From boxers to hipster-style, this is the best women’s underwear for running

Much like a well-fitting sports bra, a pair of comfortable running underwear is the unsung hero of a runner’s wardrobe. Choose poorly and your ill-fitting pair will be pulled out of place, becoming drenched with sweat and cause chafing. A smart choice, on the other hand, will allow you to run in comfort with nothing to distract from your goals.

Now, we don’t expect you to be able to pick the perfect pair of pants straight off the bat — far from it. That’s why we’ve tested a number of the best running underwear for women, putting them through their paces and assessing the design, comfort, performance and quality of each to bring you our ultimate round-up.

Not what you were after? We’ve also tested the best men’s running underwear, too.

What underwear should I wear for running?

The best type of underwear for you will depend on several factors, including your size and which activities you plan to use them for. These are some of the factors to consider:

Fit

Women’s running underwear comes in a variety of options, including briefs, hipsters, bikinis and thongs. Cuts like briefs, bikinis, and thongs can benefit any runner who prefers a ‘less is more’ approach to apparel, whether for keeping cool, shaving off a few grams of weight on race day, or preventing visible lines under tights. Boxer-briefs and hipsters provide more coverage, which some people prefer for improving support. FYI: We also kept an eye out for VPLs in leggings when assessing each pair.

Material

While cotton may be the most common material when it comes to underwear, brands featured in this list have turned instead to alternatives such as nylon, polyester, polyamide and even merino wool to achieve flexibility and breathability.

Breathability

A sodden pair of pants are a catalyst for rubbing and chafing, potentially disrupting your training schedule. Many products we tested are made with lightweight materials, and have sweat-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable as you run.

How we selected

We sent out over 20 different pairs of underwear to our panel of trusted runners, with each person asked to review up to three products. They wore each pair for at least three different types of runs. We also put each pair of underwear through the wash three times to make sure they retained their fit and shape.

Design, comfort, performance and quality were all considered as each tester delivered detailed feedback on the products they had worn. This data was then broken down to calculate a final score for each pair, and crown our champions below.

Our full reviews

Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Bikini

Our tester loved the Underease not only for running, but for a little bit of everything. She reports that the soft material feels great against the skin, the fabric is delightfully stretchy, and you can tell while wearing them that the overall quality is excellent. She even liked how they looked more than most running underwear, which doesn’t hurt.

They also offer a healthy dose of support in the rear, which can be hard to find with bikini cuts. While the mid-rise waistline may not be the first choice for every wearer, these are an outstanding option for anyone looking for bikini coverage.

£48.00 at lululemon

Rae Bonded Thongs Black/White/Grey – 3 pack

If you’re after comfy underwear that’s suitable for all types of exercise and can’t be seen under leggings, these Reebok thongs could be just what you’re after. We found the material cool and lightweight, able to dry quickly after sweatier sessions and, thanks to their smooth outline, there was no bunching, chafing, falling down, digging in or moving around — even during vigorous interval sessions.

£13.98 at amazon

Kalenji Running Boxers

These boxers earned plenty of fans thanks to their snug, secure fit and full coverage. You may want to order a size up as the waistband can rub slightly and folded over during more intense training sessions. However, there was still plenty to like as they keep you cool, don’t limit your range of motion, show no signs of bunching and dry quickly.

£5.99 at decathlon.co.uk

Tracksmith Women’s Brighton Briefs

Tracksmith leads the pack regarding quality running underwear, and its Brighton Briefs are a perfect example of why. They’re seamless and tagless, making them easy to wear underneath tight-fitting clothing and reducing chafing. They’re made of silky smooth Merino wool, making them supremely comfortable. They’re highly breathable and have effective moisture-wicking, and blended with nylon, they’re reinforced for longevity.

£50.00 at tracksmith.com

Smartwool Intraknit Bikini

or those looking to fight the buildup of funk, Smartwool’s super-soft Merino blend material is the way to go. Not only does Merino have anti-bacterial properties that help prevent odour, it’s great for moisture wicking and breathability, further warding off unwanted smells.

The Intraknit Bikini is also soft against the skin, and pleasantly stretchy while in motion. Our tester reports that they’re great for running, as well as yoga and gym workouts — all situations where it doesn’t hurt to have some extra odour prevention. Just note that the slim fit may be too tight for some bodies, but the material feels fantastic.

£30.40 at Smartwool

Runderwear Running Hipster

Runderwear designs underwear specifically for runners, and the proof is in the performance. Our tester said they not only felt great on her skin thanks to their soft material, but that they provided excellent posterior support.

The company promises a 100% chafe-free experience, and the seamless construction delivers. Super lightweight and breathable, they’re great at wicking moisture thanks to the breezy material. Our tester also found they were also discrete under tights and shorts, which is a must for runners seeking to avoid visible panty lines.

The only drawback with this top pick is that its availability is a bit inconsistent. That being said, our other options make for a good substitute in a pinch. But if you can get your hands on these when they’re available, your body will thank you.

£18.00 at runderwear.co.uk

Under Armour Pure Stretch (3-pack)

The smooth, laser-cut outline makes these a great, discreet option to wear under leggings or shorts, and the super-soft stretch fabric means they are really easy to put on and take off. Additional features we loved include odour control technology and the choice of colours, which includes bold colours (e.g. pink) and skin tones. These are a mid rise fit, which sit just below the waist and offer fuller back coverage.

£26.00 at Under Armour

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