If you don’t have time to read the entire review and just want to find out what the best women’s underwear for running is, then we recommend the Balanced Tech Women’s Seamless Hipster Brief Bikini Panties as the best choice.
Looking for the best underwear to use while running?
You’re hyped and all pumped up, ready to go for a run, but you keep thinking back to the last time you exercised, when you experienced a lot of chafing. What can you do to prevent this from happening in the future?
The short answer is to purchase underwear that’s specifically designed to prevent the many problems that can happen during a run.
In this article, we’ve gathered the five best women’s underwear for running. We’ve set our standards high, and carefully analyzed which ones have the best materials to provide you with the most comfortable running experience.
- Balanced Tech Women’s Seamless Hipster Brief Bikini Panties
- Reebok Women’s Seamless Hipster Panties
- Under Armour Women’s Power in Pink Pure Stretch Thong Underwear
- ExOfficio Women’s Underwear Give-N-Go Full Cut Brief
- ExOfficio Women’s Underwear Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Hipkini
Running Underwear to Prevent Chafing
If you have been in a situation where wearing improper underwear during your run has made you uncomfortable by causing rash or chaffing, then you understand the importance of having a good pair of running underwear.
Let’s look at some of the factors affecting chafing and best underwear for running.
Chafing is caused by the repeated motion of friction. When your thighs rub against each other, your skin develops a rash from the repetitive friction that occurs. This is especially true when you add excessive sweat into the equation.
The skin on your inner thighs is vulnerable to breaking down while you’re running because of the repetitive rubbing that occurs.
Running can wear away the top layer of your skin cells in areas of your body that are prone to chafing to reveal a painful, inflamed, and raw patch of skin. To prevent this, you want to create a protective barrier for your skin.
Chafing does not only happen to people who are overweight. Even fit runners experience chafing, often because of their large muscles. No matter what the root cause of your skin rubbing against itself is, it will be prone to chafing.
While there are no official statistics for chafing, it is thought that millions of people endure it every year.
Thigh chafing can impact anyone, regardless of their body type. When your thighs (or any part of your body, for that matter) frequently rub together vigorously, the friction leads to raw, irritated skin.
This happens when there’s moisture on your body, or even simply in the air. Anyone who has experienced thigh chafing knows it is painful, and how desperate you can become to find some relief.
You may have turned to lubricants or baby powder in the past to help reduce the pain from chafing. However, doing something as simple as changing your underwear can help relieve this painful condition.
Underwear made out of cotton material sometimes causes chafing. Wearing loose undies can lead to chafing as well, especially if they are made out of cotton.
The more fibers that are in a material and the thicker those fibers are, the more material there is to soak up excess moisture (which, in the case of running, is usually your sweat).
The more moisture your underwear can hold, the higher the chance that it will lead to chafing.
When it comes to loose underwear, you may experience chafing because of the repetitive friction between the material and your skin.
Loose clothing is also more likely to cause chafing in your thigh and groin area because it does not prevent your skin from rubbing against itself. To avoid this, look for underwear that fits you comfortably, without being too tight. It should feel like a “second skin.”
Running underwear is designed to keep you from experiencing chafing. It decreases the amount of skin-to-skin friction, and is made from synthetic materials that wick away sweat, keeping your crotch area dry. It is often seamless, stretchy, and quick-drying.
For any exercise enthusiast, having high-performance underwear made out of fabrics that offer these benefits can help you stay dry while working up a sweat. Having the perfect lightweight barrier can help prevent this painful friction.
If you know the tips to avoid chafing and you wear the right running underwear, then you’ll be able to run with great comfort and relief.
Not only will this help you reduce the chafing that you are experiencing, it will hopefully also prevent any future chafing from occurring.
So, what should you look for when shopping for the best running underwear to prevent chafing? Let’s take a look at some things to keep in mind.
How to Choose the Best Running Underwear
When looking for the best running underwear, you must consider the following factors:
Moisture-Wicking
Moisture-wicking underwear is the best women’s underwear for excessive sweating. Underwear that is made out of cotton is highly discouraged, as its fibers act like a sponge and soak up any liquid that they encounter.
Cotton fabric also does not allow your skin to breathe. It’s better to choose underwear that is made of synthetic material such as polyester.
After putting on your underwear, any heat and moisture that is created as you are running becomes trapped between your underwear and your skin.
This is where moisture-wicking is an important component, because the quicker your underwear can wick sweat away from your body, the more comfortable you will be.
Having wet fabric rubbing against your skin also increases your risk of experiencing chafing. As you start warming up and sweat begins to collect, it accelerates the irritation from chafing to blistering, which may even begin to bleed.
However, underwear made using sweat-wicking material quickly eliminates moisture, letting your skin stay dry even though you are working up a sweat.
This will help you be more comfortable during your run, and will prevent your underwear from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Again, this is a reason why cotton is not the best type of women’s underwear for running.
Finally, many of the brands that have improved their performance fabrics with moisture-wicking materials have also taken their garments one step further by integrating other beneficial technologies, such as odor-elimination, antibacterial properties, and temperature-regulation.
Quick-Drying
Aside from your undies being able to absorb moisture easily, they also have to be quick-drying, as the sweat that comes out of your body contributes to chafing.
Quick-drying clothing has become increasingly popular, but before these synthetic fabrics were available, runners had to endure wearing wet cotton. The term “quick-dry” is subjective, but in general it means an item of clothing can go from wet to damp in 30 minutes, and become completely dry within a few hours.
Because your body produces sweat during exercise, you want your running underwear to dry ASAP, so “quick-drying” fabric is going to be your best bet to help prevent chafing.
Materials other than cotton, such as microfiber, polyester, and spandex, can dry much faster because these materials spread any exposed moisture over a wide area, allowing it to evaporate faster than when it is soaked in one spot.
Quick-drying underwear will also maintain its original shape after many washes. Unlike cotton underwear, which can start to get stretched or wear down, quick-drying underwear will continue to fit you the way it did when you first bought it.
Style
This is more of a personal choice, depending on your taste. You can choose whatever style of underwear you prefer, as long as comfort is not sacrificed in the process.
Some styles of running underwear include bikini briefs, mid-rise, boy shorts, boy briefs, seamless hipster, and even thongs.
Your goal may be to reduce VPL, or to be able to make it through your entire run without having to undo a wedgie. Either way, make sure that whatever style you choose still allows you to perform your best.
Comfort
As previously mentioned, comfort is still the best indicator that your running underwear is doing its job. Comfort should be at the top of your priority list when you’re looking for the best underwear for running.
For the most comfortable fit, remember to avoid buying underwear that is made out of thick materials that have little to no ventilation. Instead, find “second skin” underwear that is made out of a breathable material and has as few seams as possible.
You want to find quality underwear that will not move out of place while you’re running. This will help you be able to concentrate on your exercise instead of constantly having to fiddle with your underwear.
Let’s look at some of the best products that are on the market today that check all of the boxes mentioned above.
The 5 Best Women’s Underwear for Running
1. Balanced Tech Women’s Seamless Hipster Brief Bikini Panties
This is the best overall option for its odor-resistant and moisture-wicking capabilities. It offers a seamless design to prevent chafing or skin irritation and provide users with extra comfort.
These underwear are lightweight and made from a 92% nylon and 8% elastane fabric that’s not only extremely soft, but also offers quick-drying capabilities.
The QUICK DRY moisture control technology that is used in the production of this underwear helps users ensure that they won’t have to suffer through a run with wet underwear.
These also offer a four-way stretch that conforms to your body for exceptional support, plus a seamless-style to minimize visible panty lines.
This underwear is made with an athletic cut, meaning it has full coverage in the front and moderate coverage in the back. This cost-friendly six-pack is a great investment for any woman’s active attire collection.
Pros:
- Odor-resistant and moisture-wicking.
- Seamless design.
- Durable.
Cons:
- Some find these don’t stay put during exercise.
- High-waisted design may sit higher than users’ exercise shorts.
- Color bleeds in the wash.
2. Reebok Women’s Seamless Hipster Panties
These are the best option when it comes to texture and fitting. Not only do they stay in place, but they are also soft and breathable.
They are made from 95% nylon and 5% spandex to create the perfect performance fabric to wear while running or doing other athletic activities. To further ensure comfort, these are made without tags, so you don’t have to worry about having an itchy tag on the back.
These underwear also have a wide waistband that will not dig into your hips. Users love that this underwear not only offers full back coverage, but also doesn’t move, even during the most intense workouts.
Pros:
- Exceptionally comfortable.
- Great coverage.
- Stays in place.
Cons:
- Some find the thigh openings to be cut too small.
- Create visible panty lines.
- May start to unravel after several washes.
3. Under Armour Women’s Power in Pink Pure Stretch Thong Underwear
These are the best thongs for women runners. Their laser-cut, hem-free edges ensure that others will not be able to see any lines through your outer garments, and you will have a smooth and flattering figure.
You will be sporting a seamless look, even with the compression material. Plus, the innovative soft and stretchy fabric that they use offers great all-day comfort no matter what you’re doing.
This underwear also has anti-odor technology that helps fight the growth of odor-causing bacteria. With a soft cotton gusset and a tagless design, this is the ideal choice if you prefer to run in a thong.
The proceeds for this item go towards UA Power In Pink, which is donating $10 million to John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center for the research of breast health, innovation, and education.
Pros:
- Invisible under clothes.
- Proceeds go to benefit cancer research.
- Fights odor-causing bacteria.
Cons:
- Runs large.
- Some find them to be too thin.
- Not very durable.
4. ExOfficio Women’s Underwear Give-N-Go Full Cut Brief
This is the best full-cut brief for women runners. You will feel fresh and stay dry wherever your run takes you with this breathable underwear. It is made out of lycra, nylon, and spandex to provide you with a moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabric.
This underwear also has an odor-resistant technology to help you feel fresh for the duration of your run. It includes an antimicrobial treatment to reduce the growth of bacteria, and it offers a stretchable waistband that retains its shape to ensure your comfort.
Pros:
- Stretchable waistband is not too tight on skin.
- Does not ride up.
- Best full-cut option.
Cons:
- Seams can be seen through clothes.
- Runs large.
- Should be hand-washed.
5. ExOfficio Women’s Underwear Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Hipkini
This is the best hipkini option for women’s running underwear. It fits perfectly with an active fit and low rise to ensure your comfort during high-impact activities.
It has a breathable mesh and odor-resistant technology that improves airflow for increased comfort that will keep you feeling fresh.
This underwear can be easily hand washed while on the go, and dried quickly so you can get started with your day. Users love these for running, hiking, and everyday use.
Pros:
- Fits great during high-impact workouts.
- Best hipkini option.
- Allows for great airflow.
Cons:
- Not all colors seem to fit exactly the same.
- Waistband tends to roll down.
- Runs large.
Final Thoughts on Best Women’s Underwear for Running
We hope that, with the list we have provided above, you were able to choose which ones will best fit your running regime.
These are our top picks when it comes to the best running underwear for women. But our winner for today is the Balanced Tech Women’s Seamless Hipster Brief Bikini Panties for their overall odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying qualities.
