We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's.
1. A pair of FP Movement high-rise running shorts because the key to surviving hot and humid weather is to wear breathable, sweat-wicking shorts whenever possible. These definitely fit the bill — they're super soft and stretchy with just the right amount of compression *and* have super cute pinhole detailing and ribbed texturing.
2. A pair of compressive biker shorts that deliver in all the right ways: high-waisted, pockets that will fit your phone, comfy and stretchy fabric *and* long enough to banish thigh chafing once and for all!
3. A three-pack of ribbed yoga shorts which, according to reviewers, are so darn comfy you'll want to live in them. They're great for working out or lounging, and I can pretty much guarantee you'll be glad you have multiple.
4. A pair of Nike mid-rise biker shorts for anyone who just can't get on the high-rise bandwagon. Whatever your reasons, I'm not here to judge, only to show you that a perfectly soft, comfy, and moisture-wicking pair exists for you, too!!
5. A pair of squat-proof seamless athletic shorts on a mission to make your 🍑 pop — but even more importantly, the gusset crotch and interlocking seams mean less rubbing and chafing.
6. A high-waisted pair so buttery soft and stretchy you'll probably want to wear them 24/7...and y'know what? I say, go for it! Life's too short not to be comfortable!
7. The Aerie crossover-waist bike short since it's the summer equivalent of your beloved criss-cross waist leggings, aka you'll be super sleek and stylish and living life with zero chafing concerns.
8. A pack of high-waisted biker shorts because the only thing better than one pair of super cute, buttery-soft athletic shorts is three pairs! Choose from all sorts of fun color combos in either straight or criss-cross waist cuts — and each pair comes out to less than $8! 🤯
9. A pair of splurge-worthy Lululemon biker shorts made from their fastest-drying fabric so you can wick away moisture practically before you even feel it. In other words, you won't have to worry about sweat marks (or chafing!) cramping your ~style~.
10. A has-it-all bike short if you're sick of buying ones that constantly let you down. These truly check off all the boxes: high-waisted, nonslip, stretchy but not see-through, sweat-wicking, super cute, chafe-banishing, and *drumroll please* pockets!!
11. A buttery-soft Athleta 7" short for the best of both worlds: a longer leg length (to ensure there's absolutely zero thigh-on-thigh action, of course) *and* an ultra high rise cut, which both looks great and keeps them from rolling down.
12. A pair of gel-padded biker shorts so you can give your tush an extra bit of cushioning on those long rides while also making sure you don't pedal your thighs raw. Now you can cycle confidently and comfortably, my friends!
Promising review: "Padding is great, haven’t had any chafing which is the most important to me. XS fit great, I’m 5’4” and around 125lbs. I have muscular thighs so the band around the thigh is a little snug but I’d rather have that than the leg riding up." —LFK
Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in sizes XS–3XL and nine colors).
13. A leopard print pair to wear when you're feeling fierce. And in true cat fashion, these beauts are extra stealthy with two hidden pockets. 🐾
14. A custom-made shimmery iridescent spandex short here for all you mermaids who occasionally take human form (and then regrettably discover that this thing called chafing happens outside the water!). This is clearly the only acceptable replacement for your magnificent tail. 🌀✨
15. A pair of printed bike shorts that comes in over 60 fun patterns and designs, because there's no reason you can't have a little fun this summer (even if all you're doing is working out or running errands).
Promising review: "I used these on a camping trip, and they held up great, they are very soft, and breathable, the best part was they were not see through when bending over. The length was great, helps avoid any thigh chafing." —Nataly Trevizo
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in sizes S–3X and 67 prints).
16. A jersey bike short to wear on days when you want breathable comfort but are simply not vibing with the elastic-like, spandex-y material. These are made from a soft cotton fabric instead and will thus feel entirely different on your skin (but will still prevent any chafing, don't worry!). In fact, there's not even a pesky tag to irritate you.
17. The highly-praised Girlfriend Collective high-rise bike shorts that are not only compressive and ride-up resistant but also sustainably made from recycled plastic bottles. Soooo basically, you're doing the earth a favor by sitting on the couch in these... right?
18. A pair of mesh-detailed biker shorts since the mesh panels kick 'em up a notch in terms of both breathability and style. Perfect for those ridiculously hot and oppressive days.
Promising review: "I've been doing outdoor bootcamps and it's too hot for leggings so I've been turning to bike shorts. These don't ride up, they're long enough to combat inner thigh chafing, the high waistband doesn't roll down, and the mesh detail makes them super cute. I also like the 2 side pockets and key pocket in the waistband." —Shelley C.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in sizes XS–M and 11 colors).
19. An extra long 12" bike short if you really don't want to take any chances when it comes to possible thigh-on-thigh rubbing. Well, fear not — these are a safe and stylish bet, one that some reviewers say are just as fabulous as their much pricier Lululemon counterparts.
20. A pair of super fun and colorful tie-dye cotton bike shorts so you can live your best hippie summer year after year. These are individually hand dyed with high-quality fiber reactive dye that won't fade or lose its ~oomph~ factor over time. ✌️
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.