The 10 Best Men’s Cycling Shorts for a More Comfortable Ride
Whether you’re looking for shorts, bibs, or baggies, these are our favorite for long days in the saddle.
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A good pair of bike shorts can go a long way at keeping you comfortable in the saddle, especially with a quality chamois. Modern shorts, bibs, and chamois not only provide some extra cushion, they also help wick moisture away, ensuring your continued comfort as you ride. Whether you’re a triathlete, gravel rider, or mountain biker, these men’s shorts will help when you want to go the distance.
The Best Men’s Cycling Shorts
- Best Overall: Pearl Izumi Expedition Bike Shorts
- Best Value: Louis Garneau Optimum 2 Shorts
- Best Mid-Tier Cycling Shorts: Specialized RBX Short
- Best for Long Rides: Castelli Competizione Cycling Shorts
- Best Baggy Shorts With Liner: Zoic Ether Bike Shorts and Liner
What to Consider
Styles: Shorts, Bibs, and Baggies
Cycling shorts largely fall into three categories. Road cycling shorts are generally either shorts or bibs and almost all have built-in chamois (we’ll get to those in a second). Baggies are usually worn by mountain bikers or more casual riders, providing additional coverage and protection from brush and the elements.
Cycling shorts are worn skintight to reduce drag and are typically made out of spandex. With an integrated chamois, they’re not meant to be worn with underwear underneath. They have an elasticized waistband to help ensure they stay up during long rides, but keep in mind that a waist that’s too low or too tight can cause discomfort by exposing your skin to the elements or cutting into your abdomen while riding.
Cycling bibs are similarly skintight, spandex, chamois-ready, and meant to be worn commando, but with the addition of shoulder straps. Like suspenders, the shoulder straps on cycling bibs hold them in place, so their shorts don’t need a tight waistband, which makes them more comfortable for some riders. The downside is that they make things more difficult when nature calls. They also put some pressure on your shoulders and stomach, which might not be comfortable for all riders.
Baggy bike shorts don’t come with a chamois, but some have an integrated chamois liner. Baggy shorts tend to be looser than spandex shorts while remaining flexible, allowing them to move easily with the rider’s legs. Since mountain bikers often wear pads, particularly on steep, tricky descents, baggy shorts are designed to fit over knee pads without getting caught on them.
While these shorts are designed for mountain bikers, they’re also great for gravel and road bikers who don’t want to wear skin-tight spandex shorts. For baggy shorts without chamois, people can choose to buy a chamois liner or cycling underwear with some padding.
Chamois
Modern chamois are true feats of engineering, designed to ease rubbing on the most sensitive areas of your body that come into contact with your bike. Low-friction and anti-microbial, these padded liners reduce irritation, salt buildup, bacterial growth, and saddle sores.When it comes to chamois, bigger isn’t always better. Too much padding in a chamois can have you waddling around like a duck when you’re not riding. The best chamois feels supportive without feeling like a diaper between your legs. Look for anatomically shaped patterns and channeled areas of foam that help ensure the chamois breathes well and doesn’t bunch up while you ride.
Sizing and Fit
When it comes to bike shorts—especially the skintight variety—the right fit is essential. Luckily designers are placing increased emphasis on offering a wide range of sizes and fits, with some brands offering 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 larger abdomens and legs.
How We Selected
With our keisters in the saddle at least 10 hours a week, we’re pretty familiar with what makes a good bike short. We’ve based our picks on our personal favorites, those tested by Bicycling staffers, those recommended by customers, and those that have earned high praise from other professional reviewers we trust. These choices for men represent a variety of options that fit every budget, riding style, and fit from brands known for their quality and value.
Chris Meehan is an internationally published writer, author, and editor with more than two decades of professional experience. He has authored multiple adventure guidebooks with Falcon Guides and his work focusses primarily on the nexus between sustainability and outdoor adventure. He is an experienced gear reviewer, tester, and travel writer who has explored multiple continents.
Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.
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