Best Lightweight Athletic Shorts for Women of 2026
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These lightweight athletic shorts are a must-have for active women. Designed with comfort and style in mind, they are perfect for workouts, running, or simply lounging around. Made from a breathable fabric that wicks away moisture, these shorts keep you cool and dry even during intense exercise. With a comfortable elastic waistband and a variety of trendy colors and patterns to choose from, these athletic shorts are both functional and fashionable. Whether you're hitting the gym or going for a jog, these lightweight shorts are the ideal choice for any active woman.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Lightweight Athletic Shorts for Women
Ksmien Women's 5" Quick Dry Athletic Shorts
The Ksmien Quick Dry Shorts are designed to keep you comfortable during any workout. Made from a smooth blend of polyester and elastane, these shorts are lightweight and breathable, helping you stay cool and dry. They feature two zipper pockets, perfect for securely storing your phone or small items while you exercise. The wide elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring ensures a snug yet flexible fit, adapting to your body shape for maximum comfort. Plus, the split-leg design offers great thigh coverage and improved movement, so you can stay active without distractions.
Under Armour Play Up 3.0 Shorts
The Under Armour Play Up Shorts are designed for ultimate comfort and breathability. The soft, lightweight fabric ensures you stay comfortable during your workouts or leisure time. With moisture-wicking properties, these shorts quickly draw sweat away from your skin, helping you stay dry and cool. Their quick-drying feature means you can transition from gym to errands without feeling damp. Plus, the anti-pill and anti-pick finish enhances durability, so you can enjoy these shorts for a long time without worrying about wear and tear. The updated elastic waistband adds a stylish touch, making them perfect for any active occasion.
MAGCOMSEN Women's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts
The MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts are designed to keep you comfortable during outdoor activities. Their lightweight fabric dries quickly, so you stay cool and fresh even during intense hikes or hot days. With UPF 50+ protection, these shorts shield your skin from harmful sun rays, helping prevent sunburn. The water-resistant material also repels light moisture, so you won’t feel damp or uncomfortable. Plus, the elastic waistband with an inner drawstring ensures a snug, flexible fit that moves with your body, giving you freedom and comfort on the trail or during casual wear.
ZUTY 3 Pack 5" Women's Athletic Shorts
The ZUTY Women's Athletic Shorts are made from a lightweight polyester and spandex blend that keeps you cool and dry, making them perfect for hot weather workouts. Their quick-dry fabric lets you wash and dry them overnight, ideal for travel and busy days without needing ironing. The 5-inch inseam provides just the right amount of coverage to prevent chafing while allowing full movement, so you can stay comfortable during activities like squats or running after kids. Plus, the elastic waistband with a drawstring ensures a snug fit that adjusts to your body, offering comfort and preventing slipping no matter your shape.
Blooming Jelly Womens Quick-Dry Running Shorts
Blooming Jelly Running Shorts are the perfect choice for active women. With an elastic waistband, these shorts provide a comfortable and stretchy fit. The spandex-ish underwear liner ensures that the shorts stay in place, eliminating any discomfort. The side zipper pocket is convenient for carrying your card or key while on the go. The high waisted band and side slit add a stylish touch to these shorts. Made from a lightweight and breathable fabric, these shorts are suitable for a variety of activities, including running, cycling, and gym workouts. The soft and cool fabric ensures maximum comfort, even during intense workouts. With the Blooming Jelly Running Shorts, you can stay active and stylish at the same time.
Tough Mode Women's Running Shorts with Mesh Liner and Zip Pocket
Tough Mode Women's Running Shorts are ultra-lightweight and made of wicking polyester/spandex fabric. The shorts have a mesh lining to keep you safe and stylish side-bottom scallops, making them perfect for intense workout sessions such as running, gym workout, cardio, and WOD. The hem design is unique, and the zipper pocket on the waistband is convenient for keeping cell phones. The product is available in various sizes and is manufactured with high-quality materials at an affordable price.
5 Pack: Women's Workout Gym Shorts Casual Lounge Set
This bundle set includes five women's athletic shorts made of moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you cool and dry during any sport. With deep mesh pockets and zippers, your phone and other small essentials are securely stored. The loose fit and elastic waistband with internal drawstring provide a custom fit. Ideal for yoga, basketball, fitness, soccer, exercise, jogging, walking, sleep, and lounging, these cute, soft, and comfy activewear shorts are a perfect addition to your workout apparel collection.
MAGCOMSEN Women's Lightweight Running Shorts
The MAGCOMSEN Quick Dry Shorts are designed to keep you comfortable during any outdoor activity. Made from lightweight, breathable fabric, they quickly wick away sweat to help you stay cool and dry all day. The shorts offer UPF 50+ protection, shielding your skin from harmful UV rays, which is perfect for sunny days. They also resist light rain and stains, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected weather or dirt. With a stretchy waistband and adjustable drawstring, these shorts provide a snug yet comfortable fit tailored to your waist. Overall, these shorts combine practicality and comfort to support your active lifestyle.
Yevrimow Women's 2-in-1 High-Waisted Running Shorts
The Yevrimow Running Shorts offer a smart double-layer design that gives you both support and freedom. The inner layer hugs your body to keep you secure during movement, while the outer layer's side slits allow for better airflow and flexibility. Made from lightweight, breathable fabric, these shorts quickly wick away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable no matter how intense your workout gets. Plus, the elastic waistband with a drawstring ensures a snug fit, making these shorts perfect for running, yoga, gym sessions, or even daily wear. With these shorts, you can move freely and stay cool throughout your activities.
NIASHOT Women's Dolphin Quick Dry Shorts
The NIASHOT Quick Dry Shorts are designed to keep you comfortable during any workout or outdoor activity. Made from ultra-soft, lightweight fabric, these shorts dry quickly and move quietly with you, giving you a second-skin feel that helps you stay focused. The knit waistband offers gentle tummy control and stays in place without rolling, so you can move freely without distractions. Inside, a stretchy lining adds flexibility, making it easier to move during running, hiking, or gym sessions. Plus, the breathable inner liner helps reduce friction, keeping your skin comfortable even during intense activities.
During our lightweight athletic shorts for women research, we found 48 lightweight athletic shorts for women products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 363,001 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight athletic shorts for women list. We found that most customers choose lightweight athletic shorts for women with an average price of $20.42.
The lightweight athletic shorts for women are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight athletic shorts for women, including Ksmien, Under Armour, MAGCOMSEN, ZUTY, Blooming Jelly. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 108 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Mary Hopper is an Italian fashion designer with 10 years of extensive working experience in the fashion industry. She can design clothing and fashion accessories, such as handbags, backpacks, shoes, and jewelry. She is also a professionally trained content writer specializing in managing various fashion and beauty blogs.