Best Overall Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts

Shredly All-Time 11″ – Women’s

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Inseam: 11 inches | Pockets: 4

The Shredly All-Time 11″ short features a zipper and snap closure paired with a wide stretch waistband. The result of this combination is incredibly comfortable and minimizes waist gap. The 21.5″ leg opening is generously cut and accommodates bulky knee pads. The 11-inch inseam has a wider cut thigh, allowing the short to cover the top of knee pads without any pad gap or riding up as you pedal. For those who ride without pads, the top of the leg opening glides smoothly over the lower thigh above the knee. The All-Time 11″ is offered in sizes 00-16, making it some of the more inclusive sizing in our review. Shredly’s size charts include both waist and hip measurements, which we found to be accurate. We highly recommend measuring yourself before ordering to ensure the best fit. If you’re between sizes and ride sans chamois or with a thin chamois and have thinner thighs, you can likely size down as the hips and thighs are not baggy. Our testers can pull on the shorts without undoing the zippers or snaps but would not want them tighter in the upper thighs.

Like most things, the All Time 11″ isn’t flawless. The 4-way stretch fabric stretches more vertically than horizontally and lacks breathability. As the mercury rises, the shorts feel a bit warm and tend to trap moisture in the thighs and crotch when riding sans chamois. The pockets are generously sized, and the right thigh (6 inches by 5.5 inches) and upper left thigh (8 inches by 5.5 inches) pockets zip close to keep valuables secure, but the mesh lining can bunch up. Furthermore, the left thigh pocket sits on the top of the thigh, and bulky items like a cell phone are best kept in the right thigh pocket. Despite these shortcomings, the All Time performs well across all our metrics and has a great fit that accommodates a variety of body types and sizes. But for those hot days when you need better airflow, the breathable and lightweight Patagonia Dirt Roamer is a more suitable choice.

Best Value Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts

Zoic Navaeh

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Inseam: 11 inches | Pockets: 4

The Zoic Navaeh is constructed of lightweight and durable VersaLight 4-way stretch fabric, which moves with the body and breathes well in warmer weather. During testing, our shorts got tangled up in a prickly pear cactus and were covered in needles, but there were no holes, rips, or runs in the fabric after they were removed. The Naveah runs true to size and has a slimmer cut, but not so much as to be overly clingy or tight. The 19-inch leg opening is wide enough to accommodate low-profile pads, and the 11-inch inseam covers the tops of knee pads without riding up. The hand pockets are rather narrow, but the thigh pockets are large enough to hold a phone comfortably and open to the back. Pedaling with items in the thigh pockets is comfortable. For those who like to snap their chamois into their shorts, chamois snap tabs are built into the waistband.

Zoic’s size chart lists a medium as fitting 43-44 inches through the hips, but we measured it at 39 inches, which is a bit snug. Some reviewers mention sizing up for a better fit, which is a personal preference. The stitching on this pair of shorts is a little hit-and-miss, with long, loose threads in the pockets and inside the shorts, and the hook and loop waist adjust tabs are a little bulky. Still, the Naveah has well-thought-out features like zip-close pockets, good pocket placement, and durable, comfortable fabric. These shorts are also a good value and can frequently be found online for less than their list price, making them hard to beat. If the stitching gives you cause for concern about construction quality, check out the Shredly All-Time 11″, which is one of our top performers in this metric with a comfortable waistband.

Best Women’s Shorts for Trail Riding

Yeti Cycles Norrie – Women’s

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Inseam: 13.5 inches | Pockets: 4

Yeti Cycles Norrie combines a breathable fabric with a 13.5-inch inseam and a 21-inch leg opening, which works well with various knee pads. Yeti uses small webbed pulls on the outside of the waistband, which provide three inches of waist adjustment. These pulls are unobtrusive and easy to use to eliminate gaps at the small of your back. The cut at mid-thigh (measured eight inches below the crotch) is wider than any other short in our review, at 23 inches, allowing more space for larger quads. This extra space also allows for additional space for a chamois to be worn comfortably under the shell without any binding or pulling. Four small perforations are found below the hand pockets and add a bit of airflow into the leg. Even on 85°+ days, these shorts breathe well. On the low hip, you’ll find well-placed zip-close pockets that measure 13.25 inches by 6 inches and open towards the back of the thigh, which is comfortable for pedaling with a cell phone inside.

The 2-way stretch material that the Norrie utilizes is less stretchy than other shorts with a four-way stretch. The material holds up well but snagged on a thorny bush, causing a small run in the fabric. Depending on your measurements, you might experience some pulling across the widest part of the hips when squatting. The waist measures 1.5 inches larger than the range listed on the size charts — 34.5 inches at the smallest. But the hip measurements are spot on. Unfortunately, the Norrie does not have an extended size range and only comes in sizes XS-XL. Downsides aside, the Norrie is super comfy in various temperatures, works great with and without chamois, with and without pads, and features large pockets, making them a great choice no matter how you hit the trails. If you prefer a durable pair with abrasion-resistant 4-way stretch fabric, take a look at the Troy Lee Designs Mischief.

Most Breathable Mountain Bike Shorts for Women

Patagonia Dirt Roamer – Women’s

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Inseam: 12.5 inches | Pockets: 2

The Patagonia Dirt Roamer is constructed of a very lightweight material that breathes incredibly well and provides generous airflow, making them a great choice for summer rides in hot places. They feature welded seams and a low-profile waistband with OppoSet tabs for adjustment, which work quite well. The back of the waist is cut slightly higher to help eliminate the gap at the small of your back and can help prevent the shorts from riding up. They have a generous cut in the seat, which provides ample space for a chamois but may be baggy without one. The 12.5-inch inseam with a 21.5-inch leg opening has an asymmetrical cut and drapes nicely over knee pads with no gap. Without pads, the fabric is smooth and comfortably glides over the top of the knee while pedaling. Additionally, two zip-close pockets are found on the lower thigh and are out of the way when you pedal.

Dialing in the fit of the Dirt Roamer short can be challenging. It runs small, so we recommend using Patagonia’s size chart to achieve a better fit. When referencing it for testing, the chart placed us at two sizes larger than our normal pant size. These shorts come in sizes 0-22; however, most people need to size up two sizes, making the sizing less inclusive. The lightweight 4-way stretch fabric can bunch up into the crease between the hip and thigh when walking. If you ride sans chamois, the fabric will trap moisture in high-sweat areas and become clingy. And yet, the breathability the Dirt Roamer offers is hard to match, making hot weather riding more enjoyable. If you ride with a chamois, you may also find the POC Essential a comfortable choice. We found the POC sizing to be accurate, eliminating some guesswork, too.

Best Women’s Shorts for Park Riding

POC Essential – Women’s

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Inseam: 15 inches| Pockets: 3

The POC Essential MTB short offers full coverage, good airflow, and a DWR finish to meet the needs of trail and park riders alike. The Essential short features a stretch nylon construction with a 15-inch inseam and 20-inch leg opening, cut longer in the front than the back, making it a great choice for bulky knee pads — even burly downhill ones. Two zip-close hand pockets are lined with an ultra-silky fabric that feels fantastic, and are generously sized at 10 inches by 5 inches, allowing you to store your pass securely. A bonus to the pocket size is that it is deep enough to allow you to scan your pass through your shorts as you go through the turnstile. Hook and loop closures on the waistband are a tad bulky but provide up to six inches of adjustment, making it easier for pear-shaped bodies to dial in the fit. Moreover, riders with larger thighs will appreciate the generous cut on the legs, which does not bind you. The Essential also plays well with a chamois and has enough extra space to comfortably fit one without restricting movement.

Compared to other brands, POC’s sizing for the Essential is smaller, but their size charts are accurate and feature both hip and waist measurements. Unfortunately, though, their sizing does not go beyond XL. The DWR stretch nylon repels dirt and water, but it can snag, especially on thorny bushes or when tangling up in the washer with velcro closures on gloves. But even after getting caught in thorny catclaw, the fabric did not tear, just snagged. Also, the DWR stretch nylon fabric is not the most breathable and has minimal airflow for trail riding in temperatures above 75°F. Still, they are quite comfortable, durable, and protective for park riding. If you prefer a more breathable short, the Yeti Cycles Norrie is a great choice. The breathable fabric and wide leg openings make it a better match for riding in hot weather.

Compare Products

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Score	Product	Price
70	Shredly All-Time 11″ – Women’s Best Overall Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts	$108
68	POC Essential – Women’s Best Women’s Shorts for Park Riding	$100
68	Yeti Cycles Norrie – Women’s Best Women’s Shorts for Trail Riding	$115
67	Patagonia Dirt Roamer – Women’s Most Breathable Mountain Bike Shorts for Women	$129
63	Rapha Trail Lightweight – Women’s	$165
62	Zoic Navaeh Best Value Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts	$80
59	Dharco Gravity – Women’s	$107
59	Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shell – Women’s	$120
58	Endura Strack Lite BK – Women’s	$120
56	Wild Rye Freel	$139
55	Specialized Trail Cargo Shorts Women’s	$110
46	Cycorld Padded with Pockets 06 – Women’s	$48
45	Fox Ranger Lined – Women’s	$90
45	100% Airmatic – Women’s	$99

How We Test Mountain Bike Shorts for Women

We have spent hundreds of hours riding trails in these shorts to learn what it takes to keep us comfortable and protected. Each testing cycle begins by researching and purchasing the best, most popular, and most promising shorts on the market, and subjecting them to intensive side-by-side testing and scrutiny. We considered how a short’s design and cut affect its overall comfort and fit while considering differences in body shape and personal preferences, such as chamois or no chamois and pads or no pads. We measured every component of these shorts, comparing them to their manufacturer specifications and to each other. We performed extensive field testing in Colorado and Arizona, testing their pedal friendliness on single track trails, in parks, on downhill runs, and over technical terrain.

Our six ratings metrics for our women’s mountain bike shorts review include:

• Comfort and Fit (25% of overall score)

• Pedal Friendliness (25% of score)

• Protection (15% of score)

• Breathability (15% of score)

• Features (10% of score)

• Construction Quality (10% of score)

For more on our testing, see our full How We Test article.

Why Trust WebProCare

Our lead tester is Tara Reddinger-Adams. Tara spends most of the year exploring the canyons and mesas in and around Sedona, Arizona, on foot and on her mountain bike. When the temperatures rise, she escapes to cooler climates to ride, paddle, and visit friends and family. Tara has become a bike enthusiast, exploring the world by mountain bike for over 15 years. Not only does Tara eat, sleep, and breathe mountain biking, but she has also spent many years working professionally in the mountain biking community. She has 11 years of experience working in a bike shop, six years of experience coaching and guiding mountain biking, and a few years racing cross-country and enduro. Tara spends a lot of time working on her bike and discussing components and gear in detail, giving her excellent insight into what makes a great pair of shorts for different kinds of pedalers.

Analysis and Test Results

Wearing the right women’s mountain bike shorts is almost as important as choosing the best bike for the ride. Do you live in a warmer climate and need a short that breathes well? Lightweight, breathable, stretchy shorts might be the one for you. Or you may enjoy lift-accessed downhill riding. In that case, you might prefer a more durable fabric and a longer inseam that accommodates bulky knee pads. Regardless of your riding style, we are here to help you find the right pair of shorts. We researched and selected the top-rated women’s mountain bike shorts and tested them on the trail. Comfort and fit are paramount, but we also evaluate their pedal friendliness, protection, breathability, features, and construction quality.

Value

We don’t consider the price of the products we test in our performance evaluation, but we do appreciate a good value. While we aim to determine the best products available, sometimes the best can be expensive, which doesn’t necessarily work for everyone’s budget. The Patagonia Dirt Roamer is made of high-quality materials but is also one of the more expensive pairs we tested. It’s worth the investment for those who ride frequently and need high-quality shorts that can keep up with them. On the other hand, the Zoic Navaeh is a lightweight option with zippered pockets, has a more affordable price, and has a solid all-around performance.

Comfort and Fit

Uncomfortable clothing is just that, uncomfortable. And women’s mountain bike shorts are no different. Making performance athletic apparel that also needs to match body types and ride styles is a challenging undertaking. They could be too big in the waist but too narrow in the hips. Or they gap in the back when you bend over the bike or slide down as you pedal. We want shorts that fit and are comfortable, and in this very important consideration, we’re assessing bike shorts that give women the ability to find a custom and comfortable fit.

Before ordering our test shorts, we took our body measurements and compared those to the manufacturer’s size charts, ordering the size that best matched our measurements. When we received our test shorts, we measured the waist, hips, upper and lower thigh, leg opening, rise, and inseam and compared those measurements to the size chart, noting any discrepancies.

Many of the shorts did not match their listed measurements in the size charts, with some being two or more inches smaller than the listed size in the waist or hips. These discrepancies can make it difficult to find the right size when ordering online. The Cycorld Padded, Dharco Gravity, Endura Strack Lite BK, and Specialized Trail Cargo Shorts have the most accurate measurements when we compared our test shorts to the manufacturer’s measurements. We can’t stress enough the importance of taking your measurements and referencing the manufacturer’s size charts when buying online, as many shorts require a completely different size than your standard pant size.

After measuring the shorts, we tried on each pair and took notes of areas where they felt tight or loose, where they gap, bind, bunch up, and how a chamois affects the fit of the shorts. We also moved off the bike in our shorts, walking, squatting, bending over, etc., to see if any areas gap or are tight. We then considered what body types the shorts fit best. Knowing that we’re all shaped differently, we tried to determine what body types the shorts fit best based on the short’s measurements.

The POC Essential and Shredly All-Time 11″ earn the highest scores in our fit and comfort metric. The waist measurement on our Shredly All-Time 11″ shorts measures 34 inches, which is 1.5 inches larger than listed on Shredly’s size chart. The All-Time features a unique waistband that pairs a zipper and double snap closure with a wide stretchy waist in the back, achieving a very comfortable, no-gap fit. The shorts are a touch tight in the upper thighs on our tester, who has large quads, but are not uncomfortable. The fabric is flexible, moves with the body, and is cut to fit a range of body types. Shredly offers some of the more inclusive sizing in our test, with the Essential offered in sizes 00 through 16. If you’re in between sizes, you may consider sizing down if you don’t have large quads, as we can comfortably pull on our shorts without undoing the snaps or zip fly.

Despite running small in the hips (41.5 inches on an XL), the POC Essential short’s hook and loop waist has six inches of adjustability, and the four-way stretch material moves with the body with no tightness. They are comfortably loose without being billowy, and we feel their cut will fit straighter and curvier body shapes alike. However, they run small, with an XL measuring smaller in the hips than a medium in some other brands, meaning their sizing is limited.

Pedal Friendliness

Pedal friendliness is about how shorts work in action. Adjusting your shorts throughout your ride can distract you from the trail and be annoying. Extra fabric catching on the saddle on the descent can be dangerous, while material bunching up in your thigh creases when you’re grinding uphill can chafe and be a ride-ending experience. We are looking for the perfect amount of stretch and a cut that works with us while we ride. This combination allows us to pedal with ease and move freely in and out of the saddle without making adjustments.

For our pedal friendliness metric, we looked at how each short fits and performs while pedaling when wearing knee pads and without knee pads. We also tested each pair with and without chamois to see if it affects the short’s fit or performance while pedaling. Shorts that do not ride up, bind, or snag on the nose of the saddle and that can comfortably accommodate a chamois earned the highest marks in this metric, with the POC Essential, Shredly All-Time 11″, and Yeti Cycles Norrie earning the highest marks.

The Shredly All-Time 11″ has an 11-inch inseam with a 21.5-inch leg opening, allowing the fabric enough space to drape over the top of knee pads without being tight against the knee pad and pulling up. While riding sans pads, the shorts lay comfortably on the top of the thigh with enough space to move and flex with leg movement without riding up on the thigh. The seat of the shorts and gusseted crotch provide enough space and flex to comfortably accommodate a chamois without the crotch of the short pressing into the chamois. The POC Essential has a longer, 15-inch inseam and 20-inch leg opening, which does not ride up or bind while wearing pads and comfortably drapes over the top of the knee while pedaling without pads. The DWR four-way stretch fabric comfortably moves with the body for unrestricted movement and comfortably accommodates a chamois.

The Yeti Cycles Norrie’s 2-way stretch fabric moves with the body while pedaling and provides unrestricted movement, even on riders with larger quads. The 13.5-inch inseam and 21-inch leg opening work well with and without knee pads. The short’s opening and length allow them to fit over knee pads with space to spare, preventing them from riding up while pedaling. The gusseted crotch and stretch 2-way fabric have enough flex to wear a chamois underneath without binding or bunching comfortably.

Protection

In this metric, we looked at protection in terms of how well the shorts protect your body from sun exposure, making note of fabrics with UPF ratings and how abrasion-resistant the women’s mountain bike shorts fabric is. It’s worth noting that even lightweight fabric protects our thighs from harmful UV rays. We love the sun, but we love our skin more, and hours of sweating in the saddle can wear off even the most diligently applied sunscreen. In some riding environments, like the desert southwest, plants such as agave and catclaw frequently grow alongside trails, and brushing up against their thorny or spiky stems and leaves is unavoidable. Having a layer of more substantial material beyond lycra can trap thorns and needles and prevent them from going into your skin.

We also looked at the design of each pair to see if the inseam length and leg opening work with knee pads and if there is pad gap. (This differs from the pedal friendliness with knee pads in our previous metric, which looks at whether wearing knee pads causes the shorts to fit differently while pedaling.) Of course, pad gap will depend on your height and inseam. Taller testers may need a longer inseam to ensure there is not a gap.

Many women’s mountain bike shorts performed well in this metric thanks to longer inseams, wider leg openings, and durable fabrics. The Troy Lee Designs Mischief Shell stands out for its 13.5-inch inseam and 20-inch leg opening that works with low-profile and bulky downhill knee pads. The Bluesign certified 4-Way stretch woven fabric has a UPF 30+ rating for preventing sun exposure and is very thick, durable, and abrasion-resistant. The thick fabric prevents thorns from reaching the skin and traps them in the fabric’s dense fibers.

Shredly’s All-Time 11″ features a 4-way stretch material that protects the skin without being overly stiff and warm. The fabric can catch and pull on thorns and needles but does not snag or tear. The 21.5-inch leg opening and 11-inch inseam pair well to cover knee pads with no gap or exposed skin while pedaling. For those with a longer femur, the All-Time also comes in a 14-inch length.

POC Essential and the Dharco Gravity feature thicker fabrics that are more abrasion resistant, have longer inseams (15 inches and 14.25 inches, respectively), and wider leg openings that easily accommodate pads or provide additional low thigh protection for those who ride without pads. The POC shorts feature an asymmetrical leg opening that is cut longer in the front than the back to better fit over knee pads and prevent pad gap. While wearing the POC shorts, we had an unfortunate run-in with a catclaw bush. Thankfully, the thorns got caught in the short’s durable fabric before they reached our skin. However, the fabric did suffer some small snags from the thorns.

Breathability

Breathability can play a factor both in hot weather and in cooler conditions. A short that does not breathe well may feel uncomfortably warm in hot weather, and a super breathable short may feel cold in cooler temperatures. While it’s easy to adjust clothing for cooler temps since you can add layers, there’s only so much you can take off when it gets hot. For this metric, we looked at how breathable each pair is or how much airflow you can feel moving through the shorts. We also looked at moisture retention, how much moisture built up in the fabric, if the shorts became clingy, and how quickly they dry out while riding. Lastly, we looked at vents. Some shorts have venting, and others don’t. When vents were present, we determined if they added airflow to the shorts. Shorts with ample airflow that wick sweat and dry out quickly earned the highest marks in this metric.

Patagonia’s Dirt Roamer has a lightweight, four-way stretch fabric that hangs away from the body and provides ample airflow even on hot summer days. Yeti Cycles Norrie has a more substantial fabric that is quite comfortable and breathable in hot weather. Four small, perforated vents are found below the hand pocket on the top of the thigh and help to move air into the short. The wider cut through the thigh also allows the fabric to not cling to the body and improves airflow.

The Rapha Trail are made of a hybrid fabric blend that surprised us with its above-average breathability in hot environments. They’re a tad clingy when really working up a sweat, particularly in the upper thighs, and lack any added ventilation, though. The Zoic Navaeh is also more breathable than average and dried quickly when we soaked them with sweat from a hard ride.

Features

For this metric, we examined features, which include pockets, zippers, waist adjusters, and other items, such as silicone waist grippers that are part of the women’s mountain bike shorts design. We took note of the location of each pocket and how easy it was to open and close while on the bike. We also measured the dimensions of each pocket and noted whether they have zippers and if the zippers have a coating or pull tab. These small details can make a zipper easier to use while wearing gloves. We also looked at the waist adjust system (or lack thereof) and extended and compressed it fully to measure how much adjustment there is in the waist. While wearing the shorts, we adjusted the waist, noting how hard or easy it was to adjust the waist with gloves on. We also looked at the materials used in the waist adjustment and how they felt against the body, as they can add bulk to the waistband. Furthermore, we examined each waist closure system to see how easy and intuitive it is to use. For example, some shorts have multiple snaps with velcro, while others may just have a button. Lastly, we looked for additional features the shorts may have, like chamois liner loops. Shorts with easy-to-use, secure pockets that don’t interfere with pedaling and whose waist adjust system is discreet and easy to use scored highest for this metric.

The Zoic Navaeh scores well in this metric thanks to its four pockets, whose zippers have a small plastic coating, making them easier to grab with gloves on. The thigh pockets are angled, and items in them sit towards the back of the thigh when pedaling. This placement is out of the way and more comfortable than having an item on the top of the thigh while pedaling. The Navaeh uses a hook-and-loop waist adjustment, which adds some bulk to the waist but is not noticeable while pedaling.

Patagonia’s Dirt Roamer and Yeti Cycles Norrie score well in this metric because of their large, well-placed thigh pockets and waist adjust systems. Both pairs employ a small, discreet webbing system for their waist adjust. This system has less bulk and does not rely on elastic to adjust the waist of the shorts. The Norrie has some of the largest pockets in our test. The two hand pockets are 5.25 inches wide by 8.75 inches long and expand slightly at the bottom by 9/16 inches. The thigh pockets are even larger at 13.25 inches by 6 inches and open towards the back of the thigh. They extend from the bottom of the waistband to the mid-thigh and have plenty of space to secure valuables. The Norrie also features silicone grippers on the waistband, providing extra no-slip security to keep your shorts from sliding down.

Quality Construction

We assessed the construction quality of each short by closely examining the inside and outside of each pair of shorts and its seams and stitching, looking for loose threads, untidy ends that can unravel, and missing stitches. We also examined each pair of shorts after each ride for any areas of wear, paying attention to high-wear areas such as the seat and inner thigh.

Many of our shorts perform well in this metric and have quality construction. The Patagonia Dirt Roamer stands out for its welded seams, meaning no stitches exist. Welded seams also feel smoother against the skin, as they don’t have the bulk of traditionally sewn seams.

The Shredly All-Time is well assembled, with evenly sewn seams, no loose threads, or long ends on threads. The shorts are durable and show no signs of wear. Several other pairs of shorts also proved themselves capably built and well-designed, including the Rapha Trail, the Endura Strack Lite BK, the Wild Rye Freel, and the Specialized Trail Cargo. All five of these pairs of shorts have sturdy seams without loose ends or dropped stitches and easily survived our extended testing period without any visible signs of wear.

Conclusion

Finding the right mountain bike shorts can seem perplexing, especially when buying online, unable to try them on to see if they fit your body. We hope that our side-by-side testing and thorough examination of all of these shorts have helped you to determine which pair will work best for your shape, your ride, and your budget.