The Best Running Shorts for Women of 2024

As frequent trail runners, hikers, road runners, and adventure racers, the GearJunkie team logs a lot of miles. From Colorado mountain trails to long Oregon road runs and everything in between, we love running. And as soon as the temps climb, we live in running shorts.

The primary things we look for in a running short are that it doesn’t budge while running and stays comfortable for hours on end. We also give high marks to shorts that dry quickly, remain stink-free, and are a good value. And we give bonus points for anything that looks good enough to wear as we swing by the farmer’s market or grab a cold coffee on the way home.

That said, not every pair of shorts will fit every woman. Bodies and preferences vary, which is why we’ve divided the best running shorts into categories. With so many features to take into account, be sure to review our useful comparison chart for a quick side-by-side comparison of each running short. Also, visit our buyer’s guide and price & value section at the end of the article for more information on how to choose the best running shorts for you.

Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on October 28, 2024, adding the airy and lightweight HOKA Glide 4” Short.

The Best Women’s Running Shorts of 2024

• Best Overall Women’s Running Short: Patagonia Strider Pro Running Shorts
• Best Budget Women’s Running Short: Under Armour Fly By 2.0 Shorts
• Best Lightweight Women’s Running Short: HOKA Glide 4” Short
• Best Compression Women’s Running Short: CEP The Run Support Shorts
• Best Modest Fit Women’s Running Short: On Running Shorts
• Best Comfortable Waistband Running Short: REI Co-op Swiftland
• Best Running Skort: Athleta Run With It 14″ Skort

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Women’s Running Shorts Comparison Chart

Running Short	Price	Weight	Number of Pockets	Inseam	Liner
Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts	$79	3.47 oz.	3	3.5″	Yes
Under Armour Fly By Shorts	$25	10.9 oz.	0	3” – 3.5”	Yes
HOKA Glide 4” Short	$68	3.1 oz.	2	4″	Yes
CEP The Run Support Shorts	$80	N/A	1	9″	No
On Running Shorts	$80	4.76 oz.	1	1.58” – 3.94”	Yes
REI Co-op Swiftland 5″ Running Shorts	$60	N/A	4	5″	Yes
Athleta Run With It 14″ Skort	$59	N/A	3	14″/ 2”	Yes
Nathan Essential 2.0 Shorts	$65	4 oz.	3	2.5″	Yes
2XU Mid-Rise Compression Shorts	$70	N/A	0	7″	N/A
Janji 3″ AFO Middle Shorts	$64	3.1 oz.	1	3″	Yes
Tracksmith Session Speed Shorts	$72	3.2 oz.	1	3.25″	Yes

How We Tested Woman’s Running Shorts

Our Expert Testers

Our female testers at GearJunkie do a whole array of activities — but one of the most popular is running. Whether trail running, adventure racing, road running, or speed hiking, we’ve worn, washed, sweat in, and tested eons of shorts.

Constance Mahoney, this guide’s current author, is an experienced runner who has completed distances from local 5K’s to trail ultramarathons. In 2021, she founded and continues to lead the Trail Sisters Crested Butte, CO. chapter. Constance has been a GearJunkie contributor since 2019, after she reviewed outdoor gear for FitnessTravelGear.com for two years.

GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton started dabbling in mountain ultra trail running races in 2016, rotating through the Leadville Race Series including the Leadville Trail 100 Run, among other incredible events. While she still stacks miles on foot, her favorite adventures involve a mix of scrambles, alpine lakes, and ridgelines.

Our Testing Process

For many, style is a preference, which is why we made sure to test and include running shorts of different lengths, coverage, and compression — and even a running skirt. We chose the best running shorts in these categories by weighing their fit, performance, fabrics, price, and more.

We tested these shorts on trails in Oregon, Colorado, California, Florida, New Mexico, and beyond — in all sorts of temperatures, humidity, and conditions. Aside from our editors and testers, we also gathered input from other women on staff to make sure we didn’t miss a short.

For our latest update, GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton tested these shorts on runs in the San Juan Mountains, where she grew up, and Elk Mountains, where she lives in Crested Butte, Colorado. 

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Running Shorts

You can run in just about anything, but having a comfortable pair of shorts sure does make pounding the pavement more enjoyable. Here are some things to consider when looking for the best running shorts.

Loose vs. Fitted

Choosing between loose versus fitted running shorts is more of a personal preference. However, there are a few things to consider when deciding.

Those who want to ensure a full range of motion or who want that bare minimal feel should aim for something flowy and loose like the Tracksmith Session Speed Shorts. A looser fit is also ideal in warm weather, allowing for more air circulation.

Fitted shorts that tend to hug the body often have more stretch to them. Although there is a potential for chafing, especially on ultra runs, make sure the seams are flat and designed to mitigate chafing. An option would be the 2XU Mid-Rise Compression Shorts. Another benefit of fitted shorts is that they tend to provide more storage room to hold your items.

One other option, altogether, is going with a skort like the Athleta Run With It 14″ Skort in which you can easily go from running on the trails to running errands.

Ultimately, the fit depends on what works for you and how confident you will feel while running in it.

Liner or No Liner?

First, decide if you want a liner or not. A perfectly fitting liner will tend to be less chafe-inducing over long miles than inappropriate underwear. Thus, a liner eliminates the need to change undies before a run. Just throw on your shorts and go! Many of the running shorts on our list come with a liner with the exception of the compression shorts like the CEP The Run Support Shorts, so there’s a lot to choose from.

For many runners, a lined short is just simpler to deal with. But some runners find choosing the perfect underwear for their shorts works better. Look for underwear with laser-cut seams to prevent chafing in sensitive areas. However, it really is based on trial and error, so you may have to try several pairs before you find your perfect match.

Some shorts have a skintight inner liner, and others have a looser, brief-style liner. Try on a few and see what you prefer.

Feel and Weight

When you run, weight is an enemy. You want the lightest shorts you can find, and that starts with materials. Options we recommend that are lightweight and strike that nice balance are the Janji Middle Shorts, Tracksmith Session Speed Shorts, and Arc’teryx Women’s Norvan Short 3″. But you may want to avoid super-wispy fabrics that can bunch or stick to skin or snag, as they can be annoying on long runs.

Choose synthetic shorts for their quick-drying properties. Cotton is nice and soft but will get bogged down with sweat.

Consider antimicrobial treatments, as many brands add a silver salt to their product to minimize odor-causing bacteria. Most brands have swapped over to ensure their liners are antimicrobial as well.

Finally, many running shorts have a small amount of reflectivity built in, like Nathan Essential 2.0 Shorts and the On Running Shorts — whether on the logo, rear, or pull tabs. It’s a nice touch and helps you stay a little safer at night.

Material

As we said earlier, we boast about shorts being water-repellent, water-resistant, and quick-drying. If you go outside in erratic weather, you’ll want something that doesn’t retain moisture and can even resist it.

The majority of running shorts have the aforementioned material characteristics; two excellent examples are the Arc’teryx Women’s Norvan Short and the Strider Pro Running Shorts. 

Breathability is another aspect you should take into account. Once more, most shorts today are made with breathable material, but some, like Lululemon Speed Up Low-Rise, are specially designed to add even more ventilation.

SPF protection, four-way stretch, anti-microbial (which we highly recommend), and snag and tear resistance are additional qualities to think about but are not necessary.

Pockets

Even if you carry a vest pack, pockets can really set a pair of shorts apart. Consider first any waist-belt-style pockets. When executed well, a good waist pocket will allow you to leave a pack at home for many runs. And for shorter runs, it’s nice to toss your keys and phone in your shorts and go. Shorts with a good pocket option are the REI Co-op Swiftland and On Running Shorts, although many running shorts on our list provide some sort of pocket. 

Consider if pockets have zippers or other fail-safe measures for security. Can you access them on the go? Zip pockets are great, but also consider the zipper quality or zipper pull, as this is a possible failure point.

Larger thigh pockets are great for daily wear, but they become useless while running. Who wants a bunch of stuff bouncing off their legs? So don’t worry much about big pockets on the thighs. They usually don’t hurt, and do come in handy for post-run life like a stop in a coffee shop. But you won’t use them while running. Unless — here’s the kicker: it’s a loose pair of shorts with built-in compression shorts underneath and pockets. The more elastic, the more compression, the better those pockets are.

Waistband

The waistband needs to fit your body perfectly. Too tight, and it’s going to hurt. Too loose, and your pants fall down. Some waistbands are made entirely of elastic and are bonded to the short; some have an internal elastic band that you can adjust or tighten as needed. 

You’ll want to find one with the right fit, but also look for a band that lays flat against the skin. We particularly liked the waistband on the REI Co-op Swiftland, Hoka women’s 4″ Shorts, and even the On Running Shorts. Cheap shorts will often bunch at the waistband. You want a smooth, continuous layer of fabric against the skin. Quality shorts will not behave like a scrunchie on your waist. 

Length

The preferred length of running shorts depends on the wearer. Would you prefer something with a long inseam like the 7” inseam found on the 2XU Mid-Rise Compression Shorts? Or do you prefer a short inseam that makes it feel like nothing’s there, like the Arc’teryx Women’s Norvan Short at a 3″ inseam?

Additionally, taking individual choice into consideration, a person’s height will affect where shorts will fall on them. A 5″ inseam could feel too lengthy on a petite person, and vice versa. Shorts with a 2” inseam will feel more like underwear on you if you’re tall. We liked the Lululemon Speed Up Low-Rise because it came with options — 2.5” and a 4” inseam.

Price & Value

Budget

For the budget price of $20 to $45, you’ll be giving up some durability and features, but there are still some great shorts to be found in this price range. At $25, the Under Armour Fly By Shorts sit on the low end of this price range, and it is heavier than a lot of the shorts on this list. But it still offers some solid features like a liner, mesh side vents, and quick-drying capabilities.

Mid-Tier

Spending a little more gets you into the $45 to $65-ish range, which will deliver lighter shorts like the 3.1-ounce HOKA Glide 4” Short ($68) and the 4-ounce Nathan Essential 2.0 Shorts ($65). This also gets you into the special features category, like the 2XU Mid-Rise Compression Shorts ($70) for those who want more support.

Premium

Those willing to shell out $70 or more will find top-end materials like those you’ll find in the high-end Tracksmith Session Speed Shorts ($70) with its stretchy material and comfortable cut and the Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts ($79) or favorite shorts on this list. You’ll also be in range of high-end compression shorts like the excellent CEP The Run Support Shorts ($80).

Frequently Asked Questions