Author Abby Levene takes the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts on a high-altitude outing. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Running shorts for women are not created equal — especially when it comes to trail running, mountain running, and ultrarunning. One of our testers learned this the hard way at the Way Too Cool 50k a few years ago. Her short, fitted shorts had served her well throughout her track-and-field career. But the rough inseams chafed in the California race’s torrential downpour. She crossed the finish line with blood streaming down her legs.
Trail running and ultrarunning shorts must be able to withstand the rigors of everything — including chafe protection — from mid-run alpine lake dips to wind-scoured mountain summits. Synthetic and wool fabrics, flat seams, and storage capacity for fuel or your phone set the best trail running and ultrarunning shorts apart from their run-of-the-mill road running and fitness counterparts.
From racing a 50k through the thick, hot, muggy air of New Hampshire to gasping up to Colorado’s high point of 14,440 feet, we put trail running and ultrarunning shorts on the market in 2022 to the test. As a result, we’ve discovered the best shorts for female-identifying runners who love trails, mountains, and ultra distances. Baggy or tight, short or long, thin or thick waistband — different shorts suit different body types, running gaits, and styles. The best running shorts for you as an individual will be what’s most comfortable and instill confidence. While running shorts tend to run pretty pricey, we’ve rounded up the best pairs, and there’s something here to suit all budgets.
Below is our list of winning shorts. Scroll down for our review of each model.
To learn about what goes into good women’s running shorts or how to decide which shorts are right for you, jump down to our how-to-choose section as well as our answers to your most frequently asked questions. Last but not least, click on our testing and methodology section if you’re curious about the rigors through which we put these shorts. Let’s dive in!
Best Running Shorts for Women
- Best Overall Running Shorts for Women: Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts
- Best Running Shorts for Women – Runner-Up: Black Diamond Sprint Shorts
- Best Budget Running Shorts for Women: Decathlon Kalenji Run Dry Running Shorts
- Best Long Inseam Running Shorts for Women: Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts – 6″
- Best Fitted Running Shorts for Women: Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts
- Best Running Shorts for Women with Storage: Ultimate Direction Velum Short
- Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: Smartwool Merino Sport Lined Short and Craft Pro Hypervent Running Split Shorts
Best Overall Running Shorts for Women: Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts ($56)
The Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts let you move freely while offering excellent chafe protection — they’re light, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. Plus, these shorts come with a functional waistband pocket and a form-fitting style.
Oiselle’s lightest shorts provide just the right level of breathability for even the hottest summer runs. They truly live up to their name, yet they remain durable enough to withstand butt sliding down scree fields. Thoughtful paneling and four-way stretch fabric mean these shorts move with you, even while taking big steps up and bombing down mountains.
A wide, compressive waistband fits comfortably at the middle of your waist. An infinity drawstring prevents the dreaded muffin top while still 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. The pocket is not ideal for something as heavy as a smartphone, though. 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 and yet enhancing freedom of movement and style. Our primary tester turned to the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts for every major outing this summer, including a 50-mile fastest known time effort in muggy New Hampshire, multiple races, and backpacking trips.
Specifications:
- Inseam: Four inches
- Liner type: Brief
Pros:
- Extremely quick-drying and light
- Wide and comfortable waistband and useful waistband pocket
- Value friendly
Cons:
- Heavier items such as a smartphone will bounce in the pocket
Best Running Shorts for Women – Runner-Up: Black Diamond Sprint Shorts ($95)
The Black Diamond Sprint Shorts dry in record time. They offer abundant storage, durable fabric, and smart pleating that protects you on windy summits.
You can tell that these shorts were designed by Black Diamond mountain athletes Hillary Gerardi, Joe Grant, and Kyle Richardson. The shorts marry the best qualities of hiking short and running short to provide an ultralight piece of apparel that can withstand the rigors of big mountain adventures.
These shorts offer the most pockets of any model we tested. One pocket sits toward the front and can hold a light windbreaker or headlamp. A zippered rear pocket is big enough to hold your phone, although that may bounce a bit. Two elastic side pockets can hold gels and snacks and yet remain almost imperceptible when empty. Unlike many shorts with abundant storage options, these will hardly bounce when loaded down. Plus, a drawcord waistband keeps them secure without bunching or pinching.
The Black Diamond Sprint Shorts come in a stretchy fabric with a water-resistant finish, helping to withstand the elements of harsh mountain days. Other than the waistband, these shorts dry in a snap. Reflective logos on the front and rear help keep you visible in the dark. The liner brief is breathable, comfortable, and fits just right.
These shorts are available in both 2.5- and four-inch inseams. Our primary tester wore the four-inch inseam all summer. The inseams can ride up every once in a while, but it’s a minor concern. For their first pair of running shorts, Black Diamond hit it out of the park with a pair of shorts uniquely suited to long mountain days ranging from cold and rainy to hot and muggy.
Specifications:
- Inseam: 2.5 and four inches
- Liner type: Brief
Pros:
- Durable
- Quick drying
- Lots of storage
Cons:
- May ride up a little
- Waistband and drawstring are slightly bulky
- Pricey
A back view of the Black Diamond Sprint Shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Best Budget Running Shorts for Women: Decathlon Kalenji Run Dry Running Shorts ($14)
It’s a miracle you can find a pair of acceptable running shorts for $14, but here they are in the Decathlon Kalenji Run Dry Running Shorts. These liner-less shorts are soft, moisture-wicking, and stretchy.
Decathlon points to its state-of-the-art production process as a means of keeping manufacturing costs way down. It also claims that it cuts costs on the retail and marketing side of things — not the materials end — to keep its prices this low. Whether all of that’s entirely true or not, these no-frills shorts hold their own in the specialty run retail category. A spandex and polyester blend makes for a stretchy fit that moves with you and feels soft on your skin. A small side split adds a little more freedom of movement.
A thin drawstring cord lets you tighten the waistband to your specifications. A large zip pocket in the back of the wide waistband is big enough to hold a phone, although that will bounce. The one major pro or con of these shorts, depending on personal preference, is the lack of a built-in liner. Given you can find high-performance briefs in the $25 range, and you may already have them, these shorts remain an economical option.
Specifications:
- Inseam: Four inches
- Liner type: None
Pros:
- Soft, stretchy fabric that moves with you
- Size inclusive
- Very budget friendly
Cons:
- No liner
A back view of the Decathlon Kalenji Run Dry Running Shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Best Long Inseam Running Shorts for Women: Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts – 6″ ($75)
The Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts – 6″ feel soft on the skin while offering lightweight and breathable protection. These bread-and-butter shorts hold up during a wide range of trail running, ultrarunning, and backpacking adventures.
There’s a reason the Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts — 6″ remain a fan favorite year after year. The ultralight, ultra-comfortable recycled polyester and spandex stretch-woven fabric keeps you cool in the heat of the summer and dries quickly after sweating up a steep climb. A durable water-repellent finish helps water bead up on the fabric. If you’re looking for a basic pair of shorts that transition seamlessly between running and backpacking, consider picking up a pair.
Notably, these come in two inseam lengths: four and six inches. We tested the six-inch and loved how they protect your inner thighs from chafing while still providing a solid range of motion. We don’t love the low-rise waistband, but that’s entirely personal preference, and it did not stop us from loving these shorts.
Specifications:
- Inseam: Four and six inches
- Liner: Brief
Pros:
- Soft and lightweight feeling
- Quick drying
- External drawcord on the waistband allows for a tailored fit
Cons:
- Low-rise waist sits fairly low on the hips
Best Fitted Running Shorts for Women: Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts ($82)
The Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts offer a compressive yet soft feel. The 7.25-inch inseam stays put even on long slogs and snappy hill sprints.
Finally, a flattering fitted short with a longer inseam! While Tracksmith continues to engulf the track and road running markets, their high-quality apparel works great on the trails, too. If you’ve been looking for a compressive short you can throw on and not worry about inner thigh chafing or waistband slippage, this short is for you. Plus, the pocket easily holds a smartphone without bouncing.
Made from an Italian blend of 57% nylon and 43% elastane, the Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts offer a highly compressive fit. They’re soft and breathable with plenty of stretch, and they dry in a snap. The high waist keeps it all in — no muffin top, suffocating, or pinching. A thin, soft rib of elastic at the bottom of each cuff helps ensure these shorts don’t ride up.
Perhaps surprisingly, for a track-and-field brand, Tracksmith nails it with the storage in these shorts. A clever double pocket in the back of a waistband is wide enough to fit a smartphone. The inner pocket can hold something small like a gel. Sizing is our primary complaint with these shorts and Tracksmith in general. The Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts run quite small, so size up. These shorts also don’t come in a true large or extra large size. Hopefully, that will change in the future.
Specifications:
- Inseam: 7.25 inches
- Liner type: None
Pros:
- Soft feeling
- Quick drying
- Ample storage
- Don’t ride up
Cons:
- Run small, so size up! No true large or extra large size
- Pricey
A front view of the Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Best Running Shorts for Women with Storage: Ultimate Direction Velum Short ($60)
The Ultimate Direction Velum Short can fit a full soft flask, a 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. No need for a tedious belt that rides up your torso or threatens to fall down to your feet. Built-in storage all 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 the Ultimate Direction Velum Short allows for a total range of running motion. Our primary complaint with the shorts themselves is the inseam length; 2.75 inches is pretty short for a long mountain outing, especially when it’s the only length option. We would love to see a longer inseam version in the future. The shorts are made from a lightweight and quick-drying fabric that leaves 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.
The Ultimate Direction Velum Short is pretty low rise, and the waistband has to remain rather tight to keep everything in it. 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 a bit looser, our primary tester runs in these shorts almost as frequently as our overall top pick, the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts. While it might not seem necessary to ditch the waistbelt in lieu of a built-in option, once you do, it’s hard to go back.
Specifications:
- Inseam: 2.75 inches
- Liner type: Brief
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
A front and side view of the Ultimate Direction Velum Short showcasing the high side slit. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
A back view of the Ultimate Direction Velum Short, displaying extensive storage capability. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: Smartwool Merino Sport Lined Short ($60)
The Smartwool Merino Sport Lined Short offers the best built-in liner of all the shorts we tested. Made from Merino wool mesh, the liner sits comfortably on the skin while helping to regulate body temperature, resist odor, and dry quickly.
Thanks to wool’s antimicrobial properties, these shorts provide a smart option for long outings and multi-day adventures. You’ll worry less about the liner starting to chafe or smell after hours on the trail.
The wide waistband sits low and comfortably at the hip bone. An infinity drawstring allows you to dial in the waist fit a bit, although cinching the wide waistband may cause it to bunch. Two pockets, one with a zipper in the back and a drop-in pocket in the waistband, offer a little storage for a couple gels or keys and a credit card, although not much beyond that.
In contrast to the high-performance liner, the rest of these shorts are a bit more casual. Stretch-woven fabric moves with you to some degree and is relatively lightweight and quick drying. The short inseam comes with a small side split to offer a little freedom of movement. This modest design will delight those not wishing to show a lot of upper side leg. Bonus: multiple fun prints!
Specifications:
- Inseam: Three inches
- Liner: Brief
Pros:
- Breathable and soft
- Odor-resistant liner
Cons:
- Short inseam, small side split, and low-rise waist mean these shorts are not for everyone
Best of the Rest Running Shorts for Women: Craft Pro Hypervent Running Split Shorts ($55)
The Craft Pro Hypervent Running Split Shorts feel like the lightest, softest, fastest, and most ventilated shorts we tested. Put these on, and you’ll feel fast and free to fly.
Our primary tester often turns to these featherlight, silky shorts for interval workouts. The shorts are so light that they will billow up onto themselves in the wind — or if you’re really hauling down the trail. Both the shorts and built-in liner are made from polyester stretch, providing great freedom of movement, further enhanced by a small, angled side split.
We love the taped hems at the bottom of the legs to help avoid chafing, but one downside to these shorts is the shapeless, somewhat awkward waistband. Although an adjustable drawstring lets you dial in the fit, the mesh pocket at the back of the waistband seems pretty useless. Reflective details add a bit of visibility at night. Overall, for runners looking to move swiftly and who aren’t too concerned about inner thigh chafing or storage in their shorts, these may be a great option.
Specifications:
- Inseam: Two inches
- Liner: Brief
Pros:
- Ultralight and highly ventilated
Cons:
- Awkward waistband
- Useless pocket
A back view of the Craft Pro Hypervent Running Split Shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Buying Advice: How to Choose Women’s Running Shorts
Finding the right pair of 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 pull your shorts up on the move. Unlike men’s running shorts, the best women’s running shorts seem to have very few commonalities. Some women prefer a fitted style with a short inseam. Some gravitate toward longer, loose-fitting shorts. Others swear by combinations of those qualities.
Finding the best type of shorts for you depends on your body type and personal preference. Don’t be afraid to try a few styles to see what fits, stays put, and, most importantly, doesn’t chafe.
Style
Trail running and ultrarunning shorts style 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 the following year in her typical fitted shorts.
Clare Gallagher during the 2019 Western States 100 wearing fitted shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
We did not test any classic 2.5-inch fitted shorts or standard pocketless three-inch split shorts. We did test several pairs of two-in-one compression shorts with split shorts on the top, but none of them made the cut for this guide. Our primary complaints with that style of short are that they look dorky and feel bulky. Additionally, the compression short feels like an afterthought, usually rolling up the leg and negating its 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 your phone into a shorts pocket and forget about it until you need it on the trail. Shorts like the Ultimate Direction Velum Short will carry this and a whole lot more without uncomfortable bounce.
Material
Good running shorts pack a lot of properties into one fabric: quick drying and moisture wicking, yet also durable and sometimes even water repellent. The best fabrics can withstand a hard fall, sliding down a scree field, 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 a combination of polyester and elastane, four-way stretch, durable water repellent, and other high-tech materials are not necessary, but they’re preferable for wicking away moisture, preventing odor, and withstanding wear and tear.
The most durable women’s running shorts we tested were the Black Diamond Sprint Shorts, while 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. Shorts with longer inseams, like the Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts – 6″, offer more protection from chafing and the elements. Ultimately, when it comes to choosing between a short and long inseam, try each to see what works for you.
The author flies over singletrack in the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
Loose Versus Fitted
The choice between loose split shorts and form-fitting shorts is mostly 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. Splits come in quarter, half, and three-quarter 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, as well as v-shaped shorts, also allow for increased mobility too.
Camille Herron wore loose split shorts for the 2022 Desert Solstice Track Invitational. Photo: Kevin McGinnis
If you’re looking for a split short — with a ton of storage capacity as a bonus — try the Ultimate Direction Velum Short.
Fitted shorts offer a stretchy, sometimes compression construction for a snug fit. This style is very popular within elite road and track running circles and is making its way into the trail and ultra world as well. Fitted shorts allow for storage down the sides of the legs.
Don’t underestimate the power of confidence. Do these 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.”
The best fitted shorts we tested were the Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts.
Waistband
Waistband width plays a significant role in determining the comfort, fit, and security of your shorts. Thinner waistbands offer a more minimal option and less coverage, while wider waistbands, like on the Decathlon Kalenji Run Dry Running Shorts, tend to give a more flattering silhouette that conforms to your profile and doesn’t dig into your waist. 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.
Storage
The variety of storage options in women’s running shorts ranges from none at all to basically everything you need for a run lasting a couple of hours. To decide what storage option works best for you, think about what other storage you prefer to bring with you on a run. If you wear a hydration pack, storage may be less important. However, we love having a little bit of storage in the waistband to place empty wrappers or even a phone.
If you wear a utility belt, 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 storage options, make sure you test the shorts for yourself to ensure they don’t fall down, add weight in cumbersome areas, or limit range of motion.
The Ultimate Direction Velum Short had the most storage of all the shorts we tested.
Liner Versus No Liner
Most loose-fitting women’s running shorts include a liner. There are two types from which to choose: a liner brief (like underwear) or two-in-one shorts with an inner liner that is more like a pair of compression shorts. Our primary tester has yet to find a pair of the latter that she likes, whose liner does not roll up her legs and negate the purpose. Perhaps you will have better luck! Two-in-one shorts are also heavier — you’re effectively wearing twice as many pairs of shorts as needed. 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 and chafing. A mesh or moisture-wicking fabric also maximizes breathability and keeps you dry and comfortable.
We just loved the Merino wool mesh liner in the Smartwool Merino Sport Lined Short.
Reflectivity
While reflectivity has grown nearly ubiquitous among road running shorts, the need to be seen in the dark by oncoming cars is obviously less imperative in trail running. Some shorts we tested, like the Craft Pro Hypervent Running Split Shorts, contained small reflective elements, which are a nice bonus but not necessary unless you plan on doing a lot of training on the roads.
Price
The beauty of running is you can lace up a pair of sneakers and head out the door in pretty much anything. Many trail runners and ultrarunners are perfectly happy running in classic spandex shorts or 2.5-inch split shorts. You can get an acceptable pair of trail running shorts, like the Decathlon Kalenji Run Dry Running Shorts, for as little as $14. But by pricing up slightly for a pair of shorts made by a specialty manufacturer, you get the added bonus of thoughtful design for the rigors of long runs, such as storage options, soft seams or seamless stitching, durable fabric, and humane manufacturing.
These factors bump most trail and ultra shorts up into the $55 to $85 price range. While that’s $20 to $30 more than a basic pair of shorts you can find at Target, they will probably last longer.
The author takes the Black Diamond Sprint Shorts up snow-covered mountains. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
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.
Two iRunFar testers spent four months subjecting these running shorts to rigorous trips through the Colorado mountains, as well as in hot and humid New Hampshire summers. We ran in them for 50-mile outings, 50k races, and multi-day fastpacking trips. We wore them several times in a row without washing them — sorry to our running partners on those days!
The primary tester’s body is five feet, 7.5 inches tall, and roughly 125 pounds. All shorts she tested were sizes small and medium. The secondary tester’s body is five feet, six inches tall, and roughly 125 pounds. She also tested shorts in sizes small and medium.
Please note that in the running world, product models are routinely discontinued, while new ones frequently come to market. At the same time, we here at iRunFar often keep using our top picks in our daily running … they’re our top picks, after all! Sometimes that continued use results in uncovering product failures. With all this — product discontinuations, product introductions, and product failures — in mind, we routinely update our buyer’s guides based on past and ongoing testing as well as research by our authors and editorial team. While these updates can appear to be us pushing the newest product, it’s anything but that. When we update any buyer’s guide, most of the products are likely to remain the same. That matches our goal: to get you in the best gear that you’ll be using for a long time.
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 both 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 Velum Short, can hold a whole lot more. You’re also more likely to see higher-tech fabrics like a water-repellent coating, ripstop, or other material built to withstand the elements, bushwhacking through vegetation, and sliding down rocks. We find that a durable waistband or drawstring proves more important on the trails to keep loaded-down shorts from slipping or bouncing. Fast-drying fabric helps prevent chafing and smell and keeps you warm and 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 do have reflective hits in key spots.
Testing women’s running shorts on a trail run in Colorado. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
What shorts are best for ultrarunning?
Ultrarunning inherently means long days moving outside. While it remains a matter of personal preference, many ultrarunners prefer heavy-duty shorts with more storage capacity to complement the rest of their kit, such as a pack or handheld bottle. Shorts made from a quick-drying fabric, like the Oiselle Featherweight Roga Shorts, will help keep you comfortable and prevent chafing. Try a few styles to see if shorter or longer inseams work best for you.
Are running shorts gender-specific?
Yes. Women’s running shorts provide a better fit for a female’s waist, hips, and thighs. They tend to have a shorter inseam to accommodate shorter legs. The liner design in women’s shorts also tends to be tailored to female physiology, and the best liner we found on any of the women’s shorts we tested was in the Smartwool Merino Sport Lined Short. Women may find that men’s shorts are too tight on the hips and too baggy in the crotch.
What do runners wear under their shorts?
This totally depends on the style of running shorts. Shorts with a built-in liner, like the Craft Pro Hypervent Running Split Shorts, negate the need for additional underwear. In fact, wearing another pair of underwear just enhances the likelihood of chafing. While some women wear underwear under fitted shorts, most do not. Fitted shorts should give you a secure fit that acts like a boxer brief. If you elect to wear shorts without a liner, opt for performance underwear made out of a synthetic or wool material that will wick moisture and provide ventilation.
How do I prevent chafing from my running shorts?
Finding the correct size as well as style of shorts is the best way to prevent chafing. All modern running shorts liners use synthetic or wool fabrics, which are exceptional at moisture transfer and drying. There are a variety of factors that cause chafing: shorts that are too big or too small, those with rough seams, fitted shorts that slide up your thighs, or waistbands that bunch. To be safe, apply some type of anti-chafe product between your thighs, along the back of the waistband, and on any other hotspots. Some runners who experience thigh chafing fare better with longer, fitted shorts like the Tracksmith Allston Long Shorts.
Call for Comments
- Do you have any experience with the shorts in this guide?
- What is the most important element to you in a great pair of running shorts?
- Tell us about your favorite pair we might have missed so we can test them for future editions of this guide.
Author Abby Levene takes the Black Diamond Sprint Shorts into the woods. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
