Must-Have Lululemon Shorts

Welcome to the ultimate guide for finding your perfect pair of Lululemon shorts! Our team at Fit Foodie Finds has put every style through its paces, rigorously testing them across various workouts and for everyday comfort. We’ve compiled our top favorites, complete with detailed insights, to help you navigate Lululemon’s extensive collection.

Whether you’re hitting the gym, pounding the pavement, flowing through a yoga sequence, or simply seeking unparalleled comfort for daily wear, our comprehensive review will guide you to the ideal Lululemon shorts tailored to your specific needs. Read on as we break down each of our go-to Lululemon shorts and highlight their best uses!

This comprehensive post was last updated on July 14, 2023, to include Lululemon’s latest women’s shorts styles and reflect current trends and best practices.

As dedicated enthusiasts, we at Fit Foodie Finds have been loyal Lululemon customers since the early 2000s. Our long-standing relationship with the brand means we’ve seen their evolution firsthand and possess an intimate understanding of their product lines. We don’t just wear Lululemon during our workouts; it’s practically our uniform for day-to-day life, from casual errands to cozy evenings at home.

This deep immersion has made us seasoned experts in evaluating Lululemon apparel. Every pair of shorts reviewed here has earned its “sweaty workout-approved” badge, enduring countless miles, reps, and stretches. The shorts we recommend are not just favorites; they are genuinely loved, worn daily by our team, and have proven their worth in both rigorous athletic pursuits and the comfort of everyday living.

Our Top Lululemon Shorts for Women: A Quick Guide

For those eager to jump straight to our recommendations, here are our absolute top picks for women’s Lululemon shorts, categorized by their ideal activities. If you desire a deeper dive into the specific features, benefits, and why each short made our list, simply continue scrolling for our comprehensive reviews.

1. Speed Up Short (low-rise 2.5″ and high-rise 4″ inseams) – Best for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and running.
2. Align Short (4″, 6″, 8″ inseams) – Perfect for yoga, cycling, and stylish everyday fashion wear.
3. Track That Mid Rise (3″ and 5″ inseams) – An excellent choice for running and comfortable wear during pregnancy.
4. Inner Glow 3″ Short – The ultimate short for lounging and post-birth comfort.
5. Hotty Hot 4″ Short – Specially designed for warm weather running, offering breathability and freedom.

Deep Dive: The Lululemon Speed Up Shorts

The Speed Up Shorts are a consistent top contender and an absolute staple for both Lee and Em, particularly for their high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions and long-distance runs. What sets these shorts apart is their intelligent design, crafted to support dynamic movement without compromise.

Key Features and Performance

We adore the Speed Up Shorts for their thoughtfully designed features. The wider waistband provides secure support that doesn’t ride up or dig in, ensuring comfort even during the most strenuous activities. Complementing this is the wide leg opening, a crucial detail for those with strong quads (hello, quad squad!). This generous opening allows for completely free-flowing movement, preventing any restriction during deep squats, lunges, or powerful sprints. The lightweight Swift fabric is highly breathable and features four-way stretch, offering excellent sweat-wicking properties to keep you cool and dry.

Versatility in Fit

Lululemon understands that one size doesn’t fit all, which is why the Speed Up Shorts are available in a fantastic array of waist styles and inseams. Emily, for instance, favors the Mid Rise Speed Up Shorts with a 4-inch inseam. She intentionally sized up to a 10 during later pregnancy and postpartum, finding the stretchy waistband provided perfect comfort and adaptability without compromising style or function during a sensitive time.

Lee, on the other hand, often opts for the Low Rise Speed Up Shorts with a 2.5-inch inseam in a size 8. While the low-rise was the original design, the introduction of high-rise options has broadened appeal. Lee now expresses a preference for either the high-rise or the 4-inch inseam version, appreciating the enhanced coverage and reduced likelihood of wardrobe malfunctions during active pursuits. This flexibility ensures there’s a Speed Up Short for every preference and body type.

Deep Dive: The Lululemon Align Shorts

For unparalleled softness and comfort, the Align Shorts are in a league of their own. They deliver all the celebrated “buttery soft” goodness of the iconic Align Leggings but adapted into versatile short lengths. Crafted from Lululemon’s proprietary Nulu™ fabric, these shorts feel incredibly lightweight and stretchy, almost like a second skin.

Unmatched Comfort and Versatility

The Align Shorts are designed for versatility, offering four distinct short-length options, with some even featuring convenient pockets – a highly requested detail! Their gentle compression and incredible stretch make them ideal for low-impact activities like yoga and cycling, where freedom of movement and comfort are paramount. Beyond the studio, their sleek design and luxurious feel have made them a popular choice for everyday wear, seamlessly integrating into current athleisure fashion trends. Linley, for example, absolutely adores these shorts for her yoga and cycling sessions and proudly owns them in three different lengths (all in her size 4).

Perfect for Pregnancy

The unique qualities of the Align fabric truly shine through during pregnancy. Emily practically lived in her Align shorts every single day throughout her pregnancy journey. The fabric’s perfect blend of stretch and softness ensures a comfortable fit that adapts to a growing belly without ever feeling too tight or restrictive. They provide gentle support and allow for full range of motion, making them an essential maternity wardrobe piece.

A Note for Our Strong-Quad Friends

For individuals with well-developed quads, like our team member Lee, it’s worth noting that the Align Shorts might require a bit of consideration. To prevent the leg opening from feeling too snug or squeezing above the knee, you may find it beneficial to size up. Alternatively, focusing on the 4-inch inseam version tends to offer a more forgiving fit around the thighs compared to shorter or longer options. We always recommend trying them on to ensure the perfect, comfortable fit for your body type.

Deep Dive: The Lululemon Track That Mid-Rise Shorts

For dedicated runners, the Track That Mid-Rise Shorts are an exceptional choice. They are engineered to provide an uninhibited running experience, characterized by their super free-flowing design and intelligent features that cater to the needs of active individuals.

Running Performance & Practicality

What truly sets the Track That Shorts apart for runners is their commitment to unrestricted movement. The wider leg opening allows for a full range of motion, ensuring your stride isn’t hampered in any way. Made with Lululemon’s Swift fabric, these shorts are incredibly lightweight, breathable, and boast excellent sweat-wicking properties, keeping you comfortable even on the longest runs. A discreet yet highly practical small zipper pocket on the side is perfect for securely carrying essentials like money, a key, or a small energy gel, making them ideal for outdoor activities where you need your hands free.

Comfortable Mid-Rise Fit

The waistband on these Lululemon shorts is designed for supreme comfort and flexibility. It’s incredibly stretchy and refined, preventing any uncomfortable digging or chafing, which is a common concern during extended runs. Linley, wearing a size 4, attests to its perfect fit that stays in place without creating pressure points. These shorts now offer even more customization with two popular lengths: a 3-inch and a 5-inch inseam, allowing runners to choose their preferred level of coverage and freedom.

A Pregnancy Favorite

Remarkably, the Track That Shorts also became a go-to for Lee throughout her entire pregnancy. She found no need for specialized maternity shorts, instead choosing to size up and wear the stretchy waistband comfortably below her belly. This speaks volumes about the shorts’ adaptable design and forgiving fit, proving their versatility beyond just athletic performance.

Deep Dive: The Lululemon Inner Glow Shorts

When it comes to ultimate comfort and relaxed style, the Inner Glow Shorts are an undisputed champion. These shorts are designed for pure relaxation, making them a true essential for unwinding at home or during recovery periods. Emily, wearing a size 8, particularly gravitated towards these as her go-to comfy shorts during her postpartum journey.

Designed for Comfort and Recovery

The Inner Glow Shorts excel in providing a soft, luxurious feel against the skin. Crafted from a blend of cotton and modal, the fabric is incredibly gentle, making them perfect for sensitive skin or times when maximum comfort is a priority. Their relaxed fit and ultra-soft texture contribute to a feeling of ease and coziness. A notable feature is the inclusion of practical pockets, which, as Emily points out, are invaluable for keeping your hands free – especially when you’re busy holding a baby or simply prefer not to be weighed down by a bag.

Thoughtful Features for All

Beyond their plush fabric, the Inner Glow Shorts boast a larger quad opening, ensuring a comfortable, non-restrictive fit around the thighs for various body shapes. The high-rise design is another significant advantage, offering ample coverage and gentle support around the midsection. This makes them particularly well-suited for any new mother recovering from a c-section birth, providing comfort and avoiding pressure on sensitive areas. But you don’t need to be postpartum to appreciate these features; anyone seeking plush comfort and a relaxed fit for lounging will find these shorts irresistible.

Deep Dive: The Lululemon Hotty Hot 4″ Short

For runners who thrive in warmer climates or simply prefer a lighter, less restrictive feel, the Hotty Hot 4″ Short is an outstanding choice. This short is specifically engineered to keep you cool and agile, making it a favorite during those long summer months or intense training sessions.

Optimal for Warm Weather Running

The Hotty Hot 4″ Short is crafted from Lululemon’s swift fabric, known for its remarkably lightweight and breathable properties. This fabric ensures optimal airflow, helping to dissipate heat and wick away sweat efficiently, allowing you to maintain comfort even as temperatures rise. The design includes a strategic zipper pocket, perfect for securely stashing small essentials like your key, ID, or a small gel, ensuring they stay put as you move.

Fit and Coverage

Emily particularly appreciates this short for its wider quad opening, which prevents any uncomfortable squeezing and allows for a full range of motion during runs. The 4-inch inseam provides a balanced amount of coverage – enough to feel secure, but short enough to maximize freedom and minimize fabric interference. This combination of features makes it a highly functional and comfortable option for various running intensities and distances.

A Personal Take from Lee

While the Hotty Hot Short is undoubtedly a strong contender, Lee offers a nuanced perspective based on her personal preference. “If I were choosing between the Hotty Hot Short and the Track That Short, I would generally lean towards the Track That Short,” she notes. Her reasoning stems from a subtle design detail: “The Hotty Hot has two seams on the front that, for my body type, can sometimes create the visual impression of looking a bit wider than I am.” This highlights how personal fit and aesthetic preferences can influence the choice between otherwise excellent running shorts.

Disclaimer: This post is proudly sponsored by Lululemon. We received compensation for our honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely our own, reflecting our genuine experiences and recommendations. Thank you for supporting Fit Foodie Finds and the brands we believe in!