Best cycling shorts for men 2024: bike bib shorts for comfortable riding

One of the most important parts of a road cyclist's wardrobe, quality cycling shorts provide greater comfort and additional skin protection, meaning more time in the saddle. Made from the stretchy wonder material Lycra, quality cycling shorts should offer good compression and support when in the cycling position. The seat pad (or chamois) should feel plush and suit your physiology without being too bulky or causing additional chafing. Even the best cycling shorts should be used with one of the best Chamois Creams.

For those riding longer distances or off-road on one of the best gravel bikes consider the best cargo shorts, which offer tougher materials and additional pockets. For indoor cycling where compression and breathability are the name of the game consider the best indoor cycling clothing.

Because of the importance of quality cycling shorts, we constantly test the least garments for our Winter Bib tights guide and this Summer one. Within this guide, I have curated 8 of our top-rated cycling shorts, with top honours going to the Assos Millie GT, which will not surprise some given Assos's reputation. I also have Pearl Izumi scoring well credited with being the best budget option in standard road and cargo bib options.

I have only featured men's shorts in this guide and for good reason. Although many features and considerations can be the same for men's and women's shorts, women's versions of the same shorts might feature a different construction and gender-specific pad shape and placement. So, the best Women's cycling shorts rightly get their own guide.

The quick list

Best cycling shorts for men

Best Fit

Castelli set out to engineer a bib short that offered a good taste of the brand’s high tech offerings, but at a far more accessible price point. The result was the Competizione.

The fit of this short is outstanding, utilizing the Affinity Pro Lycra® high-stretch comfort fabric for the more sensitive inner thighs, with a rougher aerodynamic focused paneling to the outside of the legs. Though the claims of aerodynamics are not publicly available, which is more than a bit questionable. Nonetheless, the form fitting, compressive, dimpled Vortex fabric on the side panels feels special, particularly at the $140 price point.

Although the seamwork utilized in the construction of these shorts is exquisitely mapped, the flat-lock stitching can be a bit rough on first wear. Although not an enormous concern in practical application, this construction feature certainly holds the short back from being a truly excellent offering.

The Kiss Air2 seat pad is well constructed and stands out for its elegant top lining. Though this feature guarantees minimal chafing on your sensitive contact points, the pad exhibited restricted moisture wicking capacity in real-world testing as the temperature climbed. The pad felt entirely sufficient in terms of foundational support at the shorter ride times. Rides in excess of three hours, however, led to more shifting in the saddle to find relief than should be expected.

The Competizione is a workhorse in a thoroughbred’s trimmings. It will show up for you whether you’re using it to grab a coffee with pals or pin on a number for your fourth and final criterium of the season. It will even stand out, in all its finely tailored glory. But ultimately, it’s not the cream of the crop and its stitching will tell you so from the very first handshake. For the price, that’s a reasonable concession.

Best Overall

At just $180, the value that the Assos Mille GT C2 represents is unparalleled in the road category. The product achieves everything one might expect from the storied Swiss brand, with standout performance in several key categories for both performance and comfort.

In testing any Assos product, it’s hard not to immediately fall in love with the chamois, above all else. As a key contact point with the bicycle, in an area of the body that happens to be some of the rider’s most sensitive real estate, it makes a lot of sense for any softgood manufacturer to focus their resources on this core component to any bib short. Although the pad in use in the Mille GT C2 is not their top pad construction, it’s not a substantial departure. This pad features thermoformed compressive 11mm foam layers for reduced ridging coupled with enhanced shock absorption and support. Another critical highlight comes in the emerging “floating” platform that Assos has helped to pioneer in the industry, with stitching to anchor the front and back of the pad but allowing for improved conformity in motion, rather than assuming a static contact in a dynamic context. Lastly, a proprietary multilayer perforated foam called 3D Waffle reduces weight while increasing ventilation.

Taken together, the resulting pad supports in a very active way, with incredible function both for long and short rides. It provides exceptional moisture transfer even on warmer or harder days. And it leaves you to focus your energies/attention on whatever is most important to you in the riding application, rather than any need whatsoever for adjustment or relief. Assos has long ago cracked the code on the comfort performance chamois, and the Mille GT C2 inherits the best qualities of their extensive engineering work on innovative pad design, at a fraction of the price of their top tier products.

“X-Frame suspension” may sound like standard marketing spin, but this would be second on our list of priority when evaluating the highlights of the product. This technology stabilizes the entire platform, resulting in increased adherence and limited sag in all conditions. This engineering feat is accomplished by the use of thicker than average suspenders, incorporating both high rebound materials and an X shaped design across the upper back. Hand-in-hand with the floating pad design, this design results in a true engineering feat that leaves the rest of the pack behind in terms of both performance and fit.

Rounding out the highlights of this short, reduced seam count and hidden seam design result in a refined comfort that leaves absolutely nothing to be desired. The Mille GT C2 is marketed as a bib short specifically designed for longer rides, but deemed as appropriate for everyday use. We would simply add here that it can be hard to get these off after a ride. Not practically, just due to lack of motivation to get into something more comfortable.

Best Budget

The silky smooth coverage of the knit fabric main body of the PEARL iZUMi Attack Bib Shorts is hard to get out of your head. Velvety, luxurious leg feel is complemented by remarkable compressive balance and a form fitting design, leaving the wearer with a next-to-skin feeling that is absolutely unique in a piece of technical wear. With one of the lowest price tags of any product we’ve tested in this category ($120), the value this offering represents is truly remarkable.

Despite its luxurious nature, the fabric does breathe well in average riding conditions. This short will not be your best friend when the temperatures go from warm to hot. But otherwise, it offers fantastic performance with regard to moisture management. Although these have a separated leg cuff, unlike the PRO Bib Short, the elastic band lies flat and features a laser-cut, raw-edge leg hem with silicone grippers to hold the short in place.

PEARL iZUMi pioneered the synthetic chamois in 1983, changing the industry forever. Since that time, they’ve invested a tremendous amount of engineering resources into further development of their proprietary pad insert system, and this effort shows across all three primary levels of pad available in their cycling shorts. The Attack line features their mid-tier chamois, named the ELITE Levitate. This pad utilizes a mix of high-density and medium-density foam for better distribution of rider weight across the contact patch in a variety of riding conditions. It’s seamless, with a relief channel under the perineum and an almost undefined taper from the edge of the pad to the main fabric of the short. Although it is not the most supportive or breathable option in the bunch, it’s an excellent performer at this price point.

This bib short comes in five different colorways, ranging from neutral, to artistic, to the standout “Screaming Yellow'' highlights that this brand is known for. Even if you happen to be slightly allergic to the bright yellow color palette, this short features BioViz® reflective elements for enhanced night visibility at up to 100 meters.

Best All-Rounder

There is absolutely nothing fancy to the Rapha Core bib short. Rapha may be known as a premium brand in the cycling world, but this model is not the one that comes to mind when you see their distinctive cursive logo. That said, for just $130, the Rapha Core Bib Shorts deserve consideration for a solid everyday option.

Dense knit fabric on the main panels provide solid compression and fit, but an abundance of seamwork does admittedly provoke a certain amount of anxiety upon first glance. In testing, the flat-lock seam work throughout this short didn’t cause any irritation on shorter duration rides. But for those much longer than three hours, especially if the ride includes a spring rainstorm, can result in some reasonable chafing.

The short’s breathability is not a strong suit. Though it isn’t claustrophobia inducing, it can be a bit heavy for hotter rides and harder efforts. Moisture wicking capacity in conditions under approximately the 75 degrees Fahrenheit mark does not stand out as a negative. Pushing that boundary can yield less than ideal results, however, and even the manufacturer recommends limiting use to mild to warm conditions.

The dual-density, size-specific chamois in use here is not our favorite. Though the padding itself is comfortable upon static contact with the saddle and modestly breathable, the construction encourages ridging down the middle of the pad. We found that this can lead to additional chafing for longer rides or when wet. At minimum, it can be uncomfortable to feel it ride up your underside when walking.

Available in three shades of black, each with modest labeling, the fit and aesthetic of this product align well with the clean, classy lineage from which it came. At a fraction of the price of its bigger brothers, the Core Bib Shorts are certainly worthy of their family name. Just please keep this price tag in perspective should you try to compare their performance with each other.

Most comfortable

Were it not for the $355 price tag, this bib would be a great competitor in this category. It ticks a lot of boxes, despite a few quirks. However, at over double the price of our favourites in this category (which are themselves premium offerings by luxe brands), the lack of basic economics involved in this product’s marketing feels like quite a stretch. Let’s get into the details.

Upon first wear, the MAAP Pro Bib 2.0’s unique construction did impress. The compressive shorts promised great support, with a closed-back design to the bib straps that really highlighted the form-fitting nature of this product. Though this may in fact be a negative to riders with body types that don’t match my own, I found it to be quite pleasing in form and function both on and off the bike. Unfortunately, thick exposed stitching throughout the bib compromises leg feel a bit more than one might expect from an ultra-premium product.

The bib definitely delivers on breathability, including that closed-back strap design, thanks to the use of some well-provisioned fabrics in all of the critical places. A high-stretch, transparent ribbing connects the straps across the low and mid-back. Despite the added material in an unexpected location, the choice of the material here provided the benefits of additional comfort without limiting breathability in a key moisture management area. The crinkly side panels also breathed well in testing, despite calling to mind the sound and feel of Tyvek house wrap.

The chamois was wonderfully designed, in terms of both moisture-wicking capacity and comfort on the road. It was supportive and not restrictive, on or off the bike. That said, I did note that the panel at the top of the inner thigh, connected to the front of the chamois, wrinkled and tapped my thigh with each pedal stroke in a way that I’ve never experienced in a bib short. It wasn’t unduly uncomfortable, just a bit annoying at first. But after about an hour of riding in the short, this was no longer noticeable.

This bib looks very cool, complemented by dimpled side panels, well-proportioned panelling throughout, and form-fitting styling. However, the product’s claims of aerodynamic advantage for this technology are unsubstantiated by any published data on the manufacturer’s website. Other reviews of this product note the claimed aerodynamic advantage, essentially conferring trust based on the price point alone. We’re not in alignment with this approach.

All material choices in use here do offer excellent observed moisture transfer and compression. The chamois is top-notch. But to receive top marks at this price point, there can really be no compromises. Unfortunately, MAAP has prioritized tech and aesthetics over ultimate comfort, which truly does not represent reasonable value at this extreme sticker price.

Best Cargo Bibs

The Velocio Utility Bib Shorts get you where you need to go on the gravel trails in comfort and with no frills. Perhaps the best feature of the Utility sib short (and its fellow road bibs, the Ultralight bib short) is the “FlyFree” design meant to empower women to take easier bathroom breaks thanks to extra stretchy fabric above the tailbone. You can simply pull the bibs down without removing the straps for a nature break, which can be especially helpful when out on a remote gravel road.

The chamois is the same chamois found on the Ultralight road shorts: Velocio’s proprietary Signature Chamois. This chamois is thick enough to mute the vibrations caused by gravel but doesn’t feel too bulky when off the bike.

The three pockets on the Utility shorts are deep and have the capacity to hold plenty of nutrition, a flat kit, a phone - you name it. While the nutrition we stored in ours while testing stayed put on a packed gravel trail with ascents and descents, it should be noted that these pockets have no extra security such as a clasp or flap like the Assos Uma GTC shorts.

Lastly, these shorts are expensive and will cost riders $300 USD. Assos Uma GTC shorts are $280 USD and Le Col Sport Cargo Bib Shorts II are about $240 USD. While some riders may not feel that a $60-20 price difference is significant, it could be enough to steer some riders away from the Velocio Utility Bib Short altogether.

Best Budget Cargo Bibs

The Pearl Izumi Expedition Bib Short is the gravel sister of the Pearl Izumi Podium Bib Short. The two are nearly identical except that the Expedition features two pockets, one on each thigh, and it uses Pearl Izumi’s “Elite” line of chamois.

Many of the gravel bibs tested in this guide feature rougher fabric, but the Expedition is made of silky smooth fabric, which after multiple miles on the trail, is a nice departure from more utilitarian fabric. The fabric is smooth, and cool (literally, it feels nice and cool to the touch) and doesn’t rub or chafe.

The chamois is very dense - the “Elite” line of chamois is designed to distribute body weight over a larger area for more comfort and features a moisture-wicking boundary layer along with its two layers of medium and high-density foam. The chamois felt great over many hilly gravel miles but was a wee bit dense when walking alongside the bike in “hike-a-bike” fashion.

For those who like to feel “locked in” with their bibs, the Expedition nails it. The ultra-high waistband comes up to the bottom of the rib cage, and the shoulder straps are secured in the front by a sternum-level clasp. No matter how we moved on the bike, the straps and stomach-area fabric stayed put.

What wasn’t quite as locked in were the thighs. The thigh grippers on these shorts are significantly smaller than others. The thin line of grippers was mediocre at best and necessitated a few tugs at the lower thigh fabric to resituate the preferred positioning of the fabric. This wasn’t incessantly annoying but was noticeably less great than others on this list.

Lastly, the Expedition pockets are compressive but do not feature a clasp or pocket flap for extra security. This isn’t unique to the Expedition - a lot of gravel-specific cargo bibs don’t - but we wish more brands would. The last thing you want is to lose your nutrition, phone or flat kit after ripping a particularly technical section.

Best Performing Fabric

At $200, the Specialized Prime Bib Short marks a massive departure from the value-based pricing of the brand’s longstanding road bib option, the $70 RBX (which appears to be closing out its lifespan at an almost 50% discount on the manufacturer’s website currently). We were excited to get our hands on this new model to suss out whether that markup aligns with relative performance and comfort gains.

Let’s begin with comfort. The initial leg feel on this short reminds us of the longstanding top-tier offering from competitor Pearl Izumi, complete with minimal, hidden seamwork. We happen to love it. What’s more, this supreme comfort does not significantly impair product performance – a balance that is harder to accomplish than one might expect.

It’s worth noting that the contoured fit of these compression focused bibs is not for everyone. Body types outside of the archetype used in modeling for this product on the manufacturer’s website may well lament the tighter fit and spillover potential if consideration of these factors is not made when sizing.

Compression is excellent, and effective moisture transfer is not noticeably impaired in average riding conditions. The simple construction of this short is conducive to an exceptional form-fitting character. This allows you to focus on the things that truly matter when you’re going for a personal best out on the open road or just trying to disconnect and reset.

Our only complaint with this new product is unfortunately a big one. While not unduly uncomfortable, the standard Body Geometry chamois in use here is not in alignment with the quality felt elsewhere on the Prime Bib Short, nor the price point. The chamois is specifically lacking in support and takes a bit too much adjustment to feel good about. This could definitely be improved for future iterations of the product.

We love the colorway, inseam length, clean lines, and overall aesthetic of the product. It’s a solid improvement over the RBX bib, and we applaud Specialized for really stepping their game up with this offering, despite reasonable room for improvement on the chamois design.

Cycling Bib Short FAQs

How to dress for hot conditions

Many clothing brands buy in their chamois from an external company, with Elastic Interface being the leading supplier, and can often use the same pad as a competitor.

The chamois sometimes comes with some additional features, such as perforation to provide breathability or an anti-bacterial treatment to keep the shorts fresh.

How we test

Cycling Weekly has a highly experienced team of testers, who know what to look for in the best cycling shorts, thanks to their hours spent out riding and reviewing cycling products.

Our team has reviewed literally hundreds of pairs of shorts from all the leading brands, wearing them for many miles in the saddle, so we can spot the best cycling shorts that stand out from the crowd.