The Finest Mountain Bike Shorts of 2024

A top quality pair of mountain bike shorts is the core of your driving equipment. The very best mountain bike shorts not solely look good however match comfortably, present safety from the weather, breathe properly, and permit for unrestricted motion and straightforward pedaling. Whereas spandex shorts have been as soon as dominant in mountain biking, dishevelled shorts are by far the most typical for the number of advantages they supply for many riders.

As of late, there are mountain bike shorts designed to fulfill the calls for of all forms of driving and riders, from cross-country to downhill. With so many mountain bike shorts in the marketplace, we all know that discovering the suitable pair generally is a problem. To assist, we gathered 15 of the very best fashions in the marketplace to check and evaluate aspect by aspect.

We spent months driving in these shorts whereas analyzing necessary elements like supplies, design, match, consolation, pedal-friendliness, breathability, pockets, and magnificence, switching ceaselessly between fashions for direct comparability. After tons of of hours and 1000’s of miles, we narrowed in on our favorites and those who excel in particular circumstances and makes use of.

Our favourite mountain bike shorts are listed under, adopted by the very best of the remaining, that are all stable choices in their very own proper. To see the fashions we examined at a look, try our comparability chart. Our detailed shopping for recommendation is an efficient reference should you need assistance deciding what to purchase, and our FAQ part has solutions to widespread questions. And, should you’ve landed right here on the lookout for girls’s shorts, we’ve examined and reviewed the finest girls’s mountain bike shorts, too.

Editor’s Be aware: Our sister website BikeRumor.com initially hosted this Purchaser’s Information. It was first printed on GearJunkie on Might 24, 2024. We additionally up to date it with two new fashions together with the gravity-oriented Fox Defend and the Flylow Goodson shorts.

The Finest Mountain Bike Shorts of 2024

Mountain Bike Shorts Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Finest Mountain Bike Shorts

Our biking group has been reporting on the newest cycling-related information, know-how, and merchandise for properly over a decade. Along with writing about all issues bike-related, biking is a ardour that each one of our workers share. Each single tester and author is an avid rider, and it’s a dream come true to have the ability to take a look at and assessment merchandise and share our information, expertise, and love of driving bikes with our viewers. We really feel very lucky to be ready that permits us to spend time on the bike whereas analyzing merchandise and offering perception that will assist individuals make extra knowledgeable buy choices.

Our mountain bike shorts assessment creator, Jeremy Benson, has been professionally testing and reviewing mountain bikes, equipment, and attire for over eight years. In that point, he has examined greater than 30 totally different pairs of mountain bike shorts, together with the 15 fashions on this assessment. Benson is an avid mountain bike rider and racer who began driving as a youth within the early 90s. He’s spent the previous 23 years residing within the Sierra Nevada mountains in and round Lake Tahoe, CA, obsessively driving the numerous tons of of miles of close by world-class singletrack, a lot of which is accessible from proper out the door. Benson enjoys all types of driving, from lung-busting XC and gravel races to large backcountry epics, shuttle runs, steep skidders, and lengthy hike-a-bikes, you title it. The period of time he spends within the saddle makes him notably powerful on and important of the gear he makes use of, and he’s all the time trying to find the very best merchandise to boost his expertise and enhance his efficiency out on the paths. Years spent testing all types of drugs has helped him develop a eager skill to investigate and scrutinize merchandise and convey his findings in critiques. Benson has additionally contributed to a number of different purchaser’s guides together with mountain bike helmets and the finest mountain bike footwear, in addition to biking sun shades and hitch bike racks for transporting your rides.

For this purchaser’s information, we rounded up 15 pairs of the very best mountain bike shorts in the marketplace to check and evaluate aspect by aspect. We spent months driving in these shorts in each climate situation and temperature you’ll be able to think about on rides starting from informal path rides with buddies, all-day undergo fests, massive shuttles, and even a couple of races and gravel grinds. Whereas testing, we centered on necessary efficiency traits like match, pedal-friendliness, air flow/breathability, and pocket design. Every mannequin was worn with and with out knee pads to check compatibility, and buddies have been requested to touch upon the model. After tons of of hours and 1000’s of miles within the saddle, we honed in on our favorites and those who excel in particular areas in comparison with the remaining.

Shopping for Recommendation: The best way to Select Mountain Bike Shorts

With so many manufacturers and fashions of mountain bike shorts in the marketplace, discovering the suitable pair could be tough. There are a selection of things to think about when selecting your subsequent pair of shorts, and we’ll break down a number of the most necessary parts of mountain bike shorts under. Getting the suitable match is a very powerful, however you’ll additionally wish to get shorts that fit your driving model, private model, climate circumstances, and funds.

What Kind of Using Do You Do?

As there are lots of totally different types of mountain biking, there are simply as many various mountain bike shorts to go well with the wants of various riders. It stands to purpose that an individual who rides cross-country has totally different wants and desires from their shorts than somebody who rides chairlifts on the bike park all day. As such, producers design shorts for the varied sub-genres of mountain biking utilizing totally different supplies, inseam lengths, and designs. Should you take part in a number of totally different types of driving, it could make sense to have a number of pairs of shorts you can change between. Likewise, totally different seasons have totally different calls for, and having shorts of various weights or climate resistance could also be useful when the temperature or climate adjustments.

Whereas many cross-country riders, and particularly racers, could want to put on lycra for efficiency causes, there are dishevelled shorts which are properly suited to high-efficiency, high-output XC driving. Typically talking, cross-country riders usually go for shorts which are light-weight, breathable, slim-fitting, and tremendous pedal-friendly, which regularly really feel such as you aren’t carrying dishevelled shorts in any respect. For path driving, most riders nonetheless prioritize pedal-friendliness and will gravitate in direction of light-weight shorts, although many want a barely longer inseam to work with light-duty knee pads and barely extra strong materials for elevated sturdiness. Gravity-oriented riders who spend time driving DH on the bike park or smashing enduro laps usually prioritize heavy-duty materials for added safety and sturdiness, in addition to longer inseams and looser suits that play properly with knee pads and/or protecting undershorts.

Getting the Proper Match

As with every article of clothes, getting mountain bike shorts that match proper is without doubt one of the most necessary features of the acquisition course of. The higher your shorts match, the extra comfy they are going to be, and the much less they are going to distract you from the necessary process of driving your bike. Shorts that match properly usually fade into the background and go just about unnoticed whereas driving. Too tight and so they put stress in your stomach or prohibit your motion, too unfastened and so they can slip down and require frequent adjustment whereas driving. Should you put on padded liner shorts, or a chamois, it is usually necessary to think about them because the shorts might want to match over these as properly.

Waist dimension is the first issue within the match equation, and most shorts are available a variety of sizes to suit the commonest waist sizes. It varies by model, however many supply their shorts in numerical waist sizes that usually make it straightforward to seek out the scale that’s closest to your waist measurement in inches. Different manufacturers supply their shorts in what is named categorical sizes – Small, Medium, Giant, and so on., with every dimension meant to suit a small vary of waist sizes. With categorical sizing, all the time be sure you verify a model’s dimension chart to seek out the place you fall of their dimension vary. Moreover, many shorts function waist changes that permit you to add or take away rigidity from the waistband to realize the specified match.

Along with waist dimension, how shorts match via the hips, buttocks, and thighs is one other issue to think about, notably for these with extra muscular legs or bigger physique constructions. Ideally, you need the shorts to be unfastened sufficient that they aren’t squeezing any a part of your physique and permit for unrestricted freedom of motion with out being excessively dishevelled. Some manufacturers present hip and thigh measurements for his or her shorts so you will get a good suggestion of how they are going to slot in these areas. 7Mesh even sizes their shorts primarily based on hip and thigh circumference measurements to seek out the very best match.

Waist Changes

Many mountain bike shorts have built-in waist adjustment techniques that permit you to add or take away rigidity from the waistband to dial within the match. That is notably necessary for shorts which are designed to suit a small vary of waist sizes, and so they usually supply round 1-2 inches of adjustability. There are a selection of various techniques that manufacturers use to make these changes together with exterior or inner velcro straps, ratcheting ladder straps, locking webbing straps, built-in belt techniques, and extra. The very best techniques are low profile, straightforward to entry and use, safe, and pull rigidity evenly with minimal bunching of material. Along with or generally rather than these techniques, some manufacturers embody belt loops on their shorts to allow them to be worn with a belt in its place methodology of including rigidity to the waistband.

Inseam Size

As of late, most dishevelled mountain bike shorts have inseams that vary wherever from round 11 inches to fifteen inches. Shorts that grasp down across the knee when standing and rise barely above the knee when pedaling are the norm for many riders. What size works finest for you’ll rely in your driving model, private model, top, and whether or not or not you put on knee pads. Shorts designed with pedal friendliness because the precedence usually have considerably shorter inseams which are much less restrictive of the pedal stroke, whereas these designed with gravity driving in thoughts usually have longer inseams for extra leg protection and higher compatibility with knee pads. When it comes to knee pad compatibility, longer inseams are likely to play nicest as they cowl the highest of the pad and assist to keep away from “pad hole” which could be thought-about a trend faux-pas in sure circles. After all, a rider’s top can be a consideration, as a 15-inch inseam could match a taller rider completely and appear to be a pair of capris on a shorter individual. Fortuitously, some manufacturers range their inseam lengths by dimension for a extra proportional match throughout their dimension vary.

Air flow and Breathability

Relying on the climate and temperatures you experience in most ceaselessly and even seasonally, how a lot you perspire, or the extent of effort you place in whereas driving, the air flow and breathability of your mountain bike shorts could or is probably not an necessary issue to think about. Individuals who stay in hotter climates or experience within the warmth of the day will usually be extra inclined to put on light-weight or well-ventilated shorts than those that stay and experience in additional temperate areas. Should you stay in an space the place the seasons convey large temperature swings, it should usually be finest to have a number of pairs of shorts for various circumstances or discover the goldilocks shorts that work properly sufficient throughout a large temperature vary.

Air flow is approached in varied methods by totally different manufacturers and for various types of shorts. Most mountain bike shorts are constituted of technical materials that enable for some breathability and dry rapidly when moist. Some shorts are made of materials which are so gentle and ethereal that they barely even really feel like they’re there, enable air to go via simply, and dry extremely rapidly. Different shorts mix gentle or mid-weight materials with ventilating options, mostly within the type of laser-cut perforations on the inside thighs to permit further airflow. Zippered vents have gotten much less widespread, although some manufacturers nonetheless use them, and so they work properly and permit the rider to manage the air flow as wanted.

Climate Resistance

Provided that shorts solely cowl about half your leg and have giant openings on the hem by the knee, they’re inherently not essentially the most weather-resistant garment. Some manufacturers and fashions of shorts do have weather-resistant supplies or options of their designs, nevertheless, which can be of curiosity to those that experience in moist or variable circumstances. Whereas the vast majority of mountain bike shorts use gentle to mid-weight materials which are meant primarily to be used in dry and heat circumstances, lots of them have a Sturdy Water-Repellant (DWR) end utilized that works to repel occasional splashes from puddles or very gentle rain showers and drizzle. When mixed with the short drying properties of the supplies, these shorts are applicable for most individuals more often than not.

Whereas many individuals who experience in moist circumstances ceaselessly will usually put on mountain bike pants or trousers for added protection and climate safety, there are occasions when some weather-resistant shorts could also be a greater choice. For these occasions, there are a selection of shorts in the marketplace which are both fully waterproof or have strategic waterproof panels to fight tire spray and/or rain. Waterproof shorts are actually extra of a distinct segment product, however we now have examined the POC Bastion shorts, that are constructed fully from waterproof material and have totally taped seams to fight water from all angles. Endura is one other model that makes a number of fashions of waterproof and weather-resistant mountain bike shorts.

Pockets

The quantity, placement, and design of pockets on mountain bike shorts range fairly dramatically relying on the model, model, and meant use. The significance of pockets additionally varies fairly dramatically between riders and largely is dependent upon the way you carry necessities whilst you experience (fanny pack, backpack, on the bike, in your pockets) and the way a lot you plan to hold in your pockets whereas driving. Zippers are a typical function on most pockets, so you’ll be able to shut them and preserve the contents safe while you’re rattling down the path. Whereas many mountain bike shorts used to have a number of pockets, there was a basic pattern in direction of extra streamlined and minimal designs which have fewer well-designed pockets. All the shorts we examined have at the very least one pocket, with most having 2-3 and one mannequin sporting a whopping 4 locations to carry your stuff.

Once more, take into account what you actually need to hold in your pockets on a experience. This varies, in fact, however house for at the very least a cellphone looks as if the naked minimal. Some riders additionally prefer to stash a multi-tool, snack, keys, chapstick, and extra. Should you intend to hold greater than a cellphone in your pockets, then shorts with only one pocket, just like the 7Mesh Slab or Specialised Path Air, could not have ample storage for you. One factor that’s nice about trendy mountain bike shorts is that many manufacturers have been designing actually nice pockets which are straightforward to entry and maintain their contents securely and out of the best way. Typically, these are zippered, back-loading pockets on the thighs or hips, and so they can usually match a contemporary smartphone with good stability so it doesn’t flop round whereas pedaling or descending. Not all pocket designs are nice, nevertheless, and a few should not as properly executed, straightforward to make use of, or pedal-friendly as others.

Type

If you look good, you are feeling good, and while you really feel good, you’ll be able to experience higher. Proper? Effectively, possibly it isn’t that straightforward, however all issues being equal, we predict that most individuals can agree that model issues a bit of bit. And, should you’re paying prime greenback for some fancy mountain bike shorts, they could as properly look good and line up together with your private aesthetic. Not too way back, the mountain bike shorts market was flooded with fashions that seemed like they have been higher suited to a motocross race than pedaling a motorbike via the woods. Fortunately, these days are principally behind us, and whilst you can positively nonetheless discover shorts which have a moto-influenced model, totally on the DH aspect, there are actually loads of choices that come in additional subdued colours and have minimal branding that appeals to a broader vary of tastes. Trying on the shorts we examined, it’s clear that stable colours and small logos are presently trending. Type is subjective, in fact, however fortunately there’s a number of selection in terms of colours and designs that most individuals ought to be capable of discover one thing they wish to put on.

Padded Liner Shorts

Saggy mountain bike shorts are designed to be worn over a chamois/padded liner shorts or bibs. Whereas not everybody rides with a padded liner, a number of of us recognize the added consolation for seated pedaling supplied by the pad, or chamois, within the liner. Not one of the shorts we examined got here with a liner quick, though a number of of the fashions could be bought with a liner quick included for a slight improve in value, or they are often bought individually. Whereas an included liner quick does add worth, these are usually not the best high quality. We advocate discovering some good padded liner shorts or bibs that match properly and shopping for a couple of pairs to maintain in rotation. There are many wonderful choices in the marketplace as of late which have increased high quality chamois pads and/or particular options like bib straps and built-in pockets for storage.

Worth

The fashions we examined vary in retail value from $85 as much as $185, with most fashions falling roughly in the midst of that vary. Supplies, designs, development strategies, manufacturers, and advertising and marketing budgets all play a job within the remaining value of a pair of mountain bike shorts. Typically, you get what you pay for, and should you’re prepared and capable of spend a bit extra, you get a higher-quality product. Such is the case with a number of the dearer fashions we examined, just like the Velocio Ultralight Path Shorts, that are tremendous light-weight, match amazingly, and have a terrific design and high quality development. Different fashions, just like the POC Bastion, command a excessive value on account of their fully waterproof development. On the identical time, a extra reasonably priced pair of shorts just like the Dakine Vectra prices roughly half the worth and can cowl the wants of most riders and types of driving whereas saving you a bunch of money for extra bike elements.

Often Requested Questions About Mountain Bike Shorts