The 10 Best Men’s Cycling Shorts for a More Comfortable Ride (2024)

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 Bargain: Sportneer Padded Bike Shorts
• Best Mid-Tier Cycling Shorts: Specialized RBX Short
• Best Bib: Pearl Izumi Expedition Bib Shorts

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.

Pearl Izumi hit the sweet spot with the Expedition Bib. They offer the fit and comfort of more expensive options, boast well-padded chamois, and are durably constructed. They’re highly supportive without becoming restrictive, and can be worn on their own in the heat of layered in the cold. A couple of pockets provide decent storage, and grips prevent the legs from riding up.

Patagonia’s Dirt Roamer shorts are a long-time favorite of casual riders and mountain bikers alike. Made with nearly 90 percent recycled polyester and spandex, they’re as good for your cycling comfort as they are for your conscience, and their sonic-welded seams mean the shorts won’t chafe. They also offer ample room for knee pads underneath and have a high degree of stretch, with cinches on the side to allow wearers to tighten them more.

Our editors loved these cool weather bibs so much we gave them our Editor’s Choice Award in 2020. Despite having a brushed fleece inner, Assos managed to keep these bibs thin enough to remain comfortable, with a non-bulky feel. The fronts also feature a windproof and waterproof panel that will keep you protected during rides in inclement weathers. The included leg grippers not only keep the shorts in place while you ride, but can keep leg warmers in place, too.