The 13 Best Bike Shorts For Women

Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch
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Few activewear essentials are as versatile as bike shorts. For some context, the bike-short trend was all the rage in the '90s, famously popularized by Princess Diana. The style ultimately fell out of favor until the late 2010s, when it got a high-fashion upgrade. Seen on the runways at Off-White, Saint Laurent, and Chanel, among other designers, bike shorts have solidified their status as a chic wardrobe must have with the celebrity stamp of approval. They're perfect for styling to the nines, throwing on with an oversize logo tee, or wearing to break a sweat at your cycling class.

True to their name, bike shorts hit your mid- to low-thigh — i.e., long enough to prevent inner-thigh chafing from a bike seat — and conform tightly to your body to ensure they stay in place while you pedal. The majority of these athletic bottoms are made of compressive, stretchy, and sweat-wicking materials such as lycra, spandex, and nylon, which are comfortable to work out in, whether you're biking or not. If you're not wearing them to sweat, there are plenty of bike-short options featuring the same silhouette but with more fashion-forward materials like cotton and polyester.

To help you find the best pair to suit your lifestyle, we rounded up the 13 best bike shorts for women, including options from Amazon, Target, and Nordstrom. Our curated shopping list has picks for avid workout enthusiasts, homebodies, and style gurus, so you may have a hard time choosing just one pair.

— Additional reporting by Marisa Petrarca

01
Best Overall Bike Shorts
POPSUGAR Photography | Haley Lyndes

Best Overall Bike Shorts

Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Side-Pocket Biker Shorts ($27)

These stretchy Old Navy bike shorts are a customer favorite with more than 7,000 five-star reviews. Shoppers rave about their spacious pockets, stretchy fit, and light yet supportive compression. They come in several colors and patterns, including floral, teal, and brown. Learn more about them by reading our complete review of the Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Side-Pocket Biker Shorts.

Editor Quote: "Not only do these shorts suck me in and give me shape, but their pockets can hold my phone, keys, or credit cards without worry. The quality is out of this world, and drumroll, please . . . they stay in place when you run! (Runners, you know the struggle of pants slipping)." — Haley Lyndes, former assistant editor, commerce

02
Best Bike Shorts For Training
POPSUGAR Photography | India Yaffe

Best Bike Shorts For Training

Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Shorts ($64)

These high-rise bike shorts are designed for all types of training, and per reviews on Lululemon's site, and especially great for avid bikers. One shopper says, "I absolutely love these shorts. They won't ride up no matter what you do which is perfect for me as I Peloton twice a day and they hold up. Good compression without feeling tight and fit true to size. Can't wait to get more!!!" The style is made from Lululemon's sweat-wicking Everlux fabric, which is designed to keep you feeling cool. Read our full review of the Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Shorts here.

Editor Quote: "The Lululemon Wunder Train High Rise Short is my favorite versatile short. I can wear it for all kinds of sweaty workouts, and it holds up. It's comfortable, sweat-wicking, and a new go-to for me." — India Yaffe, former associate editor, commerce

03
Best Bike Shorts For Yoga
amazon.com

Best Bike Shorts For Yoga

Beyond Yoga Space Dye High-Waist Bike Shorts ($68)

These black bike shorts are buttery soft and addictively comfortable. Their lightweight jersey fabric makes them great for lounging, stretching, yoga, and more low-impact exercises. Plus, the style's high-waisted design is just the right amoutn of compressive, so you'll feel completely supported through your next workout.

04
Best Soft Bike Shorts
POPSUGAR Photography | Macy Cate Williams

Best Soft Bike Shorts

Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Biker Shorts ($27)

These plush bike shorts are so comfy, you'll seek out opportunities to wear them. The high-waisted style is made from Old Navy's light and compressive PowerSoft material, which is stretchy and soft to the touch and even features an elasticized waistband that's designed to mold to your body's shape. For the full product details, check out our review of the Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Biker Shorts.

Editor Quote: " . . . they have side pockets so I can easily take my phone and keys on the go. They fit true to size (I'm wearing a medium), and the high-waisted cut is so comfy." — Macy Cate Williams, former senior content director, commerce

05
Best High-Waisted Bike Shorts
amazon.com

Best High-Waisted Bike Shorts

Persit Women's High-Waist Bike Shorts ($20)

These Amazon bike shorts are perfect for those who love patterns because there are several fun ones to choose from, such as camouflage, confetti, and more. Unlike other bike shorts, this particular pair also comes fitted with inside pockets which are handy for storing your credit card, license, keys — you name it.

06
Best Ribbed Bike Shorts
target.com

Best Ribbed Bike Shorts

Colsie Seamless Ribbed Bike Shorts ($12)

You can't beat the price of the ribbed bike shorts from Target. Not only are they affordable, but they also look high-end, thanks to their seamless design and ribbed texture. We love that they're available to shop in a variety of colors, and per reviewers, also have a flattering, compressive fit that helps you to feel held together through even the most vigorous workouts.

07
Best Performance Bike Shorts
nordstrom.com

Best Performance Bike Shorts

Beyond Yoga High-Waist Biker Shorts ($49-$70)

There's a reason Beyond Yoga is on this list twice. The brand offers size-inclusive, high-quality clothes that are made of the most durable materials, so you can feel confident that the pieces will remain staples in your wardrobe for years to come. One of the brand's standout styles is these high-waisted biker shorts. They're compressive and squat-proof, with a sleek design that's comfortable while providing complete coverage.

08
Best Everyday Bike Shorts
universalstandard.com

Best Everyday Bike Shorts

Universal Standard Roya Bike Shorts ($64)

Universal Standard is leading the charge when it comes to offering an extensive size range, and these breathable bike shorts are no exception. Available in sizes 4XS to 4XL, the versatile silhouette is a tad longer than typical bike shorts, which means they provide even more secure coverage. While they're not quite as durable or compressive as more athletic bike shorts, they are a great style to slip into for everyday wear — like when you're running errands or lounging at home.

09
Best Affordable Bike Shorts
amazon.com

Best Affordable Bike Shorts

A2Y Basic Solid Premium Cotton Bike Shorts ($11)

Hundreds of Amazon shoppers say these seamless bike shorts are great for under-dress wear, casual fashion looks, or relaxing on the couch. In a review, one customer says, "I love love love these bike shorts. I now own them in four colors, and they are perfect for lounging or using as pajamas." The style is made from a cotton and spandex composition, and is available to shop in over 50 different colorways (yes, 50!).

10
Best Stylish Bike Shorts
abercrombie.com

Best Stylish Bike Shorts

YPB SculptLUX 7" Bike Shorts ($38, originally $45)

Sometimes you just want a pair of stylish bike shorts that you can slip into and feel good about wearing — regardless of the workout or occasion. If you can relate, we recommend trying Abercrombie's activewear line (assuming, of course, that you haven't already). These sculpting bike shorts are one of our favorite pieces from the collection; pair them with the matching YPB SculptLUX Waist-Length Squareneck Slim Tank ($43, originally $50) for a more cohesive workout ensemble.

11
Best Crossover Bike Shorts
ae.com

Best Crossover Bike Shorts

Aerie Offline Real Me Crossover 7" Bike Shorts ($24, originally $35)

No two bike shorts are made the same, and this style is especially unique because it feature the stylish crossover waistband that's been dominating the activewear scene recently. Crafted from a lightweight fabric, the activewear bottoms boast a V-seam silhouette that's designed to hug your waist in all the best ways.

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Best Bike Shorts With Pockets
nordstrom.com

Best Bike Shorts With Pockets

Nike Dri-FIT Firm Support High Waist Biker Shorts ($65-$70)

These supportive bike shorts feature an eight-inch inseam and not two but six (!) pockets, including two angled, seamless side pockets for easy access; three drop-in pockets at the back waist; and a zippered pocket on the thigh. They also have an internal drawcord to adjust the waist to your liking.

13
Best Long Bike Shorts
athleta.gap.com

Best Long Bike Shorts

Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation Shorts ($59)

Looking for a pair of long bike shorts? Say less. This high-rise style from Athleta is a hit among shoppers for their nine-inch inseam — the longest option on our list of bike-short bestsellers. The athletic shorts are crafted from a buttery soft material and boast a medium compression that's perfect for those who want something a little tighter — but not too constricting.