17 Pairs of No-Chafe Workout Shorts That Take (Some) Agony Out of Exercising

• What We Love: lots of sizes, lots of colors, environmentally friendly option
• What We Don’t Love: needs to dry flat
• Material: 79% recycled PET, 21% spandex
• Size Range: XXS-6XL

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 more than 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?

• What We Love: made of recycled materials, more conservative look, resistant to wrinkles, snags, and tears
• What We Don’t Love: relatively short so not great for taller women with longer legs
• Material: 86% recycled polyester, 14% spandex
• Size Range: XXS-XL

If you don’t love the totally fitted, compressed look, preferring something a bit more casual and conservative, you can opt for two-in-one shorts. These have tighter-fitting compression shorts with lighter, breezier shorts on top. These ones are ultra-lightweight and breathable, offer UPF 50+ protection, dry quickly, and are totally relaxed so you can move with ease and confidence. 

• What We Love: machine washable, moisture-wicking, non-sheer, highly rated
• What We Don’t Love: some might not want mid-rise
• Material: 78-79% polyester, 21-22% elastane
• Size Range: XS-XL

Considering fitness is her life, we’ll take Kom’s word for the best no-chafe shorts, and she singles these workout shorts out as one of her faves. She says the 7-inch inseam is the perfect length for her. “I love wearing the Nike One biker shorts!” she enthuses. Designed to fit comfortably on any body type and shape, they also fit snugly to prevent nasty chafing. They wick away sweat to keep you dry thanks to Dri-FIT technology and even have two hidden pockets, including one at the back (with a cool V-shape to complement your bod) that’s big enough to hold a phone. 

• What We Love: longer inseam, extra-wide waistband, large zippered pocket, quick dry, wicks sweat, tumble dry
• What We Don’t Love: not fitted, expensive
• Material: 86% polyester, 14% Lycra
• Size Range: 0-20

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 extra protection while you’re on the move. They’re also built with an extra wide waistband for support, 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, 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 chafing. “As a girl with curves and big thighs, these are amazing,” one reviewer, who’s a size 16, wrote. “They don’t ride up and plenty of room in the thighs that they aren’t tight.”

• What We Love: three colors, perfect Goldilocks length
• What We Don’t Love: must line dry, no extra-large sizing
• Material: 57% nylon, 42% elastane
• Size Range: XS-L

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 dries super-fast, too.

• What We Love: lots of colors and patterns, regular, tall, and petite sizes, affordable
• What We Don’t Love: larger sizes often sold out
• Material: 77% polyester, 23% spandex
• Size Range: regular XS-4X, tall S-XXL, petite XS-XL

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. 

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,” she shared. “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.”

• What We Love: so many colors and patterns, built-in pocket, moisture wicking, nice tummy control
• What We Don’t Love: can fit snug
• Material: 75% polyester, 25% spandex
• Size Range: XS-XXL

These shorts come at the recommendation of commerce editor Olivia 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. 

• What We Love: matching sports bra, lots of colors, keep dry technology
• What We Don’t Love: very short, especially on taller women, lots of sizing sold out, tends to fit tight
• Material: 73% recycled polyester, 27% elastane interlock
• Size Range: XS-XL

Look, while longer biking shorts are better for reducing chafing, if you have been working so hard on those gams, why not show them off? Go ahead and rock a pair of these while doing squats, lifting weights and tackling other exercises that might not be as troublesome for chafing. While Kom says they fit snugly, she loves that they offer a ton of flexibility. They’re also a high-rise fit, giving you tummy control while you show off your lengthy gazelle-like figure.

• What We Love: multiple colors, lots of pockets, reflective logo on legs
• What We Don’t Love: the look isn’t for everyone
• Material: 88% nylon, 12% polyester outer short, 82% polyester, 18% elastane inner short 
• Size Range: XS-XL

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.

• What We Love: material won’t cling, multiple colors
• What We Don’t Love: look is not for everyone, might look too long on shorter women
• Material: 89% recycled polyester, 11% spandex
• Size Range: XS-2XL

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.)

• What We Love: machine washable, designed to keep you cool, moisture-wicking, available in extra-large sizes
• What We Don’t Love: not as stretchy as others
• Material: 100% polyester
• Size Range: XS-3X

Not only are these shorts super affordable and from a top brand in the biz, they come in tons of colors. Under Armour’s HeatGear technology is designed to keep you cool when it’s extra hot and humid outside, so go ahead and run in the middle of the hot summer afternoon. This, combined with its moisture-wicking, fast-drying material, is a recipe for zero-chafe during that lunchtime 5K. The high-rise waistband offers supreme coverage, and the front pocket can even hold your phone. 

• What We Love: can be tumble dried, breathable fabric, good for high sweat activities
• What We Don’t Love: only one color, sizes often sold out
• Material: 72% nylon, 17% lycra, 11% polyester
• Size Range: XXS-XXXL

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.

• What We Love: multiple colors, including limited editions, sculpting fabric
• What We Don’t Love: no pockets
• Material: Airbrush fabric (similar to cotton)
• Size Range: XXS-L

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.

• What We Love: three inseam options, including 9-inch, moisture wicking, side and zip back pocket, adjustable drawcord, stretchy
• What We Don’t Love: no sweet spot 7-inch seam option
• Material: 62% polyamide, 38% elastane
• Size Range: XXS-XXL

If you’re over 6 feet tall or close to it, you might find that even the longest biking shorts ride up on you or end up looking like booty shorts. These shorts come with a 9-inch inseam so they’re perfect for taller gals. Available in a wide range of solid colors and funky designs to liven up your workout wardrobe (and make for killer Insta pics!), they wick away sweat and even help sculpt your bum. Your over-the-shoulder pic game will kick up a notch in these shorts! If you aren’t super tall, don’t worry, as these come with 4- and 6-inch inseams as well. 

• What We Love: can be tumble dried, moisture wicking, built-in pocket
• What We Don’t Love: runs small, can fit tight, best for skinnier legs
• Material: 79% polyester, 21% spandex
• Size Range: XXS-XXL

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 and 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.

• What We Love: made using recycled materials, lots of sizes, stash pocket
• What We Don’t Love: expensive at full price
• Material: recycled polyester, lycra
• Size Range: XXS-3X

As the name implies, stash your phone, credit card, keys, whatever you need into the hidden side pocket of these shorts that have a 7-inch inseam and are made from materials that help pull sweat away from your body. They dry quickly, too, while the high-rise waistband helps offer great tummy control. We love that these highly rated shorts are made from recycled plastic bottles, and fit true to size. One reviewer even says she wears them under skirts and dresses while traveling, too. ACE certified personal trainer Cat Kom loves the Athleta Stash Pocket line, finding these shorts “super soft and supportive,” with the side pockets a nice plus. 

• What We Love: lots of colors, three different lengths, can tumble dry
• What We Don’t Love: size can fit small, sweat shows through
• Material: 77% nylon, 23% lycra elastane
• Size Range: 0-20

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!" Kom appreciates that they come in three different inseams and have an elastic waistband that keeps them in place while you work out.