$89 split shorts review
A Tom’s Guide hands‑on review ran 5 miles in New Balance’s $89 3‑inch split shorts and called them notably comfortable with outstanding freedom of movement, but also “revealing” — best for runners prioritizing minimalism and breathability (tomsguide.com). The test highlights fit tradeoffs you’ll want to consider before buying for long‑distance runs (tomsguide.com).
The Tom’s Guide hands‑on writeup was filed by Jeff Parsons and published March 28, 2026. (shopping.yahoo.com/health/fitness/articles/ran-5-miles-89-3-100000998.html) New Balance lists the product as the RC Ultra Light Split Short 3" (model MS51283) with a U.S. retail price of $89.99 on its official site. (newbalance.com/pd/rc-ultra-light-split-short-3/MS51283.html) Official product specs call out NB ICE moisture‑wicking technology, four‑way stretch fabric and a built‑in brief, details echoed in major retailer descriptions. (newbalance.com/pd/rc-ultra-light-split-short-3/MS51283.html; dickssportinggoods.com/p/new-balance-mens-rc-ultra-light-3-split-shorts-24nwbmrcltrlghtspmaa/24nwbmrcltrlghtspmaa) The New Balance RC family shows multiple inseam options and prices — the RC Split Short 3" is listed at $64.99 while Ultra Light 3" models are $89.99, and 5" and 7" RC variants appear at different price points. (newbalance.com/pd/rc-split-short-3/MS41280.html; newbalance.com/rc-shorts) Retail listings and brand copy describe the Ultra Light model as a split, racing‑style short intended to maximize mobility and minimize weight, with availability varying by color and size across sellers. (runningwarehouse.com/New_Balance_Mens_RC_Ultra_Light_3_Split_Short/descpage-NMCRULS.html; newbalance.com/pd/rc-ultra-light-split-short-3/MS51283.html) Customer listings on New Balance pages show strong average ratings for RC‑line shorts (around 4.7/5 on some product pages), while some retailers and outlet listings show different sale prices and stock levels for the same or similar 3" split models. (newbalance.com/pd/rc-split-short-3/MS41280.html; joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/pd/rc-ultra-light-split-short-3/MS51283.html)
