Skin-tight Lycra isn’t the only option for cycling shorts. Here are 10 of the best baggy alternatives for commuters
Padded Lycra shorts are designed for sports cycling, where aerodynamics and long-ride comfort are critically important. They can be worn for everyday use but their benefits are less obvious and their disadvantages are more pronounced. They’re conspicuous off the bike – in the office, the shop, or the pub, for example – so only suit A to B journeys where you’ll change on arrival. And few of them have practical features like pockets. Baggy shorts, by contrast, pass for normal clothing. You can wear them at work, not just to work.
Some baggy shorts come with a padded liner. Those that don’t can be worn over padded underwear from the likes of Endura, Corinne Dennis, Altura or VeloVixen. Whether you need that padding depends on you and your commute; normal underwear is generally fine for shorter everyday cycling trips. So too are normal shorts.
Baggy cycling shorts tend to be more comfortable and practical than high-street styles, however. They’re usually made of a fabric with some stretchiness in it (thanks to a small percentage of elastane in the mix), so don’t flap or chafe when pedalling. They don’t have thick seams in the crotch; some even have a gusset for a seam-free saddle interface. Most are longer in the leg, since shorts ride up a little while cycling. Many cycling shorts have a durable water-repellant (DWR) coating, and most have pockets with zips so your keys, wallet and phone won’t fall out while riding. The more miles you’ll ride in your shorts, the stronger the argument for choosing cycling-specific ones.
DHB Women’s Baggy Shorts RRP £45
DHB is the own brand of internet retailer Wiggle, which accounts for the relatively low price of these understated shorts. The waistband is high and wide, so won’t dig in or expose your lower back while riding, and they’re roomy enough to wear over padded underwear. Belt loops, two hand pockets and a zipped fly give them the look of ordinary shorts but there are some subtle cycling features too: an inside leg gusset to keep seams away from the saddle; a zipped rear pocket; and reflective strips on the leg cuffs. Materials: 75% recycled polyester, 20% cotton, 5% elastane. Colour: black. Sizes: 8-16 (men’s XS-XXL).
DHB Women's Baggy Shorts
Madison Roam men’s short RRP £49.99
With subtle branding and high-street styling, the Roam shorts don’t look out of place when you’re off the bike. Two hand pockets, a zipped fly and belt loops complete the everyday look. But there’s stretch fabric in the rear yoke (the panel below the waistband) to provide a secure, gap-free fit while riding. The shorts have a DWR coating and the adjustable waistband has silicone grippers on the inside to help keep liner shorts in place. The rear pockets are zipped and there’s a zipped security pocket inside one of the hand pockets. Colour: black. Sizes: S-XXL. The nearest women’s equivalent is the Roam women’s stretch shorts (sizes 8-16, black or ‘desert storm’).
Madison Roam Men's Shorts
The stretch cotton fabric of these stylish shorts has a NanoSphere surface treatment to help them shrug off water and stains. Unlike a DWR coating, it shouldn’t wear off. There’s a diamond-shaped gusset to stop you from sitting on uncomfortable seams, and they’re designed with a higher back and lower waist so don’t expose skin or dig in while riding. Of the four pockets, the two rear ones are buttoned and have reflective trim. Other features include belt loops, a zipped fly, and neat turn-ups for the legs. Materials: 98% cotton, 2% elastane. Colour: burgundy with black or silver trim. Sizes: 10-16 (men’s 30-36in).
Velocity Women’s Climber Shorts Burgundy
Five Ten is best known for its grippy, flat-pedal mountain bike shoes. Its logo appears prominently on these shorts, giving them a look that’s sportier than civvy notwithstanding the belt loops and zipped fly. They’re made from a four-way stretch fabric, which doesn’t restrict pedalling on the bike and feels just as comfortable off it. There are no rear pockets but the three front ones – two at the waist, one on the thigh – all have zips. The waist is adjustable with a draw cord if you don’t want to use a belt. Material: 90% recycled polyester, 10% elastane. Colour: black or ‘wonder steel’. Sizes: 6-20 (mens 28-40in, in black or ‘savanna’).
Five Ten Brand of the Brave Shorts
Endura Hummvee Chino Short with Liner Short RRP £69.99
Any of Endura’s mountain biking baggy shorts could do double duty as commuter wear but the colours and styling tend to be bold. The Hummvee Chino shorts are specifically designed for everyday use and are smart enough for casual offices. With a tailored waistband, zipped fly and four pockets, they look like high-street shorts. Yet they’re made from a stretch fabric that won’t interfere with pedalling and come supplied with a padded liner short. This attaches to the outer shorts with Endura’s ClickFast poppers at the waist, and it can be removed for shorter rides or hotter days. Material: 59% cotton, 40% polyester, 1% elastane. Colour: grey, mushroom, navy. Sizes: S-XXL (no women’s version).
Endura Hummvee Chino Short with Liner Short
Made from a fairly heavy-duty (325gsm) fabric, these Swrve shorts nevertheless have a four-way stretch for ease of movement on or off the bike. The crotch is gusseted, and like most cycling shorts they have a higher back and lower waist. There are plenty of pockets: two front, two normal-sized rear ones (one with a zip), an additional small rear pocket, and two pockets for pens. The waist fastens with a button rather than a popper, which should be more secure, and two of the rear belt loops are reflective. A DWR coating helps shrug off light showers. Material: 55% cotton, 38% nylon, 7% spandex (i.e. elastane). Colour: black, grey, olive. Sizes: 28-38in (no women’s version).
Swrve Durable Cotton Cigarette Shorts
Nominally intended for gravel biking (hence ‘all roads’), these shorts are at home on the road or off it, on the bike or on foot. They’re made from a durable ripstop fabric whose weight promises a long use life. There’s some stretch in it for ease of movement on the bike but little in the waistband itself, so try for fit if possible to ensure you get the right size. They come with a removable, padded liner for additional on-bike comfort. Only two pockets are provided, both at the front and both zipped. The shorts have a DWR coating and some reflective details. Colour: navy, olive, khaki. Sizes: S-XXL (women’s 8-18, grey only).
Altura All Roads Men’s Repel Cycling Shorts
Giro Women’s Arc Mid Shorts RRP £79.99
Most cycling shorts finish just above the knee. These Giro ones have an inseam that’s only 12.7cm long, so should appeal to cyclists wanting short shorts rather than Bermuda-style shorts. Aside from the leg length, the design ticks the usual boxes: a higher back and lower waist; a DWR coating on the ripstop polyester fabric for grime and shower resistance; belt loops; and Velcro waist adjusters. There are three pockets: two hand pockets at the waist and a zipped pocket on one leg. If you do want longer legs, the non-Mid version of the Women’s Arc Shorts has a 30.5cm inseam. Material: 100% polyester. Colour: black. Sizes: XS-XL (men’s 30-38in).
Giro Women’s Arc Mid Shorts
Rapha Women’s Randonnee Shorts RRP £100
Once available in a range of colours, at the time of writing Rapha’s lightweight city shorts were only for sale in Henry Ford black. The slim-fit design is made from a crease-resistant, lightweight stretch fabric that’s comfortable and airy on the bike. Seams are offset to avoid unwanted pressure. They’re cut high in the back like most cycling shorts, and the hems can be turned up to reveal hi-vis tabs and pink trim. There are four pockets: two at the front (zipped) and two at the back (one zipped, one buttoned). The waist has a double button closure, and there are belt loops if you need to fine-tune the fit. Material: 94% nylon, 6% spandex (i.e. elastane). Colour: black. Sizes: XXS-XL (men’s 28-36in)
Rapha Women’s Randonnee Shorts
Chrome Men’s Folsom Short RRP £130
Chrome Industries specialises in urban cycling gear. Rather than shorts that you can wear for commuting, the Folsoms are designed for it. That’s why there’s an unobtrusive U-lock holster attached to the waistband at the back. They have a double-layer gusset for saddle comfort and wear resistance, and the nylon/spandex fabric has a four-way stretch for pedalling freedom. It feels heavier-duty than some shorts, so seems likely to last. There are four pockets, two front and two rear. The Folsom also comes in a Mid-Short design, which has an inseam that’s 5cm shorter. Material: nylon and spandex. Colour: black, ‘castle rock’,‘monk’s robe’,‘olive branch’. Sizes: 28-38in (closest women’s equivalent is the Chrome Women’s Anza Short).
Chrome Men’s Folsom Short
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