OBERSON BUYING GUIDE
How to Choose Bike Shorts
A good pair of bike shorts makes every ride more comfortable, whether you’re riding on the road, hitting the trails, exploring gravel roads, or commuting to work. Learn how to choose between bike shorts and bib shorts, what to look for in a chamois, and how to find the right fit.
AT A GLANCE
The best bike shorts depend on your riding style, chamois type and quality, and how they fit. When choosing bike shorts, consider whether you prefer traditional shorts or bib shorts, look for a comfortable chamois, and choose a fit that feels supportive without restricting movement.
Why Wear Bike Shorts?
Bike shorts reduce friction, absorb vibrations, and improve your overall comfort in the saddle (both during the ride and over the following days). Their chamois pad cushions areas that come into contact with the saddle, and technical fabrics manage moisture and move with your body as you pedal.
Consider Your Riding Style
Choose the type of bike shorts based on your type of riding.
| Riding Style | Common Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Road cycling | Bike shorts or bib shorts | |
| Mountain biking | Liner shorts worn under baggies | |
| Gravel biking | Road or mountain bike shorts | |
| Recreational riding and commuting | Whatever style feels most comfortable |
Road cyclists typically choose traditional bike shorts or bib shorts for their aerodynamic advantages. Mountain bikers frequently wear a padded liner beneath looser-fitting baggies. This combination provides the comfort of a chamois with a more casual appearance and extra abrasion protection.
Gravel cyclists can go with either road or mountain biking shorts. Riders who spend more time on pavement and fast gravel roads frequently choose road-style shorts or bib shorts. Those who mainly ride rough forest roads and easy singletrack often prefer mountain bike shorts with a liner.
Commuters and recreational riders have the most flexibility. For shorter rides, many people wear a liner short under sports clothing or even their work clothes for the sake of comfort and versatility. For longer commutes, road bike shorts, bib shorts, or padded liners can provide additional comfort.
Decide Between Bike Shorts and Bib Shorts
Both bike shorts and bib shorts can be comfortable when they fit properly and include a quality chamois. Many cyclists prefer bib shorts for long rides because the shoulder straps help keep the shorts and chamois in place. This reduces movement and improves comfort, especially during long rides. Others prefer the simplicity and convenience of traditional bike shorts.
Bike Shorts
• Can be a bit cooler
• Convenient during rest stops
• Typically less expensive
Bib Shorts
• Chamois stays in place better
• Reduced shifting and bunching
• No pressure around the waist
• Often preferred for long outings
Ultimately, the best choice comes down to comfort and personal preference. If you’re unsure which style you prefer, trying both is often the best way to determine what feels most comfortable on the bike.
Choose the Right Chamois
A chamois is the padded insert inside bike shorts. It improves comfort by reducing friction, absorbing vibrations, and providing protection where your body touches the saddle.
What Makes a Good Chamois?
• Comfort and fit matter more than thickness alone.
• Higher-density padding often provides better protection than thicker padding.
• Many premium chamois strategically vary densities and thicknesses in different areas for less bulk, more comfort, and a better fit.
• Overall construction and fit usually matter more than gel versus foam.
A thicker chamois is not necessarily a more comfortable one. Many high-quality chamois use dense padding where it is needed most while reducing bulk elsewhere. Extra padding is often placed under the sit bones and other high-pressure areas, while thinner sections along the edges improve freedom of movement.
Gel versus Foam
Chamois are commonly made from foam, gel, or a combination of materials. Neither is universally better. Some cyclists prefer the firmer feel of gel, while others prefer the flexibility, breathability, and generally cheaper price of foam. In most cases, the shape, density, and overall construction of the chamois will have a greater impact on comfort than the material itself.
Men’s versus Women’s Chamois
Most bike shorts are specifically designed for men or women. While the concept is the same, the shape of the chamois is adapted to different anatomies. Men’s chamois are typically longer at the front. Women’s chamois are often wider through the sit-bone area. That said, some women are more comfortable in men’s bike shorts, so it’s all about your personal preference.
Make Sure the Fit Is Right
A quality chamois can only do its job if the shorts fit properly. The most comfortable bike shorts should feel snug and supportive without restricting movement.
How to Tell If Bike Shorts Fit?
The shorts feel snug without pinching or creating pressure points.
The chamois sits comfortably and securely against your body.
The leg grippers stay in place without digging into your skin.
The fabric doesn’t bunch, wrinkle, or sag.
If the shorts pinch, pull excessively at the seams, or feel restrictive, they may be too small. If the fabric wrinkles, bunches, or sags, they’re probably too big. The goal is a close, supportive fit that keeps the chamois in place throughout your ride.
Consider Additional Features
Once you’ve narrowed down the style, chamois, and fit, a few additional features can help you find the right pair of bike shorts for your needs.
Pockets
Useful for carrying snacks, tools, a phone, or other essentials. Large cargo pockets are especially popular among gravel bikers and bikepackers.
Ventilation Panels
Mesh or perforated panels can improve airflow and comfort during hot-weather rides.
Reflective Details
Can improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Durable Materials
Loose-fitting mountain bike shorts often use more abrasion-resistant fabrics to withstand brambles, branches, and minor crashes.
FAQ — How to Choose Bike Shorts
Do you wear underwear under bike shorts?
No, bike shorts are designed to be worn without underwear. Wearing underwear can create additional seams and allow for more moisture buildup. This will cause friction, discomfort, and chafing. The chamois should sit directly against your skin for maximum comfort and optimal moisture management.
Are thicker chamois pads more comfortable?
Not necessarily. A thicker chamois isn’t always a more comfortable one. Many premium chamois use high-density padding and strategic construction to provide support where it’s needed most while reducing bulk elsewhere. When comparing bike shorts, pay more attention to overall comfort, fit, and chamois quality than thickness alone.
What’s the difference between mountain bike shorts and road bike shorts?
Road cyclists typically ride at higher speeds, so they wear skin-tight shorts that reduce flapping and improve aerodynamics. Mountain bikers generally prefer a more casual look and the additional abrasion protection of looser shorts (known as baggies) worn over a padded liner.
Is it normal to feel sore at the beginning of the season?
Yes, even with a quality chamois and properly fitting bike shorts, it’s common to experience some discomfort during the season’s first few outings. As you spend more time in the saddle, your body gradually adapts and riding typically becomes more comfortable.
Are bib shorts better than bike shorts?
Not necessarily. Many cyclists prefer bib shorts because they do a better job keeping the shorts and chamois in place and eliminate pressure around the waist. However, traditional bike shorts are often less expensive and more convenient during rest stops. The best choice ultimately comes down to comfort and personal preference.
How do you wash bike shorts?
Bike shorts should generally be washed after every ride. Turn them inside out and wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach because they can damage technical fabrics and reduce moisture-wicking performance. To maximize your shorts’ lifespan, air dry your bike shorts instead of putting them in the dryer. Always follow the
manufacturer’s care instructions.
Can you wear mountain bike shorts on the road?
Yes. Many cyclists wear mountain bike shorts on the road, especially for casual rides, commuting, and gravel riding. However, road bike shorts are typically more aerodynamic and may feel more comfortable on longer rides at higher speeds. The best choice depends on the type of riding you do and the fit you prefer.
Bike Shorts at Oberson
Oberson offers a wide selection of bike shorts and bib shorts for road cycling, mountain biking, gravel riding, and commuting. Shop online or visit our Laval and Brossard stores to compare different fits, chamois designs, and features. Our specialists can help you find the right pair for your riding style.
