I tried 5 anti-chafing shorts that keep me cool and comfy — including a $17 score from Amazon

Thigh Society specializes in shorts to combat chub rub, offering five styles that vary in weight and sheerness. I own the Cooling and Original shorts, and I found the cooling ones to be the best pick for super-hot, sweaty days. They are the perfect combination of soft, stretchy and lightweight. The performance fabric pulls heat and moisture away from the body, and I swear I could feel this working on a particularly sweaty day in the city. TMI, but my whole body was feeling slick with sweat, except where these shorts were in contact with my skin. Because it's such a lightweight fabric, they are quite sheer, so underwear underneath is preferred for these. (Although they have a knit-in crotch that adds some extra coverage where you need it, without adding bulk.) I have them in the 7-inch length, which works for knee-length or longer skirts for me (I'm 5 foot 2 inches), so I'd like another pair in the 5-inch length so I can wear them with miniskirts and sundresses. I've worn them under silk midi skirts that easily show every bump and seam underneath, and they stayed invisible.

Of course, Amazon will give you the best bang for your buck — these shorts included. It's only $20 for a pack of three, and these were the closest alternative I found to Thigh Society's Original shorts, which go for $39 each. They're made from a midweight nylon and spandex blend that offer a touch of support. They're thick enough that I would even feel comfortable wearing the black pair as biker shorts. Because they have a 7-inch inseam, I had to pull them up a bit higher to go under some of my shorter dresses, but the band on the legs actually helped keep them in place.

These are the best seamless anti-chafing shorts in my wardrobe. They're also the most sheer and lightweight shorts I've tried. While Spanx is known for its magical shapewear, comfort is the focus for this style. You won't be sucked in or feel restricted. Instead, the ultra-light fabric has four-way stretch to hug and move with your body. They're available in two sizes — One Size and One Size Plus — which, I'll admit, made me raise my eyebrows. While I can't confirm how well they will fit on other body types, I did test the stretch factor of my One Size pair by just holding the waistband from each side and stretching them out until I felt resistance. I could stretch them to 20-inches wide, which doubled the width from their static 10-inch width. Technical measurements aside, I found these to have such a silky, soft feeling that made wearing anti-chafing shorts feel a bit more luxurious. My only qualm was that they have a very high waist that may show above some of your skirts, but isn't a problem underneath dresses.

A midweight seamless option, these shorts provide a bit more structure than the Spanx pair. They have a true mid-thigh length on me, which will likely translate to a shorter fit on tall folks. Unlike the Amazon shorts, which have more of a matte yoga pant-like finish, these have a smooth and shiny feeling. They have a ribbed waistband that rolls a little when I sit down but stays put for the most part. I think these are a reliable pair to keep on hand for underneath shorter skirts and dresses, or if you're petite. Also, a part of the backside is ruched for "booty shaping," but I can't say they did much in that department.

The fit on these Aerie shorts wasn't my favorite; however, they did make my thighs feel virtually frictionless. The microfiber is extra smooth so you can just glide along. They're also a good pick if you're looking for an anti-chafing short that's lightweight — they're in the same ballpark as the Thigh Society Cooling Shorts and Spanx Super-Light Smoothing Shorts. Made with a blend of recycled nylon, nylon and elastane, I appreciated the at least partially sustainable fabrication. But the elastic waistband had a tendency to dig in, and they are the only shorts in the bunch that require hand-washing, so they lost a few points for those reasons.