A performance short from a brand that made its name in fleece, priced at $98 and aimed at the man who wants to look like he's not trying while running a 5K or sitting in an airport.
The Verdict
At $98, these are a reasonable buy for travel and low-key athletic use. The Solotex fabric delivers on its technical promises, but the RC33 co-brand graphic at the hem is a small compromise that keeps this from being a clean, unremarked-upon short.
The Make
Reigning Champ builds these around Solotex Mesh, a performance knit the brand describes as moisture-wicking with dynamic stretch, high rebound, and a smooth reverse. That last detail matters more than it sounds: the inside of the short doesn't drag against skin the way rougher mesh constructions do. The construction hits the expected marks for this price tier. A self-fabric waistband with elastic drawcord handles fit adjustment without hardware, zippered slant pockets actually secure a phone, and the back yoke is flatlock-stitched, which keeps seam bulk off the body in motion. Nothing here is surprising for $98, but nothing is missing either. Country of origin isn't confirmed, which is a gap worth noting given that Reigning Champ's core reputation rests on its Vancouver factory output. Whether these run through CYC or a separate performance-goods supplier isn't disclosed.
The Fit
Cut runs regular, sizes true to size across XS to XXL. At 7 inches, the inseam sits at a length that works standing and seated, without veering into board-short territory or the aggressively short hem that reads as a deliberate statement. Nothing unusual to flag about the proportions. If you're between sizes, stay at your standard.
The Context
The Solotex short competes with Lululemon's Pace Breaker and similar technical shorts in the $88-$108 range. Reigning Champ's case for the price is its construction specificity and brand restraint, which mostly holds. The RC33 graphic at the hem is the exception. It's not large, but it's there, and at a 4 out of 10 on the loud-to-subtle scale, these aren't the blank-canvas short the rest of the design suggests they want to be. For travel specifically, these score well: machine wash cold, tumble dry low, pack flat, and the Solotex fabric resists wrinkling in a bag.
The Personal Note
I haven't worn these. The travel score of 9 is the most credible number here, and it tracks with what the fabric and care instructions support. The graphic hem is the thing I'd want to see in person before committing. If it reads closer to a logo than a subtle co-brand mark, I'd probably look at the standard Solotex short first.
