Best cheap cycling shorts 2022 — get a comfy bum for small change

You really do need to sort out the links on these re-run threads. I thought my recent dhb bibshort purchase was more than £35. Then I saw why - your link is to kids shorts.

I used to buy cheaper shorts. But having switched to more expensive Le Col for £60-90 with discounts, I recommend them. They last longer and they're way more comfortable for the longer rides I do now (60-80 mile club rides). I think the cheaper options are fine if you're riding 50 miles/week ish but a false economy for longer. You get what you pay for in this area, at any rate.

I bought a pair of FDX bib tights, (not shorts) for the winter and have found them to be great value for money and really comfortable. Thought I would take a punt on them after reading one of these articles a while ago and pleased with the results.  

I've been using dhb shorts for years and find them very good. The basic ones are great for commuting and I'm perfectly happy to ride all day in them as well. However, I bought a fancier pair of dhb aeron for long rides in hot weather and they are better in many, many ways.

The Planet X 365 bib shorts are also very good, although the legs rely on an odd arrangement which is not really a leg gripper. They fit snugly on the leg and seem t move with my leg, it's very hard to describe, but incredibly comfortable.

They'd be a great pair of shorts for long rides if it wasn't for the very high waist at the front which makes bathroom breaks a bit of a mission. Something that dhb got exactly right with the cut of the aeron.

It's worth pointing out that the current Decathlon 500 shorts are nothing like the shorts mentioned here and the basic 300's are now the 100 by the looks of it.

The basic Road C 500 bib shorts don't have leg grippers, relying on just a folded over lycra hem (it works but does ride up a little) and the pad felt like sitting on a square cardboard box for about the first 5 washes. It softens up eventually. If you've got big thighs, size up. I'm usually a medium (Rapha, Assos, Bicycle Line, Nallini, Adidas, Morvelo or pretty much anyone) and medium is tight across the thighs for me. Or order two sizes and send back one.

Still quite ok for the daily commute though (45 mins each way for me) especially as you can sometimes pick these up in a sale for £11.99 (black and red are that currently) instead of £24.99.

I've worn them on 3+ hour rides but would rather wear something nicer. The pad in the C 500 has been getting some complaints compared to the previous version in Decathlon's  customer reviews. I've not worn the previous version. I've worn  worse though on shorts costing 4, 5 times as much. These aren't immediately comfy but persevere.

They also do a more premium Road R 500 and Road C 900. The Road R 500 is more expensive than the Road C 900 oddly but both have the same pad. £49.99 and £44.99 respectively. I would guess the Road C 900 is the previous Road R 500 model.  Decathlon's numbering scheme is quite odd.

At this time of year, you can get decent shorts for £30

Always found DHB shorts sizing to be weird and the fit poor, but might give the B'Twin a go for the commute

Having read a previous version of this article a few months back I ordered a pair of the Caratti shorts and at the same time a pair of Galibier Classique shorts, both for wearing on the commute to work.  Wouldn't buy another pair of the Caratti, thin pad and a cheap feel.  The Galibier Classique shorts, which were just a few pounds more, were much better.  Quality product, very comfortable and great value.  Not my go-to short for longer rides but fine for anything less than 2hrs.

Cant fault Piu Muglia bibs from Start cycles. £15 and really comfy on rides upto 60 miles and in the heat of Mallorca. 

sad to say but I think Tenn clothing is pretty poor and generally overpriced. The fit and quality is poor and their waterproofs either arent waterproof or boil in the bag despite the breathability claim.

I've tended to buy the cheaper DHB bibs for commuting & turbo. And the more expensive ones for very long rides. I've been very pleased with DHB. However I bought some PX 3/4s last auturm that I was so impressed with that I've bought more plus their standard bibs. Extremely good for the money.

Another recommendation for Planet X shorts.

I gave up on buying DhB shorts after years of disappointment with the stitching around the pad coming apart within days on every pair I bought, and the material wearing through far too quickly on the outside of the pad area.

I've been wearing Planet X Pro-Line 365 X bibs and 3/4s, as well as a pair of Clubman bibs, for a number of years now and they're all still in fantastic condition with no stitching issues around the pad and no excess wear around saddle-contact areas.

The pads are thicker and far more comfortable than the DhB pads ever were too.

Great kit for the money - and even better value when picked up in their regular Flash sales.

I have a pair of the Decathlon 700 series bibs, bought for about £25 (down from £40 IIRC).

I also have a pair of Rapha's 'core' bibs which sell for £100.

The Raphas are slightly better for long rides (say 4+ hrs) but the difference is slight.

planet x club bibshorts are the most comfortable ive worn out of hope, speg, dhb and tenn. Although speg are really good too

Not if you're doing 5 consecutive days on the turbo at 20-40 minute sessions...

Castelli, or Rapha

I would rather buy one pair of decent bibs than 5 pairs of rubbish.

Been though a lot of makes and have found nothing as good as Assos.

Your kit/ gear history is like reading how your fitness developed.
Started with Tenn shorts- ok for up to an hour. Then got btwin 500 shorts ok for up to 2 hours.
Then got dhb bib shorts ok for up to 3 hours. Now have gore xenon bib shorts ok all day. Would only ever buy bib shorts now.

I have amassed the full range of Btwin gear over the last 3 years. Starting with the 300 & then adding the 500 then the 700/900 (in both normal/aerofit versions). I generally buy when it is half price in the sale/clearance racks. Having done 5k+ miles on their kit I have to say it is astonishing value for money, both the low & high end. A colleague was curious to see if a pair of Castelli bib shorts added any extra comfort/better fit than the top end Btwin. He wasted £160. 

The Tenn lycra cycle shorts aren't great, I bought some when I first started riding and didn't know better - even the most basic DHB shorts were leagues better.

The Tenn padded cargo shorts (MTB style ones) are actually really good though, I'm still wearing a pair today that I bought about 4 years ago.  If you don't want to go full lycra for a commute/short ride - they are an excellent choice.

The tenn shorts aren't that great as the chamois is worse than a pound shop sponge, but other than that the shorts aren't too bad, especially considering they go up to a 5XL and are better than nothing.

Is Baleaf Men's 3D Padded Cycling Undershorts intented for "panties" use?

Its probably silly question because I saw one around my town wore this without "pants" and its super hilrarious silly looks with that blue paddy inside out . . . .

He even walking around with that OMFG are you serious . . . wish I have photo him but he is stranger to me so I bother not

I've been fooled by this site's review of the Caratti bibs before, don't you be. The pad is very thin and hence uncomfortable, and the leg grippers don't work.

The Tenn cargo shorts are just £5.99 on Amazon in light blue. Just ordered a pair. I have a couple of pairs of the Amazon undershorts red padding and different name, but very similar that I use on my commute under a pair of Ron Hills nice and comfy on short rides, haven't tried then on anything longer, but have seen plenty of use and washing and are holding up well.