We tested the best ladies running shorts for 2025 and these are our favourites

When it comes to feeling most at home in a pair of women's running shorts, the Slipstream Twin Skin Shorts from Montane fill the brief. As the name suggests, the two-part design involves snug-fitting nylon undershorts paired with a thin and breathable, stretch polyester outer shell. 

Unlike others here, the two layers align so that you can’t see the undershorts when on. Instead, they work their magic tucked away from sight. They’re tight enough to feel supportive rather than compressive, and long and secure enough for a large smartphone to sit flush in the leg side pocket. The undershorts stay firmly in place while running and being five inches long, are the perfect length to protect from thigh chafe.  

Travelling up the shorts, there’s a nice and wide (7cm) stretch waistband with drawcord, which hugs the stomach gently. Set within the band is a large rear zip pocket and two smaller side pouches for gels. The shorts are true to size and we like the dual-tone navy colourways.

Read our full Montane Slipstream Twin Skin review here.

The Adidas Women’s Terrex Agravic Running Shorts offer a reliable, low priced option for trail runners who like a bit of breeze on the old groin. The fabric is very lightweight and highly breathable, doing a good job of keeping you comfortable even on warmer days, but these are not compression shorts - they won't keep much in line, if you catch our drift.

So, the fit is relaxed, providing enough room for movement and airflow but without feeling too loose. The elastic waistband is adjustable, ensuring the shorts stay in place during your run, which they do over our testing period. And while they’re not the most flattering pair of shorts we've ever worn, the Terrex Agravic shorts do work well and have some useful features, including zippered pockets that are handy for stashing small items securely.

These shorts are practical and straightforward, with no unnecessary frills. They’re well-suited for those who need a pair of shorts that can handle tough conditions without spending a particularly large sum of cash - these are often available at discount retailers for well under £15. If you’re looking for something simple and dependable for your trail runs, the Terrex Agravic Running Shorts are up to the task, delivering consistent performance without any fuss.

Patagonia has a reputation for being both fashionable and expensive as well as high-performance. Love or loathe the brand, absolutely nothing can dissuade us from the fact these Strider shorts are simply the best garment we’ve ever tried for running in hot, hot weather. With a 10/10 performance for wicking, odour control, flexibility, comfort and fit, we’re convinced that these are the perfect shorts for when the mercury hits over 30. 

The built-in underwear is a complete lifesaver in hot mountain environments, as the recycled polyester crepe liner is much more breathable than your usual cotton undies. Additionally, the gossamer thin yet still incredibly durable fabric kept us lovely and cool on those stifling uphills, while maintaining outstanding flexibility due to a good sized split up the thighs. 

The waistband also fits like a dream, and although the lightweight ethos of these shorts doesn't allow for many pockets, there is a zipped pocket at the back which is great for loose change or a small phone when running without a vest. We can’t recommend these shorts highly enough for running in warmer weather, and wouldn’t want to be anywhere abroad without them - and for much summer running in the UK, they'll come up trumps too.

The Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra 3 Inch 2-in-1 Women's Shorts are designed for serious trail runners who want a mix of comfort, functionality, and performance. They're by no means the cheapest shorts on the market, but they offer great vaule, combining a lightweight outer layer with a supportive inner short, offering the best of both worlds—freedom of movement and muscle support.

The outer short is made from a breathable, quick-drying polyester that ensures comfort even on long, sweaty runs. The 3-inch length provides ample coverage while still allowing for a full range of motion, making these shorts ideal for tackling challenging terrain. The inner short features a snug fit that offers gentle compression, reducing muscle fatigue and preventing chafing during extended periods of activity. We think they're great for UK runs during the shoulder seasons as the inner material is nice and thick, providing good thermal insulation in comparison to other lighter shorts.

One of the standout features of the Trailfly Ultra shorts is the excellent storage options. They include a large, secure rear pocket perfect for stashing essentials like keys, gels, or a phone, as well as additional mesh pockets on the waistband for quick access to smaller items. The waistband itself is wide and elasticated, providing a secure fit that stays in place without digging in or causing discomfort. We also love the light blue colour option available.

If you're after a quality, durable pair of trail shoes that'll stand up to tough trail runs then you're looking in the right place. Also available in 5" versions if three is just a lil too cheeky.

If you’re a runner who’s spent more time trying not to flash passing dog walkers than enjoying the scenery, let us introduce you to the Salomon Cross 2IN1 Running Shorts—a game-changer for anyone who’s ever cursed at their shorts falling down mid-run.

First off, these are a pleasure to wear. The outer layer is airy, light, and almost as if it’s barely there—perfect for letting your legs do their thing without that irritating cling or ride-up. But the real hero is the inner liner. It’s soft, breathable and designed to be worn without underwear, offering that Goldilocks level of compression: supportive but not suffocating. This two-in-one setup means you get the best of both worlds: freedom of movement and zero chafing. Magic.

Salomon has thought of everything with these. The waistband is wide, sits securely without pinching, and the drawstring actually stays tied (a rare feat in the world of running shorts). Pockets? You’ve got a neat little zipped one at the back, perfect for your keys or a gel, and it doesn’t bounce around like it’s trying to break free.

These shorts are built for the long haul. Whether you’re hitting the trails or just out for a jog around the park, the quick-dry fabric keeps you cool and comfortable. And, of course, they’re so lightweight, you might forget you’re wearing them—until you realise you haven’t once had to adjust them.
Pricey? A bit. But if you’re after something reliable, stylish and durable while on the run, the Salomon Cross 2IN1 Running Shorts are worth every penny.

The Alpkit Vayper Short 3 are an ultralight, wicking and quick drying running short perfect for hot summer runs. Constructed by super stretchy material of 70gsm, 96% polyester/4% elastane, these shorts enable full body movement and stretch. Coming in at ~58 grams, they are one of the most whimsically lightweight shorts on the market and can pack down super small for long hiking trips. The lightweight material also wicks well, and is quick drying, keeping you cool over long periods in hot weather. We've also found them to be ideal for mid hike/run dips, and in their own right as swimming shorts too.

The shorts have an elasticated waist band with a drawstring cord to ensure a comfortable fit. There is one small pocket in the back which does not fasten but does have a small loop which keys could be attached to - but make sure to bring a pack for phone or snack storage for longer journeys; these shorts are not kitchen-sink compatible.

The minimalist attraction of these shorts means there are no inner short, meaning if thigh chafing is something you struggle with, these shorts probably won’t work for you. Alpkit are known to run quite small and as a consistent size 8 we find these to run slightly on the smaller side. They are also available in a 5” seam, providing a slight bit more coverage if you're not willing to bare all in the name of performance.

Overall, the Alpkit Vayper Short 3 are an incredibly ultralight, and comfortable short perfect for hot weather, fast paced activities. They are also quick drying enough those post run/hike cool water plunges, making the perfect short for a multitude of summer activities where you want to keep your body moving.

Dryad is a community-driven sportswear company based in Wales, with a focus on providing transparency when it comes to the sustainability of their products. That’s evident in Dryad’s Eido women’s running shorts, which are made from 88% recycled polyester. 

The most striking feature of these shorts is the high and thick double-layer waistband, which really hugs the stomach while you run. The band has a mesh overlay, within which there are two large pouches located at the front, for easy stashing of gels and bars. Meanwhile, there’s also two slim gel pouches at the sides and a rear envelope pouch with loop for securing keys or a phone. With no zip pocket, we were nervous to leave our keys inside as we ran, but they remained safe and secure while running. It fits a smartphone like a glove.

Though they’re relatively short with a 3.75” inseam, they’re not skin-tight, which is great as this means some extra ventilation while running. A built-in brief (knicker) liner makes the shorts feel even more secure. Due to the length, these would not be long enough to prevent thigh chafe, but others on this test tick that box well. Our size S fits a UK8 well.

The lightest pair of running shorts on test by quite a stretch at 77g, the Rab Talus Trail Light Shorts feel heavenly thin and breathable in action. If you’re wearing running shorts, it’s likely fairly warm out (unless you’re one of those annual short wearers), so you want shorts that’ll help keep you cool and comfortable as you run. Enter, the Talus Trail Light. 

Shorter than others on test (2.5” inseam), the Talus have an in-built, mesh brief liner for modesty and little side cut-outs for greater freedom of movement. Like many here, there’s a thick and high waistband. Now comes our only gripe, there’s no drawcord for tightening. But since the fit is true to size, we found they still managed to stay up well when running. 

When it comes to pocket capacity, Rab hasn't skimped in favour of weight savings. There are two front mesh pockets for stashing stuff on the go, smaller than that of the Dryad shorts, but still adequate. One inner key pouch is the perfect size to prevent bounce, and the large rear zip pocket can just about fit a large smartphone, after a bit of wrestling.