11 Best Running Shorts For Women and Men In 2022

Say goodbye to uncomfortable chafing and annoying wedgies with these top-rated picks.

Written by Tikendrajit Pegu
Last Updated on
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If you enjoy going for runs or hitting the gym, you need a good pair of running shorts to help improve your movement. Here’s our list of the best running shorts that can help you stretch. These shorts are comfortable, keep up with your body movements to prevent any restriction, and are skin-friendly. You can wear these shorts for many activities like yoga, workout, dance, cycling, or even relaxing. Available in various sizes, styles, and colors, you can explore our list to know more.

11 Best Running Shorts

1. Best Breathable: Amazon Essentials Men’s Loose-Fit Performance Shorts

Made from 100% polyester, the two-pack shorts have a drawstring closure and a roomy fit through the hip, thigh, and leg. They are moisture-wicking, lightweight, and the breathable active fabric is stretchable. These shorts also have an internal drawcord around the waist. They come with side panel pockets and are machine-washable. This video offers a more detailed explanation of the product.

2. Best Durable: Cheerleading Company Soffe Junior’s Authentic Cheer Short

Soft and cozy, these cheer shorts are made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester and offer comfort and performance in one pair. They have an elastic closure for a snug fit around your waist without causing any discomfort. With a three-inch inseam, these shorts are durable, available in various colors, and have side-vent detail.

3. Best Stretchable: Blooming Jelly Women’s Quick-Dry Running Shorts

With an elastic closure, the Blooming Jelly women’s running shorts are stretchable and comfortable. They have a spandex-ish underwear liner to prevent riding up. You can wear them for daily activities, including HIIT, hiking, traveling, biking, pilates, or casual wear. The shorts are made of polyester and nylon, while the lining is made of nylon and spandex. It is lightweight, soft, and available in various colors.

4. Best With Drawstring Closure: CRZ Yoga Women’s Quick-Dry Running Shorts

Made from 88% polyester and 12% spandex, these running shorts have a drawstring closure for maximum comfort. The fabric is soft, durable, and light, and it dries quickly. The inner lining, made of 94% polyamide and 6% spandex, helps prevent chafing and rubbing. These shorts’ back zip pocket and internal waistband pockets have adequate space to carry your essentials. Suitable for gym, running, and cardio sessions, these shorts are available in various colors.

5. Best With Tight Inner Lining: Surenow Men’s Running Shorts

Surenow’s men’s running shorts are made from a polyester and spandex blend. Its tight inner lining has a higher spandex content for better elasticity. The shorts’ zipper design, pocket, and towel ring design are convenient to keep your personal belongings. Its high-elastic fabric can dry quickly and lets your skin breathe while exercising. The adjustable drawstring offers more comfort around the waist, and the shorts’ length is suitable for diverse activities.

6. Best Cool-Tech Fabric: Ewedoos Workout Shorts

The workout shorts for women will make you feel athletic with their innovative cool-tech fabric. It can give you an instant cooling effect, while the breathable material keeps the moisture away to keep you dry in summers. The shorts feature two large side pockets to carry your essentials and a hidden key pocket on the waistband for safety. They are soft with four-way stretchable fabric to provide you with maximum comfort, functionality, and style.

7. Best With Tummy Control Waistband: Baleaf Women’s Running Shorts

Made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, these Baleaf women’s running shorts are seven inches long for a comfortable fit. They provide a four-way stretch with a tummy-control waistband. The body is breathable to prevent chafing and rubbing. These shorts come with a back zipper pocket to carry your personal belongings. Available in multiple colors, you can wear them for running, sports, gym, beach, and more.

8. Best Quick-Drying: Pudolla Men’s Running Shorts

Pudolla’s men’s running shorts are made from 90% nylon and 10% elastane, while the liner is made from 87% polyester and 13% elastane. These shorts have an elastic closure and two side pockets for storing your essentials. Their quick-dry fabric keeps your body relaxed and gives you a cooling effect. These shorts have a mesh brief lining for personal protection to reduce chafing.

9. Best Meshed: Neleus Men’s Compression Shorts

The 100% polyester running shorts from Neleus have an elastic closure and a mesh lining for better comfort and ventilation. The fast-drying fabric helps keep the moisture away. These shorts have side pockets for carrying your essentials. They also have a moisture-wicking function and an adjustable internal drawstring.

10. Best With Side Pockets: Bmjl Women’s Running Shorts

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Bmjl’s women’s running shorts are made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, making them soft and comfortable. They come with elastic waistbands and have a relaxed fit around the back area. These shorts also have side pockets so that you can easily store your phone and other belongings. You can wear these shorts casually or for workouts for optimal breathability.

11. Best With Built-In Briefs: Under Armour Women’s Fly By 2.0 Running Shorts

The running shorts from Under Armour have pull-on closure and are 100% knit. They are made of a lightweight woven fabric, making them soft, durable, and comfortable. The material can wick sweat away and dry fast. They have breathable mesh panels that reduce the excess heat efficiently. These shorts also have built-in briefs for enhanced coverage, and the soft-knit waistband has an internal drawcord.

*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

How To Choose The Right Running Shorts?

Here are a few points to keep in mind when choosing the right running shorts.

  1. Material: Ensure you do not have any skin allergy to the fabric used. The shorts should be soft and stretchable.
  2. Drawstring or elastic: Choose from elastic closure or drawstring closure, depending on your preference and comfort. Drawstring closures offer adjustability for a snug fit around your waist.
  3. Moisture-proof: Ensure the running shorts are breathable, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking to stay dry during your workouts.

Running shorts come in various styles, colors, and looks. They are comfortable and make you look stylish. With multiple sizes to fit different body types, a pair of high-quality running shoes can help you move more efficiently. If you are looking for comfortable attire for your workouts, our list of the best running shorts can help you decide.

Why Trust MomJunction?

We have handpicked a selection of the best running shorts that are comfortable, skin-friendly, and free of any restrictions for those who enjoy hitting the gym or trail for a run. The list includes detailed descriptions of each product after in-depth research and analysis. These products are chosen based on their features, benefits, and reviews by users on various websites. We have covered numerous sizes, styles, and colors so that you can find the right fit.


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