Mountain Bike Shorts: Choose Comfort

Whether you're looking for men's or women's mountain biking shorts, there are certain features to look for in the best shorts on the market. In the past, mountain bike shorts were only found in the tight, spandex material so that the individual's entire lower body felt incredibly exposed to the world, showing every flaw in the skin tight material. This was especially an issue for men, who also did not like the fact that the mountain bike shorts were in essence, tights, which most men feel should only be worn by women. For women, it was uncomfortable to show their buttocks and legs in such a manner, since it showed the cellulite that was there, especially where the shorts cut off and the legs began.

Although the tight mountain bike shorts can still be found on the market today and are even preferred by experienced bikers, there are other styles that can be found as well which look like regular shorts but still have the padded 'chamois' in them to help to protect the buttocks during the ride. There have been people in the past who would wear the tight mountain bike shorts but would wear regular shorts over the top of them. This is not a good option because it takes away from the comfort of the mountain bike shorts. The regular shorts will bunch up while the individual is riding and become extremely uncomfortable during the course of the ride, causing chaffing.

Another common problem that individuals who are new to mountain biking usually make is to wear underwear under the mountain bike shorts. This is not a good idea also because the shorts are not designed to have underwear beneath them and it also takes away from the effect of the padding in the shorts. Although it takes getting used to, riding 'free' will give the individual much more comfort during the course of the ride, allowing the natural padding and support of the mountain bike shorts to do the job that they are designed to do.

The new shorts that look like regular shorts still have the 'chamois' in them where the padding is located. They still have the support of the traditional style of mountain bike shorts. However, they are much more modest and are made for men and women so that both sexes can feel more comfortable in public over the course of the ride.