The Best Cycling Shorts for Every Type of Rider
The next time you’re struggling through the middle of a ride that feels like it will never end, take heart in one simple fact: You’re not wearing hand-knit wool shorts while you’re doing it. Prior to a synthetic-fabric revolution in the Sixties, the average cycling shorts had more in common with trousers from Savile Row than they did with the multiple-panel, computer-designed, high-tech-material-padded miracles that today’s riders take for granted.
The right shorts (or cycling bibs) can make the difference between a ride to remember and one you’d just as soon forget. The key, of course, is finding the clothing that matches both your style and your ride.
Check out quick info on five of the best shorts below, then scroll deeper for buying advice and longer reviews of these and other top performers.
It’s (Almost) All About the Chamois
The name “chamois” comes from a leather made from European mountain goats, but since the 1980s virtually all chamois pads built into cycling shorts have been constructed of synthetics. And a good one is among the most critical pieces of bike gear. A chamois adds some padding to make rides more comfortable and is engineered to pull moisture away from your body while reducing chafing on sensitive areas. Less irritation and bacteria build-up help prevent dreaded saddle sore.
Most chamois have a padded inner wrapped in low-friction, anti-microbial fabric. The better ones have fewer or smoother seams and more anatomical cuts to prevent bunching so you feel like you’re wearing high-performance cycling gear and not a soggy diaper.
Shorts vs. Bibs: Pros and Cons
There’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to shorts versus bibs. It comes down to personal preference. How do they fit? What type of riding do you do? Does one work better than the other with your body shape and size? It’s best to try both and remain loyal to the one that’s most comfortable for you.
Shorts are more convenient than bibs when nature calls midride. But because shorts often have a snug waistband to hold them in place, they can cause irritation, especially if they’re too tight. Some shorts, however, have a wider, more loose-fitting waistband that doesn’t cinch around your midsection. Another downside to shorts is that gap between the top of the waistband and the bottom of your jersey. If your jersey rides up, your skin can be exposed—unless you’re wearing a base layer tucked into the shorts.
Bibs use shoulder straps, rather than a constricting waistband, to hold the shorts up and in place. No waistband means less pressure around your stomach. Most bibs have a higher panel front and back that not only eliminates your chances for exposed skin but also holds in your stomach for a more flattering look. But not everyone is able to adapt to the downward pressure, however slight, that bib straps can put on your shoulders. And some folks don’t appreciate that straps are visible under lighter-colored jerseys. The biggest complaint with bib shorts? Unless yours are designed with a drop tail or super-stretchy straps (which so many these days are), bathroom stops can be a real pain in the butt. Generally speaking, you’ll find better quality and fit with bibs than you will with shorts.
Mountain Bike Shorts
The Golden Age of mountain biking saw a sharp sartorial divide between the cross-country racers, whose tight-fitting Lycra shorts and jerseys were often indistinguishable from those of roadies, and the downhill crowd, which tended to ape the loose-fitting, impact-oriented gear of motocrossers. Those two perspectives are mostly reunited in the modern MTB short, which generally has a slim-fitting “baggy” outer that offers some of the style and protection of those old motocross-inspired offerings but with a tighter fit and lighter fabric to keep you cooler and that won’t snag on your saddle or rub on your knees.
Mountain bike shorts also come in several lengths and styles. If you want to wear kneepads, you’ll want something longer with a wider opening to accommodate them. Otherwise you can wear something a little shorter and tighter. Most shorts are sold with a chamois liner, of which many are adequate but don’t offer the fit or quality of dedicated bibs or chamois shorts.
Women’s Bibs (and Shorts)
The two primary differences between men’s and women’s cycling shorts are the cut and the pads, which vary for the demands of different anatomy. Most notably, the pads in women's shorts are narrower in the middle and lower in the front. Some brands alter the bib straps to be more comfortable around the chest. Brands are also improving their women’s lines with drop-tail options that allow for easier midride pit stops, like rear straps that can be separated or detached to allow for just the back portion of the bib to be lowered (and raised) or, simply, bib straps with more give so the shorts can be pulled down without removing the straps at all.
Details Matter
Increased emphasis on fit has led to a range of product sizes, catered to fit every rider in the market. Some brands offer two (or more) “fit types” to cover riders who might have the same waist size but sharply different proportions. The “pro” fits are for flat stomachs and skinny quads, while “club” or “touring” fits allow for a belly and a larger leg profile that is more common among recreational riders.
How We Chose the Shorts
Our team of testers collectively rides tens of thousand of miles a year on all manner of bikes and terrain. Consequently, we use, abuse, and wear out a large number of shorts annually as we scour the cycling industry looking for the best products to suit the demands of riding, be it racing, training, trail riding, commuting, or just for recreation. Most models have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, quality, durability, standout features, comfort, and how the overall package meets the needs of the intended buyer. Here are the 15 shorts, bibs, and mountain bike shorts we recommend.
Road Shorts
The Black Bibs
We were skeptical that $40 shorts could be this good, but the Black Bibs earned our Gear of the Year award not just for their value but because they consistently outperform shorts that cost six times as much. They’re very simple–no fancy fabrics or creative cuts–and that’s why we love them. Made entirely of plain, black Lycra with mesh bib straps and large bands of leg grippers at the cuffs, they don’t look like much to write home about. But even after logging six months in the Black Bibs, one tester still consistently reaches for them first. The chamois is thin—thinner than in most premium shorts—but it’s comfortable for all-day rides and, despite many long jaunts in the saddle and sweaty trainer sessions, hasn’t broken down. Even more shocking, neither have the leg grippers, which still work as well as when they were brand new. Our only gripe is that the Lycra is cut a little high around the waist, which can make the shorts feel a tad warm on summer days. But for the durability and match-every-jersey-in-the-wardrobe style at only $40, it’s a compromise we’re happy to make.
BUY WOMEN'S
Terry Women’s Bella
These reasonably priced women’s shorts won’t intimidate new bib users. Terry is known for providing a wide range of sizes and styles for all different body types, not just the racer build that often gets the most focus from brands. The Bella has earned Bicycling’s Editors’ Choice honor for women’s shorts in the past for, said one tester, “features such as its distinctive hot-pink perforated chamois, which delivered on its promise for increased comfort and breathability by wicking away moisture.” An elastic-front waist means no muffin-top effect and plenty of breathing room.
Pearl Izumi Women’s Pursuit Attack Bib Short
These shorts have a lot of stretch in the hip and thigh and felt sleek and supportive without being restrictive. The hem seemed to stay put despite moderate compression throughout the leg and a delicate gripper band at the bottom. We appreciated the superlight straps on hot days, and the small plastic clip in the front adds extra support (it’s so tiny we couldn’t tell it was there even when we didn’t use it). In the back, the straps crisscross over your shoulders and attach on either hip, allowing nature breaks without having to remove anything else—a true midride time saver. Bonus: They’re made with recycled polyester.
Giordana FR-C Pro
Seasoned riders will appreciate Giordana’s focus on specific details for high-mileage rides and races. A blend of Lycra panels—compressive on the front and side, anti-abrasion for the seat and inner leg—on the FR-C offers compression for the quads and chafing relief on the inner thighs. The contoured and anti-bacterial waistband is comfortable and prevents odor, and silicone grippers on the legs hold the shorts in place without feeling too tight. The bib upper has a breathable mesh back to prevent overheating and microfiber straps to keep you comfortable on long rides.
Velocio Signature
This Velocio offers similar functionality as the Giordana above, but with a more traditional look. Cross straps in back lend a retro vibe. Also retro: the five-panel construction and relatively light padding in the chamois. And the Italian-made Signature has an extreme-temperature sibling called the Superlight for really hot summer days. For easier pee breaks, the women’s Signature Fly variant has a rear zip-down panel.
Rapha Core
The definitive favorite for roadies, touring riders, and cyclocrossers, the Core is Rapha’s most affordable bib short but still boasts the trademark quality and style that make the brand so recognizable. The laser-cut leg grippers are held in place with silicone, while flatlock seams don’t chafe. The stretchy polyester-elastane blend in the bib allows even distribution of pressure on the shoulders so you likely won’t feel the straps, even on longer rides. And it’s softer than on many other bib shorts—those who dislike compression and prefer a more free feeling will be pleased with the light, open construction.
Louis Garneau Men’s CB Carbon 2
For high-tech shorts at a reasonable price, you can’t beat Louis Garneau’s CB Carbon 2. The brand’s CB Carbon+ fabric cools while you ride, thanks to sun-reflecting Coldblack treatment, and carbon fiber woven in lends some antistatic, antimicrobial properties. Louis Garneau took a scientific approach to constructing the chamois, varying thickness to match up with your pressure points and a central channel for ventilation and comfort. Light compression in the legs is comfortable and prevents the shorts from riding up—and makes your legs look toned in your Instagram photos.
Baleaf Men’s 3D Padded Pants Tights
They may not offer the same performance, fit, and durability as some of the pricier options on our list, but the Baleaf 3D Padded Pants Tights (don’t be mislead by the name, they’re shorts) have similar features at an almost unbelievable price. For less than $25—yes, you read that right—you get a decent pair of shorts made from a stretchy, breathable, moisture-wicking fabric with reflective details to increase visibility. Silicone leg grippers hold the shorts in place, and a wide waistband feels comfortable against skin. Unlike other shorts on this list, the chamois incorporates a gel padding to reduce vibrations.
Thermal Bib Shorts
The Black Bibs Plus Winter
A pair of fleece-lined bib shorts is a must-have for spring and fall riding, when it’s cool enough that a single layer of Lycra doesn’t keep your buns warm but full-length tights are liable to make you overheat. While it lacks any fancy fabric with exotic names, this model offers enough insulation for riding in the low 30s, yet still felt comfortable on the days when the mercury climbed close to 60. Using the same cut as the standard-weight Black Bibs, as well as the same chamois, mesh bib straps, and leg grippers, the Plus Winter version became an instant favorite with our tester. Also like its summer-weight sibling, after four months of steady use both on and off road, it’s showing no signs of wearing out.
Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall S9
It’s exceedingly rare that a pair of bib shorts scores a perfect 10 straight across the board, but that’s what we have here. The brushed fleece liner is warm but not thick or bulky, and a wind- and waterproof panel across the front kept our most sensitive area protected from biting winter gusts and sleet. The thermal material snugly wrapped around our torso, and the inseam is longer than any other winter bib shorts we’ve tested. Crucial for winter riding, the leg grippers stay in place over leg warmers better than most–nobody likes shorts that slowly creep up while riding. And the chamois is sewn into the shorts in a unique way: There’s no stitching along either side to allow the pad more freedom to move with your body. At first glance you might think it’s only a matter of time before the seams break and the pad detaches completely, but we’ve worn other shorts for years with the chamois attached in this fashion without a problem. These shorts are so comfortable we were sad to pack them away when spring rolled around but are now excited for a chance to wear them again.
Pactimo Alpine Thermal Bib Shorts
These shorts are nearly perfect for fall and spring rides. We found the brushed fleece liner thick enough to comfortably ride in temperatures that dip below 50 degrees, and when the mercury climbed high enough to entice us to shed our leg warmers, we didn’t feel hot and sweaty either. The Alpine Thermal’s wide leg bands have thin reflective strips, and both legs have a large mesh pocket that’s great for stashing gear you want easy access to. The pad is thick and comfortable and doesn’t require an extended break-in period. While the inseam isn’t as long as the Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall S9 Bib Shorts, it’s long enough that we didn’t have problems with the shorts sliding up and over our leg warmers. The thermal-lined bib straps are unique, and while they don’t add any substantive warmth, they do add a good feeling as you pull them over your shoulders.
Trail Shorts
Shredly the MTB Long: the Lindsay
Our tester noted that this super-styling short is the unicorn of women’s mountain bike bottoms: It not only looks slamming on the singletrack, but, once you slip out of your chamois, it’s equally eye-popping at the coffee shop. Shredly’s Lindsay MTB Long short is 3 inches longer than the company’s Multi-Sport and MTB Short models, so it easily slides over knee pads and gives off a downhill look. It has a comfortably low-slung, contoured waistband with extra coverage in the back. The fit is relaxed, but not shapeless, and might be best described as casually formfitting. An internal waist-adjustment system allows you to fine-tune fit.
Pearl Izumi Men’s Elevate Short
There’s a lot to love in these trail shorts. The outer layer is made from Cordura, a lightweight, stretchy, and water-resistant fabric. And the long inseam works both on the bike and off. In a standing position, our spindly-legged tester appreciated that the shorts extended past the knees. But once on the bike, the shorts settled into a comfortable spot just above the knees. The slim-cut legs moved comfortably while pedaling, without excessive flapping in the wind. The Boa dial that tightens the waistband, located in the center of the back, was a pleasant reprieve from the Velcro that’s more commonly found–we loved that there was nothing for our baggy top to get snagged on. Vents in the front keep your legs as cool as possible on hot days, and side pockets are angled down for more natural access while on the bike. The shorts come with a padded liner, but we cut that liner out and used Pearl Izumi’s Cargo Bib Short Liner instead because we wanted the extra pockets.
Specialized Enduro Pro
With the Enduro Pro’s seven pockets—five on the bib liner, two on the outer—to stash all your ride essentials, you can leave the pack at home. The bib liner uses a system that Specialized calls SWAT (Storage Water Air Tools), which allows you to tuck things like gear, spare tubes, and hydration tight against your body. The detachable (via two snaps and loops) liner is soft and comfortable, with a breathable mesh bib and soft straps. Two zipper pockets on the front legs of the outer shorts are ideal for things you need quick access to or anything you can’t afford to lose on the trail—think money, a phone, your keys. The lightweight, water-resistant outer shorts aren’t overly baggy, but they are roomy enough to accommodate light padding.
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Zoic Women’s Navaeh
The Navaeh outer short is constructed from polyester and spandex, so it’s lightweight and breathable. That also comes with enough stretch to allow for full range of motion. There are four zippered pockets—two on the hips and two on the sides of the legs— and each is big enough to carry a phone, tool, or snacks. Don’t fret, the zippers lock to stay secure whether you’re pedaling all day or sending it over jumps. The fit is true to size, and the Navaeh has Velcro adjustment straps in case you do need to cinch it down a little. You can buy it as a shell only, but it’s worth the extra $15 to get the spandex liner with a women-specific chamois.
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