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Don't let your pants block the PB

Running in the wrong underwear can be dangerous. Inappropriate selection, your unfit pair will be pulled out of position, soaked in sweat and cause abrasions. However, a wise choice will allow you to run comfortably without distracting your goals.

Now, we don’t want you to be able to pick a perfect pair of pants directly from a distance of 100 steps, far from it. This is why we sent a few of the best running underwear to the dedicated testers of Runners World Lab and asked them to pass their pace to test before returning to the report.

Here are nine of their favorites:

The type of underwear that suits you best depends on many factors, including your size and the activities you intend to use them for.

These are some factors to consider:

Fit: Our testers found that a tighter fit can provide more support for more impactful activities such as running and HIIT training. But this is not to say that a loose fit is not good. It turns out that it is very suitable for slow exercises, such as yoga or mobile exercises, because they do not deepen or restrict movement.

Styles: Although fashionable underwear occupies our top two positions, there are a few different options on this list, including shorts, boxers and bikini styles. Smaller styles may be more cautious, although some runners choose more fitting styles-again, this depends largely on personal preference. When evaluating each pair, we also pay close attention to the VPL in the leggings.

Materials: Although cotton may be the most common underwear material, the brands on this list have switched to alternative materials such as nylon, polyester, polyamide, and even merino wool for flexibility and breathability. Speaking of...

Breathability: A pair of soaked pants is a catalyst for friction and abrasions, which can disrupt your training program. Many of the products we tested are made of lightweight materials and have sweat-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable while running.

We sent 21 different underwears to the group of trusted runners and asked everyone to comment on up to three products. They wear each pair of shoes for at least three different types of exercise, including high-intensity and low-intensity exercise, sweaty exercise, and lighter exercise. In our Runner's World Lab, we also wash each underwear 3 times to ensure that they maintain their fit and performance.

Design, comfort, performance and quality are all taken into consideration, as each tester provides detailed feedback on the products they are wearing. This data is then decomposed and combined with the results of the Runner World Lab to calculate the final score of each pair and crown our champion.

If you want comfortable underwear that is suitable for all types of sports and cannot be seen under tights, these Gymshark Hipsters are suitable for all types. 

Testers found that this material is cool and light, it can dry quickly after sweating, and because of its smooth profile, it will not gather, scrape, fall, dig or move even during troublesome exercises such as squats. Some of our experts even said that they fit so well that they even forgot they were there. 

Main specifications Material: 75% nylon, 25% elastane. Available sizes: super small (24") to super large (32") Color: black Best for: people with different fitness habits. We found these to be very comfortable for all activities.

Their design may be low-key, but these Lululemon hipsters have a lot to praise. The testers regarded the fit of real size as a tailor-made feeling for them, and enjoyed the situation without parties or VPL. 

The thin fabric will not move during strenuous exercise, and when we increase the running speed, it can quickly wick away perspiration. Some testers said they wanted to report more homeless people, but this was their only complaint. 

Main specifications Material: 71% nylon, 29% lycra elastic fiber Available sizes: super small to super large Colors: smoked topaz, misty shells, soft sand, black, dusty bronze, powder puff, dim lavender Best for: Invisible feeling. These trousers are light, flexible, supportive and low-key. What else do you want?

Montane's Dart series is known as a balanced "warmth, moisture wicking", is an excellent sports underwear. Our testers agreed, saying that this lightweight material is comfortable to wear and helps them stay cool when chasing PB. 

Some of our team members found that the panties were cut around the hips, so they preferred to wear loose bottoms to avoid VPL, and stated that they were biased towards more active exercises. But most people report that they can hardly feel them and find that their movements are not restricted at all.

Main specifications Material: "Apex D-Fuse" Available sizes: UK 6 (24-25") to UK 16 (31-33") Color: Nordic gray Best suitable for: low-intensity activities such as yoga or strength training.

Shock Absorber may be known for producing sports bras, but the brand has made seamless panties that provide top performance and attractive boots. 

When worn under leggings, they are almost invisible, and the elastic material moves well with the body, although some testers pointed out that they would like compression elements. These trousers play their own role in absorbing moisture, thanks to the clever ventilation holes on the back, and will not transfer sweat stains to our tester's tights. 

Main specifications Material: 78% polyamide, 22% elastane. Sizes available: super small to super large. Color: blue. Best for: sweatshirts-these are very breathable.

These boxers have won a large number of fans because of their close-fitting, safe fit and comprehensive coverage. Some testers stated that they would not choose to wear them because they did not like the design, and some suggested to order a larger size because they found that the belt would rub and fold during more intense exercise. 

However, there are still many things to like because they keep the wearer cool, do not limit their range of motion, show no signs of gathering and dry out quickly. 

Main specifications Material: 85% polyester, 15% elastane. Available sizes: super small to super large. Color: black and fluorescent coral powder. Best for: full coverage and flexibility make it very suitable for more demanding activities.

Whether we traverse a trail or jump from a poppy to a box, this Runderwear underwear is almost untouched, allowing the tester to exercise without being distracted by friction and gathering. 

The flexible fabrics give them a sporty feel, which we like, and the testers praised the stylish shape and fit. They feel guilty for causing some prominent VPLs on the leggings. Some of our expert groups found that they were a bit tight and the belt was recessed. Therefore, it may be worth ordering a size one. 

Main specifications Material: 92% polyamide, 8% elastane. Available sizes: small to oversize. Color: black, blue, pink. Best for: running and HIIT.

These trousers are made of Merino wool and can be used as a natural temperature regulator. Because of their close-fitting style, they absorbed sweat and won admirers, although some testers felt that they looked a bit old-fashioned. 

A few of our team members also warned that underwear could be seen under the tights and said that wool would irritate their skin. Despite this, most of our team members gave positive feedback on lightweight materials and felt fully supported during the exercise. 

Main specifications Material: 77% Lane Merino wool, 23% nylon Available sizes: extra small (24-25") to extra large (33-34") Color: black Best for: in high-intensity running and exercise Keep it cool.

The minimalist design and elastic material of this underwear won two checks from the testers, and they quickly praised the reliable fit and smooth silhouette. However, this pair of Puma shoes was disappointing because of their easy movement during high-intensity exercise, causing people to suffer wedges during exercise. 

This fabric is not the best perspiration wicking fabric. Several people noticed that they left sweat stains on fitness equipment. Nonetheless, they do shine in lighter sessions, proving to be comfortable and suitable for clothes. 

Main specifications Material: 83% polyamide, 17% elastane. Available sizes: medium to extra-large. Color: black, white, rose pink. Best for: slow-motion training and yoga and other slow training. May sweat.

The smooth silhouette makes it a great choice for wearing under tights, and the super soft stretch fabric means they are really easy to put on and take off. They are prone to quite a lot of exercise during strenuous exercise, and some testers said they found that they were too thin and wedge-shaped when squatting. 

However, lightweight materials are ideal for more relaxed exercises, such as yoga, Pilates or mobile work, keeping our panels always cool and comfortable. 

Main specifications Material: 68% nylon, 32% elastane. Available sizes: super small to super large. Color: black, nude. Most suitable: these are not suitable for gyms, but suitable for jogging and recovery training.