Once the weather turns a certain temperature, I banish all my pants and set my mind on wearing skirts for the rest of the spring and summer. Unfortunately, there are plenty of warm weather situations that aren't ideal for a skirt. Think: trying to sit comfortably at a picnic, riding a bicycle, and lugging laundry to your local laundromat in the city heat.

This is where the skort comes in — thanks to the built-in shorts, it gives you all the freedom of a skirt without worrying about what a gust of wind might do or thinking about how you'll squat down to tie your shoe. Plus, all the It girls are wearing them at the moment, and it seems like every brand makes its own version. Because of how many choices there are, we set out to find the best athletic skorts by interviewing a few designers, stylists, and influencers as well as testing a bunch out ourselves, We uncovered all the skorts that offer high-quality materials, flattering designs, and special features like pockets and sun protection. So, whether you are looking for the perfect bottom for your workout or picnic in the park, these are the best skorts.

Best Overall

HALARA Everyday Cloudful Air-Fabric 2-in-1 Skirt

Halara was my first foray into the skort trend — and I have yet to look back. Living in southern California, I get tired of only wearing shorts whenever it's hot, so a skort seemed like a great alternative to stay cool and feel cute. The Marvelous skort manages to create a pleated skirt that doesn't feel too much like a schoolgirl's cheerleading outfit but still has a bit of a flounce. With its versatile silhouette, I've worn it on dates as well as hikes around Los Angeles. I also love how the high waistband offers tummy control without feeling suffocating. The shorts never rode up nor compressed my legs too much. And believe it or not, the inner pockets actually did fit my iPhone 11. Even after wearing it for hours, I didn't want to take it off.

What really sealed the deal, though, was how affordable and inclusive the skort is. Not only is it the cheapest option on the list, but it also comes in 25 colors (plus several different prints) and a size range from XXS to 4X. As someone who is five-foot-three, I loathe styles that are far too long, and the XS fits me perfectly. This design is definitely on the shorter side, but then again, you'll always have the shorts underneath.

Size Range: XXS-4X | Colors: 33 | Materials: Nylon, elastane

Best Budget

LouKeith Tennis Skirts for Women

Anyone intrigued by the trend but not willing to go all in on higher-end versions from brands like Lululemon or Outdoor Voices might like this inexpensive (but still good quality) option from LouKeith. It has all the same qualities — built-in shorts with hidden pockets, lightweight material that wicks away sweat, a high-rise waistband with tummy control, and a flexible fit — just at a much lower price. We appreciate how many colors it comes in, including fun patterns, like paisleys and florals, to add a little more spunk to your wardrobe. You can wear this for any type of workout from tennis to golf to dance, but the shorts do have a tendency to roll up, so keep that in mind before wearing.

Size Range: XS-XXL | Colors: 26 | Materials: Nylon, spandex

Best Splurge

Tory Burch Tech Piqué Tennis Skirt

Tory Burch has made somewhat of a comeback in recent years. What was once known for logo ballet flats, now offers a wide range of on-trend clothing still rooted in the brand's preppy, classic Americana ethos. This skort, to us, fits exactly that tone. From the brand's sport line, this skort can be worn to play tennis or just out to brunch with friends. We appreciate that the polyester material feels lightweight enough to sweat in, while the navy blue stripes and logo on the side gives it an elevated touch appropriate for off the court as well. Made from mesh, the shorts underneath will be especially breathable, as will the mini length. We only wish the brand expanded its size range because it's the most limited on the list right now.

Size Range: XS-XL | Colors: 3 | Materials: Polyester

Most Comfortable

Offline by Aerie All Aces Tennis Skirt

When I say this skort feels as light as air, I'm not exaggerating. Aerie kindly gifted me and my fellow InStyle writer Caitlyn Martyn the style. After trying it out, we were both equally shocked by how comfy it is. "It feels like I'm not wearing pants…it's crazy," says Martyn. "The material is really lightweight but doesn't blow all over the place in the wind and put me in a Marilyn Monroe situation." Despite how lightweight the nylon is, it's not see-through either, even in white. I got the bright blue and olive green, and I'm already brainstorming different ways to style the skorts with pieces already in my closet.

I decided to wear it for a balmy, 80-degree walk. After 30 minutes, the material stayed dried and the shorts never rode up. The inner pockets kept my AirPods handy, but when I tried to keep my phone (an iPhone 11 with a heavy case and Popsocket) in there, even though it fit, it weighed the skort down and felt uncomfortable. Another slight con we noticed was that the shorts tended to peep out from under, especially on the sides. Considering the design has a curved hem, this is unavoidable and certainly not a deal breaker — just something to get used to. I personally prefer the curved hem over other pleated designs since it plays up my hips in a flattering way. Plus, it takes me back to my figure skating days — in a good way.

Size Range: XXS-XXL | Colors: 6 | Materials: 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane

Most Versatile

Athelta Skort

With its unique ruched design and mid-thigh length, this skort can easily pass for a pencil skirt, yet take you straight to a yoga class or hike right after work. "The Transcend skort is one of my favorites because it's so versatile," says plus-size model and actress Kelsie Nick. "You can easily dress it up for a brunch date or wear it for comfy yet stylish travel." Not to mention the ruching is extremely flattering, as it hugs your curves and hides any trouble spots — scrunch the skort up when you want to be flirty and down for formality. I tried the style on at my local Athleta and was impressed by how buttery soft the material felt. It also has a nice thickness to it, so it's not transparent or flimsy. I could certainly see myself wearing this skort in a formal setting without worrying about the tight fit riding up, thanks to the biker shorts underneath that also feature a secret pocket in the waistband to keep your ID or keys handy.

Size Range: XXS-3X | Colors: 2 | Materials: Nylon, lycra

Best Plus-Size

Girlfriend Collective Sport Skort

Girlfriend Collective has stolen the hearts of plus-size influencers like Nicks and Abby Bible with its inclusive size range and trendy designs that are made from recycled water bottles. Even better, the sustainable fabric is compressive. "The fabric has the perfect amount of compression that makes you feel held in without sacrificing comfort," says Bible. As a New Yorker, Bible swears by the brand's performance fabric during the sweltering summers. "I feel like I never have to worry about sweating in this skort," says Bible. "It doesn't absorb the sweat in a gross way that some athletic fabrics do, but it also provides a lot of breathabilities that just helps prevent sweat." The built-in shorts hit her thighs at the perfect spot, so they don't ride up as often.

InStyle's former commerce writer Alexis Gaskin also tried the skort. "I don't think I've worn a skirt since I was in middle school and as soon as I put this one on from Girlfriend Collective I remembered why I loved them," says Gaskin. "It's the cuteness of a skirt, with the comfort of pants." She noted it runs a bit small, but she was able to find her correct size by checking the size guide. Going up to size 6XL, this style has the most extensive size range on the list. And with 10 different shades to choose from, you can easily mix and match the skort with the brand's coordinating sports bras and tanks. "I'm personally a sucker for a matching active set moment, but I've also styled my skorts with a blazer and blouse to work," says Bible. "They're shockingly versatile."

Size Range: XXS-6XL | Colors: 10 | Materials: RPET, spandex

Best Long

Chico's Zenergy UPF Tee Skort

For those that prefer a skort that hits right above the knee, Chico's has just what you're looking for. Fashion blogger Alison Gary tested more than 12 skorts for her blog Wardrobe Oxygen, and the Zenergy UPF Skort collection from Chico's stood out from the rest. "It performs great for outdoor activities but has a silhouette and fabric that also looks nice for running errands or a casual lunch," says Gary. Living in Maryland, she needs a skort that can withstand the East Coast heat and humidity — the brand's signature Neema stretch fabric does just that. "It dries fast, can look like streetwear, doesn't snag, is super lightweight, and launders beautifully," says Gary. She's also a fan of the undershorts since they don't move around even after hours of sightseeing. The zippers on the pockets ensure none of your knick-knacks will fall out either, and if you plan to play golf in this, it has a little tab built-in specifically for your tee. Needless to say, Gary stocked up on more than one color.

Size Range: XS-XXL | Colors: 3 | Materials: Polyester, spandex

Best Shaping

Spanx Get Moving Skort

Leave it to Spanx to design a skort that's not only functional but also butt-boosting with tummy control. Underneath the skirt is the brand's "booty boosting" shorts that sculpt, lift, and hold the bum for an extra-perky look. The design further accentuates your assets with ruffles in the back to create volume, while featuring a straight hem in the front. After being kindly gifted the skort, I wasn't sure if I would personally like this style, but it grew on me. The front didn't ride up between my legs while walking, which happened a lot with other skorts, and the slightly longer back gave me peace of mind as I bent down to tie my shoes. With the high-waisted, contoured waistband, I felt confident in my crop top.

I walked for about an hour in the LA sun, and the sweat-wicking fabric and mesh sides kept me cool. The shorts have a silicone strip on the bottom to grip your thighs, and because I'm not used to shapewear, I found this a little uncomfortable at first, but it grew on me with time. I also was impressed that I could hold my phone in the side pocket without feeling like it weighed down the entire skort like other options I tried did. Overall, this skort feels a little more grown-up than others on the list, so I'll be rocking it when I want to channel my inner tennis mom.

Size Range: XS-XL | Colors: 5 | Materials: Nylon, elastane, polyester, elastane, cotton

Best for Workouts

Outdoor Voices The Exercise Skort

While you can work out in all the skorts on this list, for the best workout pick, I looked for a style that especially excels at wicking sweat and doesn't constrict movement or shift with activity. Recommended by a fitness and fashion blogger, this Outdoor Voices skort checks off all the boxes. "I have tried skorts from other brands but they never seemed to fit right in the waist," says Aly Elizabeth. "With the one from Outdoor Voices, it fits me in the waist, and the grips on the shorts prevent it from riding up, which is a big selling point." The secret behind the no-shift shorts is a strip of silicone on the inside that grips your thighs.

With its compressive yet comfortable fit, lightweight fabric, and silhouette that's not too short or too long, she appreciates that "it does a good job with wicking away sweat," adds Elizabeth. The straight skirt with subtle flounce allows for unrestricted movement, so she can wear it while golfing or hanging out with friends. Bonus points for pockets that actually are large enough for her iPhone (with case and pop socket).

On a side note, Martyn and I tested other skorts from Outdoor Voices, and we both found the built-in shorts to be way too tight, even though the skort otherwise fit. We're not completely knocking the brand, but it seems like the fit may not work for every body type. Definitely try out the styles first before going on a shopping spree.

Size Range: XS-XL | Colors: 2 | Materials: Nylon, spandex

Best Tennis

BALEAF Women's High Waisted Tennis Skirts

Similar to the Aerie Offline skort, this one from Baleaf, which comes in four colors, has a pleated skirt surrounding mini bike shorts to give a charming flounce that also keeps you particularly breezy during a game of tennis. While not a unique feature, the shorts underneath have two pockets to store essentials. But impressively, they stretch out enough to keep an extra tennis ball inside. But you'd never know because the loose skirt then covers the shorts without clinging to the otherwise noticeable bulge on your side.

We like that it has an over three-inch waistband, which lightly compresses and offers you support during your game. But they don't feel too constrictive, allowing you to move freely. The length of the skirt concerns us a bit, though. It looks particularly short in the back, so anyone with long legs might want to skip this choice unless an ultra-mini is what you're looking for.

Size Range: XS-XXL | Colors: 4 | Materials: Polyester, spandex

Best Fitted

Beyond Yoga Spacedye Move It Skirt

• It has no pockets.

Lots of the skorts on this list don't actually hug the body, but this Beyond Yoga one does. Made from the brand's signature extra-soft, stretchy space-dye fabric, this skort won't feel constrictive, regardless of how tight it is. Much like other Beyond Yoga pieces of the same material, you'll still feel significantly comfortable. The shorts and high-waisted band lightly compress as well, offering you a bit more support in all your movements, on top of just being comfy. We only wish the brand added pockets somewhere on the garment, as these are one of the only ones that don't have them.

Size Range: XS-4X | Colors: 4 | Materials: Polyester, elastane

Best for Running

lululemon Pace Rival Mid-Rise Skirt Long Pace Rival Mid-Rise Skirt Long

• Not only do the shorts have pockets, but also the back has a zippered pocket, giving you more than enough space to keep valuables directly on you. The material feels super soft, so it will be comfortable to wear all day.

• It runs small.

Running in a skirt might seem, well, weird, but Lululemon actually designed this skort for the activity. The lightweight material moves with you as you run, thanks to its four-way stretch, and quickly dries, too. Pick between three different lengths — 17-, 15-, and 12-inches — all of which go up to at least a size 14 (the 15-inch reaches a size 20) to fit a wide variety of bodies. The front skirt lays flat against the body, while the back has a few pleats, allowing the skirt to have more give as you extend your legs. We love that it has two pockets installed in the shorts and an additional one on the back of the skort for valuables, like keys and credit cards. Like with many Lululemon items, this skort runs a bit small, so we recommend sizing up just to be safe.

Size Range: 0-20 | Colors: 12 | Materials: Polyester, nylon, elastane

What to Keep in Mind

Materials

You want a skort that keeps you dry during your sweatiest hike but also put-together at an Insta-worthy picnic, right? In that case, look for materials that are lightweight, sweat-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant. Gary has also found that when the inner shorts are made from these performance materials, they do a better job of staying put and not riding up. Though twill and ponte can look cute, she recommends staying away from these heavier fabrics.

Pockets

Just like your favorite leggings, skorts feature plenty of pockets, located everywhere from the waistband to the innershorts. Gary always looks for pockets that actually close shut with zippers or velcro.

"Sure, a slash pocket to put your hand into is nice, but we need functional pockets that are securely closed and can fit essentials like a larger smartphone as well as a card case or small wallet, a lip balm, a face mask, and a key ring," says Gary. "I've tried enough skorts to know this is possible without destroying the line or style of a skort."

Length

Skorts run the gamut from mini to knee-length, and choosing the right length ultimately comes down to your personal preference. "Being 5'3", I usually like a skort that is just above my knees," says Gary. "Long enough for coverage and undershorts that won't ride up, but short enough to look cute and feel proportional. Alternatively, New York City-based fashion stylist Beverly Osemwenkhae says a short skort is a great way to try the micro-mini trend while still keeping your assets covered. Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the shorts. "The undershorts are likely to ride up if they hit higher than where my thigh begins to taper," says Gary. "Every person's body is different, but if the short has less than a 4-inch inseam, it's guaranteed to ride or roll up, no matter how snug the fit."

Your Questions, Answered

What are the benefits of a skort?

Though tennis players have been wearing skorts forever, the general public is just recently rediscovering the various benefits of the design. With built-in shorts, a skort allows for ultimate movement while still lending a feminine look. Tennis skirts come with pockets to hold tennis balls, and most skorts today have hidden pockets to hold your keys, phone, and other essentials.

"I want to be a mini skirt gal but truly I just flash everyone in them and with a skort, I never ever have to worry about flashing anyone," says Bible. "Especially being in New York, there are a ton of stairs, subway seats are gross, subway winds are intense, but a skort provides me with the protection and ease of mind."

How do I style a skort?

Just like with a skirt, you can style a skort in so many ways. Jilliann Schembri, founder, and designer of Wear One's At, says she likes to go for either a sporty or preppy look. "I love wearing any bodysuit under my skort. It gives the illusion that my top is tucked in. The look is very smooth and sleek — but also perfect for movement," says Schembri. "I also love leaning into the classic tennis look with a cardigan and a basic tank. You can't go wrong!"

For colder temperatures, Osemwenkhae recommends wearing a skort with a tennis sneaker and sweatshirt. And don't be afraid to switch it up and wear a skort with boots rather than athletic shoes.

Why Shop With Us

Emily Cieslak is the Assistant Commerce Editor at InStyle and has worked on many sides of the fashion industry, including as a stylist and fashion buyer. Her work has been published in a number of Dotdash Meredith brands, including Byrdie, Real Simple, and Brides. For this piece, she researched the best-selling skorts on the market and reached out to fashion experts for their professional advice on the trend.