If you’re heading out on your bike for longer than a few miles, chances are you’re pulling on a pair of padded bike shorts. A good pair of bike shorts help distribute pressure from your weight on a bike seat, and women-specific models are designed with anatomically precise cutouts to further help reduce pressure and chafing. I have been wearing padded bike shorts for more than a decade, and rarely hop on my bike without them. I wear different shorts for bike touring than I do for town rides and mountain biking, but my favorite pairs are all comfortable for long distances, wick sweat, have antimicrobial properties, and don’t ride up in the waistband or around the legs.
During our tests, we considered everything from compression support to leg band stability to waistband elastic, and noted how the shorts wicked sweat during tough rides. I tested two of our top picks on gravel rides, a multi-day tour, and local road rides, then compiled my own notes along with the insights from other Travel + Leisure testers to come up with the best pairs of padded bike shorts for women.
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Why We Love It
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The stretchy, knit fabric, zippered side pocket, and 4D chamois create the perfect combination for full-day rides and comfort in the saddle.
I had never worn Terry bike shorts before I tested these, and I was absolutely blown away by the material quality, chamois comfort, fit, and overall design. The side zip pocket was a lovely surprise, and came in handy on gravel rides where I wanted to store my phone and credit card securely. The material seemed thick at first, but wicked sweat well and never felt hot, while the silicon leg bands were a little tight, but kept the shorts secure around my legs. I never had to adjust the shorts or pull them down during extended rides.
The chamois is really where these shine—it’s one of the most comfortable I’ve worn, with precision cutouts and a form-fitting shape that didn’t extend or bunch up while walking or riding. It breathed well and didn’t absorb odors, and I felt no extra pressure or discomfort after long rides and extended climbs. The waistband did feel a bit tight; I would have been fine with a wider, more yoga-style waistband instead of the narrow, thick elastic.
The Details: Size XS–XL | Polyester, nylon, and spandex | 8-inch inseam
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These bibs didn’t just land as our “top bib” pick, they’re also the most affordable we tested without noticeable compromise in durability, comfort, and quality. The fit was accurate, and the inseam ranges in length based on the sizing, which was nice for scaled fit accuracy. The padding was secure and felt protective from front to back, and we never had to adjust them while riding.
The chamois wicked sweat and didn’t feel clammy, performing well in heat and humidity. We did find ourselves missing some of the added features of more expensive options like reflective details or pockets. But for a pair of bibs that cost a fraction of the most expensive models, these are a great choice.
The Details: Size XS–3XL | Polyester and spandex | 7-inch inseam
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These breezy, lightweight shorts were a perfect antidote to sweaty rides, and we loved the feeling of the slim-fitting, smooth material. These bibs weigh just 6.5 ounces, and the fabric is quite sheer and thin. Despite their lightweight build, these provided enough coverage where we could bend over without feeling exposed, and still had enough support through the legs without feeling too compressed.
These bibs breathed well and wicked sweat even on high-output rides, and the chamois was nicely shaped and padded to provide cushion without a diaper-like feel. The fit from bottom to top was a little funky though. While the shorts part of the bibs fit true to size, we had some issues with the straps being too short. We wound up riding without the straps for longer rides, and would recommend sizing up if you’re between sizes to ensure a good all-around fit.
The Details: Size XXS–3XL | Spandex and nylon | 8.5-inch inseam
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I’ve worn these shorts for the past two seasons, both under mountain biking shells and on their own for gravel rides. Designed by women from a women-led company, Wild Rye shorts generally feel more like athleisure and less like overly compressive cycling clothes. They still perform well—you’ll just get a more comfortable fit during your rides.
The Eleanor Chammy is among the more casual of Wild Rye’s offerings, with an incredibly airy feel. They have a high, wide waistband reminiscent of yoga pants, and barely-there silicone bands around the legs. The chamois is nicely padded, but lacks the precision cut and shape of others we’ve tested, so it’s not my first choice for long rides. But if you’re looking for a non-obtrusive pair of padded bike shorts that you don’t want to desperately rip off at the end of each ride, these are a solid choice.
The Details: Size 0–24 | Nylon and spandex | 6.5-inch inseam
Others We Liked
We tested a lot of bike shorts over the past three years, and some almost made the cut, but not quite. Despite having a key flaw or two, the following shorts will still work for plenty of cyclists and travelers.
Terry Bella Bike Short: We barely felt these shorts during most of our time wearing them, and the chamois was a good mix of firm and supportive. The shorter style is slightly limiting for people with wider hips and legs though.
Pearl iZumi Women’s Expedition Shorts: These shorts felt nice and tight without too much material constriction, and the padding worked well for both mid-distance and longer rides. We don’t love that Pearl iZumi tends to run small, and the waistband can pinch.
Velocio Women’s Luxe Bib Shorts: We loved the incredibly soft lycra and how stable these shorts felt during longer training rides. Ultimately, the price puts these out of reach for a lot of people, and we’ve found comparable shorts for less money.
Travel + Leisure
Our Testing Process
We’ve tested 46 pairs of padded bike shorts over the past three years to find the best options for women. We wore these shorts during a range of training rides for gravel biking, road biking, mountain biking, and commuting. We wore the shorts on indoor trainers, on bumpy outdoor trails, and rough roads, evaluating everything from initial fit and material impressions to extended comfort.
We noted how the chamois’ fit on different saddles, the comfort of the waistband and silicone leg grippers, and how well the inseam length worked for our intended use. We also noted whether the shorts fit true to size and how well they worked for a range of conditions and ride difficulties. Our testers (myself included) will continue to wear and test these bike shorts after our initial test, and we’ll collect long-term insights and update this guide accordingly.
Tips for Buying Padded Bike Shorts for Women
Get the right size
Most bike shorts have a compressive design, so fitting this style is easier than shorts with numeric sizing or hard waistbands. I like my bike shorts to feel snug, but not tight, and heaven help me if the waistband pinches my stomach when I’m in a riding position. I also like my shorts to reach about mid-thigh for protection without riding up. Bibs are a little trickier, as you’re trying to fit legs, a chamois, and shoulder straps. I recommend opting for the same light compression and secure leg bands that don’t cut off circulation. I also look for wide, flexible straps so my bibs don’t cut into my shoulders. Finally, I advise trying before you buy, as the placement of the chamois will vary for different body types.
Choose between bibs or standard shorts
I can write a whole article on the Bibs or Shorts discussion, but it doesn’t have to be super nuanced for most casual cyclists. In short, I wear both. I opt for bibs on longer rides, as the continued pressure on my stomach from a tight waistband can make my stomach cramp. The downside is that, while bibs take the load off your stomach, stopping to use the bathroom is a little more annoying than just pulling shorts down.
Alternatively, shorts are a great option for casual rides, and I usually go with these if I’ll be heading somewhere else from the ride and don’t want to stand out at my local brewery. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your style of riding, and I find myself wearing each style around 50 percent of the time.
Think about inseam length
You’ll see the inseams on our shorts range from 6.5 inches to 13 inches, which is a big range for one narrow apparel category. For compression-style shorts, I go with something in the middle. I’ve found 8-9-inch inseams are the sweet spot for my height, where they provide coverage without rolling up or feeling too constricting. If you’re looking at longer mountain-bike shorts, make sure the knees are articulated so you don’t get bound up trying to pedal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between 3D and 4D padded bike shorts?
It can be tricky to tell the difference between 3D and 4D padded bike shorts, but this terminology refers to a difference in the density/layering of the padding. 3D padding uses one single-density foam, while 4D padding has different layers and body-mapped densities in the same chamois. 4D padding can offer more targeted support and better alleviate pressure by using higher density foam in areas that will hold more weight, and then lower-density padding where less support is needed. Pricier bike shorts are likely made with body-mapped padding densities while more budget-friendly designs often use a uniform padding layer.
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Are foam cycling shorts better than gel padded?
Similar to the bibs-versus-shorts debate, gel versus foam is largely personal. I’ve found foam tends to hold up better over time, and doesn’t compress as much as gel. Gel feels nicer at first and less firm than foam, plus it offers more targeted pressure relief. But gel can lose its shape and cushion, and it doesn’t breathe as well as foam, leading to trapped moisture. Overall, foam is usually a better choice, though again, this is personal preference and both are good options depending on ride frequency and length.
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Do you wear anything under padded bike shorts?
I don’t wear anything under padded bike shorts—they’re meant to be worn as a next-to-skin layer and are form fitting for that purpose. If you wear something under your chamois, you risk chafing and rubbing from the added material and the wicking properties of the chamois won’t work as well with another layer of material. Just be sure to keep them clean and aired out and wash after wearing!
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Maggie Slepian has cycled thousands of miles on bikepacking trips as well as running errands on her bike in town. She has multiple pairs of bike shorts for different styles of cycling, choosing between lightweight, breezy waist pairs for shorter rides and more support and padding in bibs for long efforts. To compile this list, she tested two of the top pairs herself on road rides, gravel rides, and a multi-day bike trip, then consolidated feedback from other T+L testers.
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