Some swear by it, others are skeptical: are cycling shorts any good?
Here we tell you what advantages the individual models have, for whom they are suitable and what you should pay attention to when buying cycling shorts.
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What are cycling shorts?
Cycling shorts fit tightly to the body and are worn directly on the skin.
This prevents chafing even with long exposure, friction and sweating.
A padded insert, which is shaped differently for men and women, ensures that you sit softly on the bicycle saddle: a great thing, especially on long e-bike tours!
Cycling shorts for women and men are available in a wide variety of designs, from short, tight cycling shorts for women to casual, wide-cut mountain bike cycling shorts for men and long, warmly lined models for the winter.
You can find the right rain gear for your bike here.
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If you want to sit comfortably in the saddle, you should wear cycling shorts instead of shorts.
© gstockstudio/PantherMedia
The classic: tight cycling shorts without straps
These "tights" models are probably the best-selling cycling shorts.
No wonder, because their close fit is comfortable to wear and is valued by professionals for their minimal wind resistance.
The legs, which end just above the knees, protect the inner thighs from chafing on the saddle and even offer a certain degree of UV protection on the "sun terrace" thighs.
Useful for:
everyone who pedals for more than half an hour at a time or who bikes 10 km or more at a time.
Opaque women's cycling shorts by Persit with pockets
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Opaque women's cycling shorts by Persit with pockets
© Persit Activewear
Women's cycling shorts by Persit - on sale
material | Opaque made of 75% polyester, 25% elastane |
|---|---|
extras | High waist, pushes the bottom, 2 side pockets, 1 inner pocket |
sizes | Available in 6 sizes (XS to XXL) |
Colours | Available in 12 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | from €23.99 |
Cycling shorts for men by NOOYME
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Cycling shorts for men by NOOYME
© IZUKU-UK
Men's cycling shorts – on sale
material | 80% polyamide and 20% spandex: breathable, antibacterial and quick-drying |
|---|---|
extras | Integrated silicone elements for a secure hold |
sizes | Available in 6 sizes (S to 3XL) |
Colours | Available in 7 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €19.99 (instead of €22.99) |
Best support: Bib cycling shorts
Especially popular with men: so-called "Bib's", i.e. cycling shorts with straps.
These are available in short, three-quarter and long versions, both fit perfectly even without a constricting waistband and do not slip.
Useful for:
Cycling fans with a somewhat larger build who are looking for comfortable cycling shorts with a good fit.
GORE WEAR bib shorts for men
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GORE WEAR bib shorts for men
© GORE Bikewear
Men's Bib Tights - On Sale
material | GORE Selected Fabrics fabrics: Rapid moisture transport and extremely breathable |
|---|---|
extras | Seat pad for racing cyclists with windproof front area |
sizes | Available in 5 sizes (S to XXL) |
Colours | Available in 4 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €68.90 |
SUNDRIED Women's Padded Bib Shorts
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SUNDRIED Women's Padded Bib Shorts
© Amazon UK
Women's Bib Shorts - On Sale
material | Breathable blend fabric stays dry and comfortable for hours |
|---|---|
extras | Sundried premium gel pad offers maximum comfort |
sizes | Available in 5 sizes (XS to XXL) |
Colours | Available in black |
Amazon reviews | 4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €20.05 |
2 in 1: MTB shorts
These wider-cut cycling shorts are a classic, especially for mountain bike fans and enduro enthusiasts.
MTB cycling shorts consist of classic, tight-fitting cycling tights and matching over-trousers.
Both can usually be connected via Velcro or buttons for a better hold.
Useful for:
Bikers who ride off-road as well as off-road.
Because in addition to the casual style, the bike shorts, which reach to the knee, offer protection against branches or thorns in the field and storage space in leg pockets.
VAUDE Men's Qimsa MTB shorts
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VAUDE Men's Qimsa MTB shorts
© VAUDE
Men's MTB Shorts - on sale
material | 100% polyamide |
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extras | Cycling shorts + inner shorts, waistband cut higher at the back |
sizes | Available in 7 sizes (XS to 3XL) |
Colours | Available in 8 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.7 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €75.15 |
Gonso MTB shorts Mira for women
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Gonso MTB shorts Mira for women
© Gonso
Women's MTB Shorts - On Sale
material | 90% polyamide, 10% elastane |
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extras | Button-in cycling underpants with relax gel seat pad |
sizes | Available in 11 sizes (34 to 54) |
Colours | Available in 8 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.6 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €51.99 |
Invisible: cycling shorts
These special models are something like a mixture of classic tights and 2-in-1 MTB shorts.
In terms of structure, they are similar to normal cycling shorts and are close to the body, but the legs are much shorter.
Cycling underpants, like the inner pants of MTB cycling shorts, can be worn under other items of clothing.
Useful for:
Cycling fans who don't want to be out and about in typical cycling gear.
For example, to wear under hiking trousers on a bike & hike or under a summer dress on a bike tour to the lake.
Speaking of summer: Find out here what is important when cycling in the heat.
BALEAF cycling underpants men
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BALEAF cycling underpants men
© BALEAF
Men's cycling underpants – on sale
material | 90% Polyester, 10% Elastane |
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extras | Flat seams for a chafe-free fit |
sizes | Available in 5 sizes (34 to 54) |
Colours | Available in 4 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €17.99 |
INBIKE cycling underpants women
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INBIKE cycling underpants women
© INBIKE
Women's cycling shorts – on sale
material | 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane |
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extras | 3D foam padding with 3D GEL and sponge for hip and pressure pain relief |
sizes | Available in 5 sizes (S to XXL) |
Colours | Available in turquoise |
Amazon reviews | 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €17.99 |
Warming: thermal cycling shorts
True to the motto "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing", thermal cycling shorts are ideal companions for the winter.
They are available in the tight version or in the MTB version with a slightly wider cut.
Many manufacturers use windproof, water-repellent but breathable softshell material.
Inside, thermal cycling shorts are often soft and cozy with fleece.
Useful for:
Intrepid people who pedal even when the temperature is below zero.
Winter cycling shorts for men by Souke Sports
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Winter cycling shorts for men by Souke Sports
© Souke Sports
Men's winter cycling shorts – on sale
material | Two-layer composite with excellent wind resistance, wool lining for long-lasting warmth and breathability |
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extras | Hard-wearing high-tech seams, reflective elements, 2 mesh pockets, 1 zip pocket |
sizes | Available in 7 sizes (S to 4XL) |
Colours | Available in 4 different colors |
Amazon reviews | 4.6 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €42.99 |
The specialists: cycling shorts with protectors
If you take a bike to the limit off-road, you need special protection.
Especially in the downhill and enduro area, these specially reinforced cycling shorts are part of the standard equipment.
Injury-prone areas such as thighs and hips are additionally padded with flexible but stable plastic reinforcements on these cycling shorts.
Useful for:
Pros and amateurs who test their limits off-road and are more exposed to falls.
Leatt Impact unisex cycling shorts with protectors
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Leatt Impact unisex cycling shorts with protectors
©Leatt
Protector trousers unisex – on sale
material | Compression MoistureCool material with flatlock seams and mesh ventilation |
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extras | Certified 3DF hip protection, coccyx/spine padding removable |
sizes | Available in 5 sizes (S to XXL) |
Colours | Available in black and red |
Amazon reviews | 4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | From €100.66 |
What is important in cycling shorts?
If you want to buy cycling shorts, you have a huge choice - and just as many questions.
To make it easier to decide on the right cycling shorts, here are a few
useful tips on what to look out for when buying
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The padding:
In general, the harder the saddle, the thinner the padding of the cycling shorts.
With a softly padded saddle, it is better to choose less padded cycling shorts in order to still have secure contact with the saddle.
The material:
Cycling shorts with a seat pad made of antibacterial material are recommended.
This is particularly hygienic - especially if the cycling shorts are worn often and for a long time.
The cycling shorts themselves should be made of breathable fabric.
Functional materials prevent sweating and thus also chafing.
The workmanship:
Seams are the sore point in cycling shorts.
The seat pad should not have any seams.
Dense stitches with double thread ensure durability.
If you want to be on the safe side, you should opt for seamless cycling trousers without any seams.
Fit: The motto
here is “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”!
Precisely because cycling shorts are worn directly on the skin, they should definitely be tried on.
Whether you feel more comfortable in cycling shorts with straps, so-called bib pants, or in strapless shorts is mostly a matter of taste.
insider tip
When trying on a pair of cycling shorts, be sure to also try out the “bike position”!
Because the waistband of trousers can pinch uncomfortably, especially in a slightly bent-over position.
What good are cycling shorts?
Ideally, cycling shorts fit like a second skin and prevent pressure pain on the buttocks and chafing.
Breathable materials are comfortable to wear, prevent sweating and dry quickly.
Seat pads anatomically tailored to the needs of women and men make even long distances in the saddle a pleasure.
Antibacterial pads are hygienic, neutralize odors and are comfortable on the skin
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Cycling shorts definitely make sense
But the same applies to all models:
cycling shorts only make sense if you wear them directly on the skin.
So there is only one answer to the frequently asked question of what to wear under cycling shorts: nothing!
Because normal underwear would negate all the positive effects of cycling shorts.
Can I exchange worn cycling shorts?
That usually depends on the seller.
In general, the first fitting of cycling shorts should always be done with underwear for reasons of hygiene.
It is best to choose underpants made of the thinnest possible material in order to still get a feel for the fit.
Anyone who makes a friendly inquiry to the seller within the statutory exchange period of two weeks can hope for goodwill and thus a refund or exchange.