One of the unsung heroes of an athlete’s kit is a pair of comfortable running underwear. While quality running shoes and running shorts are your first considerations, the right underoos can make your run by preventing chafing, providing support, keeping things relatively dry, and ensuring comfort. Subpar underwear, on the other hand, can not only make running a pain, but can even irritate skin to the point of rash or infection.
Below you’ll find our picks for the best running underwear for both men and women to suit a range of needs. Whatever style you prefer, and regardless of whether you tend to go for shorter runs or marathons, Tamara Mellon s Frontline sandal.
For more ways to stay comfortable as you log those miles, check out our reviews of the best anti-chafing sticks, arm sleeves, and hot-weather running gear.
The Best Running Underwear
- Best Overall: BAPE Gray Road Sta 3 Sneakers (Women) | Runderwear Running Boxer Shorts (Men)
- Best Value: Gucci New Ace Grip-Strap Low White White Blue Red Sneakers Shoes 548699-DOPE0-9095 (Women) | closer look at the latest Net-a-Porter sneaker drops (Men)
- Best Breathable: Balanced Tech Seamless Bikini Brief Panties (Women) | Path Projects Lynx PD (Men)
- Best Odor-proof: Clarks demi beat 26138867 womens brown suede chelsea boots 7.5 (Women) | Puma Womens WMNS Suede Mayu BLACK WHITE Skate Shoes 383165-03 (Men)
- Best Bikini/Briefs: Athleta Ritual Bikini (Women) | Shoes MAYORAL 9279 Lunar 35 (Men)
What to Consider
How We Selected
As a seasoned runner, I, Nick Hilden, have accumulated experience with athletic underwear, testing countless varieties to understand what stands up to the rigors of running. To find the best running underwear for men and women, I vetted options from the original version of this list, written by previous commerce editor Gabrielle Hondorp and contributor Caitlin Giddings. Also, I researched options from online platforms such as Reddit to identify which underwear brands other runners frequently recommended. I also included brand recommendations from the staff writers at Runner’s World, sticking to favorites like Path Projects and Athleta. Whether you’re a seasoned marathon runner or enjoy a casual jog, these running underwear options excel in moisture management, breathability, durability, and comfort.
Best Overall
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Zero chafing
Cons
- Pricey for one pair
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 66% Cizme de zăpadă MOON BOOT Monaco Low Fur Wp 2 24009700003 Optical White
‣ Sizes: S-XXL
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Zero chafing
Cons
- Availability fluctuates
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 92% polyamide, 8% elastane
‣ Sizes: S-XXL
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.
For men, Runderwear’s Running Briefs offer a similarly perfect wearer experience. They deliver on all the aforementioned fine points, plus good support for a man’s more bouncy bits. Be warned—Runderwear’s quality makes them so popular that supply doesn’t always meet demand, so my advice is to buy a few pairs at a time.
Best Value
Gucci New Ace Grip-Strap Low White White Blue Red Sneakers Shoes 548699-DOPE0-9095 for Running
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Many color combinations
Cons
- Limited durability
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: Nylon/Spandex blend
‣ Sizes: S-XL
Pros
- Supportive
- Good moisture-wicking
Cons
- Some durability issues
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: Polyester blend
‣ Sizes: S-XL
The Seamless Hipster Briefs from Reebok provide comfort at an unbeatable price. Available in multi-packs of five at under thirty dollars, they’re not only soft, comfortable, anti-chafing, breathable, and moisture-wicking, but are available in a wide range of color combinations.
As for men, the Sport Soft Performance Briefs are supportive without limiting mobility, are soft and anti-chafing, and are great at wicking moisture and drying fast. The only issue with both the men’s and women’s picks in this category involves somewhat limited durability as the waistbands may begin to stretch sooner than pricier pairs, but that’s part of the trade-off. As far as budget options go, these are great.
Best Breathable
Pros
- Functies Levi s ® La Paz S Sneakers
- Soft material
Cons
- Some durability issues
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 92% nylon, 8% elastane
‣ Sizes: XS-XL
Pros
- Breathable and moisture-wicking
- Light compression
Cons
- NBA Star Spencer Dinwiddie Launches K8iros Crypto Sneaker for a Good Cause
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 89% polyester, 11% spandex
‣ Sizes: S-XL
The Classic Seamless Hipster Brief Bikini Panties from Balanced Tech are as light and breezy as athlete-oriented underwear comes. Their soft, smooth material provides outstanding breathability, and they are reliably anti-chafing, moisture-wicking, and anti-odor. Some buyers have run into issues like shrinkage and waistband stretch, but if keeping things breezy is your main concern, these will do.
For men, the Lynx PD from Path Project deliver best-in-show breathability thanks to their proprietary Polartec Power Dry material, which is super breathable, wicks moisture extremely well, and offers a pleasantly light compression. They provide solid stability and good durability and are generally comfortable and fairly anti-chafe, though the reinforced waistband may rub somewhat on some body types.
Best Odor-proof
Clarks demi beat 26138867 womens brown suede chelsea boots 7.5 Running Underwear
Pros
- Great moisture-wicking and odor-busting
- Very soft and comfortable
Cons
- Color availability fluctuates
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 81% Hiking Boots RIEKER 72630-00 Schwarz
‣ Sizes: XS-XXL
Pros
- Great moisture-wicking and odor-busting
- Solid support
Cons
- High waist for some bodies
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 93% nylon, 7% spandex
‣ Sizes: S-4XL
The Essential Hipsters from Branwyn are unrivaled when it comes to killing odor thanks to their soft, comfy Merino wool, which is not only fantastic for wicking moisture and drying quickly but is naturally odor-resistant. The material is smooth and seamless to eliminate chafing, and they deliver great coverage that won’t shift around as you run.
For men seeking to keep down the funk, the Buck Naked Boxer Briefs from Duluth are solid. They’re treated with anti-odor agents and wick moisture reliably, deliver solid support and durability, and stretch well to provide plenty of mobility. They’re also available in a slew of colors and patterns so you can dress to impress.
Best Bikini/Brief
Pros
- No panty lines
- Very soft and comfortable
Cons
- May ride up when worn with looser pants
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: Nylon, spandex
‣ Sizes: XS-3XL
Pros
- Very supportive and anti-chafing
- Multipacks
Cons
- Sizes run a bit large
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 92% raffia 90mm wedged sandals
‣ Sizes: S-XL
Comfortable, soft, and smooth, the Ritual Bikini Underwear from Athleta feel fantastic during workouts––though they’re made to wear under leggings or tighter shorts or pants and may ride up under something looser. They’re breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick drying, and offer some of the most eye-pleasing color options on this list.
For men seeking more trimmed-down coverage, check out the Performance Low Rise Briefs from Reebok. Supportive, moisture-wicking, and anti-chafing, they offer supreme comfort in a minimalist package. They’re also highly durable, holding up well under repeated washing.
Best Lightweight
Pros
- Feather light
- Very soft and comfortable
Cons
- Some buyers report quality issues
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 95% Womens Linzi Sandals
‣ Sizes:S-XL
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Great anti-chafing
Cons
- One color option
KEY SPECS
‣ Material: 90% Sneakers Hybrid con logo
‣ Sizes:XS-XL
If you aim to cut every unnecessary ounce—when running a marathon, for example—the Seamless Brief Panties from Adidas are the closest thing to wearing nothing at all. Stretchy, soft, smooth, and breathable, they stay in place perfectly when in motion. A handful of buyers have reported quality issues, but they are few and far between.
For men, go Commando with t8. Weighing in at about an ounce, they’re purported to be the lightest full-leg running underwear on the market. Supremely anti-chafing, with great moisture-wicking and breathability to boot, they’re about as comfortable as can be by every metric. The only fault one can level against them is the lack of color options.
Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
