The Best Women’s Running Shorts for Every Style, Speed, and Season (Fall 2026): Tested and Reviewed
About our October 2026 update: After putting 80 pairs of running shorts through their paces in conditions ranging from 95-degree Boulder summer heat to 11,000 feet of elevation gain in the Grand Canyon, lead tester Lisa Jhung and her team named the Tracksmith Session Shorts the best women’s running shorts for overall performance and versatility. We also highly recommend the $50 New Balance RC Essential Short 5” as a killer value buy—testers noted there was no chafing and excellent sweat-wicking, plus they were majorly comfortable.
Running shorts can make or break a good run. A great pair of shorts lets you forget you’re wearing them until you need something and quickly find it in a well-placed pocket. The best runnig shorts for women flow with your stride and make you feel free.
Having put 80 pairs of running shorts through their paces over the past two years, our test team has zero tolerance for irritating seams, poor fits, or materials that don’t breathe. We’ve sorted out the best shorts and highlighted where they excel.
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