Finding the Best Running Underwear is No Easy Task

By Marnie Kunz, running coach and trainer

After one particularly uncomfortable run, I finally had enough of uncomfortable underwear and set out on a quest to find the best running underwear. I wasn’t sure where to begin, after a lifetime of running in regular underwear. But it turns out that there are many options for sweat-wicking running undergarments on the market. This is great news for all of us who have suffered through uncomfortable, sweaty, bunched-up, or too tight underwear on the run. I set out to try different women's underwear to find the best underwear for running and working out. I figured the right underwear would have materials that help with moisture management and gentle materials that reduce irritation, friction, and odor.

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What Is Running Underwear?

First of all, what is running underwear, and do we even need running underwear? Well, I’ve been running since I was 13 and made it this far without special running underwear, so it is possible to run in regular underwear. (And some runners I surveyed even run in no underwear).

But that said, running underwear can go a long way towards reducing chafing, especially during long runs, and also can really cut down on lingering lower-body sweatiness during runs. Running underwear may have anti-odor properties and help with sweat wicking. Some underwear are built into running shorts and include built-in liners.

Ultimately, opting to get running under garments is a matter of personal preference. No one wants that wet diaper feeling on a run (or any other time really). For men, underwear may come in boxer briefs, and they may be built into compression shorts for all genders.

Sports underwear is designed to be moisture-wicking, breathable and comfortable while you run. In contrast with some of my earlier (completely wrong) notions that the smaller the underwear, the better for running, the best running underwear offers full coverage and lightweight or nonexistent seams. They usually feature a blend of merino wool or synthetic fabrics that are designed to wick sweat. Many of the major sports brands have a specific running underwear or, most commonly, general moisture-wicking underwear.

Moisture-Wicking Underwear Materials

When you are shopping for sports underwear, look for moisture-wicking materials that are not cotton. Materials such as polyester, nylon, bamboo, elastane, and merino wool can all deliver much more moisture-wicking ability than cotton, which absorbs and holds water (leading to the dreaded soggy underwear).

Gynecologists also recommend moisture-wicking underwear, according to Women’s Health, because they prevent the buildup of bacteria and fungus, which grow in damp environments.

Best Running Underwear Picks

For this article and my personal running desires, I decided to chase down running underwear to try. I did not try every running underwear on the market (I’m only one runner and on a budget👀), but of the ones I tried, these were my top picks for the best running underwear:

best-running-underwear-reebok — Reebok’s High-Waist Seamless Briefs are comfortable.

Most Comfortable

Reebok Women Seamless Brief Underwear offered comfort and a seamless fit, with a smooth, breathable fabric. When these arrived on my doorstep, I have to admit they looked like grandma underwear when I opened them. These running underwear have much more, um, coverage, than I am used to. But after putting them on under my running tights, I was happy to see no lines due to the seamless design. They are also super comfortable and fit like a second skin. I felt comfortable from the jump in these. In fact, they were so comfortable that after my first test run, I started thinking about wearing these for my everyday underwear — not the sexiest, but, hey, comfort can be everything. Overall, these are great running underwear for comfort and fit and the price was budget-friendly.

Pros: Overall comfort, moisture-wicking, reasonable price, no visible panty line
Cons: Not the cutest style-wise
Overall Rating: 4.2

Best Price

Speaking of price, the Balanced Tech Women’s Classic Seamless Bikini Briefs are the best running underwear option for bargain hunters. These seamless running briefs come with free shipping if you’re an Amazon Prime member. I got the 3-pack (go big or go home right) and immediately felt like these were a better looking, less grandma underwear-ish style than my comfy Reebok running underwear. They stood up to the wear test as well, proving to be moisture-wicking and staying comfortable on the run. One note is they do have a somewhat visible line around the leg holes — which you can see when wearing fitted running tights. So they do have some VPL (visible panty line). You can snag the 3 pack of these on Amazon.

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Pros: Cheaper price than most running underwear, cute color options, moisture-wicking, comfortable, free shipping on Amazon Prime
Cons: VPL (visible panty line)
Overall Rating: 4.0

Most Stylish

I had fallen in love with the Sweaty Betty Barely There Briefs but I cannot find them online anymore. But there is a new bestselling women’s running underwear on Amazon - Under Armour. The Under Armour Women’s Pure Stretch Hipster Briefs offer a seamless, streamlined option. The seamless fit doesn’t give VPL (visible panty line) that plagues most of us runners when we wear regular underwear.

These have become my current favorite running underwear or sleek, stylish design and most important, functionality. They are lightweight, tag-less, and moisture-wicking with have plenty of stretch. They’re also affordable, costing a little less than the Reebok underwear. These have become my go-to workout underwear.

Pros: Stylish, moisture-wicking, comfortable, no VPL, lightweight
Cons: Some reviewers complain that these underwear roll and do not stay in place.
Overall rating: 4.5

To Run or Not to Run in Running Underwear?

If you are not sure whether to invest in some running underwear, I hear ya — I did not even know about running underwear for most of my life. In fact, I slogged through track and cross country in old-school sweatpants and hoodies and regular underwear, so who am I to suddenly demand special running gear? But after trying out running underwear, I have to say I am sold for two reasons — comfort on the run and cleanliness.

With running in my regular underwear, they can, um, take a beating, so to speak, and now I feel more comfortable and clean with my separate running underwear, preserving my regular underwear for daily life and events. I also do not have to use anti-chafing sports sticks on my underwear lines the way I have in the past for long runs in regular underwear.

That said, there may be regular underwear that are super comfortable to run in, or maybe it’s not in your budget right now, so I say, do what works for you. Do you run in running underwear or sports underwear? What are the best running underwear you’ve found? Let me know what you think — cfollow and tag me at @Runstreet Instagram. 👋

If you need a training plan to help you crush your next big race, visit the Runstreet Training Center and I’ll be happy to help you.

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach, a dog lover, an Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet. She specializes in helping runners get faster and stronger and helping beginners elevate their fitness levels. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Best Running Underwear From Wear Tests