Best Shorts for Hourglass Shape

Buttery-soft biker short with a high-rise waistband. 5-inch inseam, four-way stretch.

Watch out: Quality inconsistency between product lines. Membership model creates friction. Less premium finish and feel compared to higher price-point brands.

Relaxed-fit training short with elasticated waist and side pockets. Lightweight woven fabric.

Watch out: Less forgiving than Sweaty Betty for pear shapes at the hip. Techfit range runs quite firm — size up if you prefer medium compression.

Lightweight woven running shorts with liner brief. 3-inch inseam, side splits.

Watch out: Waistband rolling for pear shapes who size up for hip room. Hip and thigh pull in woven ranges for anyone with hips above 40". Not recommended for apple shapes in the Adapt range.

Biker-style short with a wide waistband and 5-inch inseam. Available in Original and Curve Fit.

Watch out: Original Fit waistband rolls for pear shapes who size for their hips. Expensive relative to quality compared to Sweaty Betty. US-influenced sizing runs narrow for UK women.

Lightweight training short with inner brief. Four-way stretch recycled fabric, side pockets.

Watch out: Can feel loose and uncontoured on straight or athletic shapes. 7/8 length runs long for petite women — the biker short avoids this entirely.

Lightweight running short with built-in liner brief. Anti-odour HeatGear fabric, 3-inch inseam.

Watch out: Less fashion-forward aesthetic than UK-native brands. Rush range runs quite firm — size up if you prefer moderate compression over maximum.

Lightweight woven shorts with an inner liner. Relaxed fit with a 4" inseam. Freedom of movement for any workout.

Watch out: Waistband rolling for pear shapes who size up for hip room. Hip and thigh pull in woven ranges for anyone with hips above 40". Not recommended for apple shapes in the Adapt range.

Lightweight running shorts with integrated briefs. Breathable mesh panels. Great entry-level option for new runners.

Watch out: Less premium finish and feel. Some ranges feel cheap to touch even when they perform well. Limited aesthetic appeal compared to branded activewear.

Lightweight training shorts with built-in brief. Drawcord waist. Recycled materials.

Watch out: Can feel loose and uncontoured on straight or athletic shapes. 7/8 length runs long for petite women — the biker short avoids this entirely.

High-waisted cycling shorts with sculpting seams. Squat-proof.

Watch out: Structured waistband is uncomfortable for apple shapes during dynamic movement. Very high-rise — not comfortable for all body types mid-session. Strong aesthetic pull on social media can lead to aspirational sizing.

Supportive compression with bum-sculpting seams. High-waisted. Sweat-wicking.

Watch out: 7/8 leggings run long for women under 5'4". Zero Gravity fabric loses compression faster than the Power fabric. Premium price with steep sales cycle.

Built-in compression with woven overlay. Drawcord waist. Side pockets.

Watch out: Waistband rolling for pear shapes who size up for hip room. Hip and thigh pull in woven ranges for anyone with hips above 40". Not recommended for apple shapes in the Adapt range.