Women's Padded Bike Shorts

Women’s cycling shorts are built differently from men’s cycling shorts and it’s important to understand how they work before you purchase one. They ensure your ride is comfortable and safe, and they protect you from chafing, moisture, and infections. Women’s padded bike shorts will help you enjoy your riding experience, especially if you purchase the right product. At eCycling Store, our experts have put together a small guide that explains everything you need to know about padded shorts to ensure you make the right purchase decision.

Shorts and Bibshorts

There are two kinds of shorts available in the market. Shorts are a traditional garment that extend from your waist to your thigh and are available in different lengths. They don’t extend beyond the knee and are generally form-fitting. Bibshorts look like shorts but have bibs to keep the legs in place. Straps of the bibs go over your shoulder and they can be comfortable. Both have their advantages and disadvantages such as:

Advantages of Shorts:

• Comfortable to wear
• Easy to remove for changes and bathroom breaks
• Helps keep the body cool

Disadvantages of Shorts

• Can slip and slide
• The waist band can dig into the stomach and waist
• Low band can expose the lower back

Advantages of Bibshorts

• No waistband to dig into your body
• Won’t budge during the ride
• Better skin protection in case of an accident
• Well-designed sweat channels

Disadvantages of Bibshorts

• Location of the straps on or around the breasts is uncomfortable
• Short straps can add strain to the shoulders and neck
• Difficult to remove quickly for bathroom breaks and changes
• Can get uncomfortably warm

Inserts

Inserts or chamois is the padding present inside the women’s padded bike shorts. They can be as flat or bulky as you want them to be so you should spend some time to test them out. If you plan to go on long rides that last for days, you’ll need well-padded shorts. Lf you want to ride on a daily commute or a 30 minute trip for exercise, you can choose shorts that have thinner padding because they’re easier to clean and more comfortable.

If you want to know more about women’s padded bike shorts, please browse our online selection!