The Best Women’s Workout Shorts for Every Summer Activity 

Summer is the perfect time to swap out those leggings for a cooler pair of shorts. So if you’re looking to show off those legs, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite pairs for wearing all summer long. From breezy options perfect for hot summer runs to buttery soft biker shorts made for sweaty yoga sessions, scroll on to see our top picks. 

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lululemon Align™ High-Rise Short 6"

I have a pair of these buttery soft shorts in every color, and no, I’m not kidding. They’re so soft and so comfortable, it feels like you’re wearing nothing. I personally don’t wear mine for heavy lifting days, but love them for hot yoga, upper body days, or some active recovery. I also wear them everywhere outside of the gym, as well. 

The only cons are they tend to pill in the butt and inner thigh region. I’ve found washing them separately with only my other gym clothes tends to help, but a depiller has also done the trick. 

Best for: yoga, active recovery days, pilates, cardio 

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Aurola Intensify Workout Short

If you want shorts that snatch your waist and make your glutes pop, look no further than the Aurola Intensify Workout Short. I just recently ordered these, and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since they arrived. They fit so well and give me so much lower body confidence, plus they’re a great price point.

I can confirm they are squat-proof, although I can’t speak for the lighter colors. I also love the little scrunch on the back. I’m typically not one for the butt scrunch, but this one is really subtle and not at all uncomfortable. 

Best for: strength training, HIIT 

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Groceries Apparel Lounge Short 

Some shorts are great for workouts, and some shorts are great for rest days. These Lounge Shorts are definitely the latter. Made with 100% cotton, these shorts are super comfy and perfect for a rest day or throwing on after a workout.

 I love that they’re not only comfortable, but also dyed with a non-toxic vegetable dye. After finding out that a lot of popular athleticwear brands contain high levels of BPA, I’ve been making an effort to include more non-toxic options in my workout wardrobe, and Groceries Apparel has been a staple. 

Best for: rest days, active recovery

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lululemon Hotty Hot™ Lined Short

Lululemon’s Hotty Hot Shorts are my go-to when it comes to walks or runs in the summertime. Available in both 2.5” and 4” styles and dozens of different colors, these shorts are perfect for warm weather workouts. They’re super easy to move in and incredibly lightweight, which makes them great for steamy days when you break a sweat just from looking outside. 

Best for: running, HIIT, cross-training 

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Gymshark Training Short

These have been my staple leg day shorts for months now. Unlike a lot of other shorts on this list, they’re pretty basic – and I actually love that. There’s no drawstrings, butt scrunch, pockets or ruching. Just your standard, buttery soft, black training shorts. They’re fully squat-proof and easy to move in, although they do tend to roll up a little bit on the legs. However, at $28, they’re a worthwhile investment. 

Best for: Strength training, yoga, pilates

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Girlfriend Collective Heat RIB High-Rise Run Short

Similar to Groceries Apparel, Girlfriend Collective’s High-Rise Run Short makes this list because of its sustainability initiatives. Made with 79% recycled plastic bottles, these ribbed shorts are both stylish and eco-friendly. In addition to being made with recycled materials, they’re recyclable. That’s right – when you're finished wearing these shorts, you can recycle them with the ReGirlfriend program, which turns your old activewear into new pieces and gives you a store credit in return. 

Best for: running, cycling, yoga 

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Alphalete Amplify Short 4.5”

Similarly to another pair of shorts on this list, the Alphalete Amplify Shorts are incredibly flattering. With no front seam and a scrunch detail in the back, these shorts really make your legs, glutes and waist pop in all the right places. They are a little more of an investment at $52, but if you live in your athleticwear like I do, you might find that price to be well worth it to feel confident and comfortable in and out of the gym. 

If you’re not sure of your size, I’d recommend sizing up, though. The waist panel is quite compressive, which can become a little uncomfortable if the sizing isn’t right. 

Best for: strength training 

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TALA Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Cycling Shorts

I know I’m not the only one that has a designated pair of shorts just for cycling. They have to be thick enough that they don’t roll up, but long enough that my thighs don’t chafe, yet not too long because I still want to feel comfortable in them. It’s a tricky business finding the best biker shorts for actually biking, but TALA’s Sculpt Seamless Scrunch Cycling Shorts (say that five times fast) definitely fit the bill. They’re super soft, very flattering, and they stay put through long sessions on the bike, sprints, and strength training alike. And don’t let the bum scrunch fool you – you won’t even be able to tell it’s there. 

Best for: cycling, strength training, HIIT 

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Oner Active Classic Short

Skin-tight, high-waisted shorts are all the rage right now (as you can probably tell from this list), but that doesn’t mean you have to love them. If you’re more of a relaxed fit fan, these Classic Shorts are where it’s at. Made with a soft, lightweight cotton, they also feature a ribbed waistband and drawstring for a relaxed-yet-fitted look. Though I probably wouldn’t recommend them to go hit a heavy leg day, they’re the perfect choice for a little upper body session, running errands, or just lounging around on a rest day. 

Best for: active recovery, upper body strength training, rest days 

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FLEO True High Original Short

Show off your strong legs with these soft, stretchy high-rise shorts from FLEO. If you’re looking for a short that’s well, short, then you’re going to love the 2.5” inseam of these. Perfect for Crossfit or strength training, these shorts also offer a high-rise fit that’s super flattering for the waistline. They also offer just the right amount of compression without feeling too constricting. They’re also available in 20 colors, so you can get a pair to match each workout of the week. 

Best for: Crossfit, strength training