A lot of the bike shorts that we review and recommend are EXPENSIVE. But I also recognize that not everyone is ready to drop $250 or even $100 on a pair of cycling shorts, which is completely fair.
If you’re new to cycling, on a tight budget, or just want a pair of shorts that isn’t going to make you wince when it accidentally goes through the dryer, the Terry Actif bike short deserves a look.
I went into this review with modest expectations (budget shorts can be a mixed bag and I’m pretty spoiled), but I was pleasantly surprised with the Actif. Read on to find out why.
Review In A Nutshell
Pros:
- Affordable entry point into Terry’s lineup
- Chamois material is genuinely soft and comfortable
- Narrow chamois at the crotch makes walking around comfortable
- No elastic at the legs or waist equals comfort
- Fabric holds up better than you’d expect at this price point
Cons:
- Only comes in black and gray
- Chamois isn’t as high-end as other Terry options, best for shorter rides
- Thin, non-compressive material
Price: $79.95
A Good Option For Riders Who Aren’t Ready To Invest In Premium Shorts
Not everyone who needs a pair of bike shorts is a serious cyclist. Some folks just want to go spin class or hop on their Peloton bike or go for the occasional weekend ride.
For those folks, the Terry Actif is an excellent option. It recognizes that not everyone needs an expensive, premium short, they just want something something with a little padding to make their ride more comfortable! In that regard, it delivers and then some.
The Fabric Feels Unlike Any Bike Short I’ve Tested
The first thing I noticed is that the Actif has a really high nylon content (90%), and it gives the short a feel that frankly I haven’t experienced in another bike short. The fabric is thin and light, almost more like a chamois liner than a traditional cycling short.
My first thought was that this might mean it feels cheap or flimsy. But once I tried them on, I discovered that wasn’t really the case.
The fabric actually felt really nice, especially on the trainer in my garage where it gets HOT quick, and a thick, heavy short is the last thing that I want.
The thinner material does mean that it doesn’t offer much in the way of compression (actually, pretty much nothing in the way of compression), and this isn’t the pair of shorts that I’d want to crash in or go bikepacking in. But for rides where I’m not worried about extreme durability, the thinness didn’t bother me.
The fact that it’s pretty thin and feels an awful lot like a chamois liner, does mean that you could also use it in that way. This would be a great pair of shorts to wear under a skirt or baggy shorts.
The Chamois Is Soft, Simple, and Best For Shorter Rides
The chamois on the Actif is mono-density rather than dual-density (i.e. it has one layer of padding rather than varying thicknesses in different zones). It’s not the sophisticated pad you’ll find on the Terry Bella, but the material itself is remarkably soft and sweat-absorbent. I’ve tested several “budget” shorts where the chamois is scratchy, uncomfortable, and kind of soggy, so this was a major plus.
I also liked that the chamois is narrow at the crotch, which makes walking around before and after a ride much more comfortable. Anyone who has waddled through a coffee shop in an overly padded short knows exactly what I’m talking about.
For the trainer or a ride up to around 20 miles, I found the chamois more than sufficient. Even though I tend to like a pretty minimalistic chamois, even I would want something a little thicker for longer efforts on the road. For long rides, I’d reach for something with a more substantial pad, but for everyday riding and indoor workouts, it gets the job done.
No Elastic At The Legs Or Waist
Like the Bermuda and Breakaway shorts, the Actif skips elastic and silicone grippers at the legs and waist entirely. This is great news for women with sensitive skin or a silicone allergy, and it makes the short feel non-constrictive.
The trade-off is that the legs can ride up a bit, particularly if you have thicker thighs like me. This did mean I found myself adjusting the legs from time to time, especially considering the inseam is already a bit on the short side, and I didn’t want them getting TOO short, but it wasn’t so annoying that I was constantly tugging at them.
I Put These Through Some Intentional Abuse
I did something with the Actif that I don’t normally do with cycling shorts. I intentionally tried to use and abuse them. I sat on the curb when stopping for a snack break. I ran them through several wash and dry cycles in the dryer. On high heat.
I wanted to see how a budget short would hold up to the kind of treatment that, let’s be real, happens sometimes, especially if you have a kid and a husband like mine who throw laundry in without reading tags.
And the result was good. The stitching held up, I didn’t find any loose threads, and the fabric didn’t get that dingy, pilled look I’ve seen on other budget shorts after a few rough washes.
Will update after a few more months of use, but so far, so good.
A Note On The Inseam and Waist
The Actif has an 8-inch inseam, which is a little shorter than your average cycling short. For comparison, it’s a half inch shorter than the Breakaway and Bella shorts. Inseam length is an entirely personal thing, so this isn’t good or bad, just a heads-up.
As a gal who primarily wears bib shorts, and prefers high-waisted shorts when I’m not wearing bibs, the rise on these did feel a bit shorter than I’m used to. I found I needed a longer jersey (like the matching Terry Actif jersey!), to make sure I didn’t end up with a gap of skin showing at my lower back when I was in a riding position. Something to keep in mind when you’re putting a kit together.
Only Comes In Black and Gray
The Actif only comes in black and gray. No fun colors, no patterns. If you want something more exciting, check out the Bermuda. But if you just want a reliable, no-fuss short that works with everything, the neutral color options are fine.
Bottom-Line: A Budget Short That Won’t Leave You Disappointed
The Terry Actif isn’t trying to be a premium short. It’s a budget short, and it knows it. But for what it is — an affordable, comfortable option for spin class, casual rides, and newer cyclists — it delivers. The fabric feels nicer than the price tag suggests, the chamois is soft and walkable, and the construction held up even when I was unnecessarily mean to it in the laundry room.
If you’re not ready to invest in a premium short yet, the Actif is an obvious place to start.
More Short Options To Consider
About The Reviewer
Kristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.
She’s also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runs Rascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.
She’s been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.
IG: @femme_cyclist