Best women's cycling shorts ridden and rated
A pair of the best women's cycling shorts can make all the difference to your comfort on the bike - here's what to look for and our top-rated
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Being comfortable, especially when riding over longer distances, is of paramount importance. There are a number of factors in play, from how well the bike fits to running the correct tyre pressures. However a quality pair of bib shorts and an anatomically favourable saddle are likely to sit at the top of the list of necessary requirements for an enjoyable ride; for women cyclists these are the two areas where you can select female-specific designs, with both the best women’s cycling shorts and the best women's saddles a genuine difference maker when it comes on-the-bike comfort.
This guide is focused on the best women’s cycling shorts. We’ve tested numerous pairs, evaluating them for comfort by assessing the quality of the pad as well as other factors such as breathability, seam placement, effective leg grippers and more. On top of this we’ve assessed their durability and their value for money. Only our favourite shorts have made into the guide, with the aim of helping find the right pair for you.
Velocio has perfectly nailed the brief; they're comfortable, fit perfectly, and have changed my outlook on women's specific cycle clothing.
Rapha's Core shorts offer decent durability and good levels of comfort. However, they might be a bit warm on very hot days, and they lack any form of quick wee-stop design.
Excelling in long-distance comfort, especially when nature calls, the UMA GTV strikes a perfect balance between breathability and durability, with next-level comfort in the Golden Gate chamois.
Understated and breathable, the Velocio Ultralight are ideal for warm weather or indoor riding. FlyFree allows for toilet stops without the need to undress, but they lack Velocio's usual sustainable credentials.
You'll barely feel the chamois at all, which is why these are perfect for a 60-minute-or-less indoor ride. Plus, the Castelli Insider 2 provides excellent compression and a waistband that stays put.
Read more below
The Petrichor Projects 002 women's specific bibshorts are the first high-end, easy-to-pee cycling shorts to hit the market. The overall fit is great, although the padding may work better for some than for others.
Read more below
Velocio Women’s Signature Bib Shorts
Our expert review:
It's brave to send a reasonably plain pair of black bib shorts to a cycling journalist, with a few scant details about them being a perfect everyday option. The brand either lacks a distinctive USP (unique selling point), is just another option, or is overly confident about the product. After just one ride, I knew that Velocio was on to something with the Women's One bib short. In fact, I must apologise to anyone who had the (mis)fortune to have seen me out on a ride in recent months, as I likely waxed lyrical to you already.
To support this everyday claim, a closer look at the Velocio range shows the One bib 'cherry-picks' features from across the brand's range. Made from 78% Polyamide and 22% Elastane, of which a percentage is recycled from fishing nets. This is combined with proprietary chamois designed just for Velocio from Elastic Interface.
I was perhaps a bit overenthusiastic on my first ride, finding myself in the hills of the Black Forest 60-miles to cover in 30°C/86°F heat. Also, it was not helped by the fact that I had forgotten to pack any form of sports bra or baselayer. Faced with a choice, I chose to go braless, hoping that the mesh would be gentle on my more sensitive areas and that I would remember when unzipping on the climbs.
It was a day of big climbs, long descents, and full-gas valley roads, and I can happily report that the mesh layer was surprisingly efficient at wicking sweat. To the point I couldn't believe I was telling someone I had gone braless, and how comfortable the shorts were. Luckily, that was the only drama for the trip as the chamois was brilliant, and given the length of the ride straight out the gate, it says a lot about how longer-term testing went.
Back home in the UK, the Velocio Women's ONE bib shorts have become my go-to shorts. However, I have returned to wearing a bra.
I am not one for using easy-to-pee features; I never do it by the side of the road, and if I am in a toilet, I'd rather make sure everything in my pockets stays put and doesn't fall in the loo. However, I did try Velocio's offer in the interest of the reviews, and it works just fine.
Read our full Velocio Women’s One Bib Short review
Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts
Our expert review:
The Core Collection from Rapha is designed for everyday use; they are much simpler, more rugged, and more affordable than most of the Rapha range. Thats thanks to a dense-knit material that certainly offers more durability, though I've found it can be a bit warm on particularly hot days.
The fit is remarkably comfortable, and the contoured design with flat seams has done an excellent job of preventing chafing, even on longer rides. I'm particularly impressed with the dual-density chamois; its size-specific design is a nice touch, and I've found it provides ample comfort for rides exceeding four hours, including those spent on the indoor trainer.
While these shorts don't feature an easy-pee system, which is something I've come to appreciate in other bibs, their durability makes them incredibly versatile. I've happily worn them for commuting, off-road adventures, and even under baggies. Despite being Rapha's most affordable bib shorts, they outperform almost anything in a similar price point and even some far more expensive options.
Read our full Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts review
Assos UMA GTV Short C2
Our expert review:
As we come to expect from Assos, pulling on the UMA GTC shorts is a pleasure; with very little effort, it's a surprise to feel secure, thanks to a small amount of compression, which sets the tone for the whole review.
The fabric, the chamois, and the construction it is all excellent, given the price and the brand. It is really no surprise, I suppose.
Even with five hours in the saddle and consistent twenty-degree heat, the chamois posed me no trouble, and the support from the pad is very good. It is the kind of chamois that makes you think, 'where have you been all this time?' and 'why have I put up with so many bad ones until this point?'. All in all, it makes the UMA GTC shorts ideal for endurance riding and multi-day trips or back-to-back training days.
Aside from the luxurious comfort, Assos's Bisiclick easy-pee system is undoubtedly one of the better concepts I’ve tested and a fundamental standout feature, easily helping to justify the shorts' very premium price. With so many choices now available regarding easy-pee systems, some still significantly impact comfort and aren't as convenient or quick as claimed. However, Assos have nailed it, and it doesn’t require any item of clothing to be unzipped or removed. The X Frame design means the clasps are easy to reach and, more importantly, easy to recover.
There is no doubt these are a premium short, and the performance certainly justifies that cost. However, while many brands look to use more sustainable fabrics, we see no such efforts from Assos. While luxurious fabrics are rarely made from recycled materials, it is something that Velocio achieves, so why not Assos?
Read our full Assos Women's UMA GTV Bib Shorts C2 review
Our expert review:
If the name didn’t give it away, the Velocio Ultralight bibs are indeed “ultralight”. The medium we tested weighs in at just 150g, and holding the bibs in your hand feels like holding hardly anything at all.
But how does it perform?
The chamois is thick enough to be comfortable during longer indoor rides but not so bulky as to become sweat-logged or chafe while on longer outside rides. The Ultralight bib straps feature a nice horizontal strap about three-quarters of the way up the back, connecting the two shoulder straps, which was fantastic and prevented the straps from slipping off my shoulders, something I regularly experience. Plus, the “easy pee” design, featuring extra-stretchy fabric just above the tailbone, makes it easy to pull down the bibs without removing the straps for a quick restroom stop. It may not be the best design, but it works, and it's simple.
Given the lack of material and the overall finish of the bibs, the cost feels slightly eyewatering. Although it didn’t cause any chafing or discomfort, it doesn't feel particularly premium. Additionally, the fabric is somewhat see-through when stretched, such as when bending forward for a more aerodynamic position or when standing to climb, which I’m not a fan of. This might not matter as much if you’re riding solo indoors, but it draws unwanted attention that I felt I was attracting out on the road.
Our expert review:
If you’re looking for cycling shorts for indoor sessions lasting 60 minutes or less, then the Castelli Insider 2 might be for you…
In testing, the fit of the shorts was true to size with a nice compression to them—just the right amount to feel snug but not so much as to feel like a sausage. This leads us to the chamois.
The Insider 2 chamois is the definition of “barely there” - the padding is minimal but comfortable enough to ride for about an hour before starting to shift around on the saddle. It has Castelli’s classic honeycomb padding design but lacks the extra layer of padding beneath that honeycomb found on some of their other shorts.
The Insider 2 is highly breathable and lightweight, making it ideal for more than just cycling, and much of that stems from the thigh cutouts. The heavily perforated fabric (which is see-through in the outer thigh area) allows for tons of breathability and sweat-wicking but could be uncomfortable for those who prefer to cover more skin. Rest assured, the groin and behind areas are covered in non-see-through fabric, thank goodness.
Our expert review:
The 002 bib shorts use a Econyl, a fabric that’s made of regenerated nylon yarns. The sustainable material is delivered in a matte finish and is designed to offer a degree of compression as well as boasting a UPF 50+ rating. Notably the shorts feature a cargo style pocket on the right leg.
The Elastic Interface chamois is female-specific and includes a top layer with antibacterial properties. Again there are recycled elements used here and the pad reaches OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, which indicates that a textile product has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for human health. Reassuring stuff.
However, the shorts most notable feature is its ‘easy pee’ design. The right bib strap can be detached from the shorts via a magnetic clip to make comfort stops a little easier. There’s even a fabric loop on the strap to help you relocate it correctly. The wide straps are also designed to sit beside the breast area with the aim of eliminating any unwanted pressure points.
In general, the shorts impressed. The degree of compression was just right, delivering support without feeling restrictive. The leg grippers were effective, holding the shorts in position for the duration of our testing. The aforementioned pocket was another highlight, being located in just the right position to access during a ride.
We did find the pad to be a little too big for our liking, despite the rest of the shorts being ideal from a fitting perspective. However, it’s important to remember that the fit of a chamois pad is largely subjective; to reinstate this point, the shorts were passed on to another reviewer who found the pad to be perfectly comfortable.
The ‘easy pee’ element didn't prove to be quite so easy to begin with. It required a degree of flexibility and, initially, the help of a mirror to get the strap unclipped and then reattached. However, with a little practice we’d deem these as the best on the market when it comes to this feature, which is notoriously difficult for brands to get right.
The team here at Cycling Weekly are constantly testing and clothing more than anything. That is due to the seasonal nature of clothing, with fall/winter and spring/summer, as well as the huge variety of layering and styles. Frankly, you can't go out on your bike without wearing something, so it's easy for us to put thousands of hours into all kinds of garments.
More than any other piece of cycling clothing, cycling shorts are likely the most subjective. Thats why when it comes to the best women's cycling shorts, we always have women test these products, and where possible, we have multiple women test to ensure they suit different anatomies. The team absolutely, from time to time, endure pain and discomfort to bring you honest reviews and advice.
What are we looking for?
Fit, feel, and comfort are all important factors when assessing shorts, as is the quality and durability of the fabric, and that is why we always look to put shorts through a number of washes throughout testing.
Last but not least, we always try to use products not just shorts in a range of temperatures and conditions, regularly totally out of their intended use range, because you never know what surprises might arise.
You can find out more information on our testers and on how we test via our helpful guide.
Hannah is Cycling Weekly’s longest-serving tech writer. As a former road and track racer, as well as someone who’s tackled numerous endurance challenges including completing LEJoG unaided and a lap of Majorca, and tested more items of kit than she cares to remember, she’s ideally positioned to evaluate the merits of women’s cycling shorts.
Rachel’s been testing and writing about cycling tech for 15 years, as well as being the European and UK 24hr Mountain Bike Champion on more than one occasion. During this time she’s reviewed a large number of bib shorts, making her a fine judge of what works and what doesn’t.
There are a few key areas to consider when choosing cycling shorts as a woman. Most important is the chamois, whether it’s supportive enough – and in the right places – to be comfortable over long durations. The best way to test this is really only once you are on a bike, so make sure to ask the shop if you can just sit on one before making a purchase or make sure you can return them.
Next is the quality of the material and the fit. You should look for a set of shorts which is gently compressive to provide support for your muscles whilst not feeling too tight or constrictive. Higher-quality fabrics tend to give a nicer feel against the skin and are more breathable during hard efforts on hot days.
Wide-leg grippers help keep the shorts in place while also distributing pressure evenly to prevent digging in. Likewise, wide bib straps serve a similar purpose in distributing the pressure there.
It's also worth considering extra carrying capacity, as the best cargo bib shorts will typically include pockets, usually located on the thighs, allowing you to carry more on your rides and reach them conveniently.
Finally, there is whether the short has an easy-pee system. The straps of a traditional set of bib shorts mean you typically have to remove your jersey to get the straps down when you take a nature break. Some shorts these days are designed so you can keep your jersey on – which is particularly useful when your pockets are full of spares.
Women's cycling shorts
There are two types of cycling shorts: bib shorts and waist shorts, each with pros and cons. Choosing the right type depends on your riding needs, which may based on your body, style of riding and personal preference.
The main advantage of waist shorts is their simplicity, giving easy access for comfort breaks during long rides or quick changes for office commutes. Without an upper section, shorts are cooler for hot days or indoor training and are typically lighter and cheaper.
However, all forms of bike riding require bending around where the waistband sits, which can lead to discomfort. Some shorts address this issue with a low-slung waistline, but that can create an unflattering appearance and a gap between the shorts and the jersey. This is where bibbed shorts have a distinct advantage.
The bib straps help to keep the shorts up and eliminate the need for such a compressive waistband, and in general, can be made to offer a better fit around the legs and lower back. A bib short also allows for better seam and panel placement, thanks to the stronger structure, which ultimately offers better comfort overall.
They aren't perfect, that's for sure, but it is what most of the Cycling Weekly team would recommend. They certainly make comfort breaks more complicated, especially if it's out in nature and not in a toilet. Also, breasts and straps don't always work well together; most brands do design around this, but it does depend on your physique.
Popular options include halterneck bibs, which can be pulled over the head and threaded under a jersey or simply pulled down at the back. Zips around the waist and clasps that clip at the waist or back, which offer a similar function, aren't ideal as they add a lot of construction and seams, but they do work well.
Ultimately, the additional comfort, support, and features generally outweigh the cons when it comes to bib shorts.
Even if you own one of the best women's bike saddles, cycling shorts add an additional level of comfort and protection from soreness. Cycling shorts also provide light compression to your muscles, enhancing performance and recovery while also helping to wick away sweat from your skin quickly, keeping you cooler and more comfortable.
Being tight to the skin has its aerodynamic benefits, too, with no material free to flap away in the wind. Still, it also makes for a more comfortable riding experience, as excess material is avoided in areas prone to chafing and soreness, minimised discomfort.
Sportful women's pad
Try not to get too bogged down in the chamois construction, as almost all now feature fabrics and techniques that offer some antibacterial properties, breathability, sweat-wicking and quick-drying capabilities. However, double-check how it is sawn or inserted into the short to make sure seams or joins aren't in the wrong places.
However, generally speaking, the best prevention of saddle sores is self-care and chamois care, which includes always wearing fresh shorts, using antibacterial chamois cream, limiting chamois time when not on the bike, and hopping into the shower as soon as possible post-ride.
Areas of soft tissue need protection, so it is equally as important as the placement of this protection. The design should take into account women’s physical differences; remember, more padding is not always better.
Women's pad stitching
A woman’s specific chamois tends to be shorter and have sit bone padding slightly wider apart and more central soft tissue support than a man's.
One of the biggest causes of short discomfort can be the chamois-to-short interface. Unfinished edges and poorly positioned stitching can irritate legs, buttocks and groin. A niggle, when multiplied by several thousand pedal revolutions, can swiftly turn into full-blown painful chaffing and skin loss.
For a much more in-depth look at What's the Difference Between Chamois Pads, Hannah sat down with several prominent people in the field, including short and chamois manufacturers as well as bike fitters, to really get to the bottom of the topic.
Additionally, when discussing other anatomical areas that require protection, you may find our guide on the best sports bras for cycling a helpful resource for finding the best chest support to meet your needs.
Women's cycling shorts
When shopping for a pair of women’s bib shorts you’ll notice a wide discrepancy in the prices. Budget offerings typically have a thinner pad and don’t tend to offer much in the way of compression. For those new to cycling they are more than adequate but as the duration and volume of your rides increase it’s likely that you will want to upgrade to a pair of bibs with a pad that can handle longer days in the saddle.
The more you spend, the more you’ll enjoy the benefits of multi-material designs that have greater amounts of compression and breathability. The quality of the pad and the straps also improves.
While bib shorts have straps to keep them in place, waist shorts don’t. Instead they use an elasticated waistband.
The benefits of bib straps are two fold. Firstly the lack of a waistband prevents any ‘digging in’ at the waist, making them a far more comfortable option in general. Secondly, the straps do a better job of holding the shorts up and in place; a waistband can allow the shorts to move around when in the saddle, leading to discomfort.
However, for shorter rides a pair of waist shorts can work just fine. They also have the advantage of being cheaper than bibs and easier when it comes time to take a nature break.