17 Pairs of Workout Shorts That Won?t Chafe or Ride Up

1. Girlfriend Collective High-rise Bike Shorts

Best Overall

Looking to feel held in while you complete your HIIT workout? These shorts have you covered. They’re made from a compressive blend of RPET (recycled material from plastic water bottles) and spandex that feels snug, yet comfortable on the waist and thighs. With over 20 pages of five-star reviews, it’s no wonder these shorts are so often sold out across multiple sites. Oh, and did we mention they go up to size 6XL?

2. New Balance Relentless 2-in-1 Short

Best 2-in-1 Shorts

Unlike a lot of two-in-one designs, the slim-fit inner layer doesn’t ride up or dig in, meaning you won’t have to worry about constantly tugging them down throughout your workout. The flowy outer short layer helps to keep you cool and well-ventilated (essential to prevent chafing from ever starting), while flattering your muscular quads. Plus, there are pockets—a true triple threat.

3. Lululemon Fast And Free Short 10"

Best Shorts with Pockets

The high-cut waist and ten-inch inseam guarantee nothing will be hanging out or left uncovered. And the seamless hem at the legs won’t dig in or ride up, while the numbered sizing (0 through 14) allows you to get closer to a perfect fit than the generic small/medium/large sizing ever could. With two deep side pockets (yes, they comfortably fit an iPhone X), a back pocket for keys or ID and a hidden inner pocket on the waistband, you can easily fit all your workout essentials.

4. Lululemon Track That 5”

Best Track Shorts

For those who prefer a true track short over a biker style, this Lululemon pair has a longer inseam (five inches) than most giving your thighs some extra protection while on the move. They’re also built with an extra wide waistband to help you feel supported, and there is a zippered side pocket large enough to fit your phone so you don’t have to mess around with a running belt. And while we love the range of pretty colors and patterns there are to choose from, we’re even more excited about the fact that these shorts go up to a size 20, and seem to do a great job prevent chafe for those larger sizes as well. As one size 16 reviewer wrote, “As a girl with curves and big thighs these are amazing. They don’t ride up and plenty of room in the thighs that they aren’t tight.”

5. Tracksmith Allston Shorts

Best Nylon Shorts

Tracksmith is swiftly becoming a must-have brand among runners, both casual and serious. It is focused entirely on the needs of runners, and as such includes some really smart details in its various designs. Case in point, the free-cut hem on this pair of shorts (which came recommended by six different people polled for this article), which allows for a seamless fit that won’t ride up no matter how hard you go. The five-inch inseam is long enough to prevent your inner thighs from rubbing together, but not so long as to look like Bermuda shorts on those with shorter legs. The luxe Italian nylon fabric has enough hold to make you feel secure without compressing too much, and drys super fast, too.

6. Old Navy Powersoft Side Pocket Shorts

Best Budget-Friendly Shorts

For the fitness fanatic on a budget we cannot recommend these Old Navy bike shorts enough. They’re incredibly soft, as the name implies, and the material is thick enough that it won’t go sheer even on the deepest of squats but not so thick that you’ll overheat on a mid-summer run. And with pockets on both hips, you have plenty of storage space for all your needments. There are lots of cute seasonal colors and patterns to check out, in addition to the classics (black, navy, gray). In fact, one PureWow editor and avid runner owns these shorts in five different hues. “I stocked up once when they were on sale and I am now fully obsessed. I love that I don’t need to be precious with them and trust they’ll hold up even through multiple super-long marathon training runs.”

$27; From $8)

7. Afitne High-waist Running Shorts

Best Shorts on Amazon

These shorts come at the recommendation of commerce editor Liv Kappler...and the nearly 6,700 people who felt so compelled to leave 5-star reviews at Amazon. “The material is a little slippery so your thighs glide easily and don't cause any pilling,” says Kappler. “They also have pockets on both sides which is handy to hold your phone or keys or whatever you need.” The lightweight material is designed to wick away excess moisture to keep your skin happy during even the most humid workouts. And if you too find yourself falling in love with these spandex cuties, you can also buy a two-pack for the same price. Talk about a win-win.

8. Beyond Yoga Spacedye Biker Short

Best Yoga Shorts

Yes, these shorts were originally designed for yoga sessions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them for HIIT, cycling or soccer practice, too. The combination of a seven-inch inseam and five-inch waist band means you’ll be well covered and supported all throughout your core. And while the spacedye fabric might feel soft enough to double as an everyday pair of leggings, it’s actually designed to wick away sweat and moisture just as well as the sportiest nylon styles, leaving you comfortably dry throughout your workout. One note on sizing, however: “These definitely run small,” says one PureWow marathoner, “so you might want to size up if you’re unsure about the fit.”

9. Nathan Sports Front Runner Shorts

Best Running Shorts

Nathan Sports has long been a favorite for running, hiking and cycling accessories (like portable water bottles, reflective lights and other gear), but it recently launched a line of workout clothing, too, and we must admit, the pieces are good. “These are some of the best running shorts I’ve ever tried,” raved one avid PureWow runner. “The material is extremely light with a barely there feeling and the waistband does not budge, but also doesn’t dig into my skin.” And while Nathan does make a pair of shorts with no inner lining as well, we prefer the added anti-chafe protection (and coverage) included in this two-in-one pair.

10. Brooks Chaser 7’’ Shorts

Best Lightweight Shorts

Brooks is one of our favorite running apparel brands, so we totally trust them when it comes to creating a high performance pair of shorts. The length is a great middle ground between a truly short pair of shorts and a Bermuda short, and the roomy style allows you to go from squats to lunges without having to readjust. Psst, the lightweight fabric was chosen specifically to minimize chafing thanks to its non-clinging quality.

11. Fp Movement The Way Home Shorts

Best Wide Waistband

Our favorite feature of these fun Free People shorts has to be the extra-wide waist band, which offers support in the tummy without actually constricting anything. It also means there’s zero chance they’ll ride up, leaving more of your backside exposed than you want. Some may find that the shorter inseam doesn’t provide enough coverage to effectively prevent chafing on longer runs, but the lightweight, flowy material is ideal for moving with you as you progress from squats to burpees to wall sits without ever needing to readjust thanks to a dolphin cut on the sides. (P.S., they also come in a few solid hues and two colorblock options if prints aren’t your style.)

12. Outdoor Voices Move Free 6”

Best Moisture-Wicking Fabric

The soft, lightweight TechSweat fabric is made specifically for high-intensity (read: super-sweaty) workouts, meaning you’re guaranteed to stay nice and dry, no matter what type of class you’ve got coming up. And you never have to worry about hiking these shorts up between sets of mountain climbers—Outdoor Voices engineered the waistband to stay put no matter what. The six-inch length ensures that these babies hit at mid-thigh and don’t ride up your leg, even when you’re doing a stair circuit.

13. Alo Yoga Catch The Light Shorts

Best High-Waisted Shorts

Another two-in-one short, these feature a high-rise waist and hem that hits mid-thigh. The Airlift fabric is engineered to sculpt, smooth and support your bum and thighs, and the translucent overlay adds a street style meets fitness kind of vibe. Reviewers love the not-too-short-not-too-long length that stays put and doesn't run up as you try and hit your daily step count.

14. Everlane The Perform Bike Short

Best Eco-Friendly Shorts

We adore Everlane's line of must-have basics—and their activewear is no different. These bike shorts in particular are made from a high-performance fabric that checks off all of our boxes: lightweight compression, sweat-wicking technology, minimal seams and an interior pocket that allows us to run sans phone in hand. "I've been afraid to wear bike shorts, worried they'd creep & crawl, affecting my workout by continually pulling them down," says one reviewer. "Not these! Did a whole 30-minute treadmill workout without any riding up. I'm sold!"

15. Zella Studio Lite Bike Shorts

Best Bike Shorts

Lunge-proof, squat-proof and supremely comfortable, Zella's Studio Lite Bike Shorts are praised by buyers for their buttery soft fabric and fit that doesn't move a muscle. "I wear them for everything from HIIT & Peloton workouts to errands around town," one reviewer says. "Came back and bought two more colors. Fantastic find." It's important to note that some of the reviewers claim that these tend to run small, so it may be best to size up.

16. Athleta Keys Elation Rib 9" Short

Best Supportive Design

If your priority is supportive, no-budge fabric that hugs your bod but is still comfy enough to lounge in, these are your best bet. From Alicia Keys' collab with Athleta, they're crafted from snuggly soft, ribbed Powervita fabric that gives your booty a boost without making it feel as though you're strapped into a corset. The waistband has three built-in layers to aid with compression and a mesh inner lining that offers additional support. The result is bike shorts that don't pinch or pull at the skin, flatter your shape and do a solid job of staying in place.

17. Lululemon Wunder Train Short

Best for Short Women

If you're a shorty, you know the struggle of tracking down bottoms that don't ride up. We come bearing good news: The Wunder Train Shorts (specifically the ones with a 6-inch hem) were practically made for those with smaller frames. They'll hit at that *just right* spot on the thigh, and thanks to the Everflux fabric that has built-in Lycra, these puppies retain their shape well no matter how much they stretch. But if you're looking for a second opinion, one happy customer raves, "So incredibly soft but still provide shape and support. The legs don't roll up so I don't have to constantly adjust them—I love them!"