Best budget bib shorts for cycling 2025: We put ourselves through the pain so you don't have to

It's true that cycling kit can be very expensive – and that regular riding only compounds the problem. Whether you're simply wearing through it or in need of extra garments to tide you between wash cycles, to build up a reasonable draw full of kit can cost as much as a new set of wheels.

The good news is that cycling clothing has come on a very long way in recent years. Yes, at the one end, this has seen the very best cycling bib shorts become ever more expensive as they cram in ever more tech – but at the other end, budget shorts have come on light-years in terms of the comfort they offer.

They've reached such a level that in many cases it's a pertinent question whether you should really be spending any more. Admittedly, in heavily performance focused situations – whether racing or going on a long bike-packing adventure – you may well be wanting some extra features.

But for your more regular training sessions, it makes a lot of financial sense to put the miles in on a cheaper, workhorse pair. Although most shorts are sold in both a men's and a women's version, the fits can be quite different – we've got page specifically on the best budget women's bib shorts over here.

The Quick List

Tested and rated, the best budget bib shorts

Best overall

Pockets? On bib-shorts? I don’t consider myself a graveller and, previously, I had thought pockets on bib-shorts were in the sole reserve of dropbar off-roaders. However, the amount of times these pockets came in useful floored me.

I am converted.

These, I believe, are the cheapest bib-shorts with cargo pockets on the market (that come with a pad of such quality). The pockets will secure your phone, an inner tube and mini pump – and you can even fit eight of Decathlon’s own Aptonia gels in them.

If you like to ride in bib-shorts and a t-shirt, these are perfect. If you want to go on an 8 hour epic, these are perfect. The versatility of these shorts is excellent – even better considering the price.

The fit was spot on, the straps didn’t dig in and the shorts were supportive and remained in place. The chamois was comfortable when tested on rides of four hours - a ride made more pleasant by the ability to store extra food. The shorts survived the laundry test without issue. There was some slight chafing at first where the pad meets the lycra, but after a few rides this stopped.

Best under £100

Cut slightly short, this offering from Ale is excellent for summer riding. They have a low cut waistband, mesh bib-straps and the material is highly breathable. The pad was comfortable on longer rides and there was no sign of wear after several weeks of washing.

Not all cheap bib-shorts feel cheap and these certainly didn’t. The fit was supportive enough that the pad stayed in place and the grippers were functional enough that there was no sliding. A good, solid, set of shorts. These could be used for racing when paired with an aero jersey as the fit feels supportive and sporty.

Alternatively, you could wear them with leg warmers on mild winter days. These bibs are the most expensive in our list, but seem to be a pair that are often on sale meaning you’re able to snag some for way below the listed price.

Best under $150

We are big fans of Rapha’s Core Bib Shorts here at Cycling Weekly, having awarded both the men's and women's versions 4.5 stars out of 5. As affordable bib shorts go, they don't get much better.

The chamois features dual-foam and is quite dense, a style that we prefer. It is well contoured in the shorts, allowing it to sit evenly. The result is ample comfort, even on rides lasting over four hours.

The dense-knit material of the shorts is relatively heavy and robust but they have a nice feel and are well contoured without any rucking or interference from the seams. In terms of coverage, the leg is fairly long in length finishing only an inch or two above the knee. The silicon gripper on the leg band did its job without any unwanted tightness and bulging.

The front of the bibs sits quite high, giving a “well-tucked-in” feel, which is emphasised by the double-thickness broad waistband. The bib straps are made of the same material as the shorts, which means they aren’t as lightweight as many other meshed materials, such as the Sportful Classic. Together, these factors make them less suited for warm weather riding. That said, there’s a nice stretch to the bibs, and this, combined with the broad shoulder straps, makes them really comfortable.

In essence, they’re a quality set of bibs for everyday riding, substantial enough to cope with a lack of care and attention that comes at the end of a commute or an opportunistic ride.

Read our full Rapha Men's Core bib short review

Read our full Rapha Women's Core bib short review

Best for indoor

Madison, aware that indoor cycling is a sweaty undertaking, has addressed this by using high-quality polyester Lycra with an antibacterial treatment. This means it can be washed at a high temperature without affecting the material while keeping odors at bay.

In addition, it is a multiple-panel bib short cleverly arranged to ensure that the seams don't rub. It comes equipped with wide leg grippers and an Italian-made TMF lightweight chamois pad.

Out of the gate, you would think such a thin pad wouldn't be comfortable, given the mostly seated nature of indoor cycling. However, it never once caused me any issues; in fact, it was a welcome break from the much thicker ones I use out on the road.

Honestly, the only aspect letting down the Madison shorts is the grippers. I believe that the length of the legs contributes to how much they ride up, making it even more noticeable. While the grippers may appear to be decent, they don't perform well in reality. This is tolerable indoors since there's no traffic to manage when adjusting them, but you wouldn't want to wear these on the tarmac.

Read our full Madison Turbo Indoor bib short review

Most durable

With budget bib shorts you can't expect every element to be outstanding – battles have to be picked to hit those most competitive price points. The Endura Xtract Gel II shorts focus their efforts on the chamois pad and the straps. They are described by Endura as “comfort that won’t break the bank” and I’d be inclined to agree.

If you’re a relatively tall, skinny cyclist you might find these shorts come up above the knee higher than some other pairs but it’s a minor inconvenience when considered in the context of the comfort and durability these shorts provide for the price.

The pad, which is the most important component of a pair of ‘mileage’ shorts, far exceeds the price point. These shorts have withstood a couple of months of use with no obvious signs of wear at the seams. A solid option - made for those who ride a lot on a tight budget.

One thing that is worth bearing in mind is that the grippers aren't amazing. They have a propensity to slide up your thigh during long, steady rides, which is a little frustrating and does require some periodic readjustment. That said, when paired with leg warmers, they have no trouble staying in place - so a good option for shoulder season riding.

Honourable mention

The distribution of padding in the chamois of these shorts was the most immediate and interesting aspect of them. It’s centred quite heavily down the middle of the pad, which led me to wonder how comfortable they would be. In their first test, we dropping them straight in at the deep end, taking them out of the box and straight into a four hour ride in the mountains.

Perhaps that was a mistake. These were the only shorts to induce a bit of soreness post ride, which is notable. There was also quite a bit of chafing near the pad. The seams, on the other hand, proved no issue and in the heat, these shorts were absolutely fine, with the straps and waist being comfortable both with and without the FDX base layer. Their design isn't the most stylish either, with the FDX logo being less than subtle.

That said, these bib shorts do have pockets, which is a massive plus. Very helpful for storing nutrition, or just somewhere to put your phone when ordering a coffee, they came in handy so many times and provided absolutely no downside.

In all, these are a great value pair of shorts, but probably best for rides less than three hours. After a couple of washes, some wear and tear was visible in the seams, but nothing disastrous.

How we test

The Cycling Weekly team constantly tests clothing, especially due to the seasonal variety and layering styles. Since you can cycle without clothing, it is easy to dedicate a large number of hours to various garments.

Cycling shorts, in particular, are highly subjective; thats, why we always try to have multiple testers put them through their paces. The team certainly sometimes endures discomfort to provide honest reviews and advice, especially with more budget options.

When assessing budget cycling shorts, we prioritise fit, feel, and comfort. These areas are crucial and can determine whether a budget short is good or bad. Durability is also high on the list when considering budget shorts, which is why we wash them multiple times during testing. We also test the shorts, when possible, in various temperatures and conditions, often beyond their intended use, to uncover unexpected issues.

You can find out more information on our testers and on how we test via our helpful guide.

How to choose the best budget bib shorts for you

Choosing a budget bib short can be a bit of a minefield, especially if you're new to the sport and they all look the same on the peg. Follow these simple tips, and you should be on the path to comfort:

• Try them on - This is so obvious and simple but so valuable. Trying on the bibs will immediately tell you what feels comfortable and what doesn't. If there is a bench in the changing room or if the shop staff let you sit on a bike, do it. If the seams or the pad don't feel comfortable immediately, try something else. Getting a good fit makes such a big difference in the long run.
• Check the construction - Budget bib shorts will use cheaper fabrics, which means more seams are required to get a good fit and hold it all together. The key area is around the pad; Check how close the seams are to the pad; there should be a reasonable gap to avoid chafing.
• Straps & Grippers - again maybe sucking eggs here but the straps shouldn't dig in or pull on your neck at all. Grippers shouldn't ride up. If you're concerned, do a couple of squats when you try them on. Don't forget that grippers shouldn't hurt or dig in; they should be tight but comfortable.
• Take recommendations - Inquire within the club, forums, or among friends regarding their experiences. Ideally, this will enhance your understanding of the garment's longevity; hopefully, they have been using it for some time and have gone through several washes, etc.
• We always say to spend as much as you can. However, for areas like the best bar tapes and bike saddles, this makes a huge difference to your comfort out on the road and, ultimately, to your enjoyment of cycling.