It’s time to put away the leggings. When the temps start to climb, biker shorts are our go-to bottoms. There’s a lot to love about them, but it’s their versatility that takes the cake: The best biker shorts will help you feel supported while hiking, running, practicing yoga, and weight lifting, but they’ll also feel super comfy when you’re lounging around the house. Whether you like to keep it simple in all black, add a pop of color, or mix and match bold patterns, the color options and styles are endless.
When shopping for biker shorts, you’ll want ones that are comfortable enough for all-day wear, and the waistband and leg hems should feel snug without pinching. But perhaps the most important quality of bike shorts is in the material: They should be durable and squat-proof (meaning they remain opaque and provide coverage even when you bend, move, and, well, squat in them). And, even if they’re ultra-stretchy, they should maintain their shape with repeated wear. As someone constantly on the move who wears bike shorts all summer long, I’ve been using this criteria to choose the pairs that make me feel supported, comfortable, and overall pretty damn good.
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Below, we’ve compiled some of the best biker shorts from reputable brands like Athleta, Girlfriend Collective, REI Co-op, and Lululemon.
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