The 6 Best High-Waisted Workout Shorts for Women of 2026, Tested By Editors

ProsButtery softMade with a super lightweight fabricSquat-proofFeels super supportiveConsMay show sweat stainsThe Gym People High Waist Short topped my list for the best workout shorts for women for a few reasons: it’s super soft, has nice compression, comes in a ton of colors, and has multiple pockets for essentials. Plus, the high waistband never falls or rolls down and helps keep my lower belly area feeling compressed.But even though the waistband offers compression, it doesn’t feel too tight or restrictive. This pair, made from a polyester-spandex blend, is super stretchy in every direction and feels breathable, light, and easy to move in. “The fit is a bit more compressive around the stomach, which gives a nice smoothing and lifting effect—something I actually appreciate since super stretchy biker shorts can sometimes feel a little shapeless around the hips,” says style contributor Lily Wohlner.While this short does offer some compression, it leans more on the stretchy side than super form-fitting, so it might not be the best pick for high-impact workouts. It feels supportive, but I wouldn’t wear it for running or burpees since it doesn’t hold me in quite enough. That said, the fabric is buttery soft—like, ridiculously comfortable—so it’s perfect for walking, yoga, and Pilates. I also love that it’s not see-through, so I felt totally fine stretching and bending without worrying.The only downside? The moisture-wicking could be better. I’ve worn this short to hot Pilates a few times, and while it’s super comfortable for mat workouts, the sweat stains were definitely noticeable afterward.Read More: Best Leggings For Working OutMaterial88% polyester, 12% spandexSizesXS—3XLColors33ProsButtery fabricNo front seamLuxury feel despite low price tagConsNot for those looking for a compressive shortCrz Yoga hit the activewear scene in 2015 and quickly gained traction as a high-quality option for affordable workout clothes. It’s one of my go-to brands from Amazon that I recommend to everyone—the fabrics rival pricey brands like lululemon and Vuori in terms of softness and stretch, with low to medium compression that makes the clothes perfect for yoga, Pilates, strength training, HIIT, and more.The label’s Butterluxe Legging is a major standout from the brand, and after extensive testing, it earned a top spot in our guide to the best leggings with pockets. Think of this biker short as our fave legging’s cropped cousin, with a four-inch inseam. It’s made from the same Butterluxe fabric—an 81% nylon and 19% elastane blend—that has that smooth, second-skin softness I associate with much pricier brands. It’s ultra-stretchy, offers light-to-moderate compression, and features a high-rise waistband that stays put through it all.Another pro? The lack of a front seam (the line that runs from waistband to crotch in most leggings) makes it much more flattering and comfortable (aka no awkward bunching in that area or battles with a camel toe!).This short has a low level of compression, which is super comfortable for lounging and low-impact workouts. However, if you’re looking for a more held-in feeling, you might want to opt for a short with a bit more compression.Read More: Best Workout Clothes on AmazonMaterial81% polyamide, 19% Lycra elastaneSizesXXS—XLInseam4 in.Colors11Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsTrendy layered lookSmooth and buttery softPairs well with the Double Up Bra for a matching set ConsOn the pricier side, but the quality and style make it worth the buyThe layered look is so in right now, bringing a little vintage activewear energy to today’s matching sets, and I’m fully on board. The Alo Airbrush Double Up Short is one of my favorite takes on the trend, with a contrasting white waistband that gives the otherwise classic black shorts a cool, throwback feel. I especially love pairing them with the matching Airbrush Double Up Bra for Pilates when I want my workout outfit to feel a little more fun.Beyond the style factor, this short is made from Alo’s signature Airbrush performance fabric, a soft-to-the-touch blend of 81 percent nylon and 19 percent elastane. It has a 5-inch inseam, which gives me enough coverage for moving around comfortably without feeling too long or restrictive.The short is designed with medium compression, so it has that smoothing, sculpting feel without squeezing me in too much, and the high-rise waistband stays comfortably in place throughout class. I also appreciate the front-seam-free design, which makes the silhouette look especially smooth and flattering.My only con? This short is on the pricier side, nearing the price of some luxe full-length workout leggings. But the quality and style have me absolutely hooked.Read More: Alo ReviewMaterials81% nylon, 19% elastaneSizesXXS—LInseam5 in.Colors3ProsSoft, stretchy fabricComes in two lengthsLong length provides the perfect amount of coverageConsFront seam can sometimes be a little unflattering If you want a longer short, I love the 6-inch AllTheFeels Short from Vuori. It’s the perfect length for a cycling class or a mat Pilates class when I want a bit more coverage without a full-length legging. But make no mistake, it’s not so long that it looks like you’re preparing for the Tour de France. I’m 5’5”, and it hits about two inches above my knees.I knew I’d love this short because I’m a longtime fan of the AllTheFeels Legging, which earned a spot in our guide to the best yoga pants. The label's iconic AllTheFeels line is made from the brand’s BlissBlend fabric, a stretchy performance fabric made from nylon and elastane. It’s a great material for lounging, since it’s so soft and buttery. But make no mistake; the material is also moisture-wicking, stretchy, and lightweight, just like the rest of Vuori’s bestselling shorts and leggings.I love the longer length, especially for running errands or pairing with an oversized tee or sweatshirt for a Princess Diana look. But if you prefer a more standard length short, it also comes in a 4-inch version, too.My one con? I wish Vuori would jump on the no front-seam bandwagon. Everything about this short is perfect, but I find that the front seam sometimes rides up during yoga or Pilates and needs a little adjusting to avoid the dreaded cameltoe. It’s a non-issue when I wear this short out and about for errands or even while lifting at the gym, but when things get super bendy, I need to be mindful.Read More: Vuori ReviewMaterial75% recycled polyamide, 25% elastaneSizesXXS—XXLInseam4 in., 6 in.Colors4Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsBuilt-in brief for added protectionHas a compression waistbandFlowy, not clingyConsNot for those who prefer 2-in-1 style shortsIt's often difficult to find flowy workout shorts that don't show too much skin, but this option from Alo changes everything. It's light and airy with its woven material, but it doesn't have any open side slits, so you don't have to worry about showing too much skin during a yoga pose or run.“The material of the outer short is flowy and super soft—really lovely and very lightweight,” says fitness and reviews editor Natascha Grief. “It has a pocket with a zipper, and the zipper is definitely necessary because otherwise stuff would just fall out of the pocket because the outer short is almost skirt-like.”The high-waisted silhouette is emphasized by the elastic logo waistband, which not only adds a fun design element, but hits at the perfect height on my stomach to offer a nice contouring effect. Grief also loves that the wide waistband doesn't dig in and is comfortable against the skin.My favorite part about this short is that it's never clingy, so it doesn't ride up the thigh or need constant readjusting while you're working out. I’ve owned it for months and recently wore it during a hot mat Pilates class (my newest obsession), and I never felt overexposed or uncomfortable in it. It's roomy, but also holds you in. Plus, the fabric dries super fast, so you're in good hands if you get super sweaty.The short also has a built-in brief liner, which is great for helping to keep too much skin from showing, but Grief says she would have preferred more of a two-in-one or boy-short style liner. She found that seams didn’t feel super smooth and have a tendency to chafe.Material90% polyester, 10% elastaneSizesXXS—LInseam2.5 in.Colors17ProsGreat for running, walking, and HIIT workoutsAlthough it's shorter, it still offers great coverageDoesn't ride upConsCan feel a bit revealing on those who like more coverageTons of WH editors love this short from lululemon, especially for running, but it’s one of the most versatile shorts on this list. I wear mine to the gym for regular strength workouts, to heated workouts, HIIT classes, and for indoor and outdoor runs."I hadn't bought a pair of running shorts in years, but given that I've taken up running as a hobby, I knew I needed some for moving in hot weather," says associate health & fitness editor Addison Aloian. This extremely lightweight short, made from polyester and elastane, stood out to her because it's light and airy and comes in a ton of colors. Plus, there's a little side pocket where you can store your keys while logging miles.Fast forward to today, she has logged hundreds of miles in this short and says it’s her all-time favorite pair for hitting the pavement. But, she also loves its versatility. She says she often wears it with a big sweatshirt for running errands, to a yoga class, or during her weekly strength training sessions. It never chafes or rubs against her legs, even when things start to get sweaty. Plus, she says the four-inch inseam offers excellent coverage so her cheeks are fully covered while she’s out and about. “They never ride up or move around, which is hard to find in a running short,” she says.Stylist Rose Lauture is also a mega fan of this short, but she actually prefers the shorter, 2.5-inch inseam option—it’s the shortest option on this list—for its super airy feel. Despite the shorter inseam, she never feels exposed, but opt for the longer pair if you want to feel more covered. However, both shorts have a built-in panty liner for added coverage.Read More: lululemon ReviewMaterial86% recycled polyester, 14% elastaneSizes0—14Inseam2.5 in., 4 in.Colors8Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.