Boys Nike Pro Combat Sliding Shorts – How They Provide Improved Comfort
When it comes to boys sports apparel, few items are as essential as a quality pair of sliding shorts. Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts have become a go-to for young athletes, offering improved comfort and performance. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes these shorts such a popular choice.
Lightweight and Breathable Fabric
Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts are made from a lightweight, breathable polyester and spandex blend. This flexible fabric moves with the body and allows air to flow through, keeping boys cool and comfortable during activity. The smooth material also cuts down on irritation and chafing that can come with cheaper shorts.
Stretchy Elastic Waistband
A key feature that provides all-day comfort is the wide, stretchy waistband. It is designed with plenty of give to move freely during play. The thick waistband also stays securely in place without uncomfortable squeezing or rolling. For the best fit, Nike offers these shorts in sizes from youth XS to XL.
Strategic Mesh Venting
Targeted mesh venting is strategically placed along the sides of Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts. This venting serves the dual purpose of enhancing breathability while also improving mobility and range of motion. The mesh panels move with the body, allowing boys to run, jump, and stretch freely.
Smooth Flatlock Seams
No more chafing or irritation! Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts feature flatlock seams that create a smooth surface inside the shorts. The streamlined seam construction reduces friction against the skin for all-day comfort. Flatlock stitching also provides greater durability during active wear.
Built-In Briefs
For active boys, constant adjustment and repositioning of loose shorts can be annoying and disruptive to play. That’s why Nike Pro Combat shorts have built-in briefs that keep the shorts locked in place. The compression briefs offer secure support while the outer short layers provide full coverage and range of motion.
Moisture-Wicking Fabric
Working up a sweat is inevitable when playing sports, but moisture-wicking fabric helps keep boys dry. Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts are designed with quick-drying material that pulls sweat away from the skin and towards the surface. This keeps boys comfortable even during the most intense activities.
When comfort and performance matter, the innovative design features of Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts make them a go-to choice. From the lightweight material and strategic venting to the smooth seams and built-in briefs, these shorts are purpose-built for active boys.
Key Features of Boys Nike Sliding Shorts for Enhanced Mobility
When playing sports, proper athletic apparel can make all the difference in mobility and performance. For young athletes, Nike sliding shorts are designed with key features that allow for a full range of motion during activity.
Stretch Fabric Construction
Nike constructs their sliding shorts using fabrics that incorporate spandex and elastane, providing built-in stretch. This allows the shorts to flex and move with the body for unrestricted mobility. The stretchy material maintains its shape even during constant motion.
Gusseted Crotch
A gusseted crotch is another mobility-focused design element in Nike sliding shorts. This diamond-shaped panel sewn into the crotch allows for a wider range of motion and fewer restrictions. The gusseted crotch eliminates binding, pinching, and riding up as boys run, jump, and bend.
Mesh Venting Zones
Strategically placed mesh vent zones provide ventilation while also improving mobility. Mesh paneling is constructed from a highly breathable open-weave material. The vented mesh fabric easily flexes and stretches with the body’s movement.
Minimal Seams
For maximum comfort and flexibility, Nike sliding shorts utilize flatlock stitching and minimal seams. Flatlock seams create a smooth surface inside the shorts to avoid friction and irritation during activity. Fewer seams also enhance mobility by reducing restricting points in the fabric.
Shorter Inseams
Nike offers many of their sliding shorts in 5 to 7 inch inseam lengths. The shorter cut allows for running and lunging without restriction from longer baggy shorts. Less fabric also decreases weight and improves freedom of movement.
Elastic Waistband and Leg Openings
Stretchy elastic waistbands and leg openings made from spandex move freely with the body. These areas expand and contract to allow sliding shorts to stay in place without impeding mobility. The flexible elastic maintains a secure fit during constant motion.
Smooth Interior Waistband
Ride up and twisting is prevented thanks to the smooth, wide waistband lining. This soft interior band provides comfort while keeping shorts locked in place as boys move. There are no rubber grippers or rigid waistbands that can dig in and restrict mobility.
Allowing young athletes to move freely and without restriction is central to the design of Nike sliding shorts. Innovative features like gusseted crotches, vented mesh, and elastic waistbands give boys the high-performance mobility required for sports and activity.
Top Boys Nike Sliding Shorts Styles in 2022 and 2023
When shopping for boys athletic apparel, Nike sliding shorts are a popular choice for good reason. Here’s an overview of Nike’s top sliding shorts styles for young athletes in 2022 and 2023.
Nike Pro Combat Sliding Shorts
The Nike Pro Combat sliding shorts are constructed with smooth, lightweight polyester and spandex to provide a flexible fit. They feature mesh venting zones, moisture-wicking fabric, and flatlock seams to prevent irritation. These shorts come in colors like black, navy, and red.
Nike Flex Stride Sliding Shorts
Flex Stride sliding shorts utilize Nike’s lightweight Dri-FIT fabric to keep boys cool and dry. They have built-in briefs and an elastic waistband for comfort and coverage during activity. Side mesh panels allow maximum breathability and range of motion.
Nike phenom Sliding Shorts
The Nike Phenom style has an athletic relaxed fit silhouette made for comfort and mobility. The polyester and spandex blend provides stretch, while the mesh lined side vents enhance airflow. Phenom sliding shorts come in team colors like navy, maroon, black, and grey.
Nike Court Sliding Shorts
Designed for sports like tennis, volleyball, and basketball, the Nike Court sliding shorts feature built-in compression for support during quick cuts and lateral motion. Flat seams reduce irritation and the elastic waistband with drawcord allows for an adjustable fit.
Nike Dri-FIT Showtime Sliding Shorts
Showtime sliding shorts are made with smooth, ultra-breathable Nike Dri-FIT fabric to keep boys cool and comfortable. They have mesh side panels, slit leg openings for greater range of motion, and built-in briefs for coverage and a secure fit during activity.
From versatile designs perfect for practice to styles optimized for competition, Nike offers high-quality sliding shorts to suit young athletes’ needs. Focusing on innovative features like breathable fabric, flexible construction, and strategic venting ensures boys stay comfortable and mobile all game long.
Finding the Right Fit – Boys Nike Sliding Shorts Size Chart
To maximize comfort and athletic performance, it’s important for boys sliding shorts to fit properly. Nike provides a helpful size chart to ensure you find the right fit for your young athlete’s body type and dimensions.
Measure Waist Size
Use a soft measuring tape to wrap around your son’s natural waistline, above the hip bones. Make sure the tape is straight across the back and not twisted. The measurement in inches will correspond to a size on Nike’s chart. Size down if in between sizes for a more secure fit.
Account for Growth
It’s a good idea to buy boys sliding shorts a little big to allow for growth spurts. Nike has an expanding waistband that can let shorts out up to two inches. Just be sure excess fabric doesn’t hinder mobility during sports.
Consider Inseam Length
Nike offers sliding shorts in preferred basketball length (5-inch inseam) or preferred football/baseball length (7-inch inseam). Taller boys may prefer the longer 7-inch option for more coverage. Go shorter for more mobility.
Compare Recommended Age Ranges
Nike provides recommended age ranges as a guide for each size. This considers average growth patterns at different ages. However, athletes mature at different rates, so use age only as a starting point.
Read Size Reviews
Checking out reviews from buyers with boys of similar sizes can provide useful sizing feedback. See if the consensus is to order true to size or size up/down. This gives greater confidence in fit.
Order 2+ Sizes Initially
Since children grow rapidly, consider ordering two sizes and returning the one that doesn’t fit for free. Trying on multiple sizes makes it easier to determine the ideal shorts length and fit.
Taking the time to consult Nike’s size chart and reviews ensures you’ll find just the right fit. Properly sized sliding shorts allow young athletes to move naturally while staying cool and covered during sports and activities.
Comparing Different Fabrics Used in Boys Nike Sliding Shorts
The type of fabric used to construct boys sliding shorts plays a key role in performance, comfort and durability. Nike uses innovative textiles to create shorts that meet young athletes’ needs. Here’s a look at some of their most common fabrics.
Nike Dri-FIT
Many Nike sliding shorts feature lightweight Dri-FIT material, a polyester fabric engineered to wick sweat away from the skin and towards the surface where it can evaporate. This keeps boys dry even during intense activity in the heat.
Mesh
Strategically placed mesh panels made of a breathable open-weave polyester fabric provide superior ventilation and cooling. Mesh stretches readily to allow unrestricted movement. It’s often used on the sides of sliding shorts.
Spandex/Elastane
Nike adds spandex and elastane to sliding short fabrics to create stretch and flexibility that moves with the body. At least 10-15% spandex content ensures shorts won’t restrict mobility during activity and exercise.
Polyester
Polyester is a key component of many Nike sliding shorts, often blended with other fabrics. It wicks moisture, resists shrinking, retains shape, and dries quickly. Nike’s lightweight polyester blends enhance comfort.
Nylon
Nylon fabrics provide smoothness, durability, stretch, and quicker drying times. Nylon’s high strength makes it well-suited for athletic apparel that undergoes rigorous activity like sliding shorts.
By engineering high-performance fabrics that leverage moisture wicking, ventilation, four-way stretch, and quick-drying capabilities, Nike sliding shorts keep up with the demands of active young athletes in any sport or season.
Keeping Cool – How Boys Nike Sliding Shorts Allow Airflow
Proper ventilation is essential to keeping young athletes cool, dry and comfortable during sports and physical activity. Nike incorporates several clever design elements into their sliding shorts to promote airflow and breathability.
Mesh Paneling
Strategically placed mesh panels made from a lightweight, breathable open weave fabric allow air to freely flow through the shorts. Mesh stretches and moves with the body’s motion without limiting ventilation.
Minimal Overlapping Fabric Layers
Nike sliding shorts feature minimal overlapping layers of fabric to prevent trapped heat buildup. This allows air to circulate between the shorts and skin for excellent cooling effects.
Moisture-Wicking Fabric
Fabrics like Nike’s Dri-FIT polyester rapidly pull sweat away from the skin where it can evaporate. Keeping perspiration from accumulating on the surface promotes cooling airflow to the skin.
Loose-Fitting Design Elements
Details like a relaxed leg opening, smooth elastic waistband, and loose leg construction prevent Nike sliding shorts from clinging to the skin. This loose-fit allows cooling airflow to easily pass through the shorts.
Vented Side Seams
Small mesh vents are built into side seams to allow hot air to escape while bringing fresh air in. Seam venting prevents heat and moisture buildup inside the shorts.
Lightweight Fabrics
Nike constructs their sliding shorts from lightweight, thin fabrics that don’t retain heat close to the body. Lighter materials make it easier for air to pass through and cool the skin.
Leveraging mesh, moisture-wicking material, strategic venting, and unrestrictive designs allows Nike sliding shorts to keep young athletes feeling cool and fresh in even hot summer conditions.
Why Boys Nike Sliding Shorts Have Flat Seams for Reduced Friction
To prevent chafing, irritation, and discomfort during physical activity, Nike sliding shorts feature flat seam construction that minimizes friction against the skin.
Smooth Inner Surface
Flat seams create a smooth, flat surface on the inner shorts liner that lays flush against the skin. This avoids abrasive raised stitching that can cause chafing when skin rubs across it repeatedly.
Stitching on Outer Face
With flat seams, the stitching runs along the outer face of the fabric rather than the inside. This protects skin from coming into direct contact with rougher stitching and sensitive areas like the inner thighs.
Reduced Redness and Irritation
By minimizing roughness inside the shorts, flat seams significantly reduce spots of post-activity redness and irritation around the thighs and groin caused by friction with standard seams.
Greater Comfort
The smooth interior environment created by flat seams provides noticeably enhanced comfort during active wear. Boys won’t be bothered by scratchy seams when making dynamic athletic motions.
Polyester Thread
Nike uses soft polyester thread on flat seams rather than thicker, rougher cotton threads. This enhances seam smoothness further helping eliminate irritation.
Prevent Pinching and Chafing
Flat seams eradicate pinch points inside the shorts helping prevent skin from being pinched and rubbed raw. Freedom of movement won’t be impeded by discomfort.
By constructing their sliding shorts with flatlock stitching, Nike puts comfort first for active young boys. Friction, irritation, and pinching won’t stand in the way of athletic performance.
The Importance of Pockets in Boys Nike Sliding Shorts
Unlike basketball or cargo style shorts, sliding shorts typically feature minimal or no pockets. However, Nike recognizes the value of pockets in boys apparel and incorporates them into many sliding shorts styles.
Storage On-the-Go
Pockets allow boys to securely store small personal items when active. This includes house keys, phones, snacks, or pocket change. Without pockets, these items can be lost or become a distraction.
Quick Access
Side seam pockets on Nike sliding shorts are conveniently positioned for easy access on the move. Boys don’t have to stop play to retrieve an item from their pocket due to the ideal placement.
Moisture-Wicking Fabric
Even when storing a phone or snacks, the moisture-wicking pocket lining keeps moisture away. This prevents items from getting wet with sweat during activity in hot weather.
Zippered Option
Some Nike sliding styles feature a zippered pocket that provides secure storage for valuables like keys, money or headphones. Zippers keep belongings safely contained.
Right Size
The modest pocket sizes accommodate essentials while maintaining the slim fit sliding shorts are known for. Oversized pockets can add bulk and create distractions.
Reduced Bulge
The discreet side seam pocket location eliminates unflattering thigh bulges that can occur with cargo pockets. This streamlined silhouette appeals to style-conscious boys.
Although focused on delivering high performance and comfort, Nike still manages to incorporate smartly designed pockets into many sliding shorts. The pockets provide function without sacrificing athletic style and mobility.
How Long Should Boys Nike Sliding Shorts Be for Each Sport?
Nike offers sliding shorts in a range of inseam lengths to accommodate different sports and preferences. The right length provides an optimal blend of coverage and mobility.
Basketball – 5 inches
For sports like basketball that involve frequent running and jumping, a 5-inch inseam is recommended. The shorter length allows for greater freedom of movement and less restrictive fabric.
Baseball – 7 inches
The 7-inch inseam found in many Nike baseball sliding shorts provides a bit more coverage for sports that require frequent sliding. The longer cut offers more protection on dives and slides.
Football – 7 inches
Like baseball, football sliding shorts are ideally 7 inches to give players full coverage when going to the ground while not sacrificing mobility needed for running routes.
Soccer – 5-7 inches
For sports like soccer that involve sprinting downfield plus occasional slides, either 5 or 7-inch shorts work well. Players can choose based on personal length preference.
Casual Wear – 5-7 inches
For everyday leisurely wear, boys can select their ideal length. Taller boys who prefer more coverage may opt for 7-inch, while more active kids often like 5-inch.
Growing Boys – Size Up
Keep future growth in mind and consider sizing up if your son is near the cusp of two lengths. The extra length can extend short life as he gets taller.
Evaluating athletic needs, height, age, and personal preference makes it easy to select the ideal Nike sliding shorts length to maximize both coverage and mobility.
Popular Color Options for Boys Nike Sliding Shorts
Nike produces their athletic sliding shorts for boys in a wide selection of colors to suit different preferences. Here are some of the most popular shade options:
Classic Black
A sports staple, black sliding shorts offer versatility to mix and match with team jerseys and shirts. The dark color also hides dirt well for high-wear pieces.
Bold Team Colors
Vibrant shades like red, orange, royal blue, kelly green and purple allow boys to showcase team spirit. These eye-catching hues match most school or club color schemes.
Cool Grey
For boys who prefer understated style, heathered grey provides a lightweight, casual look. The neutral hue pairs nicely with any jersey color.
Navy Blue
Navy is another versatile neutral that complements most athletic jerseys and tops. The darker blue is sharp yet subtle.
Maroon and Forest Green
Deeper shades like maroon and forest green offer stylish versatility. They provide a mature yet sporty look popular among older boys.
With a spectrum covering bold brights to versatile dark neutrals, Nike sliding shorts come in every color to satisfy boys’ personal style preferences.
Caring for Your Boys Nike Sliding Shorts – Washing and Drying Tips
Like any athletic apparel, proper laundry techniques help Nike sliding shorts maintain their function and appearance over time. Follow these washing and drying recommendations:
Read the Care Tag
Check the garment tag for any special washing instructions. Nike sliding shorts typically can be machine washed warm and tumble dried low.
Wash in Cold Water
Using cold water allows colors to retain vibrancy and helps fabric maintain elasticity. Warm water can cause fading and impact stretch over time.
Gentle Cycle
Select a gentle machine cycle to avoid damage from agitation. High-speed spin cycles can deteriorate elastic and rip seams.
Non-Chlorine Bleach
Add non-chlorine bleach to brighten whites and colors while disinfecting the fabric. Avoid chlorine bleach that can break down the fibers.
Mesh Bags
Place sliding shorts inside a mesh bag when washing to prevent fabric damage. This stops stretching and retains the shorts’ shape.
Line or Flat Dry
Tumble drying can degrade fabric over time. For longevity, hang dry shorts or lay flat to maintain vibrant colors and elasticity.
Follow these care instructions and Nike sliding shorts will perform comfortably season after season while maintaining quality construction.
Finding Deals on Boys Nike Sliding Shorts – Where to Shop Online
While Nike sliding shorts for boys offer quality construction, the brand’s premium status means they can be pricy at full retail cost. Use these tips to find savings when shopping online:
Check Nike’s Sale Section
Nike.com features a sale section with discounts on last season’s styles and overstock colors. Sort by boys sliding shorts for the best deals.
Sign Up for Email Promos
Nike sends exclusive email promo codes to subscribers. These often unlock discounts like 15-20% off or free shipping on orders.
Shop Seasonal Sales
Major seasonal sales like back-to-school, Black Friday, and end-of-year offer big savings on Nike apparel. Create price drop alerts.
Check Department Stores
Retailers like Macy’s, Kohl’s and JCPenney carry Nike and frequently run large-scale sales events both online and in stores.
Shop Discount Athletic Websites
Sites like Eastbay, LeftLane Sports, and 6pm heavily discount past-season Nike sliding shorts styles for boys and girls.
Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Purchase discounted Nike gift cards from resellers like Raise or GiftCardGranny to score savings on every order.
With insider shopping strategies, you can outfit your boy in stylish Nike sliding shorts without overspending. Seek out online sales, promos, gift cards and seasonal deals.
Are Boys Nike Sliding Shorts Worth the Investment? Our Verdict
When considering boys athletic apparel, Nike sliding shorts deliver an exceptional blend of quality, function and style. Here’s our take on whether they warrant the investment:
Innovative Performance Fabrics
From Dri-FIT moisture wicking to flexible mesh panels, Nike leverages top-tier technical fabrics optimized for active kids. This justifies the higher cost.
Flattering, Athletic Fit
Nike nails the modern athletic-casual aesthetic boys want with a flattering slim fit and stylish design details. The shorts look as great as they perform.
Durable Construction
Designed for rugged athletic activity, Nike build holds up wash after wash. Few other brands match Nike’s standards for quality stitching and materials.
Ideal Length Options
With multiple length options from 5 to 9 inches, Nike has boys sliding shorts suited for every sport and body type.
Trusted Brand Reputation
For over 50 years Nike has been synonymous with elite performance and style. You’re investing in decades of apparel innovation and expertise.
While pricier than generic options, serious young athletes who demand quality, comfort and an athletic look earn every penny from Nike sliding shorts.