Scopri i Migliori Pantaloni da Ciclismo del 2025: I Top Brand che Non Puoi Perdere!

The best cycling shorts are about as make or break as it gets in terms of cycling kit. Get it right and you’ll be in for endless miles of blissed-out riding in perfect comfort. Get it wrong and you may as well perch yourself atop a housebrick and ride down a cobbled street. 

Whether you’re getting your first pair of cycling shorts or your tenth, we’ve got you covered. Each member of the tech team has tested countless pairs and the following list is what we like to think of as the crème de la crème; it’s what we’d tell you to buy over a drink if you asked us (mine’s a negroni, if you’re asking). 

Here, we’ve tested the best cycling shorts for general road use, cargo bib shorts for those who need extra storage, and winter cycling shorts for cold-weather riding. Our top pick is the Pas Normal Mechanism as they have been spectacularly comfortable in every riding scenario we have used. There are plenty of other options though, for more scroll down to see our picks of the best cycling shorts for men. We have a separate guide outlining the best women’s cycling shorts.

As ever, if you’re not quite sure what you’re after we’ve got all the key questions taken care of at the bottom of the page to help you make the most effective use of your cash.

Quick list: Best cycling shorts

The best cycling shorts available today

For general riding, whether it’s a calm Sunday ride to a café, or a full gas crit, a standard set of cycling shorts is probably best. Comfortable, supportive, and with a good chamois are prerequisites, but our picks are a cut above without any gimmicks or marketing fluff. We’ve got options if you’re just starting out, through to pairs for riders who want maximum compression for the highest intensity racing. 

We’ve got options below with pockets, which can be useful both on road and off, and also thermal shorts for cooler rides, again including pockets in some cases.

Best cycling shorts overall

The Mechanism bib shorts are Pas Normal’s premium offering and I’ve been really impressed with them during several months of riding. 

As Pas Normal claims, the shorts do indeed provide a compressive and supportive fit and haven’t given me the slightest niggle or bit of discomfort whilst in use. I’ve worn them to climb Soller in Mallorca and whilst descending the Ghisallo pass with rain bouncing off the road. 

The bib straps are slightly restrictive whilst standing in the shorts but sat atop the bike they feel perfect, they are also around four centimetres wide and are thin and comfortable. The foam chamois pad was really comfy for me using a range of saddles and isn’t trying to rewrite the rulebook in its design so should work for a wide range of riders. 

They have washed well, and there is no sign of the lettering disappearing after several months. In Pas Normal’s latest iteration of these cycling shorts, they have opted for 5 colours ranging from navy through to earth and medium grey. It has since discontinued the burgundy option I tested and removed the risky white that had previously featured in its lineup, but this neutral and sophisticated palette still reflects Pas Normal’s position as both a premium and fashion brand.  

Best budget cycling shorts

When I (Josh) first put on the Altura Endurance bib shorts, their comfort immediately impressed me. The high front might make toilet stops a little more challenging, but it creates a secure and cosy feeling that’s unrivalled at this price point, only really matched in this regard by the twice-as-expensive Endura Pro SL EGM bibs. 

The big feature of Altura’s Endurance bibs is the kevlar-infused fabric from Swiss textile specialists Scholler. This adds to the compressive, comfortable feeling, with the added theoretical benefit of increased abrasion resistance when crashing. (I opted not to test this theory.)

I found the fit to be true to size, too. The only concern I had, if you can call it that, was the leg gripper which is a solid band that wraps around 4/5ths around the leg. It’s fairly tight, would pull on hair, and left a bit of an indentation at the end of rides. 

Best cycling shorts for durability

The Giara bib shorts are our pick as the pair of cycling shorts that will stand up to anything you throw at them, be that in the course of one ride, or over the cumulative years of ownership. I (Josh) have been using this pair of Giara bib shorts for approximately three years now, and they still look the way they did when they arrived. That’s despite being put through various multi-hour rides on road, gravel and mountain bikes alike. 

They don’t boast any real talking points in terms of features or specs. This dark green colourway and the reflective band are about as exciting as they get, but they’re comfortable, with light compression, a medium-thickness low-density chamois, and there aren’t any pressure points or chafing seams. 

Best for compression

The Concept bib-shorts are the top-level offering from Velocio and the brand says zero compromises were made in its design. 

The plush chamois used in the Concept shorts is integrated into the panel stitching, minimizing the amount of stitching and seams used and making for a more comfortable experience overall. The shorts are certainly comfortable, and a 45-minute climbing effort in high temperatures this spring couldn’t catch them out, with zero niggles for me anywhere. 

Elsewhere you get wide, soft and comfortable bib straps, a fairly long leg cut and reflective detailing across all three colour options. 

Best bib shorts for racing

The Pro Team Powerweave bib shorts are the Rapha range toppers and are the most expensive shorts in the guide. Developed with input from EF World Tour riders, using Rapha’s Powerweave fabric, which is meant to aid moisture management and reduce weight compared to the Rapha Pro Team bib shorts. We’ve spent a year-plus riding in the shorts to bring you our verdict.

The shorts are certainly lightweight and the long leg length paired with the compression of the fabric and raw hems certainly make you feel ready for action. The race chamois pad worked well for me and something of a sweat test climbing the Puig Major in mid-twenty-degree temperatures tested their moisture management, they passed this test with flying colours. 

They’ve held up well to washing and wear and still look like new, although I’m not so keen on the strap fabric and the shorts do tend to show sweat marks.

They almost feel like a ‘beyond category’ product and the very understated Rapha logos add to this feeling. If you want a high-performance, lightweight pair of premium shorts for training and racing these fit the bill. 

Read more in our Rapha Pro Team Powerweave bib shorts review.

Best endurance

The Velobici Jasper bib shorts are fairly lightweight bib shorts aimed at warmer weather riding. Manufactured in Leicester (UK), they use the Velobici seven-hour chamois pad which as the name suggests is aimed at long days in the saddle. These are indeed very comfortable shorts. I’ve spent over eight hours riding in these shorts, wearing them for over 10 hours total and they were faultless.

They use a soft four-way stretch nylon/lycra mix fabric which features flatlock seams on the legs. I would say the fit in my small sample was pretty much perfect. Compressive and supportive without a hint of tightness or bunching, the leg grippers stay in place using silicone ‘VB’ logos without being too tight and the leg length is good but not super long. The bib straps are a few centimetres wide and just do their job perfectly. 

Best cargo bib shorts

I’ve found it very hard to fault the Albion ABR1 pocket bibs. They are comfortable, they fit well without being overly compressive, which I find can get annoying on longer or multi-day trips, and they’re not fragile. They’re cut perhaps for a slightly less racy position than something actually designed for crit racing like the Rapha Powerweave, but for an endurance setup, they’re ideal.

They’re not overly expensive either, in the grand scheme of things; we’ve got shorts in this guide that cost double what these do. The real standout feature though is the pockets, the MO of any pair of cargo bibs. While most offer a pocket on each leg and three mostly inaccessible ones on the lower back to replicate those of a jersey, the Albion Pocket Bibs instead offer a mesh tube across the very base of your spine, into which a waterproof jacket can easily be stuffed while still riding. It’s a significantly more useful arrangement, and as long as these suit your anatomy and budget they’re the best of the bunch.

My only real criticism is of the leg grippers, but it’s not really a functional criticism. Compared to the invisible options used in the Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro they look a little old school, but I’m clutching at straws here. 

Best thermal bib shorts

If your winter riding consists of fast, high-intensity blasts, or actual racing, then the winter version of Rapha’s Pro Team Bib Shorts should be on your radar. The fit is very compressive, partially thanks to some very sturdy, more windproof outer fabrics; they feel noticeably stiffer in the hands than other cycling shorts, but on the bike, it translates to a very supportive grip, perhaps too much for some riders if you’re not into compression.

While the front of the thighs is this thicker, more resistant fabric, as is the lower back to deal with tyre spray, the back of the legs is a thinner, more breathable option to help avoid overheating. As per most of the Rapha shorts, the chamois too is thicker than many others, to the point you may need to drop your saddle a millimetre or two. 

I can’t think of a better option for an all-out blast, but as well as being quite a premium option the white straps and girdle on the navy version do peep out under my jersey sometimes, which is annoying from an aesthetic standpoint.

Also consider

The Endura Pro SL EGM cycling bib shorts are a high-quality pair of performance cycling shorts. We tested the long version which features a longer leg finishing up just above the knee. I fear my slightly longer-than-average femurs often make shorts measure up a little short in length but not so here. Have a look if you find your shorts often come up too short for your liking.  

All Endura EGM products have been designed in collaboration with Phil Burt – a physiotherapist and bike fitter who spent twelve years as head physio at British Cycling. The shorts feature the 800 Series Conform EGM chamois pad which I found really comfortable on short and long riders, some of which were at temperatures of 25C/77F and above for several hours riding in Mallorca. The chamois also employs silicone to relieve pressure and it seemed to do a good job here on long rides. 

The long version of the shorts adds about 4cm to the regular fit, but the regular shorts won’t be especially short though if you’re unsure about which to go for. Aesthetics-wise the shorts have a gloss black silicone ‘Endura Pro SL’ logo on each thigh and a white Endura logo on the rear.

Assos aims the Mille GTS shorts at endurance riding, although they port over features from the Equipe racing line. The fit is less compressive than the Equipe shorts and there’s enhanced breathability, as well as UPF 50+ sun protection and abrasion resistance. 

Assos fits its GTS S11 seat pad in the shorts, using its GoldenGate 2.0 front and rear attachment, with the central section free to move independently of the shorts fabric. The pad is up to 13mm thick and includes large cut-out holes to increase ventilation and a thinner, softer front layer designed for male rider comfort. 

The bibs hook to the shorts at the waist and to the seat pad, which Assos claims helps to keep things well-positioned.

The Assos Mille GTS shorts are very comfortable, particularly when it’s hot. The waistband is soft and elastic waistband and the new low profile leg grippers are comfortable, while the seat pad is first rate, although it does bulge at the front. You do pay for all Assos’s tech though and we reckoned that Assos’s cheaper Mille GT C2 shorts were the match for the GTS shorts in all but the hottest conditions.

Read more in our Assos Mille GTS S11 bib shorts review.

The Aero bib shorts from Nalini are the brand’s range toppers and use the Randonnée chamois pad alongside a host of technical features. 

I got on well with the Aero shorts from the off, finding the chamois, stretchy bib straps and laser-cut leg grippers all really comfortable. The shorts feature Italian Kinetech fabric which features + 50 UPF sun protection and a sort of 3d wide pinstripe pattern on the outside, which is claimed to aid aerodynamics. Simple white Nalini logos keep things stylish.

There’s a really useful pocket on the rear which is quite low down making it easy to stash a gel or spares in. Perfect for a race or fast ride. 

Rapha bib shorts, with a few notable exceptions like the Powerweave, tend to have a thicker chamois pad. If that’s what you’re after then these, or the more pricy non-core Cargo Bibs are definitely worth a look. I’ve used both on the same bike tour and the difference between the two once you discount the reflective details is marginal, so I’d save your money and use it for a big lunch out on the road. What’s more, the leg grippers on the Core version are more comfortable too.

If you don’t want the Albion bum tube, and instead want a more standard 2 rear pockets under your jersey then these are my pick, unless you want to pay double for the real luxury of the Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro. The main drawback is they’re just not quite so breathable as some others, but I managed just fine even on days when the temperature was above 30 degrees Celsius. 

Check out our Rapha Core Cargo bib short review for more details. We’ve also reviewed the standard Rapha Core bib shorts, which we reckoned provided premium performance without the price tag, but again were a little warm once the weather heats up.

If I could choose only one pair of adventure bib shorts I’d still go for the Albion, for the added utility. However, if you want the absolute best pair of shorts for a comfort perspective then the Expedition Pro from Pearl Izumi is nigh on unbeatable. The fabrics are soft, just the right amount of compressive, and there are barely any seams anywhere to add pesky pressure points. 

The straps are laser cut with no edge stitches, so they disappear completely, and they’re designed in such a way that you can drop the tail of the shorts down without taking them off when nature calls. The fabric too is water repellent, the chamois is brilliant and stays put, and the leg grippers are perfectly firm, invisible, and never uncomfortable. 

The price you pay though is… the price. These are nearly double the cost of the other options in this segment, and you can’t even get the jazzy floral print anymore (sorry fashionistas, you wish you were as cool as me!). Don’t be tempted to go for the standard Expedition shorts from Pearl Izumi thinking you’ll get basically the same thing (as is the case with the Rapha cargo options); the standard version doesn’t have a great fit, with a saggy bottom which allows the chamois to be too mobile. 

For more details check out our Pearl Izumi Expedition PRO Bib Short review.

Part of Castelli’s Unlimited range, the Unlimited Cargo Bib Shorts are available for men and women and are pitched at both gravel riding and greater practicality for road use. They include two mesh pockets in the legs, with flaps to help stop stuff falling out and a further two in the rear of the bibs, without flaps, although these are awkward to access when riding.

You get the Kiss Air 2 seat pad, Castelli’s second-tier design, although we still found it comfortable for seated rides and also when walking around off-bike. The straps too, although thin, are comfortable for the long haul. The fabric is a little lightweight for UK off-season riding, but a good summer choice. It wicks well, feels airy and doesn’t show sweat. 

While Castelli’s kit is in general now much more true to size than in the past, we followed the brand’s advice and sized up, which ensured a good fit. The Unlimited Cargo bib shorts compete in a crowded market though, so there are several similarly priced options worth considering.

Read our Castelli Unlimited Cargo bib shorts review for more.

In the winter sometimes you just want gear that gets the job done without fanfare. The thermal version of the FS260 Pro bib shorts are a worthy winter companion for more or less any ride, without having to splash out a load of cash. 

They feature a lovely high waist, with a zipper to help you get into them and access anything vital during a nature break. This higher waist does make them a very cosy feeling short. They don’t have the wind resistance of the Rapha Pro Team shorts, but for the price they’re extremely hard to fault. They’re comfortable, warm, and reflective, and given they were a little less premium than others I tended to opt for them on filthy winter gravel rides, which they put up with without any issues at all. 

The leg grippers and straps are noticeably less premium than Rapha’s, but they are perfectly comfortable all the same. In my experience, when the elements close in and its cold, wet, and windy, there’s not a single neuron devoted to straps or leg grippers unless they are truly awful. 

Pair these with the Endura Pro SL leg warmers (my outright favourite pair) and you’ve got a stellar winter riding setup.

For more details, check out our Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts review.

The Castelli Entrata 2 bib shorts are the brand’s entry-level men’s shorts. They’re available as waist shorts if you don’t want bibs. 

The shorts include Castelli’s Kiss Air 2 pad, which is a notch down from the Progetto 2 Air pad in its pricier shorts, being a little thinner with less dense foam. Nevertheless, we rated the Entrata 2 shorts among the most comfortable we’ve worn at the sub-£100/$110 mark and there’s significant trickle-down tech from Castelli’s pricier shorts. 

The hemless leg grippers are comfortable, there are two reflective tabs on the rear legs and the slightly compressive fabric works well. We did find the raised seams left a mark on our skin, although this doesn’t affect the performance. We reckon it could be worth splashing the extra cash on the Rapha Core shorts though.

You can read more in our Castelli Entrata 2 bib shorts review.

How to choose the best cycling shorts for you

The process of choosing the right cycling shorts for you is the same as with many things you’ll buy. 

Everything you need to know about the best cycling shorts

How do we test the best cycling shorts

Hours and hours in the saddle is the only way. Even when we’re not testing shorts specifically, if we’re riding a bike we are invariably wearing a set of cycling shorts, so each and every ride we get more clued into what works and what doesn’t. 

Critical is the comfort of the chamois pad, so we consider this carefully. It needs to be thick enough for the  intended use, without rubbing or moving around. The latter relies on the shorts having a good fit and being made of quality fabrics. There’s no substitute for Lycra content here. 

We also look at how well the leg grippers keep the shorts in place and whether the bib straps are comfortable. For summer shorts, air circulation is vital.

For specific duties there also comes specific testing. The thermal shorts I’ve tested in Atlantic storms on the clifftops of Cornwall and cargo bibs have been laden with snacks and accessories. 

My colleagues have used the sweaty world of indoor cycling to put those designed for the hottest, most humid conditions through their paces.  There’s a whole world of indoor cycling clothing, including shorts, designed specifically for this too.

For more details on our testing and scoring methods, we have a detailed How We Test page.