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New Balance Q Speed Fuel Short Review

These high-quality, lightweight shorts could be a staple in any runner's summer wardrobe.

Published: May 26, 2021

Overall Score: 4/5

NB Short

Overall Impressions

Likes:

  • Lightweight design
  • Moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric
  • Stretchy and unrestrictive
  • Comfortable fit
  • High-quality, durable construction

Dislikes:

  • Longer drawstring
  • Slightly rough seams
  • Slides down when pockets are loaded

The New Balance Men's Q Speed Fuel Short is a lightweight, versatile short constructed with high-quality fabric that offers an unhindered running experience. They come in 5" and 7" lengths, including a 2-in-1 short-tight option to meet the needs of diverse runners. Our testers loved the versatile storage provided by the three pockets (one secure vertical zip pocket and two side drop-in pockets), and they also enjoyed the wide range of motion the Q Speed Shorts offered thanks to their stretchy construction. During strenuous workouts, New Balance's moisture-wicking fabric kept them dry as they worked up a sweat. Overall, the testers were impressed by the high-quality build and lightweight comfort of the Q Speed Shorts.


Features & Style

Score: 8/10

David: "This short looks stylish and comes in a few different colour options. It's nice having the back pockets for storing a couple of gels, my keys, and an ID so I can keep my hands free."

Kaleb: "I thought the Q Speed Fuel Shorts were well-designed and very stylish. I appreciated the amount of storage they offered, and I thought the NB DRY technology was excellent at keeping me dry. I also really liked the coverage with the 5-inch model, which did not feel out of place for casual wear. I received the black colourway, which looked great with the cool NB and NBRC logos on the hips, but I think I might have to buy the Ghost Pepper colorway because they look "fire" as the kids used to say (I have no idea what they say today)."

Comfort & Fit

Score: 8/10

David: "The fit is spot on for me. I typically wear a large, and the large in these was comfortable without fitting too snug or too loose. As a taller runner, I appreciated the 7" length, which sits a couple of inches above my knee and allows for freedom of movement whether I'm cruising the road or trail. The only downside was that the liner had some stitching on the edges that I had to adjust every once in a while. It wasn't noticeable most of the time, but it's worth mentioning."

Kaleb: "I thought the polyester/polywoven fabric was a little rough at first. After a wash, the fabric seemed to soften, but it could still be slightly softer. Overall, it was a good fit with a comfortable brief liner. I did have a little trouble with security when the shorts were loaded with running essentials (phone), though that was easily fixed by tightening the drawstring."

Quality & Value

Score: 9/10

David: "The fabric and design of the shorts are high quality, especially for the price. I loved the lightweight stretch fabric and was very surprised by how quickly it dried the sweat. The pockets are a bonus, and it was convenient not to have to carry an extra belt or vest for my gels and ID."

Kaleb: "I think New Balance has created a high-quality pair of shorts with the Q Speed Fuel. These shorts have performed very well with only a couple of nitpicking critiques. They seem durable and should have no problem lasting you a long time. I wore them on a couple of trail runs, and despite being prone to snagging my clothes on branches and such, the Q Speed had no issues handling everything I could throw at them."



Our Reviewers

DavidRunning Warehouse

Overall Score: 9/10

"I was very impressed by these shorts and their quality construction. The fabric was stretchy, lightweight, and quick-drying, so I didn't have to worry about sweat pooling up and could run unrestricted on both the road and trail. The fit was spot on, and I felt comfortable throughout all my kilometres. I especially loved the pockets in the back for securing my keys, gels, and ID. Overall, these were excellent shorts at a solid price, and I would highly recommend them for the runner looking for a quality, everyday running short that they will want to reach for day after day."

KalebLiz

Overall Score: 8/10

"I liked the New Balance Q Speed Fuel 5" Shorts and thought they performed very well out on the run. I was especially impressed with how quickly the shorts wicked away moisture and how stylish they were out running or walking around town. I enjoyed the coverage the shorts provided, but one critique I did have was that they were not quite as soft as some of the other shorts on the market. I also needed to adjust the drawstring a few times to get a secure hold around my waist when my pockets were loaded, but this was a very minor issue. Given the overall value, style, and performance, I think the Q Speed Fuel Short would be a welcome addition to any runner's kit."

Caroline

Caroline is a lifelong, avid runner who enjoys the outdoors. Whether on the road or on the trail, running or hiking, being surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature is her ultimate happy place.