Bandit Vento Shorts Review: Excellent Comfort, Storage Second
After putting in miles in the Vento shorts, I can say that they’re one of the most comfortable shorts. But some things could’ve been executed better.
Intro:
The Vento makes a strong first impression. The shell fabric feels light, soft, and airy right away, and the tiny laser-cut holes throughout the material do a genuinely good job staying cool. These are the kind of shorts that feel like they’re working with you instead of trapping sweat and heat.
The liner is also a highlight. It has that boxer-style coverage that tends to work better for runners (and someone like me who prefers boxer liners). The silicone strip at the bottom is a welcome detail, keeping the liner from riding up.
The Verdict:
The Bandit Vento gets a lot right from a comfort standpoint. The fabric feels excellent, and the ventilation is legit. Once you’re moving, the shorts feel light and breathable, and the liner stays in place better than a lot of 2-in-1 setups thanks to that silicone strip at the hem.
That said, the storage setup is where my enthusiasm cools off a bit. The gel pockets are built into the liner and sit close to the skin. That does help keep things secure and limits bounce, but it also means you’re reaching into the shorts to access your stuff. I understand the idea. I just don’t love the execution. To reach your gels, you’re fighting the tension of the draw string, and unfortunately, you look like you’re picking at your nether region.
The sizing of those pockets is also worth knowing up front. Smaller gels fit fine. Bigger gels need to go in the thigh pockets on the outside of the liner, inside the shell. That same pocket can fit a phone. A standard iPhone 13 can work. Anything larger than that starts to feel unlikely. If you have a bigger phone than the standard iPhone size, it may make sense to use a belt or a vest if you run with your phone.
So that’s where I land on the Vento. It’s a very enjoyable short to run in, especially if comfort is your top priority. But if your ideal running shorts also need to be a great carry solution, this one comes with some compromises.
+What We Like
Excellent shell fabric with a light, soft feel
Tons of laser-cut perforations help with airflow
The boxer-style liner is very comfortable
Silicone strip at the bottom of the liner helps prevent ride-up
Storage feels secure once loaded
-What We Don’t Like
Pocket access is awkward since the gel pockets are on the inside of the liner.
Smaller pocket sizing limits what you can carry.
Phone carry is limited, especially for anything larger than a standard iPhone 13
Uses PFAS coating. (We care about our bodies and the world)
The Nitty Gritty:
Weight: 5.47oz (Size M)
Material: 83% Nylon, 17% Spandex
Coating: PFC water repellent finish
Reflective features: Logos are reflective
Pockets: 2 hand pockets, 2 phone pockets, 4 gel pockets, 1 rear zip pocket
Bonded Seams
Price: $108
Fit Notes:
The Vento has a trim, performance-minded fit without feeling overly aggressive. Nothing about it feels sloppy or bulky. The shell stays out of the way nicely, and the boxer liner adds a bit more coverage than a traditional brief-style setup. Which I welcome due to having bigger thighs than most. With traditional brief liners, I almost always chafe on the upper/inner thigh area.
The liner is really what shapes the overall fit experience. Because it stays put well. The liner’s material is more like a compression short. You do get a sense that the shorts are made around the compression shorts, while having a shell designed as normal shorts. So it doesn’t look awkward walking into a coffee shop after/during a run in a skin-tight kit.
Fabric & Feel:
The fabric feels great on the run. It’s light, smooth, and airy, and the laser-cut perforations throughout do more than just look technical. They help the shorts breathe really well, especially on warmer days when lesser shorts can start to feel swampy and clingy.
You are getting what you paid for in material; the shorts don’t feel cheap, especially with the bonded seams and liner comfort. I do have a mention, due to the rear gel pockets, the pockets make for more stitching close to the skin. This can cause chafing to some; I didn’t have this issue. But something I believe is good to mention to those who look for liners with little stitching to help prevent chafing.
Pockets & Storage:
The upside is that the storage stays close to the body and does a good job of keeping things from bouncing around. If your main goal is keeping a couple of small essentials locked down, that part works.
The downside is access. Since most of the pockets are part of the liner, getting to them means reaching into the shorts. That’s just not my favorite setup. It works, but it doesn’t feel especially natural when you’re actually trying to grab a gel mid-run. The pockets sit below the shorts’ band, so you have to fight against the draw string’s tension. It kind of feels like the pockets were sort of an afterthought and not nailed down.
The pocket sizing also has limits. Small gels fit well enough (normal size like your GU’s or Maurten gels). Larger gels (like SIS and First Endurance) make more sense to be put in the phone thigh pocket. The Phone pocket fits a standard iPhone well; however, anything bigger, I’d be leery of saying it fits. If you have a phone that is larger than 6”x3” It may be best to grab a belt or vest.
Field Test:
The Vento makes the most sense on runs where comfort, breathability, and a close-to-body feel matter more than easy-access storage. Daily miles, warm-weather runs, and shorter outings are where this short feels strongest.
Other than the issues already mentioned, the Vento shorts are great. I wish that the shorts were made w/o the 4 rear gel pockets to add more comfort, and with the lack of pocket material, the shorts would breathe even slightly better. This would make the shorts great for long runs where a vest is already being used.
Final Thoughts:
The Bandit Vento is a very comfortable running short. The fabric feels excellent, the ventilation is impressive, and the boxer liner is well executed. The silicone strip at the hem is a small detail, but a welcome one.
The bigger question is whether you like the storage system enough to live with it. It keeps things secure, yes, but it also asks you to access your gear in a way that feels more awkward than seamless. Add in the fairly small pocket sizing and the limited phone carry, and the Vento starts to feel like a short that excels at comfort more than convenience.
