The Best Workout Shorts That Don't Ride Up: REP's Stay-Put Picks for Men and Women

Nothing kills your workout vibe faster than shorts that bunch up your thighs and into dark crevices you just don't want them to. When you're squatting heavy, sprinting intervals, or just walking to the water fountain, it'd be nice to do it with dignity. Workout shorts that don't ride up need to have intentionally smart design features, and of course, REP builds these into their athletic apparel lineup so you can show off your PR without accidentally showing off anything else.

Below are the best gym shorts that don't ride up for men and women, broken down by what each pair does best. Each one earns a win based on fit, fabric, and the kind of training it handles best.

What Makes Shorts Stay Put

Before you shop, here's what to look for in shorts that don't ride up thick thighs (or any thighs). The right combo of design features keeps the fabric where it's supposed to be, so you can move however you want without having to constantly adjust your shorts.

• A gusseted crotch is an extra panel of fabric between the legs that reduces seam stress and gives your stride more room, which stops the inner-thigh bunch.
• A flat, non-scrunch waistband with a wide, low-profile stays flat against your skin instead of rolling or sliding down in the middle of your set.
• Four-way stretch fabric stretches in every direction so the shorts move with you rather than fighting your range of motion.
• Compression or close-fit liners hug the legs and prevent the outer short from migrating north.
• Inseam length of 7- or 9-inches usually behaves better than a 3-inch pair if you want to make sure you're covered during squats and lunges.

For more on dialing in fit and fabric, check out REP's guides on how to pick the perfect men's workout shorts and choosing the best workout clothes for women.

Best Women's Workout Shorts That Don't Ride Up

Best Overall: Women's Forma Shorts

REP Women's Forma Shorts are the go-to for women who want to avoid ride ups. They're built as a true compression short in a 71% polyester / 29% spandex blend, with flatlock stitching to cut chafing and an under-leg gusset that keeps the seams from pulling. The roughly 4-inch inseam gives more thigh coverage than the shorter options, so they hold their place through squats, sprints, and burpees without tugging.

Best for Lifting Sessions: Women's Artemis Shorts

If you want shorts that are a bit lighter but won't shift, the Women's Artemis Shorts are it. They have a smooth non-scrunch waistband, an internal flat drawstring, and a mesh liner for built-in coverage. The inseam runs short (around 3 inches), so they're best if you like freedom around your hips without a fully cropped feel.

Best for Recovery and Easy Days: Women's Vellus Shorts

The Women's Vellus Shorts are your comfy lounging pick. They use a soft 88% polyester / 12% spandex four-way stretch fabric with a SILVADUR anti-odor treatment, mid-rise waistband, and deep hand pockets. They're a great pick for warm-ups, walks, and lighter training when you want a relaxed fit that still has structure.

[Read More: How to choose peak performance gym clothes]

Best Men's Workout Shorts That Don't Ride Up

Best Compression Pick: Men's Virtus Light Compression Shorts

If your goal is shorts that flat-out refuse to budge, the Men's Virtus Light Compression Shorts are it. The 90% polyester / 10% spandex build hugs the legs without strangling them, the low-profile jacquard waistband stays flat, and high-hip pockets keep your phone from swinging around or falling out. These are the safest bet for sprint work, plyometrics, and anything that involves your feet leaving the ground. Layer them under looser shorts if skin-tight ain't your vibe.

Best Overall Training Short: Men's Pinnacle Shorts

The Men's Pinnacle Shorts combine a lightweight woven body with stretch knit panels in the right places. You get gussets under the legs, a non-scrunch waistband, inside and outside drawstrings, and dual high-hip zipper pockets that prevent your stuff from bouncing around. Available in 7- and 9-inch inseams, they're a proven all-day gym short for lifters who want something practical that just so happens to look sharp.

Best Gym-to-Life Pick: Men's Versa Shorts

The Men's Versa Shorts use a moisture wicking, breathable, four-way stretch knit (53% polyester, 40% nylon, 7% spandex). These are our most versatile shorts, and the under-leg gusset, non-scrunch waistband, and lay-flat drawstrings are why. Wear them to lift in the morning and run errands after without changing.

Best for Heavy Training: Men's Attis Shorts

The Men's Attis Shorts earn their stripes with a four-way stretch textured technical fabric (94% polyester, 6% spandex), high-hip YKK zipper pockets, a smooth non-scrunch waistband, an under-leg gusset, and multi-position drawstrings. They hold up to heavy squats, deadlifts, and conditioning work, but are also super comfy for lounging or yardwork. They've also got anti-odor tech to keep you fresh through it all.

Best Lightweight Hot-Weather Pick: Men's Motus Shorts

When the gym feels like a sauna, reach for the Men's Motus Shorts. They're made from 92% recycled polyester and 8% spandex with quick-drying woven fabric, lay-flat drawstrings, and high-hip zipper pockets. They're breathable, which makes them ideal for sweaty conditioning sessions and double as great running shorts that don't ride up when you're sprinting or jogging.

Best Comfort-First Pick: Men's Apollo Shorts

The Men's Apollo Shorts are super soft and have a four-way stretchy 94% polyester / 6% spandex fabric. You still get a flat stay-put waistband, that doesn't scrunch, flat drawstrings, and a secure zipper pocket that give our shorts such great functionality. These are the pick if you want shorts with recovery day comfort that still don't ride up.

[Read More: How to pick the best gym clothes]

Quick Tips to Avoid Chafing

Even great shorts need a little help on long sessions sometimes. Chafing happens when sweat and fabric rub together under pressure, but you can stop it by cutting down friction and picking the right materials. Research shows that smooth, moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics are much better than cotton at preventing irritation. Experts also suggest using compression shorts with seamless or bonded-seam designs to significantly lower rubbing at the inner thighs and groin.

A few more tricks that work: apply a petrolatum-based balm to known hot spots before training and reapply on long sessions, use tape or hydrocolloid dressings on trouble areas, and keep skin as dry as you can since sweat and salt raise friction and irritation. Stay hydrated with Purist® Hydration so your skin stays elastic and your sweat stays balanced, and refuel with Purist® Whey Protein after tough sessions to support recovery.

Takeaway

The best workout shorts that don't ride up share a few key features like gussets, flat waistbands, four-way stretch, and a thoughtful inseam length. REP's lineup covers every use case, from compression-tight sprinting shorts to soft recovery pairs. Pick based on the kind of training you do most, and you'll spend a lot less time tugging and a lot more time training.

FAQs

Why do my shorts ride up?

Shorts ride up when there's too much friction between your thighs and the inner seam, when the fabric lacks stretch, or when the waistband can't grip your hips. Loose woven shorts without a gusset are the worst offenders. Look for compression liners, gusseted crotches, four-way stretch fabric, and a flat, secure waistband to fix the problem at the source.

What's the best inseam length for shorts that don't ride up?

A 7- to 9-inch inseam usually stays in place better than a 3- or 5-inch pair because there's more fabric weight and surface area anchoring the shorts. That said, a well-built 5-inch compression short can perform just as well if it has the right liner and waistband.

Are compression shorts better than loose shorts for the gym?

Compression shorts win on stay-put performance because they hug the legs directly. Loose shorts can absolutely work, but they need the right design features (gusset, stretch panels, and a snug waistband) to compete. Many lifters wear a compression liner under loose shorts to get the best of both.