Buying guide for best Adidas shorts for women
Putting on a pair of Adidas shorts for women can mean much more than just wearing something comfortable or functional. These shorts can be a fashion statement, too. In the 1990s, Adidas wear, including its shorts, were must-have items on the hip-hop scene, and today the iconic three-stripe Adidas logo is still one of the most dominant designs on sports clothing, second only to a certain swoosh logo.
The array of available Adidas shorts can be frustrating to sort through. It’s no longer enough to choose shorts based only on color or length. Style, performance, and comfort matter just as much. For athletes, picking the right gear is essential, too — details like fabric, cut, and inseam length might mean the difference between a comfortable summer run or chafed skin, between ease of movement and a missed goal.
Read on for our buying guide. We’ll go over the various styles of women’s shorts offered by Adidas, including what makes each type great and what to look for when selecting items.
Key considerations
Style
Adidas shorts trend toward athletics-oriented styles, so you’re unlikely to find cargo shorts or tailored Bermudas. Nevertheless, Adidas designs shorts for so many different sports that a huge variety of options is available at any time.
- Chino: Also known as gym shorts, these are loose and comfortable and allow for freedom of movement while doing any number of activities, from calisthenics to weightlifting to playing basketball. They typically fall at the midthigh or lower.
- Compression: With plenty of Spandex, this form-fitting style of shorts is popular in sports where chafing or scrapes may be common, such as cycling, running, or softball.
- Tennis: These are structured shorts, skorts, or wrap shorts that meet competition rules while providing ease of movement and wicking away sweat.
- Golf: Tailored to meet the stricter attire guidelines of the golf course, the materials used keep these shorts comfortable and dry on hot days and allow for ease of movement while driving, putting or closing out the day at the 19th Hole.
- Running: Staying cool is a challenge for runners, so shorts that allow plenty of airflow are a popular choice. Chafing is another bane, and anti-chafing designs are often at odds with high-airflow designs.
- Two-in-one: The answer to the airflow vs. chafing conundrum, this style combines a compression undershort with a loose, lightweight top short. It’s also a great choice for those who’ve always wanted to rock short-shorts without showing as much bare skin.
Inseam length
Not everyone feels comfortable in short shorts, and knee-length shorts look baggy on some people. This is because we all have slightly different builds and body types. While Adidas shorts are versatile and available in different lengths, you may have to try a few styles to figure out which one offers the look and comfort you want.
So-called short shorts feature an inseam of just 3 to 4 inches, and the hem falls high on the leg near the top of the thigh. Adidas’ gym shorts measure 5 to 7 inches, at the midpoint of the upper leg. Compression shorts generally stretch to just above the knee, as will some sport-specific shorts, about 10 to 11 inches in total.
Material
Adidas blends different fabrics into its shorts designs depending on how they’ll most likely be used. Casual, lounger-type shorts may be knit cotton or synthetic fleece. Compression shorts interweave spandex, rayon, or nylon for a hip-hugging, supportive fit. Mesh liners are a feature in women’s running shorts.
Intended use
Are you buying shorts for hiking, for travel, or with a specific sport in mind? The way you plan to wear Adidas shorts plays an important role in which ones you ultimately select. For example, skorts and wrap shorts stay comfortable and look great even after miles on the trail.
If buying shorts for playing a sport, be sure to check the regulations for the sport you are participating in. Tennis and golf clubs have rules about the length and style of shorts worn (such as no baggy or ragged attire). Soccer, basketball, and volleyball programs have specific guidelines about color and length and even brand so that team uniforms all look, well, uniform.
Comfort and Convenience
Excess sweat, chafing, heat, and freedom of movement can be factors for many athletes, and Adidas consistently updates the fabric and the cut of its shorts to address these concerns. Depending on the sport, athletes need shorts that address other common problems. Soccer shorts need to fit comfortably without being too baggy; running shorts need to stay dry throughout the run so that chafing is kept to a minimum.
With or without underwear? It mostly comes down to personal preference and comfort level, but Adidas designed some of its styles, like compression and running shorts, to be worn without.
STAFF
BestReviews
Features
Pockets and zippers
Tennis players can count on large, easy-to-reach pockets with reinforced seams to hold extra tennis balls. Golf and mountain biking shorts likely have extra pockets and zippers to secure items while in motion. Inspect running or gym shorts closely to find out if they include a hidden pocket for an ID and/or credit card, or if buying online, read all the details in the product description.
Wrinkle resistance
Travelers need shorts that are lightweight yet tough, that pack easily and emerge from the suitcase unwrinkled.
Split or V-notch seams
These are two popular seam styles in Adidas shorts for women. A V-notch is simply an upside-down V shape about an inch high cut into the hem on each side of the shorts. A split seam is more radical: it’s created by overlapping one piece of fabric over the other, creating a wide upside-down V shape on each side of the short. Both features open the shorts around each leg, allowing for more airflow and movement.
Liners
In some shorts, lightweight interior liners can take the place of underwear, potentially adding a bit more comfort and coolness to a run.
Visibility
For outdoor sports, shorts that help you stand out on the field, or to drivers on the road, are a big plus. Some shorts might incorporate reflective strips in their design, or buyers can always opt for bright or neon colors like yellow, light green or pink.
DID YOU KNOW?
Check the label to confirm the blend of fabrics being used in your Adidas shorts. This helps determine how to optimize cleaning and wear of the shorts so they last for years.
STAFF
BestReviews
Accessories
Running socks: Women’s Superlite No-Show Socks
Moisture-wicking socks with built-in arch support makes for comfortable walking or running with no blisters.
Insulated water bottle: Adidas 600ml Insulated Metal Water Bottle
With its ability to keep liquids cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours, this model with the Adidas brand may be the only water bottle you need for a workout, period.
Small bag: Adidas Originals Festival Crossbody Bag
Hikers and travelers need secure storage for small items like an ID and cash, and this option fits the bill.
Waist Pack: Adidas Unisex Core Waist Pack
This hands-free carryall for your phone, ID, and cash will stay in place during long runs.
Adidas shorts for women prices
Inexpensive: Adidas’ stylish sport shorts are very affordable, in the $25 to $36 range, as are its Originals classic running shorts and its basic volleyball compression shorts.
Mid-range: Buyers can grab stylish, breathable shorts, including two-in-ones and tennis shorts, for $37 to $50.
Expensive: Adidas shorts made for a specific purpose generally sell for $51 or more, items like structured golf shorts and knee-length, rugged mountain biking shorts.
Adidas recently rolled out its Originals line of shorts that feature classic, early-2000s styles, harking back to the brand’s popularity with hip-hop and street culture.
STAFF
BestReviews
Tips
- Handle with care. Always review the care and washing instructions on the label of Adidas shorts, as sport fabrics need special attention.
- Regular care. Wash Adidas shorts after each workout, because sweat and odors can set into the synthetic fibers of athletic gear and be increasingly difficult to remove.
- Less fun in the sun. Shorts that have Spandex in them are vulnerable to direct sunlight, which breaks the fabric down more rapidly.
- Size matters. Women’s shorts should fit comfortably without binding or bunching up. If this happens, exchange for a larger size.
FAQ
Q. How do I order shorts that look the same on me as they do on the models?
A. A common problem is ordering a great-looking pair of shorts only to have them be too short or too baggy. If you are hitting the “purchase” button on a fabulous-looking pair of shorts and selecting them for your waist size only, you’re missing a key measurement: the inseam. Take note of where the hem of the shorts fall on the model’s leg — whether it’s exactly between the knee and the top of the thigh, higher up on the thigh, or nearer to the knee.
Taking two inseam measurements is recommended. First, measure the inside of your leg from crotch to ankle. This is your total inseam length and is a good number to know when ordering any clothing. Then, measure just to the point on your leg where you want the hem to fall. Check this measurement against the dimensions of the shorts you are interested in purchasing.
Q. I’ve found very few measurements listed in the descriptions of Adidas shorts for women. How do I know I’m getting the right size?
A. Adidas shorts sizes are accurate to typical ready-to-wear waist sizes across the industry. It’s always good to review their size chart (available on the Adidas website) to make sure you’re choosing shorts that will not be too loose or too tight at the waist. If the inseam length isn’t listed on the product description, keep in mind that Adidas shorts fall at typical lengths: between 3 and 4 inches for short shorts, 5 to 7 inches for mid-thigh, and 10 to 11 inches for longer shorts ending a couple of inches above the knee.
Q. Can I wear non-running Adidas shorts to go running, or do I have to stick to purpose-built women’s shorts?
A. You can wear whatever you like to go running; the important thing is to get out there and be comfortable while running. Adidas shorts for running are designed to provide optimal comfort and solve some common problems like chafing. But most Adidas shorts now have a level of moisture-wicking, so if you have a favorite pair of Adidas shorts that you prefer to work out in, try them out on a short run to see if they’re just as comfortable.
Q. Is it safe to wear Adidas shorts without underwear? That just sounds weird.
A. That depends on the shorts style. Most gym shorts perform just fine with underwear. But compression shorts in particular work best when no underwear is worn. They quickly remove sweat and act as a skintight liner that guards against chafing inside the thighs, or against scrapes when sliding during a softball or volleyball game.
