The Best Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts of 2023

After months of testing, the Wild Rye Freel emerged as our top-rated women’s mountain bike shorts, taking into account the fit, features, comfort, as well as the brand. Wild Rye may be lesser-known than many of its mainstream competitors, but they have quite the following, and for good reason. The trail-oriented Freel shorts are their flagship model that helped put the brand on the map.

These shorts felt perfect from the first time they were tried on, with a very flattering fit. The waist sits comfortably at a mid-height with a snap and zip closure, and while they don’t have adjustments, they do have belt loops. Thankfully, they come in 10 waist sizes, 0-18, so it’s easy to get the right fit. The inseam length hangs just above the knee with a baggy flair that easily accommodates knee pads. The ethically and sustainably sourced WRDuraFlex material feels high quality and durable, with 4-way stretch, clear attention to detail in the seams and trims, and UPF 50 to boot. The Freel shorts look and feel like a well-made piece of clothing built to last through whatever the trail throws at you.

Riding in the Freel shorts just feels natural. They are pedal friendly and they move nicely with the body. Even the pockets are well done with an easy access zippered hip pocket and two open hand pockets on the front that are deep enough to be functional and secure while riding. The fabric shrugs off light rain and splashes from puddles well enough that they look clean at the end of rides in sloppy conditions. Importantly, they look cute off the bike and look good when worn either with or without knee pads on the trail.

Wild Rye is female-owned and they put a lot of emphasis on being conscious of impact. They are a Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, and a 1% for the Planet member. They also offer a “pre-loved” section where you can sell used Wild Rye items that are not available for return. The website also has a shorts comparison page that allows you to compare all the different fits and features of their shorts so you can see them all laid out and make an educated decision based on your needs and wants. We found their customer service to be great, and they generally just put off good vibes.

If you’re looking for versatile trail-riding shorts that come in a range of colors and prints, the Wild Rye Freel is our top recommendation. They also make the Freel Flex for curvy bodies that have a stretchy waistband and come in sizes 14-24

Ripton & Co. is a small Colorado-based brand that’s made a name for itself by producing fun and functional men’s and women’s apparel made out of “performance denim”. The Ripton & Co. Jorts aren’t your typical pair of women’s mountain bike shorts, but they impressed us enough with their fit, comfort, on-bike performance, style, and reasonable price to earn our nod for the best value among the models we tested.

Ripton & Co’s Jorts (short for jean shorts in case you didn’t know) aren’t your typical cut-off jean shorts. Instead, they are made from a stretchy “performance denim” material that moves with you and allows for great freedom of movement. The material is mostly cotton and elastane but includes 13% recycled cotton and 11% recycled polyester. The Jorts have an athletic cut and the updated gusseted inner thigh reduces crotch seams and adds stretch where it’s needed. They have a short, 5.5-inch inseam, and the Diesel (black) colorway is also available with a 9-inch inseam if you want a little more leg coverage.

The Jorts feature typical jean pockets in the form of two mesh-lined front hand pockets and two back pockets. The back pockets fit a phone comfortably and it stays pretty solid but not entirely secure. Denim is a bit warmer overall and doesn’t dry out quite as quickly as more technical fabrics, but the shorter length of the Ripton Jorts helps keep you cool on warmer days. While these shorts may not be the best for a huge trail ride, they are perfect for the local dirt jumps, cruise rides with the girls, or that quick before/after work shred.

The Ripton & Co. Jorts are versatile and stylish so you can ride and go out on the town without a wardrobe change. They come in multiple denim colors including Mineral, Slate, Smoke, and Diesel, and either cut-off or hemmed styles with most offered in whole waist sizes between 24 and 36. They also happen to be quite affordable with prices ranging between $65 and $69 depending on the color/style.

Patagonia is one of the most recognizable brands in the outdoor clothing industry and when they relaunched their mountain bike apparel line several years ago, the flagship Dirt Roamer shorts quickly became a popular model. These shorts have been updated since then with a longer inseam, two zippered hip pockets (up from one), new low-profile waist adjustments, and a tougher but still very lightweight material.

The Dirt Roamer shorts feature 86% recycled polyester with easy-to-use dual waist adjusters and beautifully welded seams to reduce bunching and friction spots. The Fair Trade Certified™ sewn material is super light, and dreamy soft while maintaining amazing stretch. These shorts are so light and airy that it almost feels like you aren’t wearing anything while riding. The material moves incredibly freely with the body and each pedal stroke and goes virtually unnoticed on the trail. They come in sizes 0-22, so it should be easy for most people to get the right fit. The well-designed waist adjustment straps are very low-profile and secure and work well to take up some additional slack if needed.

In addition to breathing well and drying fast, the soft, stretchy material makes it easy to pull up your kneepads and the 12.5-inch inseam length and size of the leg opening means they pair well with them too. The two well-placed zippered side pockets are easy to access and fit everything most people will ever carry while riding, plus they open on top inside to pair with pockets on Patagonia’s matching liner shorts (sold separately). Patagonia products consistently feel high quality and are made with excellent attention to detail.

Patagonia has been a sustainability leader for as long as most people can remember and they continue to lead the charge both from a corporate standpoint and with the products they make. They are a 1% for the Planet member and support a number of activism organizations listed on their website with ways for customers to get involved based on their location. They offer mail-in repairs for most products and are often at events doing immediate repairs. They have a page with DIY videos on how to repair your own products as well as properly care for certain items to extend their lifespan. It is also easy to find used gear or trade-in gear through their website and their Worn Wear program to keep products in use longer.

Sustainability aside, we feel the Patagonia Dirt Roamer shorts are an excellent choice for anyone seeking a well-designed, lightweight women’s mountain bike short for their two-wheeled adventures. They aren’t exactly cheap, but we feel the fit, comfort, and on-trail performance justify the asking price.

Pearl Izumi has been in the cycling apparel business for decades, and they have a strong reputation in the road market and a growing reputation among mountain bikers. One of their latest women’s mountain bike shorts is the Pearl Izumi Summit PRO Shell. These super lightweight and minimalist shorts are made from a seriously stretchy material and feature the most venting of any shorts we tested earning them our top recommendation if ventilation is a priority.

The Summit PRO Shell shorts have an adjustable waist belt that pulls tension across the front half of the shorts with a metal hook clasp that stays secure while riding. We found they fit true to size and they are available in sizes 2-14, plus the waist adjustment works well to fine-tune the fit. The slightly less expensive Summit Shell shorts come in a wider range of sizes. They have a generous 12.75-inch inseam length that works well with or without knee pads, with ample coverage to protect from the sun and avoid the dreaded pad gap. Still, they are exceptionally pedal friendly as the 91% recycled material is incredibly lightweight, stretchy, and feels great against the skin.

Along with the ultra-lightweight material, the Summit PRO Shell shorts feature laser cut venting along the front inside of the thighs for amazing breathability and airflow. Two zippered hip pockets position items toward the back of the thigh for “pedaling comfort”, and while that is true, the angle makes the zippers somewhat challenging to zip with one hand while riding.

Pearl Izumi’s website provides detailed information and has lots of pictures of each product. They offer a 60-day “fit guarantee”, a lifetime warranty against factory defects on all products, as well as a crash replacement of 30% off a future purchase. Listed on each product page is an interesting sustainability meter, “Pedal to Zero”, that tells you how many miles you have to pedal to offset the climate impact of their products. The Summit PRO Shell shorts will take 18.61 miles to offset their impact. Their sustainability page also shows they have some pretty impressive goals to reach by 2025 as a company.

If you’re seeking a lightweight and well-ventilated pair of women’s mountain bike shorts for riding in hot weather or those all-day epics, we think the Pearl Izumi Summit PRO Shell shorts are a great option to consider.

The 7Mesh Glidepath shorts take the cake as the most technical pair of riding shorts we tested. 7Mesh is a Squamish, BC-based company, so it stands to reason they know a thing or two about riding bikes and doing it in variable weather conditions. The versatile Glidepath shorts fit well, are comfortable, and their technical fabric is tough and water-resistant.

Everything about the 7Mesh Glidepath shorts makes them feel like a high-quality product. The material, waist adjustment, pockets, and the overall fit combine to make these shorts one of our favorites. While not the softest material, it has a good amount of stretch and shifts easily with the pedal stroke and with the body on descents while having a tougher feel than lighter materials. The durable water repellant (DWR) proved to resist water very well on drizzly test rides making these a great option for inclement weather, variable conditions, or riding in wetter climates.

We found the cut to be very flattering on the hips and behind. It’s worth noting that their sizing is based solely on hip and thigh measurements, so it is important to reference their size chart or try these on before you buy. 7Mesh admits that they don’t have the largest size range, but they on their website they include links to other brands that do. The Glidepath shorts feature a zip and snap closure with a multi-position front belt closure made from stretchy soft material to fine-tune the fit. The longer 15” inseam is made to fit easily over knee pads for technical trail riding and it always seemed to be positioned perfectly at the top of the knee/kneepad while pedaling. The zippered hip pockets sit slightly higher than other shorts but fit a phone nicely and are super easy to access. The front hand pockets are deep enough to stash certain items without them falling out, and they are lined with a fine mesh to add some ventilation. 

7Mesh perfects their products in-house in Squamish to be sure they are up to par before sending them to manufacturing. They offer Crash Replacement for free within 30 days and after that, they will repair your busted gear for a small fee. The Bluesign® approved and Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified fabric is PFC and PFAS-free. 7Mesh strives to be environmentally responsible but also to be socially conscious through diversity, equity, and inclusion, and they provide lots of information on their initiatives on their website if you’d like to learn more. Even the name, 7Mesh, is a tribute to the local indigenous tribes “and represents [their] commitment to contribute to progress on indigenous issues” in Canada.

If you’re seeking a high-quality pair of technical mountain bike shorts that can stand up to abuse and changing conditions, we feel the 7Mesh Glidepath is a fantastic option to consider. They are on the expensive end of the spectrum, but we feel they are a premium product that is worth the asking price.

The Troy Lee Designs Mischief shorts are a rugged model aimed squarely at the gravity-riding crowd. Crafted from a thicker, heavy-duty material, these durable shorts are designed to take abuse while riding hard-hitting terrain. They aren’t the lightest or the most breathable, but these are the shorts we recommend if you’re spending your days at the bike park or shuttling rowdy descents.

The Mischief shorts have a relaxed fit and are made from a Bluesign-certified 4-way stretch woven material. They have a relatively long inseam length that hangs down around the knee with ample space for knee pads and enough length to maintain good leg coverage and prevent pad gap while riding. The zip and snap closure is secure and velcro waist adjustment tabs on the outside of the waistband make it quick and easy to fine-tune the fit during your riding day. A stretchy mesh panel just below the back of the waistband helps a little heat and moisture escape, but these shorts are comparatively a bit warmer than models made with lighter materials. The heavier material helps keep you a bit warmer on cool days or when you aren’t exerting yourself very hard, along with the benefit of being a bit thicker and more protective against trailside branches or the occasional washout in a loose corner.

One thing that stands out about the Mischief shorts is the excellent pocket layout, and there is ample space for carrying snacks and essentials. The zippered pocket on the right thigh is perfect for access when you are sitting on the chairlift and the front hand pockets have zippers as well to keep your valuables secure when you’re riding rough terrain. The hand pockets are also lined with mesh so they could be used as a little extra venting if they aren’t carrying anything.

The Troy Lee Designs Mischief shorts strike a nice blend of technical and durable for long days at the bike park or trail rides where you want a bit of extra protection or warmth. They come in 5 sizes between XS and XL, several color options, and, as always, Troy Lee Designs offers 1-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects.

Shredly is a female-owned brand that specializes in making women’s outdoor apparel with a fashion-first and sustainability-minded approach. Originally born from a Kickstarter campaign, the company has grown over time and has gained a strong footing in the market. One of their stated missions is “to offer women of all shapes and sizes the best selection of technical apparel”, and that is reflected in the large size range and variety of inseam lengths offered. The Shredly All-Time is one of two baggy mountain bike shorts in their line that is available in 5-inch, 11-inch, and 14-inch (tested) inseam lengths to suit varying needs or preferences.

One of the first things that stands out about the Shredly All-Time shorts is the super cute-looking style with a variety of cuts and a great range of artistic and thoughtful prints (and the newly added Noir – solid black for the masses). Offered in a range of inseam length options with a zip and snap closure and partial elastic waistband, or a full elastic waist (the Limitless model comes in sizes 0-24), these shorts are super comfy with a relaxed yet flattering fit. The 14” length we tested sits nicely over knee pads and works well with or without them, making them a versatile option that could be worn for either big days in the saddle or long days at the bike park. 

The 91% recycled polyester/spandex ecoMove material is light enough to feel good riding in warm weather while still feeling durable enough to withstand the inevitable encounters with the dirt. The 4-way stretch fabric along with the stretchy waistband ensures these shorts move very freely with the body while riding. Two hand pockets, a zippered hip pocket, and a cargo pocket on the right thigh ensure you have plenty of room to stash your essentials whether you’re on or off the bike.

The Shredly All-Time shorts in the 14-inch length we tested are a great option for people who ride in knee pads all the time, taller women, or those who prefer a longer length. The other inseam options make sure there’s something for everyone, and the variety of colors and prints add some serious style points. Shredly also makes a variety of tank tops, short and long-sleeve jerseys, and gloves in matching prints and complimentary colors so you can finish off your kit.

Troy Lee Designs makes a number of women’s mountain bike short models, and the TLD Luxe is the most form-fitting of them all. With a slimmer, stretchy fit and a broad stretch waistband like a yoga pant, the fit is flattering and impressively comfy, making them feel like you could wear them all day. They also come in plain black or a couple of fun prints including TLD athlete Micayla Gatto’s Rosewood which features her original artwork.

Unlike the other models in the TLD line, the Luxe shorts have a shorter inseam and a much slimmer fit. They strike us as a great option for women who prefer a shorter length, typically don’t ride with knee pads (as there would likely be a gap), and are seeking a flattering fit and high level of comfort. The 4-way stretch material of the shorts and waistband hugs the body nicely while allowing for impressive freedom of movement on the bike. The size range is limited to five sizes between XS-XL, but the supple stretch of the material and waistband is quite accommodating.

The Luxe shorts feature laser cut venting on the panels along the inner thighs and their shorter length helps make them versatile and light feeling even though the material is fairly hearty. Though they only have two pockets, the zippered “phone-specific” pocket on the back/side of the right hip fit securely holds a phone and can fit other things like chapstick, a small snack, and even a pair of gloves. Trust us, we tried. Its placement is different but the position behind the thigh keeps contents out of the way but still accessible. The small zippered pocket at the back of the waistband works well for a credit card and/or car key, so you can potentially bring everything needed for a smaller ride without a pack.

While Troy Lee Designs does not boast their sustainability as loudly as other brands, they certainly are making an effort with the materials they use. Most of their products feature materials that are Bluesign Certified and they offer a 1-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects. If a slimmer fitting, shorter inseam, stretchy, and super comfortable pair of shorts sound like what you’re after, the Troy Lee Designs Luxe should be on your shortlist. And, for those who like to ride in pants, they also make the Luxe Pant with the same stretchy waistband design.

The Swedish brand, POC, makes a broad range of mountain bike apparel, protective gear, and eyewear, and the Essential MTB shorts are the least expensive model in their range of women’s mountain bike shorts. With a generous inseam length and technical fabric, the Essential MTB shorts have you covered for any type of riding.

The Essential MTB shorts are made from a nice lightweight but durable material with a bit of stretch and a durable water-repellant finish. We found them to have a flattering cut that really hugs the hips and behind along with a dual snap and zipper waist closure and external velcro adjustment tabs on both sides to dial in the fit. The legs have a fairly slim fit, but the 13-inch inseam length and leg opening is designed to “fit perfectly over POC VPD knee pads”. While we didn’t test them with POC brand knee pads, we can confirm they work well with other brands or without kneepads too.

The POC Essential MTB shorts have 3 zippered pockets – two hand pockets, and a smaller pocket on the back of the raised waistband for a card or car key. The zippered hand pockets, while secure, don’t have the best design, in our opinion, as they hold the contents on top of the thigh which isn’t the most comfortable while riding or particularly accessible either. Still, there is enough storage to stash all your goodies while riding.

Overall, the POC Essential MTB shorts are a solid option that covers the essentials (pun intended). They are sold at a relatively reasonable price, and though they may not stand out against some of the other shorts in this review they cost a bit less than most and they look pretty good too.

100% makes a wide range of apparel, eyewear, and protective gear for action sports like motocross, mountain biking, road cycling, and snow sports. The Airmatic shorts are one of their more trail-oriented options compared to the company’s more gravity-focused offerings.

These shorts are made from a nice 4-way stretch polyester/spandex stretch woven fabric that has been treated with a DWR. A panel of stretch mesh venting just below the back of the waistband helps reduce sweat on the lower back/behind. A zippered fly is secured under a flap of fabric with a metal hook clasp and ladder strap that serves as the waist adjustment system. Ample silicone beads on the inside/back of the waistband add texture to help keep the shorts in place while riding.

The Airmatic shorts fit somewhat snugly through the hips with ample space for the thighs and a longer inseam that works well with or without knee pads. The three zippered pockets provide adequate space for all your goodies, and the one on the right thigh works great for a phone. The light, lavender color we tested looks great when new, but it is somewhat prone to staining and we found that it is somewhat see-through. Thankfully, they come in darker color options like Slate Blue and Black. The medium-thickness material feels relatively durable, but it isn’t quite as airy or breathable as the lighter options we tested.

Overall, the 100% Airmatic Women’s shorts are a comfortable mid-weight option for riding in moderate temperatures or warmer days at the bike park. While there isn’t anything particularly ground-breaking about their performance, they get the job done at a relatively reasonable price.

Rapha has made a name for themselves as one of the premier road cycling apparel brands, and it came as a little bit of a surprise when they launched a mountain bike line a couple of years ago. What started as a fairly modest line of mtb apparel has steadily grown into a larger range with various models of shorts, pants, jerseys, jackets, accessories, and even knee pads. The Rapha Trail Shorts are their flagship model intended to be a versatile option suitable for most styles of riding.

Like many Rapha products, the Trail shorts aren’t exactly inexpensive. In fact, they are the priciest model we tested by a small margin. That said, they are made from a quality Bluesign and Okeo-Tex-certified fabric that is a blend of 88% nylon and 12% elastane. The shorts come with a number of color-matched stick-on patches so you can do minor repairs at home and they offer a free repair service for damage you aren’t able to fix yourself. While pricey, it’s clear they want you to get your money’s worth.

Compared to most of the other shorts we tested, the Trail Shorts have a unique cut. The low profile waistband rises quite high on the waist, and the upper part of the shorts is very form-fitting around the hips and buttocks. The waist is secured with a zipper fly and a locking snap, and while the snap certainly doesn’t open on its own, it is a little fiddly to deal with until you get used to it. There is a little bit of stretch to the waistband, but you’ll definitely want to be sure you get the correct size to avoid pressure on the lower abdomen. The legs are a bit roomier and the long inseam ensures they work well whether you wear knee pads or not.

Two zippered pockets, one on each thigh, are a great size and provide easy access with their backloading design. Each pocket has a small sleeve inside that fits a phone and prevents it from flopping around while you pedal or descend rough terrain. While these shorts have some great features and clear attention to detail, our athletic-bodied tester didn’t completely get along with the fit. That said, the Rapha Trail is a quality pair of shorts that could be a great option for many riders if the fit works with your body type.

100% makes a range of women’s mountain bike apparel from more expensive gravity-oriented models down to the entry-level Ridecamp shorts. While relatively basic, these shorts look the part and get the job done at a fraction of the cost of the higher-end competition.

The Ridecamp shorts are made from a 2-way stretch polyester fabric and have a relatively long inseam that drops down around the knees and offers relatively good leg coverage and compatibility with knee pads. The waist is secured with a zipper fly and two snaps on the waistband that have multiple positions to fine-tune the fit a small amount. Two zippered hand pockets have ample room for essentials, but we found them to hold their contents awkwardly on top of the thigh while riding, and they were more useful when off the bike.

Though they lack the frills, features, more technical fabrics, and finish quality of more expensive models, the 100% Ridecamp shorts are an affordable option for the rider who doesn’t want to invest much in a pair of baggy riding shorts.