by Stan Purdum
Most of us road bike riders have worn Lycra-style bicycle shorts for years, and one thing they’ve never had was pockets. That’s because the shorts we bought were inspired by the attire of professional cyclists, where the emphasis is on performance and speed. None of them wanted anything protruding from the sleek lines of the shorts to create drag as they cut through the wind.
But gravel riding and touring, where the focus is less on speed and more on adventure, has demanded innovation in some of the shorts and bibs available today, and most of the major cycling attire makers now offer one or more models with pockets. Some riders like them because with pockets in the shorts, it’s not necessary to wear a traditional cycling jersey on top. Some riders like them because they provide storage options in addition to the jersey.
Though several companies now make pocket versions of their shorts and/or bibs, they don’t all make them easy to find. Some include the words “cargo” or “pockets” in the shorts model names but searching on those words in other manufacturers’ online catalogs is liable to turn up trail shorts or baggies. Still other cycle clothiers use a proprietary term to designate their pocket models, but you have to know what the term means — know the “code,” as it were — or you may not find their pocket shorts in their listing. For example, Specialized uses “SWAT,” which they explain elsewhere on their site, but if you’ve opened to the shorts and bibs page, the explanation isn’t there.
Here are some shorts and bibs with pocket that we’ve found:
Rapha Core Cargo Shorts
Suggested manufacturer pricing around $130
https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/mens-core-cargo-shorts/product/CCS04XXBBK
These shorts have two mesh pockets on the legs, into which you can put the items you’d usually carry in the pockets of a cycling jersey. A curved top seam on the pockets makes for easy access The shorts are cut lower at the front to avoid riding up when in an on-bike position. Has the same chamois pad as in all Rapha’s classic line shorts.
Rapha Core Cargo Bib Shorts
Suggested manufacturer pricing around $150
https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/mens-core-cargo-bib-shorts/product/CCB02XX
This is the bib version of Rapha Core Cargo Shorts. Like them, these bibs have two mesh pockets on the legs, but with the extra real estate provided by the bib, two additional pockets are provided on the back, where they sit out of sight under your shirt. The bib section uses a lightweight, breathable fabric that stretches to accommodate riders of all heights while laser-cut leg grippers hold the shorts in place.
By the way, Rapha is the only cycling apparel maker we’ve noticed so far that also makes bib winter tights with cargo pockets. See them here.
Pearl iZUMi Expedition Shorts
Around $100 suggested manufacturer price.
Find it at Pearl Izumi.
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
Find it at Amazon.
These shorts give you three pockets: two low profile cargo pockets on the thighs for easy access to smartphones and snacks, and a horizontal rear pocket big enough for a phone on the wide waistband. Features the ELITE Escape chamois, Pearl iZUMi’s mid-level pad.
Pearl iZUMi Expedition Bib Shorts
Around $125 suggested manufacturer price.
Find it at Pearl Izumi.
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
Find it at Amazon.
Like the non-bib version of Pearl iZUMi’s Expedition shorts, these bibs also have three pockets, but the one in the rear is centered at the base of the straps and has room for a shell jacket or nutrition.
Aero Tech All-Day Cycling Shorts —With Reflective Side Pockets
$100
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/all-day-reflective-pocket-cycling-shorts.html
These shorts, says Aero Tech, have a light compression to compress muscles for a massaging support that delivers six hours of comfort. 3M Scotchlite reflective pockets provide for all-way visibility. Factory-direct value; made in the USA.
Aero Tech Gel Padded Touring Shorts
$90
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/gel-padded-bicycle-touring-short.html
Roomy side pockets and gel padding — 12mm thick at the sit bones — make these shorts good for touring, and the color swatches on the waistband and thighs increase your visibility to drivers. Available in black with your choice of accents in seven colors. Aero Tech adds that the pockets have medical use as well — they can be used to hold ice packs or heat pads.
Aero Tech Gel-Padded Touring Bib Shorts
$130
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/atd-mens-gel-touring-bib-shorts.html
Here is the bib version of Aero Tech’s Gel Padded Touring Shorts. While these bibs have side pockets like the non-bib version, they add no additional pockets on the back as some other cargo bibs do. Aero Tech prefers to leave the mesh back on the bib unencumbered by pockets to allow maximum ventilation to keep you cool, so you can ride longer on hot days. Available in black and black with hi-vis safety yellow accents.
Castelli Unlimited Bibshort
Suggested manufacturer pricing around $140.
https://www.castelli-cycling.com/us/unlimited-bibshort/p/452000521P-075
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
Find it at Amazon.
These bibs have double-layer side panels to reduce abrasion if you fall. The second layer also forms two side pockets with flaps over the top to prevent the contents from falling out. There are two mesh pockets on the lower back of bib that compress gear next to your body to keep it from bouncing around.
Specialized RBX Shorts With SWAT
Around $100 suggested manufacturer pricing.
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
SWAT is Specialized’s approach to on-bike and on-body storage. The acronym stands for Storage, Water, Air, Tools. When it comes to their bike attire, that means pockets. These RBX shorts (RBX is Specialized’s endurance line of clothing as opposed to its SL line, which is aimed at performance cycling) have two pockets, one on each side.
Specialized RBX Bib Shorts With SWAT™
Suggested manufacture price around $120.
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
The Bib version of Specialized RBX shorts has three pockets but all three are on the back of the bib upper.
Specialized RBX Adventure Bib Short W/ SWAT™
Suggested manufacturer price around $180
The RBX Adventure bibs aim to put everything you need on your ride within easy, comfortable reach. It offers three pockets on the back of the bibs plus two elastic side pockets, one on each thigh. Features the Body Geometry Contour Chamois which is molded to match the shape of your body.
7MESH MK3 Cargo Bib Short
$230
https://7mesh.com/mk3-cargo-bib-short
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
This bib has five pockets, two on the legs and three and on the back. Has the Elastic Interface chamois with high-density foam through the center channel, and a completely air permeable perforate top layer.
Garneau Vent Tri Shorts
$90
https://garneau.com/us_en/vent-tri-shorts-1050105
Find it at Competitive Cyclist
Find it at Amazon.
Made for triathlons, but also perfectly suitable for road riding. Has two angled back pockets.
Stan Purdum has ridden several long-distance bike trips, including an across-America ride recounted in his book Roll Around Heaven All Day, and a trek on U.S. 62, from Niagara Falls, New York, to El Paso, Texas, the subject of his book Playing in Traffic. Stan, a freelance writer and editor, lives in Ohio. See more at www.StanPurdum.com.
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