These things ARE lowrise and slick. I love 'em, but don't expect them to cover much of your leg. I run in the heat and humidity of the South, so they are perfect for maximum exposure to what little wind there might be, and they're super easy to handwash and dry. I sleep in them, hike in them when I camp in AZ and N.M., and use them as bathing suit bottoms when I swim and kayak. No fading so far, but I've only had them for 6 months. BE AWARE that there is no liner. If you want a liner, look at another product. When I read the reviews for these shorts, that fact alone steered me toward avoiding the light colors.