UPDATED* REVIEW: Men's Yoga Wear ( shorts)

Updated with a Review at the end of the post of OHMME YOGA'S Shorts and leggings. OHMME YOGA are a company that make yoga clothing for Men.

Light is bad, basically all black or blue

Because really, I have no idea.

Yoga shorts, they're just yoga shorts....aren't they?

Recently I posted a review for the feetup headstand stool for Yogamatters. I think it was a fair,  honest review but the stool wasn't really for me and I said so here. All credit to Yogamatters then for accepting that in good faith and then turning around and asking me if there was anything else I was particularly interested in reviewing.

Thing is, Ashtangi's, what do we need?

I'm a Manduka man as far as mats are concerned and have three already as well as a handful of manduka eko towels. We don't tend to use props although I would like a decent size bolster for dropping back but nobody seems to supply them to the right 'drop back' specifications here in the UK. I probably already have all the Ashtanga DVDs I'll ever need, although David Garrigues' Intermediate is tempting now I'm back doing 2nd. Fine with books too, actually I reviewed Melanie Cooper's book recently, think that came from Yogamatters.

There was one thing...... and I'm a little embarrassed posting on this but Shorts, practice shorts, I could really do with some new practice shorts.

Thing is I've been needing some new pairs for a year at least, perhaps longer but just have no idea. If you're a woman and need some new Yoga gear there seems to be review posts all over the place but for guys there really doesn't seem to be anything out there.

I keep thinking that perhaps I should get a pair of practice shorts from somebody who specialises in yoga wear but they tend to be expensive, seems a big outlay for something I might hate and not feel comfortable practicing in.

Also I'm a home Ashtangi and even if I did go to a shala I can't see myself going up the guy on the next mat and saying...

"Hi, I couldn't help noticing that your yoga shorts seem really comfortable, would you mind sharing the name of your tailor".

Yes, Yogamatters, there is something, I'd like to do a review of, men's yoga shorts.

My personal practice short(s) history.

I seem to remember I started off practicing in my pants, kind of basic trunks, not ideal for a hot, sweaty practice like Ashtanga.

I thought some stretchy lycra type thing might be a good idea, didn't have a clue, ordered some from ebay, less than ideal, seams kept splitting.....aren't you glad now that I didn't visit shala's in the early days.

2007

Things took a turn for the better when I discovered Nike Pro's, these things are great and I've worn them for the last six years. It's taken that long for the elastic to finally start to go on the waistband but the seams have never split on me. they have that wicking fabric that draws the sweat away from the body, essential for a practice like Ashtanga, also they are easy to rinse and quick to dry. I would tend to wash them in the shower and they would be dry in time for an evening practice if necessary. I've had three pairs rotating, that's a lot of wear.

Bit too tight though... wouldn't feel comfortable personally jumping around a shala in them.

Nike pro running shorts, again excellent, little more discrete, all the wicking properties of the trunks as they have full lining not mesh , they are short though and while I know they're fully lined that might not be clear to whoever is practicing opposite, so again little uncomfortable about wearing them to a shala or workshop (don't want somebody opposite feeling the need to shift their drishi to to the other side of the room because they don't know if my shorts are or aren't fully lined).

Nike pro running shorts - fully lined

Always felt like too much material on the longer versions, when they would get all hot and sweaty they would kind of cling, stick to the legs.

never really got on with the longer version, too much material.

I used to change my shorts for the videos I've posted on my blog, or if wearing the Nike trunks just throw my old faithful Adidas 3/4 length....what, tracksuit type things. Go back to the beginning of the blog and you'll see them, I still use them occasionally, especially when revisiting jump back videos. Nike, Adidas, you might pay extra for the name but they do seem to last forever.

old favourites, mesh lined Adidas 3/4 spent years trying to find another pair exactly the same

From my very first post back in 2008

Later I worried less about my state of undress in videos, we all practice right who cares what we are or aren't wearing, tend to turn the half naked videos into black and white though to cut down on the flesh tones, one feels less naked in black and white. And you thought I was going for a moody film noir Ashtanga effect.

Nike-pro lined running shorts

For teaching recently I took to wearing some cut off sweatpants.

Sweatpants with part of the legs cut off

I guess I ended up with some criteria

For practice I wanted some thing short and tight with a wicking material that were well made, last for ever and were quick to wash and dry

For a workshop or shala visit, shorts that weren't TOO short, fully lined, not mesh and again wicking to pull the sweat away from the body.

It's possible of course to wear regular shorts over the tight Nike pro's or under armour but we want to be wearing less not more in Ashtanga.

For teaching, something longer, 3/4 length or so, but still comfortable to practice in.

So what did Yogamatters send me? PRANA

Here's the link to yoga matters range of Mens shorts
http://www.yogamatters.com/product/1398/mens-yoga-pants.htm

mojo short

You can't lose your mojo if you're wearing it. Favored by yogis and climbers alike, this lightweight poly microfiber is quick drying and breathes easily through mesh lined pockets. A plush elastic waistband gently keeps it secure even in the midst of the most strenuous workout. 

- Lightweight poly microfiber 

- A favorite among climbers and yogis 

- Rear cargo pocket 

- Mesh-lined front pockets 

- Full inseam gusset 

- Quick drying 

- Plush elastic waistband 

- Size M = 10" (25.4 cm) inseam 

Weight: 0.3 kg

Suitable for: Yoga, climbing, hiking

Made from: 100% polyester 

prana momentum short

Build momentum as you flow through your class with this lightweight, stretch organic cotton short. Designed to hug your body, this short has four-way stretch so it can get as deep into every pose as you can. 

Details & materials: 

- Lightweight organic cotton 

- 4-way stretch 

- Elastic waistband 

- 8.5" (21.6cm) inseam medium 

- 94 organic cotton / 6 spandex

Weight: 150 g

Made in: USA 

£35.00

(inc VAT)

prana JD short

prAna's updated replacement for their classic 'Mantra' short. 

Designed for yoga or any type of intense practice, our JD Short has a performance fit, wide elastic waistband and lots of stretch. Suitable for all types of yoga practice including for hot yoga. 

- Performance fit 

- Stretch fabrication 

- Designed specifically for intense yoga practice 

- Elastic waistband 

- Fitted 

- Medium=6" (15cm) inseam 

- 90% recycled poly / 10% spandex 

Weight: 0.2 kg

Made in: USA 

£37.00

(inc VAT)

All three arrived the day before i went off to Leon to give a workshop, perfect timing.

I've actually put them in order of preference above.  

All three are fine to practice in, they're light, comfortable, I had absolutely no problems practicing in any of them.

They seems well made too, I've put off posting this review so I could wear them as much as possible as well as wash them as many times as possible, they seem to be holding up well.....of course I should probably hold off reviewing them for three years or so and see if they are still holding up as well as the Nike's has anyone had a pair for a number of years, holding up?

Anyone had pranashorts for a long time, how do they hold up? I don't mind forking out 35 quid for a pair of shorts if they're going to last a good three years of almost daily wear. But that's the thing isn't it, one pair is no good because we practice everyday, I want at least three pairs on the go and that can get expensive.

I say comfortable but the prana JD shorts are a little weird at first, the elastic, the bit that grips around the waist (hips?) is kind of low then you have the rest of the waist band that doesn't seem to actually hold them up but is just there. So you always feel as if your shorts are dropping down too low (buidlers bum/) but actually they aren't, they're fine, takes some getting used to.
They are probably most like my Nike pros but perhaps a little more decent, discrete for practicing in public, the material is thicker than the Nike. I like them for a hot sweaty Ashtanga practice now I've got used to them.

The prana momentum shorts are fine too but a little...boring, the elastic at the top just seems a little...basic, it does the job well enough but for almost 40 quid, I don't know I want to feel the money has gone somewhere. it has of course, the material is good, they're probably well made, just.... boring.

The mojo shorts however are just great, I'd like to have three pairs. They feel great to practice in, however hot and sweaty, light considering they are coming down just above the knee. they also look like real shorts so perfect for walking around teaching in, there's even a pocket. Was worried about the pocket with all the seated postures in Ashtanga but you don't notice it. These are supposedly also for climbing so must be strong. being microfibre  they rinse out and dry really quickly.

That's it, that's all i've got, is there something else I should be mentioning? 

They work, fit for purpose

prana mojo shorts from yoga matters, they get my vote, hell, I'd even buy them in olive.

Of course, now I'm saving the prana for 'best' for workshops etc, so I'm still in the same situation and in need of good everyday practice shorts.

Can't bring myself to try the Iyengar style malaika shorts but tempted, oh so tempted, in a dark room perhaps. That's when you know you've overcome your ego, when you can walk into the shala in your malaika's.

A frind has suggested onzie's from yogamatters

No not

perfect for the anatomy section of your YA tt

but

Kino style- onzie side string short, space jewels

UPDATE
The picture above is really bugging me, more so every time I come back and edit something.  I have no problem with short shorts, my Nike are VERY short, even colours, I occasionally go for navy blue myself but promoting yoga shorts in a picture that seems to aim at cute and/or sexy strikes me as out of place did you have to Yogamatters? - How puritanical am I!

Think I'd rather go with the Malaika - but onzie do do more boring shorts for men but with names like titanium rather than 'space jewels'

onzie classic men's short, titanium

Is it me or are those shorts above flares?
I quite like the look of them actually, may well be the best of both worlds also,
70's chic?

Now it's up to you guys in comments, what are you wearing that you're really happy with,, tell me about your tailor,  which fell apart in a week, which brands should we be avoiding like the plague and which would you recommend.

I've been trying to find some pictures from the workshop that best show off the shorts but either it's taken from too far away or some body has a limb obscuring the shorts. These two below will have to do of the prana mojo shorts.

prana mojo shorts - Krishnamacharya T-shirt designed by Pilar.

prana mojo shorts - Vinyasa krama inversions sequence

Can't review shirts as I never tend to wear them. I was given this as a present at the leon workshop, designed by Pilar one of oscar's student's. Thank you again Pilar, I love them.

Oh, for Vinyasa Krama I tend to wear cotton pyjamas and a vest, slower practice.

I've told this story before but when I first went for a couple of Vinyasa Krama lessons with Steve in his Yurt I really didn't have a clue. All I knew about yoga back then was Ashtanga, hot, sweaty, wear as little as possible,  Ashtanga. I turned up and he left me in the yurt for a moment to get ready. I slipped into my skimpy shorter than Kino, Nike running shorts, those and just a smile. 

Steve returned wearing full length tracksuits bottoms and a t-shirt.... an awkward moment.

*

I usually practice in a headband, the thick Nike ones are great but I prefer the tenugui that my beloved Mother-in-law sends me,

Domo Arigato Okasan

tenugui post

UPDATE

from comments both here and on fb

"...In the end I've mostly settled on some Addidas shorts which are mesh lined. (I think they are a 7" short) The mesh lining is shaped like the shorts, not like a brief. This is not ideal. I remember you wrote once about a painful landing in gomukhasana. Too much freedom can be a bad thing. So the solution has been to wear something underneath that keeps everything in a fairly predictable place. Say hello to the good old fashioned jock strap! I also have a some microfibre-type briefs that work eel"l.

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"...I have settled on the Nike running shorts (or Karrimore ones) There is NOTHING better IMHO

You can often find them at half the price in discount sports shops like Sports World or Sports Direct"

*

"...While practising in ashtanga shala in Warsaw i have opportunity to observe what type of clothes people wear for practice, sometimes it is like fashion show. Especially ladies in yoga onzie uniforms..."

-

"...Synthetics really don't agree with me for some reason, so I have to use cotton. Since starting Ashtanga in 1993, I've used boxing training shorts from companies like Everlast or Title Boxing, although both companies emphasize synthetics these days but I think you can still get the cotton ones. They're something like $20, better when on sale. I've still got the shorts I bought in the 90s so I think a very good investment".

*

"I just wear some proper swimming shorts. ( like you see Olympic swimmers wear ) I got mine from JD Sports - much cheaper than branded yoga shorts".

*

 "I think most dedicated Ashtanga dudes tend to sport Prana yoga shorts. With Calvin Klein cotton boxer briefs peeking out from beneath...."

*

"I use cheap running shorts (the ones with the superthin material that doesn't stick to your leg when it gets wet) and cut all the interior "trim" out of them, + the seamless boxer briefs from uniqlo"

*

And it seems there are onzies for men

UPDATE

from this post

http://grimmly2007.blogspot.jp/2015/10/the-most-important-yoga-in-context-of.html

OHMME YOGA Shorts and Leggings Product Review

After putting up this post OHMME YOGA got in touch to ask me if I'd like to try out their shorts/leggings, they were kind enough to send me the three below and all the way to Japan.


I've been wearing them for a week or two now and like them a lot, the Scorpion leggings more than I expected to.

The shorts are incredibly light and comfortable and make my PRANA shorts feel like leather lederhosen, so far they are washing well, will see if they last as well as the lederhosen.

2 Dogs lined Yoga Shorts

Tapsaya grey shorts

One thing, although the grey shorts above are probably my favourites for home practice some may consider them a little TOO short for a public shala.

Scorpion Yoga Leggings

The leggings are comfortable to practice in and sure to come into their own with the colder weather on it's way.


Practitioners who do these shorts and leggings more justice than I do on OHMME YOGA's website

http://www.ohmmeyoga.com/