Best Workout Underwear for Women

The Best Workout Underwear for Women

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If you’ve ever worn the wrong underwear to your spin class… you know suffering.

As a workout girlie, you know that pilates or weight lifting are not the time to break out your favorite lacy pair. Maybe you go commando (not here to judge!), but there are other options too. Believe it or not, the right pair of underwear can make all the difference when it comes to your comfort during your workouts.

That’s why I searched high and low to bring you the best workout underwear for women. Read on to find your new favorite pair.

At a Glance

How I Picked the Best Workout Underwear for Women

  • Price: Of course, I had to consider every budget for these. These picks are the right price for the quality that you’re getting, and none of them are going to break the bank.
  • Comfort: Arguably the most important aspect, all of the underwear on this list had to be comfortable enough to wear through extensive movement. No riding up, pinching in weird places, or ripping.
  • Material/Quality: Your workout underwear is going to go through a lot! Sweat, stretch, hot laundering, etc. While it is recommended to toss your underwear every 6 months to a year, your workout underwear will need to be more resilient than your regular wear ones.
  • Activity Type and Level: From HIIT workouts to pilates to yoga to running, I wanted workout underwear that could handle whatever exercise you throw its way.
  • Coverage: Everyone has different preferences when it comes to coverage, and that’s especially true of workout underwear. Whether you don’t bother with anything more than a thong or need a breathable, full-coverage brief, there’s an option here for you.
  • Stretch: These underwear need to move with you without worrying about them fitting weird when you work out, so all of these options have a ton of stretch so that they won’t tear or rip mid-workout.
  • Care: I’m not one to ever handwash… anything, and my sweaty gym panties are no exception. These picks are low-maintenance, and some are even dryer safe.

Best Overall: ThirdLove TempSync™ Hipster

Coming in first place, the ThirdLove TempSync™ Hipster is everything you could want in a pair of underwear… and more.

Best Workout Underwear for Women

When you’re burning serious calories, things get hot. These patent-pending thermoregulating undies are infused with natural minerals designed to actively regulate body temperature before you get hot; perfect for workouts or hot flashes. Those minerals also work to prevent odor, which is another common concern when getting sweaty during a good workout.

The gusset is 100% cotton to prevent irritation or allergic reactions. They’re designed with a tag-free label and offer moderate cheek coverage, so they’re seriously comfortable. They come in a cute blue-green color, black, and taupe, with a fairly wide size range of XS to 3X.

Fans note the next-level cooling and moisture-wicking properties, saying they’re a great pick for the sweatiest among us. ThirdLove also has a TempSync bra line to check out if you, like many of us, suffer from underboob sweat. They only have a hipster right now, but I’m hoping they’ll make a brief or boyshort and a thong for more variety.

Best Brief: Girlfriend Collective Sports Brief

Some of us are just brief girlies through and through. If you want a full coverage option with serious stretch for next-level comfort, check out the Girlfriend Collective Sports Brief.

Girlfriend Collective Sports Brief

Made out of “soft, second-skin fabric” featuring OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified recycled fabric, these sports briefs boast moisture-wicking COOLMAX® tech in the gusset and four-way stretch thanks to spandex.

They’re actually full-coverage for all the ladies who never skip leg day. This brief comes in a pretty inclusive skin tone range and an incredibly inclusive size range, offering sizes XXS to 6XL. Unfortunately, they are on the pricier side, coming in at just under $30 for a single pair with no options for multipacks.

Reviewers love how soft and seamless the underwear is, with many praising the fact that they’re invisible under leggings. One reviewer even wore them during an eight-day hike and found them comfortable and easy to wash in the sink, though you can wash them in the washing machine on cool (as long as you remember to lay flat to dry).

Best Thong: Bombas Women’s No Show Thong

Now, there are a few thongs on this list, and while each has its own perks and unique strengths, this is the overall winner.

Bombas Women's No Show Thong

This seamless, no-show thong from Bombas has everything you could hope for in a workout thong. Buttery smooth, quick drying, second-skin-like material? Check. Grips on the inner edge of the waistband so it stays in place no matter what? Check. Invisible under your tightest workout leggings? Check.

The thong is made from breathable nylon and elastane mix with a cotton gusset, so you get the moisture-wicking properties of synthetic fibers with the irritation-free natural fiber where it counts. You can throw it in the wash and tumble dry on low, making it super low maintenance.

It comes in a variety of skin tones and some cute colors (glacier blue and teal pine are my faves), and you can buy this thong by itself or get a 3 or 6 pack for a better value. Unfortunately, the size range is a bit more limited than others, offering sizes XS to 2X. 

Bombas donates one essential clothing item for every item purchased, making it a business you can really get behind.

Best Cotton: ThirdLove Seamless Cloud Cotton

For those of us who only truly trust cotton underwear, you won’t find better than the ThirdLove Seamless Cloud Cotton line. 

ThirdLove Seamless Cloud Cotton

This line comes in a few different styles and, honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them. You can choose from a hipster, thong, or boyshort, depending on your personal workout preference. All of them deliver the benefits of a breathable, stretchy cotton blend (with some nylon and spandex for stretch) with a seamless, tagless construction, free from itchiness. 

The hipster is a low-rise that doesn’t dig in, with reinforced legs to prevent fraying. The thong is exceptionally invisible under clothing. The boyshort offers full coverage that doesn’t ride up. As a bonus, they also have a seamless cloud cotton line of bras.

They come in sizes XS to 3X, and you can buy any of the styles in a 2-pack for a better value. Reviewers say that they’re the softest, lightest underwear they’ve ever worn, with some forgetting they’re even wearing underwear. They’re also machine washable on cold (be careful, cotton shrinks in heat!).

If you want an organic option, check out the organic cotton line, too. While a bit thicker than the seamless collection, the line still offers a natural fiber alternative to often synthetic workout underwear.

Best Seamless: Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong Underwear

For those seeking a truly invisible look, try the Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong Underwear.

Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Thong Underwear

This thong was mentioned in all corners of the internet by fans of the soft, breathable feel of the fabric that features a cotton gusset. They’re extremely moisture-wicking and sweat-resistant, offering serious stretch for everything from yoga to HIIT workouts.

Reviewers love that the band stays in place without rolling or bunching. They hug tightly to your body, offering support without cutting off circulation or creating lines. The mid-rise is perfect for maximum comfort.

They have the most limited range of sizes, offering XS to XXL, but they do have one of the widest varieties of colors and patterns to choose from. You can buy them individually or in packs of 3 or 5 for better value.

Be careful, as some reviewers state that this thong fits a little smaller than average, so consider sizing up.

Best for Yoga: Alo Airbrush Invisible Thong

Unsurprisingly, the yoga brand makes the best yoga undies. For my yogis, I suggest the Alo Airbrush Invisible Thong.

Alo Airbrush Invisible Thong

This thong is completely seamless and seriously soft. The ultralight fabric is crazy breathable and odor-resistant, but low-maintenance enough to toss in the washer and dryer. Standout features included raw-edge finishes and 4-way stretch, moving with your body in even the craziest poses. 

The invisible thong lives up to its name, disappearing under the tightest and lightest of yoga leggings and pants for the daring ones who confidently wear white leggings to their sessions. 

Fans of this thong love that it doesn’t bunch and roll when worn, and keeps its shape over time, with most reporting that they don’t notice any discoloration. 

Unfortunately, the sizing does scale on the smaller side, offering sizes XXS to XL. It’s also one of the priciest options on this list, with a single pair running just under $30 with no multipack options available.

Picking the Right Workout Underwear for Your Exercise Journey

At the end of the day, the right workout underwear for you depends on your preferences, types of exercise, and lifestyle. My favorite overall has to be the TempSync line from ThirdLove

If you’re into briefs, check out the Girlfriend Collective Sports Brief, and if you’re a cotton loyalist, the ThirdLove Seamless Cloud Cotton line is perfect for you. For thong lovers, the Bombas No Show, Lululemon InvisiWear, and Alo Airbrush are all seamless options that will disappear under the tightest workout leggings.

Whichever workout panty is right for you, make sure that you prioritize comfort and breathability, because the right underwear can be the secret ingredient to the best workout of your life.

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