Best running underwear for women UK 2023: We tried and tested 11 pairs including Runderwear, Skims and Sloggi
THEY might not be visible, but the best running underwear can really play a part in how comfortable you feel on your jog.
After all, no one wants to be laced up, warmed up, and ready to hit the pavements, to then have to deal with overly tight, chafing pants that leave our downstairs area feeling hot and bothered.
Instead, we want soft fabrics, ideally seamless so there are no lumps and bumps showing through our leggings, that dry fast.
Let’s not beat around the bush; when we run, we get sweaty, and down there is no different. So, underwear that keeps us cool and dry is vital.
To say I'm slightly run-obsessed is probably an understatement, so it’s safe to say I’ve worn my fair share of uncomfy exercise undies. But, in the name of fitness, I’ve rounded up the BEST of the best when it comes to running pants and thongs.
A pair of these will do you well next time you hit the streets or the treadmill…
The best running underwear, at a glance
- Best overall:
- Best big knickers for running:
- Best luxury option:
- Best G-String:
- Best shapewear:
- Best TOTM running underwear -
Runderwear Women's Running Briefs
- Runderwear Women's Running Briefs, £18 from Amazon -
Pros: Created specifically for runs; comfy; high-quality
Cons: Expensive
Runderwear is one of the OGs of running undies and I’ve worn its running briefs on several occasions. This run-specific brand has created a range of products that work well for short runs, long runs and everything in between.
They’re seriously comfy and the quality of these is brilliant; they’re thick but not too warm and I’ve never experienced an ounce of chafing whilst wearing these.
They also wash really well (although I should hope so for £18 a pair!) and they’re hard-wearing. My pair has lasted me for years so far with no sign of needing to be replaced any time soon!
Sloggi Zero Feel Maxi Pants
- Sloggi Zero Feel Maxi Pants, £15 from Amazon -
Pros: Seam-free; soft; great colour selection
Cons: Slight knicker line; style might not be for everyone
I won’t lie; a pair of huge Bridget Jones pants aren’t usually at the top of my underwear pile. Reserved solely for my TOTM, big knickers just aren’t sexy. Until now.
Sloggi has created a totally seam-free pair of pants that feel so soft, you’ll barely feel them on your skin. In fact, these sit great under my gym leggings, although there is a very slight knicker line. That’s to be expected though.
The slightly raised waistband helps to keep things tucked in and the thicker gusset dries fast, so there’s less of a sweat build-up down there. Oh, and the colour selection is just divine. Who knew underwear could be so gorgeous?
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Triumph Flex Smart Brazilian Brief
- Flex Smart Brazilian Brief,
£26£13 from Triumph -
Pros: Don't show up under tight leggings; extremely soft; sexy cut
Cons: Very expensive
These are so soft, you’ll barely feel them on.
The fact they’re seamless means they don’t show under tight leggings and they didn’t budge at all as I walked and ran, despite feeling so light.
The high leg is really flattering and even though these might not look it initially, they’re actually pretty damn sexy. These have been made with thermoregulating fabric too so everything stays cool and dry.
The downside? Definitely the cost; £26 isn’t cheap for a pair of undies. However, they're currently on sale for just £13 (half price) so grab them while you can!
Boody G-String Lyolyte
- G-String Lyolyte, £12.95 from Boody -
Pros: Closely resemble "normal" underwear; sustainable; well-priced
Cons: A bit tight (so size up)
Of the running underwear I reviewed for this piece, the Boody G-String is the one that resembles ‘normal’ underwear the most. I love how comfortable this feels and it’s also super soft.
Boody says that this G-String has been designed following a seam-free process to ensure less waste, so the sustainability credentials are there too.
Plus, this G-String is on the cheaper end of the running underwear scale. I will flag though that this pair of undies was quite tight, so if you’re on the borderline of different sizes, I’d definitely go up.
Skims Fits Everybody Thong
- Fits Everybody Thong, £18 from Skims -
Pros: Great range of skin tones and sizes
Cons: None
Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand has come a long way since it launched several years back, and I love the fit of its undies; they’re honestly so soft and smooth against the skin.
This thong is ideal for running as it doesn’t dig at all and fits seamlessly underneath leggings and shorts. It’s also generally comfortable and works well whatever you’re doing; from running errands to sitting around the house.
I love that this thong also comes in a number of skin-tone shades as well as an epic number of sizes from XXS to 4X.
Sefi Effortless G-String
- Effortless G-String, £14 from Sefi -
Pros: Barely-there feel; don't show under leggings; great colour selection
Cons: Could get a bit chilly!
For a serious string feel, then this Sefi G String is the one.
The fabric is super soft and I didn't feel too warm in this, although there isn’t much fabric in the first place so that might be why!
I love a G-string, primarily because they have that barely-there feel, and this pair is no different as it fits comfortably against the skin and is super soft.
It’s also great under my leggings; it doesn’t show and no one would know the shape of my undies. Plus, this thong comes in a few really lovely shades so you can find a colour to suit your look.
PUMA x Modibodi Active Brief
- PUMA x Modibodi Active Brief, £21.50 from Modibodi -
Pros: Total absorbency; incredibly comfortable; also come in boxer style
Cons: Pricey
For TOTM runs, these are really useful as they don’t just wick away sweat, but they also offer total absorbency for periods. Without being too TMI, I can vouch for these; they really do work and they offer total peace of mind when it comes to exercising on your period.
They’re also incredibly comfortable and they come in different styles too so if you fancy a shorts-type pair of undies, then it’s an option.
There’s also a side mesh panel on these briefs for greater airflow, plus the recycled fabrics and Merino Wool ensure that these are even more breathable, keeping you fresh.
BAM Bamboo Thong
- Bamboo Thong,
£10£5 from BAM -
Pros: Sustainable; good all-rounder
Cons: None
Bamboo is a big, BIG business these days when it comes to sustainability as it requires less water than cotton to grow and it doesn’t require fertilisers and other chemicals.
So although it might sound obscure to wear a thong made out of bamboo, there's a very good reason as to why you might choose it.
Anyway, this is a comfortable all-rounder; it ticks all the boxes when it comes to a practical pair of running undies.
Reebok Rae Thongs
- Reebok Bonded Thongs (Pack of 3),
£26£12 from ASOS -
Pros: Nice colours; no seams showing; well-priced
Cons: None
If it’s a soft thong you’re after, then a pair of these Reebok thongs will do. I barely noticed I was wearing undies when I did my leg workout and a 6km run in these. Plus, despite my extremely sweaty state during the workout, this thong literally didn’t even look damp. That’s a winning pair of running undies in my eyes!
The colours are nice and the fabric is really gentle on the skin, plus there are zero seams showing; so, when I was sporting my very tight shorts, everything was smooth and bump-free.
Reebok has also made these affordable, so you can enjoy comfy, sporty running undies without going bankrupt.
Step One Women’s Bikini Brief
- Bossy Bums Women's Bikini Brief, £13 from Step One -
Pros: Also come in boxer style, good range of colours and prints; fast-drying
Cons: None
Available in a multitude of colours and prints, these bikini briefs (AKA, pants) are great for running, lounging, or just general wear.
They’re super soft and breathable thanks to the organic bamboo fabric (sustainability ticked off) and they dry fast, so if you’re hanging out in your sportswear after a run, you won’t be too uncomfortable and damp.
I love the waistband of these pants too, as it isn’t too tight or overbearing; instead, it sits snugly against my skin.
Step One also does should you want something a little more covered.
UP Seamless Bamboo Thong
- Seamless Bamboo Thong (Pack of 3), £24 from UP Clothing -
Pros: Good value; soft bamboo fabric
Cons: None
For £24, you get three pairs of these undies, which is a pretty good deal considering the cost of some other individual pairs.
I have always found UP kit to be of excellent quality, and these thongs are no exception. The high waistband offers support and keeps everything tucked in, plus the bamboo fabric is seriously soft. I am all about soft undies and that barely-there feeling, so naturally, I am a huge fan of these.
I felt zero chafing during my run whilst wearing a pair of these thongs, plus these are seamless, so there are no obvious underwear signs underneath your tight gym kit.
Are you supposed to wear underwear with running shorts?
The general consensus is that this comes down to whether or not you're wearing lined running shorts.
If the shorts you're wearing contain a liner, they're fine to be worn without underwear, and some experts say that wearing underwear as well as lined shorts can lead to excessive sweating. If you want to wear underwear with lined running shorts, though, you're entitled to do so.
However, if you're wearing unlined running shorts, wearing running underwear can help prevent sweating and offer support and comfort.
Where to buy running underwear
Running underwear is available from a whole load of brands, from sports retailers to shapewear companies to names like Runderwear, whose entire business focuses on creating perfect running underwear.
You can buy them from:
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How much does running underwear cost?
Because they need to be breathable, soft and ideally not show up under leggings, running underwear is usually made of different, more expensive material than normal underwear.
That means that prices for a single pair of running undies can reach above £25, although you can also find great-value multipacks that bring the cost of a single pair down to around £5.