The Best Running Shorts for Women (Fall 2025)

Running shorts for women range from skin-hugging styles to baggies, multi-pocketed distance partners to simple splitties. Inferior pairs will chafe, cling, bounce, sag, ride up, and generally make your run miserable. But the best women’s running shorts disappear on the run, noticed only when you need a gel or your phone and realize, “Hey, I’ve got that in this nifty shorts pocket!” We searched for, tested, and found the top-rated options that can handle the challenges of warm weather while making you look good, feel cool, and run free.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out our picks for the best running shirts for women and the best running shoes.

Updated September 2025: We selected new category winners for “Best 2-in-1” and “Best for Hot Temps,”  and we added two runners-up to existing categories.

Best Women’s Running Shorts: At a Glance

• Most Versatile Shorts: Tracksmith Session ($85)
• Best Distance Training Shorts: Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 4” ($75)
• Most Comfortable Running Shorts: Oiselle Roga ($79)
• Best Running Shorts with Pockets: Janji 5″ Pace ($72)
• Runner-Up, Best Running Shorts with Pockets: Rabbit Stashems ($80)
• Best Trail Running Shorts: Patagonia Endless Run ($89)
• Runner-Up, Best Trail Running Shorts: Arc’teryx Norvan Short 3” ($90)
• Best 2-in-1 Shorts: Brooks High Point 3” 2-N-1 2.0 ($59-$86)
• Best Short Shorts: Janji 3” AFO Middle ($68-$84)
• Best Shorts for Hot Temps: Bandit Vento Training ($88)

Most Versatile

Tracksmith Session Shorts

$85 at Tracksmith

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Casual styling
⊕ Performance functioning
⊗ Thin waistband isn’t flattering on all

The inseam length of these shorts may be a mere three inches, but the relaxed fit, subtle branding, and easy flow of the lightweight polyester/spandex shell fabric make these shorts versatile enough to run errands or grab a coffee (or beer) afterwards. The fabric raised suspicions at first, as it appears to be a soft knit that would hold sweat. But, as one tester put it, “The fabric is a miracle–it dries quickly and just has a really nice drape to it.”

The liner, made of Italian-sourced nylon/elastane, adds to the luxurious feel and functionality of the Session Shorts—soft against the skin, extremely lightweight, and quick drying. Three interior pockets in the liner add storage options to the one exterior zippered pocket, which holds items like AirPods rather awkwardly. Some testers found the thin waistband to be unflattering as it can create a “muffin top” around the midsection. Otherwise, we love how well these shorts perform on and off the trail.

Best Distance Training Shorts

Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 4”

$75 at REI

$75 at Rabbit

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Plenty of pockets for storage
⊕ Comfortable, quick-drying brief
⊗ Can bunch up in the middle

The Fuel n’ Fly 4” shorts have a whopping five storage options—two back stash pockets, two internal stash pockets, and a zippered back pocket. What’s more, we noticed minimal movement even when stuffed with a small smartphone for a long run. One tester calls these her “pack mule” shorts, adding, “None of the pockets caused irritation or chafing when loaded,” she said, adding that they didn’t budge or slide.

The back zipper pull tab is especially easy to grab while running. A lightweight polyester/spandex shell with perforations for added breathability feels “soft and moves well,” said a tester. The liner is notably quick-drying, which we loved—it’s not fun to run in a sweaty liner. The inner brief is also treated with an anti-odor peppermint oil that kept it smelling fresh.

Most Comfortable Running Shorts

Oiselle Roga Shorts

$79 at REI

$79 at Oiselle

Sizes: 2-24/26

Pros and Cons
⊕ Universally-flattering length
⊕ Comfortable, stretchy fabric
⊗ Tighter fit around the booty/thighs than other shorts

We love Oiselle’s original Roga Shorts for their wide, flat waistband that makes them sit as comfortably as yoga pants. The 4-inch inseam length and tapered sides are flattering, and the stretch woven polyester/spandex fabric is both substantial and lightweight. A semi-fitted cut provides coverage while the stretchy material moves with your body. “They sort of fit in between a short tight and a more traditional running short,” said a tester, who described the material as having more structure than other shorts. “I liked it—it wasn’t wimpy, but also not heavy or thick,” she said.

Minimal seams in the crotch add to comfort, even during high-friction moves like high knees, and the shorts proved comfortable in hot and humid running conditions. “I wore these for a treadmill run when I was super sweaty after sitting in a sauna, and they were great—no chafing,” said a tester. Bonus: A tiny loop on the interior backside allows for easy hanging (to dry from all that sweat, for instance).

Best Running Shorts with Pockets

Janji W’s 5” Pace Short

$72 at REI

$72 at Janji

Sizes: XS-XXXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight, comfortable fabric
⊕ Well-placed storage pockets
⊗ No zippered pocket

The Janji 5” Pace Shorts are so comfortable that they converted more than one tester who prefers the modesty of looser-fitting styles from “never-ever would I wear skin-tight shorts like this” to “okay, now I occasionally wear shorts like this.” The nylon/spandex fabric lightly compresses upper leg and glute muscles while remaining extremely lightweight, and the multiple pockets give runners storage options.

We liked the side pockets for carrying a phone or gels, the back pass-through pocket for holding things like gloves or even a long-sleeve layer, and the internal waistband pocket for stashing a key. The silicone grip dots on the leg hems keep the shorts in place and don’t leave a mark, and the 5-inch length strikes a good balance between coverage and freedom. “I like that they are tights without being bun-huggers,” said a tester.

Runner-Up, Best Running Shorts with Pockets

Rabbit 3” Stashems

$72 at Rabbit

$80 at Fleet Feet

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Ample, no-bounce storage pockets
⊕ Can work for road and trail running
⊗ Drawcord can feel bulky

With a mesh pocket that wraps 360 degrees around the torso, these function like a waist belt and a pair of shorts in one. We loved them for storing gels, chews, and our phones; all of which carried comfortably and with minimal bounce. The cut of these is more generous around the hips than other Rabbit shorts. (Testers mostly liked the extra room but some felt the fit was a little too baggy.) We all liked the flattering angled leg openings and side slit, and the feel of the shell fabric; both lightweight and durable.

Best Trail Running Shorts

Patagonia Endless Run Shorts 6”

$89 at REI

$89 at Patagonia

Sizes: XXS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Material dries quickly
⊕ Three no-bounce pockets
⊗ Drawstring seems unnecessary

Many running brands are designing short tights right now, but the capabilities of the Patagonia Endless Run Shorts caught our attention. These shorts dried quickly from sweat, keeping us from getting hot when it was warm and from feeling cold and clammy even when the weather turned.

The 6-inch length on a trail run provided coverage and protection from both the sun and overgrown trees on tight singletrack. The next-to-skin fit kept us covered while scrambling on rocks (no flashing trail partners), and the wide, flat waistband stayed put during fast efforts and long, rambling runs alike. The lack of a center seam kept these comfortable, even when doing high-knee warm-ups or during rock scrambles. One tester raved: “A perfect length (not too short, but also not so long that they felt frumpy), perfect level of compression of the smooth, soft material that made me forget I had the shorts on.”

Runner-Up, Best Trail Running Shorts

Arc’Teryx Norvan Short 3”

$90 at REI

$90 at Arc’teryx

Sizes: 00-16

Pros and Cons
⊕ Zippered back pocket
⊕ Lightweight, durable shell material
⊗ Pricey

For those who prefer a short with a classic shell and liner instead of a short tight for trail running, we’re recommending the Arc’teryx Norvan Short 3”. We love the feel of the lightweight shell material, a recycled polyester that’s water repellent and durable enough to slide down rocky slabs on our butts. “These performed exactly as I’d want them to and I didn’t have to think about them,” said a tester who wore them regularly on a 7-mile trail loop in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado. “There’s no chafing, even though I’ve been sweating a ton, and they provide just the right amount of leg and butt coverage.”

Best 2-in-1 Shorts

Brooks High Point 3” 2-in-1 2.0

$86 at Brooks

From $59 at Amazon

Sizes: XS-XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ 2-in-1 design provides modesty
⊕ Multiple pockets add functionality
⊗ Not as airy feeling as shorts with a traditional liner

While we still love our last season’s winner in this category, the New Balance RC Short 3”, the Brooks High Point 3” 2-in-1 2.0 takes over the top spot. They’re lighter and better-suited for hot-weather running, while still offering the modesty of an interior bike-style short. (With its thicker, seamless knit liner, the New Balance provides a tad more muscle support and is a good choice for cooler temps.)

One tester praised the Brooks shorts for their “extreme comfort,” noting zero chafing and a “free-flowing” lightweight exterior shell. We love the wide waistband, and the stretchy mesh pockets, which can even carry a phone with minimal bounce.

These shorts work great for road and trail running, and double as ideal gym shorts by providing modesty when stretching or lifting (adductor machine, anyone?).

Best Short Shorts

Janji W’s 3″ AFO Middle Short

From $78 at REI

$68 at Janji

Sizes: XXS-XXXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Light and airy
⊕ Comfortable waistband
⊗ 2-inch inseam on the frontside can feel bare

These lightweight, airy shorts with a 3-inch inseam are actually shorter than that—the backside extends to 3 inches while the front of the ultralight recycled polyester/elastane blend shell material is a mere 2 inches. One tester described the shorts as “barely there fabric in a barely there fit.” For some, these might feel too barely there, but for others, they are blissfully light and mobile.

The polyester/spandex brief liner is soft against the skin (but stays wet a tad longer than the shell). Our Virginia-based tester noted how well these shorts performed in hot, humid, dripping sweat conditions. “Because the outer is so fast drying, I would wear these shorts for SUPing as well. I just wish the liner dried faster,” she said. Bonded seams and a knit waistband add to the overall comfort.

Best Shorts for Hot Temps

Bandit Vento 3” Split Shorts

$88 at Bandit

Sizes: XS-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Perforated material is light and airy
⊕ Split cut adds ventilation
⊗ Can show a lot of leg/glute

When temperatures are soaring and the sun beating down, these shorts are the next best thing to running naked. The interior brief is soft against the skin and breathable, and the exterior shell is both extremely lightweight and perforated throughout. “I did not realize how awesome this short material was until I compared it to a couple of my old favorite running shorts, and these knocked those out of the park,” reported one tester.

The split short construction extends to the hip joint, which allows full mobility and extreme airflow. “You have to be okay with your butt cheeks hanging out there,” said a tester, “but honestly, who cares when you feel this cool running.” A small front pocket works great for a key and/or lip balm. Small phones fit in the pocket at midback, with minimal bouncing and no chafing.

“These flowing, soft shorts killed it on mountain trails in 80-92 degrees in dry heat and full sun,” said a Boulder-based tester. “I never thought I would enjoy a split short but this one changed my mind.”

What to Look For in Women’s Running Shorts

When you’re shopping for the best women’s running shorts, look for breathability, moisture-wicking, and a chafe-free fit.

Materials

Sweat-wicking and quick-drying materials are essential in running shorts. These are usually made of polyester or wool blends and have a wide variety of proprietary names and textures. Polyester weaves tend to be the most breathable and highly durable, while wool resists odors and has a natural feel next-to-skin. Try on as many options as you can to find the ones that are both soft against your skin and feel cool and airy.

Fit

The fabric should not restrict your movement or be so tight as to interfere with your breathing at all. When trying on women’s running shorts, do some dynamic stretching such as leg swings, lunges, and running in place to experience your body’s whole range of motion in the apparel.

Style

Besides material and fit, there are a few key features to consider in running shorts for women: pockets, inseam, and waist height.

If you like to carry items like your phone, keys, sunscreen, water flask, gels, or snacks, you’ll need more pockets (if you don’t run with a hydration vest). Make sure the pockets are large and robust enough to fit and secure what you’re carrying, and located in spots where they won’t bounce or irritate. When you’re trying on running shorts with pockets, test how they feel when the pockets are full—especially if you intend to carry something heavy like a cell phone, which can drastically change the way a pair of shorts fits and rides.

Consider whether you prefer shorts with a longer inseam—like four to six inches—for more coverage and to avoid chafing, or ones with a shorter inseam that show a little more leg and feel less restricted.

The rise is crucial to consider, too. While some runners prefer a higher waist to feel more secure, others prefer a waistband that hits right at their hip bones and doesn’t constrict.

How We Test Women’s Running Shorts

•   Number of testers: 9
•   Number of products tested: 59
•   Most extreme temperature experienced during a run: Sitting in a sauna then running on a treadmill; 95-degree Florida beach runs
•   Most elevation gained during a run: 2,300 feet

With six testers based in Colorado, one in California, and two in Virginia, the season’s warm-weather apparel received a full gamut of testing conditions. All testers have been running for two to four decades, and consistently put their apparel through the paces…with scrutiny.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Lisa Jhung writes, runs, and generally adventures from her homebase in Boulder, Colorado. Raised as a California beach kid, she also makes it back to the coast—any coast, but primarily the Pacific—as often as possible. She’s been testing gear for Outside for a couple of decades and co-manages the road and trail running shoe tests, and manages the women’s running apparel, sports bras, and running hydration vest tests.