Padded Shorts reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 160 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 45 posts to rank the best Padded Shorts brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/cycling, r/MTB, r/ladycyclists, r/Zwift, r/bicycletouring. Top-rated brands include Pearl Izumi (4.3/5), The Black Bibs (4.6/5), Assos (5.0/5).
Stats
Reviews160
Subreddits20
Posts45
Brands64
Products71
160 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Pearl Izumi
4.3
(16)
"I'm 4'11" and love Pearl Izumi bibs and shorts. They aren’t crazy compressive and they fit me well."
"So much that I have 5 pairs in different colors."
"You can never go wrong with Pearl Izumi as a good basic pair of shorts."
"I have had good luck with pearl Izumi on my mtb, i really like jackroo as well. They tend to be my go to shorts and you can customize them when ordering."
"I wore pearl izumi shorts for years and they’re fine to start with!"
"Good brands that will last"
"Pearl Izumi makes solid entry level stuff."
"Pearl Izumi is ok, better than random Chinese stuff and not crazy expensive."
"My hands down favorites are Rapha and Assos. Both last nearly forever in my experience."
"Had good luck with pearl izumi and specialized"
#2
The Black Bibs
4.6
(14)
"Much cheaper than Assos and are on par with Assos."
"Excellent value, good quality."
"Are awesome."
"Any cycling-specific chamois bib. I like The Black Bibs 'Ultimate.'"
"Theblackbibs.com best cost for comfort."
"The black bibs ultimate (the pros are supposed to be good to). I had a couple pairs of $200 Castelli bibs and was skeptical because they were so cheap so I bought a pair of the ultimates ($80), ended up buying 4 more pairs and don’t wear my Castellis any more."
"Upvote on The Black Bibs, I don’t know what took me so long to get some."
"The black bibs, 40 dollars and excellent."
"The best bang for the buck are 'the black bibs'."
"The black bibs. High quality made by starlight apparel and cheap."
#3
Assos
5.0
(12)
"Assos is the best I've ever tried, by a very long shot."
"Assos Mille GT."
"High end cycling bibs! Well worth it."
"Assos Mille GT."
"Dhb Aeron or aerotech endurance. Assos if u want to spend a lot"
"Assos is the cream of the crop but you pay for it."
"There's a world of a difference between Assos and the rest."
"Assos Cento. Le Col is pretty good, but the Assos are another level of comfort."
"Assos. Cost a little more last a long time. Super comfy"
"My hands down favorites are Rapha and Assos. Both last nearly forever in my experience."
#4
Endura
4.1
(10)
"I believe they are Endura branded."
"Endura Humvee shorts."
"The padding does help."
"They usually cost like $100+ but you can find them on Amazon for $35."
"They’ve been incredible for the price."
"Another vote for endura. I'd tried Amazon liners and while cheap, not as comfy or as well made as the endura ones."
"The Endura shorts are good and they should be available in your price range."
"My best shorts were Endura; they were a bit more (£65) but it’s nice outer shorts and the padded inner."
"I have some from endura. They snap into the baggies. I have the Humvee lite and the Humvee II. Both came with liners."
"Plus endura or castelli bib shorts."
#5
Rapha
4.9
(7)
"I upgraded from Pearl Izumi to Rapha and the difference was very noticeable."
"Best bibs I've ever used for long rides are the Rapha Core Cargo."
"I own Rapha and Pedal mafia bibs, they are both top of the market and expensive, but beyond comfortable."
"My hands down favorites are Rapha and Assos. Both last nearly forever in my experience."
"Rapha."
"Despite how much they cost, Rapha stuff has been the MOST comfortable pair of bibs I've ever worn."
"I have Rapha, Gore, Ale and Endura. I believe the Endura are junk. They are fine for my commute, but anything past that 5 miles and I start to feel it."
#6
Castelli
4.4
(7)
"I swear by Castelli’s highest end chamois."
"I've been reading reviews on the Castelli Insider, I think I'm going to buy them."
"I've really liked the Castelli stuff I have, did 200 miles in them once and had minimal soreness."
"Good brands that will last"
"Ebay. Search for Pactimo, Primal, Castelli...and you won't go wrong. Get larger than you think you need."
"I'm a fan of Giordana and Castelli brands, not *quite* as spendy as Assos being recommended in these comments but looks good and fits great."
"I really like castelli with the Progetto x2 chamois."
#7
Burton
4.8
(5)
"They're great at helping avoid injuries while taking little space."
"I love them. You can barely tell that they are on because they are so low profile."
"They are amazing"
"Burton 100%. Doesnt even feel like you are wearing them and provides great protection"
"Burton makes some with the same kind of padding that’s used for football girdles. It’s soft and squishy when you move but it hardens on impact."
#8
Tortoise Pads
4.8
(4)
"I wear tortoise pads. They are made in California and you can adjust the amount of padding by adding or removing layers of foam."
"I own both Tortoise Pads and the Triple8 RD Bumsavers, and the Tortoise pads are way better."
"Tortoise Pads are FAR superior (2x the price, but worth every penny)."
"Another Tortoise Pads user here."
#9
Triple 8
4.5
(4)
"Triple 8 Bumsavers 👍🏻."
"I highly recommend Triple 8 bumsavers."
"I just got some bumsavers which seem like exactly the kind of thing I need!"
"It fits very well. Although the padding is kinda thick you don't see it under the pants. Light crashes are absorbed just fine."
#10
Red White
5.0
(3)
"I like them better than my Castelli."
"I've heard only RedWhite bibs compare."
"The Bib from Red White is definitely worth the $130 investment."
#11
Baleaf
3.8
(4)
"I wear Baleaf bibs and they’re fine for longer rides."
"About $30 a pair, will help you see what you’re missing."
"Cheapest is probably some padded lycra shorts, with some normal shorts over the top if you're not keen to show off your arse."
"I have some XXXL shorts from Baleaf."
#12
Terry
4.7
(3)
"I have any one of the following on all of my riders. Terry Liberator Y Elite."
"I have any one of the following on all of my riders."
"Are awesome."
#13
Fox
4.7
(3)
"I personally find fox rangers the best bang for buck for shorts with a decent detachable liner."
"They’re awesome"
"I'm a big fan of Fox Rangers, have numerous pairs."
#14
Gore
4.3
(3)
"Gore C3 liners for underwear. Great quality and padding, have been using them for years now."
"I personally use Gore C5 shammy shorts with regular MTB shorts or pants over them."
"It’s been years since I switched to Gore MTB style shorts with padded underpants."
#15
Bibs
4.0
(3)
"The best bet are high quality bibs pairs with a good firm saddle."
"Aim for bibs with the straps, they are far more comfortable on your stomach than just shorts alone."
"Bib shorts may look a bit odd, but honestly dont bother with the drawstring ones."
#16
Pactimo
4.0
(3)
"Bibs for sure, but see if you can look into the chamois insert."
"Ebay. Search for Pactimo, Primal, Castelli...and you won't go wrong. Get larger than you think you need."
"If Pearl or Pactimo is still readily available on Amazon they both make quality stuff."
#17
Zoic
3.7
(3)
"Zoic has a flap like boxers which are great but imo are warmer."
"They help hold my knee pads in place better."
"I've also tried the Zoic Ether shorts. They are also good, but I think a little more pricey and they run a touch too big on me."
#18
G-Form
4.5
(2)
"I use G-form shorts. They have little padding compared to others but they are so good and absorb so much impact."
"I really like them. i got these but not in you"
#19
Leatt
4.5
(2)
"Saved my bacon in a bad park spill."
"Super comfortable and they offer tail bone protection."
#20
Troy Lee Designs
4.0
(2)
"Troy Lees are the best ventilated BUT the stitching can be irritating."
"I like the TLD shorts. They have different 3 different levels of padding. I ride the mid-level."
#21
Black Bibs
4.0
(2)
"I really like the Black Bibs shorts which have a bit more padding in the chamois."
"Check out the black bibs (https://theblackbibs.com/)."
#22
Decathlon
4.0
(2)
"I'd usually recommend Decathlon or PlanetX here in the UK."
"I've logged about 7k km on their Triban padded shorts that cost 10€ a piece, no complaints."
#23
Levi's
4.0
(2)
"I do have those Levi's commuter jeans which are reinforced for cycling, but are otherwise “normal.”"
"I like wearing the Levi's 511 commuter jeans/shorts for short commutes."
#24
Padded Shorts
2.3
(3)
"Padded short will not solve pain, it increase comfort for very long ride and reduce chafing"
"Opt for the padded shorts, but also know that this soreness will fade as your butt gets used to riding."
"I bought cheap chamois (padded shorts) and it was a waste of fabric, time and money. Invest!"
#25
dhb
3.0
(2)
"Wiggles own dhb branded shorts are good value for money."
"Dhb"
#26
Louis Garneau
5.0
(1)
"I use two pair of Louis Garneau Sensor Fit shorts. Very comfy, extremely long lasting, and perfect for hairy legs as they don't have grippers, but rather a reinforced cuff that keeps them from riding up."
#27
Bn3th
5.0
(1)
"My favorite is Bn3th north shore chamois. Comfortable padding, ball pouch so your package has a nice place to hang."
#28
Royal
5.0
(1)
"Royal Matrix 2. I bought them after seeing them recommended here on an earlier thread. Love them."
#29
Sugoi
5.0
(1)
"I have Sugoi MTB shorts with removable inner which have been awesome."
#30
Club Ride
5.0
(1)
"Club ride makes great chamois liners then wear mtb shorts over them."
#31
Ozark
5.0
(1)
"Ozark biking shorts have a gooch pad about an inch thick. Amazing when combined with a good seat"
#32
NeoPro
5.0
(1)
"I bought a pair of bibs from NeoPro over the winter. I've put about 8 hours on them and I'm really impressed."
#33
7mesh
5.0
(1)
"7mesh. Buy their bib chamois and glidepath shorts. Sorted."
#34
Humvee
5.0
(1)
"Paired with Humvee 3/4 shorts, pants, and regular shorts, can’t go wrong."
#35
Steaks Contact Wear
5.0
(1)
"Steaks contact wear is AMAZING. It's pretty expensive, but the padding is very thin and flexible while providing good protection."
#36
Mons Royal
5.0
(1)
"None have the comfort that these shorts do."
#37
Ben3th
5.0
(1)
"It’s life changing."
#38
Komfy
5.0
(1)
"Highly recommend the Komfy seat. It offers a little padding but doesn’t create pressure like a full gel seat does."
#39
Brooks Saddle
5.0
(1)
"Try a Brooks saddle. Ever since I got one I don't wear bike shorts/bibs/padding."
#40
Kucharik Clothing Merino Shorts
5.0
(1)
"I have a pair of these merino shorts with the optional bib top. They are expensive but they are also the best I have ever worn."
#41
Chamois Butt'r
5.0
(1)
"I'd also recommend adding some Chamois Butt'r, which I discovered during my second STP and which changed my life forever."
#42
Kucharik
5.0
(1)
"They are expensive but they are also the best I have ever worn."
#43
Velocio
5.0
(1)
"Great company!"
#44
Auau
5.0
(1)
"Their old crash pants were awesome"
#45
Specialized
4.0
(1)
"Also have a pair of Specialized SWAT bibs that have pockets built in - handy and expensive"
#46
Powerslide
4.0
(1)
"When I bought these (for $50), I was a little worried because the padding seemed thin. However, these shorts have saved me time and time again."
#47
Santic
4.0
(1)
"Amazing padding. If you don't like the lycra look just throw some shorts over them, that's what I do."
#48
Ennui
4.0
(1)
"They are low profile and not intrusive, but truth be hold, I only got them after I was done slamming my hips every session. The few hits I've taken since then, have been absorbed pretty well."
#49
RhipClhips
4.0
(1)
"Absolutely if you just want hip protection check out RhipClhips.Com You can buy just one for your lead hip or two for both hips. These ones are easy to slip in so you don't have to remember to put them on before your pants."
#50
Le Col
4.0
(1)
"I just did a ride in new Le Col bib shorts."
#51
Spexcel
4.0
(1)
"Feel as good as some $100+ bibs."
#52
Bontrager
4.0
(1)
"Good brands that will last"
#53
Macubal
4.0
(1)
"Many thousands of miles later I don't have any complaints."
#54
Skating Spirit
4.0
(1)
"I like that I can put them on/take them off without removing my skates."
#55
Triple Eight
4.0
(1)
"Try some that are specifically for snow/skate. They'll protect better too."
#56
Bib Shorts
4.0
(1)
"Get bib shorts. The shoulder straps keep them better in place."
#57
Sponeed Shorts
4.0
(1)
"Sponeed shorts. Never had a bib, never had a problem."
#58
Shorts
4.0
(1)
"A good pair a shorts will go a long way (bibs are even better as some people have said)."
#59
Padded Bike Shorts
4.0
(1)
"I do, but just because the fabric feels better than wearing regular shorts or pants."
#60
Sponeed
4.0
(1)
"I'm pretty happy with Sponeed."
#61
Forcefield
3.0
(1)
"New Option: Forcefield Boom Impact Shorts"
#62
Baleaf Padded Underwear
3.0
(1)
"Baleaf makes padded underwear that you can wear under regular clothes but no padded underwear is designed for all day wear."
#63
Dick's Sporting Goods
3.0
(1)
"I bought a pair of football shorts with pads at Dicks sporting goods and cut the pads out."
#64
Proskater
2.0
(1)
"The picture makes them look like they're made of this nice, stretchy, breathable material, and the padding looks thick and sturdy, but when I got mine it was just two layers of nylon mesh holding together flimsy foam."
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