Whether you’re taking part in a calm and relaxed stretching session at home or a high-paced, high-intensity hot yoga class at your local studio, a pair of high-quality, comfortable yoga shorts is a must.
Yoga shorts are a piece of fitness attire every yoga enthusiast should own. Heck, you should own two or three different pairs if you practice yoga daily.
They keep you cool on hot days, give you more flexibility with your stretches, let you see progress quicker, and of course, make you look the part.
However, as a result of an oversaturated market, finding the best pair of shorts can be tough, especially if you consider all the different factors you need to think about.
The last thing you want is an uncomfortable pair of shorts.
Luckily for you, we’ve got the solution.
In this article, you’ll find 5 of the best yoga shorts on the market. We’ll show you what each pair has to offer you.
Let’s get started!
OUR TOP PICK
Women’s yoga shorts come in a wide range of styles and sizes, all of which suit different individuals.
However, at the moment, current fashion trends lean more towards high-waisted shorts.
That’s one of the reasons this stylish pair of yoga shorts from Baleaf are so popular.
Available in a wide range of lengths, patterns, and colors, these shorts are attractive, comfortable, flexible, and durable.
One of the best things about the shorts is their versatility.
The shorts can be worn in the yoga studio, at the gym, around town, or on a bike ride.
This makes them a solid choice for people who do a lot more than attend yoga classes.
Made from a flexible, reliable, and durable polyester and spandex design, the wide waistband on the shorts ensures they fit everyone perfectly.
You’ll find that you have more than enough freedom to perform your stretches.
For more freedom of movement, the Baleaf shorts even have a gusseted crotch.
One neat feature we appreciated was the addition of a phone pocket that keeps your phone in place as you move.
Pros
- Variety of sizes - These shorts are available in a range of sizes.
- Variety of styles - Easily find a pattern and color that suits you.
- Comfortable - The Baleaf shorts are comfortable, flexible, and soft.
Cons
- Some patterns and colors become sheer - When you squat, some patterns and colors become sheer.
EDITORS CHOICE
The next pair of yoga shorts on our list is a great pair of men’s shorts.
If you’re a man looking for a high-quality, more premium pair of yoga shorts for your yoga classes, the Yoga Crow men’s yoga shorts are for you.
Accommodating everyone from Buddhist monks to Crossfit gurus these shorts are comfortable, breathable, flexible, and very well-made.
The shorts are available in a wide range of sizes and come in 6 different color options.
Thanks to the 4-way-stretch blend of polyester and nylon, you’ll be able to comfortably wear this pair of shorts over prolonged periods of time.
In fact, you could quite easily wear them all day.
Offering great flexibility and breathability, one of our favorite features of the Yoga Crow yoga shorts is the moisture-wicking properties they come with.
The sweat you develop during an intense class will be kept under control, guaranteeing a comfortable experience in every class.
The interior lining of the shorts is also appreciated as this protects the wearer's thighs from rubbing.
Like the Baleaf yoga shorts, the Yoga Crow shorts also come with a convenient pocket.
Pros
- Interior lining included - This massively helps reduce thigh abrasion.
- Moisture resistant - The moisture-wicking properties of the shorts reduce sweat levels.
- Breathable - Stay nice and cool while you work out.
Cons
- Pricey - These shorts are quite expensive.
Also available at: Yogacrow.com
BEST VALUE
Ladies looking for a universal pair of yoga shorts that can be used for a wide range of sports, not just yoga, should look no further than the Ododos women’s athletic shorts.
Perfect for running, cycling, hiking, and of course yoga, one of the best things about these shorts is that they don’t ride up.
This gives you more time to focus on your poses. Your comfort levels are also increased ten-fold.
Available in 4 inseam sizes and more than 20 different colors, you’re virtually guaranteed to find a size and style of shorts that suits you.
This will make you feel much more secure and help you look your best in every class.
The 4-way stretch fabric used to make the Ododos women’s athletic shorts consists of spandex and polyester. This lets the shorts move with you as you change positions.
This fabric also wicks away any sweat that comes your way, keeping you cool and dry throughout your session.
When we tested the Ododos women’s athletic shorts, we found that the waistband facilitates good stretches.
If high-waisted isn’t your style, you’ll be happy to hear that mid-rise options are also sold.
Pros
- Variety of styles available - Choose from mid-waist and high-waist shorts.
- Flexible - The Ododos shorts will support your stretches.
- Chafing prevented - The shorts' flatlock helps prevent chafing.
Cons
- See-through - Reviews have stated that some lighter color options are slightly see-through.
RUNNER UP
Men looking for the best overall pair of yoga shorts should look no further than the Lululemon pace breaker shorts.
Admittedly, these shorts are very expensive, however, you definitely get what you pay for.
Extremely high-quality, super comfortable, impressively lightweight, and stretchy, these shorts are perfect for any type of yoga session.
It doesn’t matter if you're stretching by the bed at home or taking part in a sweaty hot yoga class, the Lululemon pace breaker shorts will guarantee your comfort and support at all times.
When we gave these shorts a try, we were impressed not only with the overall design, quality, and style of the shorts but also with how well they suit high-intensity sessions.
Allowing flexible movement and breathability, you can perform all your stretches comfortably, while the shorts deal with your sweat.
The soft material used to make the shorts doesn’t compromise their ability to wick moisture either.
We found that the lining of the shorts also reduced odors.
These shorts are linerless, but they still offer plenty of support. For extra support, the gentle drawstring can help keep your shorts in place.
Above all else, the Lululemon shorts are super stylish.
Pros
- Lightweight feel - The pace breaker shorts feel great.
- Stylish - Available in a variety of colors and styles, these shorts look fantastic.
- Moisture-wicking - You’ll be kept cool and dry as you work out.
Cons
- Expensive - These shorts are very expensive.
Also available at: Shop.lululemon.com
RUNNER UP
The final pair of yoga shorts on our list is another excellent pair of shorts for women. This time we have one of the best budget-friendly options.
Despite being a more simple, budget-friendly pair of yoga shorts, the Homma compression shorts have a lot to offer.
Giving the wearer incredible comfort, the shorts are stylish, well-made, soft, flexible, and attractive.
On top of that, they don’t just have to be used for yoga.
These Homma shorts can also be used to go running or jogging, and even on small hikes.
In regards to design, we were pleased with what we saw from these affordable shorts.
Featuring an excellent 4-way-stretch design, consisting of polyester, spandex, and nylon, the Homma compression shorts offer the best of both worlds.
They offer sweat resistance and compression.
In terms of sizing, the medium-rise waistband, which happens to be nice and thick, perfectly sits on everyone no matter what their physical proportions are.
This again adds to the comfort of the shorts and ensures a good fit.
As if that wasn’t enough, Homma has even used a unique dyeing technique to make the shorts much softer.
Trust us, you’ll really appreciate this.
Pros
- Great compression - The Homma women’s seamless compression shorts offer great thigh and tummy compression.
- Amazing ventilation - The targeted ventilation provides high levels of breathability.
- Freedom of movement - The shorts’ seamless waistband offers excellent moveability.
Cons
- Sometimes ride up - These shorts can ride up a little during intense exercise, predominantly running.
Buyer’s Guide
Picking the best pair of yoga shorts isn’t as simple as finding the most affordable pair of shorts on the market and making a purchase.
Instead, you need to take a number of key factors into consideration.
If you don’t do this, you could quite easily choose a pair of shorts that are way too uncomfortable and unsuitable.
To help you pick the best shorts, we’ve put together this helpful buyer’s guide.
In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find all the important things that you need to think about before making a final decision.
By taking each point we make into consideration, you will be able to make a better decision and one you don’t later regret.
Materials
Arguably the most important factor you have to take into account when looking for the best yoga shorts is the materials used to make them.
Generally speaking, the best yoga shorts on the market are made from polyester, spandex, and nylon.
Therefore, we always recommend looking for a pair of shorts made from at least one of these materials.
If you can get a pair made from all three, even better.
Unlike other materials, polyester, spandex, and nylon guarantee comfort.
Polyester is lightweight, durable, breathable, and moisture-wicking. Spandex is stretchy, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant.
Finally, nylon is super strong and elastic.
Together, the three materials make soft, comfortable, durable, reliable, and breathable yoga shorts that are designed to last a lifetime.
Fit
After materials, one of the most important things to think about when purchasing a pair of yoga shorts is the fit.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how good a pair of yoga shorts is if they don’t fit you.
With that in mind, you have to take your time to choose the right pair of shorts. Aside from working out whether or not a pair of shorts will fit, you also need to consider the type of fit you want.
Do you want your yoga attire to be loose and baggy, or snug and comfortable? Traditionally, yoga attire should be loose. However, a lot of women’s yoga shorts are designed to be snug.
There is no right or wrong answer, but you need to find the fit that suits you best.
Compression
When it comes to yoga shorts, compression isn’t a must. However, it can be a nice bonus so make sure you take it into consideration.
Especially useful during intense yoga classes, compression can help to alleviate muscle pain. It can also reduce the effects of fatigue.
If you want a pair of yoga shorts that have compression, you need to keep an eye out for the tell tale signs.
Yoga shorts that feature compression are usually denser in size. The product description and reviews should also tell you.
If you decide to go with a pair of compression shorts, don’t worry about the loss of any stretchiness because none is lost.
Durability
The next factor in this buyer’s guide is a bit of a no-brainer.
If you want a pair of yoga shorts to last for many years to come, you have to ensure they offer high levels of durability.
To avoid buying a pair of shorts that isn’t up to standard, you should steer clear of shorts made from inappropriate materials.
Instead, look for shorts made from polyester, nylon, and spandex. On top of that, you should always read product reviews.
While the product description will provide you with information about the durability of the product, user reviews will give you honest thoughts and feelings.
After all, a business isn’t going to say their shorts are poor quality, even if they are.
We also advise you to look for a pair of shorts that can be washed in a washing machine. Shorts that can’t be easily washed won’t last as long as a pair that can.
Pockets
Having pockets in your yoga shorts isn’t a necessity, but it is one you might appreciate.
If you plan on wearing your yoga shorts out and about or to and from the car on your way to your class, pockets can be a super convenient feature.
Pockets make it much easier for you to store your phone away when on the move.
If the shorts don’t have any pockets, you might not be able to take your phone or keys with you. This could then create a storage problem.
While this may sound a little bit dramatic, simply having a pair of shorts with pockets will make things much easier.
Budget
Finally, before you do anything else, you should think about the budget you have to spend on a pair of shorts.
This might not seem necessary, but you might be surprised to hear that yoga shorts can cost anything from $10 to $100.
As a result, you can save time and money by first working out how much you have to spend.
Once you know, you can avoid any overpriced shorts and head straight to the shorts you can afford.
Your other half won’t be left angry when you spend too much either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cotton Yoga Shorts A Good Choice?
Cotton is one of, if not the most popular fabrics in the world. However, when it comes to yoga shorts, it's not generally a sought-after material.
This is in most parts down to its lack of chafing properties and a lack of moisture resistance.
Wearing cotton for too long can also lead to discomfort.
Can I Use Bike Shorts At My Yoga Class?
Yes, you definitely can use your bike shorts during your yoga class. In fact, bike shorts are up there with the best garments you can wear.
They offer plenty of coverage, breathability, comfort, and usually have moisture-wicking properties.
Should I Wear Yoga Pants Or Yoga Shorts?
There really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to picking between yoga pants and shorts.
As long as you have freedom of movement and feel comfortable, you can wear whichever yoga pants or shorts you want.
Personally, we like to go with shorts as they keep you cooler during a hot, intense session.
Final Thoughts
Without a high-quality pair of yoga shorts, yoga enthusiasts can’t expect to stay comfortable during their yoga sessions.
A high-quality pair of yoga shorts will wick away moisture, offer unparalleled comfort, feel soft, look great, and most importantly, allow the user to move freely without feeling any discomfort or interference.
While it can be quite hard to find a suitable pair of yoga shorts if you don’t know what you’re looking for, when you know what to look for, things quickly become a lot easier.
In this article, we’ve reviewed five of the best pairs of yoga shorts on the market.
We’ve even given you a helpful buyer’s guide to help you pick the shorts that suit your needs and requirements best.
Now you have all this information at your disposal, you should start to narrow your options down.
By using our buyer’s guide, you should be able to identify the yoga shorts that suit your needs and requirements best.
The positive effect yoga had on me was indescribable. Every aspect of my life improved, from social to mental, physical to emotional.
I want my website to help more people get into the world of yoga and teach them how to be present for themselves - even if that’s just for a few minutes a day.
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