Bike shorts are an essential part of your cycling kit whether you’re a beginner or an experienced biker. However, most people take them for granted and assume that all bike shorts are created equal, but that’s not always the case. Truth is, if you want to find the best mountain bike shorts then you have to keep in mind the quality of construction, price range, features, and of course, fit.
There are pros and cons to buying bike shorts without considering these factors and in the following guide we’re going to share helpful pointers with you on how to choose the proper pair for your needs.
Best Budget MTB Shorts
One of the easiest ways to find the best mountain bike shorts for big guys is to try out a few options and decide based on your experience which one does it for you.
If that doesn’t sound feasible for you, then you might be better served reading the following guide, complete with reviews.
1. Silvini MTB Shorts Rango
These SILVININ bike shorts come with 6 pockets to store valuables such as a mini water bottle, GPS device, and even your smartphone charging cable. They’re designed with care by Silvini and are made for comfort.
These shorts also come with an adjustable belt that you can use to ensure a comfortable and customized fit. This is in addition to a quality stretching band for further customization. This non-restrictive design makes them ideal for various cycling activities, whether you’re in an urban environment or in the mountains.
You’ll love the reflective strips that are designed to help keep you visible when cycling at night or in low light conditions. It’s a must-have feature for any serious biker and it’s what makes them the best women’s mountain bike shorts.
2. EZRUN Padded Bike Shorts
With their 3D padding, fast-drying material, and comfortable fit, these mountain shorts from EZRUN have a lot going for them.
They’re perfect for use in competitions because you can wash and use them as many times as you like, and they come with removable padding which adds to their fast-drying properties. Plus, you can always use them without padding if you like. These shorts are constructed from 100% polyester material which is comfortable, breathable, and strong. This material is also moisture-wicking and the shorts’ design comes with three pockets with Velcro lining.
They’re great for storing your phone or GPS device while you’re hurtling down the mountain, and we think they’re the best padded mountain bike shorts.
3. Santic Men’s MTB Shorts
These bike shorts for men from Santic are a budget-friendly option to consider if you’re looking for entry-level shorts. They’re constructed from a combination of Lycra and polyester which makes them durable, flexible, and sturdy.
These shorts are also highly breathable, moisture-wicking, and comfortable to wear all day long regardless of the season or climate.
On the seat of the shorts is a convenient cushion made from 4D COOLMAXX technology. This means that these shorts are flexible and can adjust to your body movements in order to prevent injury to this very sensitive area.
4. CANARI Gel Baggy Cycling Shorts
One of the many things that these shorts get right is having a durable outer shell and a breathable liner to protect you from the elements and potential accidents.
They’ll keep your legs safe from dings and scratches in case of an emergency and they’re perfect for off-road applications. The backstretch yoke is flexible enough to ensure pedaling efficiency no matter where you are, and the chamois offers shock-absorption properties to handle rough terrain.
On the front of these mountain biking shorts are two pockets including one zippered pocket to keep your phone, keys, and even a small wallet safe as you go up and down hilly terrain. This is in addition to belt loops and buttons that enable an even more customizable fit.
5. PEARL IZUMI Shorts
Constructed from 100% polyester fabric, these men’s shorts from PEARL IZUMI are simply perfect for avid bikers who have to go through rough terrain and trails.
They’re suitable to wear on your urban adventures, for daily commuting, going downhill, freeriding, and doing cross country. They come in several different designs and colors, and are constructed from breathable material with a removable 3D tour Chamois liner.
In addition to offering great value for money thanks to the included padding, these mountain bike protective shorts fit loosely and comfortable and come with a belt loop stud that allows you to customize the fit. There are also two hand pockets that you can use to store your cycling essentials.
6. Hiauspor Mountain Shorts
These bike shorts from Hiauspor are thoughtfully-designed and well-made. They’re constructed from a moisture-repellant combination of Spandex and polyester materials and they’re ideal for use in mountain biking applications. They’ll handle the rain as well as the snow with equal ease.
They fit comfortably yet firm, thanks to the durable stitching and the material itself stretches four ways. As if that weren’t enough, these shorts are made from a fast-drying material with moisture-wicking technology that’s designed to maintain optimal comfort no matter where you are.
We also love the fact that these shorts are fully adjustable thanks to their built-in elastic waistband. They’re definitely one of the best men’s mountain bike shorts.
7. The Single Tracker Bike Cargo Shorts
You can tell just from looking at these shorts that they’re made to perform. Although the material they’re made from is quite thin, there’s firm padding featured in the best MTB padded undershorts to protect your nether regions in case you experience an accident of some sort.
The only caveat is that these shorts run large so you might want to buy a size smaller than usual. They’re made from a material known as Cordura which is ideal for use when biking outdoors because they make it easier to handle mud, snow, and rainy conditions.
You’ll be glad to know that the padding on these shorts is anti-bacterial and perfect for long-distance biking. There’s a couple of belt loops and a firm waistband to keep the shorts in place and you can always adjust them to achieve the perfect fit.
8. Fox Head Ranger Cargo Shorts
These men’s cargo bike shorts from Fox Head offer great value for money. They are stylish as they are comfortable and durable. You can get them in three different colors and each one comes with a variety of great features that you’ll love.
This includes an adjustable waistband as well as a double stud feature on the interior to prevent the shorts from riding up when you’re going up and down hills.
Also featured on these shorts are Velcro cargo pockets, zipper hand pockets, and back pockets for your convenience. The pockets aren’t zippered so you’ll have to keep that in mind if that’s important to you. But, they’re safe enough to keep your belongings in place while you’re riding your bike through rough terrain.
How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike Shorts
Alright, now that we know who the contenders are for the title of the best MTB liner shorts, it’s time to look at the criteria that we considered when compiling this list, particularly the features that we recommend you look at in your search as well.
Adjustable Waist
The first thing you should look for when shopping for mountain bike shorts is an adjustable waist. This is important because it’ll determine the fit and comfort of your shorts. Velcro tags come highly recommended because they won’t scuff your skin and they look neat.
The only downside is that Velcro material tends to catch on sweaters and jerseys. While buckle straps are available as an alternative they’re not without their own downsides.
Hip Pockets
You don’t necessarily NEED hip pockets but you might want them to keep your phone, keys or small change on hand just in case. The deeper they are, the better.
Cargo Pockets
Cargo pockets are great in theory same as cycling gloves or mountain bike gloves because they mean extra storage space, but they do place your essentials in a precarious position.
Should you get into an accident, the cargo pocket is in the line of impact and can easily place your gear in jeopardy.
Length
Longer length shorts obviously offer better protection against the elements and against injury should you accidentally fall off your bike.
The longer the leg, the less likely the shorts are to ride up so you should definitely consider a minimum 13-inch inseam when buying shorts.
Fly
Most shorts come with a press-stud fixing on the fly to prevent the waist from popping open. Sometimes, an extra Velcro strip is added to keep the fly shut.
If your shorts don’t come with waist adjusters, then belt loops might be a good idea.
DWR Coating
DWR coating refers to a water repellant treatment that is added to bike short fabric during the manufacturing process.
Some shorts don’t come with this but you can always purchase DWR coating separately and apply it onto your shorts when necessary. You should know it will wear off so you’ll need to re-apply it and even buy more when it runs out.
Liner
Inner liner shorts are a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy a comfortable fit in their budget women’s MTB bike.
This isn’t a standard feature in most bike shorts because liners are available for purchase separately. The most important thing is to ensure that the liner is moisture-wicking and comfortable.
Needless to say, liners are essential and if your shorts don’t come with one then you can expect to pay about $25 for a separate liner. A good pair of MTB grips will serve you well in this case also even when riding on a training kit.
Bibs
We are sure you’ve heard of bib shorts before. They’re basically cycling shorts that come with shoulder braces to ensure that the shorts don’t fall off no matter what happens or what mountain bike frame you have.
The downside of even the best MTB bib shorts is that they cost more than your regular liner shorts and it’s a hassle to go to the bathroom when you have them on. This is even worse if you decide to wear baggy shorts over them. They’ll just keep falling down at every turn when riding your Mongoose mountain bike.
Conclusion
The key to finding the best bike shorts is to first determine what features are important to you. Once you’ve figured that out you can then take your pick from the options we reviewed in the above sections.
Of all the options featured in this guide, we highly recommend the Silvini MTB Shorts Rango as our top choice. Although pricey, these shorts are well worth the price.