When the days are as hot as they have been lately, wearing pants feels like an impossible task — even when they're something as comfortable as leggings.
That's why lately, for walks, errands and lounging around the house, we've been reaching for a wardrobe staple that keeps us both cool and comfy: biker shorts.
Anyone who has gone through the process of trying to find good biker shorts knows that not all pairs are created equal. You want them to be stretchy, easy to move in and suitable for a range of activities — and not every one fits the bill.
That's why, along with social media editorial assistant, Annie Shigo, I tried five popular pairs from top brands to see how they compare and how they fit different body types. We also spoke with experts to find out what you should look for when shopping.
What to look for in biker shorts
According to Ciara Lucas, CPT, fitness trainer and run coach, some of the biggest factors to consider when shopping for biker shorts are material, length, additional features (like pockets) and what you plan to use them for. "There are so many biker shorts on the market that it’s easy to get overwhelmed with options, but you can also buy a pair that’s a perfect fit for you," she says.
- Material: Most biker shorts tend to be made from a blend of nylon and Spandex (which you'll also see as Lycra or elastane) or polyester and Spandex, shares Deborah Young, a clinical assistant professor of textile science at Arizona State University. These fibers tend to be the best choices, as they have "superior elastic recovery" (no sagging or wrinkling!) and are typically engineered for superior sweat-wicking, she says.
- Length: "Considering length when you buy biker shorts is important because this will determine your overall comfort — nobody likes shorts that keep riding up! But there is no wrong choice for biker shorts length. It’s a personal choice depending on how you like your shorts to fit," Lucas says.
For runs and walks, she likes a 5- or 6-inch length: "It’s the perfect mid-length to keep my inner thighs from chafing and stay in place." For cycling, people tend to prefer something longer: "Long inseams, anywhere between 7-9 inches are popular for bike rides because they support anti-chafing and comfort while you’re in the saddle." - Additional features: Of course, one of the biggest things that makes a pair of biker shorts stand out from others are pockets. "Pockets can carry keys, energy gels, a hair tie — basically any lightweight items you may want to carry on-the-go. And for anyone who lives a hustle and bustle lifestyle, this is an essential," Lucas says.
Additionally, if you struggle with your shorts riding up, she adds that some also feature silicone grippers on the hem, which can prevent that.
Below, read more about the five pairs we tried.
Overall best biker shorts
Comfort: 5/5 | Sweat-wicking ability: 4/5 | Style: 5/5 | Additional features: 4.25/5 | Overall score: 4.56/5
Comfort: These shorts are made from Athleta's Powervita fabric, which the brand says is "buttery soft," and we both thought it lived up to the claim. The shorts feel "really comfortable," Shigo says, and I loved how smooth they felt on my skin, which makes them perfect for lazy days or afternoons of errands. In fact, Shigo loved them so much, she said she "was always reaching for these."
We both found that they didn't slide down, even with heavy movement. Typically, on a long run I have to adjust my shorts quite a few times. But on a recent 12-mile run on a hot day, they stayed firmly in place and I didn’t have to pull them down or adjust during the run.
Sweat-wicking ability: Since they're not necessarily made for high-intensity activities, I wasn't sure how the shorts would handle a lot of sweat. But after wearing them for multiple types of workouts, I’ve been liking them for runs and walks, even in the heat of the summer. After a couple of runs in 80+ degree weather, I was shocked to find that they were wet, but not as drenched as I expected. And I didn't notice a sweat stain at the end (because, yes that happens to me even when I'm wearing black).
Style: I thought these shorts were by far the most flattering out of all of the pairs we tested. They have a super high waist and a light amount of compression that holds you in the way I want a pair of biker shorts to.
Additional features: Along with the compression, they have a big pocket in the back that's large enough to fit your phone and keys. They're also UPF 50+ rated, the brand says. The only thing I thought was missing were the large side pockets that some shorts have.
Other biker shorts to try, tested by editors
Best budget-friendly biker shorts:
Comfort: 4.25/5 | Sweat-wicking ability: 4.25/5 | Style: 4/5 | Additional features: 2.5/5 | Overall score: 3.75/5
Comfort: While not quite as soft or "buttery" as our No. 1 pick, I still found these shorts to be super comfortable. They were stretchy and easy to move in. Shigo shares that "they held up great for workouts."
Sweat-wicking ability: As someone who sweats a lot, especially during workouts, I'm not one to typically wear colored workout bottoms as I'll typically end up with pretty obvious sweat stains around the groin area and under my butt. However, I work these for a four-mile treadmill speed session in an overheated gym and expected to be leaving with some embarrassing stains, but I was shocked to find that their color hadn't changed, except lightly in my sweatiest areas. It was nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated!
Style: "I loved these," Shigo says. "They were just a little bit shorter than I wanted them to be." We wore the 6 inch length for these tests.
While I didn't have that issue, I thought they fit well overall and I liked the color options (I even got compliments on the color). They could have been a little more flattering, though. Without much compression, I didn't feel like they held me in as well.
Additional features: The biggest downside to these shorts is the fact that they don't have pockets. However, the waistband was high and tight enough that I could put my phone and keys in it for walks and they wouldn't slip down.
Best biker shorts with pockets:
Comfort: 3.5/5 | Sweat-wicking ability: 3.75/5 | Style: 3.5/5 | Additional features: 3.25/5 | Overall score: 3.5/5
Comfort: Overall, the material of these was comfortable and stretchy. Not incredibly soft or "buttery," but very easy to wear — especially for the price. I also appreciate how there is no seam in the front, to help cut down on uncomfortable rubbing (though only certain versions feature this).
However, we both had some issues with the shorts not staying in place during workouts. "They felt like they were riding down [at the waist] a little bit," Shigo says. I, on the other hand, sometimes found myself pulling the legs down.
Sweat-wicking ability: While I felt like these weren't as drenched as they could have been by the end of a couple of sweaty workouts, they didn't do anything to hide the appearance of sweat. I wore them on a particularly hot day while I was doing laundry at the laundromat and even noticed stains popping up then (given it was a 90+ degree day, but I still feel like others might have hid it better).
Style: There's nothing revolutionary when it comes to the style of this pair, but they fit well and are a good length. We wore the 8-inch length for testing. "These were nice, but the leg holes did stretch out some after wearing them," Shigo says. She noticed that the shorts were looser around the legs the next time she wore them and they no longer had the original, more compressed fit.
Additional features: If you're looking for a pair of biker shorts with pockets, these seriously deliver. They have two large side pockets — big enough to comfortably fit your phone — and a pocket in the waistband that is large enough to fit keys and an AirPods case.
Best for lounging:
Comfort: 3.5/5 | Sweat-wicking ability: 3.25/5 | Style: 3.5/5 | Additional features: 4.25/5 | Overall score: 3.63/5
Comfort: These shorts are more smooth than they are soft, but overall, they felt stretchy and comfortable. "I think these were good for the price, the material just lacked a little bit for me," Shigo says.
These require more adjustment than some of the others, and I found myself pulling them down a couple of times during workouts — but that problem would maybe be remedied if I had selected the longer, 8-inch style. Once again, Shigo had a similar problem, just in a different area. "I felt like they were falling down [at the waist]," she says.
Because of this, I often found myself reaching for them for more casual activities, like lounging at home or sitting for a long car ride, rather than wearing them for workouts.
Sweat-wicking ability: These aren't the best at wicking away sweat, but they're not terrible either. After a 6-mile run in 75+ degree weather, I had a pretty significant sweat stain, but given the heat and the color of the shorts, it was to be expected.
Style: I actually really liked the length of these shorts and thought many of the color options were super cute. They also come in a wider range of sizes, going up to 4X.
Additional features: The side pockets on these shorts were large enough to hold a phone, as well as my keys, cards and AirPods case and I still had a little room to spare.
Best short shorts:
Comfort: 2.5/5 | Sweat-wicking ability: 4/5 | Style: 2.75/5 | Additional features: 3/5 | Overall score: 3.06/5
Comfort: Out of all of the shorts I tried, the material on these was my least favorite. It felt really lightweight, thin and not entirely like it matched the higher price tag. However, the pattern I got was slightly embossed so that might have something to do with it. The brand says they have a next-to-nothing sensation, which is true, but I personally didn't love it.
Even though they were shorter, I was surprised that I didn't have to adjust them that much during runs.
Shigo, however, marked them pretty low on the comfort factor. "I felt uncomfortable in these; they felt too short and like I couldn’t do what I wanted to in the gym."
Sweat-wicking ability: Because they are lighter weight and thin, they did a pretty good job of wicking away sweat. I wore them during gym strength sessions and on multiple runs. While I had some sweat stains during the latter, they were pretty minimal.
Style: Unlike Shigo, I liked the shorter length of these. I just wish they felt more compressive.
Additional features: These shorts only have one pocket — in the waistband — but for a small, hidden pocket, it held a decent amount of stuff. During a run, I was able to fit my keys, work ID badge and AirPods case in it.
Frequently asked questions
It's best to use cool temperatures when using synthetics, Young says. And you want to avoid using bleach with any items that feature Spandex, as she says it will damage and break the fibers.
Many brands also recommend hang drying the shorts.
Lucas suggests avoiding heavier materials like cotton. “It’s the opposite of sweat-wicking and will make your shorts feel heavier and hotter as you sweat more.”
How we tested biker shorts
I, Emma Stessman, spent the month wearing each of the shorts for a range of activities including walks, runs and gym sessions. I also wore them while lounging around the house, running errands and on long drives. Shigo tested them at the gym and on long walks. Additionally, she wore them to picnics in the park and to tan, so she could see how they held up when sweating. During these occasions, we analyzed them based on the four following factors:
- Comfort: How did the material feel? Were they stretchy? Did they feel comfortable, even after long periods of wear? Did they stay in place or did you have to adjust them?
- Sweat-wicking ability: How well did they remove sweat from your body? Did they feel damp? Could you see a stain?
- Style: How did they look overall? How was the length? Were they easy to style?
- Additional features: Were there any additional features that stood out? Did they have pockets? Any special materials?
Why trust Shop TODAY
We selected the above bikers shorts based on editor insights, shopper ratings, size availability and inclusivity. Both editors tested each pair multiple times over the month-long period.
Stessman is a self-proclaimed fitness obsessive with a long history of writing about everything from the best running shoes to comparing popular fitness trackers. In her spare time, she often goes on long runs — she's currently training for a marathon — and walks around the park in her neighborhood, so she has plenty of opportunity to test workout gear.
Shigo has been wearing athleisure for years in workout classes, grocery shopping and traveling. For Shop TODAY she covers fashion, cleaning products and more buzz-worthy topics in the social and editorial space.
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