They say diamonds are a girls best friend, but I think a good pair of mountain bike shorts can be too. If you’re spending big hours in the saddle, good shorts can be the difference between comfort and misery.
Also, I know you’re not vain, but a good pair of mountain bike shorts should look good in that summit pic.
Here’s a round-up of our favorite women’s mountain bike shorts. These picks are comfortable, durable, and look good.
Myself, with the help of the rest of the Femme Cyclist team, have tested them all, and have polled our girlfriend’s to make sure they agree.
If you need help choosing, scroll to the bottom for my tips on picking the best short for you.
Key Takeaways In This Article
- The best mountain bike shorts come from women-owned, women’s-specific brands like Shredly and Wild Rye.
- Most (but not all) mountain bike shorts are sold without a liner. You can buy a chamois liner separately.
- Longer shorts are ideal for use with knee pads and to provide extra protection. Short shorts work well for hot weather and to prevent weird tan lines.
Our Top Picks
| Short | What We Love | Price |
| Shredly MTB Short | Yoga-style waistband (Limitless), colorful prints | $98+ |
| Wild Rye Freel, Freda, and Frankie | Feminine design, beautiful fabric | $95+ |
| Club Ride Eden | Short shorts, cute enough to use as a regular short | $90+ |
| Backcountry Slickrock | Thin and breathable, good for hot days | $89+ |
| Pearl Izumi Summit | Airy and lightweight, fun prints | $115+ |
| Club Ride Savvy | Great for hot weather | $80 |
| Fox Ranger | Accommodate muscular thighs | $99 |
Shredly MTB Short
Price (MSRP): $98-$118
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Shredly is a women’s-specific company that offers high-quality mountain bike shorts for women that fit well regardless of body size and shape. The Shredly MTB Short is a favorite among our community.
Shredly offers two different waistband/fit options: the AllTime, which closes via zipper/snaps, and the Limitless short, which has a yoga-style waistband and a looser fit in the thighs. It caters to women of all sizes who need shorts that fit their hips and thighs.
Shredly offers both styles in four length options: 5″, 7″, 11″, and 14″. All come in a wide range of sizes, and offer a secure, zippered pocket.
Shredly’s shorts are well-known for their cute prints and colors, which set them apart from other brands.
The Shredly shorts do fit quite baggy. If you prefer a more tailored look, choose a different short.
Read Our Review: Shredly MTB Shorts
Wild Rye Freel, Freda, and Frankie
Price: $95-$129
Cutest shorts ever?! Quite possibly.
We love every single color and pattern that Wild Rye puts out, and are big fans of all of their mountain bike shorts that start with an “F.”
The Wild Rye Freel short is our top pick, and is as comfortable as it is attractive. The fabric is super stretchy and does a good job of accommodating women with muscular thighs and bums.
This is an enduro-length short meaning that it’s a little bit longer than your average short. Thanks to the extra length, the Freel works well with knee pads and for anybody wanting a little extra coverage, without being TOO baggy.
If you want a shorter short, we love the Wild Rye Freda as well. It’s the exact same short, but with a 7 inch inseam.
For ladies, who love gravity riding (or just a looser fit), the Wild Rye Frankie is also a good option. These are longer (at or slightly below the knee) and have a baggier fit. For me, they’re a top pick for downhill and shuttle days.
I used to complain about the price of the Wild Rye shorts which felt high, but the cost of all the other mountain bike shorts have gone up while Wild Rye has stayed about the same. They’re no longer more expensive than other shorts on the list, but the quality remains higher.
Read Our Review: Wild Rye Review
Club Ride Eden
Price (MSRP): $115 (with chamois), $90 (without)
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Looking for a “shorter” short? The Club Ride Eden is just what you want.
The 7″ inseam allows you to get a better suntan and has a feminine look. It works great on the trails and for the pub after your ride. The more tailored look means this is a short I always pack when I travel because I can easily wear it both on and off the bike.
The short has a comfortable, minimalistic chamois and the back is cut a bit high so you don’t end up showing off any plumber’s crack. I also like the reflective details, so cars will see you when biking home from the aforementioned pub.
While many will dig the no-diaper feel of the liner, other ladies may want something more substantial. Don’t need a liner? You can order it without.
Read Our Review: Club Ride Eden
Backcountry Women’s Slickrock Short
Price: $89+
The Backcountry Slickrock short is ideal for women who find baggy shorts unflattering and masculine. The shorts come in soft, feminine colors and are tailored to hug a woman’s curves.
They are also well suited for those who ride in hot conditions. The material is very thin and lightweight. Tiny perforations on the thighs add a flirty touch to the shorts and help in air flow.
The shorts come with a built-in belt that cinches well without being restrictive, and the back panel has silicone grippy dots to keep the shorts from riding up or down.
In addition to a 9 inch shorts, the Backcountry Slickrock is now offered in multiple lengths including a 7-inch short short and a longer 11.5-inch option.
The shorts come in sizes XS to XXL, but women on the larger end of the size spectrum may find them too small. I had to order up a size to get a good fit.
Read Review: Backcountry Slickrock Short
Pearl Izumi Women’s Summit Short
Price: $115+
For hot weather riding, few women’s mountain bike shorts compare to the lightness and breathability of the Pearl Izumi Summit shorts. During the summer months, these quickly became a staple in our riding wardrobe, especially on the most scorching days.
Beyond their breathability, the Summit shorts cater to those seeking a sleeker, more tailored appearance without being excessively baggy. They’re also an excellent pick for those in need of fast-drying shorts, ideal for bikepacking or traveling.
Unlike many shorts from the big brands, the Summit Shorts come in quite a few fun colors and prints.
The only thing we didn’t love about the Summit Short is the included chamois liner. The sizing was smaller than the shorts, and the liner isn’t detachable (unless you cut it out). The good news is you can buy the shorts with the chamois liner, or just as a shell.
Read Review: Pearl Izumi Summit
Club Ride Savvy
Price: $80
Get 15% off with code FEMMECYCLIST15 👇
If comfort, is your number one priority, consider the Club Ride Savvy. These are pretty much the most comfortable pair of shorts we’ve tested but have a less tailored vibe.
They are also incredibly lightweight and work very well in HOT weather. The fabric designs are cute and the cut works well with knee pads.
The only thing I’m not crazy about on these shorts are the waistband. The drawstring cord is awkward and has a tendency of coming undone.
Read Our Review: Club Ride
Fox Ranger Short
Price: $99
We like the Fox Ranger short because it’s reasonably priced and comes with (or without) a comfortable, removable liner. We also appreciate that they are cut to accommodate more muscular, athletic ladies.
The waist is adjustable, they come in several colors, and the front pockets are roomy. Finally, the price is pretty darn attractive for a short with a chamois.
There are a couple of drawbacks though: a the lack of side or rear pockets, and limited color and size options.
Read Our Review: Fox Ranger
How to Pick a Pair of Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts
Not sure what you should consider when weighing your options? Here are a few things you should think about (and what we looked for when testing and reviewing the shorts on this list).
Length
The perfect length is largely a personal preference. Most women prefer a mid-length short, but there are reasons for picking a longer or shorter short.
Longer shorts are best for enduro or downhill days since they fit over knee pads and won’t create a weird gap. They also provide extra protection in case you have a crash.
Shorts on this list that work well with knee pads and for bike park days include the Wild Rye Frankie and Shredly 14″.
Short shorts can help keep you cool on hot days and keep you from getting the dreaded bike short tan lines. These are increasing in popularity and more and more options keep popping up.
Short shorts include the Wild Rye Freda, Shredly 7″, Club Ride Eden, and Backcountry Slickrock 5″.
Chamois or No Chamois
Before buying a pair of shorts, make note of whether or not it comes with a chamois. Some shorts have a built-in liner, others have a removable liner, and some come without a liner at all.
Which you prefer is totally personal, just keep in mind the cost of buying a separate liner if you like having a chamois. Some women (myself included) choose not to ride with a chamois at all!
If you do like riding with a little padding, and the pair of shorts you’re looking at does not come with one, consider a chamois liner pair from Wild Rye, Shredly, or Club Ride. Or, if you’re on a budget we like the cheap ones from Baleaf.
Waist Band
Look for a waistband that is ADJUSTABLE. There is nothing worse than having either a waist band that is cutting into your belly or that is hanging loosely around your middle. Women come in all different shapes and we need bike shorts that are built to accommodate them.
Some waistbands adjust via a velcro strap, others use a drawstring, buttons, or built in belt. My personal fave are the yoga style waistband on the Shredly Limitless shorts.
Pockets
Do you like to carry things in your shorts while riding? If so, look for a short with plenty of pockets. The Zoic Navaeh, for instance, has a BUNCH of pockets and they all have zippers which is nice.
On the other hand, you might ride with a hydration pack and not have much need for pockets. In that case, you might prefer the Yeti Enduro shorts which have a single rear zipper pocket.
Price & Quality of Construction
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to mountain bike shorts. A good quality short will be durable and last for years, so I think it makes sense to pay a bit more.
To get a good quality short, you should expect to pay around $100. Shorts that cost less than this are more likely to lack things like an adjustable waistband and water-resistant fabric.
That said, if you’re on a budget, you can always take any pair of athletic shorts and go ride. Don’t let a lack of the coolest gear keep you from getting out!
Sizing
Bike short sizing can be all over the place and many of the bigger brands have made shorts that are not all that forgiving to women who aren’t a size 6 or who have hips or more muscular thighs. The better women’s bike short brands (Shredly, Wild Rye) have done a really good job of creating shorts that fit a wide range of sizes and shapes.
Personally, I prefer to buy shorts than come in regular pant sizes (2,4,6,etc) than in subjective sizes like S, M, L. If you do pick a short that measures in S,M,L, do yourself a favor and get out a measuring tape and actually compare your measurements to their size chart.
If you have more muscular thighs opt for shorts from Shredly or Club Ride. These are cut a little more roomy.
If you have thinner legs, you’ll like the Backcountry Slickrock or Pearl Izumi Summit. All have straighter legs.
How We Tested These Shorts
All of the shorts listed here were tested by me (Kristen Bonkoski). I also enlisted help from my mom and sister (who’ll you see pictured in some of these photos) and friends.
Testing mountain bike shorts is really easy for me, because I ride just about every day, weather permitting. So, I just go out and do my thing, trying out new shorts as I go.
The shorts listed here have been on bikepacking trips, to countless lift served bike parks, on backcountry epics, and quick lunchtime rides. I’ve crashed in them, rode in the rain and mud in them, and put them thru a whole bunch of wash cycles.
While I put all the shorts thru the wringer, I definitely look to other women for their feedback too. Sometimes I’m surprised that the shorts I love don’t work so great for my friends.
So, I take that into consideration too. The top shorts we’ve listed here are one’s that are recommended time and time again by friends, mentors, and the ladies in our Femme Cyclist community.
Additional MTB Short Reviews
More Help For Your Butt
Don’t let your journey to a comfy bum end with your shorts. Here are some more articles to help you dial in the perfect recipe for your backside.
- Best Women’s Mountain Bike Saddles
- Best Women’s MTB Chamois
- Tips for Preventing and Healing Saddle Sores
About The Author
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