basis, then to the gym for whatever training session you want to throw at them.

The last aspect that I like is anti-odor tech. I’ll wash training shorts after 3-4 wears (I rotate them, no back-to-back wears, FYI!) and I’m always interested in how a company’s anti-odor tech will fair in this context. I like Rhone’s GOLDFUSION tech in the liner of the Mako Short and thought it did a fairly great job at limiting stink after a couple of tough training sessions.

Rhone Mako Short Cons

Overall, I like the Rhone Mako Short, but there are two things that I’m not the biggest fan of.

1. Waistband Construction
2. Compression Liner Slides a Bit

The first aspect that I’m not a fan of is the waistband construction. The waistband form fits fairly well and there are no issues with comfort, but I’m not the biggest fan of the scrunched waistband construction. It can feel awkward at times with maximal security and it reminds me of waistbands on shorts that I used to wear when I was younger.

Another aspect that I could see bothering others is the compression liner in the lined model. The liner slides up and down a bit when moving into hip flexion and first putting the shorts on. I would rather have a compression liner that’s a little better at limiting how much it moves.

I feel like the length on the liner is a tad long, so it slides up before it settles and if you have bigger quads/adductors like myself, this may annoy you a bit.

Rhone Mako Short Performance

I mentioned above that I like the Rhone Mako Short across the board when it comes to training. Below, I’ll lay out some specifics as to why for a variety of activities.

Lifting

This short isn’t bad for supporting lifting, especially for casual and recreational lifting. The shell does a good job at providing enough mobility and range for a variety of lifting-focused tasks. I also like how deep the pockets are for holding things like your phone if you’re training in a commercial gym.

The only gripe I have with this model and lifting is that the compression liner slides a bit when moving into deep hip flexion. It’s not the biggest deal for performance as a whole, but if you’re someone who hates adjusting their shorts, then I could see this being annoying for you.

Agility and Plyometrics

If you’re into HIIT training, agility workouts, and do a lot of plyometrics, I think you’ll enjoy the Mako Short. It’s a good “all-in-one” style of short, and for most, I can see the comfort of this short being a big plus to investing in a pair.

The 4-way stretch shell does a good job at moving with the body and the anti-odor tech is a huge plus for those that are going to be sweating a ton during these training sessions.

Running and Day to Day

The Rhone Mako Short does a fairly good job at supporting running. Is it going to be the most niche model for supporting long runs? No, but for those who like to put in some mileage every week (1-3 miles per session), this short can tackle those bouts well.

I also really like this model for day-to-day wear. The waistband isn’t my favorite for maximal security, but it is pretty comfortable in the context of day-to-day wear. Plus, the lightweight nature of the short and deep pockets helps add to its performance here.

Rhone Mako Short Sizing

In the Rhone Mako Short, I’m kind of an in-between size. I opted for the medium and fits fairly well, but is a tad tight. The large was okay, but I was somewhat swimming in that short and I didn’t like how much room I had with the shell, so the medium is my call here.

My Sizing Dimensions

• Waist: 33″
• Hip Width: 38″
• Mid-Thigh: 23.5″
• Height: 6′ 0″

In the image below, I’m wearing the Rhone Mako Short 7″ Lined model.

Hopefully, my sizing dimensions help you with your selection. I hate being in between sizes, but I think the medium is the call for my sizing here.

Mako Short Pockets

The Rhone Mako Short features two fairly deep side pockets. You can put your phone in these pockets without the corner popping out when moving through your gait cycle.

On the left side, there’s a zip pocket for storing your phone, keys, wallet, etc., when training or going for a run. There’s also a “media pocket” on the inside of the right pocket that isn’t large enough for most modern-day phones, so to be honest, it doesn’t make sense — unless you’re still rocking an iPod mini.

Construction

The construction of the Rhone Mako Short is pretty consistent with other top men’s workout shorts on the market, but there are a few key Rhone features worth mentioning.

• Fabrics: Polyester and Spandex
• Inseam Options: 7″ and 9″
• Lycra-Lined Waistband
• 4-Way Stretch Shell
• GOLDFUSION™ Anti-Odor Technology
• Gussetted Seams
• 2 Side Pockets, 1 Zip Pocket

If you have any additional construction questions about this model, feel free to reach out.

Takeaway Thoughts

Overall, I like the Rhone Mako Short and it’s a solid model for versatile training and day-to-day wear. If you’ve been on the fence with this model and your performance wants and needs fall into those categories, then I think you’ll like this short.

If you have any questions about the Rhone Mako Short, drop a comment below or reach out via Instagram (@jake_boly)!