Long Story Short(s)

By Goal Five

Goal Five had a record month in August – selling out nearly every pair of our dynamic 5” Excel Short.  We believe we designed and brought to market a special product, and are thrilled that American women of all ages have embraced this amazing short.  

From the beginning, our design team set out to create a short that fit the soccer athlete’s body without the traditional, boxy silhouette of soccer shorts.  It was imperative that the short perform on the field, in the gym, and out in the everyday world.  Our short also had to accommodate the strength and size of a female athlete's quads and glutes.  While we had data from market research, we also knew from our personal experience as soccer players that many were modifying their gear.  Athletes would roll their waistbands, pull their shorts down, and size up or down to achieve their desired fit.  Jasmyne Spencer of the Seattle Reign talks about how the Excel Short addresses this pain point: “The cut is amazing and they fit my waist, hips, and thighs perfectly so I don’t have to go up a size and roll the waistband.”

When we started Goal Five, we knew it was important to include a short that fit a female athlete's body and appealed to her aesthetic and athleticism.  Here’s what we did…

The quest for the perfect short began with the search for the perfect fabric.  Our team looked at A LOT of textiles before ultimately deciding on a 4-way stretch, woven blend of polyester and spandex.  As the video below demonstrates, the material is what allows for the incredible elasticity and comfort of the Excel Short.  

Amy Klee, Head of Design at Goal Five, describes the importance of the stretch: “The stretch in the shorts is such a huge advantage because it accommodates all sorts of different body types.  With the stretch material, we were able to remove the bulky excess fabric normally seen in soccer shorts to achieve a sleeker look.  The stretch allows for a slim fit without compromising performance.”  

A complementary yet understated factor to the stretch fabric is its incredible softness and comfort.  We hear all the time from our athletes and customers about the softness and how they don't chafe.  Here’s what our athlete ambassadors are saying about their Goal Five Excel Shorts:

“I absolutely love the Excel 5” training short by Goal Five. They form perfectly to my legs for the most comfortable fit. The flexible material makes these shorts great for the gym, on the field or just to lounge around the house! I would recommend these shorts to anyone looking for the perfect short.”

Lauren Barnes – Seattle Reign

“These shorts are not your average short. The fit is perfect, seriously perfect for the soccer girl legs that we all have but can never find the clothes to fit them just right! The material is also the softest I own!

Kayla Mills – Ambilly FC, Sky Blue FC 

“The shorts are so comfortable for any type of training! What I love most about them is that I can wear them at the soccer field and then straight into the gym. They are super light and fit just right.”

Bianca Sierra – Thor KA/Mexican National Team

The great thing about the Excel Short is it's not just for soccer players.  We were recently approached by a college ice hockey team looking to buy training gear that accommodates a variety of body types and we’re hearing across platforms that CrossFit athletes, weight lifters, and runners LOVE this short. 

As our reviews and comments on Facebook and goalfive.com reflect, all types of athletes and everyday active women love the Excel because it fits and flatters while still functioning as a high performance athletic short.  While we are humbled by the demand, we aren’t surprised.  We listened to our customer before we began and look forward to continuing to provide performance gear that makes her feel great, look good, and perform better.

Stay tuned for upcoming new innovations from Goal Five and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to catch our latest breaking news.