Experts Tell Us the Best Cycling Shorts Without Bib

Truly the best cycling shorts without a bib, Primal’s Obsidian Helix 2.0 shorts feature the HX8 Carbon Italian chamois, designed to form to the body, providing superior comfort, preventing abrasion, and promoting blood flow. These shorts feature a laser cut silicone leg band to grip the thigh so it won’t slip or move during a ride. Available in sizes S-2XL on primalwear.com, these shorts have 5-star reviews.

Castelli is a well-known premium brand that often specializes in manufacturing high-performance clothing for cyclists and while these shorts are primarily geared toward racers, and long-distance riders, for those who happen to have a healthy budget, and want the best of the best, in terms of quality, then you can rest assured that the Castelli Free Aero shorts are the most comfortable and durable cycling shorts that you could ever hope to purchase. The shorts are designed using high-stretch top-end performance fabrics, and as such, they are extremely firm enough to keep a cyclist comfortable, even during long cycling trails. They also don’t come with an inner-leg seam, which means that there isn’t any risk of chafing, regardless of body type. And since the seat pad is designed to be race-specific, this means that its padding will not interfere with your pedal stroke and should stay dry, even during high-intensity rides.

Our flagship short, the Freel is beloved by mountain bikers everywhere, from the Alps to the Bitterroots. Made with shrub-resistant and mud-deflecting nylon, the Freel is an enduro ready short that seamlessly takes you from the red rocks of Moab to the loamy single track of the PNW. With four-way stretch, deep pockets, and our unique collection of playful prints, the Freel is a beautifully designed short that’s still technical as hell. No compromises, it’s our favorite workhorse. Now available in new fall colors.

Baleaf made a solid section into the mountain biking market with their multipurpose shorts for women. These essential shorts highlight a lightweight, breathable, and quick dry nylon fabric, elasticized waistband, and two easy-to-reach zipper pockets for your cell phone or other tiny essentials. No creases, mass, or cross-section; it is one of the most straightforward patterns you can opt for.

The dhb Moda shorts are comfortable, long lasting, 2 mesh pockets I use for my phone and credit card and are perfect length for cycling. The Moda line is created by women and I feel the padding is in the exact right location. The shorts are stretchy, but elastic hugs my body so as not to become baggy over time.

These are great cycling shorts without bib as they are waterproof and windproof. They are a lot better than competitor brands since they are made of 80% nylon and 20% spandex, hence assuring you of good quality. The fabric is also moisture-wicking and very breathable. It also features a 4D butterfly-shaped stereoscopic pad made of high-density foam with silicon-gel to give you a shock-proof protection for long rides.

Unlike some higher-end shorts that focus on being stiff but might have the unintended side effect of feeling excessively hard, Pearl Izumi gear typically fits most athletes well and feels quite pleasant against the skin. Most athletes find the seamless chamois pad to be quite comfortable, and the Flatlock seams assist prevent chafing.

Since there is no inner-leg seam, there is no possibility of chafing regardless of body type. The fabric is robust and will keep a rider comfortable for extended rides. Castelli’s are slightly more suited for time-trial, long-distance, and racing cyclists.