Whether you’re ready to invest in your first pair of bike shorts or simply need to add another pair to your expansive cycling wardrobe, we’ve rounded up the best cycling shorts for women. A good pair of padded bike shorts can make a world of difference, allowing you to ride longer in comfort and to avoid chafing and saddle sores.
Our team has tested these shorts on century rides, quick lunchtime spins, indoor cycling sessions, and after work group rides. They’ve gone through the wash countless times and come out on top. We’ve also polled our community to see what y’all like.
⭐ Our favorite regular bike short is the Terry Bella. It’s comfortable, will last many, many miles, and doesn’t cost a fortune. For bib shorts, we think the Velocio Luxe bib takes the cake.
Of course, bike shorts are only one piece of the solution when it comes to comfort “down there.” We’ve also tested women’s bike saddles and chamois creams for you.
Our Top Picks Tips For Buying (And Wearing) Women's Cycling Shorts Other Ways To Keep Your Butt Happy Plus Size Shorts Silicone Free Shorts
Our Top Picks
| What We Love | List Price | |
| BIB SHORTS | ||
| Velocio Luxe Bib | Silky, compressive fabric | $299 |
| Pearl Izumi Pro Bib | Substantial padding | $250 |
| Terry Madame X Bib | Straps stay in place | $199 |
| Shredly Biker Bib | Pretty prints, scalloped legs | $148 |
| Wild Rye Billie Bib | Comes in numeric sizes | $165 |
| REGULAR SHORTS | ||
| Terry Bella | Multiple length options | $145 |
| Samsara OG | Fun, feminine prints | $175 |
| Terry Breakaway | Stay in place | $105 |
| Pearl Izumi Attack | Wide range of sizes | $95 |
| Pactimo Ascent Vector | Flattering cut | $182 |
| BUDGET OPTIONS | ||
| Baleaf Bike Shorts | Super affordable | $36 |
| Pearl Izumi Sugar | Short inseam | $65 |
| Terry Actif | Soft chamois pad | $79 |
Velocio Luxe Bib Short
Price: $299
Reasons To Buy
✅ Silky smooth fabric
✅ Highly compressive
✅ Straps stay in place and don’t dig in
✅ Large range of sizes
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Expensive
They ain’t cheap, but if you’re an avid cyclist who lives for long hours in the saddle, the Velocio bib shorts are what you want. There’s actually nothing negative to say about these shorts other than the high price.
The material is incredibly soft, the chamois is comfortable, the strap design is our favorite we’ve tried, and the colors are rich and beautiful. The compression is high on these and may feel tight to women who aren’t accustomed to high end bibs, but trust us, you’ll end up appreciating the support.
The sizing on these shorts is inclusive, going from a XXS to a XXXL. The sizing guide is actually helpful, and the fit runs true to the chart.
Read Review: Velocio Luxe Bibs
Pearl Izumi Women’s Pro Bib Short
Price: $250
Reasons To Buy
✅ Very few seams
✅ Holds up through many wash cycles
✅ Drop tail for nature breaks
✅ Substantial chamois
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Somewhat “diaper”-esque
❌ Pricey
The Pearl Izumi Pro bib shorts aren’t cheap, but they sure are comfortable. There are very few seams to irritate sensitive skin, and the chamois is substantial.
The bibs are designed with cross-over straps to help taking the shorts off easier for nature breaks. They run to size and come in a nice range of sizes (x-small to xx-large).
The one thing to be aware of is that the chamois is substantial and may be too much for some. You might love the additional padding, but it does feel more like a “diaper” than some other chamois we have tested.
Read Our Review: Pearl Izumi Women’s PRO Bib Short
Terry Madame X Bib
Price: $199
Reasons To Buy
✅ Straps stay in place
✅ Chamois is comfortable on long rides
✅ High quality construction
✅ Soft fabric
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Not potty friendly
❌ Leg cuffs stick together
The Terry Madame X bib is a premium bib at a not TOO premium pricepoint (compared to Velocio anyway). They are a step above other Terry bike shorts, thanks to the buttery soft fabric and extremely comfortable chamois that works well on long rides.
The best thing about the bibs are the straps that stay in place. The cross-back design keeps things from slipping around and is comfortable.
The attention to detail on the Madame X is noticeable. They are well constructed and have nice little details like the lovely pattern on the mesh back.
As much as we love the feel of these bibs, the one big drawback is that they are NOT potty friendly. The whole bib has to come down if you need to go to the bathroom. Also, the leg grippers are super sticky and have a tendency to stick to each other, so you have to pry them apart when you put the bibs on. That said, they also keep the legs firmly in place on your legs, which we appreciate!
Read Review: Terry Madame X
Shredly Biker Bib
Price: $148
Reasons To Buy
✅ One of the best drop tails I’ve tested for potty breaks
✅ Pretty prints and colors, scalloped legs
✅ Big leg pockets fit a phone
✅ Inclusive sizing (XS to 3X)
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Straps twist easily
❌ Less compressive than higher-end bibs
Shredly has been obsessed with comfy bellies for years, so it’s about time they made a bib. I’ve been living in the Biker Bib for a couple months of long training rides ahead of the Park City Point to Point — three, four, and five hour days, which is exactly the saddle time that separates a good bib from a mediocre one. The chamois passed: it’s fairly thick but narrow between the thighs, right where I usually start to chafe on long efforts. Three hours in and I wasn’t thinking about it, which is the highest compliment I can give a chamois.
Well maybe I have an even highly compliment: the Biker Bib has highly stretchy, longer straps that let you pull the bottom down over your bum easily. It’s the easiest drop tail of any bib I own, including ones that cost way more.
The catch with those longer straps? They cross in back and stay put once you’ve got them sorted, but every single time I pulled these on, the straps were twisted. Straightening them out meant reaching behind my back and doing a little blind origami. If my husband or son were around, I’d recruit them for help.
I’m also obsessed with the leg design. Instead of a wide gripper or a tight elastic band, the Biker Bib uses tiny silicone dots to hold the legs. Sunds like it shouldn’t work, but it does, with none of that red-ring-pressed-into-your-thigh feeling.
Add the cute scalloped edge, a big phone-sized pocket on each leg, and a high mesh front cut for bustier riders, and there’s a lot to love.
It fits true to size (I’m a 6 and the medium was spot on, no sizing up needed).
The one thing to know: the fabric is soft but not super compressive. Coming from a premium bib like the Velocio Luxe, you’ll feel the difference immediately. Whether that’s a pro or a con is all personal preference.
Read Our Review: Shredly Biker Bib
Wild Rye Billie Stash Bib
Price: $165
Reasons To Buy
✅ Very comfortable chamois
✅ Wide leg bands that are non-irritating
✅ Comes in numeric sizes (0, 2, 4, etc)
✅ Leg pockets
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Not potty friendly
❌ Low compression
Wild Rye targets the mountain bike and gravel market with the Baddie Bib, but you could wear this short on the road as well. The inseam is shorter than most (9″) so a good choice for preserving tan lines or for wearing underneath baggies.
We really appreciate the exact sizing that goes from size 0 up to a size 18, which helps in getting the perfect fit. It’s also pretty rad that there are pockets on both legs and they are big enough to stash a cell phone or plenty of snacks.
The chamois is one of the best we’ve tested in terms of comfort and it doesn’t feel like a diaper. We liked the unique back design that keeps the straps in place but to the side of your boobs.
In addition to the black, the bib also comes in a pretty purple color that includes a little bit of flair at the legs. We hope to see more prints for this short in the future.
The Baddie doesn’t have as much compression as higher end shorts, nor is it particularly potty friendly. Still, for the price, we think these are a good choice.
Read Our Review: Wild Rye Billie Stash Bib
Terry Bicycles Bella Short
Price:$145
Reasons To Buy
✅ Durable, last a long time
✅ Comes in several lengths
✅ Comfortable, elastic free waistband
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Leg bands can irritate skin
We don’t know anybody who has tried Terry’s Bella bike short and not liked it. From a company that designs solely for women, the Bella short is an all-around winner.
The waistband is super comfortable, the legs stay put, and the padding is magical. These shorts are also durable even with frequent wear. In fact, I have a pair that I wore for close to five years before they wore out.
One unique thing about them is the fact that they come in multiple lengths. Whether you like less coverage or more coverage, you’ll find a length that you like.
Our one complaint is if you are wearing the shorts for multi-hour rides, the leg band can begin to become uncomfortable.
Read Our Review: Terry Bella
Samsara OG Short
Price: $175
Reasons To Buy
✅ Beautiful colors and prints
✅ No stitching around the chamois to irritate
✅ Comfy leg and waistbands
Reasons To Avoid
❌ No black option
The Samsara OG short wins in both form and function. These shorts come in adorable prints but also have a high quality chamois and superior construction.
Both the waistband and leg bands are comfortable and stay in place. The length is dependent on size, and they hit around mid-thigh. Sizes are also fairly inclusive going from XXS to XXL.
Something unique about these shorts is that there are two fabric layers. The inside layer is thin and mesh like and the chamois is sewn into it. This means there is no external stitching where the chamois is.
While I love the fun prints, if you’re a black short kinda girl, you’re out of luck with this one.
Read Our Review: Samsara OG Short
Terry Breakaway Short
Price: $115
Reasons To Buy
✅ Waistband and legs stay in place
✅ Great value
✅ Multiple versions/lengths of the short
✅ True to size
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Thinner fabric
❌ Limited color options
Another Terry bike short on the list! (Can you tell we like and trust this brand?!)
The Terry Breakaway is Bicycling Magazine editor’s choice and we agree with them. It’s a relatively affordable short that checks all the boxes.
Unlike many bike shorts, the waistband is extremely comfortable and does not roll down. Similarly, the leg bands don’t dig in and stay in place. Neither have silicone or elastic which is great for allergies and sensitive skin.
There are several versions of the short, including one with a high waist and another with hi-viz accents. Unfortunately, with the exception of the hi-viz accents, these only come in black or grey, so if you’re looking for something more stylish, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Finally, compared to more expensive shorts, the fabric is a little thinner than most. If you want a more compressive, substantial feeling short, you won’t want these. That said, we have not found durability to be an issue. Stacy has a pair that’s 3 years old and still going strong.
If you want more colors, a pocket, or longer inseam length (11″), you may also want to consider the Terry Bermuda short which has the same fabric and chamoise as the Breakaway.
Read Our Review: Terry Breakaway Short
Pearl Izumi Attack Short
List Price: $100
Reasons To Buy
✅ Wide range of sizes
✅ Substantial chamois
✅ Reasonably priced
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Potential irritation points
❌ Only comes in black
Pearl Izumi sells LOTS of bike shorts, but the Pearl Izumi Attack short is their best-selling short of all time. It’s a no-frills, get her done kinda short.
They have a nice wide waistband that stays in place and prevents plumber crack, and a comfortable chamois. They also come in a wide variety of sizes so are a good pick for all sizes and body types.
Of course, the best part is the price. The Attack short is comfortable and well constructed, but won’t break the bank.
There are more seams and potential irritation points than more expensive Pearl Izumi shorts, so keep this in mind if you have particularly sensitive skin.
Pearl Izumi also makes the Attack in a bib version. While a bit more spendy than the Attack short, it’s still reasonably priced and doesn’t give up much performance when compared to a premium priced bib.
Read Our Review: Pearl Izumi Attack OR Pearl Izumi Attack Bib
Pactimo Ascent Vector Short
Price: $182
Reasons To Buy
✅ Moderate thickness chamois (not too thick, not too thin)
✅ Moderate compression
✅ Flattering cut
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Doesn’t come in plus sizes
❌ Restrictive leg cuffs
Like the Ascent Vector bib above, the Pactimo Ascent Vector short is a high-quality short at a competitive (though not budget) price. These are supportive without being overly compressive, so if you don’t like feeling like a sausage, you’ll like these.
The Ascent Vector shorts are comfortable as well as flattering. They aren’t too short and aren’t too long, and the chamois is not too thick and not too thin. Talk about hitting the sweet spot.
Unlike some of Pactimo’s other offerings, these shorts do not come in plus sizes which will be a limiting factor for many.
Read Our Review: Pactimo Ascent Vector Shorts
Balaef Bike Shorts
Price: Price not available (Last updated: 2026-02-09 at 21:58 – More Info)
Reasons To Buy
✅ VERY affordable
✅ Comfortable chamois and fabric
✅ Run true to size
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Thin fabric
❌ Not super durable
For a pair of budget bike shorts, the Baleaf women’s shorts perform pretty well. They are comfortable, and have a chamois that doesn’t rub or chafe. I’ve worn these on plenty of multi-hour rides and finished happy.
Where they fall a little short (pun intended!) is their durability. The fabric is thinner and the stitching inferior to higher end shorts.
Still, for women wanting to try out their first pair of padded bike shorts, or needing some shorts for spin class, we’d recommend these.
Read Review: Baleaf Women’s Bike Shorts
Pearl Izumi Sugar
Price (List): $75
Reasons To Buy
✅ Short inseam allows you to avoid tan lines
✅ Minimalistic chamois for short rides
✅ Works well in the heat
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Not a lot of compression
❌ Legs can ride up
If you’re looking for a “short” short, the Sugar short is one of my faves. It works well if you want to wear it alone or under a skirt or gym shorts.
It’s not the best pick for LONG days in the saddle, but is ideal for spin class, avoiding ugly tan lines, and wearing under your favorite bike skirt when you want to look cute. It’s also great for ladies who prefer a more minimalistic chamois.
For me personally, this is my go-to bottom for rides on the indoor trainer. I’ll also pick it for shorter rides outside in hot weather.
The leg grippers aren’t as good as higher end shorts, and these do end up riding up a bit. That’s pretty typical for shorts at this price point though.
Full review coming soon!
Terry Actif Short
Price: $79.95
Reasons To Buy
✅ Affordable entry into Terry’s lineup
✅ Surprisingly soft, sweat-absorbent chamois
✅ No elastic or silicone at legs or waist
✅ Holds up better than you’d expect for the price
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Only comes in black and gray
❌ Chamois best suited for shorter rides
❌ Thin, non-compressive fabric
If you’re not ready to drop big bucks on cycling shorts, the Terry Actif is a great entry place. I went in to testing these with modest expectations and came out reasonably impressed.
The fabric has a high nylon content (90%) that gives it a thin, light feel, almost like a chamois liner. That means zero compression, and it’s not what when durability really matters (like bikepacking trip), but for spin class or casual rides, it’s actually really comfortable. It’s also great as a layering piece under baggies or a bike skirt.
The chamois is mono-density (one layer of padding versus the zoned construction you’ll find on the Terry Bella), but the material itself is soft and the padding is thin enough that it doesn’t feel like a diaper. For rides up to around 20 miles, it gets the job done.
Like the Breakaway, the Actif has no elastic or silicone at the legs or waist, which is great news if you have sensitive skin or a silicone allergy. The trade-off is that the legs can ride up a bit, something to keep in mind given the already-shorter 8-inch inseam. The rise is also on the lower side, so pair it with a longer jersey to avoid a gap at your lower back.
Read Review: Terry Actif Bike Short
Tips for Buying (and Wearing) Women’s Cycling Shorts
Don’t Wear Underwear
If you’re new to cycling, you might not know yet: you’re not supposed to wear underwear with padded bike shorts. Really.
Yes, I know that might seem weird, but trust me. Cycling shorts are designed to be worn without anything underneath and if you do wear underwear, you’re gonna end up with extra bulk, chafing, and even saddle sores.
Learn More: Don’t Wear Underwear With Bike Shorts & 5 Other Tips About How To Wear Bike Shorts
What’s a Chamois?
A chamois is the pad inside your bike shorts. It provides cushioning and helps prevent chafing and saddle sores.
We recommend choosing a women’s-specific short rather than a men’s short because the chamois will be better designed for a woman’s anatomy. A women’s chamois is wider at the rear (because our sit bones are wider) and provides more soft tissue support.
What You Should Look For In A Chamois
If you are new to cycling, you may just assume that the more padding a short has the better off you will be. This isn’t necessarily true.
A chamois that is too bulky will feel like a diaper (not comfortable), and can actually cause rather than prevent saddle sores and other discomforts. We tend to choose a moderately padded chamois–one that isn’t too thin or too thick.
Of course, a chamois is also a highly personal thing. Some ladies like more padding, some like less. You may have to try a few different pairs of shorts until you discover the chamois that works just right for your body.
For shorter rides, indoor spin classes, and hot days, a thin chamois is ideal. For longer century rides and week-long tours, you’re probably going to want something a little thicker.
Another thing to look at it when buying a pair of shorts is the stitching around the chamois. Bad stitching can be the worst!
Look for flatlock sewing around the edges of the chamois, and feel it to make sure that it feels smooth. If you pick one of the shorts on this list, don’t worry about the stitching; we’ve already picked shorts with chamois with high-quality seams.
Bib Shorts versus Regular Waist Bike Shorts
Cyclists generally fall into two categories: those who love bibs and will wear nothing else, and those who think they’re a pain. In general, bibs tend to be more comfortable.
They don’t have a waistband to dig into your tummy while you ride, and they help you avoid that dreaded gap between your shorts and jersey where your muffin top can spill out. Plus sized ladies, in particular, tend to prefer bibs.
The one big drawback to bibs is that they are more challenging to change in and out of, and for women, make bathroom breaks considerably more difficult. That said, we’ve included some bibs on this list that have been designed to help make those pit-stops a little easier.
Leg Bands and Waist Bands
Secondary only to the chamois, leg bands and waistbands can make or break a bike short. We like waistbands that don’t cut into our skin, but that also doesn’t sag. Nobody wants plumber crack.
Leg bands are also important. Most bike shorts have a silicone leg band or other grippy material. This helps keep bike shorts in place so you don’t have to keep constantly pulling them down.
Choose Your Favorite Length
Not all bike shorts have the same inseam length. Some will hit right above the knee, and some show a bunch of thigh.
Which you should pick is totally a personal choice. Just pay attention to the inseam length when you’re shopping, if you have a preference.
Benefits of a longer short are more protection against chafing, and more protection in the event of a crash. Some women just might not want to show that much leg either.
Shorter shorts make for better tan lines and can provide additional airflow. Just keep in mind that you’re providing yourself less protection from the sun and from potential road rash.
Options For Plus Size Ladies
For women with bigger bodies, it can be really hard to find a pair of bike shorts. Walk into your local bike shop, and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll find anything at all.
Fortunately, there are a growing number of brands offering shorts in a wide variety of sizes. To learn more about these, check out our article on plus size bike shorts.
Silicone Free Options
We recently had someone ask us for recommendations for bike shorts without any silicone. We had no idea, but reached out to our community on Instagram and it turns out there are a ton of you with silicone allergies!
And the good news is that there are options. Here are all the women’s shorts we could find that do NOT have silicone leg grippers:
- Terry (use the silicone free leg band filter)
- Cuore Utility bib shorts
- Giordana silverlines
- Birds on Bikes (Australian sizing)
- Black bibs (goes up to 3xl)
- Kaden Como Chamois
- Velocio Ultralight Leg Grippers
- UMA GT Bib Shorts C2 (crash policy!)
About The Reviewers And How We Test
The shorts on this list have been tested by Stacy Smith and Kristen Bonkoski, both avid cyclists. Stacy is the founder of Sascy Cycling, and her mission is to encourage women to love their body and focus on what it can do, not what it looks like. She spends countless hours in the saddle as a leader in her local bike shop group rides.
Kristen Bonkoski is the founder of Femme Cyclist and a certified USA cycling coach. She loves biking too much to choose any one discipline and is constantly out on her road bike, mountain bike, or commuter bike. Kristen is also the founder of Rascal Rides, a website dedicated to getting more families out on bikes.
We’ve tested these bike shorts on the road, gravel bikepacking overnighters, and way too many hours on the trainer. They’ve been thru countless wash cycles and plenty of abuse. Since we ride nearly every day, we just go about our regular lives and test shorts as we go.
Other Ways to Keep Your Butt Happy
A good bike short is one of the best ways to keep your bum and soft tissue areas happy, but it’s not the only way. We also recommend picking a good saddle and using chamois cream.
Can you tell me who makes or where to find the shorts in the above image with the black chamois and purple fabric?
Do you have any recommendations for riding with drop handlebars? I had a pair of (cheap) bike shorts pre-pregnancy that I liked all but for the chamois, which definitely sat back farther towards my bum than was helpful for the leaning forward required for the handlebars.
which bike shorts with wide padding do you recommend? thx!
Hi Karen! The Bella short by Terry would be a great option for you.
I have been cycling for years … however, this year I notice my tailbone is very sore after a 30K ride. Same saddle, same bike shorts, but, new tailbone soreness!
Are there any women’s bike shorts that offer extra padding for the tailbone? I do sit back on my sits bones … isn’t helping.
Looking for the bibs on the first pic! Who makes them?
Help! I’m allergic to silicone. I break out in a rash wherever it touches my body. I have one pair of non-silicone bike shorts that are about to wear out and I can’t find a replacement. Every pair I have looked at recently has legs held in place with silicone. Suggestions? Brands?
This is a tough one! I just went thru every pair of shorts in my closet and they all have silicone. I’ll ask our community if they have any suggestions. One (not perfect) thought: I LOVE my merino smartwool bike shorts. They do not have a chamois, but you could wear a pair of chamois underwear with them. They do not have silicone at the legs.
Hi Kate, just wanted to let you know that we reached out to our community and came up with a good list of silicone free shorts. See the section I added to the article above!
Fox sell a womens short with inbuilt chamois and NO silicone. Comfortable, good length and stays in place well. It comes with a well cut over short – perfect for a long distance ride with a spot of tourism on the way.
Can you recommend padded shorts for postmenopausal women? I have recently been suffering from terrible pain whist cycling, something I’ve never suffered from before, and the doctor informed me that as my skin has become thinner after menopause, I’ve caused myself an injury. I don’t want to stop cycling so need a really good pair of padded short
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with that! I’d recommend one of the higher end bib shorts—Velocio or Pearl Izumi Pro. It sounds like you’re injured enough though that I wouldn’t stop there. Consider getting a professional bike fit. They can help you better position your weight onto your sitbones and choose a great saddle as well. Shorts are only one part of the puzzle in terms of getting more comfortable.
I have found that Estradiol cream, applied 2x/wk, has been a game-changer in helping menopausal thinning skin. Of course, talk with your doctor and do your research.
Hi and thank you for doing the hard yards to test them all – any intel as to which (if any) are produced with sustainability in mind (e.g. recycled materials etc)?
Thank you!
Are there any biker shorts for ladies with pretty much no natural “padding” and an exercise bike (Peloton) is super uncomfortable? So many options out there it’s absolutely overwhelming and I don’t want to waste money getting the wrong one. I also want to stay under $50. Is that impossible? TIA.