I'm 6'1," 160. I wear 2-3 inch split shorts for nearly every run. Sometimes I wear like 4 inch splits or compression shorts.
I have absolutely no reason not to wear split shorts. They are very comfortable. It feels like running naked except the netting keeps my junk from bouncing around so that's a plus. They are the best option for heat reduction. They make running much more enjoyable.
Splits make me feel free.
I have a girlfriend, plenty of friends and a great family. They are completely used to my split shorts.
When hecklers yell at me I do nothing. I don't even look at them. They want a reaction so therefore I don't give it. No satisfaction for them.
You say girls don't like them but plenty of female track/XC athletes talk to me at track meets and follow me on social media (yes, I'm loyal to my girlfriend). They must not think the splits are that unattractive or weird.
I'm sure plenty of people find my split shorts funny looking. I don't care. I dont mind. They were raised in a society where many teenagers wear skinny jeans during the summer. Split shorts are not the norm in regular, every day life but I don't wear them then. My social sphere (running community, high school runners, college runners) find split shorts very normal and quite acceptable.
You can not see anything except more thigh when I wear splits.
I think you don't want me to wear my splits because my vascular, toned horse legs make you feel slightly bad about your *totally normal* thicker female thighs.
Listen, if you want more vascular, toned, slimmer legs, just train and eat better.
Either that or you a fat, 45 year old in splits at a road race. That is horrible.
But don't tell everyone they have to wear long shorts just because you don't like it. Most serious runners look pretty damn good in splits. They look healthy, strong (yes slim strong) and ready for action.
Stop complaining about other people and go better yourself.
Go run.