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Honestly? No one wants to feel their underwear creeping up their butt or feel sweat dripping in uncomfortable places while they’re exercising. If either of those situations has happened to you recently, a new pair of the best workout underwear for women can help. Now, we know that may be easier said than done; the undies that claim to be sporty and sweat-wicking don’t always live up to their claim. And with so many styles to choose from—bikini, brief, thong, high-cut—finding the perfect pair can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
Experts in This Article
Master Educator at Stages Indoor Cycling and a NASM Scientific Advisory Board Member
a USAT Level 1 certified triathlon coach and AFAA certified personal trainer
It all comes down to finding undies that will keep you cool, dry, and comfortable while you’re in the midst of an intense sweat sesh.“Since moisture is at the root of the issue, we want a fabric that will wick it away,” says Kristen Hislop, the owner of Hislop Coaching.
Easy as that, right? Right. To help you narrow down your choices, we got the insights of fitness enthusiasts and trainers like Hislop to share advice on the best underwear to wear while working out. The picks below include options that won’t bunch, roll, ride up, or pool with sweat. Let’s get to it!
Best workout underwear for women, at a glance:
Best thong:Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Thong 3-Pack, $48Best bikini:Hanes Comfort Flex Fit Seamless Bikini 6-Pack, $17Best for yoga:Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible Thong, $18Best leakproof:Saalt Leakproof Comfort Bikini, $36Most lightweight:Spanx Spanxsmooth Undie-tectable Brief, $24Best budget:Voenxe Seamless Thong 5-Pack, $13Best hipster:Bombas No Show Hipster, $20Most size-inclusive:ThirdLove ComfortStretch Bikini 3-Pack, $39Best for cold weather:Smartwool Intraknit Hipster, $40
What to look for in workout underwear
In addition to choosing the right fabric, the best workout underwear comes down to a few specific design features.
- Cut: The undie cut you choose can be as much of a personal preference as the choice to wear them at all. Maybe you like thongs, maybe you like briefs, and either way, that’s okay. Hislop notes that briefs have more tummy coverage, and hipsters are great under leggings if you’re not a thong fan. “If you tend to have thigh chafing, then you might like a boyshort with a bit of length in the leg,” she says.
- Size: Be sure your workout underwear fits well. “For comfort and performance, workout underwear should fit snug, but not so tight they constrict movement or create visible lines on the skin,” Booth advises. She also recommends avoiding underwear that’s too big, since that can create bunching and chafing.
- Climate: Both Hislop and Booth point to this as a consideration when choosing workout underwear. “Ask any runner who’s been out for a cold run and has a frozen butt when they return,” Hislop says. “Merino wool and bamboo underwear can be great for cold climates—they have fantastic wicking properties, but will also keep you warm.”
Conversely, the type of workout underwear you choose is important for warmer weather, too. “If the weather is hot and humid, less fabric like a thong may be preferable,” Booth says.
Shop 9 pairs of the best workout underwear for women
Best thong: Lululemon UnderEase Mid-Rise Thong 3-Pack — $48.00
Colors: 7 | Sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 88% modal, 12% lycra elastane
“Lululemon is a personal favorite for all things workout wear,” Booth says. “Its quality, durability, and style are hard to beat.” Such is the case with these thongs, which are designed in a silky soft, stretchy modal that’s both quick-drying and sweat-wicking. They’re great for a variety of activities, from yoga and pilates to weightlifting and running. Each three-pack comes with a variety of fun colors, and the mid-rise waist won’t dig in while you bend and squat.
Hislop is a fan of multiple Lululemon underwear styles, too, including the high-rise bikini, mid-rise bikini, and high-rise shorties. “They have seams but are stitched so you can’t feel them,” she says of the high-rise bikini specifically.
Pros:
- Multiple color options to choose from
- Seamless fabric that moves with you
- Good for a variety of workouts
- Soft, moisture-wicking fabric
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Best bikini: Hanes Comfort Flex Fit Seamless Bikini 6-Pack — $17.00
Colors: 6 | Sizes: S–XXL | Material: 91% nylon, 7% spandex, 2% polyester
I own these bikinis and wear them religiously. I’ve found that they’re super soft, silky, and comfortable for long walks and hikes, and the mid-rise waistband is perfect even on my shorter torso. I’ve walked 10 miles a day around Ireland and Scotland, gotten over 20,000 steps in a day at Disneyland, and hiked Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles, and they’ve stayed in place without chafing or causing discomfort. Plus, they’re seamless, so they disappear under everything from workout leggings to silk dresses. Can you tell I’m obsessed?
Pros:
- Super soft, silky fabric
- Seamless
- Mid-rise waist
- Affordable
Cons:
- Only one pack option
Best for yoga: Alo Yoga Airbrush Invisible Thong — $18.00
Colors: 7 | Sizes: XXS–XL | Material: 87% nylon, 13% elastane
It may be fairly on the nose to say Alo Yoga’s underwear is great for yoga—but, really, that’s exactly the way it should be. While the idea of wearing a thong to work out may seem uncomfortable, that’s not the case with this one, which is designed in seamless, second-skin fabric that moves with you through every downward dog. Plus, it’s odor-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about smelling less than fresh at the end of your workout sesh.
Pros:
- Good for medium-intensity training, yoga, runs, hikes, and walks, per the brand
- Seamless and disappears under leggings
- Second-skin, stretchy fabric
- Good array of neutral hues
Cons:
- Not as size inclusive
Best leakproof: Saalt Leakproof Comfort Bikini — $36.00
Colors: 7 | Sizes: XXS–4X | Material: Body: 95% Tencel modal, 5% elastane; Lining: 92% recycled polyester, 8% elastane
Let’s face it—on period days, working out already feels worse. Combine that with the idea of sweat, odor, and possible leakage, and OMG, no thank you. Enter this bikini, which is designed in soft, stretchy tencel modal that moves with you and keeps you cool and dry. The dryness is key, and made even better with the brand’s absorbent gusset technology, which is designed to replace two pads or three tampons and keep the leaks from, well, not leaking. While it’s a bit pricey, it is designed to be reused, which means it’s a good investment over time. You can even choose from two absorbency levels, in a variety of colors and sizes.
Pros:
- Gusset is designed to catch leaks
- Very size inclusive
- Super soft and lightweight
Cons:
- Not all colors available in all sizes
- Gusset can feel a bit uncomfortable
- Washing process is a bit complicated
Best high-waisted: Spanx Spanxsmooth Undie-tectable Brief — $24.00
Colors: 16 | Sizes: S–XL | Material: Body: 77% nylon, 23% elastane; Gusset: 100% cotton
Truth be told, I’ve always been a bit wary of wearing Spanx—I know they’re supposed to hold everything in, but it just seems a little too constrictive for me. Not so with these briefs, which feel like a soft, comforting hug in the absolute best way. The waistband is compressive, but not overly so, so it holds you in without making you feel like you’re about to pop. They’re designed in smoothing, seamless stretch nylon, which simultaneously disappears under clothes and feel like you’re wearing nothing at all. (Hence the name Undie-tectable.) There are almost 20 colors to choose from, and the fabric is breathable and quick-drying, too. What a win-win.
Pros:
- Super soft and lightweight
- Seamless
- Quick-drying
- So many colors to choose from
Cons:
- Not super size inclusive
Best budget: Voenxe Seamless Thong 5-Pack — $13.00
Colors: 10 | Sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 90% Polyamide, 10% Elastane
At under $3 a pair, these seamless thongs certainly won’t hit your wallet too hard—which makes them an ideal option when you’re hitting the gym. They come in a variety of colors and prints, and they’re designed in a nylon mesh that wicks away moisture and keeps you cool. They’re the best-selling thong style on Amazon, too, and have racked up an impressive 52,000-plus five-star ratings from shoppers who rave about their comfort and breathability. For a thong, that’s impressive, indeed.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Multiple color and print options
- Seamless
Cons:
- Cotton lining may not be as moisture-wicking
Best hipster: Bombas No Show Hipster — $20.00
Colors: 6 | Sizes: XS–2X | Material: Body: 66% nylon, 34% elastane; Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
This workout underwear style is a favorite of Hislop’s, who likes the fabric and color options. “They blend nylon with modal and a bit of spandex for a snug and comfy fit,” she says. “The colors are fun, and they donate a pair for every pair bought.” They’re designed with the brand’s SensElast Technology to keep them in place while you bend, twist, and run—and they’re also seamless, so they won’t show under your clothes. Bring on the long runs!
Pros:
- No panty lines
- Stays in place
- Brand donates a pair for every pair bought
- Breathable and quick-drying
Cons:
- Not all colors available in all sizes
- A bit pricey
Most size-inclusive: ThirdLove ComfortStretch Bikini 3-Pack — $39.00
Colors: 5 | Sizes: XS–3X | Material: 75% nylon, 25% spandex
Soft, comfy, stays in place—what more could you want from your underwear while you’re working out, right? The fabric is designed with four-way stretch to move with you through a variety of bends and lunges, but somehow it simultaneously doesn’t stretch out after wearing. They’re also extremely size-inclusive, with sizing ranging from XS up to 3X. Talk about an undie miracle.
Pros:
- Large range of sizes
- Very soft and comfortable
- Four-way stretch fabric that doesn’t stretch out
- Full coverage
Cons:
- Not as many colors to choose from
Best for cold weather: Smartwool Intraknit Hipster — $40.00
Colors: 4 | Sizes: XS-XL | Material: 38% merino wool, 38% lyocell, 16% nylon, 8% elastane
Who wants to freeze their butt off—literally—while they run? (Immediately puts down hand.) For that reason, Smartwool is a favorite of both Hislop and Booth, who both love their variety of products in soft merino wool. “Smartwool makes high-quality products, and has terrific options that come in a variety of cuts and styles,” Booth says of the brand. Meanwhile, Hislop points to the brand’s merino wool fabric, which is naturally antibacterial—a plus for those who sweat,” she says. She especially likes these hipsters, which are “a great option with good butt coverage for cold winter days.” They could have more color options and be more size-inclusive, but if you’re able to buy these, they’ll be a good option for your winter runs.
Pros:
- Warm merino wool is good for colder days
- Temperature regulating
- Odor resistant
- Full coverage
Cons:
- Pricey
FAQs
Is it important to wear underwear while working out?
Some people may want to wear undies, other people may not—and, really, that’s okay. “The answer is a solid, it depends—insert underwear joke!”, says Emily Booth, a fitness educator and instructor, and NASM Scientific Advisory Board Member. “It depends on the type of workout, the length of the workout, and most importantly, personal preference.”
Booth notes that in some cases, your workout shorts may already have a liner or chamois pad, which makes wearing underwear redundant and unnecessary. “However, whether for comfort, hygiene, or an extra layer of protection, many exercisers prefer to wear underwear while working out,” she says. “It really is a very personal choice.”
What types of fabrics are best for working out?
Some fabrics rise to the top of the workout underwear heap, while others should stay firmly in your underwear drawer. “When working out, it’s important that the fabric has some stretch, but is also breathable enough to prevent moisture and bacteria from getting trapped,” says Booth. The best fabrics to look for while working up a sweat are:
- Bamboo
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Spandex
- Merino wool
Whatever you do, be sure to look for undies that wick moisture away from the body during your workout. “Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast,” Hislop says.
Are there fabrics to avoid while exercising?
In a word? Yes. Booth and Hislop both are firmly in the *no cotton at any costs* camp. “Cotton absorbs moisture,” Hislop says. “When cotton gets wet, it absorbs water and holds that against the skin.” She notes that this can be a problem for a few reasons—chafing, friction, and yeast infections among them. So, while cotton may be comfy for regular days, leave it at home during your next workout.
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