Okay, let’s talk about finding good tennis shorts. It feels like it should be simple, right? But man, it took me a bit to land on ones I actually like playing in.
My Old Shorts Were Driving Me Crazy
So, my journey started because my trusty old shorts were just… done. The elastic was getting weak, they felt kinda baggy, and honestly, the pockets were a joke. I play a lot of casual games, doubles mostly, and you gotta have a place to stuff that second serve ball. My old pairs? Felt like the ball was gonna pop out every time I moved. Super annoying.
Hitting the Stores and Scrolling Online
First, I did what most folks do, I guess. I looked online a bit, got overwhelmed pretty fast. So many brands, styles, weird tech names for fabric. Then I actually went to a couple of sports stores. I started just grabbing pairs that looked decent. Didn’t really have a solid plan, just knew I needed pockets that worked and something comfy.
I tried on a few pairs right there. Some felt stiff. Others were that super slick, shiny material – not really my vibe. One pair had pockets, but they were shallow again! It’s like, don’t these designers play tennis? You need depth! I realized pretty quick I needed to focus on a few key things:
- Pockets: Deep enough to securely hold at least one tennis ball without feeling like it’s going to fall out when I run. This became non-negotiable.
- Material: Had to be lightweight and breathable. Texas heat is no joke, so something that wicks sweat and doesn’t cling is key. Also needed some stretch. Tennis involves a lot of lunging and quick cuts.
- Length: This is personal, but I don’t like them super long, past the knee. But also not super short. Somewhere around a 7 to 9-inch inseam felt like the sweet spot for me.
- Waistband: Needed a good elastic waistband, maybe with a drawstring, that stays put but doesn’t dig in.
Finding What Worked (Finally)
After trying on maybe five or six different types in stores, I started getting a better feel. I found a couple made from this lighter, stretchy woven material. Not the super slick polyester, but more of a matte finish. Felt way better.
One pair I tried had really deep pockets made of mesh. At first, I wasn’t sure about mesh, thought maybe it would tear? But it actually felt lighter and kept the pocket area from getting too sweaty. And crucially, the ball stayed put when I did a few lunges in the fitting room (yeah, I was that guy).
The length was just above my knee, perfect. The waistband was comfy. They weren’t the cheapest pair, but they weren’t the craziest price either. I decided to take a gamble on this style.
Hitting the Court with the New Gear
Took them out for a hit the next weekend. Big difference. Moving around felt easier, less restricted. The material handled sweat pretty well. And the best part? The pockets worked! Stashed a ball, played points, ran side to side, no issues. Didn’t even think about the ball falling out, which let me just focus on the game.
So yeah, that’s my process. It wasn’t rocket science, just involved actually trying stuff on and figuring out what mattered most for playing tennis, not just looking sporty. Deep pockets and stretchy, breathable fabric are the winners for me. Took a bit of trial and error, but glad I found something that just works without me having to think about it.
