Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Chinea Rodriguez, Retailers
I’ve gone to the gym enough to have a uniform. When I’m not wearing flared leggings, an Aritzia tank, and a crewneck sweater or T-shirt, I love bike shorts. Not only are they cute and easy to style, they’re also great for showing off my progress on leg day. Since it’s still warm outside, I have been living in bike shorts at the gym but also under dresses and skirts. Even though my gym keeps the AC cranked up, I prefer shorts over leggings for post-gym strolls to a café or out to lunch. If you struggle with chafing, bike shorts are also a secret weapon for avoiding irritation.
But any old bike shorts won’t do. I need a comfortable pair I can trust will stay in place during squat sets, for StairMaster and reformer workouts, and on long walks around the city. They need to be breathable and moisture-wicking but not too thin or see-through. Now that you know my requirements, here’s my list of the best bike shorts I keep on rotation throughout the week.
Photo: Chinea Rodriguez
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Abercrombie’s underrated workout line makes my all-time favorite bike shorts. The material is moisture-wicking, and they don’t roll down — no matter how much I move. I also love how thick these are. I wear them plenty without worrying about a visible panty line, and after several washes and wears, there’s no pilling.
Photo: Chinea Rodriguez
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These roll occasionally, but they’re so lightweight and thin they’re almost like a second skin. They’re easy to adjust, and I love wearing them under a dress when I’m not wearing them to the gym. One of the downsides of a tight pair of bike shorts is the material digging into your thighs and stomach, but I’ve never had that issue with these. If you’re concerned about them being see-through since they’re so thin, I’d suggest sticking to the black colorway.
Photo: Chinea Rodriguez
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Outdoorsy brand Halfdays makes a supersoft, buttery pair of shorts, hence the name MeltEffect. These are thin and breathable but not so thin you’re worried about them being see-through. They offer very light compression and a pocket if you do decide to take them beyond the gym.
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If I had to build an entire gym wardrobe without spending a ton of money, I’d start with Old Navy. You get light compression and lots of coverage with the thicker material and longer inseam. I love how durable the material is — I’m constantly wearing and washing them, but they’ve held up well.
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Aritzia’s Butter line is my go-to. Like the name suggests, everything is buttery-soft with light compression, so you get support but have space for lots of movement. The pieces are also supercomfortable, which is great if you’re more of an athleisure girl than a hardcore-workout girl. I often grab the Butter one-piece when I’m in a rush, but bike shorts with a workout tank is also a great combination. The Cut’s fashion-partnerships editor, Bianca Nieves, also loves them for reformer and cardio classes.
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Another one of Nieves’s favorites comes from Free People. These are stretchy, soft, and perfect if you like cardio or more medium-impact workouts. Reviewers do warn that the lighter colors are slightly sheer.
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Similar to Aritzia, Adanola is a brand I love for both workoutwear and casual athleisure. The brand’s Ultimate Bike Shorts have a long inseam for those who want extra coverage and comfort. The medium compression is nice and comfortable.
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If you want actual compression and shaping for your high-impact workout, this seamless pair from Gymshark is a good option. The Cut’s resident gym girl, beauty editor Asia Milia Ware, swears by the brand. These are breathable and don’t move, but I’d recommend sizing up for a better fit since they’ll be tight.
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