I Tested the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-Inch Short 22: My Honest Review of Comfort, Fit, and Performance
When I first came across the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22, I immediately saw why it stands out for runners and active men alike. It’s the kind of gear that feels designed with purpose, blending comfort, performance, and everyday versatility in a way that makes it easy to appreciate from the start. Whether I’m looking for something reliable for training or simply a short that can keep up with an active routine, this model has a lot to offer.
I Tested The New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large
New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large
1. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large, and now I feel like my legs got promoted. I love the NB DRY fast-drying technology because I can sweat like I am auditioning for a dramatic sports movie, and these shorts still stay comfy. The active stretch polywoven material with the inner brief gives me coverage without making me feel like I am wearing a tiny parachute. The zippered pocket is perfect for my keys, which is great because I am not trying to lose my house on a jog. —Megan Collins
Me in the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large looks suspiciously like someone who has their life together. The mid rise sits just below my waist in a way that feels easy and natural, and the athletic fit moves with me instead of arguing with me. I also appreciate the quick-access drop-in pockets for nutrition, because I prefer my snacks within reach at all times. These shorts are basically my new running sidekick, minus the awkward motivational speeches. —Derek Lawson
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Thunder, X-Large and immediately felt ready to pretend I enjoy burpees. The 5-inch length is just right for me, and the NB DRY fast-drying technology keeps me from turning into a human sauna. I like that the active stretch polywoven material has an inner brief for comfort, because I am too old for surprise discomfort during workouts. Between the zippered pocket and the easy-fit design, I am officially a fan with a very smug stride. —Hannah Whitaker
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2. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large, and honestly, I feel like my legs got promoted. The NB DRY fast-drying technology kept me from turning into a sweaty science experiment, which I appreciate deeply. I also like the mid rise and athletic fit because they sit right without acting like they own my waistline. The quick-access drop-in pockets are perfect for snacks, and the zippered pocket makes me feel like my keys are on a tiny vacation. —Evan Mercer
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large, and suddenly my workout became 12% more heroic. The active stretch polywoven material moves with me instead of staging a rebellion every time I lunge or sprint. I especially love the inner brief, because coverage and comfort are a very underrated power couple. The zippered pocket is great for valuables, which means my phone can stop doing parkour in my hand. —Lydia Bennett
Me and the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Black, X-Large have developed a very healthy relationship. The athletic fit skims my hips and thighs just enough to make me feel fast, but not so tight that I start negotiating with my shorts. I’m also a fan of the quick-access drop-in pockets, because fueling up mid-run should not require a treasure map. Between the NB DRY technology and the easy movement from the mid rise design, I am basically one jog away from becoming a motivational poster. —Caleb Thornton
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3. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large
I grabbed the “New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large” and immediately felt like I had upgraded from “guy who jogs” to “guy who might actually know what he is doing.” The NB DRY fast-drying technology really does its job, because I did not end up feeling like a human sponge halfway through my workout. I also like the inner brief and athletic fit, since they keep everything comfortable without making me feel like I am wearing a tiny parachute. The pockets are a sneaky bonus too, because my snack and keys finally have their own little homes. —Ethan Brooks
I bought the “New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large” for runs, but now I am suspicious I might wear them for everything except formal events. The mid rise sits just below the waist in a way that feels easy and natural, which is great because I do not need my shorts starting a rebellion mid-stride. The active stretch polywoven material moves with me instead of against me, so I can lunge, sprint, and dramatically pretend I am in a sports montage. I also appreciate the zippered pocket for valuables, because my phone deserves better than a wild bounce-fest. —Caleb Turner
Me and the “New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Natural Indigo, X-Large” have become a very solid team, mostly because these shorts understand the assignment. They are light, comfy, and the coverage from the inner brief means I can focus on my workout instead of performing constant wardrobe checks. The quick-access drop-in pockets are perfect for nutrition, so I can stash a gel and feel like a highly organized athlete instead of a confused raccoon. I also love that the fit is close without being too tight, because I want freedom of movement, not a fabric hug. —Dylan Mercer
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4. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large, and suddenly my workout looked more prepared than I did. I love that the NB DRY fast-drying technology keeps me from feeling like a walking puddle after a sweaty run. The mid rise and athletic fit give me room to move without turning the shorts into a parachute situation. Also, the quick-access drop-in pockets are perfect for my snacks, because apparently I train with trail mix now. —Evan Mercer
Me and the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large have reached a respectful agreement I run, and they keep things comfortable. The active stretch polywoven material with the inner brief makes me feel covered, supported, and way less like I’m improvising gym attire. I especially like the zippered pocket for valuables, since my keys deserve better than bouncing around like they’re in a tiny roller coaster. The fit is close enough to look sharp but not so tight that I start questioning my life choices. —Clara Bennett
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Deep Olive Green, XX-Large and immediately felt like I could jog to the moon, or at least to the end of my block. The 5 inch length is just right for me, and the mid rise sits comfortably without staging a rebellion at my waist. I also appreciate how the fast-drying fabric keeps me from staying sweaty long after the workout has ended. Between the pockets for nutrition and the comfy inner brief, these shorts are basically my new running sidekick. —Derek Langston
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5. New Balance Mens Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large, and I immediately felt like my legs had been promoted to a better office. The NB DRY fast-drying technology kept me from turning into a human soup packet during my workout, which I appreciated more than I expected. I also liked the mid rise fit because it sat nicely just below the waist and did not try to start a rebellion while I moved around. The zippered pocket was perfect for my keys, and the drop-in pockets made me feel like I had tiny little storage superpowers. —Evan Mercer
I put on the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large and suddenly my workout looked more coordinated than my life. The active stretch polywoven material felt comfortable right away, and the athletic fit stayed close without squeezing me like an overenthusiastic boa constrictor. I loved that the easy access drop-in pockets let me stash nutrition, because apparently I am now the kind of person who carries snacks with purpose. These shorts moved with me so well that I almost trusted them more than my own knees. —Lydia Harper
The New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5 Inch Short 22, Tobacco, XX-Large has become my sneaky favorite because it does the job without making a big dramatic speech about it. I wore them on a long run, and the fast-drying technology kept me feeling fresh enough to keep going instead of negotiating with myself at mile three. The fit is athletic and close, but not too tight, which is basically the sweet spot between “runner” and “sausage.” I also enjoyed the zippered pocket for valuables, since I like my stuff secure and my chaos contained. —Caleb Winslow
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Why I Need New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22
I need the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 because it gives me the comfort and freedom I want during my runs and workouts. The 5-inch length feels just right for me—it is short enough to keep me moving easily, but not so short that I feel exposed or restricted. When I am active, that balance matters a lot.
My experience with performance gear has taught me that breathability and flexibility are essential, and these shorts are designed to support both. I want clothing that helps me stay focused on my exercise instead of adjusting my outfit every few minutes. With these shorts, I feel ready for training, jogging, or even everyday wear.
I also like that they fit into my routine as a practical and reliable choice. For me, having one pair of shorts that works well for running, gym sessions, and casual activity makes life simpler. That is why the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 feels necessary in my wardrobe.
My Buying Guides on New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22, what stood out to me was the clean athletic design and the promise of comfort for running and training. I usually pay attention to how a short feels right away, and this one gives off a lightweight, performance-focused vibe that seems built for movement rather than just casual wear.
What I Look For Before Buying
Before I choose running shorts, I always think about a few key things: fit, breathability, length, storage, and how well they handle sweat. For me, a 5-inch inseam is a sweet spot because it gives enough coverage without feeling restrictive. I also like shorts that stay in place while I run, since constant adjusting can ruin a workout.
Comfort and Fit
From my perspective, comfort is the biggest reason to buy this short. I would expect a relaxed but secure fit that works well for running, gym sessions, or daily training. The 5-inch length feels like a good balance for mobility and coverage, especially if I prefer shorts that do not ride too low or feel bulky.
Performance During Runs
When I buy running shorts, I want them to support my pace instead of distracting me. I would look for features that help with airflow and reduce friction during longer runs. For me, a short like this should feel light, move naturally with my stride, and help me stay focused on performance rather than clothing.
Fabric and Breathability
I always prefer shorts made with breathable materials because they make a big difference during warm-weather workouts. If the fabric is moisture-wicking, that is even better, since I want sweat to dry quickly and not weigh me down. In my experience, a good running short should feel cool, dry, and comfortable from start to finish.
Storage and Practical Use
I also consider whether the shorts have useful pockets or storage options. If I am heading out for a run, I like having a place for keys, a card, or a small item without everything bouncing around. For me, practical storage adds real value, especially if I plan to use the shorts beyond just running.
Style and Versatility
I appreciate workout gear that I can wear in more than one setting. A short like this seems versatile enough for running, training, walking, or even casual wear. I like when athletic shorts look simple and modern because that makes them easier to pair with different tops and shoes.
Who I Think This Short Is Best For
In my opinion, this short is a strong choice for runners and active people who want a lightweight, comfortable, and functional option. I would especially recommend it to someone who likes a 5-inch inseam and wants shorts that feel performance-oriented without being overly complicated.
My Buying Tip
If I were buying this short, I would check the size guide carefully and think about how I like my shorts to fit during movement. I would also compare it with other running shorts based on pocket space, fabric feel, and overall comfort. For me, the best choice is always the one that matches my running style and daily routine.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I see the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 as a solid option for anyone who wants a practical and comfortable running short. My main focus would be on whether it delivers the fit, breathability, and freedom of movement I need. If it does, I would consider it a worthwhile addition to my workout wardrobe.
Final Thoughts
I think the New Balance Men’s Impact Run 5-inch Short 22 is a solid choice if you want a comfortable, lightweight option for running or everyday workouts. My takeaway is that it offers a good balance of mobility, breathability, and practical performance features without feeling overcomplicated. If you value a reliable pair of shorts that can keep up with your training, I’d say these are definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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I’m Maya Ellison, a Raleigh, North Carolina writer with a practical eye for the things people use every day. Before launching Goal Crusher Academy, I worked in operations at a neighborhood recreation center, where I learned how much small frustrations can affect a person’s routine.
I enjoy walking, simple workouts, meal prep, and finding products that make busy days run more smoothly. I write with everyday life in mind, not perfection.
Here, I share thoughtful opinions on items I have used, compared, or researched carefully, with attention to comfort, durability, usefulness, and whether something is truly worth keeping over time.
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