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Anyone who has spent a few hours on a hard bike seat without the right shorts knows how unforgiving it can be. Maybe you've had this experience recently, and that's why you're here. Maybe you're looking to swap out a well-worn pair of shorts for something new. Either way, I've got you covered. Alongside a team of top male and female cyclists, I have tested and ranked the best bike shorts available today. We spent hours in these shorts evaluating them for comfort, breathability, and overall function.
From over 150 pairs of shorts tested since 2013, my favorite option for men is the SUGOi Evolution Bib. A good pair of bibs is hard to beat, and the Evolution has a close but well-ventilated fit and a dense chamois. The best option for most women is the Pearl Izumi Pro Bib Short. Our female testing team was a big fan of the cushy chamois and the near-seamless material.
Whether you are new to cycling or are a veteran who likes to keep your eye on the latest gear, you might want to look at our recommendations for cycling shoes and bike saddles. If you prefer dirt over pavement, our team has also extensively tested top mountain bikes.
Who it is best for: The SUGOi Evolution bib is ideal for cyclists seeking a high-performance bib for short, fast rides and long, grueling sessions, offering exceptional comfort and fit that moves with the body. It's perfect for riders who want to focus on their performance without distractions. “I felt completely dialed in during every ride, no matter the distance,” one tester shared.
Why we love it: It has a top-tier chamois and impeccable fit, allowing seamless movement in the saddle, paired with breathable, strategically placed fabrics and durable construction that withstands rigorous riding. It keeps riders comfortable and focused, whether on a sprint or an endurance ride.
Should you buy it? For cyclists prioritizing performance and comfort, the SUGOi Evolution is a worthwhile investment at its affordable price. However, budget-conscious riders might consider the Gore Wear C5 Bib, which also scored highly but costs less. If you focus on a bib that excels in fit and durability for any ride length, this is a top choice. “I'd pick this bib for any serious ride, but not if I'm watching my wallet,” a tester admitted.
Who it is best for: The plush, stylish Pearl Izumi Pro Bib Short is ideal for serious riders who spend long hours in the saddle and want top-tier comfort. It's especially well-suited to those who value high-end fit and thoughtful features like the drop-tail design for quick bathroom breaks. Riders who want a performance bib that disappears on the body will appreciate this piece.
Why we love it: Its cushy chamois feels almost luxurious—not something we often say about performance bike wear—and the seamless construction gives a barely-there feel. The bibs also feature a center clip for customizable fit, which we preferred to keep clipped to avoid shoulder interference. The Pro Bib comes in fun colors and has a universally flattering cut on our testers. “It's so comfortable, I forgot I was wearing bike shorts halfway through the ride,” one tester said.
Should you buy it? If premium comfort is your top priority and you're willing to invest, the Pro Bib is hard to beat. Budget-conscious riders may prefer the more affordable options, but they won't match the Pro Bib in long-ride comfort. This is our top recommendation for cyclists seeking the best blend of comfort, fit, and subtle style.
Fun colors, smooth seams, and buttery soft fabric make this bib a favorite.
Who it is best for: The Endura Pro SL is best for dedicated cyclists who want near-premium performance without the top-shelf price, ideal for long rides or intense crits while accommodating various body types with multiple chamois sizes and inseam lengths. It suits budget-conscious riders balancing cycling gear with other expenses. “These shorts gave me pro-level comfort without breaking the bank,” a tester shared.
Why we love it: We love the leg and chamois comfort, offering tight, compressive performance that supports long days in the saddle and high-intensity races, with a waders-style design that enhances support and cooling. Testers raved, “They have the leg and chamois comfort to last through a long day in the saddle and the tight, compressive performance to carry you through a white-knuckle crit out in the heat.”
Should you buy it? If you're a dedicated rider seeking elite performance on a budget, the Endura Pro SL is a top pick. However, its low-cut waistline may cause discomfort or an unflattering look for some, and chamois bunching can occur (opt for the narrow chamois to avoid this).
The Castelli Competizione Bib Shorts are ideal for cyclists seeking affordable, high-performance bibs for shorter rides, such as crits or weekly training sessions, offering dependable support and comfort without a premium price tag. They're perfect for riders who need a reliable backup pair or prioritize value. “These bibs feel fast and keep me cool on my regular rides,” a tester shared.
Why we love it: We love the Castelli Competizione for its balance of affordability and performance, providing a great feel, sufficient support for speed, and effective cooling under the sun, making it one of the best value-driven cycling shorts available. Our lead tester noted, “They're dependable and among the most affordable high-performance shorts out there.”
Should you buy it? If you're looking for cost-effective bibs for shorter rides under 90 minutes or as a training pair, the Competizione is a strong choice, though its padding may fall short for longer rides.
Who it is best for: The Sugoi Evolution Bib Short is a great choice for riders who want high performance and comfort without paying premium prices. It's ideal for cyclists looking for reliable gear that performs well on long rides and doesn't overcomplicate bathroom breaks. If you're seeking something that's not cheap, but not top-dollar, this bib hits the sweet spot.
Why we love it: This short blends technical features, soft and stretchy materials, and practical design in a way that impressed our testers. The bibs were some of the easiest to manage during bathroom breaks—a surprisingly big win on long rides. “I felt like I got high-end quality without the high-end price,” one tester noted. While the chamois wasn't the most padded in our test, it was still excellent for rides over two hours, and the overall comfort and quality were among the best in our lineup.
Should you buy it? If you want a bib that delivers high-level performance at a more accessible price point, the Evolution Bib is an outstanding pick. Riders who prefer a more relaxed leg fit might prefer other models. These bib shorts stand out as one of the smartest buys for a balance of performance, comfort, and value.
Style, comfort, and durability are highlights of these bibs.
Who it is best for: The Pearl Izumi Quest Bike Shorts are best for budget-conscious cyclists, commuters, or newer riders tackling shorter rides or trainer sessions, offering essential comfort and durability at a low cost. They're ideal for those needing reliable shorts for low-mileage trips without breaking the bank.
Why we love it: This has outstanding value, combining a tough, high-nylon mix for a tight, wear-resistant fit with the improved Levitate Chamois, enhancing in-saddle comfort for short rides or commutes. They deliver the bare minimum needed for a few hours on the bike with impressive longevity, as one tester noted, “These are tough shorts that get the job done affordably.”
Should you buy it? If you need affordable shorts for commutes or rides under an hour and a half, the Quest is a top pick, though its chamois comfort fades on longer rides. “These shorts make my daily commute much better without costing a fortune. But for longer hauls, I'd want more padding,” a tester remarked.
Given the amount and intensity of riding we did in these shorts, we're pretty pleased with how they held up, even if they aren't pro-level shorts.
Credit: Ryan Baham
How We Tested
While there are some key differences, the essentials of what makes a good pair of bike shorts remain the same across different categories and gender models. They need to keep you comfortable on your ride, offering the right balance of flexion and breathability while protecting your legs and nether regions from the bike saddle and whatever sort of brush or friction you may encounter on your rides. Oh, and bonus points if the shorts also look cool. Alongside a team of male and female cyclists, I tested bike shorts to make sure they covered all the important bases. Between work commutes, spin classes, rides over winding mountain passes, and never-ending gravel roads, the shorts selected for this review each got at least 10 hours of saddle time in, and I made sure to include at least one ride of 2+ consecutive hours. Anyone can bike for 20 minutes in a pair of jorts, but extended wear time is where a truly reliable piece of riding gear sets itself apart. We also judged fit and style. When you're 40 miles into a long Saturday ride, fashion is the last thing you're likely to be concerned about. Luckily, the shorts the team found to be the most functional also often happened to be quite stylish, in my opinion, and we gave a few bonus points to these models. A general breakdown of our testing metrics is as follows:
Comfort/fit
Padding/protection
Breathability
Durability
Style
Why Trust GearLab
Our women's testing team is led by Rebecca Eckland and Madison Botzet. Each of these women has an abundant love for the outdoors and a fair amount of experience in the cycling world. Rebecca is a marathoner-turned-cyclist who has competed as a USAC Cat 3 road racer under the Clean Power Powered by Tesla flag. She holds several course records in the Silver State 508, and beyond that, she just loves being on her bike. Madison has ridden thousands of miles on and off the pavement and is a youth mountain bike coach. She is a dedicated bike commuter who has sworn not to drive anywhere less than 5 km away. Our lead tester for men's bike shorts is Ryan Baham. Ryan is a runner, road cyclist, and armchair philosopher who works out his demons over 100-mile bike rides. He started biking as a young teen, and today, he puts in thousands of miles year-round in the temperate climate of southern California.
How to Choose the Best Bike Shorts for You
Bibs or shorts? Gel or foam? These considerations, along with inseam length, cuff type, and chamois thickness, are things you'll have to decide when picking out your shorts. To start, there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all bike short (and if you see a unisex version claiming to be so, run in the other direction). However, the goal of a great pair is universal: to make sitting on a hard, narrow saddle for hours on end a little more bearable so you can focus on enjoying your ride or pushing yourself that much further in your training.
The Assos Cento EVO is an excellent bike short with fantastic comfort. Here, we see our lead tester taking to the streets to test each actually test each short we discuss.
Credit: Ryan Baham
Riding Style
The first thing to consider is the type of terrain you ride. I mainly cover men's and women's road cycling shorts here, so if you spend most of your time on the trail, you'll want to take a look at our recommendations for the best mountain biking shorts for men or trail shorts for women. Beyond that, the intensity, length, and location of your rides can all make a difference in the features you want to look for in your perfect shorts.
Just because you spend most of your time on dirt doesn't mean you won't find anything of interest here. Many serious XC riders and racers opt for more form-fitting shorts for their improved comfort, aerodynamics, and overall performance. Additionally, many mountain bike shorts are made to accommodate a liner short worn underneath, so the following info might still be worth a read.
For longer rides, comfort reigns supreme. In the words of one of my fellow testers, “I want shorts so comfortable that I forget I am even wearing them.” This means you should look for a pair of shorts that minimize chafing, bunching, and pinching. For shorter, more relaxed rides (cafe commute, anyone?), you probably don't need such a “techy” short and might want something casual enough to wear into the coffee shop or grocery store. Maybe you do a bit of both and can find a different short to match your ride each day. Either way, keep your realistic riding goals in mind as we go over the features that make a bike short great for long, grueling centuries vs casual family cruises.
The debate between bibs and shorts has no right answer, but considering your riding style and intensity will point you in the right direction.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Bibs vs Shorts
Still wondering if you should go for shorts or over-the-shoulder bibs? The short answer: bibs. The long answer is a bit more nuanced and comes down to personal preference. Many serious riders prefer bibs because they are more comfortable and just hold everything in place a lot better, if you know what I mean. The straps keep the chamois close to the body no matter what position you're in, and there is less chance that the shorts will bunch, pinch, or roll at the waist. Additionally, the lack of a waistband means you won't have to worry about continuous pressure on your abdomen, which can feel restrictive to your breathing and potentially cause tummy troubles down the road.
Bibs have the advantage of comfortably snug (but not too tight) waist edges. Seamless edges like the one shown here can help reduce the risk of chafing.
Credit: Ryan Baham
That's not to say shorts don't also have their pros. If I know I'm going out for a cruisy ride where I'll be hopping on and off my bike, and I'm not worried about performance or efficiency, I'll throw on a pair of shorts. They are more casual, and it is much easier to slip on a pair of street shorts or even a skirt over top if you decide to pop into a shop or restaurant. Shorts can also feel a bit cooler on hot rides, as you don't have extra layers of fabric under your jersey.
Finally, you'll want to consider bathroom logistics. This may seem like a funny thing to point out, but getting in and out of a full Lycra getup is not always the most convenient, and the reality is that choosing shorts over bibs can make bathroom pit stops less of a hassle. Anyone who has ever had to get nearly naked in a cramped public restroom to take care of nature's call will understand the draw here.
An inside look at the chamois in a few of the men's shorts we tested. The differences in padding and paneling are evident.
Credit: Ryan Baham
Chamois
A chamois is the key element that differentiates bike shorts from any other pair of athletic shorts. This thin layer of padding is sewn into the fabric of your shorts and offers a few millimeters of cushion to smooth out your ride. The idea is to alleviate pressure points and protect against chaffing/numbness. While it is arguably the most important component of your cycling apparel, ideally, it is the least noticeable part of your riding gear, and because it is the only thing protecting your tush from hours of grinding on a rigid bike seat, a good chamois is worth its weight in gold. If you intend to spend a serious amount of time in the saddle, I recommend getting a good one.
Some mountain bike shorts have a chamois (often removable) that may be enough for some riders. However, you can get higher-quality padding and a better fit by wearing a pair of close-fitting liner shorts underneath. This gives you more flexibility in your choice of chamois style as well as your choice of over-shorts.
Most chamois are either made from a dense foam or gel material covered with a layer of moisture-wicking microfiber material. I prefer gel as it tends to have a denser (read: more supportive) makeup that doesn't pack out as fast as foam versions. It is also less bulky under the seat. However, gel is also usually more expensive, so it's up to you to decide if it's worth it based on how much time you spend riding. Aside from materials, the next thing you'll want to look for is a chamois with a formed panel construction. Rather than one smooth, flat piece of padding, these chamois are formed to follow the contour of your anatomy before you even put them on, and can have a quilted effect that predetermines where the material will bend and fold. This helps prevent any unnecessary bunching.
You can see the difference between thoughtfully designed chamois with paneling and varying thickness, vs a large flat piece of foam. Which one would you rather have under your bum?
Paneled chamois can also have different thicknesses throughout, providing more padding where you need it and cutting down on bulk where you don't. Ideally, the composition is thicker in the center and thinner toward the edges. The overall thickness of the padding also directly impacts comfort. For longer or more frequent rides, you'll want to level up the padding and probably go with a dense gel. For shorter rides, good-quality foam should suffice, and you may be able to get away with something thinner.
Men's vs Women's: Chamois, Fit, and Style
For many gear items, the differences between men's and women's versions can be as minimal as color and size, and I typically recommend going for what feels the most comfortable for you, regardless of gendered branding. However, with bike shorts, it really does matter, mainly due to the shape and placement of the chamois. Men's chamois tend to be longer and narrower, and have a hollowed channel through the center to allow for blood flow. Women's models tend to be a bit wider overall, but especially in the back to accommodate wider sit bones.
That said, you should still purchase the pair that feels most comfortable for you, and the best way to figure this out is to try on a pair and hop on a bike. Make sure the padding of the chamois covers the entire surface of the seat when you are leaning forward in the saddle and gripping the handlebars, taking your actual riding position. While you can't exactly take a pair of shorts for a 5-hour test ride before you buy them, you can at least make sure that you don't notice anything immediately bothersome. You can keep an eye out for itchy fabric or irritating seams, things that only get worse after hours of riding.
Aside from the chamois, other differences mostly pertain to the cut. Women's shorts typically have a curvier cut and a higher rise. Women's bibs have shorter shoulder straps to accommodate a shorter torso and are wider set in the chest area. The leg grippers usually have a more generous cut so as not to cut off blood flow in thicker thighs (this is a key area of the fit that you want to get right).
It doesn't take long to understand the need for gender specific gear in this instance. Especially in the case of close-fitting gear that is meant to support intimate bits, differences in anatomy call for specially tailored cuts.
A few other notes on fit can be universally helpful in finding the right pair of bike shorts. You want the leg cuffs to stay put, and most shorts achieve this by way of silicone grippers or compression cuffs, sometimes a combination of the two. I recommend going for the compression cuffs, as you avoid the hair pulling and skin gripping that can come with silicone strips. I'd also recommend looking for a pair of shorts that have a decent amount of compression overall to help increase blood circulation and support your muscles.
The overall width of the cuff and the articulation of the silicone placement can change the comfort and effectiveness of leg grippers.
If you decide to go with bibs, make sure the straps are not too tight, as this can cause strain on the fabric and put extra pressure on your shoulders. Check that there is no loose fabric that could cause eventual chafing, and if you decide against bibs, make sure the waistband on your shorts isn't too restrictive.
The goal is to get out and ride; the shorts are just a tool to help you get there.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Conclusion
In the end, the point of finding the right gear is to keep you active and on the move, no matter your style or preferred activity. But it's not always easy. We put our bums on the line to test the comfort, practicality, durability, and style of each pair of shorts in our review, and with this information in hand, I hope you have a better idea of what to look for in a pair of bike shorts. Here's to spending less time scouring the internet and more time on the road.
