2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts Review

2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts Review by Erin Trail The 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts are compressive shorts that deliver performance on runs of all distances. I found the 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts to fit true to size, adding a comfortable – but noticeable – compression in the legs. The top…

Erin Trail

August 29, 2025

4–6 minutes

2xu, run shorts, Running, womens run, womens shorts

2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts

Review by Erin Trail

The 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts are compressive shorts that deliver performance on runs of all distances.

I found the 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts to fit true to size, adding a comfortable – but noticeable – compression in the legs. The top of the shorts hit me at my navel and the shorts are just above the knee on me. I’m 5’4″ with a 30″ inseam. The 2XU stock photos show that the legs hit the model mid-thigh, so I’m guessing the model was quite a bit taller than I am.

The shorts have a nice number of pockets of varying sizes:

Three back pockets:
- A small zipper pocket towards the left side, appropriate for a key or a credit card
- A large top-loading center pocket, large enough for several hydrogels, a few packs of chews, or an inhaler
- A small top-loading pocket towards the right side, stretchy enough to fit a pack of chews.
A large pocket along the left IT band, large enough to fit a phone or several gels

The rear pockets are made from a lighter mesh that’s very stretchy, allowing the shorts to hold a wide variety of things while keeping the bouncing to a minimum.

2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts - Rear Pockets — 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts – Rear Pockets

My favorite feature about the 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts is the Muscle Containment Stamping (MCS) along the quads and the light compression of the fabric. I had a dumb MTB crash early in the timeframe where I was testing these shorts. The crash resulted in a very nasty hematoma in my upper quad. The 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts not only supported my muscles, but they helped keep that swollen, angry spot supported during my runs. Additionally, the MCS system gives a really nice feel to your legs as you run. Your muscles feel like they’ve got a little extra “oomph” to them as the MCS dissipates load.

Close-up of MCS that support your quadriceps

I wore the 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts on runs generally 1 to 1.5 hours in length, and anywhere from easy runs to race prep intervals. Temperatures during my testing generally was in the min 90s, as I was heat training for an upcoming hot race. While the shorts are on the longer side, I didn’t find myself overheating or feeling uncomfortable. The longer length is also necessary to maximize the compression benefits. These shorts became my go-to for intervals and pace work because of the fatigue-reducing compression.

Range of movement in the 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts was great. I was able to perform my warmup movements, including figure 4 stretches and lunges without feeling restricted.

I also didn’t have a single chafe mark from the 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts, thanks to flatlock seams and smart placement of those seams.

The 2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts are available for women in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail’s hobby is collecting hobbies. She’s a 5th Generation Coloradan and grew up exploring the outdoors on family camping trips and hikes. Her first backpacking trip was at eight years old to Grizzly Reservoir – she proudly carried all of her own gear those 3 miles from the main parking lot to the Reservoir.

Erin is an adult-onset athlete who started as a Masters Swimmer and then developed into a triathlete. She has completed 5 Ironman races and nearly 20 x 70.3 distance Ironman races, including the World Championship in Lahti, Finland, in 2023. In 2025, she raced for Team USA in Pontevedra, Spain for the World Triathlon Cross Tri World Championship and placed 9th in her age group and was 1st American women in her age group.

Erin Trail Spain Bike — Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

2XU Light Speed Mid-Rise Compression Shorts Review 1 — Erin Trail running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Somewhere along her triathlon journey, she picked up deep love of cycling. Cycling encouraged her to see landscapes in a new way, learn new skills and to develop self reliance; now she often goes and does Type 2 rides just to see if she can do it. She’s got all the bikes: gravel, mountain, fat bike, time trial and road.

She is even known to combine her love of camping and cycling and go off on solo 24 hour overnight bikepacking trips in the mountains of Colorado. In addition to bikes, she teaches yoga, lifts weights, skis, SUPs and has recently purchased a campervan.

Erin is a former Montana park ranger with a degree in environmental engineering. She loves getting into technical details while putting her gear (and herself) through the paces. She shares her home in Colorado with her husband, Will, and her 3 cats (Zipper, Brewtus, and Simcoe).

Fall and winter 2025 will bring Erin to the “Adventure Side”, with many camping, vanlife, bikepacking, and mountain bike rides. Once the snow flies, she can be find resort skiing, fat biking, and triathlon training (inside and outside).

2026 will bring a National Championship Cross Tri race, a National Championship Road Sprint and Olympic Distance race, and hopefully a chance to represent Team USA once again in 2027 in Edmonton, Canada. She’ll also save lots of room for adventure time with her friends and husband.

When not adventuring, she can be found on a sunny patio somewhere, drinking beers with her husband.

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