Showers Pass Womens Apex Dwr Short
The Showers Pass Apex short is your traditional black mountain bike shortwith a DWR finish added. This makes it both water and dirt resistant, and ideal for wet or dusty riding conditions.
The short is slim-fitting but not tight, and is stretchy without clinging anywhere. While the shorts are long-ish , they were quite baggy enough to fit well with pads. That said, they are perfect for trail riding.
The unique thing about these shorts are the reflective accents. If you are riding gravel roads are headed home from the trailhead, this can be a nice feature not found on many mountain bike shorts.
Craft Belle Glow Womens Bike Shorts
For hot days, the Craft Belle Glow is a top-pick. The fabric is lightweight and the shorts have breathable panels on the sides. We found that these were the kind of shorts you could put on and forget you were wearing bike shorts!
While these shorts are a bit more expensive, in our experience Craft makes highly-durable long-lasting pieces that make them well worth the investment.
Price: Price not available
Inseam: 8
Best Padded Bike Shorts For Women
Whether youre ready to invest in your first pair of bike shorts or simply need to add another pair to your expansive cycling wardrobe, weve rounded up the best cycling shorts for women. A good pair of padded bike shorts can make a world of difference, allowing you to ride longer in comfort and to avoid chafing and saddle sores.
The bike shorts on this list can be used for road cycling, commuting, mountain biking, and even for indoor cycling. If you prefer a pair of baggy shorts instead, check out our article on the best Mountain Bike Shorts for women.
Weve also grouped the shorts into two categories: bib shorts and traditional shorts. Not sure of the difference or which you should pick?
Keep scrolling. At the end, we have some tips on what to look for in a cycling short and how to make the best purchase for yourself.
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The Attack Short Has Been Updated
According to the description of the Pearl Izumi Attack Short on the Pearl Izumi website, they have made some updates to the Attack Short.
Most notably, they have actually removed some seams, and they have made sure that the waistband includes compression but isnt uncomfortable.
Immediately, I noticed the interesting seams on the waistband, and appreciate that they seem to do their job in terms of keeping the shorts comfortably in place. I did experience some rolling of the waistband on an indoor ride, but that could have been the positioning of me on the bike. I did not experience any rolling at all on my outdoor rides, so I think these updates were a great addition!
Pearl Izumi Escape Quest Bib Short
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don’t intentionally try to break anything but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product’s function and value with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores mean
Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
If you’ve been riding for more than a few years, these Pearl Izumi Escape Quest bib shorts should offer no surprises they’re very much the kind of kit we were all using a decade ago. That’s not to say they’re outmoded or not up to the task and black never goes out of fashion, does it? Neither does comfort, which I’m pleased to report these delivered and at an attractive price to boot.
So, what you get is a six-panel construction, all securely double-stitched for durability. While most of the seams and hems are not flatlock stitched, they do sit flat against the skin once you put them on and I had no issues with rubbing or chafing.
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Shebeest Petunia Bib Shorts
If youre the kinda girl that cant stand another pair of boring black bike shorts, SheBeest is your kinda company. Their cycling clothing is colorful and loud, and the Petunia Bib is no exception.
It has a unique halter-style design, which comes in handy during pit-stops. You can just slip the halter over your head and pull the shorts down.
The halter, while great for our shorter testers, was uncomfortable for taller women with longer torsos. This is a short we recommend for shorter riders.
The chamois is fairly thin and non-bulky. We found we liked the thinner padding, but probably wouldnt pick it for a 100-mile day.
Price:$130
Pearl Izumi Canyon Shorts
First Published Jun 4, 2012
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don’t intentionally try to break anything but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product’s function and value with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores mean
Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
The Canyon Shorts from Pearl Izumi are casual-looking summery shorts just what the doctor ordered for summer café rides and trips to the local fete.
Taking into account that these are aimed at mountain bikers, they are perfectly comfortable on all bikes with a more upright riding position. You’d not want to use them for out and out sportier road riding, but that’s not really a surprise and not what they are intended for.
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% Builds Now Available On All Bikes
Since the assembly is performed by hand and per order, it may take 6-8 business days for the assembly of your new bike to be completed and shipped.
Please allow 15-20 business days on select Framed custom built bikes.
Our $99 Bike Assembly is here to help you maximize your riding time. Just tighten the handlebars, install the front wheel,pedals and ride! This process is done with care, by our experienced professional technicians to ensure that your bike not only lasts, but most importantly is covered by any manufacturer’s warranty.
Our certified team of technicians spend the time to fine tune the bike so you don’t have to. During this process, our technicians will go through each of the bearing components, ensuring a solid, smooth ride from the first turn of the cranks. From there, the wheels are taken off individually for the truing process. Making sure your wheel is true is key to prolonging the life of your rims, and ultimately your whole bicycle. After this happens, the rear wheel is installed with care to make sure that the chain is tensioned properly and that the free wheel of the bike is in proper working order. The brakes are then adjusted and tested for reliable stopping power. During the assembly the bike goes through a thorough quality control check to ensure your bike is up to our high standards and yours.
The Chamois Of The Attack Short Bib Short Is Thick
Now, depending on your preference, you may see this as a pro or a con. Sometimes if a chamois is too thick, or is not placed properly, it can honestly feel more like a diaper than a short.
I will say that the chamois in this short does feel a bit droopy in the back when I am walking around, but its not terrible considering that this is the same chamois that makes riding on the bike quite delightful and pain free.
I have been riding more considerable distances than just around the neighborhood with these shorts, and I find that for a solid 25/30 mile ride they keep me and my butt very happy.
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Make Sure To Wash Your Shorts Between Rides
This may seem obvious, but if youre lazy about laundry , remember to wash your shorts between each ride. Otherwise, bacteria can build up in your shorts and cause infections, rashes, and yes, saddle sores.
I like having as many pairs of shorts as I generally wear in a week. Yes, its expensive to do that, but Im never caught without a pair of clean shorts.
Pearl Izumi Shorts Are Durable
We have worn a lot of Pearl Izumi shorts and bib shorts in our family, over the course of approximately five years, and each and every pair has held up. In fact, they all pretty much look and feel just as they did when they were brand new.
Though I am new to this particular pair of shorts and cant speak to the durability of the current Pearl Izumi Attack short at this time, I can say that due to their solid construction I have high hopes that they will last just as well as our other Pearl Izumi shorts and bibs.
This is more of a budget option than other shorts and bib shorts that Pearl Izumi offers, so its certainly possible that they are not quite as durable as some of their more expensive products.
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Pearl Izumi Attack Bike Short Review
I dont think I am unique as a cyclist when I say that I am always in search of the perfect cycling short or bib short. Nine times out of ten I will gravitate towards bib shorts because they just tend to be more comfortable, and I know I am not alone!
In fact, when I wore the Pearl Izumi Attack Short on a group ride last week, and mentioned that they were indeed shorts, not bibs, a friend said that she will only wear bibs from now on, and is going to be giving away all of her cycling shorts.
Cycling shorts DO have some advantages over bib shorts. They are WAY easier to get on and off, and a lot easier for bathroom breaks. When you want to just do a quick ride around the neighborhood? Shorts are amazing.
Lacking the motivation to ride at all and just dont want to pull anything up over your shoulders? Shorts are the answer.
Though most days I tend to prefer bibs, especially for longer rides, every once in a while a cycling short comes along that I can really get behind. My very first cycling short love was the Terry Breakaway Short. I loved them so much that I endorsed AND reviewed them right here on Femme Cyclist!
It can be tough though, to find a pair of cycling shorts that are comfortable and that dont roll down. I honestly didnt think I would ever really find a cycling short that was equal to the Terry Breakway Short at such a reasonable price point until I tried the Pearl Izumi Attack Short.
Take A Few Days Off The Bike
Although its probably not what you want to hear, sometimes the best thing you can do for a saddle sore is to take a few days off of the bike. Use the time for recovery or for some cross-training like running or weights. If you absolutely cant afford the time of the bicycle, then swap out bikes or saddles so that the pressure points are different.
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Analysis And Test Results
With nearly 1,000 miles logged on the road testing the shorts in this review, we evaluated them based on five essential criteria for cycling shorts: Comfort & Fit, Breathability/Fabric, Durability, Padding & Protection, and Style. We compiled all our notes and findings throughout this review to help you find the short that is perfect for your cycling needs. Are you looking for an exceptionally protective chamois? Check out our Padding and Protection metric. Are you interested in a short that looks as good as you feel? Our Style metrics tell you what our testers think looks “good” and how that relates to its performance in the saddle.
Specialized Sl Race Bib Shorts
When we asked the Femme Cyclist Community which bibs they preferred, the Specialized SL Race came out as the resounding winner. Why?
The magnetic rear clip makes the shorts super easy to get out of for road-side pit stops. Women also like the compressive four-way stretch fabric and the higher cut on the belly, both of which help hold everything in.
Theres also a slightly cheaper SL bib , but the chamois on the SL Race is significantly nicer, so if you can afford the extra coin, Id recommend it.
Price: $180
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How To Heal Cycling Saddle Sores
Youve been ramping up your miles, training for a big event or logging some epic rides. But now youre avoiding getting back in the saddle because youre in pain. Its not your quads that are screaming, or a dehydration headache, its a painful little saddle sore on your bum.
Saddle sores are common among female cyclists and yet are seldom talked about. Here are some tips on healing them, and how to avoid getting them in the future.
Substantial Bang For Your Buck With The Pearl Izumi Attack Short
The Pearl Izumi Attack short is their mid-range short, clocking in at around $80 as compared to their lower price option and their PRO option .
For $80, these shorts are a substantial value. The chamois is definitely different from the PRO chamois in terms of the lining material, but seems to offer a similar experience in terms of the amount of padding.
The real feature that seems to set the Attack Short apart from the lower priced option is the attention to detail in the design and seams. The Attack Short has a unique waistband that likely increases the comfort of the short and keeps it from rolling down.
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Sugoi Womens Rs Pro Bib Shorts
Like bibs but dont like trying to figure out how to stop for a pee break in them? The Sugoi bib solves this problem with their patent-pending Pit Stop design. The straps detach and we found that they were easy enough to operate even in a road-side port-a-potty.
They also happen to be extremely comfortable, the legs stay put, and we didnt have any problems with chafing. That said,our shorter testers found that the straps were a bit long, so we recommend these for average to taller height ladies.
Inseam: 8.5
Bib Shorts Versus Regular Waist Bike Shorts
Cyclists generally fall into two categories: those who love bibs and will wear nothing else, and those who think theyre a pain. In general, bibs tend to be more comfortable.
They dont have a waistband to dig into your tummy while you ride, and they help you avoid that dreaded gap between your shorts and jersey where your muffin top can spill out. Plus sized ladies, in particular, tend to prefer bibs.
The one big drawback to bibs is that they are more challenging to change in and out of, and for women, make bathroom breaks considerably more difficult. That said, weve included some bibs on this list that have been designed to help make those pit-stops a little easier.
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Best Bike Shorts For Women Of 2022
Our radical female experts researched 50 models of the best women’s bike shorts before buying 10 of the market’s finest to test side-by-side. Whether you’re clipping into the pedals for the first time or have thousands of miles under your belt, we know the perfect short makes all the difference. Putting each short through the wringer, we road biked 85+ mile distances as a minimum for each pair. Testing on the eastern side of the Sierras, we experienced a large range of temperatures and varying conditions. In order to assign an objective score, we take into account our real-life experience and lab results. We offer our favorite recommendations that’ll have you logging miles with comfort, without breaking the bank.
We’ve also published a separate men’s bike shorts review. If it’s women’s mountain bike shorts you’re after, we’ve tested those too. Our bike categories are sure to have what you’re looking for no matter what kind of cycling accessories you may need.
What Is Good About The Pearl Izumi Sugar 5 Bike Short
The Pearl Izumi womens sugar shorts features a 5 and 1/2 inseam. Its short, but not too short. Compared to running shorts, its actually quite long.
The wide waistband of the Pearl Izumi Sugar Short is cut high in the back for coverage. The front is designed for less restriction and increased comfort.
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Price & Quality Of Construction
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to mountain bike shorts. A good quality short will be durable and last for years, so I think it makes sense to pay a bit more.
To get a good quality short, you should expect to pay around $100. Shorts that cost less than this are more likely to lack things like an adjustable waistband and water-resistant fabric.