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The Rhone Versatility Short is designed for tackling a wide range of activities. As someone who’s a hybrid athlete, I was curious how the Versatility Short would perform in the different training settings that I undergo every week. Will this short perform well for my heavy back squats, CrossFit workouts, and runs?
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the Rhone Versatility Short’s performance and think they’ll deliver a consistent fit and feel. I like their deeper pockets and how well their shell stretches. There are a couple of contexts in which I think the Versatility Short will fall short for some, but I’ll discuss those in-depth below.
Who Should Invest In the Rhone Versatility Short?
The Rhone Versatility Short is a really solid workout short for lifters and athletes that want a short for both training and daily wear. This model can hold its own in the gym and when tackling athletic-focused workouts and it’s super comfortable to wear on a daily basis. The Versatility Short’s warp-knit fabric stretches well and it breathes great for hotter sessions.
On a daily wear basis, I like the Versatility Short’s deeper pockets and how the material is soft and mobile. Whether you’re running errands, lifting weights, or lounging, the Rhone Versatility Short is a solid option to look into.
Rhone Versatility Short
$78
Best For
- Daily Wear
- Recreational Lifting
- Yoga and Classes
- Light Runs
Falls Short
- For Strength Sports
- For Shorter Inseam Lovers
Rhone Versatility Short Pros
Over the course of my training and wear in the Versatility Short, I’ve found multiple aspects to like about this model.
- Super Comfortable for Daily Wear
- Deep Pockets for Securing Valuables
- Great for Tackling a Little Bit of Everything
The first pro with the Versatility Short is how comfortable they are and how easy they are to wear for long-term wear. This short’s warp-knit fabric is lightweight and it stretches well which makes them really comfortable for a variety of settings. This short never feels limiting and they move well with you.
Whether you’re going lined or unlined, I think you’ll like this model’s comfort. Personally, I enjoy wearing this short most for daily wear, light runs, and accessory lifting sessions. They breathe well and their waistband feels secure.
The second aspect that I really like about this short is their pocket system and how deep their pockets are. Outside of comfort, these shorts work so well for daily wear because their pockets are deep and they look good when filled with your phone, wallets, etc.
In some training shorts, you can run into the issue with their pockets being too shallow which can then make your pockets protrude a ton with your belongings in them. This short’s look is aesthetic for daily wear and their pockets help feed into their more casual look and feel. This short has a deep lift and right pocket and the right pocket also features an invisible zipper pocket.
The final aspect that I like about this short is that it’s a good “all-in-one” style of short. If you’re the athlete and lifter that wants one short for tackling a wide range of activities, then you should be able to get that with no problem in the Versatility Short.
Their lightweight breathable design feeds well into different settings and their highly mobile fabric helps them to work in settings where a mobile short is a must like yoga and other forms of lifting that demand full ranges of motion. Not every training short works well for on a daily wear basis as well, so the fact that these shorts tick that box, too, is an added bonus.
Rhone Versatility Short Cons
Across the board, I’ve enjoyed the Rhone Versatility Short, but there are two cons that I could see others having with this short.
- Thick Waistband Feels Heavy
- Long-Term Shell Durability Against Barbell Knurling
The first drawback with the Versatility Short is their waistband construction. Don’t get me wrong, the waistband is secure in this model and it performs well, but it is definitely on the thicker side of training short waistbands. Plus, the thicker elastic material does make this short feel a bit clunky at times.
If you like more minimalist waistbands, then you may want to look into other workout shorts that provide that lightweight minimalist feel. I could see the waistband being most problematic for those that want these shorts for running and more athletic-focused work.
Another drawback that some lifters could run into with this short is their long-term durability when there’s a high frequency of abrasion from barbell knurling. If you’re a weightlifter or CrossFit athlete that is constantly tackling clean & jerks, then this could be problematic for your training needs.
Since the shell is constructed with a stretch feature and it’s made out of a lightweight warm-knit fabric, then you can be a bit more prone to experiencing fraying and breakdown. If you’re only tackling clean & jerks here and there and other exercises that cause abrasion to the shell of your shorts, then this likely won’t be an issue for you whatsoever.
Performance
To discuss the Rhone Versatility Short’s performance, I’m going to discuss multiple training settings where these shorts excel and where they fall short below.
Lifting and Strength Sports
The Rhone Versatility Short excels in lifting settings due to two key construction aspects. First, the shell stretches super well so you’ll likely never run into issues with mobility in these shorts. Even in the hole of squats where the shell is being stretched to their max, this short moves well and with the body.
Second, the thicker waistband stays secure in pretty much every lifting setting. I never really had occasions where I found myself having to adjust the waistband when lifting. This is big because I can’t stand having to adjust my shorts in-between sets or even reps if the shorts move a ton.
The only area where the Versatility Short may fall short is with clean & jerks when abrasion may be happening more often. This short’s shell is durable, but I do worry about its long-term durability from knurling scraping up the front of the shorts.
Versatile Training
For versatile training, I really like the Versatility Short — I guess the name makes sense for this model. This short’s overall mobility and breathability are what makes it a solid option for more versatile-style training. If you’re tackling classes, athletic-focused training, or plyometrics I think you’ll like how this short feels as a whole.
While I do like the waistband’s overall security, I do wish it was slightly thinner in nature. This is a small gripe with this short’s construction, but it does have a waistband that is somewhat clunky and a thinner waistband could help them excel even more for versatile-style training.
Daily Wear and Runs
For daily wear, I’ve really enjoyed the Rhone Versatility Short. I’m actually wearing them now in a coffee shop as I put together this article. I really like their deeper pockets and the breathable mesh lining around the side and posterior portion of the shorts. They feel very casual but also look aesthetic and do not look overly like “gym” shorts.
When tackling runs, the Versatility Short works, but you may want to look into more niche running shorts if you’re tackling a lot of mileage. I like these shorts best for runs that are 3-miles in length or less.
Their thicker waistband and longer inseam options don’t feed the best into longer runs so if you are a long-distance runner, then you may want to find a slightly more niche pair of running shorts to assist your performance.
Rhone Versatility Short Sizing
The Rhone Versatility Short comes with a 7″ and 9″ inseam option and you have the option to go lined and unlined. Personally, I think this is one of the better workout shorts that has longer inseams. So, for my friends like myself, who wear 7″ inseams or longer, the Versatility Short is a good option to look into.
To provide sizing context, I’m going to list my dimensions below along with what the Versatility Short looks like on me. In the image below, I’m wearing a medium 7″ Unlined Versatility Short.
My Sizing Dimensions
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Waist: 33″
- Hip (circumference around butt): 40″
- Mid-Thigh: 24″
In this short and most of Rhone’s workout shorts, I can get away with wearing a large as well, and they fit fine. However, I personally like having a waistband that’s a bit more snug so I don’t always have to tie and knot my shorts to a large degree.
Construction Details
If you’re interested in the Rhone Versatility Short’s construction, I’m going to cover some of their key performance details below. For this short, the construction is fairly simplistic in nature, but I think that’s what also makes them so consistent.
- Inseam Options: 7″ and 9″
- Liner Options: Unlined and Lined
- Warp-Knit Shell
- Leg Gusset
- Thicker Waistband With Internal String
- Deep Left and Right Pockets With Hidden Zipper Pocket
- Flatlock Seams
If you have additional questions about the Versatility Short’s construction, drop a comment below and I’ll try to answer whatever you have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:How should I wash the Rhone Versatility Short?
Q:Can you lift in the Rhone Versatility Short?
Q:Can I run in the Rhone Versatility Short?
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the Rhone Versatility Short. This short works well in a variety of training settings and it’s super comfortable for daily wear and lounging. The shell’s material and deep pockets are my favorite aspects of the Versatility Short.
If you have additional questions about the Rhone Versatility Short, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).
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