MTB shorts and bib shorts for men, women and kids

Baggy shorts or cycling shorts: what to wear for mountain biking?

Cycling shorts, in close-fitting stretch fabric, remain the choice for cross-country and long, fast rides: nothing flaps, nothing catches on the saddle, and the chamois pad stays exactly where it should. In trail, enduro and downhill riding, most mountain bikers prefer baggy shorts worn over padded liner shorts. Baggy shorts give better protection against branches and falls, leave room for knee pads, keep their pockets and let you stop for a coffee without looking like a racer. Many riders switch depending on the ride, hence the appeal of shorts with a removable liner.

The liner, the part that makes all the difference to comfort

MTB shorts on their own have no padding: it is the liner, or inner shorts, that carries the chamois pad and limits chafing and pressure points on the saddle. Some shorts come with their liner, attached with press studs or loops, while others are sold without, for riders who already have padded shorts they like. Liners sold separately let you vary the thickness of the pad according to the length of the ride. A thicker pad is reassuring on long days in the saddle, while a thinner one is enough for short, aggressive rides where you often stand on the pedals.

The details of good MTB shorts

• The fabric: stretchy to follow your movements, resistant to abrasion, sometimes reinforced at the rear, where the shorts rub against the saddle.
• Waist adjustment: hook-and-loop tabs, buckles or a drawcord to adjust the waistband so that it does not slip while you pedal.
• Length: the hem should cover the top of your knee pads without pushing them up; try the shorts on with your own pads.
• Ventilation: zipped openings on the thighs or perforated fabric for climbs in hot weather.
• Pockets: zipped and placed on the side of the thigh, they hold a key or a phone without getting in the way of pedalling.

Trousers, long shorts and skirts: the other options

MTB trousers are gaining ground well beyond downhill: they protect your legs from brambles and falls, keep you warm in winter and, in water-repellent or waterproof versions, block the mud thrown up by the front wheel. Their cut narrows at the ankles so they do not get caught in the chain. Long shorts, longer than classic shorts, cover more of the knee, and MTB skirts, cut for mountain bikers, also hide padded liner shorts. Tights and leggings take over in winter under baggy shorts, and junior sizes let young riders wear the same kit as adults.

Completing your MTB kit

Choose your shorts together with your top: an MTB jersey with a longer back covers your waistband when you move back on the bike. MTB shoes and socks, found among the MTB clothing accessories, complete your kit, and a waterproof MTB jacket goes into your bag on uncertain days.

Which MTB shorts brands to choose?

CMP, an Italian brand from the company F.lli Campagnolo, based in Romano d'Ezzelino in Veneto, offers many shorts with an inner mesh liner, often removable, such as the Freebike, available as long shorts for adults and kids.

Silvini, a Czech maker of cross-country skiing and cycling clothing based in Zdiby, north of Prague, kits out mountain bikers with the Fabriano shorts and the women's Fabriana version, MTB skirts such as the Isorno and Rango long trousers.

POC, whose mission is to reduce the consequences of accidents, offers the Motion shorts and the lighter Motion Air version, the women's Infinite All-mountain and padded shorts such as the Oseus and the Synovia.

Leatt, a protection specialist born in South Africa, covers the whole lower body: Trail and Endurance padded shorts, AllMtn and Enduro shorts, Trail and Gravity trousers, and waterproof HydraDri trousers for rides in the rain.

Royal Racing, a British brand born in the early days of downhill, designs its mountain bike clothing with riders; here you will find its Core, Core Quick-Wick, Quantum and Storm shorts.

Giro offers trail shorts such as the Havoc, the mid-thigh-length Arc and the Ride, in men's and women's cuts.

MTB shorts on sale

End-of-line models and odd sizes go to MTB clothing clearance, and shorts that have just been added to the catalogue are among the new arrivals. The seasonal sales and the summer sales arrive just before the season of long rides.

Frequently asked questions

Should you wear underwear under MTB shorts?

No. Padded liner shorts or cycling shorts are worn directly against the skin: underwear would add seams and moisture in the most sensitive area. If your shorts have no liner, wear them over your usual padded shorts.

What are gel MTB shorts?

They are shorts whose chamois pad combines foam with gel inserts at the pressure points. Gel absorbs shocks, but it is above all the fit of the shorts and the density of the foam that provide lasting comfort. First and foremost, try shorts that do not move when you pedal.

How long should MTB shorts be with knee pads?

The hem should overlap the top of your knee pads by a few centimetres in the pedalling position; otherwise a strip of skin is left bare and the knee pads tend to slip. Longer shorts and enduro shorts often solve the problem.

Why wear MTB trousers?

For protection and comfort outside the summer season: they prevent grazes from brambles and falls, keep your legs warm and dry, and fit over knee pads. In downhill and at bike parks, many riders now ride only in trousers.

How do you choose the size of MTB shorts?

Start from your waist measurement and the brand's size guide, then check in the pedalling position: the shorts should neither pull at the thighs nor slip down at the back. The waist adjusters can absorb a small difference, but not shorts that are too wide and would rub on the saddle.