When it’s warm enough, shorts are the best option for cycling to work. You sweat less, can pedal more freely and don’t need cycle clips

Skin-tight Lycra shorts with a seat pad are strictly optional. They work well for longer or faster journeys but baggy shorts are fine for most commutes – and far less eye catching when you stride into the office. You can even just cycle in normal clothes, wearing shorts from a high-street retailer. We’ll look at the different options below and list some good examples of each. But before that, something equally important: pants!

Underwear

Lycra shorts are designed to be worn without underwear, with the seat pad next to the skin. Sweaty, bunched-up pants can chafe on longer rides. For commuting, you won’t be on the bike long enough for this to matter; underwear under Lycra is merely a faux pas. But if you don’t feel the need to go commando, you don’t need Lycra shorts in the first place. Pick something baggier. (If you do wear Lycra, a warning: do not forget to pack pants for when you get to work!)

Under looser shorts, normal underwear is fine for short-to-middling commutes. Just take a spare pair if you’re liable to get sweaty. If you’re not comfortable on the saddle without padding, you can wear Lycra shorts as underwear beneath baggy shorts. Better still, there’s padded cycling underwear, such as…

Altura Tempo Women’s Cycling Knickers £22

These knickers are made from a lightweight, breathable fabric and have an integral foam pad. They’re less conspicuous than Lycra shorts underneath clothing and even work with leggings or skirts. Sizes: 8-16. 

Endura Men’s Engineered Padded Boxers II £29.99

Endura’s padded boxers are like liner shorts, in that they have a similar pad to one you’d find in Lycra shorts. But they’re made from a more breathable, lighter weight fabric (nylon and polyester). Sizes: S-XXL. The women’s version (XS-XXL) is the same price.

VeloVixen Padded Cycling Knickers £42 

Available in a range of colourful designs, plus plain black, these higher-waisted knickers are closes fitting enough to wear under normal clothes, despite their integral seat pad. Sizes: 6-18.

Corinne Dennis Women’s Padded Cycling Undies £45.99

Made of a 90% cotton, 10% Lycra blend, these undies have a non-synthetic feel. The seat pad is the same thickness as the ones in Corinne Dennis outer shorts, which gives good sit-bone protection. Sizes: 8-20. There’s also a men’s version (S-XXL).

Everyday shorts

Cycling-specific shorts aren’t essential. Shorts from high street retailers can work fine. The key thing is to avoid material like denim that puts a thick seam between you and the saddle. (Cycling jeans exist but they have a seamless gusset to avoid this issue.) High-street shorts are rarely as hardwearing as cycling shorts so you can expect them to wear sooner at the seat.

Shorts designed for outdoor activities such as hiking are better on the bike than high-street fashions. They use durable, quick-drying fabric with a bit of stretchiness for ease of movement, and tend to come with zipped pockets. Good examples are the Kiwi Pro shorts from Craghoppers, the Stretch Bag Hiking Shorts from Rohan and the Quecha Hiking Shorts from Decathlon. All of these come in men’s and women's versions.

One caveat is that, although non-cycling shorts are often cheaper than cycling ones, cycling-specific shorts can work out better value. That’s because you can get them through Cyclescheme, making the usual savings and spreading the cost. At an outdoor shop, by contrast, you’ll be paying RRP.

Baggy cycling shorts

Many baggy cycling shorts are aimed at mountain bikers. They work well enough for commuting but can be too baggy or garish. Shorts designed for gravel riding or urban use tend to have a more tailored cut and fewer logos, making them look more like everyday clothing. You may even be able to wear them at work.

Velocity Women’s Climber Shorts Burgundy £85

Velocity’s Climber Shorts are mostly cotton (98%), with a little (2%) elastane to give them some stretch. The diamond seat panel keeps seams away from the saddle and is reinforced to prevent premature wear. Like most cycling shorts, they’re higher in the back and lower in the front for a better on-bike fit. Sizes: 8-16, in burgundy or orange. Men’s version: 28-36in, in black, burgundy or orange.

Vulpine Men’s City Shorts £85

These chino-style shorts are made from a polyester/cotton fabric with elastane in it to provide stretchiness. A diamond gusset makes them even more comfortable on the bike as you don’t sit on seams. They have four pockets and a DWR coating to repel light showers. Sizes: S-XXL, in black or petrol blue. The women’s version is the Women’s City High-Waist Shorts (XS-SL).

Chrome Industries Men’s Folsom Mid Short £110

City cycling shorts that are less chino and more workwear in style, the Folsom shorts are made from a four-way stretch fabric that’s stain and water resistant. A double-layer seat gusset adds durability. As well as pockets, there’s a holster at the back of the waistband for a D-lock. Sizes: 28-38in, in black, olive green, grey or brown.

Rapha Women’s Tech Cargo Shorts £120

Designed for urban cycling and casual wear, these 85% nylon, 15% spandex shorts have a lot of stretchiness in them for a good on-bike fit. The material is lightweight and quick drying, and the cargo pockets – which have reflective logos – are easily accessible while riding. Sizes: XXS-XL, in black or dove grey. There are more options to choose from in Rapha’s men’s range, including Technical Shorts and Tech Chino Shorts.

Lycra cycling shorts

Lycra cycling shorts come in basically two designs: waist shorts, which have an elasticated waist band; and bib shorts, which have stretchy straps that come up over the shoulders. Bib shorts are more comfortable when you’re spending hours on the bike as the straps keep the shorts fitting snugly and there’s no pressure on your waist. Waist shorts are more convenient as you don’t have to shed your jersey to remove them.

Traditionally, Lycra shorts never came with pockets. In recent years, however, Lycra shorts with cargo pockets have appeared. Intended for gravel riders, they also work well for commuting because you can stash a phone, credit card, snack or gloves within easy reach.

Madison Roam Women’s Cargo Cycling Shorts £69.99

These appear like standard Lycra waist shorts until you see the stretchy cargo pocket on each thigh, which is big enough for a phone or a banana. You can wear them by themselves or under baggy shorts. There’s a good-quality seat pad for comfort and silicon grippers on the hems to stop them riding up. Sizes: 8-16, black only. There’s a bib version for men (£79.99) but no waist version.

Lusso Primary Shorts £70

Lusso’s Primary Shorts are a good example of simple Lycra waist shorts. There are no pockets but the relaxed fit, unobtrusive seams and good-quality seat pad provide comfort on the bike. They have the usual leg grippers and a wider waist elastic to stop them digging in. Sizes: S-XXXL. The women’s version (XS-XXL) is the same price.

Castelli Unlimited Cargo W Bibshort £135

Like most premium quality bib shorts, these Castelli ones come with an improved seat pad and a better quality fit for all-day comfort. They have cargo pockets on each thigh, with a flap over the top to stop things falling out. A drop-tail design makes toilet breaks easier. Sizes: XS-XL, in black or grey. The men’s version (£139) comes in XS-XXXL in black, grey or green.

Endura Men’s GV500 Reiver Bib Shorts £139.99+

There are mesh pockets on each thigh of these gravel-oriented bib shorts, plus two more in the back, just above the waist. If you wear them under Endura’s GV500 Foyle shorts, vents in the latter give access to the Reiver’s cargo pockets. Sizes: S-XXL, in black or olive green. The women’s version (XS-XL) comes in black only, with a drop-seat design for easier toilet stops.