Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 2.5” Women’s Hiking Shorts Review

Bottom Line

While the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 2.5” shorts have one of the shortest lengths, they aren’t short on features. With their five pockets, built-in anti-odor liner, drawstring, and side perforations for airflow, these shorts pack a punch for their small size. Not to mention, they are also one of the lightest shorts in our lineup with incredibly soft and thin fabric that contributes to a barely-there feel.

Our gear analyst rocked these shorts while hiking through Mt Tamalpais State Park in Northern California. She hiked several miles over steep terrain, in both shady and exposed environments, testing their performance in a variety of climates. She also got the shorts wet in a nearby creek to determine their dry time and confirm their quick-drying capabilities. 

Overall, these are excellent athletic shorts that rank high in almost every category that we tested. The shorts’ greatest strength (their barely there feel) is also one of their weaknesses. The thin material is likely to be susceptible to tears and snags on unforgiving terrain and overgrown trails (but you’d want pants for this kind of trail anyway, right?). 

For hikers looking for clothing designed with durability in mind for off-trail adventures and scrambling, we suggest that you review the rest of our gear guide to the best hiking shorts for women.

How We Tested

We tested the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly Shorts this spring and summer while hiking through both shady and hot, exposed terrain to determine their breathability and comfort in a variety of climates and terrains. We also got the shorts wet to see how they felt to wear while soggy and then how long they took to air dry.

Comfort

We love how soft the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly shorts are compared to the material of other basic quick-drying athletic shorts. The fabric is buttery smooth and comfy against the skin, and they function just as well wet as they do when dry. During hikes in Northern California, we never experienced any chafing, pinching, or discomfort with the built-in liner or waistband. 

Compared to other brands, these Rabbit shorts run a bit large. We ordered our usual size, and they worked just fine, but were slightly larger than expected. Although the Fuel n’ Fly shorts contain less Spandex than other styles on our list of favorites, they still felt stretchy enough for a full range of motion.

With the loose design around the thighs, the shorts also have adequate airflow and breathability that make them comfortable even when sweating during hikes in hot and exposed terrain.

Durability

During our field testing on the trails of Mt. Tamalpais in Northern California, we didn’t experience any wear and tear with these shorts. We also weren’t “hucking our meat” down any hillsides to see how they’d hold up. But we can surmise how it would go due to the thinner material. If you’re wearing shorts, we suggest sticking to more maintained trails, as the fabric is likely susceptible to tears and snags if you bushwack and scramble off the beaten path. Rabbit designed these shorts mostly with endurance athletes and trail runners in mind, rather than for off-trail adventures.

During our testing, our gear analyst did get some light staining on the fabric from sitting on dirty surfaces. It took a bit of scrubbing, but we were able to get the stains out. Luckily, the shorts don’t have any special washing instructions, and they can also be thrown into the laundry machine.

Features

For such a small pair of shorts with a 2.5” length, these shorts boast an impressive array of features. They include four small interior pockets: two in the front and two in the back. 

We use them for storing her keys and chapstick, but beyond that, they aren’t large enough for on-the-move snacks. To solve that conundrum, Rabbit includes a large zippered pocket in the back of the shorts that can fit a protein bar, a smaller phone, or other similar-sized bits. Attached to the zipper is a long pull tab, which makes the pocket easy to access on the go.

Besides pockets, Fuel n’ Fly shorts have nice features like a built-in liner with anti-odor treatment. The liner is comfortable and doesn’t cause any pinching when squatting or high-stepping. 

To customize the fit of the waistband, Rabbit includes an internal drawcord. However, you must be sure to knot the ends of the strings yourself. They can get lost inside the waistband when we pull them on and off. It is also made with stiff material that feels more bulky than necessary. Overall, we aren’t very impressed with the design of the drawstring.

Dry Time

Although these shorts lack a water-resistant coating and absorb moisture, they are incredibly quick-drying with their thin, lightweight, and breathable fabric. Even after getting the shorts wet in a creek during our hike, the shorts were completely dry by the time we were back at the trailhead. What’s also nice is they don’t cling uncomfortably if they are soggy.

We also like how they wick away sweat during hot, strenuous hikes. The laser-cut square perforations on the sides of the shorts help with additional airflow. Due to the lightweight, breathability, and fast dry time of the Fuel n’ Fly shorts, we highly recommend them to endurance athletes and trail runners.

Weight & Packed Size

At under 4 ounces, these shorts are one of the lightest in our lineup. It’s likey due to a combination of being a short 2.5” length and composed of thin and breathable polyester material. When wearing out on the trail, we have to check to make sure we are wearing shorts because they have such a barely-there feel.

When rolling up the shorts to stash them away, they easily fit inside the smallest front pouch of our mid-sized daypack. The only bulk is from the back zippered pocket. Aside from that, the Fuel n’ Fly shorts are one of the most packable options in our lineup.

Should You Buy the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly Hiking Shorts?

The Fuel n’ Fly 2.5” shorts are ideal for endurance athletes, trail runners, and hikers who desire a lightweight, comfortable, breathable, and quick-drying short for their adventures. With five pockets and a built-in liner, these shorts are versatile and functional. They are an excellent value for those who prefer the shorter 2.5” length, but don’t want to sacrifice on features.

Adventurers looking for more durability in their shorts will want to check out our gear guide for other suggestions. The thin material of the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly may not hold up to the demands of off-trail exploring and hardcore backpacking. Hikers who also desire water resistance and UPF protection in their clothing will want to consider other top-performing brands that are more geared towards backcountry hikers.

What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?

If you aren’t sure that the Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly shorts are the best option for you, take a look at our complete gear guide to the best hiking shorts for women. Our female gear analysts have thoroughly tested a variety of brands and styles to provide you with the most up-to-date recommendations.

Oiselle Toolbelt Roga Shorts Review: These shorts also offer five pockets, including a 360 mesh pocket design around the waistband, which we love! We also prefer the drawcord on these shorts to the Rabbit.

Nike Dri-Fit Tempo Review: These are an excellent budget-friendly pair of quick-dry athletic shorts. Although they lack the same quality and number of pockets, they are significantly more affordable.

Janji 3” AFO Middle Shorts Review: These shorts are incredibly lightweight, soft and quick-drying – though they lack a significant number of pockets. The Janji has more spandex in the material, which makes them feel a bit softer and stretchier.