Most training shorts are made from synthetic performance fabrics — lightweight, quick-drying, built for movement. For many people, that's where the evaluation ends. But two things rarely mentioned on the label make a significant difference to how shorts actually perform across a full summer of training.

The first is odour. Synthetic fabrics trap the bacteria responsible for odour in their fibres, and standard washing doesn't fully remove them. The second is the anti-odour treatment applied to address this: most use silver ions or zinc compounds that wash out within a season and enter waterways as environmental contaminants.

Here's what to look for in training shorts that genuinely perform — not just in the first month, but across the full lifespan of the garment.

The Odour Problem in Training Shorts

Training shorts are worn during high-output sessions. They absorb sweat, they're worn against skin, and they're used repeatedly before washing. The odour that builds up in most shorts is not a matter of how often you wash them — it's a matter of what the fabric is made from.

Synthetic performance fabrics have a fibre structure that mechanically traps bacteria. Sweat itself is largely odourless; the smell comes from bacterial activity breaking down sweat compounds on the fibre surface. Once bacteria establish in synthetic fibres, temperatures used in standard machine washing — 30°C to 40°C — don't fully eliminate them. They survive the wash cycle and rebuild quickly with the next session's sweat.

Read more about why gym clothes still smell after washing.

Why Most Anti-Odour Treatments Don't Last

The industry's standard response to the odour problem is silver-ion treatment. Silver is a genuine antimicrobial — it inhibits bacterial activity effectively. The problem is durability and environmental impact.

Silver-ion treatments in most activewear lose significant effectiveness within 15–25 washes. After half a summer of regular training, the treatment is largely gone. The shorts are now an untreated synthetic fabric with an odour problem.

Silver ions leach into wastewater through washing. They are classified as environmental contaminants under EU REACH regulation, accumulating in aquatic ecosystems. PFAS — used for water repellency in some performance fabrics — are facing regulatory bans across Europe, with France legislating against them in textiles by 2026.

Read the full breakdown of silver, zinc, and PFAS in sportswear.

What Makes a Training Short Actually Perform

1. Anti-Odour Technology That Lasts

Plant-based anti-odour technologies offer a different durability profile. HeiQ Mint — derived from peppermint, free from silver, zinc, and heavy metals — retains more than 94% of its effectiveness after 20 washes at 30°C. That's roughly six months of weekly training washes. Biodegradable and REACH compliant.

2. Performance Fabric Properties That Matter

• Moisture-wicking — moving sweat away from the skin surface quickly, reducing discomfort during intense training
• Quick-drying — accelerating evaporation to keep the fabric from staying heavy and wet mid-session
• 4-way stretch — unrestricted movement in every direction, essential for training that involves lunging, squatting, sprinting, or lateral movement
• Lightweight construction — minimising weight and bulk without sacrificing durability

3. Construction Details That Determine Longevity

• Multiple pockets — secure storage for phone, key, or earbuds without bulk
• Internal drawcords — adjustable fit without visible external hardware that catches during movement
• Anti-pilling — maintaining fabric appearance and integrity through repeated high-friction use
• Classic fit — a cut that works across training contexts, from gym sessions to outdoor sport

4. Certifications

• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 — every component of the finished garment tested and verified free from harmful substances
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) — whole-supply-chain oversight from raw materials through to finished product
• Bluesign — responsible resource and chemical use in manufacturing

Read more about what these certifications actually verify.

The APRÍtech Airy Performance Shorts

The APRÍtech Airy Performance Shorts are engineered around the above criteria:

• Technology: APRÍtech™ HeiQ Mint plant-based anti-odour — 94%+ effective after 20 washes at 30°C, no silver, no zinc, no PFAS, no heavy metals
• Performance fabric: Lightweight construction, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch for full range of motion
• Construction: Multiple pockets, internal drawcords, anti-pilling, classic fit
• Certifications: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, GOTS, Bluesign
• Manufacturing: Made in Portugal to European standards throughout

Built for high-intensity training — gym, running, padel, tennis, and outdoor sport — and durable enough to stay performing across a full season without the anti-odour treatment washing out.

Training Shorts Checklist