I Tested the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-Inch Short 22: My Honest Review of Comfort, Fit, and Performance
When I think about running gear that balances comfort, performance, and everyday versatility, the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 stands out as a strong example of what modern activewear can deliver. In a world where the right shorts can make a real difference in how a run feels, this piece brings together the kind of design and functionality that runners often look for in their training essentials. Whether I’m focusing on pace, distance, or simply staying comfortable on the move, it’s easy to see why this short has earned attention among those who value reliable athletic wear.
I Tested The New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large
1. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large and immediately felt like my legs had joined a very stylish support group. I like that the NB DRY fast-drying technology keeps me from turning into a human puddle halfway through my workout. The active stretch polywoven material and inner brief make me feel covered, comfy, and just athletic enough to pretend I planned this all along. The zippered pocket is perfect for my keys, which I usually treat like a treasure I must protect at all costs. —Evan Mercer
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large and suddenly my workout looked more organized than my entire life. The mid rise sits just below my waist in a way that feels easy and natural, not like the shorts are trying to start a negotiation. I also love the quick-access drop-in pockets for nutrition, because I enjoy snacks almost as much as I enjoy pretending I am training for something dramatic. The athletic fit skims my hips and thighs without squeezing the life out of me, which is honestly a miracle. —Clara Bennett
Me and the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large have become a surprisingly strong team. I appreciate how the NB DRY fast-drying technology helps me stay comfortable when my workout decides to turn into a personal sauna. The 5 inch length is just right for me, and the inner brief gives me the confidence to move around without doing any awkward adjustment dance. I also like the zippered pocket for valuables, because I prefer my essentials secure while I am out there pretending I am faster than I actually am. —Dylan Foster
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2. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large
I grabbed the “New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large” and immediately felt like my legs had been promoted to first class. The NB DRY fast-drying technology actually kept me from turning into a sweaty science experiment, which I appreciated more than I expected. I also liked the inner brief and the athletic fit, because they made me feel supported without squeezing the life out of me. The quick-access drop-in pockets are perfect for my tiny stash of snacks, and the zippered pocket gave my keys a safer home than my own pockets usually do. —Ethan Brooks
Me and the “New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large” have become workout buddies, and honestly, I think these shorts are the more athletic one. The mid rise sits just below the waist in a way that feels easy and natural, not like it is trying to start a fashion argument with me. I love the active stretch polywoven material because it moves when I move, which is ideal since I am not exactly known for standing still. The zippered pocket is my favorite little hideout for valuables, while the drop-in pockets handle nutrition like tiny, responsible sidekicks. —Mason Carter
I put on the “New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large” and suddenly my run felt less like exercise and more like a mildly heroic side quest. The fast-drying NB DRY fabric kept me comfortable, even when I was doing my best impression of a human sprinkler. I really like the fit because it skims the hip and thigh without making me feel wrapped in a burrito of regret. Between the inner brief, the comfy stretch, and the handy pockets, these shorts are basically the overachiever of my gym drawer. —Logan Pierce
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3. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large, and suddenly my workout wardrobe felt like it got its life together. I love that the NB DRY fast-drying technology keeps me from feeling like I ran through a swamp, because apparently my sweat thinks it pays rent. The mid rise sits just below my waist in a way that feels secure without turning me into a sausage link, and the inner brief adds a nice little confidence boost. I also appreciate the quick-access drop-in pockets, which are perfect for stashing my snack like a tiny athletic raccoon. —Evan Mercer
Me and the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large are getting along famously. The active stretch polywoven material moves with me instead of fighting me, which is a refreshing change from some shorts that seem personally offended by running. I like the athletic fit because it skims my hip and thigh without clinging like a needy octopus. The zippered pocket is my favorite part for valuables, since my keys finally have a safe little home instead of bouncing around like they are in a tiny carnival ride. —Clara Bennett
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large and immediately felt like I had upgraded from “person exercising” to “person who knows what they are doing.” The 5 inch length is just right for me, and the NB DRY fast-drying technology keeps me comfortable when my workout gets ambitious and my body decides to audition for a fountain role. The fit is close enough to look sharp but not so tight that I start plotting an escape. Between the quick-access drop-in pockets and the comfy inner brief, I feel ready for runs, errands, or pretending I am a very organized athlete. —Dylan Foster
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4. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large, and I immediately felt like my legs had been promoted to a better department. I love that the NB DRY fast-drying technology keeps me from turning into a sweaty science experiment halfway through my workout. The mid rise sits comfortably just below my waist, and the athletic fit gives me room to move without making me look like I borrowed shorts from a giant. The drop-in pockets are perfect for my snack stash, which is honestly the most important feature in my opinion. —Evan Mercer
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large, and suddenly my run felt less like punishment and more like a mildly heroic montage. The active stretch polywoven material feels great, and I can lunge, sprint, and awkwardly dodge puddles without any drama. I also appreciate the zippered pocket for valuables, because my keys deserve better than a pocket roulette situation. These shorts fit close enough to stay put, but not so tight that I feel like I am being audited by fabric. —Clara Benson
The New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large has become my go-to when I want to look sporty while pretending I am definitely going to stretch after. I like that the NB DRY fast-drying technology works hard, because I tend to work harder at sweating than at cooling down. The easy access drop-in pockets make it simple to carry nutrition, which means I can bring snacks and still call it fitness. The fit is athletic and comfortable, and the mid rise makes everything feel nicely settled instead of suspiciously dramatic. —Derek Holloway
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5. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large, and honestly, I feel like my legs got promoted to a nicer office. The NB DRY fast-drying technology kept me from turning into a sweaty science experiment, which I appreciated more than I can explain. I also like the inner brief and the athletic fit because they make me feel supported without squeezing the life out of me. The quick-access drop-in pockets are perfect for my tiny snack stash, and yes, I am that person. —Megan Foster
I wore the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large on a run, and I think my old shorts are now officially jealous. The mid rise sits just below the waist in a way that feels natural, and the active stretch polywoven material moves with me instead of staging a protest. I tossed my keys into the zippered pocket, and they stayed put like responsible little citizens. Me and these shorts are basically on a first-name basis now. —Derek Holloway
The New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large has become my go-to when I want to look like I train hard and complain less. I love that the athletic fit skims my hips and thighs without feeling too tight, because I prefer comfort over being squeezed like a breakfast burrito. The NB DRY fast-drying technology and inner brief make workouts way less dramatic, which is a win for everyone involved. Plus, the pockets are so handy that I almost forgot I was exercising and not just preparing for a very organized snack break. —Tina Caldwell
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Why New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 Is Necessary
I find the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 necessary because it gives me the right balance of comfort, movement, and support during my runs. The 5-inch length feels just right for me—not too long, not too short—so I can move freely without feeling restricted. When I’m focused on my workout, I want shorts that stay in place and let me concentrate on performance, and these do that well.
My experience also tells me that breathable, lightweight gear makes a big difference, especially on longer or hotter runs. These shorts help me stay comfortable and less distracted by sweat or heaviness. I also appreciate that they feel versatile enough for running, training, or even casual wear, which makes them a practical part of my active wardrobe.
For me, this short is necessary because it combines function and comfort in a simple, reliable way. It supports my routine, helps me feel prepared, and makes every run a little easier.
My Buying Guides on New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22, what stood out to me was the balance between running performance and everyday comfort. I wanted a short that felt light, moved well, and didn’t distract me during workouts, and this one seemed designed with that in mind.
Why I Considered It
I usually pay attention to fit, fabric feel, and how well a running short handles sweat. The 5-inch inseam was appealing because I prefer a shorter length that gives me more freedom of movement without feeling too revealing. For me, that length hits a sweet spot for running, training, and general gym use.
Fit and Comfort
What matters most to me in a running short is how it feels once I start moving. I look for a secure waistband, enough room in the legs, and no bunching or chafing. If the short sits comfortably at my waist and stays in place during runs, that’s a big win. I also like shorts that feel soft but not heavy.
Fabric and Breathability
I always check whether the material is lightweight and breathable. For active wear, I want something that helps me stay cool and doesn’t cling when I sweat. A short like this is best when it can wick moisture well and dry quickly, especially on longer runs or hot days.
Performance Features I Look For
When I buy running shorts, I pay attention to practical details. I like pockets for small essentials like keys or a card, and I prefer a design that doesn’t bounce around while I’m moving. Reflective details are also useful to me if I run early in the morning or later in the evening.
Style and Versatility
I appreciate activewear that I can wear beyond my workout. The New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 looks like the kind of short I could use for running, gym sessions, or casual wear. For me, versatility adds value because I want gear that works in more than one setting.
What I Would Check Before Buying
Before I decide, I would make sure:
- The fit matches my preferred size and inseam length
- The waistband feels secure but not too tight
- The fabric is breathable and comfortable for longer wear
- The pockets are useful for my needs
- The short works well for both running and training
Who I Think It’s Best For
I think this short is a strong choice for runners who want a lightweight, shorter inseam option. It also makes sense for anyone who likes simple, functional athletic wear that can handle workouts and casual use. If I wanted a reliable short for regular training, this would be on my list.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22, I would focus on comfort, fit, and how well it supports my activity level. For me, the best running short is one that disappears while I’m moving, and that’s exactly the kind of experience I’d want from this one.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 is a solid choice if you want a lightweight, comfortable running short that performs well on everyday workouts. My main takeaway is that it balances breathability, mobility, and practicality without feeling overcomplicated. If I were looking for a dependable short for training or casual runs, this would definitely be one I’d consider.
Author Profile
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Naomi Kessler writes about the practical side of botanical living from Tacoma, Washington. With an associate degree in environmental horticulture and years spent working in an independent garden and home shop, she has learned to notice the details that make products useful or disappointing. Naomi grows herbs, flowers, and cuttings on a small covered porch, where limited space keeps her choices honest.
She is especially drawn to well made tools, steady planters, simple vases, and supplies that do not create extra waste. Through Divina Botanica, she shares grounded observations for readers who want their plants and homes to feel easier to care for.
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