Best Running Shorts for Women of 2024

The right pair of shorts is a critical piece of running gear. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

When choosing the best running shorts for women, not all options are equal — especially regarding trail running, mountain running, and ultrarunning. Trail running and ultrarunning shorts must withstand the rigors of everything — while not chafing — from mid-run alpine lake dips and wind-scoured mountain summits to being worn for 24 hours or longer during an ultra. Synthetic and wool fabrics, flat seams, and storage capacity for fuel or your phone set the best running shorts for women apart from their run-of-the-mill counterparts. Baggy or tight, short or long, low-rise or high-rise waistband — different shorts suit different body types, running gaits, and styles. The best shorts for you as an individual will be what’s most comfortable. While running shorts tend to run pretty pricey, there’s something here to suit all budgets.

Our favorite overall women’s running shorts are the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts for their comfort, performance, and overall value. The Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief was a close runner-up, and the REI Co-op Active Pursuits 4.5″ Shorts – Women’s is our favorite budget pick.

Below is our roundup of our favorite shorts. To learn about what goes into great women’s running shorts or how to decide which shorts are right for you, jump down to our how-to-choose section and our answers to your most frequently asked questions. Lastly, check out our testing and methodology section if you’re curious about the rigors through which we put these shorts.

Best Running Shorts for Women

• Best Overall Running Shorts for Women: Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts
• Best Running Shorts for Women — Runner-Up: Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief
• Best Budget Running Shorts for Women: REI Co-op Active Pursuits 4.5″ Shorts – Women’s
• Best Fitted Running Shorts for Women: Janji W’s 7″ Pace Shorts
• Best Split Running Shorts for Women: Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts
• Best Running Shorts for Women with Storage: Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short
• Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: Janji W’s 3″ Multi Short, rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″, and lululemon Hotty Hot High Rise Lined Short 4″

Testing women’s running shorts on a trail run in Colorado. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Best Overall Running Shorts for Women: Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts ($60)

Pros:

• Extremely quick-drying and light
• Wide and comfortable waistband and useful waistband pocket
• Good value for the price

Cons:

• Heavier items such as a smartphone will bounce in the pocket

The Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts let you move freely while offering excellent protection from chafing. They’re light, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. Plus, these shorts come with a functional waistband pocket and a form-fitting style.

These are Oiselle’s lightest shorts, providing the right breathability level for even the hottest summer runs. They truly live up to their featherweight name, yet they remain durable enough to withstand butt-sliding down scree fields. The brand put a lot of thought into the four-way stretch material in the paneling, and these shorts move with the body, whether going up big rock steps or flying down a steep trail.

A wide, compressive waistband fits comfortably in the middle of your waist. An infinity drawstring prevents the dreaded muffin top while letting you adjust the waist to your needs. A mesh pocket running along the back of the waistband offers ample room to stuff those empty wrappers, though the pocket is not ideal for something as heavy as a smartphone. A phone will bounce unless you really cinch the cord.

You won’t even notice the perfectly sized built-in mesh liner. A V-shaped four-inch inseam remains longer at the inner thigh and tapers along the side, maximizing chafe protection while enhancing freedom of movement and style. Our primary tester turned to these shorts for every major summer outing, including a 50-mile FKT effort in muggy New Hampshire, multiple races, and backpacking trips.

Inseam: 4 inches | Liner type: Brief

Best Running Shorts for Women — Runner-Up: Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief ($75)

Pros:

• Light and airy
• Quick drying
• Incredibly comfortable

Cons:

• The rear zip pocket is big enough for a card and key but not much more
• An internal stash pocket is not helpful
• Pricey

Covering hundreds of miles over multiple seasons, one iRunFar tester ran in the Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief almost exclusively while training for the Western States Endurance Run. These shorts are lightweight and breathable and are the kind of shorts you can wear through mid-run alpine lake dips. They will cool you down, quickly dry, and return to feeling light and airy. The mid-rise fit comes up just above the hips and below the belly button, and the soft waistband with a thick drawstring ensures they feel secure without squeezing too tightly. Inside, there’s a comfortable liner that fits snugly but doesn’t squeeze or restrict at all, and it stays in place whether you’re cruising over rolling hills, power hiking a steep incline, taking plunge steps down a scree field, or squatting down to gorge on trailside huckleberries. Additionally, the liner’s seams are reverse stitched to reduce any chance of chafing and treated for improved wicking performance and odor control.

With a four-inch inseam, these shorts provide excellent coverage for summer trail and mountain running. They’re constructed from a light, stretch-woven fabric and have a small split design on the side to enhance the range of motion. These shorts will move with you while also staying put. A subtle zippered pocket on the rear can hold one or two small items, like a car key or identification. It is not big enough for a smartphone, and anything heavy would bounce. There’s also a tiny front pocket inside the liner. We’d like to see a key attachment within that pocket to feel more secure about storing a car or house key there.

Inseam: 4 inches | Liner type: Brief

Testing the Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief on the Loowit Trail in Washington. Photo: iRunFar/Alli Hartz

Best Budget Running Shorts for Women: REI Co-op Active Pursuits 4.5″ Shorts – Women’s ($40)

Pros:

• Durable
• Inclusive sizing
• Loose and comfortable fit
• Great value

Cons:

• May be too baggy for some
• No extra storage for carrying gels

If you like loose-fitting, flowy shorts, the REI Co-op Active Pursuits 4.5″ Shorts – Women’s is an excellent choice and a great value. There’s a lot to love with these running shorts. First and most importantly, they’re super comfortable, with a wide waistband and light, stretchy material that breathes well. Although they have a loose fit, the waistband has an internal drawcord to secure the waistband if needed. The mesh liner is also breathable, quick-drying, and — best of all — doesn’t move or ride up.

These running shorts feature a recycled polyester and spandex blend that wicks sweat and dries quickly. Small details add up to put these shorts among our favorites: laser-cut perforations on the sides to enhance ventilation, flat seams that reduce the risk of chafing, and a small zippered side pocket that can hold a car key or coffee money. Unlike some of our other top picks, these running shorts don’t have extra storage pockets around the waistband, but that’s not a dealbreaker, given the overall feature set and price. Plus, we’ve put hundreds of miles on them; all signs indicate they’ll last forever. A couple of final points: We love the wide range of available sizes, from XS-3X, that will fit waist sizes from 24.5 to 46.5 inches. Additionally, the fabric has a UPF 50+ sun protection rating, is bluesign-approved, and REI Co-op is a Climate Neutral Certified brand. Like we said, there’s plenty to love with these shorts!

Inseam: 4.5 inches | Liner type: Brief

Best Fitted Running Shorts for Women: Janji W’s 7″ Pace Shorts ($78)

Pros:

• Snug enough to feel supportive without squeezing
• Good coverage
• Stay put while running
• Deep side pockets hold a phone, fuel, and more

Cons:

• Fitted shorts are not for everyone

If you like fitted running shorts but prefer more coverage or chafing protection than many fitted shorts provide, the Janji W’s 7″ Pace Shorts are for you. These running shorts have a high waist that rises nearly to the belly button and a 7-inch inseam that reaches well past the inner thigh chafing zone. They include a bluesign-approved nylon and spandex fabric blend, and Janji donates two percent of every purchase toward clean water projects. Additionally, Janji collaborates with artists from the areas where it’s donating funds to offer beautiful and fun limited-edition prints and patterns. Fair warning: You might end up with multiple pairs of Pace shorts!

In terms of comfort and performance, these shorts are thin enough to breathe well in hot weather and dry quickly while also providing just enough compression to feel secure and supportive without squeezing around the thighs or waist. The leg openings have a subtle silicone texture to hold the shorts in place and prevent them from riding up — yet the grippy material doesn’t feel sticky or uncomfortable, even in hot weather. In fact, it’s not really noticeable at all while wearing these shorts. Finally, an internal drawcord at the waist has an infinity design that won’t get tugged out in the washing machine.

We love shorts with pockets, and these come with some great options. Two deep side pockets can hold a phone or multiple gels, and a secret internal mesh pocket is perfect for securely carrying identification or a credit card. On the back of the waistband, a pass-through pocket can hold additional snacks or be used to thread a shirt if you decide to peel layers. We love these shorts for every type of run, from the 35-mile Ruby Crest Trail in eastern Nevada to track workouts during a road marathon buildup, and we love pairing them with a baggy t-shirt, crop top, or sports bra. And, after hundreds of miles of use over the past year, they’ve more than proven their durability.

Inseam: 7 inches | Liner type: None

Best Split Running Shorts for Women: Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts ($65)

Pros:

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Convenient pockets for gels

Cons:

• Short inseam split shorts aren’t for everyone

It’s hard to argue with the Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts when looking for shorts that look and feel fast. The brand is a mainstay in track and road running, and these shorts definitely have the feel of something straight out of that world. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. With a three-inch inseam and a split-short design, these shorts are small and allow for a huge and unrestricted range of motion. The thin jersey-knit liner is super soft, and it didn’t bunch up or cause any type of chafing, even during a 100-mile race. Our primary tester loved these shorts for marathon training both on the track and the road and deemed them excellent for trail running as well.

These shorts feature Tracksmith’s Bravio fabric, which is a blend of micro-polyester and elastane. It’s stretchy and soft, and we found these shorts to move well with the body through each stride. The fabric is lightweight, antimicrobial, and dries quickly, making them perfect shorts for taking a mid-run dip in a river or lake on a mountain run.

While some of the other shorts in this guide have a ton of storage, these provide just enough for a few gels and other small items like keys or a credit card. The three internal pockets along the rear waistband held snacks snugly against the body to keep anything from bouncing around.

Of all the shorts in this guide, these were on the shorter and smaller side of the range, and Tracksmith clothing tends to run very small. We recommend using Tracksmith’s sizing guide and sizing up if you’re unsure.

Inseam: 3 inches | Liner type: Brief

Best Running Shorts for Women with Storage: Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short ($60)

Pros:

• A no-bounce, built-in waistband can hold everything you need for a multi-hour outing

Cons:

• Shorts may flap up in the wind
• Long side split and short inseam
• Tight liner

The Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short can fit a full soft flask, smartphone, and a few gels in the waistband without any bounce or risk of things falling out. We’ve got to admit the storage capacity of these tiny split shorts is quite impressive. Ultimate Direction has essentially taken a pair of classic split shorts and a running belt and combined them into one. There is no need for a tedious belt that rides up your torso or threatens to fall to your feet. Built-in storage around the waistband means you can pack everything you need for several hours of running into your shorts and head down the trail.

If you love split shorts, the full side-split on these allows for a total range of running motion. Our primary complaint with the shorts is the inseam length — 2.75 inches is pretty short for a long mountain outing or for someone who normally prefers longer shorts. Unfortunately, this is the only length option. We would love to see a longer inseam version in the future. The shorts feature a lightweight, quick-drying fabric that keeps you cool and dry on even the hottest days. However, these shorts will flap up on windy mountain summits and may bunch up on long, sweaty outings. The built-in mesh brief is highly breathable, although tighter than ideal.

These shorts are pretty low-rise, and the waistband must remain rather tight to keep everything in. While it’s wide and extremely comfortable, this type of fit is not for everyone. Despite wishing the inseam ran a bit longer and the liner was looser, our primary tester runs in these shorts almost as frequently as our overall top pick, the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts. While initially, many people don’t see the appeal of ditching the waistbelt for a pair of these shorts, it’s hard to go back once you do.

Inseam: 2.75 inches | Liner type: Brief

Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: Janji W’s 3″ Multi Short ($78)

Pros:

• Incredibly light, quick-drying material
• Pockets, pockets, pockets!
• Very comfortable waistband

Cons:

• The brief liner rides up just a little bit

Janji seems to be on a roll right now with their women’s running apparel, and the Janji W’s 3″ Multi Shorts has quickly become one of our favorite go-to shorts for trail running. These light and breezy running shorts have a combination of standout features that add up to miles and miles of comfort. The nylon and elastane fabric is just the right balance of thin, breathable yet durable, and abrasion-resistant if you lose your footing on the trail. The shorts fabric is also Oeko-Tex certified, which means that it’s been tested for harmful substances and has met a benchmark standard for textiles.

Perhaps the best part of these shorts is the waistband, which has a mid-rise that sits comfortably and securely between the hip bones and natural waist and will stay put once you adjust the shorts to the position you prefer. They also have a waistband drawcord if you want to cinch them down. The waistband has two bands, including an external band of gathered fabric containing the elastic drawcord and an internal band that’s soft and smooth, made of the same material as the liner. These two slightly offset bands give the fit and feel of a slightly wider waistband, and it’s incredibly comfortable. Furthermore, the waistband contains five internal pockets. Four pockets along the front are big enough for gels, chapstick, a credit card or identification card, or a key — and one of the front pockets has a key clip. The fifth pocket is centered on the back and is large enough for a couple more gels. Like the Janji W’s 7″ Pace Shorts above, the back pocket can also carry a shirt if you thread it through the center stitch. This rear pocket, however, is not large enough for a smartphone.

Overall, these shorts are incredibly comfortable, with versatility for any distance. Their three-inch inseam feels long enough for good coverage, and they have a partial split-short design that allows freedom of movement without putting your butt cheeks on display. Speaking of butt cheeks, our primary tester noted that the brief liner rides up just a little bit, but needing to pick the occasional wedgie wasn’t enough to deter her from reaching for these shorts over and over again. That said, runners with different body types may or may not have the same experience.

Inseam: 3 inches | Liner: Brief

Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″ ($70)

Pros:

• Soft and stretchy
• Pockets for days
• No budge at all

Cons:

• They run slightly large
• The fabric is a little bunchy around the waistband

If you’ve written off fitted running shorts because they ride up or squeeze too much, the rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″ will make you want to reconsider. These shorts are incredibly comfortable and versatile, with just the right amount of coverage and a no-squeeze fit. With a five-inch inseam, these shorts protect the inner thighs from chafing and offer a style that strikes a balance between full-length cycling shorts and barely-there racing briefs. Amazingly, by some mysterious magical power — we suspect witchcraft — these shorts aren’t compressive and yet don’t ride up at all, even during speed workouts or mountain running.

The waistband is a true mid-rise. It sits above the hip bones but lower than the natural waist. It has a lower rise than Janji’s W’s 7″ Pace Short above. The shorts run slightly large in the waist, but the good news is that the waistband doesn’t squeeze at all, and there’s a drawstring if you need to secure the fit. Again, we had no issues with these shorts sliding up or down during testing. Other than magic, these shorts’ ability to stay put could be due to the soft, stretchy fabric that moves with you. This fabric blend includes spandex and recycled polyester. Janji treats some of the polyester with a silver solution to eliminate odor by disrupting the growth of stink-causing bacteria. The waistband has spandex along with nylon made from recycled coffee grounds. Like everything else with these shorts, the fabric strikes an excellent balance between thick enough to feel supportive and durable and thin enough to feel light and breathable.

In addition to feeling supremely soft and comfortable, these shorts have an abundance of pockets. Each side has a pocket big enough for a smartphone and several hours’ worth of running fuel. Additional pockets around the waistband include a zippered pocket in the back and a larger pocket along the front. Loading up these shorts did not cause them to slide down, and with so much storage capacity, these shorts would be an excellent option for a medium-distance run or race where you only need a handful of gels and a handheld water bottle. Finally, it’s worth noting that the waist fabric bunches a little bit and can look lumpy under a fitted shirt, but we don’t mind this, given all the other great features of these shorts.

Inseam: 5 inches | Liner type: None

Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4″ ($68)

Pros:

• Comfortable waistband
• Light and breathable
• Inclusive sizing

Cons:

• Pricey
• Lacks standout features for trail running
• Not a true high-waist

Another pair of running shorts that have remained in our testers’ rotation for more than a year is the lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4″. These shorts have an exceptionally comfortable waistband that’s flat across the front of the belly and gathered around the sides and back. Although the waistband does a good job staying in place, there’s an internal elastic band that can be tightened for a more secure fit around the waist, and the design is such that the band won’t get tugged out in the washing machine. These shorts have a roomy fit that allows unrestricted movement, making them great for everyday running and doing strength work at the gym. The lightweight fabric is a blend of polyester and elastane, including some recycled polyester.

Although these shorts have “high-rise” in their name, they sit just above the hip bones rather than the natural waist. If you’re looking for true high-waist running shorts, we recommend Janji’s W’s 7″ Pace Short above. Additionally, while these shorts are light and breathable, they don’t come with all the features that we typically expect with modern trail running shorts — namely, a bunch of pockets. They have a small zippered pocket that’s big enough for a card or key, and there’s a second internal stash pocket on the back, but it’s pretty small. That said, pockets aren’t important to everyone, especially those who frequently run with a belt or running vest. Nevertheless, considering the lack of features or fancy tech, these shorts have a high price tag.

Still, we keep reaching for these shorts because they’re comfortable and have an excellent style. After over a year of wear with hundreds of miles run, they still hold up great. The liner is soft and smooth and has never chafed. We love the four-inch inseam for the trails, and these shorts are also available in a 2.5-inch inseam. Finally, we appreciate the range of sizes available, fitting waists measuring 21.5 to 43 inches.

Inseam: 4 inches | Liner: Brief

We love the waistband on the lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4″. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Comparing the Best Running Shorts for Women

Buying Advice: How to Choose Running Shorts for Women

Running shorts can make or break your outing. Ill-fitting or poorly made shorts can lead to chafing, inner thigh rubbing, or force you to constantly tug and adjust your shorts on the move. Unlike men’s running shorts, the best running shorts for women seem to have very few commonalities. Some women prefer a fitted style with a short inseam. Some gravitate toward longer, loose-fitting shorts. Some like their shorts at their hip, while others prefer a high-rise fit.

Finding the best type of shorts for you depends on your body type and personal preferences. Don’t be afraid to try a few styles to see what fits, stays put, feels good, and, most importantly, doesn’t chafe.

Style

The style of trail running and ultrarunning shorts varies as much as the terrain runners cover. While Courtney Dauwalter won the Western States 100 wearing her signature long, baggy, basketball-style shorts, Clare Gallagher won the race in her typical fitted shorts the following year.

While we did not test any classic 2.5-inch fitted shorts or standard pocketless three-inch split shorts, we tested several pairs of two-in-one compression shorts with split shorts on the top, although none made the cut for this guide. Our primary complaint with that style of shorts is that they feel bulky. Additionally, the compression shorts often feel like an afterthought, usually rolling up the leg and negating their purpose of providing inner thigh protection.

As phones have grown larger, pockets have grown accordingly. While you can carry a phone in a pack or belt, sometimes it’s nice to drop it into a shorts pocket and forget about it until you need it on the trail. Shorts like the Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short and Janji W’s 7″ Pace Short will carry a modern phone and much more without uncomfortable bouncing.

Short, long, loose, or fitted. The best running shorts are ultimately a matter of personal preference. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Material

The best running shorts for women pack a lot of benefits into a blend of a few fabrics. They are quick-drying and moisture-wicking, yet they are also durable and sometimes even water-repellent. The best fabrics can withstand a hard fall, sliding down scree or snow, or bushwhacking through a willow grove. Creating a durable yet breathable material raises the price of trail running shorts compared to their road running counterparts. Textiles made from polyester and elastane, with four-way stretch, durable water-repellent coatings, and other advanced material technology are preferable for wicking away moisture, preventing odor, and withstanding wear and tear. The shorts with the most high-tech fabric for breathability and wicking that we tested were the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts.

Inseam Length

Shorter inseams tend to provide the best range of motion, while shorts with longer inseams offer more protection from chafing and the elements. Ultimately, when choosing between a short and long inseam, try each to see which length feels most comfortable on your body.

Loose Versus Fitted Shorts

The choice between loose split shorts and form-fitting shorts is mainly a style preference, although some women find that one type provides more protection against chafing than the other. Loose shorts with slits up the sides may provide a greater range of motion than those without splits. Splits come in quarter, half, and three-quarters lengths, so you can choose the amount of freedom you want. The higher the split rises, the wider the panels of the shorts open up, allowing your legs to move freely. Scalloped and contoured hems and V-shaped shorts also allow for increased mobility and are less likely to flap in the breeze on a blustery day. If you’re looking for a split short — with a ton of storage capacity as a bonus — try the Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short. We also love the Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts for their comfortable liner and loose, flowy fit.

Fitted shorts are often stretchy and have compression construction for a snug fit. This style is very popular within elite road and track running circles and also makes its way into the trail and ultra world. Fitted running shorts often incorporate storage down the sides of the legs and in the waistband, as with the Janji W’s 7″ Pace Short and rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″. Additionally, lots of trail and ultrarunners find that fitted shorts don’t cause chafing.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of confidence. Do your shorts make you feel strong and capable? If not, consider trying something else. As one of our tester’s college teammates used to say before every race, “Look good, feel good.”

Waistband

Waistband width plays a significant role in determining your shorts’ comfort, fit, and security. Thinner waistbands offer a more minimal option and less coverage, while wider waistbands tend to give a more flattering silhouette that conforms to your profile and doesn’t dig into your waist or squeeze a sometimes-sensitive lower abdomen. Most shorts come with a drawcord or infinity band that allows you to adjust the fit, which proves especially important if you’ve loaded up the pockets. We love how the REI Co-op Active Pursuits 4.5″ Shorts – Women’s hang loosely off the waist, and the wide, soft waistband of the rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″ is also super comfortable.

The rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″ have a comfortable waistband with drawstrings and tons of storage. Photo: iRunFar/Alli Hartz

Storage

The variety of storage options in women’s running shorts ranges from none to basically everything you need for a run lasting a couple of hours. To decide which design works best for you, consider what other storage you prefer to bring on a run. If you wear a hydration pack, the pockets in your shorts may be less important. However, we love having a little storage in the waistband to carry identification or even a phone.

If you wear a waistbelt, waistband storage is less important. However, you may be able to replace the need for a belt with the right pair of shorts. If you’re a handheld kind of gal, you may want to optimize shorts storage to carry your calories and layers. If you opt for higher-capacity storage options, make sure you test the shorts for yourself to ensure they don’t fall down, bounce, add weight in cumbersome areas, or limit your range of motion. The Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short had the most storage of all the shorts we tested and, impressively, did not bounce or slide down at all.

Liner Versus No Liner

Most loose-fitting women’s running shorts include a liner. There are two types of clothing to choose from: a liner brief, like underwear, or two-in-one shorts with an inner liner that is more like a pair of compression shorts. Our testing team has yet to find a pair of the latter they like, but perhaps you will have better luck! Two-in-one shorts are also heavier — you’re effectively wearing twice as many pairs of shorts — and they tend to trap moisture.

Liner briefs are lightweight and breathable. However, not all liner briefs are created equal. Rough seams or liners that are too tight can cause irritation, wedgies, and chafing. A mesh or moisture-wicking fabric maximizes breathability and keeps you dry and comfortable. Our favorite liners were in the Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts and lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4″.

Reflectivity

While reflectivity has grown ubiquitous among road running shorts, the need to be seen in the dark by oncoming cars is less imperative in trail running. Some shorts we tested, like the Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief, contained small reflective elements, which are a nice bonus but not necessary unless you plan on doing a lot of training on the roads.

Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Short Brief. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Why You Should Trust Us

We began this guide by researching women’s running shorts from the most trusted brands in running, premier outdoor brands, and major companies in the women’s run category. We also extensively polled the large iRunFar team and friends to find out which women’s running shorts they preferred and did not prefer. That narrowed our choices to about two dozen shorts, which we took to the field for a season of testing. Since that initial round of testing, the iRunFar team has continued testing new and updated women’s running shorts as they come onto the market. We also keep the models in this guide in our rotation to perform ongoing durability testing.

Product models are routinely discontinued in the running world, while new ones frequently come to market. At the same time, we here at iRunFar often use our top picks in our daily running. Sometimes, that continued use results in uncovering product failures. With all this — product discontinuations, product introductions, and product failures — we regularly update our buyer’s guides based on past and ongoing testing. Often, product recommendations remain the same when we update a buyer’s guide. However, when we discover a piece of gear or apparel that we absolutely love, we add it to our guide.

Frequently Asked Questions about Running Shorts for Women

What shorts are best for trail running?

Women’s trail running and ultrarunning shorts tend to differ from road running shorts in two key ways: storage and durability. On the roads where light and fast tend to be valued above all else, you can get away with flimsy shorts that flap in the wind and provide little coverage or storage. However, you may find that barely-there shorts don’t provide the chafing protection, storage options, or weather protection you want on super long runs and mountain days.

While women’s trail running and ultrarunning shorts come in loose and fitted varieties, both tend to come with at least one or two pockets for holding calories or a phone. Some, such as the Ultimate Direction Women’s Velum Short, can hold everything you need for several hours on the trail. With trail running shorts, you’re also more likely to see higher-tech fabrics like ripstop or other materials built to withstand the elements, bushwhacking through vegetation, and sliding down rocks. Some shorts will also have a durable water-repellant coating. We find that a durable waistband or drawstring proves more important on the trails to keep loaded-down shorts from slipping or bouncing. The fast-drying fabric helps prevent chafing and smell and keeps you comfortable after afternoon monsoons or on those high-humidity days.

Thanks to the virtue of trail running and ultrarunning taking place in nature and away from cars, reflective elements are less common on trail running shorts than road running varieties. However, a few of the shorts we tested have reflective accents in key spots.

Women’s trail running shorts come in a variety of styles, and most have at least one pocket. Photo: iRunFar/Alli Hartz

What shorts are best for ultrarunning?

Ultrarunning inherently means long days moving outside. This often means that ultrarunners will choose super comfortable shorts that are unlikely to chafe over many hours. Shorts made from a quick-drying fabric, like the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts, are a great option. Our team also liked the fitted Janji W’s 7″ Pace Short, which has several good storage pockets, a high-waist fit that doesn’t squeeze the lower abdomen, and enough coverage to prevent inner-thigh chafing. Finally, while it remains a matter of personal preference, some ultrarunners prefer heavy-duty shorts with more storage capacity to complement the rest of their kit, such as a pack or handheld bottle. Try a few different options to discover what styles and inseam lengths work best for you.

Janji’s W’s 7″ Pace Short and W’s 3″ Multi Short have a rear pass-through pocket for carrying a t-shirt. Photo: iRunFar/Alli Hartz

Are running shorts gender-specific?

Yes. Brands design women’s running shorts to fit the unique anatomy of women’s waists, hips, and thighs. They also tend to have a shorter inseam. The liner design in women’s shorts also tends to be tailored to female physiology. Women may find men’s shorts too tight on the hips and too baggy in the crotch. Many of the shorts in this guide, including the Janji Multi Short and Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts, have an equivalent option for men.

What do runners wear under their shorts?

This totally depends on the style of running shorts. Like almost all options in this guide, shorts with a built-in liner negate the need for additional underwear. In fact, wearing another pair of underwear increases the likelihood of chafing. While some women wear underwear under fitted shorts, most do not. Fitted shorts, like the Janji W’s 7″ Pace Short, should give you a secure fit that acts like boxer briefs. If you wear shorts without a liner, opt for performance underwear made of wool or synthetic materials that will wick moisture and provide ventilation.

How do I prevent chafing from my running shorts?

Finding the correct size and style of shorts is the best way to prevent chafing. All modern running shorts liners use synthetic or natural fiber materials, which are exceptional at moisture transfer and drying. Various factors cause chafing: shorts that are too big or too small, rough seams, fitted shorts that slide up your thighs, or waistbands that bunch. To be safe, apply some anti-chafe product between your thighs, the back of the waistband, and any other hotspots. Some runners who experience thigh chafing fare better with longer, fitted shorts like the Janji W’s 7″ Pace Short or rabbit Leggy Smashems 5″.

Call for Comments

• Do you have any experience with the shorts in this guide?
• What is your most important element in a great pair of running shorts?
• Tell us about your favorite pair we might have missed so we can test them.