Best Women’s Running Shorts – Summer 2025

Good running shorts are like finding a diamond in the rough. For me they need to be comfortable; not cause chafing; have a comfortable waistband; pockets; a flattering fit; and fun colors for spring and summer. I’ve tried a whole lot of running shorts in my 30 years of running, and these are some of my favorites.

I’m highlighting all of my favorites from the best ones for the marathon, compression shorts that don’t ride up, ones with all the pockets, and I am also sharing some of your favorites! These are the best of the best depending upon what style of shorts you prefer.

Best Overall Short: lululemon Track That High-Rise Lined Short 3″
These Track That shorts check all of the boxes for me: wide, comfortable waistband; lightweight; 3-inch inseam (there is a 5-inch inseam option too); wide leg opening for muscular thighs; comfortable brief liner; internal drawcord; and a very flattering cut. Lululemon finally brought these back in a wide array of colors this season, which is exciting because they were hard to come by last year. I have these shorts in multiple colors and could wear them every day!

Best Marathon Short: Bandit Stamina Shorts
Comfort and pockets are often the two most essential components for a pair of shorts when running long distance races like the marathon, and Bandit nailed it with their Stamina Shorts. These shorts are very comfortable and flattering for a compression-style short, and they do not ride up! The leg opening has a silicone taping on the underside of the material to help keep the shorts from riding up. And with three pockets big enough for multiple gels, your phone, and any other marathon essentials, you’ll be able to fit everything in them.

The Stamina shorts come in a 3 inch, 5 inch, and 7 inch inseam options with the 5 inch being the most popular from what I’ve seen. They also have their Cadence Shorts, which have the same fit and style but made of a ribbed material versus the smooth Stamina material. The fabrics do feel a little different but both perform amazing.

I will say these shorts (and all of their clothes) are hard to come by, and they best way to grab anything from Bandit is on their seasonal drops, which occur for their members first. You’ll want to have a membership and be on the website as soon as it opens because things often go *fast!*

Best Shorts to Prevent Chafing: lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Short 6″ (or 8″)
These compression shorts are lightweight, have multiple pockets, and are made of a thinner (but not see through) material. The thin material makes them feel incredibly lightweight, they dry very easily, and there are silicone grippers on the hem to prevent the shorts from riding up. Plus, they have five pockets to store all of your items.

Best for Muscular Thighs: lululemon Track That Hight-Rise 5″
I know I already highlighted the Track That shorts, but these seriously are so good! The leg opening has plenty of space for muscular thighs, and it can be hard to find shorts that don’t ride up in between your legs. If you follow @immrsspacecadent on Instagram, you know about her ‘shorts gobbling tests’ that she puts a wide variety of shorts through. There have only been two pairs of shorts (out of the twenty or so pairs she’s tested), that have not rode up on her, and the Track That Shorts 5″ is one of them.

Most Affordable Compression Short: Senita Baseline Shorts
I know a lot of people I follow on Instagram love these, and they came up often when I asked my followers on Instagram what were their favorite running shorts. The 5000 reviews with a 4.8 average stars says something too. I have personally never tried them, but you can’t beat the price point, multiple pockets, 4-way stretch, and multiple inseam lengths that make these a popular short for long-distance races.

Best Racing Buns/Brief: Bandit Racing Buns with Pockets
I know buns aren’t for everyone, but if you have ever wanted to try a pair, I loved racing the Garry Bjorklund Half in the Bandit buns. They did not ride up, had a good cut/fit, and there are four pockets to carry your gels.

My runner-up favorites:

Vuori Clementine Short 2.0
I love these shorts for their flattering cut, comfortable brief, and they have really cute colors. The drawstring on the outside doesn’t bug me (I will double knot it to keep it tied.). There is only one small pocket on the front, left hip, so not a ton of storage, but it works great for a gel or key. There is also a 2.5 inch and 4 inch inseam option for this style.

rabbit Float n’ Fly 3″
The lululemon Fast and Free shorts used to have THE most flattering waistband. (See the first picture in this post.) It was high-rise and didn’t cause any love handles, but this season they changed it slightly and the waistband is just a little shorter and sadly not quite as good (at least on my body). However, the rabbit Float n’ Fly 3″ are like the old version of the Fast and Free. These are your extra flowy short with a high slit on the side but perfect for extra air movement on hot days. The brief liner is also oversized like a granny-panty, so I don’t feel like I’m exposing everyone if the leg opening does flap open.

Bandit Vento Split Short
Another high-slit short that I like are the Bandit Vento 3″ Split Shorts. They feel really freeing with no restriction in leg motion as you are running. There are four pockets in the waistband for carrying gels, and I have worn these for the half and full marathon and loved them.

I have also been loving the lululemon Shake it Out High-Rise Running Short 2.5″. I was a little apprehensive at first because they look and felt like a skirt but now I’m a big fan. The lululemon Pace Crush High-Rise Short 2.5″ also has a looser fit but not as much material.

When I polled my Instagram followers and asked them what their favorite running shorts were. There were a wide variety of brands from Brooks to lululemon to Oiselle to Athleta and Janji. But the pair of shorts that got the most votes were the lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Shorts. These are a long-standing favorite because when this post was first published in 2021, they were also the pair with the most votes. They are a mid-rise short with a flattering cut, ample leg opening, a couple of pockets, two inseam options (2.5 inch and 4-inch inseams), and a plethora of colors. I do like these shorts as well and wear them myself, but I do wish the waistband was a little higher. They feel more like a mid-rise than a high-rise short to me, but they are still a solid option.

There are so many good options out there, and I don’t doubt there is something for you and your preference for keeping your legs happy on those hot summer runs! I tried to highlight as many different brands and styles as I could, but feel free to comment below with your favorites or any I missed!