Best running shorts for women in 2025
Comfort, practicality and style in one package. We're not asking much in a pair of women's running shorts. Here, we look at some of the best options on the market...
Picking the right pair of women’s run shorts can make or break your training. As women, we want to run in shorts that are comfortable, practical, and perform well for running. But with so many styles and brands out there, it can be hard to find the right pair that works for you and your body shape.
In essence, good running shorts are those that allow us to run in comfort and reach our potential during training and running races. It’s important to consider the material used in shorts, whether it’s truly breathable and moisture-wicking for hard efforts.
In this article, we’ve tested shorts of different lengths, with shorter options for maximum ventilation, and longer picks to help combat the dreaded thigh-chafe. Pockets are a key consideration, especially over longer distances and to store valuables.
Here’s a round-up of some of our favourite tried and tested women’s running shorts that offer a range of coverage, and why we’d recommend them.
Tried and tested: Best running shorts for women at a glance
- Best overall women’s running shorts: Salomon Sense Aero 2-in-1 Running Shorts | Buy now from Salomon
- Best budget women’s running shorts: Queenieke Sport Shorts | Buy now from Amazon
- Best shorts for functionality: Brooks Chaser 2in1 Shorts | Buy now from Brooks
- Best shorts for comfort: Hoka Hupana 5in Short | Buy now from Hoka
Best running shorts for women in 2025
Bimble and Bolt Super Strider Shorts
220 Triathlon verdict
Practical and nicely designed shorts with some good features. Score : 88%
Pros
- Stay in place while running
- Two length options: 6 and 8 inch
Cons
- £44
Running shorts, in January? I know, I know, maybe not your first choice for training outside.
I’ve had these for a while though and for indoor training, still have them on regular rotation. Plus, I think it’s good to give smaller brands some love around all the festive spending.
Bimble and Bolt make these shorts in two lengths (8 inch or 6 inch) which is music to my ears as someone who always finds women’s run shorts alarmingly skimpy.
I tried the 8 inch shorts in Teal (other colours online). They’re made from 62% Recycled Nylon and 38% Spandex and stay put when working hard – no rolling up, thank God – and include one zippy back pocket and two side pockets.
Best overall women's running shorts
Salomon Sense Aero 2-in-1 Running Shorts
220 Triathlon verdict
A great choice for runners seeking comfort, functionality, and style. Score: 81%
Pros
- Comfortable, functional and stylish
- Supportive and stays in place
Cons
- Lacks visibility
- £75
The Salomon Sense Aero 2-in-1 running shorts performed exceptionally well, staying in place and not riding up, which is essential when you’re trying to focus on your stride.
The built-in liner is a great touch, offering extra support without causing chafing, even on longer runs. The waistband is comfortable and sits lightly without digging in or causing discomfort.
A standout feature is the thoughtful placement of pockets which are placed around the waistband, designed to hold items such as phone, gels, additional layers. There’s a discreet zippered back pocket that securely holds essentials like keys or a credit card/ID. These pockets feel strategically designed to minimise bounce and didn’t feel bulky.
One minor gripe: I noticed that the reflective detailing is minimal. For early morning or evening runners, better visibility features would be a welcome addition.
Under Armour Women’s UA Fly-By 2-in-1 Shorts
220 Triathlon verdict
A great choice for runners seeking comfort, functionality, and style. With a few tweaks, they could be the perfect pair. Score: 67%
Pros
- Lightweight and supportive
Cons
- Lacks reflective details
- £36
The fit is spot on — neither too tight nor too loose. The lightweight, fabric feels soft against the skin and allows for a full range of motion. The built-in liner is a great touch, offering extra support without causing chafing, even on longer runs. The waistband was loose but adjustable, with no restriction.
During my runs, these inner lining stayed in place, whilst the outer material did rise up and gather, but this did not feel restrictive.
The zipped pocket located on one side of the shorts, can securely hold essentials like keys or a credit card, however not large enough to hold a gel.
The sleek design and modern aesthetic make these shorts versatile enough to wear beyond the running track. They come in black or pale blue, making it easy to find a pair that matches your style preference.
The reflective detailing is minimal, for early morning or evening runners, better visibility features would be a welcome addition.
Best budget women's running shorts
Queenieke Sport Shorts
220 Triathlon verdict
Impressive durability and pocket capacity; ideal length for avoiding thigh chafing, too. Score: 80%
Pros
- Perfect length for us
- Good pockets
- Great value
Cons
- Fabric not as breathable as others
- $19.99 /£21.99
I know picking the right running shorts can be a bit of a minefield, to say the least. But I can attest to the durability and fit of these Queenieke shorts from Amazon, having used them for years.
What I like about these shorts is that with a six-inch inseam, they’re just the perfect length. They’re long enough to cover the upper thighs, but not too long that they go all the way down to the knee.
A thick and high waist band keeps you feeling secure and comfortable, with a flattering seam placement and multiple colours to choose from.
The best part? The Queenieke has two side pockets large enough to fit a chunky smart phone, plus keys and gels, so there’s no need to carry an extra hip bag or running backpack.
They must be one of the best women’s running shorts with pockets I’ve come across.
Hoka Hupana 5in Short
Buy now from Hoka
220 Triathlon verdict
Very practical and a pleasure to wear; worth the price tag! Score: 95%
Pros
- Supportive and flattering waistband
- Pockets are genuinely useful
- Good length
Cons
- Fabric not as rigid/supportive as others
- $38 /£35
These women’s running shorts from Hoka are some of the softest and comfiest we’ve ever worn. The 5” inseam’s long enough to protect the inner thighs from chafing, while the wide, high waistband is supportive and flattering.
It’s designed with three in-built pockets too, enough for all your mid-race essentials. If you’re after practical and soft shorts, you won’t be disappointed.
Castore Carolina Speed Shorts
220 Triathlon verdict
Very lightweight shorts with a quality build. Score: 87%
Pros
- Lightweight
- Solid moisture-wicking
- Slits help with ventilation
Cons
- More storage would be nice
- Quite short
- £55 (UK only)
This lightweight and stylish pair of performance running shorts from Castore just feels like quality. Ideal for running in warmer climates, the shorts have a mid-rise, mesh waistband with in-built moisture-wicking properties and an inner drawstring.
They’re designed with a flattering curved hem and slight side slits for ventilation, with reflective detailing. When on, the shorts feel secure and comfortable; all they’re missing is some pocket capacity for the essentials.
Best shorts for functionality
Brooks Chaser 2-in-1 Short
220 Triathlon verdict
Comfortable and functional, a great option for runs of any distance. Score: 90%
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Useful pockets
Cons
- Not for hot runs
- $63 /£55
Also available in black or blue, these Brooks run shorts are supremely comfortable thanks to the soft, sweat-wicking inner lining that also has useful in-built side and front pockets.
We like the five-inch inseam, making them just long enough to protect against thigh chafing, while ventilation panels throughout are great for long runs.
Plus, these women’s running shorts have pockets in-built along both sides (as well as a smaller zip pocket) that are just big enough for a phone/gel.
Hoka Performance Shorts
220 Triathlon verdict
Simple yet effective; a top pick for running in hot weather. Score: 86%
Pros
- Great ventilation
- Barely-there feeling
Cons
- Limited storage
- Only for those who like a short-short
- $39.99 / £39
If you’re after a pair of super light and no-fuss running shorts, this feather-thin pair from Hoka will do the job perfectly.
A mid-rise and sweat-wicking waistband secures the woven, four-way stretch shorts, which are designed with slits along both sides for ventilation on the go.
These minimalist shorts feel like they’re barley-there, but still offer a small inner pocket with bungee to secure keys and small valuables. These performance shorts from Hoka would be our pick for hot weather running.
Also consider…
Nike Women’s Elevate Shorts
- £31.82
Constructed with Nike’s ‘Dry-Fit’ technology, these performance run shorts are designed to provide sweat-wicking comfort and freedom of movement.
An in-built rear zip-pocket comes complete with a ‘vapour barrier’, which aims to keep your valuables and phone dry when on the move, while an additional left inner pocket offers extra storage capacity.
Nike says the material used here is lightweight and airy to help avoid overheating on the run, while it’s available in a range of colours and patterns for all tastes.
Under Armour Women’s Play Up Shorts 3
- From £17.90
These everyday run shorts from Under Armour are designed to be lightweight and comfortable, featuring a thin polyester material for hot runs and a thick elastic waistband.
They’ve also got two upper side pockets and are built with flattering curved hems, styled with that classic Under Armour branding.
Sundried Women’s 2-in-1 Running Shorts
- From £10
Made from 100% recycled materials, these double-layered sports shorts from Sundried offer a bit more coverage than others in this round-up, with a compression-style inner short giving way to a thinner upper layer with ventilation slits.
Sundried says that the wide, drawstring waistband is ultra-soft and comfortable, housing a small inner pocket to stash keys.
Sweaty Betty Women’s Shorts
- From £48
These Sweaty Betty shorts are designed in a longer style with an adjustable drawstring waistband. Sweaty Betty says that they’re both sweat-wicking and quick-drying, and have been designed with bum-sculpting technology.
These fitted shorts also have a small, zip-up back pocket and a side pocket that is said to be suitable for a phone.
How we tested the best women’s running shorts
Our team tested this round-up of the best women’s running shorts over a period of several weeks and months to find the favourite options to recommend. Our expert running gear tester and journalist, Kate Milsom, wore each pair of shorts out on runs of distances from 5km to 42km.
During testing, comfort was one of the main considerations. Choice of materials, moisture-wicking, and non-budge hems all factor into a good, comfy pair of run shorts.
While storage capacity was also important, especially over longer runs. As a woman, it was important to our tester to be able to carry her phone for security while running. Typically, the more pockets the better, with a mix of zips and easy-stash pouches proving to be a winning combination.
We judged whether these shorts proved to be true to size, and also their longevity, thanks to the long duration of our testing period.
Features to look out for in women’s running shorts
As you may have spotted from our shorts on test, not all women’s running shorts are made equal. Certain features make a huge difference when it comes to the comfort, longevity, and functionality of your next pair of running shorts.
To make the most of your next purchase, look out for these key features:
Length
The length of your short leg is largely personal preference, but many women prefer a slightly longer leg to provide extra coverage that’ll ward off chafing and add extra support.
That being said, on the other side of the spectrum you’ll find floaty, short, single-layer run shorts which many short-distance athletes prefer for their lighter weight and breathability. As we said, it’s a mater of preference.
Pockets
A game changer when it comes to longer distances in particular, opt for a pair of shorts that can house at least a set of keys and a gel.
For safety and navigational purposes, you may want to also bring a phone. Look out for shorts with thigh pockets to slide in a phone, or a large and stable enough back zip pocket.
You’ll want a mixture of zip and non-zip pockets, so there’s no worrying about losing your post-run, chippy tenner or car keys while running.
Style
As we mentioned when discussing length, women’s running shorts have quite a range of styles. This is again a choice of taste, but you should also consider what you feel most comfortable in.
Styles range from light, paper-thin shorties that allow maximum ventilation (see the Hoka Performance shorts), to the 2in1 style which offers both great coverage and often lots of additional storage.
Meanwhile, the rising popularity of the biker short style provides a more modest offering with more structural, compressive support than other styles.
Material
We’re happy to see that many brands are incorporating eco-friendly or recycled materials into their shorts these days.
For running shorts, it’s key to look for lightweight or breathable fabrics, like nylon or polyester blends. Moisture-wicking is also important, these help to avoid you getting drenched in sweat straight off the bat and your shorts chafing due to excess moisture.
Seams
The placement of seams on running shorts can make them super flattering, but watch out for seams that rub or cause irritation. At the end of the day, functionality trumps style.
Safety features
Additions such as reflective detailing or brighter colours will make you easier to spot by cars and passers-by when running in low-light conditions. The ability for the shorts to house a phone while running is also a safety feature worth considering.
Why wear 2 in 1 running shorts?
You’ve likely seen many runners sporting the 2in1 running short style and wondered about the benefits. This style is so popular because it offers extra capacity for pockets, while enjoying the comfort and support provided by compression running tights.
The inner layer tends to have good moisture-wicking and anti-odour properties, allowing you to run without underwear, should you desire. It may sound bizarre, but like cycling bib shorts, running without underwear translates to less chance of rubbing and a more comfortable ride (plus, less clothes to wash afterwards!).
Though the 2in1 isn’t for everyone, it does typically provide good freedom of movement, breathability, and comfort while running.
What length shorts are best for running?
As you’ll gather in our key features recommendations above, running short length is a hugely personal choice as all bodies are different. That being said, there are some typical lengths that running brands tend to offer.
The shortest length is normally 3”, this would be best for those who don’t suffer from upper thigh chafe and like the freedom of wearing short shorts. Then there’s 4”, which offers just a smidge more coverage to that of the 3”.
Most women tend to go for around 5” or 6”, this length covers fully the glutes and some of the upper high in a medium coverage, while still retaining that classic short look and length.
Longer, biker short options range from 5 or 6” to around 9” and fully cover all of the upper thigh and most of the leg above the knee. The main downside of these are that they are less breathable for running in hot conditions. For most women, this is eclipsed by the benefits of extra support, coverage, and pockets.
Is it better to run in loose or tight shorts?
Running in loose shorts allows for a lot more ventilation as you run, which is particularly beneficial for runs in the summer months. They also offer more freedom of movement and are preferred by those who aren’t fans of skintight clothing.
Loose shorts don’t necessarily make you slower, it’s about personal comfort. One of the most decorated ultra runners of all time, Courtney Daulwalter, is famed for running in basketball-style, loose running shorts.
Tight running shorts will typically be more aerodynamic, but less ventilated. However, running shorts are made from breathable and moisture-wicking materials, so this shouldn’t prove too much fo a problem. One style isn’t better than the other, it’s about finding the right running shorts for you, your needs, and your preferences.
Looking to complete the ensemble? Check out our favourite women’s running tops, best sports bras for running, and best running jackets.
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Top image credit: Greg Rosenke/Unsplash