Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Rabbit will celebrate its fifth birthday this summer, and it’s quite remarkable how prominent they’ve become in the running apparel world in such a short period of time. From the beginning, a few key characteristics of the brand stood out: their use of exceptionally comfortable materials, skilled balance of innovating and launching new styles without compromising existing favorites and perhaps, most importantly, a willingness to listen to customer feedback.
All of those aspects are evident in their spring trail collection which combines two new products in response to popular demand, and two items that are updates to tried and true favorites.
rabbit high country shirts ($68 men’s / $65 women’s)
Nothing conveys mountain vibes quite like a plaid shirt, but as longtime devotees of running in button-down tops, we can attest that sometimes performance features are sacrificed in order to look chill. Thankfully, we’ve found nothing to compromise comfort or performance in this top which quickly became a regular in our spring wardrobe. These shirts have also been a fan favorite and quickly sold out upon initial launch but are now available for pre-order and will be back in stock this month.
rabbit high country men’s shirt
rabbit high country women’s sleeveless
The men’s high country is styled like a traditional button-down short sleeve shirt, while the women’s version is sleeveless and provides full coverage for the chest, back and top of the shoulders. Basically, it looks like you cut the sleeves off your boyfriend’s favorite plaid shirt. Otherwise, construction elements for both tops are virtually identical and feature a Performance Plaid fabric made from 88% recycled polyester and 12% spandex. The polyester is impressively soft – not as soft as some of rabbit’s more luxurious fabrics – but is still comfortable for all-day use, wicks moisture rapidly and breathes well in dry heat. The spandex gives just enough stretch to wipe your face with the sleeve (on the men’s version) or with the front hemline (on the women’s version, see next paragraph) while maintaining a semi-fitted form through the torso that moves easily with your body. One great design element is the laser-cut perforation holes on the entire back side of the shirt to optimize air flow and thermoregulation.
Fully perforated back panel and minimalist collar
Several other features reflect how much thought was put into the high country shirts. The collars are about half the height of traditional button-down shirts, which gives your neck a bit of sun coverage, but doesn’t slap your face on windy days. Front snaps are easy to open and close with a single hand and make it easy to dump or retain heat as needed. Full disclosure: we did have to unbutton the two bottom snaps in order to bring the hemline all the way up to our forehead when wiping off sweat. Two fully functional front snap pockets add a bit of storage if needed. Minor drop hems in front and back allow for easy tucking when the shirt is worn under a jacket for alpine starts.
After a spring of high mileage testing in both the men’s and women’s high country shirts, they will be a staple for our long runs and ultras this year. Both men’s and women’s versions come in blue and red plaid colorways.
rabbit men’s FKT shorts ($68-70, depending on inseam length)
rabbit men’s FKT shorts
FKT side pouch storage
Mesh back panel, zip pocket
While the FKT moniker is typically associated with trail running, we’ve found these shorts equally suitable for fast road and track efforts. The combination of breezy lightweight panels plus a relatively high split thigh notch allow full range of motion and make it easy to open up your stride when ratcheting up the pace. A wide, flat waistband keeps the top of the shorts stable around your waist, come in 7”, 5” and 3” inseam options and include a nice amount of storage on all three models. A small key pocket is included in the rear brief liner, two moderately-sized stash pouches are placed externally on either hip and a larger horizontal zipper pocket is located at center rear. The rabbitKNIT liner is soft and wicks moisture quickly toward the exterior panels where air movement does the rest.
rabbit women’s dirt pounders 2.0 shorts ($68)
rabbit women’s dirt pounders 2.0
dirt pounders 2.0 side pouch
The original version of these shorts was a very popular item in the rabbit lineup, and the 2.0 version features the exact same fit. However, updated material construction with a more comfortable poly/spandex fabric combination is included on the exterior panels – essentially the same fabric found on the men’s FKT shorts. Other design elements on the dirt pounders are similar to the FKT shorts with a high split leg notch, wide flat waistband, soft rabbitKNIT liner and multiple pockets at your disposal. Pocket alignment is identical with the exception of the small key pocket being located on the front waistband of these shorts instead of the back. The dirt pounders have a 4” inseam and come in a cool “dress blues blot” colorway which has a slightly tropical look that’s perfect for summer.
All rabbit trail apparel is available at www.runinrabbit.com. The FKT shorts and dirt pounders 2.0 shorts are available now, and the men’s and women’s high country shirts are available for pre-order.
Testing the rabbit trail collection In the high country