The Best Bike Shorts: Staff Picks

It's rare for a cycling kit to check the "around town" box, but the Terry Metro Lites are the shorts our staff reaches for on quick jaunts through the neighborhood and beyond. The Metro Lites have a removable liner with light padding that easily slides under other clothes. Plus, the liner is easy to pack away if you choose to wear the shorts without padding. Two hand pockets, one zippered security pocket and one cargo pocket with magnetic closure offer plenty of storage for a cellphone, keys and credit card. Pro tip: Terry designed one of their best-selling bottoms with generous room in the hips and thighs. "Love the fit!" says a customer reviewer—but you may want to size down.

Stuck in a sea of indecision between bibs and shorts? Try the PEARL iZUMi Expedition shorts, a happy medium that provides the comfort of shorts without the logistics of bibs. A high waist prevents the wide waistband from digging into your belly or pinching extra skin, yet there aren't any straps to worry about when nature calls. Like the Junction shorts, dual thigh pockets mean you won't have to worry about a jersey with pockets—you've got all the cargo space needed. "I can easily do 75-110 miles in these without any issues," says one customer reviewer.

Settle in for the long haul because the REI Co-op Junction shorts will help get you there. Thanks to drop-in stretch pockets on both thighs, it's easy for riders to pack a cellphone, small snacks or a credit card without losing anything while on the move. The 9-inch inseam is relatively standard for road biking shorts, but gripper tapes line the leg holes so that your inseam stays put. "The grippy leg cuffs keep the shorts in place no matter how much you move around, on or off the bike," raves one customer reviewer. Fit note: The Junction run a bit larger than other road cycling shorts, so be sure to consult the sizing guide.

Here's the secret to cycling bibs: They don't dig into your belly when you're hunched over the handlebars. The Rapha Core bibs use a fabric with 18% elastane, which offers a super stretchy fit that works for a variety of body types. And the silicone leg grippers prevent thigh creep: "I love how you put them on and don't have to worry about making any adjustments while riding," says one customer reviewer. While the fit is a highlight, we're truly stoked on the chamois; it's easily one of the most comfortable out there. Still, bibs may not work for everyone; some customer reviewers noted that the shoulder straps were too short or tight.

You get a lot for a little when it comes to the Flowline. Not only does Troy Lee Designs offer two deep hand pockets and a waist adjuster to accommodate various sizes, but these shorts also boast a removeable liner. One REI photographer and avid mountain biker owns two pairs and says he appreciates that they're lightweight with "just enough length to overlap with knee pads." Pro tip: Some customer reviewers noted that the liner flaunts a funky fit and most complaints about these shorts are about the fit and feel of the liners, so be sure to consult the sizing chart before buying. Thanks to the polyester and spandex fabric, the Flowline flows well, though, with enough stretch to accommodate a variety of body types.

No muss, no fuss, and enough stretch for your next singletrack ride. That's the sorcery behind the Kaweah, shorts by Wild Rye that feature lightweight polyester and spandex. The polyester helps the Kaweah breathe well during hot days and the small amount of spandex provides enough movement during climbs. "These shorts feel just as comfortable on the bike as off, and the fun, bright prints make them easy to wear off trail, too," reports one of our editors. These shorts don't come with a liner (we recommend snagging this pair), but they do include a single zippered pocket that's large enough to hold a cellphone. A note on sizing: The Kaweah style runs straighter and slimmer so size up if you're not sure; if you prefer a short that offers more stretch, look to another staff favorite, the Wild Rye Freel.

If you can't part with your mountain biking shorts but your delicate regions are crying for help, reach for the REI Co-op Link Padded Liner Shorts. Designed to fit beneath any type of apparel (yes, even jeans), the Link's light padding offers plenty of protection for your sit bones while the breathable mesh fabric keeps moisture away from where you least want it. Liners make it a cinch to turn your favorite shorts or clothes bike-ready. "I wear these on their own for home cycling or outside when I'll be on the bike the whole time, or under workout pants or a skirt for commuting," raves one customer reviewer. "I've even stuck them under leggings; no problem!"

Other versions: Women's 1X-3X

Groms can rip, and the Ether Jr. shorts do a great job at keeping up. Kids need decent features too, so Zoic built in two unzippered hip pockets, two zippered thigh pockets and mesh paneling beneath the back waistbelt that upticks breathability in the Ether shorts. And the waistbelt itself is versatile: Elastic runs around the backside and hook-and-loop closures cinch a personalized fit on either side of the waist. One customer described it as having a "Super adjustable waist but still comfortable!" Like other bike shorts on this list, the polyester and spandex fabric wicks moisture for those extra-sweaty rides.