Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to travel, at the same time stay healthy, and also to enjoy the view. However, riding a bicycle, especially for an extended time can cause discomfort and pain in the crotch area of the body. Among the best ways to ease this discomfort is by using padded bicycle shorts. So, what is bicycle padded shorts, and what are your best choices in the market? Here’s all you need to know.
What Are Padded Bike Shorts And Why Do You Need Them?
For starters, padded bike shorts provide comfort and good health for the wearer. Its value is not much different than wearing clip-in shoes when biking. Bike shorts are tight-fitting shorts designed to enable mobility and convenience when riding a bike. It is designed to be tight-fitting or close to the skin to avoid drag when riding and to avoid getting the fabric getting in the way when pedaling. Moreover, it is designed to be elastic to keep it in place on the legs and to avoid tearing when the shorts run through the bike saddle.
Padded bike shorts are also designed to relieve soreness and pain in the crotch area. Biking involves vibrations coming from the ground and friction from the saddle which can cause quite discomfort, especially when riding for an extended time. Bike shorts are designed to be dark or color black to hide any grease marks, sweat, or stains that may be incurred when biking.
If you’re looking to have an enjoyable ride on your bicycle without being bothered about discomfort and pain on your crotch area and rear end, padded bike shorts would be your best option to consider.
Things To Consider When Buying Padded Bike Shorts
Before we get to the best choices of padded bike shorts for women, let’s first have a look of the things to bear in mind when in the market for these shorts.
Padding
One of the important things to consider when buying padded biking shorts is the padding itself. The kind of padding specific to gender is different. It has different shapes, sizes, and even thicknesses. Women’s padded bike shorts are thinner and are narrower than that of men’s. The style of padding can also depend on how the rider rides her bike. For aggressive riders that consider aerodynamics when riding, padding that is placed on the anterior area of the short is a common preference. Whereas riders who are simply into a relaxed style of biking like cruising and regular biking, padding that is focused on the posterior area of the shorts would be the ideal choice.
The thickness of the padding will depend solely on the rider’s preferences. The best way to check the padding is to test the shorts themselves.
Fabric
Likewise, the fabric of the padded bike shorts is also of great importance to have the best shorts possible. In this regard, you want a fabric that causes less friction as possible to provide for smooth and effortless pedaling action for the legs. Among the best fabric materials that cause less friction when coming in contact with other materials are Lycra, nylon, and polyester. These fabrics reduce air drag for better aerodynamics, and they are quite elastic, soft, and easily drain sweat.
Furthermore, the ideal fabric for the padded bike shorts should be breathable to cool the temperature of the lower part of the body. In addition to the ventilation feature of the fabric, consider as well the muscle compression feature of the fabric. Many riders prefer a compressed fabric out of their bike shorts to keep the shorts in place, however, some prefer a not-too-compressed fabric material out of their shorts for better breathability and better blood circulation. Whichever the case, it is always best to test before buying.
Inseam or Length
The length of the shorts is also as important as everything else on bike shorts. In this regard, the length can depend on the trend, and preference of the rider. For some reason, shorter bike shorts have been a norm in the past few years, and people used to say ‘the shorter, the better.’ However, these days have shown a mix of both long and short bike shorts worn by riders.
For those who prefer it short, they are usually engaged in other activities that come with biking such as triathlons and other activities which require lesser fabric out of their clothes for better movability and lesser drag. Longer lengths however are also a common preference for those who don’t want to show too much skin and for those who don’t want to expose their skin conditions. Whichever the case, varying bike shorts length is pretty much accepted these days.
Now, these are only a few of the known considerations to bear in mind when looking for the ideal padded bike shorts that suit your needs. Another to remember is that the shorts should be well-taken care of. Don’t just dump them into the washing machine after every use. Padded bike shorts are made with materials and parts that are sensitive to water, heat, and chemicals which can destroy the clothing. So, make sure to care for your shorts so they can also care for you.
10 Best-Padded Bike Shorts For Women
Now that you have a good idea of which padded bike shorts suit your needs, here are some of the best options in the market that you can consider.
1. Eco-daily Cycling Shorts
First on our list of best-padded bike shorts for women is the Eco-daily Cycling Shorts Women’s 3D Padded bike shorts. This is a popular choice of bike shorts for women because of its stay-put waistband which is not too loose and at the same time not too tight on the waist. It comes with a 1.2-inch elastic waistband that ensures the shorts are in place. It also has leg grips that keep the shorts in place and keep it from rolling up the legs.
Another unique thing about this short is its 4D High-impact foam pad equipped with fine fiber, carbon grinding, and other materials that ensure comfort and soft cushioning when riding. These materials are designed to last for a long time and don’t irritate the skin.
Pros
• Polyester material.
• Designed with anti-slip grips, and wide waistband.
• Breathable shorts.
• Equipped with 4D high-impact foam pad for added comfort.
Cons
• Fabric is too thin.
• Not ideal for road bike riding due to thin padding.
2. Dealyork Women’s Cycling Bike Shorts
Next on our list is the Women’s Cycling Bike shorts from DEALYORK. This short is more of underwear than a short because of its thinner fabric material and also due to its length. This short is commonly worn with pants or skirts on top. Nevertheless, it is still best worn on its own for better breathability and to avoid any drag or loose fabric when riding. These bike shorts are among the lightest there is on this list and almost leave a feeling of being naked. It is made from a mesh material that is both soft and stretchy while still making sure that it is durable and comfortable.
Its unique feature is its protective ergonomic 3D padding which provides comfort and protection on the rear end. It is carefully designed to resist friction and impact from the saddle to the skin. It is also designed to be slim to give the body a sexy figure.
Pros
• Can serve as underwear and bike shorts.
• Lightweight and breathable.
• 3D padding.
• Slim design .
• Available in assortment of colors.
Cons
• Leaves a feeling of being naked.
• Lighter shades can be see-through.
3. Nooyme Women’s Bike Shorts
If you want the padding to be the same color as the shorts, then you can opt for the NOOYME Women’s Bike Shorts. It is made with 80% Polyamide material and 20% spandex which greatly enhances the elasticity and at the same time durability of the shorts. Furthermore, these materials are excellent in providing breathability and heat regulation for the shorts.
It features invisible padding at the rear end that provides comfort and cushioning when riding the saddle of the bike. It prevents discomfort and chaffing on the rear end and crotch after having long rides. Furthermore, the material is tight-fitting and thick, which can be worn without any underwear. Designed as well as anti-slip grips on the legs to prevent from rolling over to the thighs.
Pros
• Thick material.
• Can be worn without underwear.
• Invisible padding.
• Breathable and regulates heat.
Cons
• Bulky.
• Padding is too wide compared to other bike shorts.
4. Baleaf Women’s Bike Shorts
If you prefer women’s bike shorts that come with pockets where to store your phone and belongings while riding the bike then the BALEAF Women’s Bike Shorts is an excellent choice to consider. It is made from 80% Nylon material and 20% spandex which guarantees that the shorts last for a long time and at the same time are comfortable to wear.
These bike shorts offer a higher level of compression compared to its competitors in this list. With its nylon fabric, this short is breathable as well as elastic or stretchy. The fabric also helps wick sweat or moisture away rapidly and regulates temperature.
It is equipped with a 15 mm 4D gel padding which provides comfort to the bones and the muscles on the rear end and crotch area. It is sewed up smooth around the leg area to avoid chafing and rolling.
Pros
• Wide waistband.
• Designed with side pockets.
• Anti-slip leg grips.
• Breathable and elastic.
Cons
• Expensive.
• Gel feels like wet diaper.
5. Riuiyele Women’s 3d Gel Padded Bike Shorts
In case fabric is your game when it comes to padded bike shorts, a good option to consider is the RIUIYELE Women’s 3D Gel Padded shorts made from 100% Polyester. Polyester is one of the most sought-after synthetic fabrics due to its smoothness, shine, breathability, and durability. Using this fabric for the bike shorts enables the shorts to be very comfortable on the skin and it is also pleasing to the eyes.
It is designed with a wide elastic waistband that secures the shorts in place. The perforated transparent silicone enables good shock absorption and also excellent air permeability. Fabric is also moisture-wicking and regulates temperature.
Pros
• 100% Polyester.
• Ergonomic 3D pads.
• Very light and breathable.
• Moisture wicking.
• Neat and durable stitches.
Cons
• Hand wash only.
• Rolls up on the legs.
6. Tremaker Women’s Bike Shorts
Should you prefer wide waistlines and hems with silicone to avoid the legends from rolling up then the Tremaker Women’s Bike Shorts should be a great deal for you. It is made from 85% Polyester and 15% Spandex which means you get a good amount of elegance, smoothness, and durability from the Polyester and just the right amount of elasticity or stretchy ness from the Spandex.
As well, the fabric makes this short breathable, can wick moisture off the skin, and can help regulate temperature. It is designed with a wide 4D gel padding to cover all area on the rear end that comes in contact with the bike saddle. The thick padding reduces vibrations and provides comfort to the sit-bones and muscles involved. Furthermore, the hems are stitched with silicone to avoid bunching or rolling up.
Pros
• Breathable and absorbs sweat.
• 85% Polyester and 15% Spandex.
• Hems with Silicone.
• Wide waistband for better grip.
• 4D gel padding for added comfort.
Cons
• Feels like wet diapers when padding absorbs sweat.
• Available in 2 colors only.
7. Truity Womens Bike Shorts
There are also times when a lady biker wants to wear baggy kind of biking shorts – especially when they’re not confident enough with their body. In this regard, the Truity Women’s Bike Shorts is perfect for the job. It is designed with an outer layer that is baggy and loose and a removable inner layer. This short is made from 93% Polyester and 7% Spandex which means it’s the toughest yet smoothest bike shorts on the list.
Its soft gel padding reduces friction from the saddle, wicks moisture, and also reduces vibrations from bumpy rides. Its best features include 2 side pockets and 1 front leg pocket which enables storage of phones, wallets, keys, and other small items when riding.
Pros
• Breathable and moisture wicking.
• Soft 3D padding.
• Quick Drying.
• Multi-function pockets.
• Comes with reflective strip.
• Velcro at the back.
Cons
• Not stretchable enough for large thighs.
• Thick liner.
8. Catena Women’s Bike Shorts
Another padded bike shorts that are made from 100% Nylon is the CATENA Women’s Bike Shorts. The good thing about Nylon is that it has excellent durability and at the same time stretchiness which women love out of their bike shorts. Since it is made from Nylon, it is rather light, breathable, soft, and wicks moisture.
Designed with the high belt for better grip and added comfort, a non-slip leg gripper to ensure that the pants stay in place and do not slide. The high-density 3D padding provides light, high-density shock absorption whenever riding on rough terrains and ground surfaces. Also, the shorts are available in a wide assortment of colors and sizes.
Pros
• Comes with non-slip leg grippers.
• Many color choices and sizes.
• 100% Nylon.
• Excellent durability.
• Multi-purpose bike shorts.
Cons
• Thin bottom fabric.
• Tight band around the thighs.
9. Voofly Cycling Underwear Shorts
Should you prefer the short kind of bike shorts where you can showcase your legs, then the Voofly Cycling Bike Shorts should be a perfect choice for you. Although this short is more like underwear, it is a popular bike short because of its trendy design and also because of its comfortable features.
It is made from 80% Polyester which makes it durable and smooth, and 20% Spandex makes it stretchy. These bike shorts are designed with a multi-thickness density foam that gives comfort to the sit bones and the rear end when sitting on the bike saddle. Furthermore, it has fast absorption to moist and breathable.
Pros
• Quick drying and breathable shorts.
• Trendy design.
• Dual purpose shorts and underwear.
• Thick padded foam for comfort on the saddle.
• Light and stretchy.
Cons
• May be too short for other riders.
• Thin elastic waist band.
10. Durafit Womens 3d Padded Bike Shorts
Finally, if you want a bike short that can be used for a variety of activities such as road cycling, spinning, motorcycling, hiking, and other outdoor activities, a good option to consider is the Durafit Women’s 3D Padded Bike Shorts. It is made from 77% Nylon and 23% Lycra which means the shorts is guaranteed light, durably, stretchy, and also breathable. It is also moisture-wicking and is chaffing resistant. It is designed with the right amount of tightness or compression to keep the right places dry and well ventilated.
Its 3D padding offers comfortable cushioning over the rear end and crotch area whenever sitting on the bike saddle. It is also a versatile bike short that can be worn for any outdoor activity. Comes with a wide waistline to always keep the shorts in place.
Pros
• Multi-purpose bike shorts for any outdoor activity.
• Wide waistline.
• Reflective logo for safety.
• Comes with a working drawstring.
• Trendy design.
Cons
• Short length.
• No elastic bottoms.
Our Final Thoughts
So, which of these bike shorts are best for your needs? To answer this, you need to focus on the purpose for which you are going to use the shorts. If you’re going to use the shorts for more than other ventures aside from biking, you’ll need a biking short that is multi-purpose such as the Durafit Women’s 3D Padded Bike Shorts and the CATENA Women’s Bike Shorts. If you’re simply looking for one that is trendy and would enhance your physique then a good choice would be the Voofly Cycling Underwear Shorts, the BALEAF Women’s Bike Shorts, and Tremaker Women’s Bike Shorts. Whichever the purpose for your ideal bike shorts, your best choices are found in this list alone