How do I choose the best cycling shorts?

The most critical part of any cycling shorts is the seat pad, so it's worth looking for a pair with a pad that's dense, even if it's not thick to help to protect you from the saddle on longer rides. Elastic Interface is generally considered to be the foremost seat pad maker. Next, look at the fabric. Do you want super-lightweight shorts for hot summer rides, or more insulation for spring and fall? Or maybe you're looking for extra protection for gravel rides or in case of a fall. They're all catered for across the range of available shorts. Look at the leg grippers. Wider grippers tend to be more comfortable and less likely to cut into your legs. Do you want bibs? They help keep your shorts and seat pad in place as you ride and avoid an elastic waistband cutting into your stomach. On the other hand, they do make comfort breaks harder. Some straps are designed to lay flat over your shoulders for more comfort and a more streamlined look. The crucial question, of course, is how much you want to pay. Although you can find excellent bib shorts at reasonable prices, the best bib shorts tend to be expensive.

Why wear padded cycling shorts?

The number one job for a pair of cycling shorts is to protect the rider from saddle sores and chafing by providing a layer of padding which is shaped to suit the riding position. In preventing saddle sores, it's also really important to ensure you have the right saddle, so highly recommended further reading are our pieces on the best bike saddles (or best women’s bike saddles ). Cycling shorts are also constructed from high-wicking, quick-drying fabrics that encourage sweat to leave the surface of the skin thus keeping the rider dry and stink-free on hot days and helping to reduce the discomfort associated with riding in the rain.

How much should I spend on cycling shorts?

You can pick up a pair of cheap cycling shorts for as little as a meal out. These will meet basic needs, coming with a chamois pad and will be constructed from lycra, which won't flap in the wind, and shouldn't bunch up when riding. These will be a marked improvement over jeans or non-padded sports shorts, but the difference between super cheap and a branded pair is like night and day. It's likely that the pad and fabrics used will be thin, the fit won't be great and durability will be poor. The middle ground for a pair of quality cycling shorts will likely take you into triple digits, and for that you can expect to buy a high quality pair of bib shorts that will provide several seasons of cycling in comfort. Spending even more for a high end pair will provide you with more durable fabrics and extras such as compressive materials, better fit thanks to the use of multiple panels and carefully constructed leg grippers. The chamois will often offer more breathability, better comfort and multi density padding that provides more targeted cushioning.

What are the differences between cycling bib shorts and waist shorts?

At Cycling Weekly, we test predominantly bib shorts, as in the main we find this style to offer the best cycling shorts for comfort, fit and performance. These have bib straps attached to the main body of the shorts. The bib straps mean there's no need for an elastic waistband to hold them up, eliminating any digging in at the stomach. It's also impossible for them to fall down - so there's no need to worry about plumber's crack or an unfortunate sunburn. Finally, the straps mean that the material stays put, and the chamois can't move around. Shorts or waist shorts are, however, still popular. There is a simplicity in just pulling on a pair of shorts - and pulling them down for nature breaks. Waist shorts are also generally cheaper, and often a good 'first cycling short' option for those new to the sport, who aren't totally onboard with padded bib shorts — yet. Regardless of what you choose, it's important to know that you are not meant to wear underwear with padded cycling shorts. The chamois is designed to sit against your skin.

What are the best materials for cycling shorts?

The choice of materials by cycling short designers is huge, from thicker, fleece-backed leg material used on thermal bib shorts for chilly spring conditions to well-ventilated back panels to combat the summer heat. It's a good idea to have a selection of bib shorts in your collection, with varying options depending upon weather conditions. Breathable fabrics or cut-outs at the back are good additions on a pair of summer cycling bib shorts. More expensive bib shorts will use fabrics which aid blood circulation through compression. Those aiming for the aero edge may also feature technologies said to slice through the wind faster than skin. You can also buy bib shorts with extra carrying capacity and the best cargo bib shorts will give you space for your phone or a few extra energy gels where they're handy to reach during a ride.

How do I find the best fitting cycling shorts?

Cycling shorts should be constructed from multiple panels of fabric. In general the more panels used, the better the fit, although more advanced cycling shorts will use more technical fabrics which are capable of delivering a second skin fit from fewer panels. Fewer panels mean fewer seams and less risk of chafing. You need to ensure the shoulder straps are comfortable. Some come up short, feeling a little restrictive, even for a rider of average height. Wherever possible, try on bib shorts (over underwear) and — as silly as you may feel in the dressing room — adopt a riding position to get a clear idea of how they’d really feel on the bike. Styles vary as well - some riders like cycling shorts that reach almost to their knee joints, whilst others prefer them to finish mid-thigh. Longer shorts can rub against the tendons in the back of the knee while shorter ones may leave your legs rubbing on the sides of the saddle.

Why is the chamois so important in cycling shorts?

The other details are important to consider, but the chamois is the absolute key bib short component. Get it right and your shorts will offer years of comfortable miles. Get it wrong and the pad can be like a mediaeval torture device. The best cycling short chamois pads are shaped to suit different sorts of riding — often the product description will give you an insight into the pad sewn into a pair you're looking at. Endurance focused chamois pads will be thicker to cater for longer hours in the saddle and will usually have denser foam at the rear to cater for an upright position. A chamois that's designed for short, hard, race efforts will often have more padding at the front as riders on the rivet will usually rotate more to sit on the end of the saddle.

Best cycling shorts for men

Male cyclists wearing some of the best bib shorts for cycling

(Image credit: Future)

Jump to category:

1. Best for comfort
2. Best budget
3. Best value cargos
4. Best warm cargos
5. Best colorways
6. Best non-bibs
7. Best for versatility
8. Best for fit
9. Best for indoor use
Buyer's guide to the best cycling shorts
How we test

By Stefan Abram

last updated 12 September 2023

Best cycling shorts for men 2023: Jump Menu

(Image credit: Future)

The list in brief ↴
1. Best bib shorts for comfort
2. Best bib shorts on a budget
3. Best cargo bib shorts for value
4. Best cargo bib shorts for changeable conditions
5. Best bib shorts for color options
6. Best non-bib cycling shorts
7. Best bib shorts for combined comfort and versatility
8. Best bib shorts for premium fit
9. Best bib shorts for indoor use
Buyer's guide to the best cycling shorts
How we test

This year Black Friday is running from November 24th - 27th. We've rounded up all the best Black Friday bike deals - spanning fully built bikes, components and tech - in our main hub page. You're guaranteed to find a bargain.

The best cycling shorts should be the number one piece of kit in any rider's wardrobe. A good pair of padded cycling shorts can ensure you're able to put the time in on the bike. A bad pair can lead to a lot of discomfort, taking the joy out of your ride, even on one the best road bikes.

A top notch pair of cycling shorts should include a quality seat pad (also called a chamois or chammy), quick-drying and high wicking material, a stretchy fabric that provides muscle support and a comfortable fit.

While it's nice to team with the best men's cycling jerseys, it's vital to get the right fit for you and your style of riding.

There are many, many pairs of shorts out there and there are a lot of good options. We've had the opportunity to test many pairs of cycling shorts and we can't include every good option in this list - so we've picked our favorite cycling shorts for you here.

While much of the buying guide will ring true for both men and women, the shorts we've included on this page have been tested by men; although there are often female versions of the same shorts, we can't vouch for their comfort.

We've a dedicated page that just includes the best women's cycling shorts detailing exactly what to look for and hand picked our favorite pairs.

If you're specifically looking for more affordable riding attire, check out our round up of the best cheap cycling clothing to help you get kitted out for less.

Best cycling shorts for men: our picks

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Best for comfort

1. Assos Equipe R S9

Best bib shorts for comfort

The Assos Equipe R S9 bib shorts offer a lower priced entry to Assos's shorts range, but still boast a high comfort seat pad and a quality, sag-free fit and high breathability.

Read more below

Best budget bibs

2. Endura Pro EGM Bib Shorts

Best bib shorts on a budget

Endura offers a lot of quality features and options in its shorts, including two different leg lengths, but it still manages to undercut the competition on price.

Read more below

Best value cargo bibs

3. Rapha Core Cargo bib shorts

Best cargo bib shorts for value

With four pockets in total, there's plenty of carrying capacity in Rapha's shorts. They're a good option for longer on-road rides as well as gravel riding.

Read more below

Best cargo bibs for changeable days

4. Le Col Sport Thermal Cargo Bib Short

Best cargo bibs for bad weather

Le Col mixes insulation and wind resistance in its thermal shorts, with a raised waistline for extra warmth. The cargo pockets are large and easy to access.

Read more below

Best range of colors

5. Castelli Competizione Bib Shorts

Best cargo bibs for colorways

If you prefer blue, grey or green to plain old black, Castelli has you covered with its shorts, with a total of six colors. The quality is high despite the lowish price for Castelli.

Read more below

Best non-bib option

6. Rapha Core Shorts

Best non-bib cycling shorts

Rapha gives you its Core tech, including the high quality seat pad, but without the bibs. The waistband is a little tighter to compensate, but it still uses soft elastic.

Read more below

Best cycling shorts for men

Best bib shorts for comfort

Male cyclist wearing the Assos Equipe R S9 bib shorts

1. Assos Equipe R S9

Best bib shorts for comfort

Specifications

Colors : Black

Size: XS-XXL

Reasons to buy

Excellent padding

Incredibly comfortable front pad

No sagging

Very breathable

More affordable for Assos

Reasons to avoid

Some signs of fraying

Legs ride high

Sewn-on logo is ugly

Assos has built a reputation for producing some of the finest clothing within cycling, but that usually comes with a price that's out of reach for many.

The Equipe R bib shorts S9 are more affordable than their premium stock, and quality hasn't been reduced along with the price. The chamois is excellent, the front pad placement is probably the most comfortable we've ever experienced, and the performance is second to none.

We were disappointed by a few signs of fraying and the Swiss brand still don't know how to sew on their logo, but overall this is a really good pair of high-performance bib shorts.

Best bib shorts on a budget

Male cyclist wearing the Endura Pro SL EGM shorts