The Best Women’s Compression Shorts on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

“These are great, and in line with what you’d expect from Nike. Good compression, but no muffin top around the hip or thigh openings. (They’re consistently tight throughout, so just make sure you buy the right size.) I bought these for workout purposes, but I also wore these under short dresses, and they worked perfectly. Comfortable waistband, breathable fabric, minimal ride-up. Will likely buy these in multiple colors.”

“I love these. They are a perfect length, extremely comfortable, slimming, and great for any type of exercise. So far, I have worn these for running, biking, and lifting — so they are very versatile … They come up just below my belly button and don’t give a muffin top at all. I have bought two pairs so far, and will definitely purchase again. Highly recommend!”

“I can never find shorts that fit right, especially gym shorts. I’m a girl who likes to show off her hard work and these shorts are the perfect pair for that. They don’t rise. They are tight around your hamstrings. They are the perfect CrossFit shorts. Ran a 5K and never pulled them down. Did a WOD [workout of the day], and they never rose. I’m ordering another pair now.”

“I absolutely love these shorts! They are very comfortable, and stay in place when running, lifting, and kickboxing. The pockets comfortably hold my phone, iPod, or keys when I’m running; I don’t even notice them. I’m a medium-large, and the mediums fit perfectly. I can’t say enough good things about these shorts. I bought a black pair last summer and just got another pair in navy blue. I like the longer inseams; they prevent thigh rubbing and don’t ride up.”

“These are great shorts. I’m a plus-sized woman who does triathlons. I needed a short that could take me through a swim, bike, and run, and these do the trick. They do not have padding like a traditional bike short, so if you are going to be riding for an extended time you might want to take that into consideration. I am only doing sprint triathlons, so never riding more than 20 to 25 miles at a time, so it isn’t a huge deal for me. The shorts don’t ride up and protect well against chafing. I wear a size-24 pant and ordered the 3X, and they fit perfectly. These shorts are comfortable enough to wear under clothes as well. Highly recommend.”

“I’ve been playing volleyball for about 25 years, and these are by far the most comfortable spandex I’ve ever owned. The flat seam construction is great; no rubbing in undesirable places. Plus, they were smart with seam location (not down the middle front like most other spandex shorts). These shorts also have a light liner at the crotch region. Inseam length is perfect. The leg openings are a stitch too loose, but I’ve not had issues with them riding up. … Comfortable, quality product! I want a pair in every color.”

“This brand is a savior in a world of deceitful women’s fitness clothes! So many manufacturers sell pants and shorts that really ought to be sold as thick pantyhose, as they go sheer when you bend over. These absolutely are a proper material for shorts. They are made well and have a triangle patch in the crotch as to avoid camel toe … One note about size: It fits perfectly, but lightly on the smaller side. I am thinning down right now so they work, but if I am on the heavier side of my frame, I might want a medium.”

“These are really comfortable volleyball shorts. They’re nice and tight … They are also the right length. Some spandex shorts are really short as to show your butt after playing for a while, but these don’t. When pulled straight, they’re a couple inches long, but they also curl up after playing a little and moving around. I don’t mind that though; I like it when it curls up. Plus, all spandex volleyball shorts I’ve tried curl up anyway. It’s long enough that it doesn’t show your butt even when it curls up, and it’s short enough to make you look like a volleyball player rather than a cyclist or something.”

“Love these shorts. So comfortable and they look really great. I think they have just the right amount of padding to keep my seat cushioned but not get in the way. I also like that the padding is ventilated and not made of the kind of material that makes me sweat too much or doesn’t wick away moisture. The shorts in general are very breathable and they come down to just the right length. The trim keeps them from riding up while pedaling but at the same time doesn’t feel too snug. These are the perfect addition to my cycling wardrobe.”

“I freaking love Canari. This was my second pair of riding shorts from them and I think they’re even better than the first … The material the short is made of is so soft, and the gentle elastic around the thighs keeps the shorts in place to avoid rubbing. I rode 60 miles in these, and I would buy ten more if I could afford it. The sizing is right on, and the gel pad is just amazing on long rides (much better than foam in my opinion). Get these!”

“I love these shorts. I now own three pairs. They have held up over hundreds of miles, and are super comfortable … They are long, hitting me about two inches above my knee. They do a great job of preventing chub rub and cover my butt well. When I lean over my bike there is no gap between my shorts and my jersey. The pad is great in these shorts. I love that it is women-specific. My oldest pair is three years old and still trucking along really well. I throw these shorts in the washing machine on cold then always air-dry them. They have held up superbly well. For a plus-size cyclist, these are a great option!”