How to choose the perfect pair of women’s running shorts

Fit

The first port of call is deciding what kind of fit you want. There are generally two options in women’s running shorts: skin-tight, like leggings, or loose, like jogging bottoms.

Skin-tight shorts usually offer more options in terms of leg length, while loose shorts tend to offer more features, such as interior liners. Other than that, fit is entirely down to personal choice and how they feel when you run.

Material

The material your shorts are made out of will depend on the fit. Skin-tight shorts are usually a bit thicker, to keep any VPLs (or other visible bits) at bay. They usually have elastane or some other stretchy fabric, which keeps them in place and offers a more supportive fit. To find the right pair, you might want to consider opting for a similar material make-up to your favourite pair of running leggings.

Loose shorts often use lighter, softer fabric – which is especially important when it comes to chafing. They may be better for warmer runs as they offer more airflow, and are less heavy.

Leg length

Running shorts tend to come in two different leg lengths: short (3-4 inches) and long (5-8 inches). Often this choice is based on personal style preference. It’s important to also think about the dreaded chafe. Where the shorts sit on our thighs can make all the difference – think about where they might rub when you try them on.

Seams vs seamless

You might not have even considered this question when thinking about buying running shorts, but it can really affect how comfortable they are. Shorts with seams are usually more structured and may offer more support, which can be welcome when we feel as though we’re baring all. However, seams can sometimes get in the way and may affect how the shorts fit, especially around the crotch and legs. Seamless shorts are again useful for preventing chafing, as there are no seams to rub against the legs.

What are interior liners?

Interior liners are more common in loose-fitting running shorts. They act as an in-built pair of underwear. Usually they’re made of material that’s designed to sit comfortably next to our most delicate parts, and normally they offer sweat-wicking properties. They’re a really great option if you’re never quite sure what underwear to wear for running. As they’re sewn in, they also prevent friction between underwear and shorts, which reduces awkward bunching or rolling.

Do I need leg grippers?

Tight-fitting running shorts sometimes offer leg grippers. They’re a little rubber strip that sits around the bottom hem of the shorts, and stops the legs from rolling up. We think they’re great for keeping everything where it’s supposed to be, but some people find it annoying as they run, so best to try the shorts out for yourself and decide which you prefer.

Pockets

We’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about pockets! For us, pockets are a must – especially on hot days, where we don’t want to add an extra running belt layer. Both styles of running shorts often offer a pocket, and this is usually zipped and at the back, just like leggings.

The important thing is to check the size before you buy, as they are often smaller than their leggings counterparts. The other thing to think about is how heavy the pocket will be after you’ve added your kit. Loose-fitting shorts may well sag or fall down if you’ve got too much weight in there, so consider skin-tight leggings if you need to carry a lot.

Our pick of the best women’s running shorts

Once you’ve decided on your perfect shorts blueprint, it’s time to shop. Here are our testers’ all-time favourite shorts…

Best value: Gymshark 2-in-1 Running Shorts

Gymshark Running 2-in-1 shorts technical details

Material: 78% nylon, 22 elastane (inner short), 87% recycled polyester, 13% elastane (outer short).
Sizes: XXS to XXL
Special features: inner and outer short
RRP: £35

What our tester said

“These shorts were clearly made with comfort in mind. You get the best of both worlds: the snug inner short allows the sweat-wicking tech to keep you dry, while the outer short is lightweight and breathable. The shorts sit high-waisted for added comfort, and they also have a reliable drawcord for an even more secure fit. You can count on these to stay put while running, and I noticed that they stopped chafing thanks to the inner lining. Great quality and stylish – I highly recommend them!”

Best shorter length: lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Short 4″

lululemon Hotty Hot shorts technical details

Material: 86% recycled polyester, 14% elastane (body), 89% polyester, 11% Lycra elastane (liner)
Sizes: UK4 – UK24
Special features: small zipped pocket in leg, stash pocket in liner
RRP: £48

What our tester said

“These shorts are iconic for a reason! I have been living in them ever since they arrived and can’t get over how comfortable they are. It feels like you’re not wearing anything! The inner liner is soft and fits well, so no need for pants. Nothing rode up or chafed as I ran, and they’re really flattering too. I love that they have a zipped pocket, but it’s only really big enough for a key or a gel, which was the only minus. That being said, it’s rare to have a pocket at all in lightweight shorts like these so I’m not too mad about it!”

Best investment shorts: Oner AirMove™ Lined Shorts

from £50.00 at Oner Active GlobalOner AirMove™ Lined Shorts 2″ technical details

Material: Main fabric: 86% recycled polyester, 14% elastane. Lining: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
Sizes: XS-XXL
Special features: Internal knickers, available in two lengths for different coverage options
RRP: £50

What our tester said:

“I was really impressed by the Oner AirMove™ Lined Shorts 2”. They’re made from the same buttery soft material as the matching jacket, with none of that plasticky feel you sometimes get in running gear. I love that they’re lined with internal knickers too; it gives that extra bit of security and peace of mind when you’re out running.

The fabric is ultra-lightweight with plenty of stretch, so you don’t have to keep adjusting them as you move. The elasticated mid-rise waistband and internal drawcord help them fit perfectly and stay put, even on longer runs. They come in seven colours, from classic neutrals to bold, poppy neons, which adds a bit of fun to your running kit. The brighter shades are especially great for the darker months when you want a touch of visibility without resorting to a clunky high-vis layer.

I did find the 2″ length quite short on the sides, but luckily they’re also available in a longer 3″ option if you prefer more coverage. The price is on par with similar lined running shorts, but honestly, the material feels nicer than most I’ve tried, and the colour range is miles better than what you usually see from other sports brands.”

Oner AirMove™ Lined Shorts 2″from £50.00 at Oner Active Global

Best for staying in place: Soar Marathon Speed Shorts

Soar Marathon Speed Shorts technical details

Material: 71% Polyamide, 29% Elastane
Sizes: XS to XL
Special features: pocket space for 6 gels or a phone
RRP: £135

What our tester said

“I’ve tested these shorts on a 20 mile race in the rain and a 10-mile marathon paced run in the sun and they have performed well in both. The fabric is really lightweight and feels like you aren’t wearing shorts at all. The inside of the leg hems as well as the waistband have tiny silicone grippers that help the shorts stay put without riding up of falling down. I stuffed the pockets full of gels during the race and carried my phone plus gels on the training run and everything has stayed in place.”

Best for minimising chafe: Compressport Eat My Dust! Performance Shorts

Compressport Eat My Dust! Performance Shorts technical details

Material: 93% Polyamide, 7% Elastane
Sizes: XS to L
Special features: Featherlight, maximum ventilation and breathability
RRP: £60

What our tester said

“For the warmer running months these shorts are a definite favourite of mine. As a sceptic when it comes to ‘no chafing’ claims on advertising, I’m delighted to be proved wrong with these. The non-stick fabric and lateral split allows for easy movement and a chafe-free experience. I also appreciate the smaller details. The adjustable drawstring keeps them sitting just right, and the discreet zip pocket at the back is handy for carrying essentials without getting in in the way. I’m testing – and loving – the pink and black colourway, which is a bit different to usual run kit. For me, they’ve become an easy choice for summer runs and ideal for chasing my PB goals.”

Best for length options: Sweaty Betty Power Shorts

Sweaty Betty Power Shorts technical details

Material: 62% Polyamide, 38% Elastane
Sizes: XXS to XXL
Special features: Great colour and print options
RRP: £60

What our tester said

“These shorts are super comfortable for year round running. They’re not too tight but they stay in place. There are three different length options: 4″, 6″ and 9″ inseams to suit different runners. The left hip pocket is big enough to accommodate your phone and there’s a zip pocket in the rear of the waistband for your keys or other small items. While they’re available in plain black, they also come in a range of fab prints and designs which could be a downside as you’re going to want more than one pair.”

Best shorts with a liner: Brooks Chaser Shorts

Brooks Chaser Short technical details

Material: 28% recycled polyester, jersey
Sizes: XS-XXL
Special features: Jersey brief liner
RRP: £50

What our tester said

“Recently, I’ve had a fierce debate with my runner friends: to underwear or not to underwear? This might be TMI, but I am firmly in the sans pants camp – which can get tricky when it comes to shorts weather. So I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled these super-soft Brooks shorts on to find a jersey brief liner inside. Sweat-wicking, seamless material kept me feeling cool, comfortable and supported as I ran. These shorts also pack an impressive amount of storage into their 5” length, with two small front pockets on the waistband and a back pocket big enough for my phone. My only (small) complaint was that I noticed a bit of a VPL around my bum – but better a visible panty line than anything else!”

Best lightweight shorts: Runderwear Ultra-Light Women’s Running Shorts

Runderwear Ultra-Light Women’s Running Shorts technical details

Material: 86% polyamide, 14% elastane
Sizes: S-XL
Special features: 4-way stretch ultralight fabric
RRP: £47

What our tester said

“The best thing about these shorts is that they feel as though they don’t exist – an odd endorsement, to be sure, but definitely a good one when it comes to running. They’re so light and smooth that they genuinely feel like a second skin – as I headed out on my run I did have to check that I hadn’t forgotten to put them on! Each design element has been carefully considered to work in harmony with the others.

The fabric is light and a little bit loose, allowing for movement as you run. The leg hems have been finished with reflective grippy material that stops that fabric from moving too much. But the hems aren’t at all restrictive or sticky, thanks to the side splits at the sides, giving you full range of motion. All of this combined into a great run experience: for maybe the first time ever, I didn’t have to think about adjusting my clothing at all as I ran. My only small gripe is pocket-related: while they do have a little zip pocket at the back, it wasn’t quite big enough for me personally, so I still needed to add a running belt to the mix.”

Best reflective shorts: Proviz Reflect 360 Women’s Running Shorts

Proviz Reflect 360 Women’s Running Shorts technical details

Material: 140 gsm microfiber
Sizes: UK women’s 6-22
Special features: 360 reflective technology
RRP: £39.99

What our tester said

“These shorts are perfect for anyone who wants visibility at nighttime. Proviz is known for its super-powered reflective material. It’s a lovely subtle dark grey in the day, but brilliant white at night. These shorts have a panel of that down each side and across the back. They also have a handy in-built liner, though I did find the legs of the liner were snug around my thighs, so it might be worth going up a size. Overall, a lovely and lightweight pair of shorts for running adventures, day or night.”

Best 2-in-1 shorts: Brooks High Point Shorts

Brooks High Point Shorts technical details

Sizes: XS-XXL
Special features: Water repellent fabric and UPF 30+ sun protection
RRP: £60

What our tester said

“Squeal – I love these shorts. And I’m not even sure why! It feels kind of like fancying someone who is just not your type, but being unable to resist them at the school disco! I love the weird orange/brown colour, the shocking pink contrasts and the white piping. Of course, the materials are soft and airy and the styling is great for trails, with water and tear protection and UPF 30+, four hip pockets and rear zipped one. It felt like the sizing of the top short was a bit tighter than I’d like so might be worth sizing up. Other than that, 100% weird crush!”

Best for pockets: ASICS Fujitrail Elite Sprinter

ASICS Fujitrail Elite Sprinter technical details

Sizes: XS-XL
Special features: ACTIBREEZE technology for breathability
RRP: £85

What our tester said

“If you think your shorts have a lot of pockets, you haven’t met these shorts yet. They’ve got more pockets than you can shake a stick (or hiking pole) at. In fact, the waistband features 360 degrees of drop-in pocket so you can stuff it full of gels and whatever else you might need. Then there’s a big double pocket on each thigh. My only slight quibble is that all the pockets are mesh and it would be nice to have one that was opaque for things you might not want on display.

There are also loops for carrying hiking poles or a jacket – they’ve thought of (almost) everything. Features aside, they are very comfortable and stayed in place on the run.”

Best for all-day comfort: BAM Enduro Pocket Bike Shorts

BAM Enduro Pocket Bike shorts technical details

Material: 64% viscose bamboo, 24% organic cotton, 12% elastane
Sizes: XS-XXL
RRP: £34

What our tester said

“A really reliable item in my workout wardrobe, these biker shorts have it all. The fabric is soft and lightweight, keeping me cool whether I’m out for a run or doing a tougher gym session. One thing I really love is that they’re not see-through, even when I’m squatting or stretching. This makes a big difference to how confident I feel wearing them. I can fit my phone in one pocket and my keys in the other without either bouncing around or getting in the way. I’ve worn these for everything from running to strength workouts and even a bit of yoga, and they’ve held up well across the board. Great value, too.”

Best for the gym: Adidas Optime Workout 3-Stripes Shorts

Adidas Optime Workout 3-Stripes shorts technical details

Sizes: 2XS-2XL
RRP: £35

What our tester said

“These really are a great-value pair of shorts. They feel fabulous on, they fit well and they’re super flattering. I had no show-through during squats and lunges and have been using them for circuit workouts at the gym. The high waistband sits well and is secure without cutting in.

The only negative is that there are no pockets. I’ve also tested the leggings version of these shorts which do have a pocket, so it’s a real shame they’ve omitted them on the shorts version. Apart from pockets, they’re great for running and I’d like to do more miles in them. As it is, they’re getting a lot of gym time instead.”