The Best Mountain Bike Shorts for Women of 2024

Stretching nearly to the knee, the exterior hem has an angled feminine detail, reminding us of a herringbone pattern. We love that these shorts offer three roomy, stretchy zippered stash zones: two hand pockets and a lengthy one off the right hip. The hand pouch is large enough to stuff a big phone, which holds close to the body and doesn’t jostle while dancing down chunky rock gardens.

Even after one fairly muddy 32-mile ride, during which we absolutely caked the blue-steel color with wet dirt, these shorts came out of the wash without any stains. Score! While we found that the Lola shorts are pretty true to size and super comfortable, we were thankful for the grippy interior silicone patches and the exterior velcro adjusters to help tailor the fit at the waist. The band really does wick sweat, yet it doesn’t loosen over time. For riders that prefer a belt, generous loops line the midriff. The zipper and single-snap closure never popped open on rides, either. 

For sunny and sweat-ridden adventures, the Inuitive IQ MTB fabric is reinforced with 50+ UPF. The quick-drying textile served us well with zero chafing, and it felt adequately breathable in the high alpine. The interior polyester lining is soft against the skin, and while it does pill fast, it’s not visible, and the exterior holds up against a beating. As long as the velcro belt lasts, we’ll be pulling on the baggy, smooth Flylow Lola Shorts for many more miles ahead.

The Freel is made with a slightly more durable, four-way stretch DWR-treated, water-resistant nylon, as opposed to the Kaweah’s polyester fabric. Both are comfortable. And if you don’t mind dropping a few extra bucks, the durability and feel of the Freel are even better.

The fabric of the Wild Rye Freel Shorts is comfortable and strong, the shorts come in sizes 0 to 18, the fit is complimentary in the saddle, and we love the longer 12-inch inseam on this style. Patterns include desert dream and alpine bloom, or they come in solid black and mahogany. No matter what color or pattern you choose, these shorts look good and transition easily from your ride to hanging with friends afterward.

Two open jeans-style hand pockets are great off the bike, while a zippered pocket on the right thigh perfectly fits a phone and holds it out of the way while riding. The size range should ensure a good fit for most ladies, and although the waist does not have any adjustments, the loops make it easy to snug them up with your favorite belt if needed.

After testing the Wild Rye Freel shorts, it’s easy to see why everyone loves them. These shorts perform well on the bike, look great all the time, and are built to last.

You might not think much of the scalloped hem with laser-cut perforations until you pull these shorts on and shred. There’s no need to sacrifice style when it’s packed into such a comfortable chamois that fits smoothly under your baggy shorts or works great and looks cute on its own. The Biker Cham also comes in a range of colors and patterns to match your style.

We also really like the two long stretchy pockets on each side of the shorts. While we tended to wear these as a liner beneath other riding shorts (and wouldn’t use the pockets), we always used those pockets before and after rides while wearing only the Cham. They fit a phone perfectly.

The longer 7-inch length of these chamois is super comfortable and helps protect our skin. The chamois pad itself is densely padded and very appreciated, with a variable thickness of 2-14 mm from the front to the backside. We’re also happy to see the materials are PFAS and PFC-Free, lowering our exposure to potential cancer-causing agents.

If you tend to wear thicker mountain bike shorts over your chamois, get hot easily, or live in a humid, sunny environment, be aware that the fabric of the Shredly Biker Cham is not the most breathable. In contrast, some of the other liner chamois are made of mesh for extreme breathability. This textile is built so that you can wear it alone without an outer layer, and it’s not see-through. The thicker material reduces the breathability that mesh provides.

At the top of the short, there’s technically zero waistband, meaning the fabric tapers off and is super smooth and high-reaching. We found it to be comfortable and rarely saggy. It was so elastic and stretchy that, typically, when we pulled those puppies on, they’d stay. Ultimately, we also love how smooth and buttery the fabric is on these shorts.

Yes, the look is on the “sexier” side, but still sports tech. With a fit on the slimmer side of the baggy spectrum, the waist reaches high, keeping away any chance of a backside flash. We found the extra-high reach to be surprisingly comfortable. A unique waistband allowed us to easily pull these on, zipping up the side and then closing the single snap (with two options for your preferred tightness). The closure never popped open on a ride. 

These shorts reach further down the leg than their sister, the Ramble Scramble. While they’re not baggy, they’re slightly less snug-fitting than the Ramble. Super minimal seams lead to a very smooth, airy feel and a simple, streamlined, uncluttered aesthetic. We don’t typically use pockets on our backside while we ride, so why not keep the look polished? The brand also partnered with a local Montana-based sewing studio, The Stitch House, to handle repairs if those surface down the line. 

Launched in the fall of 2023, Curious Creatures is relatively new on the scene, but we’re already seeing them everywhere on the trails. After trying them for ourselves, it’s easy to see why. We appreciate the fusion of flattering cuts and a fun yet technical vision for ladies on bikes. 

Don’t sleep on the Curious Creatures Marilyn if you’re after a high-performance, comfortable, slim-fitting, and minimalist pair of mountain bike shorts. Slender and form-celebrating yet functional, we like to think Marilyn would love these shorts, too.

While that construction might be a bit overbuilt for some everyday rides, it’s our go-to for long hours in the saddle in variable conditions — like our self-supported 142-mile Kokopelli Trail ride under brutal sun and dashes of rain. The waistband also reaches higher than our other shorts, adding lower back protection and comfort, especially if we’re wearing a loaded backpack for a long journey.

Despite the extra leg coverage, two front-facing, mesh-lined, zippered vents on the legs of the Norrøna Fjora Flex1 allow airflow if needed on the ride. The integrated Velcro belt is substantial and wide and definitely helps tighten up the shorts, especially on back-to-back days. Two zippered hand pockets and a spacious zippered thigh pocket provide ample space for your storage needs.

If you’re seeking more coverage and protection than most shorts provide, the Norrøna Fjora Flex1 is a great option to consider. While protective, they’ve still got a flattering cut and have you covered, literally, for your most epic mountain bike adventures.

Founder and designer Natasha Woodworth launched the brand in the fall of 2023, and we’re stoked to finally put down miles with the apparel. Following more than a decade on Patagonia’s design team — where she rocketed off the women’s MTB and touring lines — plus years with Quicksilver, Lady Gaga, and Marc Jacobs, she established a new fun-yet-technical vision for ladies on bikes. 

With a slim fit, the Ramble Scramble hits mid-thigh and hikes a bit while pedaling, showing the hem of our chamois (We love the feminine, scalloped hem on the Shredly Biker Cham, and we don’t mind getting peeks while we roll!). With sizable biker quads, we recommend sizing up if you don’t want a hug. But we’ll say the fabric is deliciously malleable and smooth, so the fit doesn’t bug. Inside, a drawcord is available to help snug up the waistband, which is comfy and goes unnoticed. 

Lightweight and treated with PFC-free DWR, the surface repels moisture (woohoo!), and the feel? Super soft. Decorated with pockets, there are two rear and two hand pockets without zip closures. There’s also a tiny inset pocket on the right side, hanging above the hand pouch. On the right is also a broad envelope pocket and a smaller zippered pocket, which fits an ID or key fob (but not a large phone). While we wouldn’t use most of the pockets while we rip singletrack because they lack security, we appreciate their presence post-ride. Also, we love that the Curious Creatures eyeball logo is visible on our back right pocket as we pedal. 

The roundup of pockets reminds us of lifestyle shorts — and even one-ups with regard to storage — and that’s a special niche these mountain bike shorts fill. As soon as we’re done on dirt, we pull off our chamois and keep sporting these shorts as an everyday summer piece in our wardrobe. One niggle: the garment’s hand pocket tends to get ruffled when we pull items out, so they need a little manual ironing with our hands. Not a big deal but it’s a tad annoying. The issue would likely be less prevalent if we’d sized up instead of going slim with the fit. 

Ladies who want a fun, stretchy pair of mountain bike shorts they can seamlessly wear from happy hour shreds to grabbing dinner with the crew, look no further than the Curious Creatures Ramble Scramble Short. We recommend rocking these shorts on your rest days, too.

The chamois is highly breathable, conforms to your body almost immediately, and doesn’t have any extra bulk. The pad is designed with four specific zones of thickness (2 mm to 14 mm) and density for targeted protection along the entire saddle.

The wide waistband and body of the shorts were inspired by yoga shorts. And the Shredly YOGACHAM feels nearly as comfortable as our favorite yoga garb. These pair perfectly with any of the amazing Shredly outer shell shorts — or any other baggy shorts, for that matter — just pick your favorite and go hit the trails.

Pair these with the slim-fitting, buttery-soft, stretchy, and breathable Velocio Ultralight Trail Short ($159) for happy days on the trail. Even better, the brand has continued to expand size options to deliver the current XXS to 3XL — nice work. The slide-snap closure and stretchy Arcade belt included with the Trail Short also reduce the amount of pressure at the midline.

Plus, the short repels water (thank you, DWR finish) and a slim, performance fit. Despite being super sleek and shockingly lightweight (115 gsm), the high-woven fabric on the Velocio Ultralight Trail Shorts is surprisingly robust. And if you prefer more freedom around the waist, grab the Velocio MTB Bib Liner to go with the shorts.

There’s a long, wide, zippered pocket that’s well-positioned on the lower hamstring — a phone or wallet goes unfelt and unnoticed. The fabric is DWR-treated (and UPF 50), so puddle or downpour droplets roll right off.

Wild Rye is also well-known for unique, fun, eye-catching prints, and these shorts are no exception. We’re especially fond of the Thistle print, a one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn floral illustration created by artist Emberly Modine.

Plus, the shorts have casual touches — like non-zipper front pockets and wide belt loops — so they work well for casual, around-town outings post-ride.

Some of our testers have been riding with these shorts for several seasons, and the fabric is only now starting to show wear with some discoloration. But otherwise, there are no loose seams or tears. Despite being the lower tier built from the brand, the durability of the Wild Rye Kaweah is still super sound.

One of the first things we noticed about the Eden shorts is the soft, super-comfy fabric that hides their technicality. It’s super-lightweight and stretchy and has a water-resistant finish, too. This material moves easily with the body and your pedal stroke while allowing plenty of breathability. The relatively short, 7-inch inseam also shows a lot of leg and helps to keep you cool when the weather is hot but reduces coverage and protection.

The short inseam and the cut of the Eden Shorts definitely put off a feminine vibe both on the bike and off. The style transitions seamlessly from the trail to post-ride hangs or any other activity you want. Two open hand pockets and two back pockets add casual appeal and are appreciated when hanging out pre-ride or running errands after your shred. The zippered thigh pocket is the most useful on the bike for keeping things secure.

The Club Ride Eden Shorts come with a Level 2 Drift chamois liner, which is a nice touch at this price point. The liner is removable, so you can wear these shorts with or without it and use it with other shorts if you please. The simple waistband has a secure snap and zipper fly along with internal Velcro waist adjusters to dial in the fit. Additional belt loops seem like overkill, but add casual style points. They are there if you need them.

If you prefer a shorter inseam and casually styled shorts that work as well off the bike as they do on, then the Club Ride Eden Shorts are worth a serious look. At $100 with a removable chamois liner, these shorts not only look good, but we think they’re a solid value.

It’s a similar short to the women’s Norrøna Fjora Flex1 Long Shorts described above but not as long at only 12 inches (versus 15 inches). The fabric is a slightly heavier, denser style that’s 160-denier (compared to a 90 and 150-denier weave). The pockets and zipper vents have a different placement, and the zipper vents are longer, but the adjustable waist is the same.

They also have a gusseted crotch, double top-stitched and offset seams for extra longevity, and a UPF 50+ rating (the Flex1 doesn’t have that UV protection). But the extra features, sun protection, and durability will run you another 40 bucks.

Given the fabric’s weight, we were wary at first — but the Norrøna Fjora Heavy Duty MTB Shorts are also really breathable. And these shorts are also compatible with knee pads! If you’re riding through a lot of brush, bushwacking, hike-a-biking, or riding dusty or sandy singletrack, these shorts should be on your list to try.