Best cycling shorts for men 2023: Jump Menu
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best cycling shorts for men
Best bib shorts for comfort
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.
Read more: Assos Equipe R S9 bib shorts full review
Best bib shorts on a budget
While bib short prices can be extravagant, the Endura Pro SL EGM shorts offer range-topping performance to match the best at a more affordable price. The multi-panel construction includes a waistband designed to work with the wide bibs to keep the shorts in place well.
Fit-wise there are standard and 4cm longer legs, both with the silicone grippers bult into the leg panels, rather than using a separate gripper. We rated the 800 Series Conform EGM seat pad among the most comfortable we've used.
Size-wise we found that the shorts come up quite small, so you may need to size up, and we did find the fabric ran a bit warm on hot days.
Read more: Endura Pro SL EGM bib shorts full review
Best cargo bib shorts for value
Four pockets add plenty of carrying capacity to the Rapha Core Cargo bib shorts
Having spent a fair amount of time in the Rapha Core Cargo bib shorts the practicalities have shone through and they’ve become one of Cycling Weekly's go-to pairs for all types of riding.
Coming with four pockets, two on the legs and two on the back, there's easily room for a plus-sized phone inside a riding case, wallet, keys or a pump between them, without any sagging issues.
Built around the brilliant Rapha Core bib short, the Core Cargo adds versatility to an already comfortable package, and is ideal for gravel riding - but shouldn't be dismissed for an all day, all use pair of all round excellent cycling bib shorts.
There are sizes XS to XXL to choose from, and as it's Rapha, there's a female option too, but both come in black only.
Read more: Rapha Core Cargo bib shorts full review
Best cargo bib shorts for changeable conditions
A great option for cooler weather, there's insulation and extra cargo pockets in these Le Col shorts
Designed with all-round versatility in mind, Le Col’s Italian-made bib shorts are perfect for virtually every kind of ride. Whether that’s the daily commute, the Sunday club run, nipping out on an errand or shredding gravel trails.
The combination of insulating and wind-resistant properties, complete with a raised waistline gives extra coverage and protection on chillier days. The capacious pockets have been designed and cut in such a way that reaching into them to access items is hassle-free while the elastic mesh holds your essentials firmly in place. From a large smart phone to keys, gels, inner tubes, gas canisters and handy tissues the pockets add extra on-bike capacity for ‘stuff’.
The shorts’ triple layer chamois and gel insert also adds to their all-purpose useability. The ‘give’ in the material made them super-comfortable with leg warmers, while the gripper also ensures a snug fit without.
Le Col offer the shorts in Navy/Saffron classic Black colorways, in sizes XS to 3XL (M)/XL (W). Both come with reflectivestrips on the rear of the legs to aid visibility in low light conditions.
Read more: Le Col Sport Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts full review
Best bib shorts for color options
Despite their competitive price and low position in the Castelli bib shorts pecking order, the Castelli Competizione shorts feel much more luxurious, with soft, stretchy fabrics and flatlocked stitching, although they are quite compressive.
There's a raw edged finish to the leg grippers and the Kiss Air2 seat pad has varying thickness to provide support where it's most needed, although for longer rides we'd have preferred a slightly thicker one.
Castelli sells the Competizione bib shorts in a wide array of colors, from the usual black to two greys, two blues and a deep green.
Read more: Castelli Competizione bib shorts full review
Best non-bib cycling shorts
The women's Core Cargo shorts come without bib straps
With no other waist shorts on our buyer's guide, it's fair to say we don't often recommend them, but coming from the same Core range that uses collection-specific materials and technology as the best-selling Core bib shorts, but without the shoulder straps to help reduce the build-up of heat that occurs when riding indoors.
These are a good compromise for riders who want the flexibility of indoor and outdoor shorts, or even if your indoor bike time is spent with others, meaning that modesty is a must (for them if not you)!
Doing away with shoulder straps means that the shorts are held in place with a tighter waist, which some riders find uncomfortable, although Rapha does promise a soft waist elastic.
Read more: Rapha Women's Core Cargo cycling shorts full review
Best bib shorts for combined comfort and versatility
Longer legs and fleeced fabric add comfort in cooler weather
With Assos's 13mm deep Mille GTS C2 seat pad, slightly longer legs and a water repellent finish to the fleeced fabric, the Assos Mille GTS Sprint/Fall C2 bib shorts are a great option for cooler, iffy conditions.
They are fine on their own in milder conditions around 16C, but add leg warmers or knee warmers and we found that they were comfortable down to 8C or lower. They even worked for us on the turbo in a cold garage.
They're quite pricy, but their versatility and durability mean that they can extend your short-wearing days to all but the coldest conditions.
Read more: Assos Mille GTS Spring/Fall C2 bib shorts full review
Best bib shorts for premium fit
Our reviewer rated these shorts the most comfortable he'd worn
Velocio's aim with the Concept bib shorts was to make bibs that a pro rider would wear if they weren’t contractually obligated to pull on shorts from their team sponsor.
After clocking up the miles in them, our tester confidently confirmed that the New England-based company not just met its objective, but surpassed it, finding quite simply the most comfortable bib cycling shorts he's ever ridden.
They weren't quite as breathable as the brand's Ultralight bib shorts, but were a close second, especially in terms of moisture management.
The stand out feature by far is the 'floating chamois. It's similar to the Assos GoldenGate floating pad, as featured below in the Assos Cento Evo bib shorts, and together with the uber compressing shorts creates an almost perfect pair of cycling bib shorts, which just the eye wincing price tag losing them top marks.
The sizes range from XS to XXXL, and male and female fits in both black and navy colors, and if you do purchase, you won't be disappointed.
Read more: Velocio Concept bib shorts full review
Best bib shorts for indoor use
Le Col and Wahoo have collaborated for these turbo shorts
Le Col says compared with regular bib shorts, the indoor training optimized bibs offer increased temperature regulation throughout their construction and a pad that offers extra protection in the areas that you most need it when in an indoor training environment.
On test, it was hard to disagree with any of the brand's claims. The huge perforated panels on the hips and front of legs provide excellent ventilation, and assist these bib shorts in being exceptionally light, despite the straps' heavier construction.
The gel pad may seem bulky when pulling the shorts on for the first time, but these have been specifically designed for indoor use, which generally means more time in the saddle.
Our testing found these high quality shorts achieved this and made indoor training a more attractive proposition for our tester. If you're concerned about the shorts' transparent nature, you might want to go for the Rapha Core pair (above) but if you've signed up for virtual riding and racing, our tester found that these were a fantastic purchase.
Read more: Le Col Indoor Training Shorts review
Buyer's guide to the best cycling shorts
Here's our run-down on all the tech you'll find in cycling shorts and how to choose the best cycling shorts for your use.
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.
How to dress for hot conditions
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.
Breathable fabrics or cut outs at the back are good additions on a pair of summer cycling bib shorts
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.
Many clothing brands buy in their chamois from an external company, with Elastic Interface being the leading supplier, and can often use the same pad as a competitor.
The chamois often comes with some additional features, such as perforation to provide breathability, and an anti-bacterial treatment to keep the shorts fresh.
How we test
Cycling Weekly has a highly experienced team of testers, who know what to look for in the best cycling shorts, thanks to their hours spent out riding and reviewing cycling products.
Our team has reviewed literally hundreds of pairs of shorts from all the leading brands, wearing them for many miles in the saddle, so we can spot the best cycling shorts that stand out from the crowd.
With Black Friday coming up on November 24th and running until the 27th, all the major retailers are already starting their discounts. On the tech side of things, we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday Wahoo deals over here and the best Garmin deals over here.
More generally, we have specific hub pages for power meter deals and bike computer deals. With the nights drawing in, we’ve also picked out the best bike light deals as well
Beyond that, we’ve got a hub on the best Black Friday cycle clothing deals, deep winter glove deals and our top picks from Adidas’ Black Friday bike kit deals.
And with Christmas coming up, we absolutely have a page on the best kids’ bikes deals - from balance bikes to fully equipped gears.
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