The Best Women's Shorts (For Biking and Everything Else) - Bicycling

Bicycling; Courtesy Brooks

Getting dressed for a day you'll spend both on and off your bike can be challenging, as biking requires decent leg coverage and shorts that won't ride up. We've rounded up the best options for women's shorts you can comfortably wear all day, but will still feel good wearing while riding your bike. You won't find any technical bike shorts or padding here, but these bike-compatible options all have a comfortably long inseam, a fit that won't bunch up on the bike, and a high waistband to prevent slipping and gapping.

Best Women's Bike Shorts

What to Consider

Inseam

For maximum comfort going from biking to the rest of your day, we recommend at least a three-inch inseam, with many people preferring at least a five-inch inseam. This length will mean less stress about your shorts exposing too much skin while you're getting on and off the bike and a lower chance of chafing while pedaling.

Style

While the traditional "bike shorts" style—think knee-length black spandex—is back in fashion right now, there are plenty of other shorts styles to choose from that still allow you to comfortably ride a bike. Choose classic compression shorts style, or opt for a more airy running shorts style that allows for maximum freedom of movement while offering a lengthier inseam. We have also included a few stylish options that have more in common with mountain bike shorts, with a rugged face fabric and snap-front waistband.

Material

Most shorts that will work well for riding and all-day wear will contain a combination of nylon, polyester, and stretchy components, like elastane. Some of these shorts incorporate natural fibers, but most are a wicking blend of synthetics built to be odor-resistant and lightweight while helping manage moisture. Some of the shorts have more compression than others, and checking the percentages of spandex or elastane will give you a good idea of how they'll fit.

How We Selected

We chose the shorts on our list based on them having the best components of shorts built for biking and still being comfortable and cute enough for all-day wear. We chose a variety of styles, from the more fashionable "bike shorts" style to running shorts that come with light compression underneath, so you can bike to your running route and go for a run without changing. We looked for shorts with high waistbands, longer inseams, and a variety of styles that will appeal a wide variety of shoppers, no matter where your day takes you.

For more great cycling gear to add to your arsenal, check out our picks for the best bike helmets for women, best bike jerseys, and best cycling shorts.

1

Best Overall

Frontrunner Shorts

• Comfortable run / bike combo
• High waist
• Multiple pockets

• Inner shorts can ride up

Key Specs

• Inseam: 3 inches
• Material: Outer: 71% nylon, 21% polyester; Inner: 82% polyester, 18% elastane
• Size: XS-XL
• Colors: Black, blue, gray

Biking to your running destination? You can't go wrong with these light-as-a-feather two-layer shorts. These shorts are a flattering combination of lightweight running shorts and lightweight compression shorts, perfect for combining a bike ride with a run or hike.

These shorts have a minimalist zippered pocket that can hold a key, credit card, and energy gel, and the waistband is high, but wide and comfortable so it never feels like it's pinching.

These shorts are also excellent for reducing chafing, though the inner compression shorts are so light that they may occasionally ride up, depending on your stride.

2

Best Stay-Put Compression

Groundwork Pace Shorts

• 6-inch inseam is perfect mid-range fit
• Super deep side pockets
• Stays in place on waist and legs

• Compression might feel too tight

Key Specs

• Inseam: 6 inches
• Material: 68% nylon, 32% spandex
• Size: XS-XL
• Colors: Black, teal, pink, blue, graphic purple

Janji deliberately styled these running shorts after bike shorts, which means they wound up being a near-perfect combination, no matter where your activities take you.

These shorts fit like a glove, with two deep side pockets that securely held a credit card, headphone case, and phone on an all-day outing. The shorts also have a pass-through pocket on the back, and a hidden pocket for stashing a key.

The nylon feels hefty and durable, and retains shape after multiple uses. The shorts don't ride up on the legs, and they stay put, thanks to the wide waistband and high-rise fit.

3

Best Budget Bike-Style Shorts

High Waist Power Flex Biker Shorts

90 Degree By Reflex

• Flattering fit
• Tons of colors
• Multiple inseam options

• Can stretch out after wear

Key Specs

• Inseam: 5, 7, or 9 inches
• Material: 87% nylon, 13% spandex
• Size: XS-XL
• Colors: Black, pink, yellow, teal, maroon, gray, mauve, navy, purple

With classic bike-shorts style and an insanely low price point, you'll want these shorts in every color. These soft shorts come in three different inseam lengths and have a hidden waistband pocket for your key, along with two deep pockets on the legs for your phone and cards.

90 Degree by Reflex continually makes affordable, flattering activewear with a wide, flat waistband, and these shorts are no exception.

We're comfortable layering these shorts under looser running shorts, skirts, and anything else where we want more coverage with seamless, next-to-skin coverage underneath.

4

Best Bike-to-Town Shorts

Halle Shorts II

• Durable
• Fits true to size
• Breathable

• Legs can roll up

Key Specs

• Inseam: 5 inches
• Material: 95% recycled nylon, 5% elastane
• Size: 0-16
• Colors: Black, navy, sage, tan, blue

prAna's updated Halle shorts are ideal for riders looking for shorts with less of an activewear vibe without sacrificing function. Made with the company's ReZion fabric, these shorts have four-way stretch, are moisture-wicking, and have a 50+ UPF rating. We love the generous side pockets and the inner key pocket for security.

These shorts have a 5-inch inseam, so you can ride with confidence, and have a flattering, mid-rise cut that doesn't gap at the waist—perfect for going from bike to town and back.

5

Worth-It Splurge

Allston Long Shorts

Tracksmith

• No bunching
• Quick-dry
• Two hidden pockets

• Limited sizes

Key Specs

• Inseam: 7.25 inches
• Material: 57% nylon, 43% elastane
• Size: XS-L
• Colors: Pink, black, green, navy

Composed of nearly half elastane, these shorts have a more serious compression component than others on this list, but still manage to feel soft and comfortable. These shorts are high-waisted and secure, and will stay put no matter how vigorous the activity.

The Allston Long Shorts are sleek and streamlined, with two pockets on the back of the waistband that offer enough room for stashing a credit card, key, and phone. Since these have such a highly compressive fit, and since some Tracksmith items tend to run on the small side, we recommend sizing up if you're between sizes.

6

Most Flattering

High Waist Biker Shorts

BALEAF

Now 23% off

• Wide size range
• Affordable
• Three pockets

• Some color options are softer than others

Key Specs

• Inseam: 5, 7, or 8 inches
• Material: 87% polyester, 13% spandex
• Size: XS-3XL
• Colors: Black, navy, pink, white, gray, green, teal, maroon, purple, charcoal

Built with comfort in mind, these affordable shorts come in a variety of colors and inseam lengths, and we love the more generous size range. The shorts have a flattering high-rise cut and a wide, flat waistband that doesn't bunch or roll. They have flat-lock seams to prevent chafing, and the deep side pockets securely hold a phone and credit card. This blend of polyester and elastane is enough for light compression without feeling restrictive, and they dry quickly after bouts of high-output activity.

7

Best Mountain-Bike Style Townie Shorts

Merino Sport 8" Shorts

• Comfortable merino lining
• Versatile styling
• Recycled outer material

• Waistband can gap

Key Specs

• Inseam: 8 inches
• Material: 86% polyester, 14% elastane; merino/polyester liner
• Size: XS-XL
• Colors: Black, orange, green, tan

Spinning off from their fully merino-based items, Smartwool's cute-yet-functional longer inseam shorts are at home on a cruiser bike ride or at a rooftop bar. The lightweight exterior fabric is stretchy and dries quickly, and doesn't feel binding despite the 8-inch inseam.

The merino-blend for the lining and waistband is soft and moisture-wicking, as well as naturally odor-resistant. These shorts have two zippered front pockets and two back pockets, and they are made with ZQ-certified merino, which means better sustainability throughout the supply and manufacturing process.

8

Best Barely-There Shorts

Chaser 7" Shorts

• Light, airy fabric
• Chafe-resistant seams
• Updated waistband

• Pockets could be deeper

Key Specs

• Inseam: 7 inches
• Material: DriLayer polyester
• Size: XS-XL
• Colors: Black, navy, violet, Bluetiful Altitude (pictured)

Brooks recently updated these shorts with a better fitting jersey brief liner, which makes these long-inseam shorts even more comfortable for all-day wear during a variety of activities. The smooth seams and ultralight four-way stretch fabric mean you'll forget you have these on, and the smartly placed vents built into the back of the shorts help increase airflow on hot days. These have two generous hand pockets, two hidden pockets on the waistband, and a back pocket for stashing your phone.

Maggie Slepian Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks.

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