The Best Biker Shorts - Don't Waste Your Money

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Last updated on November 11, 2022

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Our Picks For The Top Biker Shorts

Show Contents

  Top Pick

BALEAF

High Waist Side Pocket Compression Biker Shorts

Overall Take

Practical and ComfyYou can keep your phone in these high-rise shorts and still look good.

Practical and ComfyYou can keep your phone in these high-rise shorts and still look good.

  Runner Up

Sunzel

High Waisted Side Pocket Biker Shorts

Overall Take

Just Enough StretchThese soft, breatable shorts with four-way stretch fit a variety of body types.

Just Enough StretchThese soft, breatable shorts with four-way stretch fit a variety of body types.

  We Also Like

Colorfulkoala

High Waisted Side Pocket Biker Shorts

Overall Take

Silky Smooth FabricThe polyester/spandex mix makes these the foundation of a go-to biking outfit.

Silky Smooth FabricThe polyester/spandex mix makes these the foundation of a go-to biking outfit.

  Strong Contender

Hanes

Stretch Jersey Biker Shorts

Overall Take

Cozy Cotton BlendWhen you want comfort, turn to these versatile and super-soft biking shorts.

Cozy Cotton BlendWhen you want comfort, turn to these versatile and super-soft biking shorts.

Guide written by Tod Caviness

Last updated on November 11, 2022

If you're seeing a lot more people wearing stretchy, form-fitting shorts these days, it doesn't necessarily mean there's a bicycling convention in town.  They may be called biker shorts, but these snug little bottoms are now the go-to for many people's workouts, whether on road bikes, stationary bikes, or no wheels at all.

The reasons are obvious. Biker shorts are generally made of material that moves easily and won't get slippery with moisture. Thanks to that stretchiness, many biker shorts are one size fits all — but that doesn't mean every set of shorts will be the right fit for you.

First, consider whether you're going to be doing any actual biking in your biking shorts. "True" bicycle shorts aren't just made of fabric with stretch. They also incorporate special padding around the crotch called a chamois. This chamois is specially designed to reduce stress and sweat buildup in that sensitive area where your own "seat" meets the bike seat. Many higher-end biker shorts also have minimal, strategically-placed seams to prevent chafing.

If you're not doing any bike marathons, congratulations! You can probably go for something more affordable. For regular workouts or yoga sessions, your shorts should be snug but not tight, with a little extra squeeze in the waist and legs so your shorts don't ride up or slip.

Most biker shorts are made with a blend of polyester and spandex, which is a good mix: The spandex stretches while the polyester wicks the sweat away. If you want a little extra comfort, you might want to go for shorts that add a bit of cotton to that mix. Be careful, though, since cotton blends are a little trickier to wash. With any spandex material, be sure to follow washing instructions closely.

You'll see many biker shorts advertised as being "compression shorts," and well-designed ones can have real benefits for those who exercise frequently. Basically, this type of garment has a little more tightness around the muscle groups that are likely to see more movement (such as your quads and glutes). That gets the blood pumping just a bit harder, which can speed recovery and reduce soreness.

Of course, the look of your shorts is always a consideration. It's definitely more acceptable these days to wear biker shorts outside the gym, so make sure they match with most of your workout clothes. When in doubt, black is always a good option, especially with form-fitting items like this.

Finally, it's always nice to have a little extra storage. Many biker shorts will incorporate a pocket or two, but don't overuse them. Most of these pockets are small, and anything bigger than a smartphone or a few credit cards is going to create an unsightly bulge. Shorts with pockets can be a great choice to wear underneath skirts or other outfits that don't otherwise give you a place to keep your essentials.

The Best Biker Shorts

These shorts have something that many form-fitting garments do not: pockets. That's reason enough to love them even without the fact that they're snug without being constrictive. Follow the easy washing instructions and they'll keep their color and stretchiness.

Specifications

You can expect these stretchy, high-waisted shorts to stay put for even the most strenuous workouts. The elastic fits snugly around both the waist and thighs without cutting off circulation. There are even two small pockets you can use for credit cards or other small items.

Specifications

These comfortable biker shorts with a 6-inch inseam feel just like a big hug. The material is smooth but secure without restricting movement; they won't ride up your legs even when you're moving a lot. The pockets are spacious but unobtrusive, and perfect for nearly any size phone.

Specifications

Colorfulkoala

These aren't tight enough to be compression shorts, but the soft, sturdy material makes them great for short workouts or just wearing under skirts. The cotton jersey weave makes them super-comfortable no matter where you're wearing them. They're also very easy to wash.

Specifications

These biking shorts are just as attractive as they are functional. They come up high on the waist, so you get plenty of coverage when wearing under clothes. The feel is very comfortable and the material is thick enough to prevent it being see-through even when stretched out.

Specifications

If you're seeing a lot more people wearing stretchy, form-fitting shorts these days, it doesn't necessarily mean there's a bicycling convention in town.  They may be called biker shorts, but these snug little bottoms are now the go-to for many people's workouts, whether on road bikes, stationary bikes, or no wheels at all.

The reasons are obvious. Biker shorts are generally made of material that moves easily and won't get slippery with moisture. Thanks to that stretchiness, many biker shorts are one size fits all — but that doesn't mean every set of shorts will be the right fit for you.

First, consider whether you're going to be doing any actual biking in your biking shorts. "True" bicycle shorts aren't just made of fabric with stretch. They also incorporate special padding around the crotch called a chamois. This chamois is specially designed to reduce stress and sweat buildup in that sensitive area where your own "seat" meets the bike seat. Many higher-end biker shorts also have minimal, strategically-placed seams to prevent chafing.

If you're not doing any bike marathons, congratulations! You can probably go for something more affordable. For regular workouts or yoga sessions, your shorts should be snug but not tight, with a little extra squeeze in the waist and legs so your shorts don't ride up or slip.

Most biker shorts are made with a blend of polyester and spandex, which is a good mix: The spandex stretches while the polyester wicks the sweat away. If you want a little extra comfort, you might want to go for shorts that add a bit of cotton to that mix. Be careful, though, since cotton blends are a little trickier to wash. With any spandex material, be sure to follow washing instructions closely.

You'll see many biker shorts advertised as being "compression shorts," and well-designed ones can have real benefits for those who exercise frequently. Basically, this type of garment has a little more tightness around the muscle groups that are likely to see more movement (such as your quads and glutes). That gets the blood pumping just a bit harder, which can speed recovery and reduce soreness.

Of course, the look of your shorts is always a consideration. It's definitely more acceptable these days to wear biker shorts outside the gym, so make sure they match with most of your workout clothes. When in doubt, black is always a good option, especially with form-fitting items like this.

Finally, it's always nice to have a little extra storage. Many biker shorts will incorporate a pocket or two, but don't overuse them. Most of these pockets are small, and anything bigger than a smartphone or a few credit cards is going to create an unsightly bulge. Shorts with pockets can be a great choice to wear underneath skirts or other outfits that don't otherwise give you a place to keep your essentials.

Cycling has come a long way since the 1880s, when "safety bicycles" became more available to the masses and people started riding — usually in their regular clothing. Eventually, more specialized clothing came along. But up until the 1930s, bike racers had to make do with outfits that were usually made out of wool. This kind of material would stay warm and breathable even when wet, but you can probably imagine the chafing problems those early bikers ran into — especially when it rained.

Fortunately, at that point, the chamois — once actually made from the skin of the goat-like animal called the chamois — came along. And by the 1950s, cyclists were using many other materials, including nylon and polyester, in their riding clothing. However, biking shorts as we know them didn't come along until the popularization of Lycra material (invented by DuPont Manufacturing in 1959) came about in the 1970s.

In this age of athleisure, gym clothes can be everyday clothes. That goes for biker shorts too, though there are some general rules on how they can best be worn. One time-honored way to complement those tight shorts is with an oversized blouse or tee. This can be a great solution of you've got particularly sheer shorts that don't hide your underwear lines.

Speaking of underwear, you may not want to wear it at all if you're truly going biking. Pro-style biker shorts are made to minimize chafing, but undergarments can spoil the effect. Just make sure to wash them after every use.

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