Carrying padded liner shorts below your baggies helps you trip longer and additional in complete consolation, and with storage bib shorts you even have room for a couple of extra snacks! Keep snug within the saddle
The perfect MTB liner shorts can carry an additional layer of consolation to your mountain bike trip with out feeling cumbersome or cramping your model on the bike. Select from minimal boxer-brief model padded liner shorts for biking, or extra conventional bib shorts with the added bonus of inner storage for instruments, tubes and snacks that can assist you trip with out the burden of a backpack.
Whichever you like, the very best padded liner shorts will assist preserve saddle sores at bay and allow you to trip longer and additional in consolation. And don’t neglect you’ll want some saggy shorts or mountain bike pants/trousers to go excessive!
Bounce to: Finest MTB liner shorts for males
Bounce to: Finest MTB liner shorts for ladies
Finest MTB liner shorts for males

7Mesh Basis temporary padded brief liner
Premium padded liner
Colors: Black | Sizes: XS – XXL | Score: 9/10
Professionals: Gentle, minimal, not restrictive in any respect
Cons: Pad feels a bit bizarre at first should you’re used to a standard full-length chamois
7Mesh’s Basis lingerie include a minimal foam pad that differs from most in the marketplace by solely overlaying bum cheeks, fairly than additionally wrapping up the entrance, and in addition has perforations within the groin space for additional air flow and warmth escape.
The body-hugging stretchy match stays put whereas pulling shapes and the skinny cloth resists wetting out, in contrast to cotton boxers or briefs that may flip right into a sweaty mess on hotter days. The important thing to its success, I feel, is how the thinner pad doesn’t bunch up or wriggle, and in addition doesn’t want a ‘good’ place on the ischium (bum bones) like a highway chamois. Mix this with the stretchy materials respiratory rather well round thigh and glute creases and cracks, and the entire set-up retains you recent and reduces any chafing.
Learn our full overview of the 7Mesh Basis Temporary

Scott Path Underwear Professional +++ brief
Scott Path Underwear Professional +++ Males’s Shorts
Gentle, ethereal and comfy
Colors: Black | Sizes: S – XXL | Score: N/A
Professionals: Minimal bulk, breathable, snug
Cons: Costly when purchased individually
Scott has executed a incredible job with its Path Underwear Professional. The three+ rated chamois pad is 3D fashioned, so matches your physique fantastically, whereas its simply the suitable dimension and thickness to offer further consolation with out feeling like a nappy off the bike. 4-way stretch perforated cloth offers unrestricted motion, good wicking properties and dries shortly. It’s costly by itself, however you mainly get the identical liner free with Scott’s Path Vertic and Path Tuned shorts, which is the good method to purchase them.

Bontrager Troslo Inform
Finest method to stuff your stuff
Colors: Black | Sizes: S – XXL | Score: 9/10
Professionals: Wonderful breathability, match and luxury. Leg grippers are efficient.
Cons: Leg pockets aren’t safe.
The Bontrager Troslo inForm brief is available in essentially the most sizes and is superb high quality. It’s Lycra down the centre however you get mesh panels both aspect and within the bib space. Breathability is superb and it feels comfortable with out being restrictive. Bontrager’s BioDynamic chamois just isn’t overly thick nevertheless it nonetheless has good assist and by no means felt clammy. The huge compression leg grippers are among the finest – they’re simply as safe as silicone however they don’t rub or pull on leg hair.
There’s a ton of storage on the again with three massive elasticated pockets and sure, both of them can take a normal water bottle. Decrease down there are two knee pockets however they’re too bit brief and so they don’t function any elastic, so something factor we put in them normally fell out. Comfy, nice and out there in essentially the most sizes, what stops it getting a prefect rating is the saggy aspect pockets.
Learn our full overview of the Bontrager Troslo Inform liner

Specialised Mountain Bib Liner
Authentic and nonetheless amongst the very best
Colors: Black | Sizes: S – XXL | Score: 9/10
Professionals: The unique storage liner brief. Wonderful design all through.
Cons: Premium value
Specialised made the primary storage shorts as a part of its SWAT (Storage Water Air Instruments) vary. It was initially included with a saggy brief however the Mountain Liner is now out there individually. Specialised has made a few modifications for the reason that final time we examined it. There are nonetheless three lumbar pockets however these are nearly a 3rd deeper. The centre pocket has looser opening, so is designed to take a water bottle, however you truly can match a bottle in both aspect pocket.
There are further pouches on every thigh and on the previous brief these had been break up into two. They’re now single pockets which might be additionally deeper and we discovered we might get a bottle in both of them too. The physique of the brief is a light-weight breathable mesh with elasticated band fairly than silicone gripper on the legs. The brief includes a formed Physique Geometry Mountain chamois, with tons of padding over the sit bones. A great deal of storage, tremendous secure and nice worth.
Learn our full overview of the Specialised Mountain Bib Liner

Madison Flux Capability
Not only a good identify
Sizes: S – XXL | Score: 8/10
Professionals: Good match. Respectable value.
Cons: Leg grippers may very well be higher. Pockets are sewn down, so can get in the best way and tough to entry on the transfer.
Like most storage shorts, the Flux Capability options an built-in bib to cease it hanging low when absolutely loaded nevertheless it does means you will want to shed higher layers if you wish to squat down for, you recognize, a couple of minutes. For those who solely have to cease briefly there’s a fly opening on the entrance, useful for the reason that entrance of this brief sits fairly excessive on the chest. Niggles? The chamois pad is on the cumbersome aspect, the pockets are a bit fiddly to entry and the silicone leg grippers are fairly fundamental.
Learn our full overview of the Madison Flux Capability liner
Finest MTB liner shorts for ladies
Endura Ladies’s Singletrack Liner Shorts
Finest girls’s liner shorts
Colors: Black | Sizes: XS – XL | Score: 10/10
Professionals: Wonderful high quality lycra with stretch and assist, nice worth for cash, good dimension vary, huge waistband and leg cuffs, breathable mesh, snug chamois
Cons: Leg size is perhaps on the lengthy aspect for shorter riders
The Endura Ladies’s Singletrack Liner shorts are excellent. Constructed from a breathable, stretchy but supportive mesh, they match comfortably below saggy shorts. The huge waistband and leg cuffs sit properly in place with out squeezing, and stop the highest rolling down or the legs rolling up.
The Ladies’s Singletrack Liner Shorts are available in sizes XS to XL, and in our expertise, due to the stretch and design, XL will match a dimension UK18. The chamois is tremendous snug, with a medium thickness, although after all chamois consolation can be a query of non-public desire.
Additionally, as a tall rider I appreciated the size of those liner shorts, which comfortably reached simply a few inches or so above the knee. Nevertheless, the flip aspect of this may imply shorter riders discover the size too lengthy.
Total, these liner shorts symbolize the best bundle of consolation, efficiency and value. I’ve ridden in them extensively and washed them continuously, and so they’ve stayed in good situation. In actual fact, these at the moment are my go-to liner shorts for all my rides.
Rapha Ladies’s Path Liner
Premium shorts with wonderful consolation and match
Colors: Black | Sizes: XS – XL | Score: 9/10
Professionals: Easy however tremendous snug match and design, breathable mesh aspect panels
Cons: Premium price ticket, restricted dimension vary for bigger riders
Rapha is perhaps well-known for its highway biking equipment, however when it determined to develop path equipment, it didn’t do it by half. In actual fact, just about the entire Rapha equipment we’ve reviewed has scored prime marks, like its kneepads and path pants.
These shorts proceed on this theme. The lycra is phenomenal high quality, providing snug assist and firmness but feeling delicate on the physique. These shorts sit in place and keep there, regardless of how a lot you’re throwing your self across the path.
We favored the flat entrance panel over the abdomen, which meant no harsh seams or bands. We additionally cherished the mesh aspect panels which add breathability and temperature regulation when using in heat climate. There are even storage pockets on either side constructed from that mesh, and so they’re deep sufficient to pop in a telephone do you have to wish to.
The chamois is medium thickness; thicker than the Specialised Ladies’s Mountain Bib Liners, and comfy for lengthy and brief rides.
They’re on the expensive aspect, which isn’t surprising what with this being a Rapha product. That stated, the standard of the material and design shines by way of, so in case you have the cash to speculate, then you definitely gained’t be dissatisfied.
Specialised Ladies’s Mountain Liner Bib Shorts with SWAT
Sensible all-round bib shorts for consolation and storage
Colors: Black | Sizes: XS – XL | Score: 9/10
Professionals: Very snug, loads of on-board storage pockets, nice match, drop tail for consolation breaks
Cons: Strap arrange a bit complicated, restricted dimension vary for bigger riders
Not a fan of carrying a bag? There’s storage aplenty in these girls’s particular bib liner shorts from Specialised. SWAT – which stands for Storage, Water, Air and Instruments – is Specialised’s identify for its varied on-board storage programs for bikes and clothes.
There are 4 pockets on the again of Ladies’s Mountain Liner shorts, certainly one of which is a safe zipped pocket, plus a pocket on every thigh that’s good for stowing your mid-ride snacks. The again pockets sit on a sort of separate flap, which is nice in that it means the contents are pulled into your again, nevertheless it does imply should you put something cumbersome in there, it’ll bulge out the again of your jersey. On the upside it sat securely and didn’t transfer about when using.
The chamois is pretty skinny, and has nice protection. We discovered it tremendous snug for lengthy rides. We additionally cherished the mesh cloth the shorts had been lower from; tremendous delicate, and stretchy but agency, plus good and funky and breathable for hot-weather using. Different options embody little poppers so you possibly can connect them to your saggy shorts, and a drop tail design which implies all it’s essential to do is pull the again down for bathroom stops.
And as a aspect be aware, we’d typically advocate being cautious about placing something too arduous or spiky in any of those pockets, particularly something near the backbone, as they could trigger damage within the occasion of a crash.
Velocio Ladies’s Path Mesh Bib Liner
Finest for inclusive sizing and hot-weather using
Colors: Black | Sizes: XXS – XXXL | Score: 8/10
Professionals: Inclusive vary of sizing, light-weight breathable mesh is nice for decent days, huge snug straps
Cons: Mesh feels tough when stretched tight, slender chamois
There’s tons we cherished about these absolutely mesh path liners from Velocio. Firstly, the mesh itself is stretchy, comparatively delicate and a particular godsend in sizzling climate.
The bib straps are good and huge with lazer lower edges, so there’s nothing to chafe or pull. They’ve a further strap throughout the higher again which implies no extra yanking up the shoulders when then begin to slide down. This design additionally means it’s doable to simply pull the again of the shorts down for bathroom stops – Velocio name this its ‘Fly Free’ design.
Usually talking, the Cytech chamois, which is on the thicker finish of the spectrum, could be very snug. There’s additionally a small mesh pocket on every thigh which is useful for the storage of using necessities. Or snacks. Largely snacks, if we’re trustworthy.
One level within the adverse column; on longer rides, we skilled chafing on the inside prime of every leg the place the chamois stops. This appeared to be partially as a result of narrowness of the chamois, and the truth that the mesh cloth can really feel just a little tough when stretched or bunched. On shorter rides, there was no concern, however after about 4 hours it was uncomfortable.
We had been notably impressed to see the big selection of sizes these shorts can be found in. It’s a way more inclusive sizing vary than just about every other model on the market, going from XXS to XXXL, so smaller and bigger riders are effectively catered too. Velocio even have an internet sizing information that takes weight in addition to top under consideration, that can assist you discover the very best match.
How we examined
All the shorts above have been totally examined by our workforce of skilled reviewers. Every pair of shorts above have been ridden on various mountain bike rides in a spread of circumstances, and judged for worth, consolation, match and options. By testing and judging the shorts head-to-head, we all know that the shorts included on this information are the best scoring and finest performing ones we’ve examined.
What to search for in the very best padded brief liners for mountain biking
1. Chamois or pad
That is the pad that sits between your nether areas and the saddle, and it’s normally made of froth, gel, or a mix of each. It’s designed to sit down subsequent to the pores and skin (so no knickers, boxers or pants beneath!). Chamois pads come in several thicknesses and typically additionally width fittings, and it’s very a lot a query of non-public desire on what you go for.
2. Lycra or mesh cloth
The shorts themselves might be constructed from a stretchy Lycra materials. You too can get extra light-weight shorts, supreme for summer time or hot-weather using, which might be both utterly constructed from mesh, or have mesh panels.
3. Pockets
A lot of liner shorts now include pockets, normally positioned on the thigh or on the small of the again, and product of the identical lycra or mesh because the shorts themselves. These pockets are useful for carrying snacks or change should you’re trying to trip mild, or should you want extra storage on longer rides.
4. Waist shorts or bib shorts
There are two forms of liner shorts; waist shorts that are a bit like tight boxers, and bib shorts which have shoulder straps. There are execs and cons to every of them, and once more it’s a matter of non-public desire which you go for.
5. Match
To work successfully, the liner shorts ought to sit subsequent to the pores and skin like leggings or tights. That is to stop the pad shifting round or bunching up, which might be uncomfortable, and to stop chaffing, as a result of no-one desires that occurring on this area of the physique.
What are padded liner shorts?
Padded liner shorts for biking and mountain biking are light-weight lycra shorts which have a cushioned pad – referred to as a chamois – that’s positioned to sit down between the genitals and bum to supplied cushioning, assist and luxury whereas using. They’re product of a light-weight materials and are designed to be worn in opposition to the pores and skin; they’re primarily biking underwear, so that you don’t put on underwear beneath them. Many mountain bikers put on them beneath their saggy shorts.
Are padded liner shorts price it?
Many riders swear by padded liner shorts, particularly for longer rides, however different riders want to simply trip of their regular underwear below their saggy shorts, and that’s completely cool too.
Clearly we are able to’t dictate what you wish to put on whereas using, and rather a lot comes all the way down to how snug you’re feeling sporting un-padded underwear.
However we’d counsel that there are some fairly robust causes for sporting a selected padded liner brief – specifically efficiency materials will assist wick sweat away from the physique and dry a lot faster than pure cotton, the pad/chamois itself will assist assist and isolate your delicate tissue space throughout lengthy intervals within the saddle, it’s unlikely there might be any annoying seams that may trigger chafing, and a few fashions provide you with storage choices, which may help unfold the load and help you ditch your pack for shorter rides.
Do I put on underwear below padded liner shorts?
That’s an enormous no! For those who do go for padded liners, then consider them as biking underwear. They’re designed to be worn subsequent to the pores and skin, as that’s whenever you’ll get the best profit from the options which have been designed in.

They don’t look glam, however they may help preserve your nether areas snug
Ought to I am going for a boxer-style padded liner or a bib-short liner?
As soon as once more that is very a lot down to non-public desire, however every sort does have it’s particular benefits and downsides.
Boxer-brief model padded liners are light-weight and minimal so you possibly can put on them as regular underwear and never really feel constrained or self acutely aware. In addition they make it straightforward to take a consolation break on a trip.
Bib shorts, alternatively, can require a reasonably in depth degree of undress or some artistic methods when it’s essential to go to the outside toilet, except they’ve built-in options to make this simpler – most ladies’s bib shorts are designed to have the ability to simply pull down the again for bathroom stops. They’re additionally extra restrictive whenever you’re not truly using, equivalent to hanging out after a trip or driving to and from the trailhead. However the bib loops preserve the brief from slipping down and assist stop bunching up, to allow them to be extra snug on longer rides.
That additional assist from the shoulder straps additionally lets manufacturers incorporate pockets and storage, for holding water bottles, instruments, pumps, inside tubes and snacks. This could be a actual bonus if you wish to ditch your pack however nonetheless carry all of the necessities. Nevertheless, we’d urge warning right here, as carrying objects in your individual can doubtlessly trigger accidents had been you to crash and land on certainly one of them.
Do I’ve to purchase a padded brief liner individually?
No, completely not. Many – however not all – saggy shorts include padded liners included, and lots of of them are superb and save a load of cash in comparison with shopping for the outer brief and the liner brief individually.
Is there a distinction between padded biking shorts for women and men?
Sure. Because the chamois pad on the shorts is designed to sit down immediately on the pores and skin, and provided that there are specific anatomical variations between female and male genitalia, it’s no shock that there are normally completely different designs of shorts to swimsuit women and men.
The form and construction of the pad might be barely completely different, the lower of the shorts themselves might be completely different, and girls’s bib shorts specifically normally have options that make consolation breaks within the wild a bit simpler – for instance, the rear of the brief will detach or pull down, so that you don’t should take your prime off to alleviate your self.
However once more it’s down to non-public desire – should you really feel snug sporting the shorts, simply do it!