Lined vs Unlined Shorts – What Are the Benefits of Each?

Lined shorts suit most runners best. The built-in liner cuts chafing and skips the need for extra underwear, which is why most running shorts on the market ship with one. Unlined shorts are the better call if you prefer your own technical underwear, want to layer over tights in cold weather, or find liners too confining.

Both styles get the job done on a run. The right one for you comes down to fit, temperature, and how your skin handles friction over a long distance.

Running shorts also come in different cuts, such as split or v-notch styles, but the liner question sits underneath all of them. Whichever cut you like, the lined-versus-unlined choice still applies.

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What are lined running shorts?

Lined shorts have a built-in liner, usually a moisture-wicking mesh, sewn into the inside seam. Boxer-style liners support the quads and glutes, while brief-style liners cover the glutes only. Most shorts sold specifically for running come with one.

The liner sits close to the skin and does not shift much, which lowers the odds of chafing on longer runs. It also wicks sweat and gives a light muscular hold, which some runners notice on tired legs late in a run.

Many pairs add a small internal pocket for a gel or a key.

The tradeoff is fit. A liner that runs tight can feel restrictive, ride up between the legs, or trap heat once you have been out for an hour or more.

If you have ever dealt with rubbing, our guide to running underwear that prevents chafing covers the same problem from the other angle.

• Best for: runners who want one layer and built-in chafe protection.
• Watch for: liners that are too tight or too warm for hot-weather runs.

Most everyday training shorts fall into this category, and shoppers who want the convenience can browse 2-in-1 running shorts on Amazon to compare current options.

What are unlined running shorts?

Unlined shorts skip the liner entirely. Some inside stitching holds the seams together, but there is no wicking layer against the skin. This leaves you free to wear your own underwear, or nothing at all, underneath.

Without the extra layer, unlined shorts are lighter and less confining, which some runners find more comfortable in hot weather. They also work over tights in cold weather, something a lined pair cannot do without bunching.

The catch is chafing. Skin rubbing on skin, or on fabric with no wicking layer, gets uncomfortable fast once sweat builds up on a long run.

An anti-chafe balm before you head out solves most of that problem. If you go this route, our piece on why running shorts have built-in underwear explains why most brands default to a liner in the first place.

• Best for: runners with strong underwear preferences or plans to layer over tights.
• Watch for: chafing on long runs without a balm or your own moisture-wicking underwear.

If a bare pair sounds right for you, you can check current unlined running shorts on Amazon before you commit to a brand.

Lined vs unlined shorts: side by side

Factor	Lined shorts	Unlined shorts
Convenience	One layer, no extra underwear needed	Wear your own underwear or none
Chafing	Lower risk from built-in liner	Higher risk without a balm or liner underwear
Drying and heat	Can trap heat on long, hot runs	Lighter and cooler, dries faster
Hygiene and washing	Liner needs washing after each wear	Can be worn a few times between washes
Fit control	Fixed liner fit, less flexible	Full control over your own base layer

Who should pick which

Pick lined shorts if you want the simplest setup: one layer, built-in chafe protection, and no extra laundry from a base layer. This covers most runners doing everyday training miles.

Pick unlined shorts if you already have underwear you trust, run in cold weather over tights, or find liners too warm or too tight. Pair them with an anti-chafe balm on longer runs to stay comfortable.

Either style works for casual wear too, though the fit and length were designed for running first. If length is part of your decision, see our guide on why running shorts are cut so short.

And if shorts alone are not enough for the conditions, our comparison of running shorts vs running tights can help you decide what to wear instead.

Care tips for both styles

• Wash lined shorts after every run. Sweat left in the liner breaks down the fabric faster and holds odor.
• Skip fabric softener. It coats moisture-wicking fibers and cuts their performance.
• Air-dry when possible. High heat from a dryer wears out elastic waistbands and liners over time.
• Rotate two or three pairs so no single pair takes all the wear.

The bottom line

Lined shorts are the easier default: one layer, built-in chafe protection, and less to think about before a run. Unlined shorts earn their place when you want control over your own underwear, plan to layer over tights, or run hot and want the lightest setup possible.

Neither option is wrong. Try a pair of each if you are not sure, and let a few runs in real conditions settle the question.

Pay attention to how your skin feels an hour in, since that is where the two styles actually diverge.