Another great Patagonia short
Patagonia has definitely nailed the design on shorts for endurance runners, where inseam length, fabric, and details like pocket placement/function/size are very important. While I prefer the ripstop fabric of the Ultra shorts over the stretchier fabric of the Nine trails, the Nine trails is still a great product--long inseam, smooth fabric, zippered pockets and elastic waist w/draw cord. I am a female ultrarunner who prefers Patagonia's men's shorts over their women's products (inseam too short, lack features that I like). I have consistently worn a men's M in the Ultra and the Nine trails over the last several years--the fit is very similar. It really just comes down to fabric preference between the two models.

superb quailty
Excellent quick drying running,gym shorts.The 3 zippered pockets are awesome.They are the 1 pair of shorts I will bring for trips due to their quick drying and non stench after a workout.The material is lightweight and stretches.Kudos to this product.

excellent shorts
yes. super comfortable feel, zippers are great, soft, etc. : all the Patagonia qualities. however, i very reluctantly had to returned them for one and only one reason only: length--i'm of average height and the size M entirely covered my knees. (i'm used to running shorts that are quite a bit shorter)--they feel better when running. five stars for all its merits, and one star for length.

Highly breathable and comfortable
These shorts are great. The only thing I would change is the number of pockets, which I don't really use.

Very comfortable
Always on the lookout for new running shorts I decided to give these a try. The material is super light and feels great on the skin. There are also 4 pockets which are helpful for longer runs when you want a few gels to go along. The only negative I have applies to any synthetic: after 2 or 3 runs, the material starts to get an odor but it does wash out without difficulty.