Outdoors Experts' Top Picks for the Best Padded Bike Shorts in 2023

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Whether you’re a daily commuter on a road bike or a weekend warrior taking on mountain biking trails, riding your bike is a fun way to explore your 'hood and get in some cardio outdoors. The only problem: Sometimes clocking double-digit miles on a two-wheeler can lead to discomfort in not-so-convenient areas.

Luckily, padded bike shorts exist and are made to literally pad your ride and make your miles more comfortable so you can ride longer—even if that means sticking to a spin bike in your living room. 'Once you try on padded bike shorts, it's rare you'll ever go back to non-padded shorts when you ride,' says Beth Bridgham, REI senior product developer. 'In addition to padding your seat, the sleek, stretchy material doesn't ride up, chafe, or bunch, which helps you stay comfortable so you can focus on enjoying your ride.” The added layer of cushion between you and your saddle can provide a barrier to bruising, points out Emily Forsdick, a sales representative for Backcountry.

If you're still having trouble making your padded bike shorts pick (or figuring out how to wear them), let this guide below help you choose a comfortable option so your next bike ride is your best yet.

For top-notch cushioning, construction, and a stretchy, supportive fit that's anything but restrictive, look no further than these Giordana padded bike shorts shorts. Recommended by Forsdick, the yoga-inspired waistband (read: no elastic) makes them comfy around your middle, while the padding means you won't feel sore during or after your ride. Clever elastic leg cuffs keep your shorts in place while pedaling, so you’re saved from on-the-go adjustments, and there are even reflective details for better visibility.

What really sold us, however, was the versatility of these bike shorts. They’re flexible enough for logging hours on an indoor cycling bike or trainer, and padded enough to handle every terrain from road to gravel.

If you're searching for an extra short pair of padded bike shorts that's breathable and wallet-friendly, these have you covered. Available in several bright colors as well as black, these shorts are a favorite for their thick foam padding, which doesn't rub as you ride. The waistband is nice and high, and the leg cuffs don’t have grippers (so if you find grippers irritating or prone to chafing, these shorts might be for you). On the downside, the leg holes feel pretty small and not conducive for thick thighs.

Silicone grips along the bottom seam of each leg keep these Pearl Izumi Escape Quest padded bike shorts in place, while the smooth fabric offers compression and wicks moisture, so you're never sitting in too much sweat. Plus, they have built-in UPF to protect you from the sun on outdoor rides. Reviewers agree that these run a bit small (so don't be afraid to size up).

Heads up: Our research found that these Quest padded bike shorts are best for rides under 50 miles. For longer rides, cyclists recommend the Elite and PRO shorts.

Besides being easy on the bank account, these Beroy padded bike shorts make your rides much more comfortable without giving “I’m wearing a diaper” vibes — totally key since padded shorts can feel a little bulky. What's more, you can choose from many different colors and patterns to fit your cycling style.

Keep a close eye on the size chart, since these tend to run small. And heads up: There is a drawstring in these shorts, which some riders might find irritating.

You had us at “designed for women, by women.” The POC Ultimate VPDS Bib Short has a chamois that’s specific to the female anatomy, along with softer, more open foam for max breathability. The single wider strap may look a little unusual, but it helps the bib stay in place during long rides so you’re not shifting around. Plus, these bib shorts have the basics you need, like leg grippers and mesh fabric for ventilation. Our favorite feature: You can quickly and easily pull down the shorts only without taking the entire bib off, which makes going to the bathroom infinitely easier.

Forsdick is a fan of these padded bike shorts because they offer just the right thickness of cushioning under your bum. The smooth material feels great against the skin, while the silicone grips around the legs keep them from moving around as you pedal. The chamois is also thinner, which may feel less distracting than a thick, bulky chammie.

These are liner shorts, so feel free to throw an extra pair of shorts on top for added protection. Reviewers have noted that these run small and are best suited for a small waist and stronger thighs and glutes.

This pair of padded bike shorts looks just like workout underwear but offers a light chamois for shorter rides or mountain bike journeys and attachment loops for your shorts. 'The padding is the lightest I've found,' says Forsdick. Besides the thin cushioning underneath, the breathable stretch fabric and flat waistband also add to that practically unnoticeable feel.

Shorts and leggings with pockets are always the way to go—even when talking about padded bike shorts. And this pair fits that criteria, making for easy carrying of your phone or fuel with a single pocket located on the side of the thigh. These nylon and spandex shorts also provide a soft and stretchy fit, making your miles breeze by in comfort.

Created specifically with women in mind, this bib was years in the making. The result of extensive research and testing, it offers a chamois that will better fit the shape of your body, straps that can be customized for your height and chest size, plus leg and waistbands meant to provide compression without restriction. Better yet: It's available in sizes XS to XXXL.

While these padded bike shorts are perfect for indoor and outdoor cycling, long and short rides alike, we prefer them for long rides — like, even eight hours or more. That’s because the chamois is incredibly dense (so you won’t get sore quickly) and the fabric is compressive, restricting your blood flow so your legs feel energized.

As Bridgham suggested, you want to find a pair of padded bike shorts that fit like a second skin—and these are it. The fit is comfortable across all body types, and the chamois is substantial without being bulky (plus, it doesn’t stick out in the front or back). You get everything you could want in a pair of bike shorts, whether you're riding inside or outside for long or short miles. Slip into 'em for your next Peloton class or when you hit the open road.

We narrowed down the best padded bike shorts for women through a multi-step process of research, expert interviews, and trusted recommendations. We started by interviewing cycling experts at REI and Backcountry, asking for their insight on what makes a great padded bike short. Next, we identified some of the most popular cycling brands on the market and analyzed everything their bike shorts had in common. We scored each pair of padded bike shorts on fit, comfort, durability, performance, and value. Finally, our research complete, we assigned each pair of bike shorts a superlative that we felt accurately represented its benefits, features, and potential downsides for each type of rider.

You can wear padded bike shorts no matter what terrain you're cruising or what distance you're covering. The key to finding a good pair, though, is one that feels like a second skin, notes Bridgham. When trying them on, you might also notice that the waist position might feel slightly low in the front, but high in the back as you stand—and that's okay. They're engineered to rock on a ride so that construction will feel better in a seated position, explains Bridgham. 'As soon as you jump on a bike, you'll notice the front waist shift slightly up and the back waist shift slightly down, settling the waist into a balanced position,' she adds.

When you're deciding between different bike shorts and padding thickness, consider the distance and type of terrain, advises Forsdick. 'Road bikes are fully rigid or without suspension, leaving the rider to feel every bump in the road. This makes a chamois important for road riders,' she says. Some long-distance road bikers might also prefer bibs, which go over the shoulders and usually come with thicker padding. Mountain bikers, on the other hand, often ride downhill and with full suspension on their bikes (which helps absorb shock), so padding is less crucial to comfort. Mountain bike shorts also typically hit farther down the thigh, since mountain bike saddles sit lower and could knock around your thighs. A general rule: 'The more the suspension, the less need for a chamois,' points out Forsdick.

Mallory Creveling, an ACE-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, is a Deputy Editor, Health & Fitness at Hearst Magazines. She has more than a decade of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. In addition to Shape, her work as a freelance writer has appeared in Women's Health, Self, Men's Journal, Reader's Digest, and more. She has also held staff editorial positions at Family Circle and Shape magazines, as well as DailyBurn.com. A former New Yorker/Brooklynite, she's now based in Easton, PA.