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.
For more can’t-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.
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).”
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
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I Tried Plus-Size Activewear From Top Brands IRL
