I discovered RaceReady shorts about 2 years ago when training for the Marine Corp Marathon in 2007. And I love them, especially the LD-6 shorts which are a little longer. They're light and very comfortable and the pockets are; well, I carry a lot of **** so pockets are a must. Did I say that I love these shorts? One of my disappointments has always been that the local running stores (Annapolis anyway) don't really carry them, or at least not a variety of them. So I always mail order them. But that's okay too.

So I was visiting a new running shop near me (Charm City Running, Parole, MD), and happened to ask if they stocked these shorts. And they responded that they didn't, but that there is a new pocket-ready short from Asics. Interesting - I guess I had assumed that this was a small enough market that no one (besides RaceReady) would want to play. So I bought a pair.

I wore them on several LSDs and also in the Frederick Marathon this year. I have to say, I prefer the RaceReady shorts. Though the pockets are about the same, The Asics are heavier and bind a bit too much in the liner. Not a big deal, but they are also $10 more expensive. So, for me at least, the RaceReady shorts are better.