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These compression shorts are outstanding, whether you wear them as an underlayer or by themselves. The fit is snug and supportive, and Nike’s proprietary Dri-FIT material, a microfiber polyester that disperses moisture over its surface more evenly, is supremely breathable and moisture-wicking.

That breathability is accentuated by mesh at the inseam and upper seat, resulting in unrivaled airflow. The waistband holds tight and the legs stay in place while on the go. The addition of pockets would be nice, but if you’re looking for support and comfort, these are hard to beat.

Highly comfortable, supportive, moisture-wicking, and breathable , these Hanes shorts feel fantastic. They hold in place well with flat seams that eliminate chafing, though, according to user reviews, the elastic waistband begins to stretch out of shape after a few months of regular wear. While they can be worn solo, they’re mostly used an underlayer.

While some shorts feature too-loose pockets that threaten to bounce out your phone mid-run, the pocket here is plenty tight to ensure you can run with peace of mind. It has mesh side panels for airing out moisture and preventing you from overheating, and its material is superb at wicking moisture away. It's also got a gusseted crotch for a range of motion.

The Lululemon Fast and Free tights offer pretty much everything you could want from compression shorts—solid support, breathability, silicone grippers to keep the legs in place, and even a couple of drop pockets—but they go the extra mile thanks to their supremely soft, cozy material. They look and feel genuinely upscale, providing a sculpted look to the wearer’s posterior, the material pleasant against the skin every step of the way.

These compression shorts are solid picks for all the usual reasons, but their bioceramic fabric, which claims to consolidate solar heat to warm your muscles in preparation for performance, is where they shine. The muscle-warming is great for CrossFit and accelerating recovery time on runs or general workouts. They’re super breathable, supportive, and comfortable, and can be worn as a layer or as is.

These support the groin, quads, and hamstrings while stabilizing the lower back, pelvis, and hips, thanks to their multidirectional stability. In other words, they’re great for stained hip flexors and lower back support. Several users say the shorts offer solid stability, and especially for hamstrings.

The material is slightly heavy, but that extra thickness is intentional to boost stability and stay put while in use. They have side pockets large enough for phones, and one customer says they fit like a “neoprene wetsuit.” GG embossed leather shorts, though, and some users say getting the right amount of compression is tough if you’re between sizes.

Lightweight yet supportive, breathable and moisture-wicking, soft and comfortable, they’re ideal for wearing beneath your running shorts to boost your support. The waistband might show some stretching after a few months or so of frequent use, but as they’re sold in three-packs, that shouldn’t be much of a problem as you’ll space out their use.

For those who want the benefits of compression shorts without being on full display (if you know what I’m saying), these two-in-one shorts deliver the best of both worlds. The compression liner provides good support, while the top layer lends some modesty. It also has deep pockets, a hidden zipper pocket, a headphone hole, and a loop for holding a small towel.