Road Cyclist Taking a Corner on His Bike

How to Choose Cycling Shorts

The Right Shorts Take You Where You Want to Go


Choosing the right bike shorts comes down to two factors—function and feel. What type of riding do you plan to do and what shorts make you feel your best? We offer performance-built shorts that run the gamut—from smooth and fast tarmac, techy singletrack, to the wide array of gravel riding that falls somewhere in between. Where you take your bike may dictate some key features in your kit, as well as how long you plan to ride. 

Two Road Cyclists Riding Along The River

Road

When choosing road cycling shorts, it's important to consider both comfort and performance, with the right fit varying by skill level. Beginners should focus on shorts with a well-padded chamois (the cushioned insert) that reduces friction and absorbs road vibrations without adding bulk, while pro cyclists may prioritize lightweight fabrics with multi-density padding for enhanced performance and aerodynamics. The fit should be snug, moving with your body to prevent chafing, and remember that men’s and women’s cycling shorts are designed to be worn without underwear to maximize the moisture-wicking and friction-reducing benefits of the chamois. Our advanced Levitate chamois, featured in the shorts collection, provides next-level comfort with its innovative, independent suspension layers, ensuring you stay comfortable whether you're tackling long rides or intense sprints.

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Cycling Bibs or Shorts

When choosing between cycling shorts and cycling bibs, the decision often comes down to your riding style and personal comfort. Cycling shorts, including men's and women's bike shorts, are typically preferred by beginners or those who prioritize ease of wear, as they're simple to slip on and off. In contrast, cycling bibs are favored by more experienced riders and those tackling longer rides, especially on the road or gravel. Bibs offer superior chamois stability without the pressure of a waistband, which can increase comfort over extended distances. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, the key is to find padded shorts that provide optimal support, like our Levitate chamois. With options designed for men and women, our feature-rich bibs and shorts are crafted to perform in any condition, ensuring you’re ready for the road ahead.

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Features to Look For

When shopping for cycling shorts, consider which features make the most sense for your style of riding. BioViz reflective elements for safety, and silicone grippers on the legs of our shorts and bibs are standard, but it’s also worth considering whether you’re going for a lunchtime ride or an all-day excursion, or whether you’re logging miles on the indoor bike or hauling camping gear on a gravel bike. Our new adventure-minded Expedition shorts and bibs offer low profile cargo pockets to stash essentials. We also offer varying inseam lengths for a customized fit – from our PRO Bib Short – short inseam for men, to our Women’s Sugar 5” Short. Shop our Men’s and Women’s PRO shorts for the ultimate in comfortable compression with minimal seams and our Levitate PRO Chamois.

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Shop by Collection

We’ve built our name on making the best shorts in the cycling industry - innovative designs, sustainable materials, unmatched riding comfort, and performance.

QUEST

Our iconic Quest Collection features a value-packed relaxed fit

For roomier fits and approachable styling, our Quest line is designed for everyday riding.

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ATTACK

Shop Attack for comfortable compression and sleek details

If value and performance matter most, reach for our Attack collection. Designed with comfortable compression and modern tech, our Attack collection packs a punch.

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PRO

Our PRO Line offers luxurious high-performance fabrics and a next-to-skin fit

The PRO series represents everything we’ve learned throughout our decades in the cycling industry: cutting edge tech, elevated performance, and our most compressive fit.

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Trouble deciding?

Looking for size advice? Need to know how our shorts compare to another brand? Our customer care team - made up of real-life cycling fanatics - is available to help!