The next edition of Another Mother Runner Gears Up is here, and we’re featuring running skirts and dresses. We have #motherrunners put key running gear to the test, then deliver the results so you can grab the gear that works best for your running and body. 

By Rachel Walker (Please help us welcome our newish Gear Editor for Another Mother Runner!)

There are few pieces of running gear as polarizing as the running skirt or dress. Fans go to great lengths to defend the feel, fit, and look, while detractors readily point out that running is not tennis, where skirts are de rigueur for female players, and the game is formal and rule-bound. Running, they argue, is meant to be free and playful, an opportunity to get the blood pumping, bond with your BRF, and explore the world on two feet. To which we—and our reviewers—respond: No argument there. In fact, after trying out the skirts and dresses below, we’d argue that the flounce of a skirt or dress can even enhance all that makes running wonderful. 

Often for these reviews, we narrow down what is featured by not sharing anything that scores less than a 3.0 with our testers.

Craft Pro Hypervent 2in1 Skirt

Tester Rating: 4.7

Review: An affordable running skort with an integrated pocket on the tight shorts, the Craft Pro Hypervent stayed put during testers’ high-intensity activity. Whether they were running, biking, or lifting weights, the skirt offered secure coverage and the shorts prevented any chafing. The spandex shorts are lightweight and breathable, and the skirt has a super soft feel and never bunched up. The only critique this skirt garnered was the pocket placement on the shorts under the skirt. “I don’t like a pocket under the skirt because anything in it will affect how the skirt fits. Perhaps a side or front pocket on the outer skirt would be best.”

Size Range: XS to XL 

Fit: True to size; Craft notes on its website that products can “fit long and lean,” and our tester toggles between a small and medium. She ordered a small, and it fit perfectly. 

Price: $60

Helly Hansen Women’s HH LIFA® Active Solen Dress

Tester Rating: 4.5

Review: The fabric on the sporty racerback dress was smooth and flattering, and our tester reported that “…the dress made running feel a bit more whimsical.” However, the dress’s lack of features—no pockets, no sewn-in shorts—left her slightly puzzled. “I was a bit perplexed as to the point of a dress since I still had to wear running shorts for pockets and to prevent inner thigh chafe,” she said. Still, she gave the dress high marks for its comfort and fit. Put simply, this is a minimalist piece that can go from the road or trail to the coffee shop and look great the entire time, but runners may have to accessorize for the above-mentioned reasons.

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size

Price: $60

Lululemon Hotty Hot High-Rise Skirt

Tester rating: 3.5

Review: Initially, this skirt was full of promise. With pockets on each side of the integrated shorts that was large enough for an iPhone 13, a zipper pocket, a slimming cut, comfortable waistband, lightweight material, and a slightly longer drop in the back for full booty coverage, it seemed ideal. But in action, the skirt fell short. The shorts and skirt both tended to ride up during vigorous and relaxed activity, and this inconvenience outweighed all of its pros for our tester.  “The skirt is very flattering for all body types and is very comfortable; however the fact that the shorts and skirt both tended to drift up during activity means I wouldn’t wear it on a regular basis. I might wear it for indoor treadmill runs when I don’t need to worry about flashing passing motorists.”

Size Range: 0 to 14

Fit: True to size

Price: $78

Oiselle Breeze Way Dress

Tester rating: 4 

Review: With a flowy fit, this dress can accommodate a range of shape and sizes, and the lightweight fabric feels cool on the skin and promises to dry quickly, should it get wet. The fabric has a grid of tiny, evenly spaced ventilation holes and is stretch woven, which our tester loved. A slightly weighted back hem helps the dress stay in place, and two slash pockets in the front are convenient. Our tester praised the dress’s versatility and said she anticipates wearing it more as a beach cover up or as a casual dress for everyday life. “This beautiful dress is so lifestyle-y, it looks like you’re running to catch a bus, not running for fitness!” 

Size Range: 2 to 20/22

Fit: True to size

Price: $96

Skirt Sports Hover Skirt

Tester rating: 5

Review: It was love at first run for our tester and the Skirt Sports Hover Skirt. “The shorts don’t ride up, which is an issue I have had with all of my other running skirts. I LOVE this one!” Other highlights include two shorts pockets that are large enough to fit a phone in its case; an elastic band on the shorts’ thigh that prevents riding up but isn’t tight; and an extremely comfortable fit. The skirt wicks sweat like a champ, and can go easily from a morning run to school drop off without any thought of having to change clothes. With zero chafing and a lovely design, the skirt had literally nothing for our tester to criticize. 

Size Range: XS to XXL

Fit: True to size

Price: $47.60

Smartwool Merino Sport Lined Skirts

Tester rating: 5

Review: This stretchy skirt comes to mid-thigh in a flattering cut that our tester liked so much that she wore it for days even when she wasn’t running. The skirt is made from recycled polyester and elastane, and inner shorts are a merino wool/polyester blend. The shorts are silky smooth (fears that the wool would be scratchy were unfounded) and prevented chafing. Side pockets on the skirt—not the interior shorts—accommodated a phone, cash, and an ID, and their unique placement proved clever. “At first I was afraid that things would bounce arounds since the pockets weren’t up close to my body, but they were secure and easily accessible. I liked being able to access them without having to lift up the skirt.” She also loved the color options; her skirt came in “festive fuschia mountain plaid print,” and was a mix of disco meets contemporary modern.

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size

Price: $70

Stio Second Light Skirt

Tester rating: 4

Review: This skirt feels almost weightless while still offering full coverage. From the Jackson-based mountain gear company Stio, this skirt features a nylon outer and a built-in stretch short liner. The skirt has a feminine silhouette and slightly more flounce than others we tested and has a longer cut in the back. It’s extremely comfortable and has a flat, clean front. An elastic waistband also has an integrated tie. “The only real drawback was the lack of pockets, which I realized I really value in a running skirt. Otherwise, this is a piece that I wore repeatedly, often reaching for it over my favorite shorts and other running skirts because it was so lightweight and second skin-like.”

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size

Price: $90

Title Nine Dream On Skort 16”

Tester rating: 4

Review: With five pockets—one on the waistband, two on the shorts, and two on the skirt, this skort was a workhorse ready to hold snacks, phone, and ID. The fabric was buttery soft and wicked well, but the shorts rode up when our tester ran at faster paces. This was a significant drawback. “I liked the skirt and it worked well at an easy run or walk. But I probably would not wear it for a harder workout or a race because of the way the shorts rode up.” That said, she liked the look of the skirt (“…made me feel fancy while running.”) and plans to use it for walking, vacation, and active days that aren’t running related. “It’s very functional while still being cute and fun. I think it would be a great piece for golf, tennis, or SBS’s pickleball days.”

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size

Price: $60

Ultimate Direction Hydro Skirt

Tester rating: 3.5

Review: This skirt comes with an adjustable belt and three pockets, one zip and two back bottle pockets. Our tester found it slightly challenging to put on—anyone with a pear shaped body might have to tug more than they’d like—but once she had it on her body, she said the skirt performed well. The shorts stayed put and there was no chafing. “The skirt was comfortable during workouts but snug during the pull on and off. I had to loosen the belt quite a bit to get the waist open to fit over my hips.” This wasn’t an issue of sizing, either. According to the size chart, she was between a small and a medium, and she ordered up. The skirt was attractive with a scalloped edge and laser-cut eyelet detail that made our tester feel good and pretty. However, the pocket placement in the back felt odd because it was challenging to wrangle bottles into the pockets on the move. 

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size

Price: $85

Under Armour SpeedPocket Trail Skirt

Tester rating: 5

Review: Running five miles in hot weather was no problem in this skirt, whose shorts grip the thighs without squeezing, and whose waistline is comfortable and secure. The skirt comes with four pockets—one on each leg, and two on the waistline—that keep contents secure. Our tester appreciated the ultralight fabric and its soft feel and said the fit was unimpeachable. “I have thick thighs and a decent booty, and it was a great fit. The waistband was high enough to conceal ‘momma tummy’ but not crazy high waisted. I felt very confident in this skirt.”

Size Range: XS to XL

Fit: True to size

Price: $65

Check out all of the AMR Gears Up columns here!

Did we miss your favorite running skirt or dress?
Let us know in the comments below!