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One of the greatest improvements you can make to your riding comfort is wearing properly-fitting cycling shorts or bibs. A good pair of shorts can make a ride great, while ones that don’t fit right can quickly ruin an otherwise perfect day—Trust me, it has happened to me multiple times.
Ill-fitting shorts or bibs can be irritating and uncomfortable, as can a chamois with insufficient padding. The wrong shorts can even cause saddle sores or an injury that takes you off the bike for days or even weeks. That’s why it’s important to find cycling clothing that fits comfortably and makes you feel great.
While you can ride in athletic shorts without a padded chamois, it’s often hard to go back once you’ve ridden in clothing specifically designed for cycling. Most riders find the right shorts offer light compression, breathability, and don’t sag or bunch up while pedaling. Riders who spend a lot of time in the saddle often prefer bibs over standard shorts, since they tend to stay in place much better on long rides.
The shorts and bibs here feature a women-specific chamois and cut. Differences between women’s and men’s bodies often place pressure in different areas when riding. (And unisex designs rarely get it right for anyone.) Well-designed women’s cycling shorts make a big difference in reducing chafing, relieving soft-tissue pressure, and making long rides much more enjoyable.
Best Women’s Cycling Shorts
- Best Overall Shorts: Pearl Izumi Expedition Bike Shorts
- Best Cheap Shorts: Baleaf Padded Cycling Shorts
- Best Cargo Shorts: Wild Rye Alyssa Stash Chammy Shorts
- Best Droptail Bibs: Ornot Droptail Cargo Bibs
- Best Value Bibs: Rapha Core Cycling Bib Shorts
- Best Cheap Bibs: The Black Bibs Original
- Best Premium Bibs: Velocio Luxe Bibs
- Best Maternity Shorts: Wild Rye B.O.B. Maternity Shorts
- Best Shell Shorts: Shredly Limitless Stretch High-Rise Shorts
- Best for Trail Riding: Wild Rye Freel 12” Shorts
Bibs vs. Shorts
Do you prefer waist shorts or bibs? There’s no single right answer to this query. Many riders choose based on the day’s ride, terrain, or personal preference—switching between styles for road, gravel, and trail riding. Others settle on one option and stick with it. Either approach works, as long as the fit and comfort are right for you.
For years, many women favored regular shorts simply because they made mid-ride bathroom breaks easier. But several brands now offer women’s bib shorts with droptail designs. Droptails give you the comfort of bibs—with no waistband to dig in or sag—while still making pit stops simple, even when you’re layered up.
Pro Tip: Your favorite shorts can also change over time. Fitness level, weight, ride length, and the season all affect how cycling shorts fit. I have bibs that I love for rides shorter than two hours, and others I reach for on days I know I will be in the saddle for a long time. Some shorts I prefer for indoor rides, and others I really liked two years ago, but irritated me after I gained weight.
Chamois Cream
To reduce chafing on rides, many cyclists use chamois cream. It might seem odd if you’ve never used it, but it can be a game-changer and help turn a rough ride into a smooth one. I find it particularly useful for hot and humid rides, as well as those lasting longer than two hours. Some chamois creams we like include:
Women’s Cycling Short Reviews
Below, you’ll find our picks for the best cycling shorts for women across a range of styles, prices, and materials. These recommendations are based on years of riding experience and hands-on testing by Bicycling editors and staff. We also solicited feedback from other women who ride lots of miles to add more perspectives.
These land at the top of this list for their sheer versatility. We have worn these on overnight gravel trips, long road rides, and under mountain biking shell shorts—and we don’t want to rip them off immediately after getting off the bike. They’re simple, sleek shorts with a dual-density chamois that doesn’t bunch up and keeps everything in place even after hours of repetitive pedaling.
The Expedition shorts feature three pockets, and the core of the chamois has gel inserts to reduce vibration through the seat and maintain comfort. These shorts are constructed with 20 percent elastane fabric (about average for cycling shorts), which helps them maintain their shape well without feeling overly tight. The slightly longer inseam length pairs well with shell shorts, and the UPF 50 rating provides extra protection on exposed routes.
Baleaf has long been my go-to recommendation for budget-friendly technical gear, and its range of bike shorts holds its own against more expensive name brands. This chamois is comfortable for day rides, and the fit of the shorts overall feels precise and flattering with a high, smooth waistband.
The chamois is supplemented with a gel insert that dampens vibration, but it feels thicker than the dual-density foam liners of the top brands. I do love the wide, yoga-style waistband that doesn’t pinch or fold down.
San Francisco-based Ornot makes some of my favorite cycling apparel, and the brand is onto something good with its small range of women’s bibs. Ornot’s bibs fit great and ride comfortably, plus all of its bibs and tights feature cargo pockets and a droptail design. This makes them perfect for long rides when you need to carry snacks, and you know you’ll need to make a pit stop.
Unlike other performance bibs that are overly restrictive, Ornot’s Droptail Cargo Bibs feature moderately compressive fabric. The thigh pockets (one on each side) are big enough to carry a couple of gels or bars, but aren’t overly floppy in the wind like some cargo bib designs. The straps are also comfortable and stretchy enough without being saggy.
These lightly compressive shorts are comfortable and not obtrusive under a pair of baggy shells, or they can be worn on their own. Like other Wild Rye shorts, these are very breathable and feature integrated pockets for snack stashing. The Alyssas are built with a comfortable Italian chamois for long rides, and they have light silicone grippers around the legs.
If the price of most bib shorts makes you do a double-take, The Black Bibs might be the antidote. These no-frills shorts are comfortable, durable, and built to withstand hours of riding without breaking the bank. The cut is simple, the materials aren’t high-tech, and there are no hidden pockets or premium features—and that’s exactly why the price is so impressively low.
Sure, there are a few trade-offs, but they’re pretty minor considering you could buy ten pairs of these for the cost of one pair of super high-end shorts like the Assos Dyora RSV. The Lycra has a slightly heavier feel, and the waist sits a few inches higher than many other bibs—a detail we only really noticed on hot days, when the extra coverage felt a bit much. The chamois is also on the thinner side. One ride tester noted that, aside from avoiding them for long indoor trainer rides, the thinner padding didn’t cause any real comfort issues. What impressed us most was how well these bibs held up—often outperforming options that cost significantly more.
Like these but want standard shorts? Check out The Black Shorts for $35.
When riders hear the name Rapha, they often think “expensive.” However, some of the British brand’s clothing is somewhat reasonably priced, and the Core Bib Shorts are a great example. Unlike some low-cost bibs I’ve owned, the Core bibs have stood up to years of riding and wash cycles. I’ve had mine for four seasons, and while the labels are faded, the chamois is still comfortable, and the stitching has held up well.
The Core bibs feature a dense-knit fabric, so they’re not as revealing as some high-end cycling apparel. The straps also have a good amount of stretch to them, and they don’t dig into my shoulders on long days in the saddle. These are a good four-season short, but they can feel a little heavy on hot and humid summer days.
Unfortunately, there are very few options for padded cycling shorts for pregnant folks who seek to remain active and comfortable on the bike. If this sounds like you, or a friend, Wild Rye’s BOB Maternity Chammy shorts are a great choice.
These 6.5-inch inseam shorts feature a soft, extra-tall, and stretchy waistband that provides support through every trimester. Like Wild Rye’s other shorts, these are breathable and secure on long rides, and have pockets to hold your phone or snacks.
Velocio’s Luxe Bibs popularized the droptail concept when they were launched nearly a decade ago. Since then, other brands have launched their own designs, but few match Velocio’s FlyFree in ease of use.
The Luxe bibs are my go-to for long days on the bike. The chamois is comfortable and not overly squishy, and Velocio minimizes seams that cause irritation hours into a ride. On last year’s update to the platform, Velocio dialed in the compressive fit and bib strap support.
These bibs have a reasonably long 10.2-inch inseam. If you have shorter legs or prefer the look of short bibs, Velocio offers a version with approximately 1.6 in. shorter length.
Companies that exclusively make women’s athletic apparel often nail it, and Shredly’s super comfortable, breezy shell shorts are no exception. With a versatile 7-inch inseam and a wide, high, soft waistband, these shell shorts pair well with a slightly longer chamois liner or waist shorts (like the Biker Cham liners), and sit high on your waist to reduce gapping during rides.
While intended for mountain biking, these shorts are great for anyone who doesn’t want the skintight spandex look but still needs comfort and performance on rides. The shorts’ material features nine percent spandex for structure and four-way stretch that lends maximum range of motion. These are made for women’s hips and waists; they also have an articulated taper that doesn’t impede pedaling. The slightly shorter inseam doesn’t bind during pedaling; you can pair them with a 10-inch liner for more coverage.
There are plenty of great bike shorts out there—but most of them play it safe with earth tones and muted colors. Wild Rye bucks that trend. This women-led brand out of Sun Valley, Idaho, makes technical “apparel that inspires more women to get outside”—and look good doing it. The standout designs and bold colors are as impressive as the gear’s performance.
The Freel 12" Bike Short checks all the right boxes for trail riders. A high-rise waistband prevents sagging while riding, and a stretch panel across the back adds extra comfort and flexibility. A side zip pocket securely holds your phone, while two front pockets provide space for smaller essentials.
The 12-inch inseam pairs well with kneepads, making it a great choice for more rugged rides. However, riders who prefer shorter styles may find the length a bit much. For those, the Riley 10” and Freda 7” Bike Shorts offer similar features in a shorter cut.
In addition to the “Olive You” print shown here, the Freel comes in two other vibrant patterns. Not your style? Take a look through Wild Rye’s other options. You’ll find different inseams and a whole lot more eye-catching prints. Pro tip: Check the sale page for deals on last year’s designs.
