Finding the best running shorts in 2026 comes down to five things: a built-in liner, secure phone storage, ventilation, waistband stability, and stride freedom. Get those right and you stop thinking about your shorts. Get them wrong and you think about nothing else.
Here is what to look for, and our pick for every type of runner.
The 5 things that make a great running short
1. A built-in liner. A compression liner holds everything in place and keeps skin from rubbing on skin. That is what stops inner-thigh chafing on longer runs. No separate base layer to pull on before you leave.
2. Secure phone storage. Your phone should sit flat against your body, not swing in a loose pocket or squeeze your arm in a band. A pocket built into the liner, at thigh level, keeps it still.
3. Ventilation. Perforations in the outer shell let heat escape and air move through, so you stay cooler when the pace picks up.
4. A waistband that stays put. An elastic waistband with a drawstring locks in place. No hitching your shorts up every half mile.
5. Stride freedom. Side slits on a light outer shell let your legs move through a full stride without pulling or riding up.
Our pick for runners who carry a phone
If you run with music, a podcast or a tracking app, phone storage matters more than anything. The I DID IT MOM 2-in-1 Running Shorts have a thigh-level pocket inside the liner. The phone lies flat against your leg, so it does not bounce. You can leave the armband at home.
Our pick for beginners
When you are just starting, you want one thing that works, not a drawer full of gear. A 2-in-1 short gives you the outer shell and the compression liner in one piece, plus a zippered back pocket for your keys. One garment, one motion to put on.
Our pick for long runs and race day
Long distances punish anything that rubs or shifts. Look for a liner that prevents chafing and a pocket that keeps gels within reach. Our 2-in-1 has both: the built-in liner, and a zippered back pocket that fits keys and gels.
Our pick for hot days
Heat is where cheap shorts give up. Laser-cut perforations through the outer shell bring direct airflow, and bound side slits keep the legs open without fraying.
Our pick for runners who also train at the gym
A short that does not ride up during squats or lunges also works for intervals and strides. The drawstring waistband and the liner keep everything in place on the run and under the bar.
How to choose your size
Our shorts run small, so we recommend going one size up. Not sure? Tap "What's my size?" on the product page. It recommends a size from your measurements.
The bottom line
The best running short is the one you forget you are wearing. Look for a built-in liner, a phone pocket that does not bounce, real ventilation, a waistband that stays put and room to stride. The I DID IT MOM 2-in-1 checks all five, in Lime Green, Black and Electric Orange, with free shipping on every order.