Best Running Shorts, Tested and Reviewed (2025): Nike, Asics (original) (raw)

The Best Running Shorts for Racing, Training, and Adventures

We logged the big miles in the latest running shorts so you can conquer your goals in comfort.

Whether you’re hammering out intervals on the track, cruising a chatty social run, or lacing up for the long haul on the trails, a good pair of running shorts is mission critical. The best running shorts offer killer comfort and total freedom to move. They wick sweat, dry fast, and ward off unwanted chafe. The only problem? There’s hundreds of styles from dozens of brands, and not all shorts are created equal.

Don’t fear, we’ve got you—and your downstairs—covered. As one of WIRED’s running gear experts, I’ve logged hundreds of miles testing the latest shorts, and I’m here to help you sort the winners from those that come up, well erm, short. Here’s my tried and tested picks for your bottom half. Be sure to check out our other sport and fitness buying guides, including the Best Running Shoes, the Best Running Underwear, the Best Treadmills, and the Best Merino Wool.

Different Types of Running Shorts

Running shorts come in a wide variety of styles. Shorter shorts tend to be suited to shorter, faster runs, while two-in-one shorts and longer lengths are often used for longer distances and trails. You may find that there's a lot of crossover. Long inseams and superlight fabrics are now suitable for speed while offering good coverage. Even short shorts now offer storage for a phone or gels.

Short shorts: 3-inch and 5-inch shorts are cut high on the thigh from lightweight fabrics, designed for total freedom and a barely-there feel. Storage, where there is any, tends to be limited. These are most at home on the track or a marathon start line.

2-in-1 shorts: These pair a tighter—and sometimes longer leg—liner short that acts as built-in underwear, with a lighter, baggier outer short. Good for colder climates and arguably more appropriate for your post-run coffee stop.

Half-tights: Dropping just above the knee they offer a tight, second-skin fit, excellent support and are made to maximize mobility. Mainly found on the track or road, this aesthetic leaves little to the imagination.

Max-storage shorts: Designed for longer runs, ultras, and adventures where you need to carry more kit with easy access, these shorts tend to also be the hybrid 2-in-1 with built-in liners, but the main aim is to beef up storage with built-in mesh belts, thigh pockets, and zippered back pockets.

Here's what to look for in a pair of running shorts.

Does it have a liner? Some shorts come with built in liners for added support. These range from loose net briefs to longer-lined shorts. Some of them add compression to help prevent the little micro tears that happen with excess muscle movement, while some net briefs can increase your chafe risk. It pays to check the seams on the liner shorts, too. Remember, the flatter the seams the less chafe risk. It’s always useful if they're accommodating enough so you can bring your own running underwear to the start line.

Does it have side splits? Small details sometimes make a big difference and side splits–often found in the shorter race shorts–are important for boosting range of motion, helping the shorts to move with you when you pick up the tempo.

Roll up. It’s often overlooked, but the waistband and leg cuffs can be critical for comfort. The best shorts offer a wide, soft-lined waistband with drawstrings for tweaking the fit. The bands and leg cuffs should be secure enough to avoid rolling up, but not so tight they cut in.

Can you carry a phone? Most runners require some stash space for a phone, fuel, and even hydration. The good news is that most brands offer handy storage. If your style is more packhorse than Prefontaine, look for shorts with built-in storage belts, zippered back pockets and drop-in pockets on the liner briefs. Your phone, keys, and other essentials shouldn't bounce about as you run.

Let’s talk about inseam—aka the length from the crotch to the leg cuffs. The most common inseam lengths are 3, 5, 7, and 9 inches. The old adage says, the shorter the shorts, the faster the runner, but what works for you boils down to personal preference.

The shorter the inseam, the less material there is to limit your movement. If you’re smashing out 400-meter intervals, you’ll benefit from the additional freedom. It’ll also keep things cool in the summer, but the 3-inchers are probably reserved for the brave in winter. When you push the distance and clock more time on feet, longer-inseam shorts not only offer extra protection from the elements—the sun and the cold—they can also limit the chafe risk from rubbing thighs.

If there is a happy balance between modesty and free movement, a lightweight non-liner 7-inch short is probably it.

• 
  Nike

Stride Running Division Dri-FIT

Some shorter, racier shorts—like the Tracksmith below—are light and loose but lack structure, which can leave everything feeling a bit more exposed. If you prefer a fast-run track short, these are a good option.
The sweat-wicking, shimmering crinkle nylon outer shorts are still light, but hold their shape well. The almost shell-like fabric does a decent job of moisture management. While they're not entirely water repellent, it offers a better barrier than some against light rain. Small side splits boost the range of motion while a wide drawstring waistband cinches easily for a dialed-in fit. I also enjoyed the Stride’s inner briefs’ wider, soft seams that boost comfort and cut the chafe risk. The slightly reinforced gusset is also a big advantage, limiting wear and tear in an area that can rub through.
The other thing that really stands out is the storage. You get two zippered side pockets with some extra moisture protection to keep your blood, sweat, and tears off your valuables, although I found these more useful for porting things pre- and post-run rather than on the run. The zippered mesh back pocket is big enough to stow larger phones, with a nice big zip that’s easy to find on the move.

• Best Cheap Shorts

Asics offers a great-value multipurpose running short that ticks all the boxes for those of us who run regularly, but don't necessarily worry about split paces, track sessions, and tempo runs. They're extremely light for a 7-inch 2-in-1 short, and despite offering a good level of compression around the legs, well-positioned mesh panels elsewhere do a great job keeping me cool.
I've run commando in these with no chafing issues, despite the seams being quite pronounced, but there's also enough room to fit your favorite running underwear too. The phone pocket is located far enough down the thigh to make access easy, even on the move. There's also standard pockets too, which have space for gels and other essentials, but they're not zipped.
I've washed these shorts at least a dozen times, and they still feel good when I pull them on, and I'm awarding a few extra points for the use of 50 percent recycled polyester. They're a good shout for the gym too, with plenty of stretch and a nice modest length. The only minor gripe for me is the fairly basic waist band, which, while flat, is a little thin for maximum comfort. It's not a deal breaker, however, especially given the affordability. —Chris Haslam

• Best Women's Shorts

As a woman runner, I come across the same conundrums as my colleagues, but with the additional problem that shorts tend to ruck up or down around my differently shaped waist and hips. One way of getting around that is with tight shorts, but my favorite are Oiselle’s Roga (running-yoga) shorts, which are running shorts with a wide, soft yoga-style waistband.
It's semi-fitted, so it's not too revealing, and the 4-inch inseam is modest enough on my 5'2" self. The wide, soft waistband has a zip pocket that's big enough to hold my iPhone 16 immobile against the small of my back while running. There's a liner, so you can wear these commando (although I usually do not) with an interior drawstring to adjust the fit. I particularly like Oiselle's Roga fabric, which is a blend of bluesign-approved polyester and Spandex that's simultaneously light while having enough weight to it to hang properly and not get crinkled up in between your legs.
I've worn these for about a year and they've held up—I put them in the washing machine, but I also hang them to air dry. My only caveat is that these are medium-weight shorts and they're worn high, so they're a little heavy for summer weather or racing. —Adrienne So

• Best 3-Inch Running Shorts

Tracksmith

Session Speed Shorts

I’m not a huge fan of running with my upper thighs on show. But when I want to feel completely free and super light for all-out efforts, I’ll sometimes reach for the shortest of short shorts, and when I do, these racy Session Speed Shorts are my go-to.
A speedier—and shorter version—of Tracksmith’s excellent Session Shorts, these 3-inch inseam speedsters strip everything back to the almost-bare basics, so you can drive forward, unencumbered in total comfort. (Editor Adrienne So runs in the women's version of these as well.) The high-stretch Italian knit outer is light, loose, and incredibly soft and luxurious. The retro overlapped side splits add a touch of classic style while boosting your range of movement. The comfortable brief-style liners aren’t as supportive as you’ll get from a two-in-one short, and everything can feel a little bit “naked.” But your dignity is well protected. I’ve run scores of track sessions in these without fretting over potential wardrobe malfunctions. Those inner briefs also pack Polygiene antimicrobial powers to ward off unwanted stinks.
I’m also impressed with the storage, which is pretty good for short shorts, too. There’s a hidden zippered pocket on the right hip and another small fuel pocket in the liner. It’s all a bit unstructured, and anything too heavy tends to bounce around, but if you really need to stash small essentials, it’s good to have the option.

• Best All-Round Half-Tights

Represent 247 Half Tight

These Represent 247 shorts offer versatile, mellow compression. I use them for everything from short and fast to longer, leisurely mileage. This is a half-tight I can happily use up to a marathon distance.
They come with supportive built-in liner briefs that feature big but soft—and crucially flat—seams. Those pose less chafe risk. The outer half-tights are made from a silky smooth, four-way stretch fabric that’s soft against your skin and hugs but also flexes to allow a good range of motion. On hotter runs, I found the nylon-polyester blend wicked well enough. Though I preferred them as a close-fitting barrier to keep out the cold when temperatures dropped. Storage space is OK. The back zippered pocket below the waist can handle my large smartphone. There are two tiny drop-in pockets on the liner briefs, but I found these really too small for anything beyond a key or a small earbud case.
The drawstring waistband is broad and soft enough for good comfort, but the drawstrings themselves are a bit long. I ended up with pretty big loops out front, which were a bit of a flapping distraction.

• Best 2-in-1 Shorts

The 7-inch twin short is probably my favorite style. I like how the outer-liner combination offers extra comfort, coverage, protection and support. However, some longer hybrid shorts can be a bit heavy. These HOKAs manage to buck that trend with plenty of dignity protection with a light, fast, free flowing feel.
The high-stretch outer short fabric is super soft, brilliantly lightweight and flexible so it feels like you’re wearing less short. Meanwhile, the inner boxer-style liners are also wonderfully thin, breathable, and silky smooth. You don’t get that really locked-in suit-of-armor feel that some higher-compression liner shorts offer, but everything is still well held. The almost seamless design here meant I could happily run up to two hours without any troubles. The thin fabric also dries fast and was minimal enough that I could wear my favorite running underwear too.
The wide, soft drawstring waistband sits comfortably on your waist and doesn't cut in or roll up. When it comes to storage, there’s one stretch mesh back pocket with two entry points that offers really versatile stash space. You can fill it with gels, or stick a jacket through there, or trekking poles. There’s another drop-in mesh pocket on the inner thigh that’s made for a phone, but the thin fabric doesn’t hold it as securely as I’d like. Finally, a small zippered waist pocket can hold keys or a gel but not much else. I’ve stuck these through multiple wash cycles, and the liners have held their shape. Even the leg cuffs remain snug and don't go flaccid and roll up after a number of runs.

• Best Half-Tights

Adidas

Adizero Control Running Short Tights

These half-tight shorts have some serious Olympic sprinter vibes. Part of an Adizero Control collection and a collaboration between Adidas and material experts Rheon Labs, the marketing blurb says they’re made using a reactive super polymer material (that’s the tiger stripes) that limits energy loss by positioning muscles into the most efficient position.
The idea is that the soft and flexible polymers instantly become more rigid and supportive when you perform high-intensity movements. I can’t really confirm the performance enhancement, but what I can attest to is that comfortable, locked-in, tight fit that makes your quads and hammies feel seriously protected. They’re long in the leg and very compressive, with leg cuffs that hold and don’t ride, and a soft, wide waistband that stays put too.
The seams are a bit chunky, so I wouldn’t necessarily trust them without a whole load of lube on long runs. There’s also not really enough room under for layering up underneath. The other missing component is storage, as there's not a single pocket in sight. That’s not surprising when you consider they’re built for all-out performance and for the shorter, faster stuff. They're at their best for intervals on the track. Though I also found they worked quite well as a base layer when I wanted more muscle support.

• Best Max Storage Shorts

CimAlp Aoste H 2-in-1

My top running short recommendation for when you need maximum storage with easy access to a whole host of kit, the CimAlp’s Aoste H 2-in-1 are as close as you’ll get to the storage capacity of a race vest, crammed into your shorts.
I ran 1,830 miles across Europe—a marathon a day for 67 days—in a single pair of these, and not only were they excellent for day-to-day comfort in some grueling conditions, they’re still going strong. Designed for long-haul trips on the trails and into the mountains, they pair a thick outer short that’s robust and durable with a built-in base-layer liner short that’s not overly compressive but keeps everything secure and rock solid down under.
The killer feature here is the storage. There are two large zippered leg pockets, plus an integrated storage belt in the waistband that has four big stretch mesh drop-ins (one with Velcro fastening). They’re ideal for storing fuel, phone, or headlamp where you need it, or they can even take a 20-ounce soft flask without too much bounce. They’re a bit on the heavy side, but I’ve happily raced marathons in them too. Size up.

Kieran Alger is a freelance writer and editor specializing in the space where health, fitness, sports, and technology collide. You’ll find him covering everything from the latest true wireless headphones to real-time blood glucose monitors and the latest performance-enhancing running shoes. All in search of faster miles and improved health. Aside ... Read More

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