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Best Cycling Shorts Under $100, Compared

Looking for a new pair of cycling shorts, but don’t want to spend too much? These are our picks for the best cycling shorts when you’re on a budget. They might not be the top of the line, but they are still high quality and comfortable.

Before we get to them, though, let’s quickly touch on the difference between bibs and regular cycling shorts. Bibs have straps that go over your shoulder, and shorts don’t. Bibs are typically more expensive than shorts. For more on the differences between bibs and shorts, we’ve written this article on the pros and cons of each option.

A good pair of cycling shorts can easily ring up to over $150, but we’ve gathered these that generally cost $100 or less.


Pearl iZumi Pursuit Attack Cycling Shorts

You can’t go wrong with these Pursuit Attack shorts from Pearl iZumi. Great fit. Comfortable, well designed chamois. What’s not to like? They also feature a lifetime warranty against factory defects in materials and workmanship, but does not warranty against normal wear and tear.

https://www.pearlizumi.com/products/mens-attack-short-11112008?variant=40648015675563

Read reviews or learn more on Amazon.


Giordana Fusion Cycling Shorts

Giordana’s Fusion Shorts will wick moisture away and stay in place with silicone gripping leg bands.  With a compression fit and light elastic waistband, you’ll feel secure and comfortable at the same time. Has reflective accents on back of legs.

https://giordanacycling.com/collections/mens-bibs-shorts/products/ss21-fusion-mens-short-black

Read reviews or learn more on Amazon.


Louis Garneau Fit Sensor 3 Shorts

Garneau’s Fit Sensor 3 Shorts feature a Garneau’s Airzone four-way stretch chamois with perforated vents to keep you dry. A 9.25 inch inseam and anti-chafe seams.

https://garneau.com/us_en/fit-sensor-3-shorts-1050669

Learn more or read reviews on Amazon.


Specialized RBX Cycling Shorts

Specialized brings these RBX shorts to the saddle for comfort and a secure grip with their silicone lined hems. A very nicely designed chamois that Specialized continues to improve and develop with each new version of these shorts.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/mens-rbx-shorts/p/161846?color=247770-161846


Trek / Bontrager Solstice Cycling Shorts

These Solstice Cycling Shorts from Trek / Bontrager will provide comfort with compression and silicone lined leg grippers to keep them from riding up your legs during hard efforts. Good quality chamois.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bike-clothing/cycling-shorts-bibs/road-bike-shorts-bibs/bontrager-solstice-cycling-short/p/13032/?colorCode=black


Aerotech Century Cycling Shorts w/ Thick Padding

If these shorts sound familiar, it may be because you’ve seen them advertising in the back of Bicycling magazine for ages. They’re made in the USA and they compare well with all of the other top brands you are more familiar with in terms of construction, comfort and design. Aero Tech’s Century Cycling Shorts have the comfort of smooth seams and a thicker chamois pad for longer rides. They also have hem grips to keep the fabric secure.

https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/mececyshthpa.html


Performance Ultra Shorts

These shorts are designed in Chapel Hill, NC and made in the United States. They feature the new Ultra TMF chamois with Skyving technology for seamless, pressure-free comfort, breathability and moisture-wicking. The six-panel construction with high compression fabric results in a streamlined fit.

https://www.performancebike.com/performance-ultra-shorts-black-charcoal-l-pf5uchl/p920495


Sponeed Cycling Shorts Padded Road Bike Spin

While the shorts from Sponeed are less expensive than most of the others in this roundup, they are comfortable and perform well. The chamois might best be described as “articulated” since the pads are in separate but strategically placed pieces with channels in between to keep the shorts from bunching up and to allow perspiration to flow away. Made with six-panels, the shorts are designed for chafe-free comfort.

https://www.teamsponeed.com/mens/mens-cycling-shorts/qxfm5ns004-2

Read reviews or learn more on Amazon.


The Black Bibs brand — The Black Shorts

The Black Bibs brand shorts

The Black Bibs is a site that is all about low cost cycling bibs and shorts that are still good quality. I’ve personally bought a pair from the site and they are good everyday shorts. I wear them sometimes on my bike trainer and on regular rides. Not my finest shorts, but comfortable enough and durable. Dual density Coolmax chamois. Elastic waist. Like bibs? They also carry bibs for under $100.

https://theblackbibs.com/collections/mens-bottoms/products/the-black-shorts


That’s the long and short of it and with the list above, you should be able to find the perfect fit for you for $100 or less. Did we miss your favorite pair of cycling shorts that should have been on the list? Let us know in the comments.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dan Boice says

    October 17, 2019 at 8:15 am

    Over many years (but not recently), I have purchased a good number of Performance Ultra shorts and always found them to fit well and last a long time. When the seams eventually tear, they work great underneath unpadded tights or dress pants when commuting. They’re pricier than they used to be; I hope they’re still reliable.

    Reply
    • Rick Edgar says

      October 17, 2019 at 8:37 am

      Ordered 2 pair a month or so ago. $99 on sale for $79. Have 8 pair of them. Still a great short.

      Reply
  2. Big Ring Bob says

    October 17, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    Several years ago, I purchased a pair of Louis Garneau cycling shorts. After wearing them on three rides, they pilled and perforated on the inside of my left leg. Having owned probably more than 50 pairs of cycling shorts from various sources and never experiencing this problem, I wrote to Louis Garneau gave them the history and photos showing the wear. As I recall, they were one of the more expensive pairs I have ever purchased. Their response was that it was not a covered issue. I asked if they would inspect them if I sent them in, and they said “buy another pair”. Although many of their products had demonstrated excellent quality, including other shorts, jerseys, gloves, and eye wear, I ceased doing business with them on that day. Caveat Emptor.

    Reply
    • Stan Purdum says

      October 17, 2019 at 6:23 pm

      Did you buy those shorts online or at a bike store? I have twice has bike shorts fail prematurely — one Trek brand and the other Carnari. Since I had purchased both in bike shops, I never spoke to the manufacturer, but simply told my story to the bike shop staff. Both times, they accepted the shorts as evidence of the failure, and said they would talk the company rep next time he was in. In both cases, the reps gave me a new part of shorts at no charge, the next level up in quality.. The shop staff handled the whole transaction.

      A good reason to do business with bike shops.

      Reply
    • Chuck Matson says

      April 27, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      I’m sorry to hear of your experience with the Fit Sensor 2 shorts. I love them to death, and have purchased them for many years. For me, they last a long time, are extremely comfortable, and I can usually get them for $59.99 at Excel Sports.

      Reply
  3. Big Ring Bob says

    October 18, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    Purchased at Performance Bikes.

    Reply
  4. Richard Andrew says

    April 27, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    I buy a pair of Boure shorts every couple of years. I find they perform as well or better than big name brands. Made in the USA and guaranteed. You have a problem with them ( I haven’t ) just return for refund or replacement.

    Reply
  5. BETTY V says

    April 27, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    It would have been nice to have a pair or two of WOMEN’S shorts on the list. Maybe you could do another top 10 shorts JUST for women!

    Reply
    • Road Bike Rider says

      April 27, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Thank you for the comment. Most of these have a women’s version of the same shorts, so we just stuck with the mens version for the sake of simplicity.

      Our reviewer Sheri has covered a ton women’s shorts, if you want to look through her archives:

      https://www.roadbikerider.com/category/sheri-rosenbaum/

      Reply
    • Andrea says

      April 29, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      Thank you for your comment. I totally agree.

      Reply
  6. Barry Free says

    April 27, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    You didn’t mention Sponeed which you reviewed in a previous issue. I’ve purchased 3 pairs based on that review and spent less than $100 for all 3.

    https://www.roadbikerider.com/sponeed-mens-cycling-shorts-review/

    Reply
  7. Donald Dickson says

    April 27, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Aero Tech Men’s Pro Bike Shorts – $55. Minimalist pad, wear very well. Have been wearing this model for commuting and rec writing for 7 years. Good quality materials and sewing – solid Pittsburg, PA product.

    Reply
  8. Pittsburgh Bill says

    April 27, 2020 at 10:15 pm

    I used to use PI shorts for years until the model was discontinued and replaced with a new and improved version. Not the same, sorry I don’t remember which PI’s. I tried LG’s Fit Sensor 2 shorts a few years ago and haven’t looked back. Also tried their bibs this year, my first bibs, which will be my choice going forward. Fit and comfort are subjective and finding your shorts can be trial a error. Almost as bad as finding your perfect saddle.

    Reply
  9. Oded Ben Chaim says

    April 29, 2020 at 9:24 am

    After decades of investing in prime bibs, keeping them for 3-4 years, I decided to rebell. Lasr October I bought on Amazon 3 pairs of bibs for 25_30$. I use them for my shorter outings, 1-2 hours, 2-4 times per week, and honestly, I feel no difference. I steel use my prime bibs for longer, 4-6 hours rides once a week, but I’m going to give the cheep ones a chance.

    Reply
  10. Fritz Mueller says

    April 29, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    I have worn Aerotech Bibs for years. For me they are really comfortable, wear well, and Aerotech offers tall sizes. I’m 6’7″ tall, and for me that’s important.

    Reply
  11. John Klever says

    April 30, 2020 at 11:09 am

    I save my best shorts for long rides. For shorter rides I have 30-mile shorts and 50-mile shorts. My best find so far were five pairs of Nashbar shorts that I purchased on sale for $10 each. These are 30-mile shorts. I use my worn, see-through shorts in the winter under tights. Lube also extends the mileage and comfort of any short.

    Reply

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