Best Running Shorts of 2026

Three zippered pockets and a choice of 5-, 7-, or 9-inch inseams are the reasons the NORTHYARD pair takes the top spot. We like having that much control over coverage without giving up secure carry: phone in one pocket, keys in another, a gel in the third. The fabric is light enough to disappear on a warm run, and it dries fast enough that a sweaty session does not leave the shorts heavy.

The 7-inch version is the most forgiving place to start. It lands just above the knee on an average frame, while the 5-inch is a proper short cut and the 9-inch gives more thigh coverage. The cut stays close without clamping through the hip, and the drawcord lets you dial the waist. We did not fight the fabric on tempo efforts or in the gym.

There is no liner, which makes these more flexible than a one-piece running short. You need a snug synthetic brief or your usual running underwear, but in return the NORTHYARD can go from a run to the gym to travel without feeling like a piece of kit with only one job. The three zip pockets are the detail we kept coming back to; they are deep enough for a phone and placed so they do not swing.

A 7-inch pair is the safest first buy; if you are taller or want more coverage, go 9. Runners who want a built-in liner should look at the maamgic instead. For everyone else, this is the pair that makes the least fuss across the most runs.

The built-in liner is the reason to choose the maamgic. It sits close like a brief, holds everything in place, and includes a phone pocket that keeps a device or gels from bouncing around. For longer runs, that is a real convenience.

The 5-inch outer short stays out of the way without looking like a race brief. The fabric has a little more substance than the lightest shorts here, and it moves without feeling stiff. We found the cut stayed put on tempo efforts and did not ride up between the thighs.

The liner is the make-or-break. It is short and close-fitting, not a compression short, so runners who want more support should look elsewhere. The phone pocket is genuinely useful, though it takes a moment to get used to reaching into the liner rather than the outer short.

If you want one pair that handles a long run without a separate brief, the maamgic earns its place. Runners who prefer a compression liner or a longer leg should compare the fit notes before buying.

Five pairs in one pack is the AKAWOOKO pitch, and it is a good one if laundry is the bottleneck in your running week. The shorts are light, quick-dry, and cut like a simple athletic short, so you can keep a dry pair in the drawer without thinking about it.

The fabric is airy and the side pockets are deep enough for a phone, keys, or a card. The fit is relaxed through the leg, and the drawcord lets you snug the waist. For summer runs and gym sessions, they do the job without much fuss.

The build is where the low cost shows. The tags are sewn through the fabric, so cut them carefully rather than yanking, and the thin material is comfortable but not especially forgiving. Treat these as a rotation rather than a single pair you will baby.

The first thing we noticed about the CRZ YOGA linerless short is how little the fabric feels like typical athletic polyester. It has a smoother, denser handfeel that reads more like a premium short, and the 5-inch length keeps the leg clean without looking like a race brief.

That 5-inch cut is especially good for shorter runners. It lands high enough to stay out of the way but still gives some coverage, and the waistband sits securely without digging. The linerless design also makes it more versatile than a built-in-liner short for gym days and casual wear.

The zipper pocket is useful for a key or card; for a larger phone, a belt is the safer carry. The fabric has a gentle stretch and moves well, but it is not the lightest short in this group. It is the one we choose when we want a more polished pair rather than a pure race-day shell.

The waist is the fit variable, so check the chart before ordering. Runners who want a 7- or 9-inch inseam should look at the NORTHYARD or Soothfeel; the CRZ is deliberately a short, clean 5-inch. If that is your preferred length, it is one of the most comfortable linerless pairs here.

For a woman who wants a high-rise short that stays put, the CRZ YOGA Dolphin is the pair we hand over first. The 3-inch inseam is short enough for hot runs, but the wide waistband sits high and holds without rolling down. It is the kind of cut that lets you forget about your shorts once the run starts.

We were impressed by how much coverage the Dolphin gives without feeling like a compression short. The stretch fabric moves with the stride, and the built-in liner adds security on faster efforts. It handled running, biking, and a long walk without the thigh ride-up that shorter shorts often develop.

The pocket is the weak spot: it is better for a key than a phone, so plan on a running belt for longer efforts. If you want a roomier high-waisted short for easy days, the Gym People pair is the alternative; for a fast, close-fitting run, the Dolphin is the one.

The MIER is the classic 5-inch running short: plain, light, and built around zip pockets rather than extra panels or a liner. We reach for it when the run is the priority and we do not want fabric flapping around the thigh.

At the budget end of this group, it covers the basics well. The quick-dry fabric moves easily, the zip pockets hold a phone and key, and the 5-inch inseam keeps the leg free. We did not find the cut baggy through the hips, which is why it works for faster sessions as well as gym days.

The trade-off is length. The 5-inch can read closer to 6 on taller frames, so check where you want the hem to land if you like a true short cut. Runners who want a more substantial fabric should step up to the CRZ YOGA linerless; the MIER is the pair for hot weather and simple, secure carry.

The Soothfeel is the lower-cost alternative to our top pick, and it keeps the most useful part of that formula: 5-, 7-, or 9-inch inseams and zippered pockets. If you want the length choice without paying for the NORTHYARD's extra pocket, this is the pair to try.

The fabric is smooth and light, with a soft handfeel that works well in heat. The zip pocket handles a phone, and the waist stays put on easy runs. It is not as substantial as the CRZ YOGA linerless, but it also does not feel like a disposable short.

The lighter build is the trade-off. It can cling when wet, so it works best on hot, dry days rather than as a cool-weather layer. The cut is simple and the price is right for a second or third pair; just check the size chart before ordering.

The wide high waist and relaxed fit are what make the Gym People short worth a look. It sits high on the midsection, covers the stomach, and leaves room through the hip, which is a welcome change from shorts that feel like a second skin.

The quick-dry fabric handles sweat and humid weather, and the built-in mesh liner adds support without a separate pair of underwear. It is comfortable for walking, easy jogs, and gym sessions, and the high rise stays put better than a low-rise short when you are moving around.

The waistband can feel loose if you are between sizes, and the mesh liner can stretch after a wash or two. Neither is a dealbreaker, but both make the fit worth checking before you commit. The relaxed cut is the point, so do not expect a compressive race fit.

For women who want a relaxed, high-waisted short for everyday movement, this is a solid choice. If you are chasing a fast 5K or want a closer race fit, the CRZ YOGA Dolphin is the better starting point. The Gym People is the pair for easy days and coverage.