Stay Comfy from Start to Finish With the Best Running Underwear for Women

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Whether you’re hitting the pavement or the trail, a reliable pair of underwear designed for workouts and running can keep you comfortable during every stride. There are briefs, hipsters, bikinis, and thongs that blend form with function, engineered with breathable fabrics that wick away moisture, provide optimal support, and dry quickly. Feeling comfy is key to performing your best, and underwear that offers a snug fit without constriction helps keep trapped sweat from irritating your skin to prevent chafing.

We vetted several pairs from notable athletic brands like Under Armour, Bombas, and Athleta and took a close look at materials, type, and coverage to find the best running underwear for women. Read on for our recommendations.

The Best Running Underwear for Women

• Best Overall: Tracksmith Brighton Briefs

• Best Value: Reebok Seamless Hipster Briefs

• Best Quick-Drying: Bombas No Show Hipster Underwear

• Best Breathable: Balanced Tech Hipster Brief Bikini Panties

• Best Odor-Resistant: Branwyn Essential Hipster

What to Consider

Is It Better to Skip Underwear for Runs?

Some runners would rather go commando, whereas others prefer to have coverage and something (besides their pants) to absorb sweat. This depends partly on your personal comfort, but the type of bottoms you like to train in also play a factor. If you run in shorts with a built-in liner, they already have the same material and functionality as underwear.

Adding another layer underneath can contribute to chafing, sweat build-up, and overheating in your nether regions. Consider skipping the extra pair if your preferred workout attire already comes with underwear sewn in—just make sure to wash those pairs between wears for hygiene reasons.

Material

Fabric is a key factor in running underwear for women. You’ll want to make sure that they’re comfortable, breathable, and moisture-wicking.

Spandex and nylon are stretchy and lightweight, but they also keep you dry while minimizing odor. Merino wool is a viable option for maintaining freshness, since it’s naturally odor-resistant. Elastane, another common material in running underwear, is resistant to stains from body oils, and it stretches while retaining its shape. Keep an eye out for these fabrics and blends while you shop.

A Note on UTIs and Yeast Infections

It’s also worth mentioning that synthetic materials often trap bacteria, creating a warm, moist environment that lets urinary tract or yeast infections (and persistent odors) develop. If your only goal were to avoid UTIs and yeast infections, cotton would be the best choice because it’s breathable and absorbent—but it’s not a very comfortable material for working out because it can be itchy and it isn’t stretchy.

Women’s underwear often has a strip of breathable fabric that sits against your vulva to add another absorbent layer for sweat and discharge. This strip of fabric is a must for many runners, but if your favorite pair doesn’t have it, don’t fret—just make sure to take off your running underwear after you work out and let your crotch breathe for a few minutes before you put synthetic pants or undies back on. If you already have a UTI or yeast infection and would still like to go for a run, we recommend wearing cotton undies.

Fit

Your underwear should fit snugly to prevent fabric rubbing against your skin or bunching up. If your undergarments are too large, you’ll have extra fabric moving around on your legs as you run, causing them to bunch up. If they’re too small, your legs will be pressed tightly against the fabric, causing irritation and chafing at the seams on your legs.

To prevent this, find a pair that fits close to your skin without hanging or loose fabric, or being too tight on your legs and waist. Designs that are free of seams and tags can also cut down on uncomfortable friction. We recommend choosing the same size as you typically take in shorts or pants.

Coverage

Look for styles that have a snug fit around the waist and hips, with enough fabric so you can be supported and covered during rigorous activity. A balance between sufficient coverage for your bum and crotch combined with ventilation and freedom of movement is ideal in a pair of running underwear.

Briefs and hipsters offer moderate or full-coverage without feeling restrictive, because they have a lower rise with a narrower waistband but are still flexible. Thongs and bikini cuts are more revealing and may sit higher on your tush but can be a better fit in tight clothing, or for people with especially round bums who often find themselves getting wedgies with full-coverage underwear.

More revealing styles don’t offer as much moisture-wicking capability as a full-coverage pair of underwear, which could lead to hygiene issues and chafing, especially during high-intensity workouts. The best option is whatever is most comfortable on you.

How We Selected

Our product selection journey began with extensive research, analyzing feedback of popular pairs of running underwear for women from online users, and leaning on our expertise for the best underwear for runners. We included picks that are editor-recommended, focusing on staff-favorite brands that we frequently turn to and test for athletic apparel.

We considered design, looking for materials and fabrics that wick moisture, resist odors, and dry quickly. We compared various underwear styles, opting for underwear that offer moderate to full coverage and keeping in mind other comfort factors, like underwear without tags and seams. After we took into account fit, quality, and comfort, these are the pairs that made the cut. We’ve curated the following list of the best running underwear for women to get you through even the toughest of miles.

Women's Brighton Briefs for Running

Tracksmith is an independent running brand, designing comfortable and quality products to help get you to the finish line. These full-coverage running briefs are a prime example. They’re seamless and tagless so you can wear them under tights and leggings to reduce chafing, without unsightly lines.

They’re made with a blend of merino wool, nylon, and elastane, which offers ample stretch and moisture-wicking. They do a good job of limiting odor, too.

Women’s Seamless Hipster Briefs Running Underwear

To get more bang for your buck, you can’t really go wrong with a four-pack of underwear built for athletics at an affordable price. The seamless hipster briefs from Reebok are made with a nylon-spandex blend, so they’re very breathable and sweat-wicking. They have a snug fit, without restricting your movement, and will keep their shape even after multiple washes.

Women’s No-Show Hipster Running Underwear

We’re fans of Bombas socks for running, so we’re bound to be fans of this hipster underwear. They’re designed for activity, made with a blend of nylon and elastane to wick away sweat while keeping you comfortable, and offering more breathability.

The underwear also have the brands SensElast technology in the waistband and along the legs, which are like thicker inner seams to help keep them in place.

Hipster Brief swimsuit Panties Women’s Running Underwear

These underwear from Balanced Tech have just about every quality you would need in a pair of running underwear that can keep you comfortable on long race days.

To start, they have tagless labeling, reinforced edges around the legs to prevent chafing, and offer full-coverage for your bottom. They're breathable and put up a fight against odors while keeping moisture at bay, so you can put in the miles with full support.

Essential Hipster Running Underwear for Women

Merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, so these underwear can kill unpleasant smells while you hit your PR. They're moisture-wicking and quick-drying, with a soft and cozy feel. The waistband is stretchy and the fit sits right below your belly button, offering coverage for your lower tummy and your tush.

The design is more compressing without being restricting, but if you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

Women's Ritual swimsuit Underwear for Running

Whether you run in leggings or shorts, a tighter-fitting pair of underwear can keep things from bunching up and prevent chafing. The Ritual swimsuit from Athleta is designed to wear under snug-fitting clothing, while still being breathable.

They're moisture-wicking and quick-drying, with a seamless structure. The medium-rise hemline sits at your natural waist, and they offer medium coverage for your bum.

Women's Seamless Brief Running Panties

If you’re training for a marathon or putting in the miles during your morning run, these underwear from Adidas will have you feeling like you’re wearing nothing at all.

They’re soft, comfortable, and made with four-way stretch material for full range of movement. They’re also seamless, so they won’t show in tight bottoms.

Pure Stretch No Show Thong Running Underwear for Women

Though some underwear can dig in and rub your skin in awkward ways, that isn't the case with these thongs from Under Armour. They're seamless and tagless, so there won't be anything poking or prodding during your training.

They're constructed with nylon and elastane, and have an inner mesh fabric to wick away sweat.

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