Best Women’s Running Shorts – 2021

Good running shorts are like finding a diamond in the rough. They need to be comfortable; not cause chafing; have a wide, comfortable waistband; pockets; a flattering fit; and fun colors for spring and summer. I’ve tried a whole lot of running shorts in my 25 years of running, and these are some of my favorites.

I’m highlighting my favorite short-shorts, the best ones for the marathon, biker-style shorts, and I also shared some of your favorites!

These are the best of the best depending upon what style of shorts you prefer.

Best Overall Short: lululemon Hotty Hot Short – Cute, comfy, wide waistband, pockets, and the top pick by my followers.

Best Marathon Short: Oiselle Toolbelt Roga Shorts – These shorts have 360 of pockets around the waistband, ideal for storing all sorts of things in a pocket or your next marathon. (also available in the 6-inch inseam and 1.75-inch inseam)

Best for Muscular Thighs: lululemon Tracker Short – A little looser fit but just as cute and comfortable.

Best Short-Short: lululemon Speed Up Short – A cut that looks good on everyone’s bum, multiple pockets, and a little shorter if you’re feeling the desire for less coverage.

Best Shorts to Prevent Chafing: lululemon Fast and Free Short – 10-inch inseam (also in 6-inch and 8-inch) – These biker-style shorts are lightweight, have multiple pockets, and are made of a thinner (but not see through) material than other shorts of this style.

Most Affordable Biker-Style Short: Senita Baseline Shorts – I think the 500+ 5-star reviews speak for themselves.

Best Racing Buns/Brief: rabbit ready? let’s bun – I personally love racing in buns, but I realize that’s not for everyone, but if it is your cup of tea as well, try these from rabbit.

Two trends in running shorts I’ve been seeing a lot lately are biker-style shorts and the 2-in-1 shorts with a loser-fitting short over a tighter Spandex-style short. I see both being ideal for preventing inner-thigh chafing, so these shorts might be ideal if that’s a concern of yours.

I also polled my Instagram followers and asked them what their favorite running shorts were. There was a wide variety of answers, but this is how the answers came back (listed in alphabetical order):

Adidas m4

Athleta Run with It Short – a cute lose-fitting short with a wide waistband and 3.5 inch inseam

Brooks Chaser Short – these have a similar look to the Oiselle Roga Shorts and they come in a 3″ and 5″ option

Free People Movement The Way Home Shorts – high-waisted with a tight short under a lose-fitting short

Janji AFO Middle Short – 3″ running short that is sustainably made

lululemon Fast and Free Shorts – biker-short style with inseam options of 6″, 8″, and 10″

lululemon Find Your Pace – I want to try these, but there are not a lot of size options left.

lululemon Hotty Hot Short – the pair of shorts with the MOST votes! (They come in a 2.5″ and 4″ option as well as low rise and high rise.)

lululemon Speed Up Short – another very popular short (There is a 2.5″ and 4″ inseam version.)

lululemon Tracker Short – the short with the second most votes!

lululemon Track That Short – this pair has a 5″ inseam

rabbit Catch Me if You Can – these look nearly identical to the lululemon Speed Up Short

rabbit Winner – split short with a super lightweight material

Nike Pro – short compression-style shorts

Nike Tempo – a classic for many years

Oiselle Pocket Joggers – 3 different biker-style length shorts

Osielle Roga – a very popular short among followers and a favorite of mine as well

Oiselle Track Star Shorts – 2-in-1 short with a built-in liner + looser-fitting short on top

Outdoor Voices Hudson Short – a cute, flattering cut, and one of their most popular shorts

Saucony Scoot Shorts – an 8-inch biker-style short for running

Sweaty Betty – I have heard a lot of great things about this brand, and I’m interested in trying them.

Tracksmith Session Shorts – Tracksmith’s best-selling short!

Tracksmith Twilight Split shorts – I need to try more things from Tracksmith–the clothes look so cute.

Senita Baselines – biker-style short with 5″ inseam and a ton of colors

Senita Rio Short – biker-style short with a high rise and 7″ inseam

Skirt Sports – someone said they don’t care for shorts but they love a good running skirt

Zoot running shorts – primarily a triathlon brand but they also have running shorts

There are so many good options out there, I don’t doubt there is something for you and your preference for keeping your legs cool on a warm summer run!