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Looking for some biking gear? Don’t forget your bike shorts! Bike shorts are your last layer of protection between you and your saddle. They help protect you from chafing and saddle sores. Bike shorts also let you enjoy cycling for ours without feeling uncomfortable or sticky from too much sweat. We’ve listed the best bike shorts that you can buy in Amazon today below.
Best Bike Shorts for Men 2021
Spooned Men’s Biking Shorts
The Spooned Men’s Biking Shorts are made from high-quality polyester (80%) and Spandex Lycra (20%) with moisture-wicking ability. These cycling shorts for men feature an elastic closure. Easy to maintain, this bike shorts come with padding and boasts a four-way performance stretch.
The Spooned Men’s Biking Shorts sport a 6-panel anatomic design that prevents chafing. Quick-drying and breathable, these biking shorts are designed with your comfort in mind. Silicone leg grippers keep the shorts in place while 3D gel pads cushion important areas.
Unlike other cycling shorts, the Spooned Men’s Biking Shorts are made from skin-friendly materials — making it an ideal gift for yourself or your friend.
Souke Sports Men’s Bike Shorts
The Souke Sports Men’s Bike Shorts is made from 15% Spandex and 85% polyester. With anti-slip leg grips that are 1.8 inches wide, you can ride assured that these cycling shorts will stay in place as you ride. The silicone leg grippers also help prevent chafing and keep the chamois pad in place so you can enjoy a long comfortable ride.
Perfect for bike commuting and leisure riding, the Souke Sports Men’s Bike Shorts are crafted from a high quality breathable and lightweight fabric that is designed to wick away moisture with ease. The padding of Souke Sports Men’s Bike Shorts is made from lightweight, seamless, and compact chamois that features a 4-way stretch. The padding is made from 6 layers of premium multi-density foam that provides optimum comfort even in rough rides.
These biking shorts are also designed to maximize airflow in the saddle area to prevent saddle sores.
Eco Daily Men’s Bike Shorts
The Eco Daily Men’s Bike Shorts are made for cyclists who are looking for the best comfort. Made from 80% polyester and 20% Spandex, these bike shorts can wick away moisture with ease — keeping you dry and comfy throughout the ride.
These cycling shorts are very stretchy. In fact, it almost feels like your second skin! Featuring a 14-panel anatomic design, the Eco Daily Men’s Bike Shorts are designed to move with your body. Aside from supporting your movement, these bike shorts also help increase blood flow to your leg while riding. Worried about chafing? Don’t be. The Eco Daily Men’s Bike Shorts have flatlock seams to prevent chafing.
Offering 4D protection, the Eco Daily Men’s Bike Shorts comes with 6 layers of high protection and impact foam that’ll keep you comfortable on long road hauls or century rides. The padding allows for 4 way stretching while it’s laser-cut edges ensures a smooth and chafe-free ride all throughout.
Perhaps the greatest feature of these cycling shorts is the mesh panels on the waist and both sides of the legs. These panels provide excellent breathability — effectively reducing sweating, rubbing, and skin irritations. The Eco Daily Men’s Bike Shorts also come with anti-slip fabric leg bands that will keep your bike shorts in place. And as an added bonus, these leg bands are made from reflective materials to make you more visible at night.
Pearl Izumi Men’s Biking Shorts
These quality bike shorts are made to keep you dry, chafe-free, and comfortable throughout your time on the saddle. Designed to seamlessly fit the body, the Pearl Izumi Men’s Biking Shorts are proven to shave seconds and reduce drag as you ride — thanks to its 6-panel anatomic design.
Breathable and lightweight, the Pearl Izumi Men’s Biking Shorts are made from quick-drying materials. While silicone leg grippers hold the shorts in place without restricting movement. Select Escape 1:1 Chamois makes sure that you can ride comfortably without worrying about chafing or saddle sores.
The Pearl Izumi Men’s Biking Shorts are made from reflective materials that make you more visible when biking at night or under low light conditions.
Ally Men’s Mountain Biking Shorts
The new and improved Ally Men’s Mountain Biking Shorts offer the most comfortable ride you’ll ever experience. Designed to protect your from muddy water splashes, these mountain biking shorts are made from highly durable materials that are lightweight and quick drying.
Made from breathable fabric, the Ally Men’s Mountain Biking Shorts help wick away sweat from your skin so you stay cool and comfy throughout the ride. These cycling shorts for mountain bikers come with ample space for your mobile phone, cards, keys, etc.
Looking for a snug fit? Don’t worry. The Ally Men’s Mountain Biking Shorts also come with two adjustment Velcro on the side that you can use to easily tighten the fit as you ride. It comes in green, black, and grey.
Hiauspor Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts
The Hiauspor Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts come with an updated design that makes sure you’ll have a comfortable mountain biking experience all throughout. Made from highly breathable polyester and spandex fabric, these bike shorts can wick away moisture with ease so you can stay cool and comfy as you tackle these technical terrains.
These mountain bike shorts come with an adjustable waist configuration. Thanks to the elastic waistband in the back and two Velcro tabs in the sides, you easily tighten or loosen the fit to your liking.
The Hiauspor Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts sport five deep pockets secured with durable YKK zippers that are easy to close or open. That’s enough space for your phone, wallet, cards, keys, etc.
Stretchy and durable, these biking shorts are made from a 4-way stretch fabric that ensures comfort and flexibility without restricting your movement. The fabric is also resistant to scuffs, abrasions, and tears.
Best Bike Shorts for Women 2021
Eco Daily Women’s Bike Shorts
The Eco Daily Women’s Bike Shorts are made from 85% polyester and 15% spandex. This blend of fabrics is designed to wick away moisture and sweat from your skin with ease so you stay cool and comfortable throughout the ride. Made to feel like your second skin, these cycling shorts for women highlight your curves and moves with your body.
Made specifically for women, the Eco Daily Women’s Bike Shorts come with 3D, multi-density foam padding shaped and designed to support your sit bones. The padding also prevents you from leaning too far forward onto your sensitive areas. The Eco Daily Women’s Bike Shorts can be worn under your favorite skirt, pants, or shorts — making it a perfect choice for bike commuters.
The Eco Daily Women’s Bike Shorts will not roll up, reducing your risks of chafing even on long-distance rides. It comes with a waistband that’s 1.2 inches wide. The waistband features cover-stitched hems to keep the shorts in place.
They come in dark grey, purple, blue, and pink.
Eco Daily Padded Bike Shorts for Women
Another quality product from Eco Daily. These padded bike shorts are made from 80% nylon and 20% spandex which can wick away moisture and sweat from your skin with ease so you stay dry throughout the ride. The Eco Daily Padded Bike Shorts for Women are designed to move with your body — thanks to its anatomic construction and compressive fit.
The Eco Daily Padded Bike Shorts for Women feature an 8-panel anatomic design with moderate compression to support your leg muscles. Add to it a seamless chamois with 4D, multi-density foam padding that provides you optimum protection and comfort on the saddle — without adding extra bulk.
The Eco Daily Padded Bike Shorts for Women come with perforated vents to increase breathability. While a wide waistband works seamlessly with the elastic silicone leg bands to keep the cycling shorts in place. These women’s bike shorts are crafted from reflective elements to make you more visible at night or under low light conditions.
The Eco Daily Padded Bike Shorts for Women also come with a rear pocket for storing your small valuables. They come in black and purple.
Emprella Slip Bike Shorts
The Emprella Slip Bike Shorts are crafted from 95% cotton and 5% spandex. Designed to be worn under your dress, skirt, or pants, these biking shorts for women are perfect for bike commuters and leisure riders.
The Emprella Slip Bike Shorts are made to eliminate chafing while keeping you cool as you ride. It sports a triangle back construction which supports a wide variety of movement and an elastic closure to keep the shorts in place.
Gorgeous and lightweight, the Emprella Slip Bike Shorts will highlight your assets without bunching up and adding extra bulk. This particular three-pack offer comes in black.
Terry Liberty Bike Shorts
The Terry Liberty Bike Shorts feature an elastic closure and a 4-way stretch pad with soft wings. This amazing design ensures freedom of movement on the saddle while protecting your sensitive areas from chafing and saddle sores. It’s light, smooth, and multi-density foam padding provides optimum comfort without adding to the bulkiness.
The Terry Liberty Bike Shorts also sport loose-fit legs with elastic-free openings. These bike shorts for women also come with a zip pocket in the lower right thigh that’s deep enough to hold your smartphone or other valuables.
They come in black.
What are the Benefits of Wearing the Best Bike Shorts?
If you think bike shorts look goofy, think again. There’s a reason why pros wear bike shorts every time they ride. And we are going to talk about that in this section. But before anything else, understand that biking shorts are not for everyone nor it is for every type of ride. For example, if you are just biking to work, chances are, you prefer wearing shorts or your office clothes while braving the downtown traffic. Below are the amazing benefits of wearing the best cycling shorts.
Benefit 1. Cycling shorts keep your muscles compressed
Modern bike shorts are designed to compress your muscles. What’s the benefit of muscle compression? Well, for starters, compressing your muscles help reduce fatigue and soreness. This means you can ride faster and longer. And when that’s done, you will not feel as exhausted compared to not wearing your biking shorts.
Benefit 2. Bike shorts get rid of sweat
Do you sweat a lot when you bike? I do — especially when it is very hot outside! Unlike regular shorts or pants, bike shorts are made of materials that can wick moisture and sweat away. This allows your body to breathe — leaving you dry, comfortable, and fresh despite hours of intense pedaling. Aside from keeping you nice and cool, cycling shorts also help prevent rashes and chafing which are primarily caused by too much sweat. Some of the moisture-wicking materials commonly used in biking shorts are polyester, nylon, spandex, and Lycra.
Benefit 3. Cycling shorts are more aerodynamic
If your goal is to ride faster, then you must invest in the best bike shorts that you can get. Cycling shorts that are skin tight effectively reduces wind resistance — allowing you to cover the same distance but with lesser energy expenditure than wearing regular shorts. Statistics show that aerodynamic drag can slow down a cyclist by up to 70%. That’s why most professional bike racers invest heavily in premium bike shorts to reduce this drag and make their ride faster. It may seem like a very trivial thing but trust me, in terms of speed, the difference between aerodynamic biking shorts and regular shorts is night and day!
Benefit 4. Bike shorts are flexible
Ideally, when you are biking, you want to pump your legs with as little resistance as possible. Biking shorts are designed to allow for a full range of motion so you can pedal more efficiently.
Benefit 5. Don’t forget the chamois!
Save the best benefit for last! The most important benefit of bike shorts is that they keep your sensitive regions safe and comfortable. The chamois (pronounced as “shammy”) is usually made of synthetic materials filled with foam or gel. They are designed not just to absorb shock and vibrations but also to reduce the friction between your legs.
Chamois are not created equal. There are some variants designed specifically for women because of differences in the body structure of a male and female. Usually, chamois in women’s bike shorts are wider while men’s chamois has an inlet in the middle.
How to Buy the Best Bike Shorts
Now that you know the amazing benefits of cycling shorts, let’s talk about how to get the perfect pair of bike shorts for your needs. Here are a couple of tips to help you get started:
Tip 1. Know that there are different types of bike shorts
In general, there are two types of bike shorts in the market. The first one is tight-fitting and stretchy while the other is loose and baggy. Here’s what to get:
If you are road biking…
If you are road biking, speed is important. Loose and flappy bike shorts can be annoying and don’t give you a full range of motion when pedaling. So, if you are road biking, go for tight-fitting bike shorts. You can either choose from bib shorts or bib-less shorts.
- Bib shorts – a favorite among racers, bib shorts come with mesh suspenders that are designed to keep the shorts in place when you are biking. It also doesn’t constrict your breathing.
- Bib-less shorts – just your regular shorts. No bibs, no hassle.
If you are mountain biking…
Now, if you are mountain biking, go for loose and baggy shorts. Speed is not important when tackling technical terrains. So, baggy shorts are great as they offer the best comfort and functionality.
Tip 2. Decide on what material you want
Most tight-fitting bike shorts are made from a breathable inner layer that wicks away sweat and compresses your muscles. The outer layer of the shorts is usually made from water repellent materials. If you are into bibs, go for a more mesh upper half so it’s cooler and more comfortable.
Baggy shorts, on the other hand, are made from somewhat stiff and stretchable materials. Some are also designed to wick away moisture or repel water. The lighter your baggy shorts are, the cooler and more comfortable you will be.
Tip 3. Determine the best chamois type for you
The quality of your chamois will depend on several factors like your gender, weight, and body type. Some are made from basic uniform pads while the more expensive ones are designed to wick away moisture while cushioning you from vibrations, shocks, and impact.
Tip 4. Make sure your bike shorts fit
Bike shorts are stretchy but it doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about the fit. Each brand and make are different so make sure you pick the one that fits you best. Here are a couple of considerations:
- make sure the chamois is not too far front or back.
- the chamois should cover your lower back sufficiently.
- the leg opening should fit snugly on your legs. Just make sure that it doesn’t ride up your legs when you pedal.
- the more panels your bike shorts have, the better the fit. (more panels means more expensive too)
- for baggy shorts: the length of your baggy shorts should be proportional to the amount of suspension your bike has.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bike Shorts
1. Do I really need a bike short?
Yes! Cycling shorts protect your most sensitive areas, especially during long bicycle rides. Constant rubbing between your bike seat and inner thighs may lead to chafing and saddle sores. Bike shorts prevent this by offering a layer of protection through good padding and by using smooth fabrics.
Most cycling shorts are also designed with aerodynamic features that give you a full range of motion and less drag as you ride.
Lastly, bike shorts provide some form of compression which helps support your leg muscles by increasing blood flow to the legs.
2. What features to look for when buying bike shorts?
There are hundreds of bike shorts to choose from. When buying bike shorts, consider the factors below:
Baggy or Tight Fitting – tight-fitting Lycra bike shorts offer the most aerodynamic and sleek profile. These cycling shorts are perfect for road biking and bike races where speed is important.
Another type of bike shorts is baggy shorts that offer the same comfort as Lycra cycling shorts but are more casual in terms of fit and design. Baggy shorts also come with side or rear pockets for carrying your valuable. These bike shorts are perfect for mountain biking or bike commuting.
Padding – most bike shorts come with pads (also called chamois). These paddings are sewn into the crotch area to provide some cushion over your sensitive parts and to stop chafing. Ideally, look for pads that are smooth, comfortable, and fits your body type.
Construction – bike shorts are made of panels that help them follow the shape of the body when cycling. Most high-end bike shorts are made with 8 panels. Less expensive ones usually come in 6 panels.
3. Do I need to wear underwear under my biking shorts?
Biking shorts are designed to be worn without any undergarments. The chamois is designed to protect your sensitive areas from pressure, vibrations, as well as bacteria. Also, if you wear underwear, you’ll end up riding on the seams of your undies which may increase your risks for chafing — defeating the purpose of wearing bike shorts. An extra layer of clothing will also prevent the cooling function of bike shorts from working which will leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable on the road.
4. How many bike shorts do I need?
We recommend getting at least three pairs. You need to wear a clean pair of bike shorts every time you ride.
5. What’s the best material for bike shorts?
Most bike shorts nowadays are made from spandex and polyesters. These fabrics are stretchable yet durable. Most spandex and polyester fabrics are treated with a finish or knitted in a specific way so they can wick away moisture and sweat. Some bike shorts also have mesh components for added breathability and comfort.
Happy biking!
