8 Best Women's Mountain Bike Shorts

“You’re wearing baggies?!” That was pretty much the universal response when regular riding partners spied me in these sweet coral-colored shorts. A longtime Lycra devotee, I just never liked that feeling of wearing shorts over my shorts and didn’t like all the bulk. The Enduros have none of that. These 100-percent polyester shorts are whisper-light and considerably stretchy, so they disappear and move with you when you pull them on and start to pedal. They’re low-profile and tapered for a very flattering fit. The inner thigh glide patches keep them from rubbing on the saddle. The zippered stash pocket in the rear is big enough for a phone, ID, and cash. The silicone grip strip on the back of the waistband keeps them firmly in place, no matter how low you go over your back wheel. They also wick well and dry super fast, which is awesome because they’re so beautiful that when I’m done with a ride, I just remove my chamois liner, pull ‘em back on, and go grab my post-ride beer in comfort and style. Available in black and coral colors, sizes XS through LG. —Selene Yeager

Price: $120, on sale now at Competitive Cyclist

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Bright colors and liberal use of stripes aside (but hey, if you really want to turn up the wattage, pair these shorts with our yellow limited-edition Bicycling jersey!), the first word that comes to mind when I think of these shorts is “unobtrusive.”

The adjustable-waist shorts fit loosely enough to be comfortable, but slimly enough that they don’t catch on my seat when I move in and out of the saddle on rolling, rocky singletrack. They’re also quiet: The fabric, although sturdy, has a soft finish, so you don’t get that ’90s-wind-pants rustling sound that plagues some mountain bike baggies. And after stashing my phone in one of the two cargo pockets, I didn’t notice it at all while pedaling.

The Tangle shorts aren’t lined, so I wore them over a pair of road spandex shorts while mountain biking. But I also plan to wear them as street clothes on the bike path and boardwalk this summer—because shorts this fun deserve to be noticed. —Emily Furia

Price: $110
Info: giant-bicycles.com

Liv Tangle, $110.00

When the temperatures dip and you want to protect your knees from the chilly air without messing with leg warmers, reach for a pair of knicker-length baggies like Pearl Izumi’s Launch Capris. These perfectly tapered pants are articulated in the knees, so they cover your hinges without any binding or pulling as you pedal. The stretch polyester material is light, wicks and dries quickly, and moves with you. The Velcro back waist adjustment panel lets you dial in the fit, so the capris stay put no matter how low you go. I wore mine during an 80-mile fat bike race. They got snowed on and spattered with mud while I stayed clean and relatively dry. They also washed up like new when I was done. One niggle: The capris have two front zip pockets, which is nice. But I’d rather have a side or a rear waistband pocket to keep stuff out of the way while I’m pedaling. Otherwise these are pretty perfect for both on- and off-the-bike activity. Available in purple wine and black, sizes XS through XXL. —Selene Yeager

Price: $80
Info: pearlizumi.com

Pearl Izumi Women’s Launch Capri, $80.00, $79.95 at Competitive Cyclist

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Kitsbow led the way in popularizing fitted, tailored-looking mountain bike shorts that abandon the board-short look of baggies past, so it’s no surprise that of all the new, un-baggy baggies in my drawer, the RG Short is my favorite.

The softshell-like fabric feels sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of trail riding, but soft enough to be comfortable on the bike for hours. The cut is fitted but not overly tight, even on my larger thighs, and of all the shorts in my drawer, these are easily the shortest, falling a bit below mid-thigh. This does make choosing an undershort a little tricky—many road bib shorts are long enough to peek out from the hems when I’m in riding position. However, most mountain bike liners (which tend to be shorter than bibs) and some shorter road bibs stay hidden. I also appreciate that, combined with the slim cut, the shorter inseam gives the RG a very feminine and casual look. I’d wear the RGs out to the bar after a ride and wouldn’t feel self-conscious in the least. Kitsbow also has the Women’s Short ($210) that has a longer inseam than the RG.

Sizing is numerical, which helps ensure a good fit. The RG ran true to my jeans size, and on the bike, the waistband falls right in place over my hips so there’s no gap between my lower back and the shorts when I’m riding. The hems are cut gradually higher in the back of the knees and combined with the shorter cut, means zero rubbing when I’m pedaling—it all further helps these shorts to disappear when I’m on the bike. The button features a slider snap for double security so that it doesn’t pop open even during the most hectic rides. The RG’s do seem to absorb a little more sweat than some shorts made of fabrics that feel higher-wicking, so even if they don’t need an immediate wash I tend to hang them up to air dry a bit after very hot summer rides. And they don’t work with knee pads unless you’re comfortable with a little “gaper gap.” But for their cool but understated look and excellent performance on the bike, the RG short is easy to recommend for anyone who can afford it.—Gloria Liu

Price: $269

Info: kitsbow.com

Kitsbow Women’s RG Short, $269.00

Lately, women’s baggies have gotten significantly less… baggy. While the form-fitting cut is great for style points, it can make wearing a full chamois or body armor underneath a little tough. Enter the Zoic Naveah. These shorts definitely have a feminine fit, but they’re a little more generously cut than other options, which makes fitting my knee pads underneath super simple. They’re a little longer, too: They fall about to my knee (I’m 5’4”), which could be awesome for taller women. The fabric is super light and quite stretchy, which feels great on hot days and make them super-easy to pack down. Velcro straps on the waistband fine-tune the fit, and locking zippered pockets keep your stuff safely tucked away.

The Naveah is sold with or without a chamois liner. The chamois is comfortable, but it’s pretty thin—I went for something cushier on longer rides. I’d also prefer a yoga-style waistband on the liner, since the elastic tended to dig in, especially when I was really pedaling hard. The shorts are available in five colors—light gray, dark grey, black, navy, and fuchsia—and Zoic sells jerseys to match. —Taylor Rojek

Info: zoic.com
Price: $85

Zoic Naveah, $85.00

Shhh. Technically, the Ignite Bermuda is categorized as a running short on Sugoi’s site. But they work great worn over a bib short or mountain bike liner short for light, everyday trail riding too. You get the slim cut that’s all the rage for mountain bike shorts these days, at a more reasonable price than some options in this slideshow. The four-way stretch fabric is lighter, thinner, and softer-feeling than most mountain bike overshorts, making it a cool choice on very hot days, as well as just a super-comfortable short. Yet it retains a surprisingly structured look when worn—I have bigger legs, and the Ignite Bermudas still provide breathing room for my thighs rather than simply stretching out. A flat elastic waistband makes getting in and out of these zero-fuss and makes the belly look flat, and simple front pockets can hold small items (there’s even an internal zip pocket for valuables). An 11-inch inseam is just the right, flattering length—the hems fall right above my kneecaps. While the thinner fabric (it feels almost like very sturdy, stretch T-shirt fabric) doesn’t provide quite the amount of protection I’d like in a higher-speed trail crash, I wear these shorts regularly for my normal weekday hour-or-two jaunts.—Gloria Liu

Price: $75
Info: Sugoi.com

Sugoi Women’s Ignite Bermuda, $75.00

For women who aren’t looking for bright colors or loud patterns (but want a pair of mountain bike shorts capable of looking rad, staying in place, and feeling great even in summer heat), 7mesh has your back: The brand recently released an excellent women’s version of the Glidepath baggy shorts. While the fit is made for women, 7mesh didn’t skimp on the features that made the men’s shorts great. Made with the brand's Soma two-way stretch fabric, the shorts fit comfortably without sagging or stretching out mid-ride, and whether you’re a belt person (there are loops) or prefer an easy adjuster (got that too!), you’re in luck. A water-repellent coating is also quick-dry for sudden downpours—a welcome feature when you're on the trail. The shorts are compatible with knee pads (except for ultra-burly DH ones), so enduro lovers are sure to be stoked. Front pockets make standing around feel less awkward, while zipped side pockets keep your phone in place while shredding. —Molly Hurford

Price: $140
Info: 7meshinc.com

7mesh Glidepath, $140.00, $139.95 at Competitive Cyclist

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One of my biggest problems with mountain bike shorts is temperature-related: Wearing extra fabric over your spandex can make a hot day on the bike even more challenging. That’s why I like the Specialized Andorra Pros. They have several features that are built in to help you keep cool in sweaty situations. The fabric is thin and relatively stretchy, and an elastic panel below the rear waistband offers greater freedom of movement. Laser-perforated holes on the inner thighs provide a cool breeze, but are stronger than mesh. And the fabric of the chamois liner is super lightweight (and a little see-through—you won’t be able to wear it on its own), but the pad is thick and comfy enough for long rides.

Besides the attention to keeping you cool, there are some other really smart features: Super-sticky Velcro tabs adjust the waist to the right size, the inner waistband is super soft, and two diagonal pockets hold your stuff. Plus, the chamois liner has a SWAT pocket that’s big enough for a gel or some snacks that can be accessed by a zipper on the outer short. The Andorra Pro shorts come in two colors: turquoise and black. —Taylor Rojek

Price: $130
Info: specialized.com

Specialized Andorra Pro, $130.00