Men's Cycling Shorts

Do I really need cycling shorts?

To be brief: yes. You do need cycling shorts. When you’re a sportive cyclist, you’re often cycling for an extended period of time. If your cycling shorts or pants aren't that great to begin with, because of the material they’re made of or because of a seam in the wrong place, you’re going to be experiencing friction or skin irritation sooner rather than later. Discomfort may eventually turn into serious pain - especially if your cycling shorts aren’t padded. In other words, high-quality cycling shorts are essential.
 

What are the advantages of cycling shorts?

The perfect cycling shorts keep you comfortable and warm during the colder months. And when temperatures start to rise, you won't be sweating excessively in your cycling shorts thanks to the material’s excellent breathability and moisture-wicking qualities. 
Not all cycling shorts for men are the same. One thing a pair of cycling shorts for men should do is fit properly, for aerodynamic efficiency (reducing drag), and another is to offer support wherever needed in order to prevent injuries. The so-called bib shorts, a pair of cycling shorts with suspenders added to them, can offer more advantages than cycling shorts that don’t have suspenders. Suspenders prevent your shorts from sagging, while also keeping the pad nicely centered.
 

The best way to wear cycling shorts

The best cycling shorts for men are padded, especially when intended for road cycling. Road bike saddles are designed for maximum cycling comfort for cyclists in padded shorts. The pad offers support and absorbs vibrations from the road, while also preventing the kind of chafing that could lead to painful abrasions and saddle sores.
Wearing underwear under your cycling shorts is not recommended (though, of course, everyone is free to do it). Most cyclists experience additional skin irritation and discomfort when wearing underpants under their cycling shorts. Wearing underpants is discouraged especially when your cycling shorts are padded. The padding or chamois is meant to fit you like a second skin, and wearing underpants will most certainly cause irritation. So don’t do it! 
(A tip for beginners: Wearing base layers under your bib shorts? Put the base layers on first, and then put on your suspenders - it’s a lot more comfortable and makes getting your suspenders off for a pit stop a whole lot easier.)
 

Full-length cycling pants or cycling shorts?

What’s preferable can be different for everyone. After all, there are plenty of people who will throw on a pair of cycling shorts for a bike ride in the freezing cold - though they tend to be the exception, rather than the rule. In any case, it’s safe to assume that it should be at least 15 degrees (Celsius) before you can head out in your cycling shorts (unless you’re one of the exceptions). Cycling shorts usually reach to just above the knee, making them perfect for use during the spring and summer months (for cycling during transitional periods, try a pair of 3/4 cycling pants). When it’s cold, or there’s a humid cold in the air, your knee tendons, ligaments and muscles can cool down considerably, reducing your ability to perform at the top of your game while also increasing risk of skin irritation.
 

When to wear cycling shorts for men

You can generally start wearing your cycling shorts fairly early on in the cycling season, though it’s recommended that you combine your shorts with something warmer if temperatures are low. One option is to “layer up”, by putting on long cycling pants over your cycling shorts. Especially when temperatures fall below 10 or 11 degrees Celsius, long pants can be a lot more comfortable than shorts. You could also combine your cycling shorts with knee warmers or leg warmers, if you’re more comfortable not wearing too many layers and when temperatures allow it, to keep your tendons and muscles nice and warm.
 

How do I choose my cycling shorts?

When shopping for cycling shorts for men, the main things to consider are the padding, suspenders and materials, padding being the most important thing. The pad is designed to contribute to your cycling comfort by absorbing vibrations from the road, it keeps you stable on the saddle and prevents skin irritation caused by chafing. Most pads are made up of multiple layers of foam padding or a comfortable type of gel, and have antibacterial, odor-resistant, hypoallergenic qualities. The specific type of padding you need may vary, depending on how often you cycle and for how long. There are also pads specifically suitable for short cycling trips or long treks.
We’ve already talked a little bit about suspenders and how they hold up your cycling shorts (not to mention the pad) and keeping them in place. Cycling shorts with suspenders are recommended, especially for men.
Where materials are concerned, cycling shorts have come a long way since people exchanged their regular, everyday clothes for clothing designed for cycling. Since the 1970s, most cycling shorts are made of Lycra, because of the many advantages this fabric offers for cyclists. It’s an elastic, lightweight, firm yet breathable material that easily gets rid of moisture (sweat). Like foam, Lycra exists in many different compositions and as a result, the quality of the fabric may vary. Lighter Lycra fabrics that fit well often offer the highest cycling comfort, though they’re also pricier.
 

What are the best cycling shorts?

When you do a lot of cycling, you’ll benefit from high-quality cycling wear, including high-quality cycling shorts for men. Some of the top brands producing great cycling wear include Pearl Izumi, RH+, Northwave, Shimano, AGU and Mavic.
 

How tight should cycling shorts be?

When buying cycling shorts for men, make sure they fit well, without being too tight. Cycling shorts should be form-fitting, for minimum drag (no loose fabric flapping in the wind), but still comfortable to move around in. 
If you can feel the pant legs rise up when you’re seated on the bicycle, or if the suspenders are really digging into your shoulders, then your cycling shorts are too small. Bear in mind that the suspenders on bib shorts should feel tight when you’re standing up, because they're designed to fit best when you’re cycling - but not to the point of (severe) discomfort. In case of the latter, your cycling shorts are probably too small. Speaking of small: cycling wear produced by Italian brands is usually smaller, so keep this in mind when shopping for your cycling shorts.