Cycling should be pleasurable and fun, not painful and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are certain items that make cycling more enjoyable, cycling shorts being one of them. However, you probably ask yourself, are cycling shorts worth it? If this question has crossed your mind, worry not, we are here to help.
Cycling shorts are undoubtedly worth it because they offer much-needed comfort during long bike rides. These shorts are made with the cyclists’ needs in mind, including strategically positioned seams, padding at the right places, wind block, breathability, and minimizing air resistance.
With that said, let’s explore more about why it is worth investing in cycling shorts.
Are Cycling Shorts Worth It?- Going into Details
Before spending money on cycling shorts, one of the things you should know is whether they will improve your cycling experience.
There’s a considerable difference between cycling in regular shorts and cycling shorts. As discussed above, it is evident that cycling shorts can be a great investment.
Why Should You Wear Cycling Shorts?
1. They Offer Extra Cushioning
After cycling for many hours, you will start feeling a bit of pain in your legs and buttocks. The padding on cycling shorts offers extra cushioning even on a comfortable seat and absorbs road bumps.
2. Drain Away Sweat
Regular shorts and pants can trap sweat when cycling on a hot day, leaving you feeling uncomfortable. On the other hand, cycling shorts let your body breathe because they are produced from moisture-wicking fabric like polyester, nylon, Lycra, and spandex.
These materials will help pull moisture from your body and, in turn, help prevent rashes and chafing and keep you cool and nice.
3. Make You More Aerodynamic
Skin-tight cycling shorts make you more aerodynamic, which lowers wind resistance. Therefore, you will use less energy to cycle.
When cycling on a flat road, about 70 to 90- percent of resistance comes from aerodynamic drag. It is for this reason that cyclists strive to streamline their bicycles and bodies and minimize resistance.
4. Facilitate Full Range of Motion
Cycling shorts are flexible, so they let you pump your legs quickly while pedaling without hindrance. As a result, you get a full range of motion, and your pants will not be trapped in the bicycle chain.
5. Your Muscles Stay Compressed
Compression clothing reduces fatigue and muscle soreness from cycling. This is why athletes wear such clothing.
Unlike regular clothing, cycling shorts keep your muscles compressed, resulting in longer and faster rides without feeling exhausted.
Cycling shorts also dry much faster than regular shorts, which will come in handy if you get caught cycling in the rain and keep your (men) body parts in the right place. Therefore, are cycling shorts worth it? They certainly are.
What Are Different Types Of Cycling Shorts?
Cycling shorts come in two categories- Mountain biking shorts and traditional lycra road shorts.
1. Road Cycling Shorts
Road cycling shorts are made with minimal excess material that can chafe and bunch up. They are also aerodynamically efficient.
There are two types of traditional road cycling shorts- bib shorts and standard waistline shorts.
1. Bib Shorts
Bib shorts have shoulder straps rather than a waistband. These shorts offer excellent aero performance and comfort. The shoulder straps create a streamlined profile that lowers drag, and there’s no waistline to dig in on you while riding.
You will get a better fit and quality with bibs than shorts. However, bathroom breaks are a real pain unless your bib shorts are made with super-stretchy straps or a drop tail.
If you are looking for the best bib shorts, consider Przewalski Men’s 3D Padded Cycling Bike Bib Shorts (View on Amazon).
- Przewalski Men’s Padded Cycling Bib Shorts
Przewalski Men’s 3D Padded Cycling Bike Bib Shorts’ fabric has effective wicking and water diffusion properties. It has a 3D pad that is superb for long-distance riding and back mesh construction, which makes this bib breathable.
It has a reflective stripe that helps to boost visibility in dark conditions. These bib shorts are ideal for biking, outdoor and indoor bicycle enthusiasts, spinning, cycling, riding, mountain biking, and road biking.
- CEROTIPOLAR Women’s Slim PRO Cut Cycling Bibs
You will get maximum breathability and proper support from this bib short that is designed for women. It is made of eco-friendly, high-compression fabric that offers continuous PRO power and compression to your muscles, lowering fatigue.
2. Waistline Shorts
When nature calls during your ride, you would want to have waistline shorts instead of bib shorts. However, since shorts usually have a snug waistline, they can cause skin irritation, mainly if they are tight.
The gap between the bottom of your jersey and the top of the waistband can also be a problem. Your skin will be exposed if the jersey rides up unless you wear a base layer. Consider Castelli Cycling Entrata (View on Amazon) for men and NICEWIN Women’s Padded Bike Shorts (View on Amazon) if you prefer waistline shorts over bib shorts.
- Castelli Entrata
These highly rated cycling shorts are made of silicone gel and high-density foam to minimize vibrations. It is also budge-proof, has multiple pockets, and in-built guaranteed comfort and shock resistance.
- NICEWIN Women’s Padded Bike Shorts
These women’s cycling shorts are durable, breathable, and dry quickly. Its high waist is trendy and spreads pressure evenly around your waist, giving you a comfortable fit.
The pad’s thickness is enough to offer proper cushioning without feeling like you are wearing a pad. This waistline cycling is suitable for mountain biking, motorcycle driving, road cycling, and other indoor and outdoor sports activities.
2. Mountain Biking Shorts
These are baggy, loose-fitting, casual shorts that are an excellent choice for mountain biking and leisure riding. It is built to withstand tears and rips of brambles and bushes and has reinforced seat panels.
Mountain bike shorts are available in various styles and lengths, and a majority of them have a chamois liner. Some excellent choices you can go for are Zoic Navaeh for women and POC Enduro Shorts for men.
- POC Enduro Shorts
It embodies a casual style, made of breathable, lightweight material. From a glance, POC Endura Shorts would look
It is made of durable, stretchy nylon fabric with zippered side pockets. The shape of the knee openings functions properly with kneepads.
- Zoic Navaeh
Stretchy material, adjustable waistband, and comfortable chamois make Zoic Navaeh an excellent mountain bike shorts.
You can choose among different patterns and colors and have plenty of zippered pockets. However, it has slightly narrow legs, which can be a problem for people with thicker thighs.
Do Expensive Cycling Shorts Make a Difference?
The difference between expensive and cheap cycling shorts is often the number of panels (more is better) and the quality of chamois, fabric, and construction. While sometimes you pay more for design and branding, high-end bike shorts are better in most cases.
Expensive cycling shorts are more durable as they are built better; hence they make a difference. They are worthwhile because they are made with stretchy, breathable material that dries quickly.
Do You Really Need Padded Cycling Shorts?
The number of hours, of often, and where you cycle are some of the key factors to consider when deciding whether you need padded cycling shorts or not. If you spend an hour or so a few times cycling indoors, you can do without padded bike shorts.
However, if you are a regular cycler who spends a lot of time cycling outdoors, try padded cycling shorts. These shorts help relieve chronic groin and butt pain, common complaints among many cyclists.
How Do I Wear Cycling Shorts Properly?
So, we’ve answered the question are cycling shorts worth it? and offered some excellent choices. You are now left with one more question, how do I wear cycling shorts?
First, you must make sure you get the correct size because your cycling shorts will serve you best if they fit properly. They should sit on your thighs tightly and skip wearing underwear to let the shorts grip the pads perfectly to your thighs.
Wear leg grippers to prevent the shorts from pulling up mid-ride. Additionally, make sure your shorts have reflective elements to help other drivers identify you easily. Lastly, clean your cycling shorts after use to prevent bacteria and dirt build-up.
Conclusion
Yes, they are pretty tight and revealing but offer plenty of benefits for recreational and professional cyclists. So, are cycling shorts worth it? you bet they are.
They make cycling comfortable for you and protect your bum and legs from sores. You’ll be stunned at how awesome you feel in these shorts.
