The Best Women's Running Shorts
The best women's running shorts for most runners are the Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4": light, lined, roomy through the leg and backed by about 5,300 reviews on Lululemon's page, at $68. If you want a lighter, more casual cut with a longer return window, the Vuori Clementine 2.0 has a mesh liner, a zip coin pocket and a 120-day return policy. For compression and a huge size range, the Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Run Short goes up to 6XL.
We kept this list to four shorts on purpose. Our database holds only four women's shorts that suit running or cardio, and we would rather show four picks with honest trade-offs than pad the list with yoga shorts. The fourth pick, from Outdoor Voices, is a studio-cardio short and not a distance short, and we label it that way.
We have not tested these shorts. Picks come from brand specs and what owners and reviewers commonly report. To filter by liner, inseam and pockets, use our shorts finder.
| Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4" | Vuori Clementine 2.0 Short 4" | Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Run Short | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $68 seen $59 | $68 | $68 |
| For | Women | Women | Women |
| Sizes | 0–14 | XXS–XXL | XXS–6XL |
| Fabric | Body: 86% recycled polyester, 14% elastane; liner: 89% recycled polyester, 11% Lycra elastane | 88% recycled polyester, 12% elastane | 79% recycled water bottles (RPET), 21% spandex (Compressive) |
| Inseam options | 4″ | 2.5″, 4″ | 4.75″ |
| Liner | Brief | Mesh | None |
| Pockets | Multi | Zip | None |
| Fit | Relaxed | Relaxed | Slim |
| Fabric feel | Woven light | Woven light | Compression |
| Waistband | Drawcord | Both | Elastic |
| Comfort (our rating) | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Performance (our rating) | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Durability (our rating) | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Value (our rating) | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Returns | 30 days | 120 days | 30 days |
| Check price | Check price | Check price |
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Brands can’t pay for placement, and it never changes our picks. How we make money.
Our picks at a glance
Our picks, in detail
Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4"
- Women
- Sizes 0–14
- Inseam options: 4″
- Liner: Brief
- Pockets: Multi
- Fit: Relaxed
The Hotty Hot is Lululemon's go-to running short, and it earns that spot with a sensible set of features. It is light and lined, with a wide leg for freedom of movement, a zipper seam pocket plus a liner stash pocket, reflective details and mesh panels. Lululemon's page shows about 5,300 reviews. It costs $68 at full price, though the page showed $59 as a final-sale price. The trade-offs: sizes on the page ran only from 0 to 14, the sale price is final sale and the wide leg may show more thigh in some positions. Skip it if you are above size 14 or want a snug, biker-style fit. Lululemon allows returns within 30 days on full-price items. Our Hotty Hot review has more.
Vuori Clementine 2.0 Short 4"
- Women
- Sizes XXS–XXL
- Inseam options: 2.5″, 4″
- Liner: Mesh
- Pockets: Zip
- Fit: Relaxed
- Plus sizes
The Clementine 2.0 is a light woven short with a mesh liner, a front zip coin pocket and an adjustable drawcord waist. It comes in 2.5 and 4 inch inseams, uses 88% recycled polyester per Vuori and is marked as a best seller on the brand's page. Vuori describes the fit as semi-fitted through the hips, with a mid rise, and plus sizes are offered in our data. It costs $68, and Vuori's 120-day return policy is the longest we could confirm in this group. The trade-offs: the zip pocket is small, some reviewers describe a visible liner outline and Vuori's own fit rating is about 3 of 5, with reviewers split between running small and large. Skip it if you need a phone-sized pocket. Our Vuori Clementine review covers fit.
Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Run Short
- Women
- Sizes XXS–6XL
- Inseam options: 4.75″
- Liner: None
- Pockets: None
- Fit: Slim
- Plus sizes
If you like a short that stays put, the Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Run Short is the compressive pick. It has an ultra-high rise, a 4.75 inch inseam and fabric that the brand calls sheer-proof, made with 79% recycled water-bottle polyester (RPET) and 21% spandex, according to GC. It comes in sizes XXS to 6XL, which is the widest range here, and has a small hidden back pocket. It costs $68. The trade-offs: the pocket only fits keys or cards, the compression fit may feel snug and there is no liner. Skip it if you need to carry a phone or want a loose fit. GC's returns are within 30 days, but a $7 shipping and restocking fee applies to refunds, and exchanges are free.
Outdoor Voices TechSweat 3.5" Short
- Women
- Sizes XS–XL
- Inseam options: 3.5″
- Liner: None
- Pockets: None
- Fit: Athletic
The TechSweat 3.5" is the odd one out here, because it is a high-rise, silky stretch short that the brand pitches for cardio, spin and Pilates rather than distance running. It has lightweight fabric, UPF 50+ protection and a high rise. It costs $78. The trade-offs: no pockets are listed, the support is light and sizes run only from XS to XL. Skip it if you need pockets, extended sizes or a short for long runs. It is tagged for HIIT, yoga and everyday wear in our data, so it suits studio classes better than long road miles. Our Outdoor Voices TechSweat review has more, and the brand says it is ideal for cardio, spin and Pilates. We could not read Outdoor Voices' return policy, so check the terms before you order.
How to choose women's running shorts
Fit and cut. Wide-leg shorts like the Hotty Hot give freedom of movement. Compressive shorts like the Girlfriend Collective stay in place and prevent chafing for many people. Semi-fitted shorts like the Clementine sit in between.
Liner. The Hotty Hot has a brief liner and the Clementine a mesh liner. The Girlfriend Collective and Outdoor Voices have none, so you may want a base layer. Check how the liner sits, because some reviewers mention outlines.
Inseam. Our picks run from 2.5 to 4.75 inches. Shorter shorts offer the most freedom, while 4 to 5 inches cover more of the upper thigh. If you have bigger thighs, a compressive or wide-leg style may be more comfortable than a slim cut. Try shorts with a quick jog and a few lunges.
Pockets. The Hotty Hot has a zipper seam pocket and liner stash pocket. The Clementine has a coin pocket. Few of these shorts hold a full-size phone, so consider a belt or vest for long runs.
Rise. High-rise styles tend to stay in place. The Girlfriend Collective is ultra-high, while the Clementine is mid-rise.
Sizes. Brands differ a lot on sizing, and Vuori and Lululemon both show mixed reviews on fit, so read the size notes. Size ranges vary widely, from 0 to 14 for the Hotty Hot to XXS to 6XL for Girlfriend Collective. Check the size chart before you choose.
Running in shorts: practical tips
Chafing is the most common complaint with shorts, and it depends on fabric, seams and the length of your run. Compare how the liner or leg hem sits when you move, and test new shorts on a short run first. If you have bigger thighs, a longer inseam or compressive fabric may help keep the legs from rubbing, while wide-leg shorts give air but can ride up. If you are between sizes, check how the waistband fits and whether the brand offers drawcords. The Hotty Hot and Clementine both have drawcords, which lets you fine-tune the fit. We cannot give medical advice, so if irritation persists, ask a doctor.
How we picked
We have not tested these shorts. We picked them from product records built from brand pages and retailer data, looking at liner, pockets, inseam, fabric, size range and price. Our database has few women's running shorts, so the list is short. Ratings are editorial estimates. Read our methodology. For longer, compressive styles see our best biker shorts.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best women's running shorts?
Our top pick is the Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4" for its lined, roomy cut and zip storage at $68. The Vuori Clementine 2.0 is the comfortable, easy-returns choice, and the Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Run Short is best for compression and extended sizes. We have not tested them.
Do women's running shorts need a liner?
Not necessarily. Liners reduce the need for underwear and can limit chafing, but some runners dislike them. The Hotty Hot and Clementine have liners, while the Girlfriend Collective and Outdoor Voices do not. Choose based on comfort, and try a short run before a long one.
What inseam is best for women's running shorts?
There is no single best length. Two to four inches gives the most freedom, while 4.75 inches or more covers more thigh. The Clementine comes in 2.5 and 4 inches. Pick a length you are comfortable moving in, and check the brand's size chart.
Do any of these shorts hold a phone?
Few do. The Hotty Hot has a zipper seam pocket and liner stash pocket that are small but secure, the Clementine has a small zip coin pocket and the Girlfriend Collective has a small hidden pocket for keys or cards. For a phone, consider a running belt or handheld.
Are there plus-size running shorts?
Yes. The Girlfriend Collective offers XXS to 6XL, and the Vuori Clementine is listed with plus sizes in our data. The Hotty Hot ran from 0 to 14 on the page, and the Outdoor Voices short ran XS to XL. Check each brand's current size chart.
