Review: Shredly Shorts, Romper, & Chamois

At Femme Cyclist, we’ve taken polls of our community several times on favorite mountain bike shorts. Shredly always comes out the winner.

Why? It’s a woman-owned company that makes shorts that are fashion-forward, have high-quality construction, and that actually fit regardless of your size or shape.

If you haven’t tried a pair of Shredly shorts yet, you’re missing out. In this review, I share the different options they offer, including the traditional “All Time” Shredly MTB Short, the Curvy “Limitless” short, 7″ short, and the long short.

We also share reviews of other Shredly pieces including the Shredly Romper and Chamois.

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Shredly Shorts Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

• 3 Length Options, 2 Waistband/Fit Options
• Made in the USA
• Comes in a wide range of sizes (not S,M,L!!)
• Cute prints and colors
• Secure, zippered pocket

Cons:

• Fit may be a little too baggy for some
• Don’t come with a chamois liner

Price: $98-$115

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Shredly Video Review

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Two Different Waistband/Fit Options

Shredly offers their mountain bike shorts in two different waistband/fit options. There is the All Time short (previously known as the MTB Original) which closes via zipper/snaps and the Limitless short (previously know as the CURVY short) which has a yoga-style waistband and a looser fit in the thighs.

When I first heard about the Shredly CURVY short, I just assumed it was made for “plus-sized” ladies, but that’s not the case at all. The CURVY (now Limitless) comes in a wide variety of sizes from 2 to 20.

The Limitless simply uses a different type of waistband (a nice wide yoga pant style band), and a wider fit thru the hips and thighs. It works well for “curvy” women of any size (myself included) who struggle with finding shorts wide enough for their hips and bum, but narrow enough for their waist.

With the yoga band waist, you don’t have to worry about muffin-top, plumbers crack, or any fly-related disasters. In my opinion, all mountain bike shorts should be made with a yoga waistband!

Most women who mountain bike also have more muscular thighs, which is why I’ve never understood why most mountain bike shorts are cut more narrow. The Limitless isn’t cut excessively wide, but it does provide plenty of room for more muscular quads.

If you do have a straighter, narrower body, or if you simply prefer a traditional zippered waist closure, then the All Time Shredly shorts will work well for you. This waist closes via (very fashionable) snaps, a zipper, and internal waist adjustment. You can cinch up the waist (or let it out) via buttons and stretchy nylon. If you have kids, this is a lot like the waist adjusters in kids pants.

Short Or Long: Pick Your Poison

Both the Limitless and All Time shorts are offered in a traditional mid-length, short length, and a LONG version. The regular short falls just above the knee and the long falls just below the knee. The short shorts are either 5″ (traditional zippered/snap waist) or 7″ (curvy waist).

The regular short is already pretty long (it’s not a short short like the Club Ride Eden), but the LONG provides even more protection. It’s a good choice for using with knee pads for downhill days or for colder fall/spring riding.

The Shredly 5″ or 7″ shorter shorts are fantastic for ladies who don’t want to mess up their tan lines, or who simply like a shorter short.

Lots Of Different Prints/Designs

Shredly really made a name for themselves by leaving the boring black bke short behind and creating colorful and fun baggies for women instead. While you’ll see lots of brands following their lead today, Shredly was definitely the first.

They still have one of the largest (and loudest) selection of designs. While I do know a few ladies that choose the more demure Shredly shorts (yes, they do offer a black short too), far more of my friends hoard the Shredly prints like their collector items.

Black might be great for a cocktail dress, but the trail is the one place that it’s okay for women to be loud, silly, and a little crazy–and Shredly reflects that vibe.

Made In The USA

When I’ve reviewed other bike shorts in the past, I’ve always received a few “but they’re not made in the USA” emails in response. If you’re a buy in the US kinda gal, you’ll love Shredly.

Zippered Pocket

.All of the Shredly shorts have two front hand pockets as well as a zippered pocket. The zippered pocket is a newer addition on the Shredly shorts and something we really appreciate. It’s great to have a secure place to stash your phone, credit card, or car key.

Wide Range Of Sizes Fit True To Size

One of my favorite things about Shredly is that they offer their shorts in regular pant sizes. That means if you normally wear a size 8, simply order a size 8 in the Shredly shorts.

I get really stressed looking out most brands S, M, L size charts trying to guess where I might fit and whether or not the shorts run true to size. It’s a lot more work for a company to offer all those sizes rather than 3 or 4, but we greatly appreciate it.

The sizes run from size 0 to size 24 (!!!!) depending on the short. I don’t know any other company that offers that many sizes, and we love that they are so size inclusive.

Don’t Come With A Chamois Liner

The Shredly shorts are sold as baggies without a chamois liner. This means that you’ll need to buy a liner separately (assuming you like a chamois).

I have yet to test out the Shredly chamois (though have heard good things). You can also test out our list of the best women’s mountain bike chamois if you are looking for one.

Our Top Picks

There are tons of Shredly options, so you should have no problem finding the length and waist combo that’s right for you. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are two of our faves.

MTB Limitless 14″ Long

by Debra Bonkoski

These shorts offer a flattering variation on the traditional mountain bike short silhouette.  The longer length is convenient for wearing with knee pads on a gnarly downhill day, avoiding scrapes on an overgrown trail, or providing  extra coverage on a chilly ride. 

Prone to chafing? The combination of the length, material and inseam gusset of these shorts helped our size 14 short tester, with a history of painful chafing, avoid discomfort on a hot, afternoon ride.  

Shredly describes their curvy line as accommodating to all shapes, regardless of “whether your shape is boxy, straight, hourglass, pear, or apple.”  The shorts range in size from 0-24 and the stretch in the material make these a no-brainer to reach for when you are feeling your best but also when you feel bloated.  Although a separate chamois is available for purchase, we found these shorts incredibly comfortable on their own.  

After sitting trailside after attacking a steep climb, we were able to easily brush the dirt off the bum of these shorts thanks to the recycled poly/spandex blend. The yoga-style stretch waistband is a game changer and the faux-zipper in the front adds a bit of style.  After a long ride, the shorts hold their shape and are a great choice to wear for a post-ride drink with friends.  

The current lineup offers four solid colors and seven vibrant patterns. 

MTB Limitless 7″

by Kristen Bonkoski

As a “professional bike short tester” my drawers are overflowing with mountain bike shorts. And yet, I found myself grabbing the MTB Limitless 7″ short over and over this spring and summer.

I like the these “short” shorts so much, that I plan to buy a few more pairs. For me, they are the perfect length for trail riding and bikepacking.

They are short enough they don’t screw up my tan line, and they are airy enough I get plenty of airflow on hot days. There’s also nothing about them that screams “bike short” so I felt comfortable wearing them to school pickup or around town on occasion as well.

As with all the Shredly Limitless shorts, the waistband is incredibly comfortable. They are quick and easy to pull on and off for trailside potty breaks, and even on loooong bikepacking trips, the waist never dug in or irritated me.

Finally, they are durable and brush off dirt easily, so I could wear them on multi-day adventures and didn’t worry about sitting on the ground.

Bottom-Line: Fun, Colorful, and Well-Fitting Mountain Bike Shorts

Shredly doesn’t make the trade-off between form and function; they manage to excel in both categories. Their shorts come in the funnest designs and prints out there, and yet offer a wide range of sizes and cuts to fit all body types.

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Shredly Trail Romper

Looking for something a little bit more playful than your average pair of mountain bike shorts? Check out the Shredly Trail Romper!

This one-piece mountain bike uniform makes it easy to look pulled together and is sure to garner attention on the trail.

Pros:

• Fun, stylish design
• Durable and stretchy material
• No plumbers crack
• Adjustable waist
• Comes in larger sizes

Cons:

• Short in the torso
• Challenging to go potty on the trail

Price & Where To Buy:

• $138 List
• Buy at Shredly.com
• Buy at REI.com*

No Boring Cycling Kit Here

The biggest thing the Shredly Trail Romper has going for it, is the fact that it’s unique. This doesn’t look like every other black short, boring jersey get up on the trail.

The Trail Romer comes in a couple different colors, including the Graphite Tie Die design we tested. Flashy? Yes. Dull? No.

I love that there is zero coordination required. You don’t have to think about which jersey will match with which shorts.

Nor do you have to worry about how well that jersey provides coverage or how low those shorts are cut. You won’t end up with any plumbers crack or with your jersey pulling up to flash a bit of belly.

Fit Will Work For You…..Or It Won’t

Like most clothing items, the Shredly Romper might work great for you, OR it might not. (Sigh).

After coveting the Romper forever, I finally got one in a size medium. I wear a size 6 in all the Shredly shorts, so the medium should have been the right size for me according to the size chart.

Unfortunately, it was HUGE. I am smaller on top than I am on bottom, so there in laid my problem. The shoulders were way too wide.

I also have a long torso which made the shorts that much shorter AND gave me a bit of a wedgie. After reading other reviews, this seems to be a common complaint. If you are a longer torso girl, skip the romper. And if you’re small on top, size down.

After a few rides in the Romper, I decided it just wasn’t comfy or flattering on me. (Sadness!). I passed it on to my girlfriend Ashley who it luckily fit really well.

The one really nice thing is that the waist is adjustable and cinches down via buttons. Assuming you order the right size for your body, you should be able to get a nice tailored look.

The Romper also comes in sizes from XS to 3X which we really appreciate. Options are generally limited for larger gals, and Shredly is doing a good job of being size inclusive.

Wear With A Chamois Or Without

I don’t usually wear a chamois, so chose to wear the romper without one. Ashley, on the other hand, felt that the legs were way too short without so wore a pair of shorts underneath.

You could also choose to wear the Shredly Biker Cham underneath the romper. They are made to match so the little bit of leg sticking out underneath looks intentional, not sloppy.

The one issue to be aware of if wearing a chamois is the pee-trap factor. When/if you have to pee in the woods, you’re going to have to strip all of the way down.

If you are wearing just undies (or a short pair of chamois like the Hipster Cham), you could theoretically pull your undies and the romper to the side and pee without undressing. Whether or not you are coordinated enough to do this is up to you….

Fabric Is Durable Yet Stretchy

The fabric on the Shredly Trail Romper is synthetic and quite thick. At first, I thought this might make it hot or unbreathable, but that wasn’t the case.

Even Ashley, who is notoriously hot bodies, felt that the Romper was comfortable. “It was surprisingly breathable for someone who is a heavy sweater.”

The fabric also has a fair bit of stretch to it, making it both comfortable and easy to maneuver in.

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Shredly Biker Cham

Who says a chamois has to be boring? Or hidden underneath your clothes?

The Shedly Biker Cham is longer and more substantial than most so that you can wear it under your baggies, or all on it’s own!

Pros:

• Well constructed chamois
• Can wear with or without baggies
• Pocket space
• Pretty designs, cute leg scallops

Cons:

• Not all women will like the longer inseam and high waist
• Hotter than thinner chamois liners

Price & Where To Buy:

• $98 List
• Buy at Shredly.com
• Buy at REI.com*

Well Constructed Chamois

Chamois liners fall all over the spectrum in terms of quality of construction. Many liners that come with baggies are almost an afterthought.

If you’re looking for a high quality liner, I’d highly recommend the Shredly Biker Cham. Both the chamois itself as well as the short material are high quality in fabric and construction. These should last MANY wash cycles.

The chamois itself is fairly substantial. The padding is thick enough that you could wear this for an all day ride. (If you’re looking for something more minimalistic, check out the Shredly Hipster cham instead).

Can Wear On Their Own

I’d consider the Biker Cham as more of a cycling short than a liner short. Yes, you can absolutely wear this under your baggies, BUT they work even better solo.

Unlike many liner shorts, the Biker Cham is made of a thick, durable material. This means they aren’t see through; but it also means they are a little hot for my liking underneath a pair of baggies (at least during the hot summer months).

Wide, High Rise Waist Band

The waist band on the Biker Cham is different than most chamois we’ve tested. Instead of an elastic band, there is a much wider panel.

This makes it nice in that there is nothing to dig into your middle. It is also higher cut than most, so it holds your belly and you don’t get that little roll of fat.

That said, I didn’t love the higher waist underneath many of my shorts. It worked well under my Shredly Limitless shorts with their higher waist, but less so with nearly every other pair of baggies I own. With most shorts, there was a section of chamois sticking up over the top of the baggies.

Fairly Long Inseam, But Cute Scallop At Leg

The inseam on the Shredly Biker Cham is 7 inches. This makes it longer than most chamois. My much loved Club Ride June chamois, for instance, has a 3 inch inseam.

If you are wearing baggy shorts that are 7 inches or less, the Biker Cham will stick out of the bottom. Even if you’re wearing longer baggies, they are likely to ride up while the Biker Cham won’t (thanks to the grippers on the leg).

Now, this might not be the worst thing in the world. The scallop and perforations at the bottom of the leg are very cute. But whether or not you want your liner to show under your shorts is a very personal style choice.

Small Side Pockets

Another nice touch on these shorts are the small side pockets on both legs. Can they fit much? No. But you can certainly stick a bar or gel or some cash in there.

The pockets also make them nice for use at spin class where you might want to stash a locker key or gym pass.

More Affordable Than The Closest Competitor

$98 might seem like a lot for a chamois. And in fact, some of our other favorite chamois cost half of that.

Still, the closest competitor to the Biker Cham is the Wild Rye Eleanor Chammy. The two shorts are VERY similar in quality and design. Both can be worn with or without baggies, both have side pockets and a high waist, etc, etc, etc.

That said, the Wild Rye Eleanor Chammy* is about $20 more. We’d say save those extra bucks and buy this one instead.

More Mountain Bike Clothing Options

Looking for cute stuff to wear on the bike? Make sure to check out these articles before you go!

• 10 Best Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts (2023)
• What To Wear Mountain Biking: Everything You Need To Know!
• 9 Best Women’s Mountain Bike Pants