Good cycling pants are as important as the bike，so it will be so important to choose cycling pants.
Whether you’re ready to invest in your first pair of bike shorts or simply need to add another pair to your expansive cycling wardrobe, we’ve rounded up the best cycling shorts for women. A good pair of padded bike shorts can make a world of difference, allowing you to ride longer in comfort and to avoid chafing and saddle sores.
The bike shorts on this list can be used for road cycling, commuting, mountain biking, and even for indoor cycling. If you prefer a pair of baggy shorts instead, check out our article on the best Mountain Bike Shorts for women.
We’ve also grouped the shorts into two categories: bib shorts and traditional shorts. Not sure of the difference or which you should pick?
Keep scrolling. At the end, we have some tips on what to look for in a cycling short and how to make the best purchase for yourself.
Women who swear by bib shorts won’t choose anything else. Women who are afraid of bib shorts due to the pee-trap factor, rest easy. We’ve picked bibs that are easy to get in (and out) of.
The Performance short comes in two lengths–9″ or 7″–which allows women to choose the coverage they prefer. Both the waistband and legbands are comfortable and stay in place.
Something unique about these shorts is that there are two fabric layers. The inside layer is thin and mesh like and the chamois is sewn into it. This means there is no external stitching where the chamois is.
We recommend choosing a women’s-specific short rather than a men’s short because the chamois will be better designed for a woman’s anatomy. A women’s chamois is wider at the rear (because our sit bones are wider) and provides more soft tissue support.
Cyclists generally fall into two categories: those who love bibs and will wear nothing else, and those who think they’re a pain. In general, bibs tend to be more comfortable.
They don’t have a waistband to dig into your tummy while you ride, and they help you avoid that dreaded gap between your shorts and jersey where your muffin top can spill out. Plus sized ladies, in particular, tend to prefer bibs.
The one big drawback to bibs is that they are more challenging to change in and out of, and for women, make bathroom breaks considerably more difficult. That said, we’ve included some bibs on this list that have been designed to help make those pit-stops a little easier.
Secondary only to the chamois, leg bands and waistbands can make or break a bike short. We like waistbands that don’t cut into our skin, but that also doesn’t sag. Nobody wants plumber crack.
Leg bands are also important. Most bike shorts have a silicone leg band or other grippy material. This helps keep bike shorts in place so you don’t have to keep constantly pulling them down.
