Why do women wear cycling shorts?

Women wear cycling shorts for the same reasons men do, that is: to provide additional cushioning for long duration riding. Cycling shorts also have the additional benefits of providing light compression to your muscles and quickly wicking away sweat from your skin. Being skin tight has its aerodynamic benefits, with no material free to flap away in the wind, but it also makes for a more comfortable riding experience not having excess material getting in the way and potentially chafing.

What to look for in a set of women's cycling shorts

At the top of the checklist for any of the best women's cycling shorts is the padded insert, otherwise known as a chamois. There’s a fine line between sufficient padding and too much bulk, and this also depends on the kind of riding you're going to be doing. Long days in the saddle will require more cushioning, but if you’re on and off the bike a lot, for example a quick commute or a cyclocross style ride, you may prefer much less. A quick squish test can give you a rough idea as to the level of padding, but also take into account construction: is it made from foam, gel or both? As a rule of thumb the more variety and densities of layers, the more cushioning you will receive, especially over a longer time period (both in terms of riding time and age of shorts) when padding can compress flat – offering little in terms of support. On the whole, the addition of gel inserts may help reduce some shock absorption, but can add weight and bulk to the shorts. Foam may give you a little more road buzz feedback, but will create a lighter, more streamlined and less restrictive pair of shorts.

What's the best way to prevent saddle sores?

To add to the gel-versus-foam chamois conundrum is a myriad of construction fabrics, with a view to reducing the risk of saddle sores (of the infected hair follicle type). But try not to get too bogged down with this as most shorts' chamois now offer some kind of antibacterial properties, breathability, sweat wicking and quick drying capabilities. To be honest, the best prevention of saddle sores is self help and chamois care by always wearing fresh shorts, using an antibacterial chamois cream , limiting chamois time when not on the bike and hopping into the shower asap post ride and of course knowing what's in your Chamois and how to look after it will help. Areas of soft tissue need protection. This is often in the form of extra soft padding to help alleviate pressure points and the all-important avoidance of stitching in these regions. The design also needs to appreciate that women’s sit bones are wider apart than men's and position the thickest padding accordingly. This attention to padding placement will also help you decide your overall chamois size requirement – bigger is not always better. Bear in mind that when on a bike your legs aren’t any wider than hip distance apart at the top, so too much padding overspill can create an unnatural leg position. While too much length at the rear may just be unsightly, too much at the front will potentially cause friction burns to the top of legs and groin when you start pedalling.

What's the difference between the chamois in women's and men's cycling shorts?

A women’s specific chamois should be shorter and have sit bone padding wider apart and more central soft tissue support than a men's. One of the biggest causes of short discomfort can be the chamois-to-short interface. Unfinished edges and badly positioned stitching can irritate legs, buttocks and groin. A niggle, when multiplied by several thousand pedal revolutions, can swiftly turn into full blown painful chaffing and skin loss. To protect yourself from this, the best women's cycling shorts will have flatlock sewing right at the edges of the padding and ensure that the unpadded fringes of the chamois flow a few centimetres below the groin to prevent irritation in creases. Talking about other anatomical areas that need protection, you might find our guide on the best sports bras for cycling a helpful insight into how to find the best chest support for you.

Women's bibshorts versus waist cycling shorts

There are two kinds of cycling shorts: ones with bibs and ones without, and both have pros and cons. It’s very much horses for courses as to what type will suit you and your riding needs best, and like chamois padding, this need may change depending on what riding you’ll be doing on any given day. The biggest benefit to plain and simple shorts is easy access, be it for the inevitable comfort break on long rides or just a bottom half change for quick rides to and from the office. With no body upper, shorts can also be a cooler option on hot days or indoor training sessions. With less fabric, this generally makes them lighter weight and a cheaper option price-wise. The downside is, unless you’re a unicycle rider, all forms of bike riding require you to bend in the middle – the exact point where a waistband sits. This can create a ‘digging in’ sensation when on the bike, which can range from merely an ‘awareness’ to ‘organ squeezing’! Some shorts get round this issue with the creation of a low slung waistline, but that can give an unflattering pot belly illusion and create a gap between shorts and jersey at the back. The better option, and one that you'll find in the ideal women's cycling shorts, is a wider waistband with a high back to counter the stretching effect on the bike. However, construction of waist shorts varies hugely, so when trying on, make sure you try with a bike specific jersey and adopt an on-the-bike position to see how the waistband fits and feels. Brands and retailers agree that waist shorts are currently the biggest sellers for women. However, in terms of performance, bibshorts do tend to offer a better experience when on the bike.

So, are bibshorts actually better than traditional cycling shorts?

Bibshorts more or less overcome this waistband issue as the shorts' leg fabric continues much higher up the torso before eventually transitioning into the bibstraps. A good pair of women's specific bibshorts will take account of a female's increased hip to waist ratio compared to a man's and ensure they fit snugly around the waist, preventing crafty gaps and sweat channels. Unlike shorts, some bibshorts offer an element of skin protection if you’re unfortunate enough to end up sliding on tarmac - though the amount of coverage will vary depending upon the design. This male/female fit difference also holds true for bibstrap design. Traditional up and over straps may work for some, but others find straps directly laying on breasts uncomfortable and/ or find the shorts no longer sit flush on the stomach, again creating drafts or sweat channels. You may find the best women's cycling short bib straps for you take account of the female form by contouring either side of the chest, running directly down your middle or having another solution, such as the dhb halterneck design. The other thing to look for on the straps is length: too short will become painful and sore on the shoulders, too long and shorts will sag and not hold the chamois in position. A good fit will feel slightly too short when standing, so again when trying on, adopt a riding position to get a better idea of how they’ll feel on the bike. Many women are put off bib shorts because taking a 'comfort' or 'nature' break is made a little bit more difficult. However, almost all reputable brands have now come up with a solution for this, and you can find most in our Comfort breaks for women: best bib shorts for an easier pee stop buyers guide. Popular options include halterneck bibs, which can be pulled over the head and threaded under a jersey (Ale), or simply pulled down at the back (dhb and Giro), as well as zips around the waist (Gore) and clasps that clip at the waist or back with a similar function to the halter neck (Gore again and Assos). Though some women prefer to go with the standard bib strap design featured on most men's bib shorts, unzipping a jersey and removing the straps when it's time to 'go', the assorted options offered by those catering for women in this way do make bib shorts more accessible for those who might otherwise have opted for waist shorts. Bibshort designs without a quick pit stop drop will require you to remove your jersey first, so just watch out for dropping items from your pockets and if you’re wearing a race number, make sure it's not pinned through your base layer too!

What leg design is best for women's cycling shorts?

While function is imperative, form isn’t far behind, with the links between looking good and feeling good on a bike being well documented. As women generally have a higher fat percentage than men, skin tight Lycra can be both friend and foe, with the ideal short legs being body contouring and muscle supporting, while avoiding over-compression. Aim for a close, but not a restrictively tight fit on the legs, especially on the leg cuff. This is a particularly tricky area to get right, as they need to be snug enough to prevent the legs riding up when pedalling, without squeezing the thigh giving that ‘sausage leg’ look. Wide leg cuffs and raw edges often create the most flattering finish, and when teamed with silicone or other tacky fabrics on the leg gripper, will stay put when riding. Until relatively recently only the use of multiple fabric panels would deliver a close fit, and even now it’s a good way to ensure a simple lycra short contours the body. With the advent of more technical materials that flow and cling to the skin, a snug fit can now be achieved using fewer panels. These fabrics often have multiple attributes, such as being incredibly lightweight and breathable, so expect a premium price tag on these shorts. Trying on will allow you to see and feel the fit instantly, but unfortunately it’ll be difficult to judge the shorts' legs' staying power until you get out on the bike, so look out for women’s specific cycling shorts reviews to test that for you.

What are the most comfortable women’s cycling shorts?

Personal preference will always be a factor, but of the women’s cycling shorts we’ve tested here at Cycling Weekly, the Gore C7 women's long distance bib shorts+ more than lived up to their billing as long distance shorts, while the Specialized SL R women's bib shorts provided a particularly excellent combination of on-the-bike comfort and ease of comfort breaks with a well thought out easy-pee system. The Assos T.laalalai shorts_s7 bib shorts are strong rival to both of those shorts and boast a build quality that has seen them last season after season after season. Those are three particular highlight, but you can check out our guide to all the best women’s cycling shorts currently on the market over here.

How do you choose cycling shorts for women?

There are a few key areas to consider when choosing cycling shorts as a woman. Most important is the chamois, whether it’s supportive enough – and in the right places – to be comfortable over long durations. Next is the quality of the material and the fit. You should look for a set of shorts which is gently compressive to provide support for your muscles, whilst not feeling too tight or constrictive. Higher quality fabrics tend to give a nicer feel against the skin and are more breathable during hard efforts on hot days. Wide leg grippers help to keep the shorts in place, whilst also distributing the pressure evenly so as not to dig in. Likewise, wide bib straps do a similar job at distributing the pressure there. It's also worth considering extra carrying capacity, as the best cargo bib shorts will include pockets, usually on the thighs, so you can carry that bit more on your rides and it's somewhere handy to reach. Finally, there is whether the short has an easy-pee system. The straps of a traditional set of bib shorts mean you typically have to remove your jersey to get the straps down when you take a nature break. Some shorts these days are designed so you can keep your jersey on – which is particularly useful when your pockets are full of spares.

Best women's cycling shorts 2023 ridden and rated

Female cyclist wearing a pair of the best cycling shorts for women

(Image credit: Future)

By Hannah Bussey

last updated 26 April 2023

Contributions from

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A good pair of women's cycling shorts can make all the difference to the comfort of your derrière.

While a large proportion of your comfort on the bike will come from finding a quality women's bike saddle that suits you, what sits between that and the most delicate part of your body is just as important.

With a plethora of cycling shorts on the market, finding the best women's cycling shorts for you can be a minefield. It's not just the chamois that matters when it comes to comfort – you'll want leg grippers that sit well and fabrics that provide ample, but not over, compression.

We’re here to help you find that pair that allows you to freely ride your bike without the worry of sore bits or a builder's bum making an appearance. Below are all the favourite shorts we've ridden and rated.

If you're here just for advice on what makes a great pair of cycling shorts, you can jump straight to the bottom of the page for that.

Ridden and rated: the best women's cycling shorts

Female cyclist wearing the Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts

1. Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts

Best value quality for everyday rides

Specifications

Sizes: XXS - XL

Colors: Black, navy or burgundy shorts; white bibs

Chamois: Dual density foam

Easy-pee design: No

Reasons to buy

Robust enough for day-to-day wear

Great fit and comfort

Well contoured and flat seams

Comfortable chamois

Range of colors

Reasons to avoid

A little too heavyweight for warmer days

No easy-pee system

The Core Collection from Rapha is designed for the everyday; less fancy, more rugged and more affordable than most of the Rapha range.

The Women's Core Bib Shorts are a straightforward design and we found they were extremely comfortable; everything just does what its supposed to. The chamois is a dense dual-foam which we found copes well with a few hours in the saddle.

The Core's material is quite thick which makes them nice and durable and up to the lack of care and attention that comes with the daily commute or mid-week ride. The design of the bib section gives you quite a tucked-in and snug feeling which could be a bit too much if you're riding in warmer weather.

Female cyclist wearing the Assos UMA GTV Short C2 which are some of the best bib shorts for women