The Best Biker Shorts
The best biker shorts stay in place through squats and sit-ups, feel good against the skin and do not ride up. Our top pick is the Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Bike Short: an 8.5 inch inseam, compressive fabric, a ride-up-resistant design according to the brand and sizes from XXS to 6XL, at $68. For a sculpting, mid-thigh style, the Alo Airbrush 5" is the premium choice, and for a soft, buttery feel, look at the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Keep Pace.
We kept this list to four shorts on purpose. Our database holds four women's biker-style shorts that suit workouts, and we would rather give you four credible options than pad the list with running shorts that are not really biker shorts. Each pick fits a different taste in compression, length and feel.
We have not tested these shorts. Picks come from brand specs and what owners and reviewers commonly report. To filter by length, pockets and compression, use our shorts finder.
| Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Bike Short | Alo Yoga 5" Airbrush High-Waist Biker Short | Beyond Yoga Spacedye Keep Pace 5" Short | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $68 | $78 | $68 seen $39.50 |
| For | Women | Women | Women |
| Sizes | XXS–6XL | XXS–L | XXS–XXL |
| Fabric | 79% recycled water bottles (RPET), 21% spandex (Compressive) | 87% nylon, 13% elastane (Airbrush) | 87% polyester, 13% elastane (Spacedye) |
| Inseam options | 8.5″ | 5″ | 5″ |
| Liner | Bike | Bike | Bike |
| Pockets | None | None | None |
| Fit | Slim | Slim | Slim |
| Fabric feel | Compression | Compression | Stretch knit |
| Waistband | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic |
| Comfort (our rating) | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Performance (our rating) | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Durability (our rating) | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Value (our rating) | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Returns | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Check price | Check price | Check price |
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Brands can’t pay for placement, and it never changes our picks. How we make money.
Our picks at a glance
Our picks, in detail
Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Bike Short
- Women
- Sizes XXS–6XL
- Inseam options: 8.5″
- Liner: Bike
- Pockets: None
- Fit: Slim
- Plus sizes
This is the biker short for people who want coverage and a secure feel. It has an 8.5 inch inseam, a high rise and compressive fabric that the brand calls ride-up resistant and sheer-proof, made with 79% recycled water-bottle polyester (RPET) and 21% spandex, according to the brand. It comes in sizes XXS to 6XL, with a small hidden back pocket for keys or cards. It costs $68. The trade-offs: the compression can feel hot, the pocket is tiny and $68 is not cheap for a short with no frills. Skip it if you dislike compression. It is tagged for lifting, HIIT, Pilates, everyday wear and cycling. Returns are within 30 days, with a $7 shipping and restocking fee on refunds. Our Girlfriend Collective bike short review has more.
Alo Yoga 5" Airbrush High-Waist Biker Short
- Women
- Sizes XXS–L
- Inseam options: 5″
- Liner: Bike
- Pockets: None
- Fit: Slim
The Alo Airbrush 5" biker short uses Alo's sculpting Airbrush fabric (87% nylon, 13% elastane) with medium compression, according to the brand. Alo says it hits mid-thigh and is true to size, and per its table the inseam runs from 4.5 inches in XXS to 6 inches in L. It costs $78, which is the highest price here. The trade-offs: the page listed sizes only from XXS to L, there are no pockets and the price is steep for a plain short. Skip it if you are above size L or want pockets. It is tagged for yoga, Pilates, lifting and everyday wear in our data. Alo accepts unworn items within 30 days and covers return shipping on US orders with a prepaid label.
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Keep Pace 5" Short
- Women
- Sizes XXS–XXL
- Inseam options: 5″
- Liner: Bike
- Pockets: None
- Fit: Slim
- Plus sizes
The Keep Pace is a soft Spacedye short (87% polyester, 13% elastane) with a 5 inch inseam, a 5 inch high waistband and no outseam, which means fewer seams along the side of your leg. The brand's "Goldilocks" length is a safe middle ground. It lists at $68, but Beyond Yoga's page showed $39.50 when we checked, and the sale color was sold out, so verify the price. Beyond Yoga offers free shipping and returns in the US on its site. The trade-offs: no pockets, light compression and sizes only XXS to XXL on the page. Skip it if you want pockets or a firmer, more sculpting feel. It is tagged for yoga, Pilates and lounge wear, so it suits studio days and relaxed wear better than heavy lifts. Beyond Yoga returns are within 30 days with a receipt.
Lululemon Align High-Rise Short 6"
- Women
- Sizes 0–20
- Inseam options: 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″
- Liner: None
- Pockets: None
- Fit: Slim
- Plus sizes
The Align High-Rise Short 6" is the buttery, classic option, and it comes in 2, 4, 6 and 8 inch inseams, so you can pick your biker length. It is made from Nulu (81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane), comes in sizes 0 to 20 and has one hidden waistband pocket that holds a card or key. It costs $64 and the page showed nine colors. The trade-offs: it has low support for running, the pocket only holds a card or key and Nulu can show wear. Skip it if you run, lift heavy or want a compressive feel. This one has no bike liner or compression in our data, so it is a soft, stretch-knit short, not a firm biker short. Lululemon allows returns within 30 days, and a No Line version costs $68.
How to choose biker shorts
Inseam. Biker shorts typically fall between the mid-thigh and the knee. The 8.5 inch Girlfriend Collective offers the most coverage here. The Alo and Beyond Yoga are 5 inches, and the Align comes in four lengths, up to 8 inches. If you have bigger thighs, a longer inseam can reduce rubbing, and a compressive fabric helps keep the hem in place.
Compression. Compressive shorts, like the Girlfriend Collective and Alo, hold you in and feel supportive, but some people find them hot or restrictive. Softer, less compressive shorts, like the Align and Beyond Yoga, feel more relaxed. Pick the feel you will actually wear.
Rise and waistband. High-rise styles, such as the 5 inch Beyond Yoga waistband, stay in place. All four picks here use an elastic waist, with no drawcord.
Pockets. Most biker shorts have no pockets. The Girlfriend Collective has a small hidden pocket and the Align has a waistband pocket, both for a card or key. For a phone, consider leggings with pockets or a belt.
Sizes. Size ranges differ. Girlfriend Collective goes to 6XL, Lululemon to 20, Beyond Yoga to XXL and Alo only to L on the page. Check before you commit.
Activity. For lifting and HIIT, choose a compressive short. For yoga and lounging, a softer one is fine. For running, see our best women's running shorts.
Biker shorts versus leggings and running shorts
Biker shorts sit between leggings and running shorts. They give you the coverage and stay-put feel of tights without the heat of full-length fabric, which suits warm gyms and studio classes. Compared with running shorts, they usually have no pockets, no split hems and less ventilation, so they are not ideal for long runs. If you want pockets, a short with a hidden pocket like the Girlfriend Collective is a start, but most phones will not fit. If you prefer a looser cut, the Align's longer lengths are softer on the leg. And if you want a more traditional running short, our women's running list covers that style. Think about the workout, the weather and how much compression you like.
How we picked
We have not tested these shorts. We picked them from product records built from brand pages and retailer data, looking at fabric, compression, inseam, pockets, size range and price. Our database has few biker-style shorts, so the list is short. The Align is not a classic compressive biker short, and we say so. Ratings are editorial estimates. Read our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best biker shorts?
Our top pick is the Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Bike Short for its 8.5 inch length, compressive feel and XXS to 6XL sizes at $68. The Alo Airbrush 5" is the premium sculpting choice, and the Beyond Yoga Keep Pace is the soft, buttery choice. We have not tested them.
What length are biker shorts?
Most biker shorts fall between the mid-thigh and just above the knee. In our list, the Girlfriend Collective is 8.5 inches, the Alo and Beyond Yoga are 5 inches and the Lululemon Align comes in 2, 4, 6 and 8 inches. Longer lengths give more coverage.
Are biker shorts good for working out?
Many people wear them for lifting, HIIT, Pilates and yoga. Compressive styles, like the Girlfriend Collective, stay in place during movement. Softer styles are better for studio and lounging. For running, a dedicated running short may be better. See our best women's running shorts for lighter options.
Do biker shorts stay in place?
It depends on fabric and fit. Compression and a high rise help, and Girlfriend Collective says its short is ride-up resistant. Softer, less compressive fabrics may shift more. Try them with squats and lunges, and use the return policy if they ride up.
Are biker shorts see-through?
It depends on the fabric, color and size. Girlfriend Collective calls its bike short sheer-proof, and the other brands here do not make a claim on the pages we read. Check owner reviews for your color, try them on in good light and bend over in front of a mirror before wearing them out. Use the return policy if you are not sure.
