Mountain bike shorts are a good way to add comfort to your mountain biking without wearing the Lycra bike shorts typically found in racing cyclist circles. Mountain bike shorts usually look similar to board shorts used for surfing, with a slightly baggy fit for comfort and a built-in liner with padding. These shorts come in styles for both men and women, and may be found at sporting goods stores, bike shops and outdoor equipment stores, as well as online.
Fox Men's Altitude Shorts
According to the Performance Bicycle website, these shorts are made from a nylon/spandex shell with four-way stretch that allows you to move freely and also protects against abrasion. There are mesh panels on the front and back of the shorts that increase ventilation and keep you cool during rides, and the detachable liner helps wick away sweat. Molded Evo-M chamois has four-way stretch, an antimicrobial surface, a perforated core and an anatomical design for comfort in the saddle no matter what terrain you are on, and the side waist adjusters let you customize the fit. Side and back pockets with a removable sunglasses wipe let you hold everything you need for a day on the trails. These shorts retail for about $100 as of 2010.
Louis Garneau Women's Cyclo Shorts
The Louis Garneau women's Cyclo shorts are functional enough for mountain biking, but stylish enough to wear off the bike as well. The shorts have an 8-inch inseam and are made from water-repellent nylon Taslan fabric, with an integrated mesh inner short with Ergo MC9 chamois and leg grippers, says Team Estrogen. The right side pocket holds your things on the trail, and the Velcro pocket closure ensures your things are secure. The adjustable elastic drawstring waist lets you customize your fit, while the reflective logo on the front of the shorts aids with visibility at night. The price tag is about $50.
Shebeest Breezer Women's Boardshort
Another women's mountain bike short is the Breezer, made by Shebeest. This mountain bike short is actually a two-in-one short with a detachable inner bike short that you can wear under other shorts. The outer short is constructed from stretch microfiber with moisture transfer to let your legs move freely on the bike while staying dry. The inner bike short is made from a breathable mesh fabric with Shebeest's SheLastic chamois for comfort, says Team Estrogen. The outer short has an 8-inch inseam, while the inner short has a 6.5-inch inseam. The elastic waist makes the shorts comfortable to wear and the rear zip pockets provide secure storage spaces for your things. The Breezer is available for around $90.
Oakley Men's Plate Mountain Bike Short
The Oakley Men's Plate short is a blend of nylon and spandex for comfort and stretch, with an 11-inch inseam. The fixed liner has a chamois pad for shock-absorbing comfort. Zippered front vents let you cool off when things get hot, and the cargo pocket gives you a space to store some cash or incidentals you might need, says Altrec.com. A button fly with an adjustable waist lets you adjust the shorts for a better fit. These shorts go for about $80.
Member Comments