Article by Sam Winebaum
Tracksmith Overland Shorts ($120) and Tracksmith Overland Short Sleeve ($115)
Introduction:
Tracksmith launched an all new trail collection in August 2025 including the Eliot Range trail runner (RTR Review soon) and a complete array of apparel designed as named to run and travel “Overland”. While styled trail and intended for New England’s varied terrain. the Overland Shorts and Short Sleeve reviewed here are equally at home on any “road” with cheerful and colorful styling which contrasts with Tracksmith's usual more classic looks. About time I say!
Back a few years ago Tracksmith had an Off-Roads collection (RTR Review). Here we see an all new take focused on more technical fabrics, better storage and weather versatility.
The Shorts and Short Sleeve below will soon be joined by our review of the Overland Windbreaker, as soon as we get suitable weather to test but it is for sure it is also a classy rugged approach to shoulder season run apparel.
Tracksmith Overland Shorts ($120)
Best for: any run road or trail where storage is needed
Strengths: among the best arranged and largest storage capacity in a non tight or 2-1 short, or any short
Sam: I like pockets, lots of pockets in my run shorts for both road and trail as I always have my phone for photography and often other small gear. The Overland for sure delivers on storage, effectively implemented, with 9 pockets in an easy fitting brief style 5” short.
Made of a 4 way stretch woven fabric with PFC DWR weather resistant finish I can say they are not only light moisture resistant but unlike many shorts do a great job repelling at least some sweat. They were not soaked after a steamy run. It hasn’t rained yet to test the weather part. The fabric is a little thicker and more rugged than the usual wispy TS road short.
The waistband with a stout orange cord is effective in holding the shorts up when loaded, and you can load these shorts.
The front “hare” logo appears to be reflective, good! But more reflective elements, almost always a weak element at TS I think are in order. For example the lovely large diamond shaped rear logo is a sueded material but could be reflective.
I think while my medium is true to size that the elastic of the woven waistband could be a touch snugger, or maybe I have lost enough weight to consider a small for my now 31” waist.
The inner brief is comfortable and well ventilated and is, in contrast to the earlier Off Roads shorts which were a 2-1 with thigh inner tight phone pocket, and which I found fit quite awkwardly.
The pockets! We have nine pockets including 2 key phone size pockets which hold my iPhone 16 Pro fully and well, and if no phone can swallow other gear such as gloves, hats, keys etc.. The big pockets are mesh and are on the outside shell of the shorts along the hips.
To the rear of each and a bit higher up at the waist is what I would call oversized mesh gel pockets. No reaching inside or to the back for phone or small items in these shorts.
The rear has a decently large zip pocket for keys and such. It too can hold a phone but as shown in the photo below due to the short zipper it is not really an easy very quick access option for a phone.
Inside the waist band, and as is customary at TS, are 4 good sized gel sized pockets.
What might I have done differently as far as storage?
I wonder if the rear could have a single large more substantially compressive mesh pocket to hold a soft flask across the back with the zip pocket on top. Or make one of the front thigh pockets zip and eliminating the rear zip dedicating a new larger mesh pocket to flask or a light jacket Such a more compressive mesh might also help better hold big loads.
Performance
The Overland Short balances ample storage, a comfortable fit and great styling nearly perfectly for any road or trail adventure. It demonstrates careful design choices to maximize the versatility of the shorts. As such they are a very solid value
Tracksmith Overland Short Sleeve ($115)
Best for: cool weather, variable conditions
Strengths: very soft and stretchy, reinforced shoulders
The Overland Short Sleeve is a relaxed fitting very soft and stretchy merino knit multi use shirt. At 160gsm it is not the thinnest run shirt out there or even the thinnest merino. For example the Patagonia Cool Cap Merino I am now also testing is 115gsm and the difference is felt. As such it is more a fall than summer run shirt for me based on my summer temperatures testing.
I particularly like that in addition to the moisture and temperature regulating properties of merino it is treated with 37.5 Technology, a sustainable volcanic incredibly porous numerous particles which helps regulate temperatures and evacuate moisture in both warm and cold temperatures. The combination of merino and 37.5 also make the Overland very odor resistant so I was able to wear for multiple days wear without washing.
For use with a pack or the new TS run vest, denser woven DWR treated material is used at the shoulders.
Fit
The fit is for sure relaxed and on the long side in my usual medium. I am 5’9” (175cm) and weigh 159 lbs (72kg). I like this relaxed fit!
Performance
The Short Sleeve is an ideal run and hike shirt for fall and as a base layer in even colder conditions. It got too warm for me at about 80F in bright sun and relatively high humidity on the run. It is not wispy, light and airy and is more substantial than a typical tech run shirt and that is fine. That said in a next version TS might consider a lighter fabric and or a merino poly blend.
In cooler temps it was great and I can’t wait to test it in the Alps on our trek in lower temps at altitude. And for sure, as with most all of Tracksmith apparel that is not “pure” summer roadrunning I will also be wearing it more casually, something I don’t do much with more “technical” tees.
The Overland Collection for men and women is available now
TRACKSMITH
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:43 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
All RTR reviews: HERE
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