Thursday, March 16, 2023

The 14 Best Biker Shorts To Sweat In This Spring

When it's time to exercise, throwing on a cute and comfortable outfit can make all the difference in having the confidence and motivation to have a successful workout. And while leggings may be many of our go-to athletic bottoms, now that warmer weather is rolling around, we’re turning to their cropped cousins: the biker short.

Bike shorts can be worn for any type of physical activity, whether you're actually biking or running or participating in yoga, spin, or HIIT classes. And like leggings, they're also socially acceptable to wear outside of working out, whether you're lounging around your home or strolling through your grocery store.

But no matter if you're wearing bike shorts as athleticwear or athleisurewear, there are plenty of styles in the market to pick from. Read ahead to find the best biker shorts (according to rave customer reviews).

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Best Classic Bike Short


Adidas Essentials 3-Stripes Bike Shorts

A biker short with Adidas's trademark three stripes running down the sides? You can't get any more classic than that. These 93% organic cotton cycling shorts are both soft and stretchy. Happy customers — at least 142 of them — love the classic style and have praised its versatility. One customer left a review on the site, reading, “Great material! Fits perfect. Great for running errands, traveling, or chilling.”

Shop Adidas

Adidas Essentials 3-Stripes Bike Shorts, $, available at Adidas

Best High-Rise Bike Short


Girlfriend Collective Plum High-Rise Bike Short

Made from the same compressive, plastic-recycled material as Girlfriend Collective's all-time best-selling legging, these bike shorts — and their 11-inch waist rise and thigh-covering 8.5-inch inseam — are made to hold you in, no matter what kind of activity you're up against. They also have an impressive 5 out of 5 stars and
5,723 reviews on the brand's website. Many customers dubbed them their favorite bike shorts, and one wrote that they're spin class approved. They said, "Not only did it stay compressive the entire time but it was squat proof AND it stayed in place (no riding down and having to constantly readjust)."

Shop Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective Plum High-Rise Bike Short, $, available at Girlfriend Collective

Best Bike Short For Yoga


Lululemon Align High-Rise Short With Pockets

Cut from the same cloth as Lululemon's world-famous, buttery-soft Nulu fabric, it's no surprise these newer Align bike shorts have a fanbase as rabid as their ankle-length counterpart. Specifically designed for yoga and low-impact workouts, they're the perfect go-to bike short. This style is available in 6-inch and 8-inch inseams. With
4.2 out of 5 stars and 56 reviews on the brand's site, happy customers have praised the quality (and the handy pockets). One customer also wrote, "Worth every single penny. I have like 7 pairs and wear them every day!"

Shop Lululemon

Lululemon Align High-Rise 6" Short with Pockets, $, available at Lululemon

Best Sweat-Resistant Bike Short


Outdoor Voices TechSweat 6" Short

This updated Outdoor Voices short style uses
buttery-soft TechSweat fabric, which is cool to the touch. It was created for "high-sweat Recreation," meaning it can withstand sweat from anything from cardio to spin class to hot yoga. One customer wrote a stellar review, saying, "I got these bike shorts because I’ve started working out in a sauna style work out gym. They are a great material weight for getting really sweaty (130 degrees in the class) and hold in place pretty well." These shorts are also backed up by a 4.5 out of 5 star rating and 121 other reviews. 

Shop Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices TechSweat 6" Short, $, available at Outdoor Voices

Best SPF Bike Short


FP Movement Good Karma Bike Shorts

Free People’s Good Karma bike shorts are back and better than ever. The Good Karma collection promises zero bulkiness, sleek fabric, and a barely there feel. Plus, even better, these shorts were built for sweaty workouts inside and outside, so they have built-in SPF 30 UV protection. From the style’s previous release, one customer left a review, reading, “Love these bike shorts! Perfect for working out, lounging around, and of course, for biking! Fits perfectly :)”

Shop Free People Movement

FP Movement Good Karma Bike Shorts, $, available at Free People

Best Bike Short With Pockets


Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Side-Pocket Biker Shorts

We all love a good pocket moment. And these Old Navy bike shorts have very deep pockets. Other pros include the fabric’s light compression, smooth feel, breathability, four-way stretch, and moisture-wicking technology. Over 7,000 customers have left reviews and given these bike shorts a 4.7 out of 5 star rating. “These shorts are perfect for walking in the summer! Lightweight, just the right length, and POCKETS!!! Can't go wrong with these...and the COLORS really pop!“ one person commented.

Shop Old Navy

Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Side-Pocket Biker Shorts, $, available at Old Navy

Best Printed Bike Shorts


Beyond Yoga Flower Tile High-Waisted Biker Shorts

Want to make a fun fashion statement when working out? These Beyond Yoga bike shorts are the perfect option with its vibrant Flower Tile print. The print, thick waistband, and flattering cut look amazing on anyone. And in addition, these shorts are also really good for the environment. To help reduce waste, the durable shorts are created from recycled plastic bottles to form a comfortable polyester-spandex blend.

Shop Anthropologie

Beyond Yoga Flower Tile High-Waisted Biker Shorts, $, available at Anthropologie

Best Ribbed Waistband Bike Short


Vuori Rib Studio Short

Previously Vuori's most sold bike short, we have a few hunches surrounding its top-selling status: It has a comfy performance high waist and a ribbed waistband for smoothing, no-slip coverage. There also aren't any pesky side seams (which means it boasts a smooth, airbrushed hand feel all the way around the thigh). If you're not yet convinced, a 4.6 out of 5 star rating, 172 reviews, and one customer stating, "Perfect short for yoga or running. Nice fit and hug the stomach, creating an ultra-flattering fit," might do the trick.

Shop Vuori

Vuori Rib Studio Short, $, available at Vuori

Best Compression Bike Short


Skims Performance High Waisted Bike Short

Compression materials can promote oxygen flow, which helps with muscle performance, and adds extra comfort, especially for bikers who don’t want their shorts loosely sliding around. Skims’ new bike shorts offer similar compression to the brand’s already iconic, supportive, and sculpting shapewear. The warp knit compression material supports muscles and promotes blood flow. The firm support is prominent around the waistband and around the glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

Shop Skims

Skims Performance High Waisted Bike Short, $, available at Skims

Best Non-Compressive Bike Shorts


Hanes Stretch Jersey Bike Shorts

Designed to wear everywhere from the gym to the grocery store to your couch, these Hanes cotton jersey bike shorts are ultra-comfortable and plenty stretchy. The style’s cotton-spandex blend allows for easy movement without restriction. On Amazon, these shorts have 4.4 out of 5 stars and 38,653 reviews from people who’ve complimented the stretchiness and who wear them to work out, lounge around in, and more. “So I hate wearing dresses and have my legs rub. These are perfect and are not tight around the legs. Perfect for sleeping in also,” one person wrote.

Shop Amazon

Hanes Stretch Jersey Bike Shorts, $, available at Amazon

Best Organic Cotton Bike Short


Pact Apparel Organic Cotton Ribbed Bike Short

Most of the bike shorts in this roundup are specifically made for sweaty workouts — but these, from sustainable lifestyle brand Pact, have found their way into the loungewear closets of many reviewers. A super-soft, stretchy ribbed texture made from 89% organic cotton? And sustainably made? Say no more. With 4.7 out of 5 stars and 61 reviews, and customers boasting over wearing the shorts as loungewear, PJs, and shapewear, these are great not-so-average bike shorts. One customer on the site commented, "The fabric holds its shape and the colors are perfect. I will be wearing these under my favorite dresses all summer long."

Shop Pact Apparel

PACT Organic Cotton Ribbed Bike Short, $, available at PACT

Best Smoothing Bike Short


Parade Lightweight Bike Shorts

Parade may be your go-to for underwear, but the brand also has loungewear, athleticwear, and swimwear. The new lightweight bike shorts’ fabric offers a curve-hugging fit and a thick flattering waistband for a smoothing effect over your curves. The new upcycled cotton blend fabric is also very soft and breathable. “I love these. So soft against the skin and so comfortable,” one person left a positive review on the site, while another agreed, “Most comfortable fabric and look so cute."

Shop Parade

Parade Lightweight Bike Shorts, $, available at Parade

Best Micro Bike Short


Athleta Sand Sprint Swim Short

Okay, maybe you don’t want to bike in these micro-shorts, but you can do every other workout, including water sports in them. The sun-protected and recycled fabric is smooth, sleek, and stretchy. Plus, the high-performance material is accompanied by side-seam drawstrings to adjust the length and tightness of the shorts around your thighs. With 391 positive reviews and 4.5 out of 5 stars, you can be confident in this micro bike short option. One customer wrote, “I wasn't sure how this purchase would turn out but I love these bottoms. They fit perfectly, are athletic to do water sports, and I feel comfortable without having to cover up. I like the side strings too.”

Shop Athleta

Athleta Sand Sprint Swim Short, $, available at Athleta

Best Bike Short for Going Commando


Alo Yoga 7" High-Waist Biker Short

And if you’re one who prefers to go underwear-free under bike shorts, this Alo Yoga style is the one for you. These bike shorts are moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and front-smoothing for “commando comfort.” The sculpting Airbrush fabric also lifts and has 4-way stretch. 1,413 reviews and 4.4 out of 5 stars later, these bike shorts are a fan-favorite, especially in the ivory color, which many customers have been surprised by. One customer explained, “I was skeptical because white/ivory biker shorts, and leggings tend to be see-through.... Not these! These are thick, soft, and extremely durable.”

Shop Alo Yoga


Alo Yoga 7" High-Waist Biker Short, $, available at Alo Yoga

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