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Cycling shorts, also known as biker shorts or bicycling shorts, are short, skin-tight legwear designed to improve comfort and efficiency while cycling.

Historically, cycling shorts were made with black wool and a leather chamois patch inside the shorts in the seat and crotch area. Most modern cycling shorts are made with Spandex (Lycra) with a synthetic chamois for optimal comfort. The hem of each leg is usually lined with a ring of material that clings to the skin, keeping it in a fixed position. They are designed to be worn alone with no undergarments, snugly fitting the body to minimise friction and moisture, in fact doubling as underwear. Shorts made from more panels --or cuts of fabric-- fit better, but cost more.

The purpose of the chamois is to provide padding and to prevent chafing and rashes that can result from the repetitive motion of the legs. The chamois also absorbs moisture produced by the body. They are produced in a variety of shapes and styles to suit the needs of different riders. For example, the pattens used for the chamois on women's cycling shorts tend to be quite different from those used for men's.

Spandex is the most commonly used fabric in bicycle shorts for a variety of reasons. The elastic nature of it allows the shorts to cling tightly to the leg, offering support for the quadriceps. This also reduces wind resistance, allowing greater speed, and prevents foreign objects from getting entangled in the clothing. The thin, breathable nature of the material also allows sweat to evaporate more easily, cooling the body.

Bibshorts

Bibshorts are cycling shorts which are held up by a bib (like an overall), ie integral over the shoulder straps, not a tight waistband which might be uncomfortable or could impede breathing. The bib part of the short is often made of spandex with large sections of netting to help cool down the rider.

The idea of bib shorts likely came from the braces (UK) or suspenders (US) that cyclists used to use to hold up old fashioned woollen shorts which had have a tendency to become loose and a tight waistband would have been uncomfortable. Bibs are often better for tall or riders with protruding stomachs, as standard shorts tend to roll down in the back while riding.

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