8 Best Running Underwear for Women, According to Clothing Experts
Undies that prevent chafing and wedgies on your run.
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Runners swear by the the best running shoes, sports bras, and leggings for running — but even if you have the best workout gear, you'll be supremely uncomfortable if you wear the wrong undergarments. While you love wearing your favorite cotton undies day to day, you’ll regret wearing them running or exercising. While you can run in traditional underwear, you risk overheating and chafing, which can be incredibly uncomfortable and can even slow you down during a race. Running underwear are made with moisture wicking fabrics (not cotton!) that stay in place without chafing.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests everything from sneakers to leggings every year, and we used our expertise to find the best running underwear for women. When shopping for running underwear, here's what our experts recommend:
- Moisture-wicking fabrics: Certain fabrics (like cotton) absorb moisture and hold onto sweat, while others will wick it away keeping you dry and comfortable. We recommend fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
- Minimal seams or flat lock seams: Thick seams can feel irritating or rub uncomfortably creating blisters. Many brands advertise as seamless, but most use flat lock seams or just fewer seams than usual. Flat lock seams mean the raw edges were sewn together so the seam’s underside has no extra fabric, which means less irritation.
- Comfortable fit: If you hate the feeling of thongs, you’ll still hate them when running. Pick running underwear in the style that you find comfortable wearing day to day, whether boyshorts, hiphuggers, or thongs (yes, running underwear is available in all styles!).
Under Armour Women's Power In Pink Pure Stretch Hipster
This pair of running underwear from Under Armour is popular because it's full coverage in the back and feels super thin and lightweight. Made from mostly nylon with added elastane for stretch, reviewers love that they wick moisture away and have a "barely there" feeling. Because of the breathable design, they're a bit see-through but generally leave no panty lines (even when wearing with leggings) according to reviewers.
Balanced Tech Women's Bikini Panties (6 Pack)
For $5 a pair, these undies from Balanced Tech are a great bargain as they come in 12 shade options with performance features. They're made from mostly nylon or polyester (depending on the color), which both have excellent moisture wicking capabilities. They are tag-less and have minimal seams to prevent chafing. With nearly 1,000 Amazon reviews, reviewers especially love them for staying dry when building up a sweat, but note that they can create panty lines under some pants.
For anyone who fears visible panty lines, a thong is the least likely to show – especially this ultra smooth thong from Athleta. It features free-cut edges to stay snug to your bod, preventing any panty lines. With only one back seam, it's designed to reduce uncomfortable rubbing. This style is made from mostly nylon to wick away moisture and spandex for added stretch. Plus, it's available as a bikini and high waisted brief too.
When your thighs rub together when running, it can be painful and uncomfortable. Boyshort underwear from Reebok helps fix this problem by keeping your inner thighs protected to stop chafing. With a seamless waistband and flat lock seams throughout, there's less risk of irritation. Coming in a pack of three, each pair is made from mostly nylon with a bit of added spandex and are available in eight style options. Some reviewers recommend sizing up, so the shorts are a bit longer for more coverage.
New Balance Women's Ultra Comfort Performance Bikini (3 Pack)
Designed to sit lower on your hips, this pair of bikini style underwear from New Balance uses performance fabrics while being a bit cheekier with less coverage. With a tag-less back and no side seams, this pair of athletic underwear is designed to reduce chafing and irritation. It's made from nylon (and a bit of spandex) for a silky feel on your skin while wicking away moisture as you sweat. Reviewers like that the waistband is snug and stays perfectly in place as you move.
Hipster underwear sits a bit higher on the hips and has more back coverage than other styles. With nearly 2,000 Amazon reviews, Reebok's hipster performance underwear is popular because the material doesn't bunch or ride up. Made from mostly nylon, the fabric is able to help keep you dry and is available in 10 color options. The tag-less and relaxed waistband stays hidden under clothes, according to reviewers.
Runderwear Women's Boyshorts
To prevent chafing, this pair of boyshort running underwear from Runderwear features flat lock seams, no tag, and longer shorts to keep your thighs covered. The brand is entirely focused on perfecting running underwear for training and marathons alike. This style is made from mostly polyamide to dry quickly and wick away sweat. There are tiny holes to allow increased airflow, keeping you cool as you run.
Under Armour Women's Fly By Running Shorts
These running shorts have moisture wicking underwear built-in, so you don't have to worry about buying underwear separately. The shorts are made from 100% polyester to wick away moisture with mesh panels for a breathable feel as you move. There are both easily accessible front pockets and a hidden back pocket for storage. Available in an impressive 38 colors, these shorts have over 2,000 reviews on Amazon with many saying they're perfect for running, hiking, and travel.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
