Best padded bicycle shorts

We tested and reviewed 35 padded bike shorts to find the best options. Jump to a Section. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Yet another season of riding and testing the best bike shorts, and we've added 5 new pairs to our full review of With more than 50 pairs tested over the last 8 years, we've developed a robust system of testing, researching, and analyzing cycling shorts to ensure what we have to say is worthwhile and useful. Our reviewers are lifelong riders who've gone through all the same struggles and frustrations as our readers, so we know what to look for and where to find the catches. We spend weeks out on the road and hours inside on the trainer, getting a feel for what we wear and then passing along the best details we can compile, analyze, and summarize for you. Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 17, , to share more information on our weighted test metrics.

Best padded bicycle shorts

Editors' picks 2. All-round use 3. Thermal 5. How to choose. The best cycling shorts, along with the best road bike saddle or the best gravel bike saddle if you're rad are about as make or break as it gets in terms of cycling kit. Get it right and you'll be in for endless miles of blissed out riding in perfect comfort. Get it wrong and you may as well perch yourself atop a housebrick and ride down a cobbled street. Whether you're getting your first pair of cycling shorts or your tenth, we've got you covered. There are options for general road use, cargo bib shorts for those that need extra storage, and thermal options for high-tempo winter riding. The list here focuses on the best cycling shorts for men, as we have a separate guide outlining the best women's cycling shorts. As ever, if you're not quite sure what you're after we've got all the key questions taken care off at the bottom of the page to make sure you make the most effective use of your cash. Best overall. The Pas Normal Mechanism have performed excellently over several months of hard riding and have kept me completely comfortable. Not once have I had to adjust the shorts or think about them in any way when riding which is invaluable.

But the bib loops keep the short from slipping down and help prevent bunching up, so they can be more comfortable on longer rides. How to choose.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear. A great pair of mountain bike shorts makes all the difference on that kind of ride, considering how much time you end up spending on the seat. Modern mountain biking apparel is relatively tight-fitting clothes to reduce drag, and breathable and lightweight to keep you cool. The best mountain bike shorts, specifically, are tailor-cut, but they look a bit more casual than spandex bike shorts.

Picking a pair of cycling shorts or bibs is extremely personal. An ill-fitting pair can rub the wrong places or bunch up as you move making it hard to even think of anything but your shorts. Made from a stretchy, close-fitting fabric with an elastic waistband, they mesh with your body almost like another layer of skin. You often need to try on and test out multiple pairs of shorts or bibs before finding the ones that are perfect for you or as close to perfection as you can get. There are tons of cycling shorts and bibs out there, and many of them appear near-identical at first glance. To be fair, many are. But they are not all the same, and you will have a much better time riding if you figure out what kind of shorts you prefer. Join Bicycling All Access for more gear advice.

Best padded bicycle shorts

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Why Trust Us? Editor's Note: Updated June 1, We updated this piece to replace out of stock links, but kept the original tested products.

Maybelline gone greige

My cycling buddy Joe only wears black shorts, and these are his favorite. They're cut perhaps for a slightly less racy position than something actually designed for crit racing like the Rapha Powerweave, but for an endurance setup there ideal. Always hang-dry cycling shorts and bibs, though. Rachael Schultz has been a health, wellness, and outdoor adventure writer for nearly a decade and a gear editor for five years. We basically looked at the bare minimum of what you need to be on the bike for a few hours without hating life, rubbed that against cost, and narrowed it down to these shorts. They keep everything in the right place and prevent sagging, ultimately making you more comfy on the bike, which is what it's all about. Having nylon, spandex, and polyester materials reduces air drag as well as rub friction between your body and the saddle, thus increasing your efficiency. There is a wide range of nine colours to choose from, I tested the light burgundy option including white if you want to get really snazzy. The shorts are a win too, the mesh is stretchy and reasonably soft, white the straps are wide and comfortable. What to Consider The top-notch performance and durable construction come with a price to match. Padded bike shorts help in several ways, including pressure relief in the saddle, shock absorption, moisture regulation, and protection against chafing and irritation. All-round use 3. Breathability also regulates temperature, which can be a major factor in endurance.

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Some cycling shorts, the majority of them women's specific for good reason, feature a 'drop tail' design that allows you to pull the rear of the shorts down without having to get totally undressed. Giordana FR-C Pro. Our tester found the chamois thick and plush without feeling overly bulky and good at relieving any pressure from the ride. This is a solid pair of fall or early spring bibs that will keep you warm without overheating. The straps are laser cut with no edge stitches, so they disappear completely, and they're designed in such a way that you can drop the tail of the shorts down without taking them off when nature calls. Comfortable, supportive, and a good chamois are prerequisites, but our picks are a cut above without any gimmicks or marketing fluff. Best Cargo. Some more race-oriented shorts offer a compression fit, which will feel tighter. The Trail Underwear Pro liner breathes like nothing else in hot weather. Our testing combined shorts and bibs into one category to find what works best for you on the bike. Read our full review of the Rapha Trail Liner shorts. All in all, these shorts will make many long-distance riders very happy. Pros Stylish and functional Comfortable. NH: Since mountain bike shorts are often baggier than standard cycling shorts, riders often choose to wear a set of chamois underneath them to reduce chafing. The pad is the perfect size for mid- to long-distance rides—and our tester barely noticed it during a minute ride.