In our review of bike shorts for women, we put our lineup of cycling shorts through in-depth tests to see which models outpace the competition. We scrutinized them on indoor and outdoor rides. We rode up mountain passes at dawn and in thunderstorms, we raced in criteriums, road races, and time trial hill climbs. We took the shorts on lonely highways across desert landscapes both during the heat of the day and during the chilly nights. We crashed in them, we washed them repeatedly because they/we were sweaty, stinky, and dirty, and we wore them to coffee houses, grocery stores, and Pilates classes because, hey, the life of a woman on a bike is a busy one.
Comfort and Padding
We tested comfort by repeatedly putting on the shorts, wearing them on long rides, and assessing how we felt. We watched for bulges or unnecessary folding, or if a garment felt like it wasn't made for the unique body position of the cyclist, which requires that the waist be higher on the back. We rode in the saddle, out of the saddle, and (once) we fell off the saddle, all the while keeping notes on how we felt in the short and how the short felt against our skin. Shorts that scored higher in this metric felt good both on and off the bike, and helped our longevity and stamina for long days in the saddle. We especially valued high-quality chamois with higher-density foam, which helped us forget about our sit bones, even after many rough hours of riding. We considered how they felt for different styles of riding and terrain, as well as the amount of compression.
Fit and Features
While each pair of shorts we tested were all technically the same size (women's medium), they didn't all fit exactly the same – which is often the case for athletic wear. We tried each pair side by side, and assessed how well they fit, where they weren't great, and how they compared. We also had friends with different body types try them out to assess how they fit women of different shapes. Some shorts in the lineup have a body-skimming, ultra-slim, and compressive fit, while others are more generous. We also looked closely at the specific features of each pair, like drop seats, buckles, and pockets, and assessed how well they worked. Some of these features, like silicone leg loops, helped improve the fit as well, and helped our shorts stay exactly where we wanted them, even for technical trails.
Breathability
We took each pair of these shorts on a high-output ride on a hot day, both to chase times and to see how well they helped regulate our temperature. We assessed the breathability of the fabric of each pair, seeing how well they let you drop excess heat and where they accumulate sweat. Obviously, more breathable pairs scored highest here, keeping us comfortable even when we were working hard.
Fabric Quality
We tested durability and fabric quality by riding in these shorts a lot. If the day involved a bike somehow, at least one of the eleven shorts included in this review went along for the ride. Throughout the testing period, we scrutinized each short for signs of wear. We also took into consideration the manufacturer's warranty that accompanies each garment. If a seam comes loose or a logo delaminates, you'll want the peace of mind knowing that it can be replaced. We repeatedly washed each pair and assessed how well they bounced back after the wash.
Style
Despite being rather subjective, we included this metric in our review to demonstrate that while style might seem superficial and unrelated to a short's design or performance, it is, instead, a visual indicator of both of these things. The cut, fit, and style of each short makes a huge difference as to how the short will a) look on you and b) protect you during the ride. What's even more interesting, however, is that the “look” of the short corresponds to how well it scored in other review metrics. In other words, if it looks unsightly, it probably feels just as bad, or worse.
